159

CHAPTER X.

Mackinaw, the site for a great central city -- The Venice of
the lakes -- Early importance as a central position --
Nicolet -- Compared geographically with other points --
Immense chain of coast -- Future prospects -- Temperature --
Testimony of the Jesuit fathers -- Healthfulness of the
climate -- Dr. Drake on Mackinaw -- Resort for invalids --
Water currents of commerce -- Surface drained by them -- Soil
of the northern and southern peninsulas of Michigan --
Physical resources -- Present proprietors of Mackinaw -- Plan
of the city -- Streets -- Avenues -- Park -- Lots and blocks
for churches and public purposes -- Institutions of learning
and objects of benevolence -- Fortifications -- Docks and
ferries -- Materials for building -- Harbors -- Natural
beauty of the site for a city -- Mountain ranges -- Interior
lakes -- Fish -- Game. 173

CHAPTER XI.

The entrepot of a vast commerce -- Surface drained --
Superiority of Mackinaw over Chicago as a commercial point --
Exports and imports -- Michigan the greatest lumber-growing
region in the world -- Interminable forests of the choicest
pine -- Facilities for market -- Annual product of the
pineries -- Lumbering, mining, and fishing interests --
Independent of financial crises -- Mackinaw the centre of a
great railroad system -- Lines terminating at this point --
North and South National Line -- Canada grants -- Growth of
Northwestern cities -- Future growth and prosperity of
Mackinaw -- Chicago -- Legislative provision for opening
roads in Michigan -- The Forty Acre Homestead Bill -- Its
provisions. 205

CHAPTER XII.

The Great Western Valley -- Its growth and population --
Comparison of Atlantic with interior cities -- Relative
growth of river and lake cities -- Centre of population --
Lake tonnage -- Progress of the principal centres of
population. 228

CHAPTER XIII.

Michigan Agricultural Reports for 1854 -- Prof. Thomas'
report -- Report of J. S. Dixon -- Products of States --
Climate -- Army Meteorological Reports. 255

CHAPTER XIV.

Agricultural interest -- Means of transpo