Home of my heart, I sing of thee, 
 
 Michigan, my Michigan. 
 Thy lake-bound shores I long to see, 
 
 Michigan, my Michigan. 
 From Saginaw's tall whispering pines 
 To Lake Superior's farthest mines. 
 Fair in the light of memory shines, 
 
 Michigan, my Michigan. 
 
 Wak Song— Mrs. Jane W. Brent. 
 
Michigan State Capitol. 
 
A PRIMER 
 
 IIOHIGAN HISTORY 
 
 B R I E F S K E T C H 
 
 MATERIAL RESOURCES OF THE STATE. 
 
 ■wnvc. cr. acD:K.. [^'. - > 
 
 "^.^K' 
 
 HENRY R. PATTENGILL, PrsLiSHER, 
 Lansing, Michigan. 
 
 188G. 
 
f^^^. 
 
 ,c^i 
 
 COPYRIGHT BY 
 
 WIM. J. COX 
 
 1886. 
 
 Thorp & Godfrey, 
 
 PRINTERS AND BINDERS, 
 
 LANSING, MICH. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 It is believed that the youth who attend onr public 
 schools should acquire some knowledge of the chief 
 facts in the history of the State which provides for 
 their education, and of which they are the future 
 guardians and citizens. That the pupils of the 
 average school have received sufficient and systematic 
 instruction in Michigan history, will scarcely be 
 claimed by any one whose observation of the matter 
 has been both wide and careful. 
 
 The standard text-books of American history are 
 necessarily silent upon many points of local interest 
 and importance; while, on the other hand, the 
 several histories of the State are too lengthy and too 
 expensive for general class use. Owing to various 
 causes, the place of a text-book on this subject is 
 rarely supplied by oral instruction. The attempt 
 has been made, therefore, to present some of the 
 salient points of Michigan history in a form 
 sutHciently concise and inexpensive to meet the needs 
 of the class-room, and of the busy private student. 
 
PKEPACE. 
 
 It is believed that the Pkimer can be used without 
 encroaching upon the time properly given to the 
 general study of American history. As this little 
 work is designed to be used as a supplement to the 
 ordinary text-book, subjects commonly treated in 
 the latter are considered only in their local rela- 
 tions. 
 
 The natural resources of Michigan are so many, 
 and the industrial pursuits of the various sections 
 are so different, that children reared in one part of 
 the State have often little or no conception of tlie 
 conditions existing elsewhere. It has seemed proper, 
 therefore, to include a chapter on this subject. 
 
 For favors received during the preparation of the 
 Primer, the compiler desires to acknowledge his 
 obligations to the Hon. Yarnum B. Cochran, former 
 Superintendent of Public Instruction in Michigan ; 
 to the Rev. J. H. Pitezel, author of '^ Lights and 
 Shades of Missionary Life" and other works; to 
 Supt. E. T. Curtis of Calumet; and to Henry E. 
 Pattengill, the publisher. For the Map showing the 
 location of the chief Material Resources of the State, 
 the Primer is indebted to Principal F. E. Wood 
 of this place. 
 
 For the beautiful illustrations which adorn its 
 
PKEFACE. 
 
 pages the Primer is indebted to the Detroit & Cleve- 
 land Steam N'avigation Company, who, through the 
 courtesy of their agent, Mr. C. D. Whitcomb, of 
 Detroit, contributed the use of the plates. 
 
 In prei3aring the following pages, the works of 
 Francis Parkman, Judge Campbell, Judge Cooley, 
 Mrs. E. M. Sheldon, and the Lanmans, and the 
 Transactions of the Old Historical Society of Michi- 
 gan, have been freely used, with proper credits for 
 
 direct quotations. 
 
 W. J. C. 
 Hancock, Mich., July, 1886. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Introduction 1-6 
 
 Chapter I -. -.. 7-16 
 
 French Period— 16 34 to 1760. The first explorer, 7.— French mis- 
 sionaries, 7.— Fur traders, 10.— An early map of the great lakes. 
 13.— LaSalle and the vovaare of the Griffin, 12.— Founding of 
 Detroit, 15.- The French War, 15.— General note on the French 
 Period, 16. 
 
 Chapter- II.. ..17-30 
 
 Enylish Period, 1760 to 1796. Taking possession, 17.— Pontiac's 
 Conspiracy, 18.— The leader, 19.— The plan, 19.— The attack, 20.— 
 Detroit, 20.— St. Joseph, 26.— Michiliraackinac, 26.— General note 
 on the struggle, 27.— Conclusion of the English Period, 28.— Map 
 of Mackinac Island, 30. 
 
 Chapter ni 31-52 
 
 Territorial Period, 1796 to 1837. Michigan as part of the North- 
 west Territory, 31.— Indiana Territory, 33.— Michigan Territory, 
 34.— Second war with England, 36.— Capture of Fort Mackinac, 
 37.— General HulTs Canadian campaign, 39.— Hull's surrender of 
 Detroit and Michigan, 4.O.— British possession of Michigan for a 
 time, 41.— Perry's victory and the recapture of Michigan, 42.— 
 Michigan Territory under Governor ('ass, 43.— Fort Mackinac, 
 45.— The Governoi% 45.— Condition of affairs, 46.— Survey and 
 sale of public lands, 47.— The printing press, 47.— The steamboat, 
 48.— Public roads, 48.— The Erie Canal, 49.— Promotion of Gen- 
 eral Cass and condition of the Territory in 1831, 49.— Close of the 
 Territorial Period, 50.— The Toledo War, 50.— State Conven- 
 tions, 51. 
 
 Chapter IV .52-74 
 
 Miclxigan ax a State— 1837 to 1886. First Constitution of Michi- 
 gan, .52.— Internal improvement scheme, 53.— "Wild-cat" baiik- 
 ing, 55.— Education, 57.— Pioneers, 62.— Mormons m Michigan, 04. 
 —Removal of the State Capital, 65.— Second Constitution of 
 Michigan, 65.— Political matters, 67.— Reference lists of proral- 
 nent otficers of Michigan, 67.— Michigan in the Civil War, 69.— 
 Miscellaneous, 71.— Reference lists of State institutions, 12.— 
 Conclusion, 73. 
 
 Chapter V 74-95 
 
 A Brief Sketch of the Material Resources of the State. Location 
 and size, 74.— Surface, 74.— Map showing location of chief nat- 
 ural proilucts of Michigan. 75.— Soil, 78.— Climate, 78.— Farm 
 products, 79.— Fruits, 80.— Value of the products of the soil, 81.— 
 Forest products, 81.— Value of forest products, 84.— Mineral pro- 
 ducts, 84.— Copper, 85.— Iron, 88.- Gold and silver, 91.— Slate, 91.- 
 Salt, 92.— Gypsum, 93.— Coal, 95.— Stone, 93.— Value of mineral 
 products, 94.— Fisheries, 94.— Conclusion, 94. 
 
 Quet?tt:s ^ ;-liH) 
 
 Index I'M l():i 
 
 viii 
 
A PRIMER OF MICHIGA]^^ HISTORY 
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 As the territory which forms the present State of 
 Michigan was first explored, settled and controlled 
 by Frenchmen, its earliest history is inseparably 
 connected with that of the province of New France. 
 
 During the first quarter of the century Avhich 
 followed the discovery of America, while Spain and 
 England were deeply interested in projects of explo- 
 ration and excited by dreams of gold and glory, the 
 kings of France were too deeply involved in Italian 
 wars to give much attention to the Western World. 
 But after the defeat of 1521, King Francis I of 
 France found time to observe, in a spirit of envy, 
 that his rival, Charles V of Spain and Germany, 
 w^as reaping profit and renown from explorations in 
 America. Accordingly King Francis I fitted out an 
 expedition under John Verrazzano, a Florentine 
 navigator whom he had enlisted in the service of 
 France. 
 
 1524 — This expedition crossed the ocean in the 
 early part of the year 1524, making the voyage 
 
2 A PRIMER OF 
 
 from Madeira Island to the coast of North Carolina 
 in fifty days. Verrazzano examined the coast from 
 Carolina to Nova Scotia in the hope of finding a 
 passage to Cathay — as China was then called — which 
 had been one of the chief objects of the expedition. 
 By the time they reached Newfoundland, provisions 
 began to grow short and they set sail for France. 
 
