958

FIRST STEAMBOAT AT CHICAGO.

1832.

afterward, being almost entirely confiued to the Indian trade and to supplying the United States military posts, some small schooners were also employed. The trade rapidly increased with the population, until, iu 1840, there were upon the upper lakes, forty-eight steamers of from one hundred and fifty to seven hundred and fifty tons burden, and costing two millions of dollars, the business west of Detroit producing to the owners about two hundred and one thousand dollars. In 1841, the trade had so augmented as to employ six of the largest boats in running from Buffalo to Chicago, and one to Green Bay, and during that year, the sailing vessels had increased to about two hundred and fifty, of from thirty to three hundred aud fifty tons, costing about one million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. In 1845, there were upon the upper lakes, sixty vessels, including propellers, moved by steam, measuring twenty-three thousand tons, and three hundred and twenty sailing vessels, costing four millions six hundred thousand dollars, some of them measuring one thousand two hundred tons. The increase in that year was forty-seven vessels, carrying nine thousand seven hundred tons, and costing six hundred and fifty thousand dollars; and since the last fall, sixteen steamers and fourteen sailing vessels of the largest class have been put under construction. In 1845, there were upon Lake Ontario, fifteen steamboats and propellers, and about one hundred sailing vessels, having a burden of eighteen thousand tons, and costing one million five hundred thousand dollars, many of which, by using the Welland canal, carry on business with Chicago and other places on the western lakes. Since the close of the last season many additional vessels have been built on this lake.

The commerce of the port of Buffalo alone, during the year 1845, amounted to thirty-three millions of dollars in value; and that of all the other places on the lakes exceeding that amount, would make an aggregate of full seventy millions of dollars, while even this would be greatly augmented if we could add the value of the commerce of the upper lakes, which, by the way of the Welland canal, goes direct to the Canadian ports. The steamboats alone leaving Buffalo for the West, in the year 1845, carried from that place ninety-seven thousand seven hundred and thirty-six passengers, of whom twenty thousand six hundred and thirty-six were landed at Detroit, one thousand six hundred and seventy at Mackinac, twelve thousand seven hundred and seventy-five at Milwaukie, two thousand seven hundred and ninety at Southport, two thousand seven hundred and fifty at Bacine, and twenty thousand two