 Verrazzano's voyage is interesting to ns for two 
 reasons: First, he named the country New France; 
 and secondly, he wrote the first description of its 
 coast. 
 
 1534 — The next French movements of importance 
 in this connection were the voyages of Jacques 
 Cartier — a bold seaman of St. Malo. On his first 
 trip to New France (1534) Cartier entered the Gulf 
 of St. Lawrence and sailed up as far as Anticosti 
 Island, supposing all the time that he had found 
 the long-sought i:>assage to Cathay. But the weather 
 was becoming cold and stormy, and the explorers 
 returned to France for the winter. The next spring 
 (1535) Cartier came back with three vessels and 
 ascended the St. Lawrence River to the present site 
 of Montreal. After visiting the Indians of the 
 neighboring village and making the ascent of the 
 mountain — which he named Monf Royal — Cartier 
 and his comrades sailed down to the spot now occu- 
 pied by the city of Quebec, where they went into 
 winter quarters. Before spring the scurvy broke 
 out, and not less than twenty-six of the company 
 
MICHIGAIs^ HISTORY. 
 
 found graves under the deep Canadian snows. In 
 the early summer (1536) Cartier, with the rest of 
 the survivors, returned to France. 
 
 1541— Not dismayed by the hardships through 
 which he had passed, the courageous navigator of 
 St. Malo made another voyage to the New World, 
 this time for the purpose of planting a colony on 
 the banks of the St. Lawrence. Roberval, who was 
 to have followed him shortly, failed to reach New 
 France until the following spring (1542), when he 
 found Cartier just on the point of leaving for 
 France. Roberval tried to prevent the old navigator 
 from deserting the enterprise, but in vain, as Cartier 
 stole away under cover of night. 
 
 The attempts of Roberval, La Roche, Pont crave 
 and Chauvin to found colonies in New France ended 
 in speedy failures. 
 
 1605— The first effort to plant an agricultural 
 isettlement on the shores of Acadia was made by 
 De Monts, at Port Royal (now Anapolis), Nova 
 Scotia. After a struggling existence of tAvo years, 
 the enterprise was abandoned. 
 
 1608— The next year after the planting of the 
 English colony at Jamestown witnessed the founding 
 of Quebec— where Cartier had spent the winter of 
 1535-36— by Samuel Champlain. ^^Five years before, 
 he had explored the St. Lawrence as far as the 
 rapids above Montreal. On its banks, as he thought, 
 was the true site for a settlement, a fortified post. 
 
4 A PRIMER OF 
 
 whence^ as from a secure basis, the waters of the 
 vast interior might be traced back toward their 
 sources, and a Avestern route discovered to China and. 
 the East. For the fur trade, too, the innumerable- 
 streams that descended to the great river might all 
 be closed against foreign intrusion b}^ a single fort 
 at some commanding point, and made tributary to 
 a rich and j)ermanent commerce ; while — and this, 
 was nearer to his heart, for he had often been 
 heard to say that the saving of a soul was worth 
 more than the conquest of an empire — countless 
 savage tribes, in the bondage of Satan, might hy 
 the same avenues be reached and redeemed. 
 
 ^'De Monts embraced his views; and, fitting out 
 two ships, gave command of one to the elder Pont- 
 grave, of the other to Champlain. The former wa& 
 to trade with the Indians and bring back the cargo 
 of furs which, it was hoped, would meet the expense 
 of the voyage. To the latter fell the harder task of 
 settlement and exjiloration*." 
 
 Champlain and his party began their work at 
 Quebec earl}^ in July (1608), and after weeks of 
 vigorous exertion they were comfortably housed in 
 wooden buildings surrounded by a strong wall.. 
 Twenty-eight persons went into winter quarters, but 
 the scurvy broke out before spring, and only eight 
 of the founders of Quebec were alive at the close of 
 the gloomy winter. 
 
 * Parkman's " Pioneers of France in the New W^orld." 
 
MICHIGAJs" HISTORY. 5 
 
 During the next few years Champlain devoted his 
 time and energies to the strengthening of the colony 
 .and to the exploration of the great interior. He 
 ■discovered the lake which bears his name in 1611, 
 •and visited Lake Huron in 1015. In 1620 he brought 
 his wife over to New France, "and entered with 
 renewed vigor upon all the enterprises connected 
 with colonial life. The colonists were greatly en- 
 •couraged to find their governor willing thus to unite 
 all his interests with theirs, and pursued the arduous 
 labors, and endured the privations of their lot with 
 -an energy and fortitude hitherto unknown*." 
 
 Meanwhile other settlements were planted, of which 
 Montreal was the most important; but, as the fur 
 trade was the chief occupation of the colonists as 
 well as the chief concern of the companies that sup- 
 ported the enterprises, the growth and prosperity of 
 New France by no means fulfilled the expectations 
 of its founders. 
 
 1626 — About this time the company of New 
 France, consisting of one hundred associates with the 
 French minister, — Cardinal Richelieu, — at the head, 
 was organized, with a capital of three hundred 
 thousand livres, and with many privileges from the 
 French crown. 
 
 1629 — In 1629 Quebec was surrendered to the 
 English, who espoused the cause of the Huguenots 
 in their revolt then in progress. Champlain and 
 
 * Sheldon's " Early History of Michigan." 
 
6 A PKIMER OF 
 
 his people were distressed by famine, and he deemed 
 it best to comply at once with the demand of the- 
 English commander, and surrendered the post with- 
 out resistance. Some of the colonists remained at. 
 Quebec, and three years later (1632), by the treaty 
 of St. Germain, the territory was returned to tlio 
 French crown. 
 
 In 1635 New France suffered a severe loss in the 
 death of Champlain, who for a third of a century 
 had devoted the best energies of a strong mind and 
 a warm heart to the French interests in the New 
 World. 
 
 Other governors came and went with the busy 
 years, but, as it is not the purpose of this little 
 narrative to follow the historic fortunes of New 
 France further than seems necessary for a starling 
 point in Michigan history, their names and deeds 
 must be left to the goodly volumes which dijicuss the 
 subject at lenirtli. 
 
MICHIGAX HISTORY. 7 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 Krenchi Period— 1634 to 1T60. 
 
 THE FIRST EXPLORER. 
 
 1634: — It is believed that the first white man 
 who visited any i3art of the territory embraced in 
 the present State of Michigan was Jean l^icolet — 
 who was in the service of Governor Champlain — and 
 that he first set foot upon the soil at the spot now 
 occupied by the toAvn of Sanlt de Ste. Marie. 
 Nicolet ascended the Ottawa and Mattawan rivers, 
 passed through Lake Nipissing, descended French 
 River, coasted the northern shore of Lake Huron 
 and ascended the strait to the falls, where he prob- 
 ably arrived in the summer of 1634. After a few 
 days of rest and some friendly interviews with the' 
 natives, Nicolet descended the strait, made a brief 
 visit at Michilimackinac — the Mo-che-ne-mok-e-nung 
 of the Indians — and passed on to other fields of 
 exploration not immediately connected with tliis nar- 
 rative. 
 
 FRENCH MISSIOJfARIES. 
 
 164:1 — The next Europeans that came to this 
 region were the Jesuit missionaries, Raymbault and 
 Jougues, who arrived at the Sault in 1611. They 
 found about two thousand Indians there, who gave 
 
8 . A PRIMER OF 
 
 them a warm welcome and urged them to remain ; 
 but this thej could not do, and after suitable relig- 
 ious ceremonies, the priests returned to the eastern 
 missions. 
 
 1660— In 1G60, Pere Rene Men^ird resolved to 
 found a mission on Lake Superior, and after a long 
 and tiresome voyage he reached the head of Kewee- 
 naw Bay, in October. He spent the winter with the 
 Indians in that vicinity, and in the spring resumed 
 his travels, intending, it is supposed, to visit La 
 Point, on Madeline Island. He was accompanied by 
 a single Indian guide, and was either lost or mur- 
 dered near the modern waterway lvnov\^n as the 
 Portage Lake Ship-canal. 
 
 1665 — Five years later, Pere Claude Allouez 
 reached La Point, established a mission and erected 
 a chapel — which was the first church edifice west 
 of Lake Huron. 
 
 1668 — The second mission on Lake Superior 
 (called by the Indians Gitcliee Gomi, and by the 
 French Lac de Tracy) was founded at the Sault de 
 Ste. Marie, by Pere Marquette,* in 1668. Inhabited 
 
 *Jacques Marquette was born at Laon, France, in 1637, and died at 
 the mouth of the Pere Marquette River, on the eastern shore ot Lake 
 Michigan, May 18, 1675. He joined the order of Jesuits at the age of 
 17, and was sent to Canada as a missionary in 1666. 
 
 Having a natural aptitude for learning languages, he acquired six 
 Indian dialects m the next two years, and was ready to engage in 
 missionary work in 1668. The establishment of the mission at the 
 Sault de Ste. Marie was one of his first public acts. 
 
 In scholarship, intellectual vigor and religious devotion, Father 
 Marquette was the peer of the best men of his time, and his name is 
 revered by all who know and appreciate the sterling qualities which 
 make men good and great. 
 
MICHIGAN^ HISTORY. 9 
 
 "by Europeans from that time forth, the Sault is 
 the oldest settlement in the State. 
 
 1669 — jj^ ^(359 Marquette was joined at the Sault 
 by Pere Dablon, Superior of the mission, and tiiey 
 -are described as '^established in a square fort of 
 'Cedar pickets * h* * * * enclosing 
 a chapel and a house,"* with growing crops of 
 wheat, maize, peas, etc. 
 
 In the fall of the same year, Marquette took 
 '^charge of the mission at La Point, Allouez went to 
 'Green Bay, and Dablon remained at the Sault. 
 
 1671 — For the purpose of gaining a better foot- 
 hold in the region of the great lakes, and in order 
 to foster and perpetuate the spirit of friendship in 
 which the Ottawas had received the early mission- 
 aries and explorers, M. Talon, Intendant of New 
 France, sent messengers to call a great council of 
 the Indians at the Sault, in the spring of 1671. 
 Fourteen tribes of the northwest sent representatives 
 to meet the French officers, who, with due ceremo- 
 nies, took formal possession of the country. After 
 raising the cross and the lilies of France, Pere 
 Allouez, who acted as interpreter on the occasion, 
 made a speech, in the course of which he jDronounced 
 *a glowing panegyric on his king, Louis XIV, repre- 
 senting him as " the chief of chiefs," who had not 
 '•his equal in the world." 
 
 * Parkman's "• La Salle and tlie Discovery of the Great West." 
 
10 A PRIMEE OF 
 
 During this year (1671) Marquette lost the greater- 
 portion of his La Point people through removal, and 
 himself accompanied a band of Hurons to the Straits 
 of Mackinac, where he founded the mission of St. 
 Ignatius. 
 
 For the next nine years (1671-1680) Pere Druilletes 
 was the leading spirit at the Sault. On several 
 occasions his little chapel was burned to the ground, 
 but the aged missionary was full of energy, and 
 continued to work until, '^'broken by ago, hardships 
 and infirmities," he found it necessary to return to 
 Quebec, where he died in 1C80. 
 
 The achievements of the French missionaries in 
 the wilds of this distant region in those early days 
 added not a little to the geographical knowledge of 
 the country; tlieir religious instruction, gentle man- 
 ners and Christian character no doubt did much 
 to soften the savage nature of the Indians whom 
 they taught, and thereby removed some of the diffi- 
 culties from the way of other explorers ; and although 
 the visible results of tlieir attempt to Christianize 
 the natives were few and discouraging, the zeal and 
 heroism of the men who braved danger without 
 flinching and endured suifering without complaining 
 entitle them to warm places in the hearts of all 
 who love the good and admire the brave. 
 
 FUR TRADERS. 
 
 As the first settlements in New France were mad© 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 11 
 
 under the auspices of companies organized for the 
 carrying on of the fur trade^ the enterprising fol- 
 lowers of this traffic were early and frequent visitors 
 in the region of the great lakes. Induced by the 
 prospect of gain, and having perhaps a keen relish 
 for adventure, the trader embarked with his mer- 
 chandise in birch canoes, coasted the shores of the 
 lakes, followed the winding courses of the rivers- 
 and penetrated the secluded retreats of the vast 
 wilderness. 
 
 This trade gave employment to a large number of 
 boatmen and woodsmen known as coureurs des bois,* 
 
 " A wild looking set were these rangers of the 
 woods and waters I * * They had a genuine love 
 for the occupation, and muscles that seemed never 
 to tire at the paddle and oar. From dawn to sun- 
 set, with only a short interval, and sometimes nO' 
 mid-day rest, they would ply these implements,, 
 causing the canoe or barge to fly through the water 
 like a thing of life; and again they contended with 
 head winds and gained but little progress in a day's 
 rowing. The labor of the oar was relieved by songs, 
 to which each stroke kept time with added vigor, "f 
 
 But owing to too great freedom from the restraints 
 of law and civilized society, many of the coureurs 
 des hois became so reckless and dissolute as to 
 endanger the interests of their employers, to say 
 
 * Literally runners of the woods. 
 
 + Bela Hubbard, "Michigan Pioneer Collections." 
 
12 A PRIMER OF 
 
 nothing of the corrnpting influences which they 
 
 exerted upon the Indians. Fortified posts were 
 
 therefore established for the protection of the com- 
 panies. 
 
 Al^" EARLY MAP OF THE GREAT LAKES. 
 
 1(>69 — Two of the Jesuit missionaries — probably 
 Allouez and Marquette — made a map of this region 
 about 1669. This map, which was published in 
 1672, was remarkably accurate for that age. And 
 when we remember that its authors were not 
 -engineers by profession, and that the map of the 
 country was only an incidental part of their work, 
 we can hardly understand how the task w^as so well 
 clone. 
 
 LA SALLE A^B THE VOYAGE OF THE GRIFFIIS". 
 
 1679 — Soon after his appointment to the governor- 
 generalship of New France, Count Frontenac directed 
 his attention to the extension of the French power 
 and interests in the New World. And among the 
 strong men who assisted in the exploration of the 
 interior. La Salle acted a prominent part. After 
 •establishing a trading post called Fort Frontenac, La 
 Salle decided to build a vessel suitable for the navi- 
 gation of the great lakes, for the purpose of 
 conducting an exploring expedition to the Mississij^pi 
 Eiver. He resigned his command at Fort Frontenac 
 and went to a point two leagues above Niagara 
 Falls, where he began the construction of the vessel. 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. iiy 
 
 late in the autumn of 1678. The schooner, which 
 was called the Griffin, was of sixty tons burden,, 
 armed Avith five guns. On the 7th of August, 1679, 
 she set sail for the first voyage ever made by a 
 'vessel on the great lakes. The Griffin was com- 
 manded by La Salle,— who was accompanied by 
 Hennepin, the missionary, — and manned by a crew 
 of fur-traders. They were ignorant of the depth of 
 the water, and felt their way cautiously. They 
 reached the mouth of the Detroit Eiver on the 10th 
 of August, and sailing northward passed the Indian 
 village of Teuchsagrondie, on the site now occupied 
 by the city of Detroit. The place had been visited 
 by the French missionaries and traders, but no set- 
 tlement had been attempted. 
 
 They passed on through Lake St. Clair,* ascended 
 the St. Clair Eiver, and experienced a severe storm 
 on Lake Huron. 
 
 At length the tempest-tossed Griffin reached the 
 harbor of St. Ignace. '^Before her rose the house 
 and chapel of the Jesuits, enclosed with palisades; 
 on the right, the Huron village, with its bark 
 cabins and its fence of tall pickets ; on the left, the 
 square, compact houses of the French traders; and, 
 not far off, the clustered wigwams of an Ottawa 
 village. Here was a centre of the Jesuit missions, 
 and a centre of the Indian trade; and here, under 
 
 *"They named it Sainte Claire, of which the present name is a per- 
 version. ''"'—Parkman. 
 
14 A PRIMER OF 
 
 the shadow of the cross, was much sharp practice in 
 the service of Mammon."* 
 
 Early in September, La Salle resumed his A'oyage, 
 •crossed Lake Michigan and cast anchor at some 
 23oint on Green Bay. 
 
 The Griffin was loaded with furs, and sailed for 
 Niagara, with orders to return to the mouth of the 
 St. Joseph River as soon as possible, but was never 
 heard of more. It is probable that she foundered 
 the night of her departure, as at that time a violent 
 storm swept over the lake. 
 
 La Salle, with a few men, coasted Lake Michigan 
 to the mouth of the St. Joseph — the site of the 
 modern village of the same name — and built a rude 
 fort. After spending nearly a month at Fort St. 
 Joseph, where they were joined by a party from 
 Mackinac under Tonty, La Salle's trusted agent, 
 they lost nearly all hope of the return of the Griffin 
 with needed supplies. The near approach of winter 
 made further delay dangerous, and the explorers at 
 •once began the ascent of the St. Joseph River. 
 Near the- site of South Bend, Indiana, they made 
 the portage, and descended the Illinois to the point 
 where they built Fort Crevecoeur.f 
 
 *Parkman's "La Salle, and the Discovery of the Great West." 
 t In 1682— having made a trip to Monti'eal, returned and built a suit- 
 able vessel in the meantime— La Salle embarked at Fort Crevecoeur 
 and descended the Mississippi to its mouth. About Ave years later 
 (1687). while engaged in the effort to plant French colonies at such 
 points on the Mississippi as to give his nation control of the naviga- 
 
MICHIGAN^ HISTORY. 15 
 
 FOUXDIXG or DETROIT. 
 
 1701— On the 24tli of July,, ITOl, Antoine de la 
 Motte CadilLac founded the first European settle- 
 ment at Detroit. He brought fifty soldiers and fifty 
 traders and artisans. "A stockade fort was imme- 
 diately constructed, which ***** ^^g 
 named Fort Pontchartrain, and log houses thatched 
 with grass soon went up, in which the settlers 
 found shelter and a home."* 
 
 Cadillac and the officers of the French fur com- 
 pany quarreled from time to time, and on one 
 •occasion, when he was at Montreal on business, in 
 the fall of 1T04, he was arrested and detained from 
 his post for about a year. He remained in charge 
 at Detroit until called away from the colony b}^ 
 private interests, in 1710. Detroit continued to 
 exist, but did not grow much during the period of 
 French control. 
 
 THE FREXCH WAR. 
 
 1754 to 1760— Meanwhile the rival claims of 
 France and England to the same territory, in the 
 valley of the Ohio and elsewhere, led to quarrels 
 which finally culminated in war. During the strug- 
 gle, the French lost the forts of K"iagara, Ticonder- 
 
 tion of the Great River, La Salle was assassinated by a treacherous 
 employe. 
 
 For a full and interesting account of the life and services of this 
 explorer, the student is referred to Francis Parkman's fascinating 
 history, entitled, " La Salle and the Discovery of the Ch^eat Westy 
 
 * Judge Cooley's "Michigan." 
 
16 A PRIMER OF 
 
 oga and Crown Point; and the surrender of Quebec- 
 in the fall of 1759 jjractically decided the contest. 
 In September, 1760, the vast territory was abandoned 
 to the English, and Xouvelle France became a 
 British province. 
 
 GENERAL NOTE ON THE FRENCH PERIOD. 
 
 The most prominent feature of the French man- 
 agement, or rather mismanagement, of the territory 
 was the neglect to develop the agricultural and 
 other resources of the country. Very little land 
 was cleared, few permanent improvements were- 
 made, and the settlements were small and weak. 
 The fur trade, which was the chief occupation of 
 the people, was not calculated to build up and 
 sustain large and thriving settlements. And at the 
 close of the French war, the little trading posts of 
 Sault de Ste. Marie, Michilimackinac and Detroit 
 were the meagre results of two hundred years of 
 French colonization and control in the future State- 
 of Michigan. 
 
MICHIGAN^ HISTORY. 17 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Knglishi Period— 1T60 to 1T96. 
 
 TAKING POSSESSION. 
 
 1760 — Shortly after the surrender of the terri- 
 tory to the English, Major Eobert Rogers was sent, 
 with a military force, to take possession of the post 
 at Detroit. While journeying along the southern 
 shore of Lake Erie, the English were met by mes- 
 sengers from Pontiac* who forbade them to ad- 
 vance further without the consent of the chief. 
 Pontiac, who was not far distant, soon a23peared in 
 person and demanded why they had presumed to 
 enter his dominions without asking permission. 
 Major Rogers explained that the sole object of the 
 expedition was the removal of the French, who, he 
 said, had been the means of preventing friendly 
 intercourse between the Indians and the English. 
 After sleeping over the subject, Pontiac gave his 
 consent and the British soldiers moved on to 
 Detroit. 
 
 After reading the articles of capitulation signed 
 by his superior officers, M. Bellestre, the French 
 commandant, surrendered Fort Pontchartrain (De- 
 
 *This celebrated Indian chief, the originator and manager of the 
 Conspiracy, lived at that time on Pechee island, about eight miles 
 above Detroit. 
 2 
 
18 A PRIMER OF 
 
 troit), in November, 1760, and the English took 
 quiet possession of the post. The population of 
 Detroit and vicinity was estimated at 2,500 persons 
 at that time. 
 
 The forts at Michilimackinac, Sault de Ste. 
 Marie, and St. Joseph were not occupied by the 
 English until the fall of 1761. 
 
 PONTIAC'S CONSPIRACY. 
 
 1763 — Although the French had surrendered the 
 territory, and their chief military leaders had 
 returned to France, the English were not long per- 
 mitted to possess the land before a dangerous 
 and secret foe sought their destruction. We have 
 had occasion to notice the attitude of Pontiac, 
 who regarded the French as friends and their con- 
 querors as enemies of his people. Less than three 
 years of intercourse served to deepen the hostility 
 of the Indians. With brusque manners, the English 
 failed to make themselves popular in the wigwams 
 of the natives; as a rule their tastes did not lead 
 them to marry the Indian women — which was one 
 of the ways by which the French had woven ties 
 of friendship between the two races — and in their 
 dealings with the red men, the English traders were 
 not only unjust but too often arrogant and provok- 
 ing. When the French traders cheated them, it 
 was done in a graceful and pleasant manner; and, 
 rude children of the forest as they were, they could 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 19 
 
 not appreciate the pleasure or propriety of being 
 cheated and abused at the same time. Many of the 
 French inhabitants remained in the settlements, and 
 as no effort had been made to win their favor they 
 had little attachment for the new government, but 
 — in common with the Indians — hoped for its 
 speedy overthrow. ^^ The fires of discontent were 
 smouldering everywhere, and nothing was needed 
 but the breath of a bold and daring spirit to blow 
 them into flame."* 
 
 THE LEADER. 
 
 Pontiac, the originator and leader of the Conspir- 
 acy, was an Ottawa chief. He was well fitted for 
 the daring enterprise. An effective speaker; a bold 
 and crafty warrior, who had won the first place 
 among the Indians of his day; and, more than all, 
 he was a thoughtful and far-seeing general who 
 could originate and manage complicated plans. In 
 the latter qualification, he was probably the greatest 
 chief that his race has produced. But his plans 
 were founded upon treachery and assassination, he 
 could violate a truce without shame, and in the 
 chief elements of true manhood, like most of the 
 savages, he was anything but a hero. 
 
 THE PLAN. 
 
 Pontiac's plan was to attack all of the English 
 
 * Judge Cooley's "Michigan." 
 
20 A PRIMER OF 
 
 posts west of the Alleghany Mountains at about the 
 same time. The Indians were to massacre the sol- 
 diers of the garrisons, and thus, at a single stroke, 
 they hoped and planned to rid themselves of the 
 presence of a people whom they hated and looked 
 upon as intruders in the valleys of the west. The 
 plan of operations included a line of posts scattered 
 from Niagara to Chicago, twelve forts in all, three 
 of which — St. Joseph, Michilimackinac and Detroit 
 — were in Michigan. Pontiac's ambassadors visited 
 the various Indian tribes between the Ottawa and 
 the lower Mississippi, and succeeded in enlisting all 
 of the Algonquins, most of the Wyandots and some 
 of the southern tribes in the enterprise. " Each 
 tribe was to dispose of the garrison of the nearest 
 fort, and then all were to turn upon the settle- 
 ments."* 
 
 A great council was held at a point on the Eiver 
 Ecorces, near Detroit, April 27, 1763. Pontiac 
 made a long speech in which he described the 
 wrongs that the English had done to the Indians, 
 and assured the latter that these dogs dressed in red 
 had come to roh them of their hunting grounds and 
 drive aivay the game. 
 
 Arrangements were made to attack the posts in 
 May. 
 
 THE ATTACK— 1763. 
 
 Detroit — The attack on the fort in Detroit was 
 
 * Bryant's " History of the United States." 
 
MICHIGAN" HISTORY. 21 
 
 led by Pontiac in person. The crafty chief sought 
 an interview with Major Gladwyn, commander of 
 the post, on the 7th of May, and was admitted. 
 He was accompanied by a band of sixty warriors, 
 who to all appearance were unarmed, as their 
 weapons were carefully concealed under their 
 blankets. It had been arranged that Pontiac should 
 make a speech to the commander of the fort, and 
 .at the point where he should present a belt of 
 wampum wrong end foremost the Indians were to 
 strike down the ofhcers, and the massacre ■ was to be 
 -continued by the hosts of savages in waiting out- 
 .side. Happily for the garrison, however, the plot 
 had been revealed to Major Gladwyn, by an Ojibwa 
 girl, the evening before the proposed attack,* and 
 he was prepared for it. When the Indians entered 
 
 * Note.— The Inaians had cut off their rifles so that they could con- 
 ceal them under their blankets. A few dajs before the time set for 
 the massacre, a French lady happened to be at the Ottawa village 
 where she saw several Indians engaged in filing their gun barrels. 
 Upon her return she related the matter to her friends, and the black- 
 smith said that the natives had recently borrowed a number of files 
 and old saws without explaining what they wislied to do with tliem. 
 These facts were known to Major Gladwyn, and perhaps helped to 
 put him on his guard. But he was not fully convinced of the threat- 
 ened danger until the plot was revealed to him by an Indian. Tradi- 
 tion has it that his informant was a beautiful Ojibwa girl, and 
 imaginative writers relate several romantic stories in connection with 
 this incident: One is that the Indian girl had made some pretty 
 moccasins for Major Gladwyn, and brought them to him on the day 
 before the threatened attack. He was much pleased with her skill 
 and rewarded her handsomely, asking her at the same time to take 
 with her a fine deerskin belonging to him for the purpose of making 
 some more moccasins for himself and friends. The girl hesitated, 
 and upon being questioned replied that he had been good to her and 
 she could not take away the deerskin, as she woidd never he ahJe to 
 hring it back. After being assured that she would be safe in telling 
 liim what was the matter, she explained the plot which was to be 
 attempted on the morrow, and thereby saved the garrison. Other 
 writers think that the disclosure was prompted by a more tender 
 Reeling than gratitude. 
 
22 A PRIMER OF 
 
 the fort they found the soldiers in arms and ready 
 for duty at a moment's notice. Feeliag sure that 
 his treacherous purpose was known, and that there 
 was no chance to surprise the English, Pontiac 
 scarcely knew what to do or say, and made his 
 speech very brief. Major Gladwyn told the Indians 
 that they should have the friendship of the English 
 ^^so long as they deserved it," but ^^that instant 
 vengeance would be taken for any hostile act." 
 
 On the 9th of May the crafty chief tried to gain 
 an entrance with a larger party of his followers,, 
 but was promptly refused. The Indians then set 
 up the war-whoop and proceeded to murder several 
 defeuseless English persons who were outside of the 
 stockade, and after these fiendish acts they began 
 the attack on the fort. 
 
 A re-enforcement, with provisions and ammunition 
 was expected about the last of May; '^and, on the- 
 30th, the sentinel on duty announced that a fleet of 
 boats was coming round the point, at the Huron 
 church. The Avhole garrison flocked to the bastions, 
 eagerly anticipating the arrival of their friends. 
 But they were greeted with no sounds of joy. The 
 death-cry of the Indians, that harbinger of misery, 
 
 Note.— The garrison at this time consisted of about one hundred 
 sixty men, three-fourths of whom were regular soldiers. The 
 Indian force has been estimated at not less than six hundred war- 
 riors. " The English fort, of which Gladwyn was commander, was 
 a large stockade, about twenty-five feet high, and twelve hundred 
 yards in circumference, including perhaps eighty houses. It stood 
 within the limits of the present city, on the river bank, commanding 
 a wide prospect for nine miles above and below the city." Bancroft's- 
 *' History of the United States." 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 23 
 
 alone broke upon the ear. The fate of the detach- 
 ment was at once known. The Indians had ascer- 
 tained their approach and had stationed a party of 
 warriors at Point Pelee. Twenty-three batteaux, 
 laden with all the stores necessary for the defense 
 of the town and the subsistence of the garrison, 
 and manned by a detachment of troops, landed at 
 this place in the evening, ignorant of danger and 
 unsuspicious of attack. The enemy watched all 
 their movements, md, about the dawn of day, 
 rushed upon them. An officer, with thirty men, 
 threw himself into a boat and crossed the lake to 
 Sandusky Bay. All the others were killed or taken. 
 The line of barges ascended the river on the oppo- 
 site shore, escorted by the Indians upon the bank, 
 and guarded by detachments in each boat, in full 
 view of the garrison and of the whole French settle- 
 ment. The prisoners were compelled to navigate 
 the boats. As the first batteaux arrived opposite to 
 the town, four British soldiers determined to effect 
 their liberation, or to perish in the attempt. They 
 suddenly changed the course of the boat, and by 
 loud cries made known their intention to the crew 
 of the vessel. The Indians in the other boats, and 
 the escort upon the bank, fired upon the fugitives, 
 but they were soon driven from their positions by a 
 cannonade from the armed schooner. The guard on 
 board this boat leaped overboard, and one of them 
 dragged a soldier with him into the water, where 
 
24 A PRIMER OF 
 
 both were drowned. The others escaped to the 
 shore, and the boat reached the vessel, with another 
 soldier wounded. Lest the other prisoners might 
 escape, they were immediately landed and marched 
 up the shore to the lower point of Hog Island, 
 where they crossed the river, and were immediately 
 put to death with all the horrible accompaniments 
 of savage cruelty."* 
 
 One of the most note-worthy episodes in the 
 siege of Detroit was the massacre at Bloody Eun. 
 Captain Dalzell, who arrived at the post in July 
 with re-enforcements and supplies, foolishly imag- 
 ined that he could surprise the Indians in their 
 camp by a night attack, and against the better 
 judgment of Major Gladwyn, the attem^ot was made. 
 ^'^ At two o'clock in the morning of July 31, 1763, 
 250 men marched out of the fort and up the Eiver 
 Eoad, protected in part on the river by two large 
 boats with swivels. Two miles above the fort the 
 road crossed a bridge at the mouth of a stream 
 then known as Parent's Creek, but since as Bloody 
 Eun." t By some means Pontiac had learned of 
 their movements and had prepared an ambush for 
 them. " As soon as the troops reached the bridge 
 they were assailed by a murderous fire, and the 
 ravine became a scene of carnage. The darkness 
 
 * General Lewis Cass in "Historical and Scientific Sketches of Mich- 
 igan." 
 + Judge Campbell's "Outlines of the Political History ef Michigan." 
 
MICHIGAlSr HISTORY. 25 
 
 iDewildered them and they were compelled to 
 retreat, fighting against ambuscades all the way, 
 until they reached the fort again at eight o'clock, 
 after six hours of marching and fighting in that 
 short road. Dalzell was killed while gallantly striv- 
 ing to save a wounded sergeant."* In this engage- 
 ment seventy Englishmen were killed and forty 
 wounded. 
 
 The siege lasted from early May until late Octo- 
 ber, but the battle of Bloody Kun was the only one 
 fought outside of the stockade. Within the fort 
 the watchful garrison had little to fear from Indian 
 arms or valor. The chief danger was that the siege 
 might be continued until their provisions were 
 ■exhausted; and this fear came near being realized 
 when scarcity of food in the Indian camp made it 
 necessary for the natives to raise the siege and go 
 on their annual hunt. Major Gladwyn at once laid 
 in a good supply of provisions for the winter, in 
 anticipation of a possible renewal of hostilities, but 
 the Indians made no further demonstrations until 
 spring, when " the negotiations of Sir William 
 Johnson and the approach of General Bradstreet * 
 * * * induced them to relinquish their venge- 
 ful purpose." t 
 
 * Judge CampbeH's "Outlines of the Political History of Michigan." 
 t Sheldon's " Early History of Michigan." 
 
26 A PKIMER OF 
 
 ST. JOSEPH. 
 
 Fort St. Joseph was held by Ensign Schlosser and 
 fourteen men. On the 25th of May (1763) a band 
 of Pottawotamies gained admission to the fort 
 through pretended friendship, suddenly fell upon 
 the unsuspecting garrison and massacred all except 
 the commander and three men who were taken to 
 Detroit and afterwards exchanged. 
 
 MICHILIMACKIJs^AC. 
 
 This fortj — situated on the south side of the 
 strait, about one-half mile southwest of the present 
 site of Mackinaw City, — was occupied by Major 
 Etherington, ninety-two soldiers, and four English 
 traders. 
 
 The commander had full and timely warning of 
 the designs of the Indians, but foolishly disbelieved 
 the reports and neglected all precautions. On the 
 2d of June (1763), the King's birthday, the savages 
 were engaged in a game of ball near the gates of 
 the fort. The officers and soldiers, unsuspicious of 
 
 Note,—*' At that time the fort of Michilimackinac enclosed an area 
 of two acres. It was surrounded by pickets of cedar, was situated 
 near the water, and when the wind was at the west the waves broke 
 against the foot of the stockade. On the bastions there were two 
 small pieces of brass cannon, taken some years before by a party of 
 Canadians in an expedition against the trading posts of Hudson's 
 Bay. The stockade contained about thirty houses of commodious 
 form, and * a chapel in which mass was regularly said by a Jesuit 
 missionary. The inhabitants at that time derived their principal 
 support from the Indian traders, who congregated at that point in 
 their voyages to and from Montreal. Here the furs were collected 
 for transportation from the upper lakes, and the outfits were pre- 
 pared for Lake Michigan, Lake Superior, the Mississippi and the 
 remote north-west. It contained, in 1763, about thirty families." 
 
 * James H. Lanman's " History of Michigan." 
 
MICHIGAN" HISTORY. 27 
 
 danger, were idle spectators of the sport. About 
 noon the ball was thrown into the fort and the 
 dark-skinned players rushed after it through the 
 open gate. A party of squaws standing near fur- 
 nished the assassins with tomahawks which had been 
 concealed beneath their blankets, and the massacre 
 began. " The amazed English had no time to think 
 or act. * * * Some of the Indians assailed the 
 spectators without, while others rushed into the fort, 
 and all was carnage and confusion.^'* Lieutenant 
 Jamette and seventy men were killed. Major Ether- 
 ington, three of the English traders, and twenty-three 
 soldiers were taken prisoners and afterwards released. 
 After appropriating the goods of the traders and 
 burning Fort Michilimackinac, the savages sought 
 greater security from the deserved vengeance of the 
 English by encamping on Mackinac Island. 
 
 GEIs^ERAL NOTE OK THE STRUGGLE. 
 
 Eight out of the twelve posts attacked by the 
 Indians, during the execution of Pontiac's plans, 
 were captured, hundreds of Englishmen were killed, 
 and a reign of terror prevailed throughout the val- 
 leys of the west. But in the chief object at which 
 
 ♦Parkman's "Conspiracy of Pontiac." 
 
 Note,— For a full and interesting account of " Pontiac's Conspiracy," 
 the student is referred to the excellent work of Francis Parkman, In 
 the '' Travels " of Alex. Henry, one of the English traders who sur- 
 vived the massacre at Fort Michilimackinac, there is a vivid descrip- 
 tion of that tragedy. 
 
^8 A PEIMER OF 
 
 it was aimer! — the removal .of the English from the 
 great interior — the scheme failed. 
 
 In the summer of 1764, General Bradstreet arrived 
 at Detroit with an army of three thousand men. 
 " The Indians, perceiving that they could no longer 
 contend against so powerful a foe, laid down their 
 arms, and thus the war was brought to a close. ^'* 
 
 CONCLUSIOJ^ OF THE ENGLISH PERIOD. 
 
 Few noteworthy events took place during the 
 remainder of the English Period. Settlements grew 
 slowly. The influence of the fur companies, and 
 of the Quebec Act,f alike prevented the development 
 of the country. 
 
 During the American Eevolution the scene of con- 
 flict was too far distant from this region to permit 
 the inhabitants taking an active part in the war ; but 
 the posts of Michilimackinac and Detroit were still 
 occu^^ied by British garrisons, and the officers, by 
 every means in their power, employed the savages in 
 the fiendish work of assassinating and robbing de- 
 fenseless American colonists in Ohio and other 
 frontier settlements. 
 
 Although the treaty of Paris, 1783, provided for 
 the surrender of all these posts to the United States, 
 
 * Charles Lanman's " Red Book of Michigan." 
 
 + Passed in 1774 by the British Parliament, and severely condemned 
 in the Declaration of Independence. 
 
 Note.— Pontiac was assassinated at Cahokia, Illinois, in 1767, by a 
 Kaskaskia Indian, who was bribed by an English trader to commit 
 the deed for a barrel of whisky. 
 
MICHIGAN" HISTOKY. 2^ 
 
 Great Britain retained possession of Detroit and 
 Michilimackinac until July, 1796, when ^' Michigan, 
 for the first time, became an American possession."*^ 
 
 * Judge Campbell's " Outlines of the Political History of Michigan."" 
 Note.— Captain Porter of General Wayne's army had the honotof 
 first unfurling the stars and stripes in Michigan. 
 
MICHIGAJ?^ HISTORY. 31 
 
 . CHAPTER III. 
 Territorial F'eriod— 1T96 to 183T. 
 
 MICHIGAN AS PART OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY. 
 
 Although the ordinance creating the Northwest 
 Territory was passed by Congress in 1787, the reten- 
 tion of Michigan posts by the British until 1796 
 made the latter date the practical beginning of the 
 American Territorial Period. This ordinance, pro- 
 viding for the government of the vast territory lying 
 between the Ohio River and Lake Superior, was 
 framed with such wisdom that it has received high 
 praise from an eminent modern jurist. '''No charter 
 has so completely withstood the tests of time and 
 experience; it had not a temporary adaptati:n to a 
 particular emergency, but its principles were for all 
 time, and worthy of acceptance under all circum- 
 stances. It has been the fitting model for all 
 subsequent territorial governments in America."* 
 
 This ordinance contained six articles of compact 
 between the original States and the people and 
 States of the territory, and it provides that these 
 articles shall forever remain unalterable except 'by 
 common consent. Provision was made for each of 
 the following important objects: 
 
 ♦Judge Cooley's "Michigan." 
 
32 A PKIMER OF 
 
 I. Freedom of worship. 
 
 II. A bill of rights, with a provision making" 
 contracts inviolable. 
 
 III. " Eeligion, morality, and knoivledge heing 
 necessary to good government and the happiness of 
 manJcind, schools and the means of education shall 
 forever be encouraged.^^ 
 
 IV. The States to be formed out of this territory 
 were bound to remain in the Union and help to- 
 bear the expenses and obligations of the general gov- 
 ernment, and all navigable waters should be free to 
 commerce. 
 
 V. The fifth article provided that not less than 
 three nor more than five States should be formed 
 from the Northwest Territory, and that these, as they 
 attained a population of sixty thousand, should be- 
 admitted to the Union under republican constitutions.* 
 
 VI. The sixth article declared that neither slavery 
 nor involuntary servitude, except in punishment for 
 crime, should ever he alloived in this territory or in 
 the States to he erected therefrom. 
 
 Thus at the very dawn of its political existence 
 under the United States, this vast region was pledged 
 to education, freedom, f and equal rights for all. 
 
 * Judge Cooley's "Micliigan." 
 
 t Note.— "The ordinance was the beginning of the end of American 
 slavery. It checked at the banks of the Ohio the advance of a sys- 
 tem fruitful of countless evils, social and political ; and the opponents 
 of the system found in its mandate of uncompromising prohibition an 
 inspiration and a prophecy of final triumph in their subsequent war- 
 fare."— Judge Cooley's "Michigan." 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 33 
 
 In the fall of 1787 Congress appointed General 
 Arthur St. Clair governor of the Northwest Territory. 
 
 Owing to the failure of the British to surrender 
 the posts in this section until 1796, however, the 
 first pages of territorial history have slight connec- 
 tion with Michigan. After the Americans gained 
 actual possession of the country, the Lower Penin- 
 sula formed the single county of Wayne in the 
 Northwest Territory, and was entitled to one repre- 
 sentative in the territorial legislature. 
 
 iin^diain'a territory. 
 
 Indiana Territory was organized by act of Congress 
 in 1800, and two years later (1802) the Lower Penin- 
 sula of the present State of Michigan was made a 
 part of the new territory, and so remained until 
 1805. Nothing of importance to Michigan history 
 occurred during the brief union with Indiana, except 
 the passage of an act of Congress (1804) '^'^ providing 
 for the disposal of the public lands within the 
 territory, to which the Indian title had been ex- 
 tinguished. * * By this act, section 16 in each 
 township was reserved for the use of schools within 
 the same, and an entire township was to be located 
 in each of the districts afterwards forming Michigan, 
 Indiana, and Illinois, for a seminary of learning. 
 This was the germ of the university fund in Mich- 
 igan, and of the primary school fund.^'* 
 
 * Judge Campbeirs "Outlines of the Political History of Michigan " 
 3 
 
34 A PRIMER OF . 
 
 MICHIGAN TERRITORY. 
 
 On the lltli of January, 1805, Congress passed an 
 act for the organization of Michigan Territory. ^^It 
 was to embrace all that portion of Indiana Territory 
 lying north of a line drawn east from the southerly 
 bend or extreme of Lake Michigan, until it inter- 
 sected Lake Erie, and lying east of a line drawn 
 from the same southerly bend through the middle 
 of Lake Michigan to its northern extremity, and 
 thence due north to the northern boundary of the 
 United States."* General William Hull was ap- 
 pointed governor of Michigan Territory, and arrived 
 in Detroit in July, 1805. A few weeks before the 
 arrival of the governor the town had been destroyed 
 by fire, and he found the people encamped in the 
 fields, with scanty food and little shelter. But they 
 were not discouraged by misfortune, and at once 
 began to rebuild on the site now occupied by the 
 metropolis of Michigan, f The population of the 
 territory at that time did not exceed four thousand 
 persons, and unfortunately there seemed to be little 
 
 ♦Judge Cooley's "Michigan.'" 
 
 t Note.— The plan of the city was drawn by Judge Woodward, an 
 eccentric character, who was chief justice of the territorial court at 
 that time. " He regarded it as one tliat combined all the excellencies 
 which could be culled from previous plans, from that of Constantinople 
 to that of Washington city. It was upon a magnificent scale, and un- 
 folded an outline which, he often declared, would require eight centuries 
 to fill up. This was assigning an ample period for the consummation 
 of almost any human project. But the plan, however admirable in 
 theory, has proved inconvenient in practice. It has entailed embar- 
 rassment on the place, which will probably perpetuate the projector's 
 name through a long posterity, but without those encomiums which 
 were, perhaps, anticipated."— Major Henry Whiting, "Historical and 
 Scientific Sketches of Michigan." 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 35 
 
 inducement for emigration from the eastern States. 
 Detroit was made the territorial capital. 
 
 About two years after the arrival of Governor 
 Hull in Michigan^ the Indians, instigated by the 
 English fur traders, began to show signs of evil 
 intentions concerning the frontier settlements. Te- 
 cumseh and his brother, generally known as the 
 Prophet, were the leaders. The plan, which resembled 
 the scheme of Pontiac, was not ready for execution 
 for several years, but well-founded rumors of ill- 
 feeling and evil designs reached the governor and 
 people from time to time, which caused anxiety and 
 retarded the settlement of the territory. 
 
 Governor Hull had made a fair record in the 
 Eevolutionary War, but he was poorly fitted to man- 
 age discontented and crafty natives, or to guide the 
 destinies of struggling pioneer settlements. Weak, 
 vacillating, and timid, his administration was equally 
 unfortunate for his own reputation and for the 
 interests of the people of Michigan. 
 
 Judge Woodward, chief justice of the territory at 
 that time, did much to bring the governor into dis- 
 repute; and General Hull contributed to this end 
 by foolishly allowing himself to be drawn into fre- 
 quent and undignified quarrels with the eccentric 
 and testy justice.* 
 
 * Note.— Judge Woodward was a queer genius. He was cliaracter- 
 ized by one of his associates as " a theorist, fit only to extract sunbeams 
 from cucumbers." But with all his oddities he rendered good service 
 to the people of Detroit during the dangerous period which followed 
 Hull's surrender. 
 
36 A PRIMER OF 
 
 THE SECOND WAR WITH ENGLAND. 
 
 Such was the condition of territorial affairs, and 
 such the leader, when the impressment of American 
 seamen and other British insults, furnished occasion 
 for another struggle with England. 
 
 The Indians were encouraged by the gathering 
 war-clouds long before the breaking of the tempest, 
 and, in 1811, they assembled in considerable numbers 
 on the banks of the Wabash River. Fortunately for 
 Indiana and the whole northwest. General Harrison, 
 the governor of that territory, was a brave and 
 energetic officer, and lost no time in taking vigorous 
 measures against the redskins. With an army of 
 about nine hundred men lie marched to the Indian 
 camp, called the Prophet's Town. He was met by 
 some of the chiefs who professed surprise at his 
 warlike movements, assured him that they had no 
 thought of fighting, and asked for a conference on 
 the morrow. General Harrison replied that he would 
 be glad to give them an opportunity to disperse in 
 peace, and would grant the desired council. In 
 selecting an encampment and in making arrange- 
 ments for the night, however, every precaution was 
 wisely taken to prevent surprise in case of a treach- 
 erous attack. True to their nature, the wily savages 
 had only requested a conference for the purpose of 
 throwing the soldiers off their guard and gaining an 
 easy victory by a night attack. The Indians fell 
 
MICHIGAN HISTOKY. 37 
 
 upon the camp about four o'clock in the morning, 
 "but, contrary to their expectations, they found the 
 army ready for action at a moment's notice. The 
 engagement, which is known in history as the battle 
 of Tippecanoe, took place on the 7th of November, 
 1811, and resulted in the total defeat of the Indians, 
 who dispersed and made no more trouble for the 
 time. 
 
 Governor Hull spent the winter of 1811-12 in 
 Washington. He expressed deep anxiety concerning 
 the exposed and defenseless condition of Michigan 
 in the event of the threatened war with England, 
 and urged the war department to place a strong 
 naval force on Lake Erie. This advice was not 
 heeded. Governor Hull was offered the command of 
 a military force for the protection of the frontier, 
 and the invasion of Canada if war should be declared. 
 The command was first declined but afterwards 
 accepted. With an army of about fifteen hundred 
 men. General Hull started from Dayton, Ohio, and 
 after a tedious march of three weeks reached Detroit 
 on the 6th of July (1812). War was declared on 
 the 18th of June, but through some neglect General 
 Hull was not notified of the fact until the 2d of 
 July. 
 
 CAPTUKE OF FORT MACKINAC* 
 
 Fort Mackinac was garrisoned by a little band of 
 
 * Note.— This fort was removed from the mainland to Mackinac 
 Island, by the English, in 1780, The new fort— which has been familiar 
 to tourists for more than a century— was completed about 1783. 
 
38 A PRIMER OP 
 
 fifty-seven men, under command of Lieutenant Porter 
 Hanks. Situated in the heart of the Indian coun- 
 try, this post was of great importance, and we can 
 hardly understand why the war department and the 
 commanding general were so stupid as to make no 
 effort to send reinforcements. The British com- 
 mandant on St. Joseph's Island learned of the 
 declaration of war about the middle of July, and at 
 once started for Mackinac with a force of nearly a 
 thousand men. The British landed in the night 
 time, on the northwest side of the island,* and pro- 
 ceeded to a commanding position above the fort, 
 where they planted their cannon and awaited the 
 light of day. The sharp report of a hostile sunrise 
 gun announced to the garrison the presence of the 
 enemy, '^ and before the distant forests had ceased 
 to re-echo the sound, * * a British officer, with 
 flag in hand, appeared and demanded a surrender, 
 emphasizing the demand by a statement of the over- 
 whelming numbers of the invading army and a threat 
 of indiscriminate slaughter by the savages at the first 
 motion toward resistance." \ 
 
 As he was apparently at the mercy of the foe. 
 Lieutenant Hanks was obliged to surrender, and him- 
 self and his men were paroled and sent to Detroit. 
 
 Thus Fort Mackinac fell into the hands of the 
 British, on the 17th of July, 1812. 
 
 *At the place since known as the "British Landing." 
 t Rev, J. A. Van Fleet's " Old and New Mackinac." 
 
 I 
 
michiga:n^ history. 39 
 
 general hull's canadian campaign-1812. 
 General Hull had orders to cross the Detroit River, 
 take possession of Canada, and dislodge the British 
 at Fort Maiden.* His officers and men were impa- 
 tient to go at once, but the slow-going commander 
 was not ready to move until the 12th of July. At 
 that time every hour of delay enabled the enemy to 
 gather additional strength and lessened the chances 
 of American success. The garrison at Maiden was 
 small, and would probably have surrendered at once 
 if General Hull had moved forward in a vigorous 
 manner. But there was nothing of a vigorous or 
 rapid nature in Hull's movements. *^' Under pretext 
 that heavy artillery was necessary to an attack on 
 the fort at Maiden, the army lay inactive at Sand- 
 wich from the 12th of July to the 8th of August. 
 One or two detachments were sent out in the mean- 
 time, one of which, under the command of Colonel 
 Cass, soon after the army crossed, drove in a picket 
 stationed on the bridge over the river Canard, only 
 a few miles from Maiden, and took possession of it, 
 advising General Hull of the movement, and recom- 
 mending an immediate attack on that place. The 
 recommendation was slighted, and the detachment 
 ordered to return, leaving the enemy to re-occupy a 
 situation highly important to either party, in the 
 event of a future attack.'' f 
 
 * Near the present town of Amherstburg. 
 
 t Major Henry Whiting, " Historical and Scientific Sketches of Mich- 
 igan." 
 
40 A PRIMER OF 
 
 While General Hull, Micawber like, was waiting 
 at Sandwich for *^^ something to turn up/' General 
 Brock moved toward Fort Maiden with a consider- 
 able military force. On the 9th of August Hull 
 recrossed the river, entered the fort at Detroit, and 
 abandoned Canada after less than a month of inglo- 
 rious occupation. 
 
 The next day after his arrival at Maiden, General 
 Brock moved up to Sandwich and summoned Gen- 
 eral Hull to surrender. On the refusal of the latter, 
 the British at once began a cannonade on the 
 American fort, and the fire was returned, with little 
 damage to either side.* 
 
 HULL'S SURRENDER OF DETROIT AND MICHIGAN-1813. 
 
 On the morning of July 16th General Brock 
 crossed the river in plain sight and without resist- 
 ance, and at once repeated his demand for the 
 surrender of the fort. Brock had about thirteen 
 hundred men and Hull not less than a thousand. 
 Without consulting his officers, and without waiting 
 to make any stipulations or terms. General Hull 
 
 * Note.— During the cannonading it was noticed that a large pear 
 tree which stood at the corner of Woodbridge and Griswold streets 
 was serving as a mark to direct the fire of the [?ritish guns. An order 
 was therefore given to cut it down, and a soldier by the name of 
 Miller was sent to perform the task. The tree was tough, and the 
 blows of the ax made but little impression. A shot from an English 
 gun struck the tree at the spot where tlie soldier was chopping and 
 cut off two-thirds of the trunk. Miller stopped a moment and ex- 
 claimed : "• Fire away, John Bull ! You cut a great deal faster than 
 I can!" He then went on and finished the work as if nothing had 
 happened.— From. Silas Farmer's " History of Detroit." 
 
michictAJnT history. 41 
 
 lioisted a white flag* and sent word to the British 
 commander that he would surrender. 
 
 The American officers and soldiers were provoked 
 beyond measure at the cowardly action of the com- 
 mander. Complaints were both loud and deep, and 
 these criticisms ^' found an answering echo in every 
 part of the country." 
 
 Hull was accused of treason, cowardice, and crimi- 
 nal neglect of duty; and although acquitted of the 
 first charge, he was convicted by court-martial of 
 the second and third, and sentenced to be shot. The 
 President of the United States pardoned him in 
 consideration of his services in the Eevolutionary 
 War. 
 
 BRITISH POSSESSION^ OF MICHIGAN" FOR A TIME. 
 
 On taking possession of Detroit, General Brock 
 placed Colonel Proctor, with a small force, in com- 
 mand of the fort and Territory. Proctor soon pro- 
 ceeded to organize the civil government. He assumed 
 the title of Governor, and appointed Judge Wood- 
 ward Secretary. In this position the former chief 
 justice had some influence with the cruel Briton, 
 and won the gratitude of the people whose interests 
 he tried to protect. 
 
 During the fall and winter following Hull's sur- 
 render. General Harrison collected an army and 
 started northward for the recovery of the frontier 
 
 *A table clotli. 
 
42 A PRIMER OF 
 
 posts. While at Sandusky, he sent General Win- 
 chester in advance to the Maumee. A few days 
 later General Winchester moved forward and en- 
 camped on the Eiver Kaisin. On the 22d of Janu- 
 ary (1813) the camp was attacked by the British and 
 Indians, under Proctor. The Americans were sur- 
 prised and obliged to surrender, and during the fol- 
 lowing night the savages butchered the wounded 
 soldiers and defenseless inhabitants of Frenchtown 
 without mercy. For this and other cruelties for 
 which Proctor was in a measure responsible, his name 
 is held in deserved contempt. 
 
 perry's victory and the recapture of MICHIGAN. 
 
 Commodore Perry's victory at Put-in-Bay, Sept. 
 10, 1813, by which the entire naval force of Com- 
 modore Barclay was surrendered to the Americans, 
 was a fortunate and decisive stroke. " The engage- 
 ment began a quarter before noon. At three o'clock 
 the British fleet surrendered, after one of the closest 
 engagements known in naval history. No entire 
 British fleet had ever been captured before. The 
 utmost bravery was shown on both sides. The 
 American loss was 27 killed and 96 wounded; the 
 British, 41 killed and 94 wounded. * * The 
 brave victor was as humane as he was valiant, and 
 the dead of both fleets were buried together, with 
 the same honors and the same solemn services, while 
 the wounded were all tenderly cared for, and the 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 43 
 
 unfortunate British commander, who was severely 
 crippled, was treated with the generous kindness 
 which he deserved/' * 
 
 Immediately after the surrender. Commodore Perry 
 wrote his immortal dispatch, '' We have met the 
 enemy and they are ours,'' and sent it to General 
 Harrison, who was on the lake shore about thirty 
 miles distant. 
 
 This victory prepared the way for the recapture of 
 Michigan and the entire northwest. General Harri- 
 son used the captured vessels to transport his army 
 across Lake Erie, and prepared to clinch the advan- 
 tao"e gained by a vigorous campaign in Canada. 
 Maiden and Detroit were evacuated by the British 
 and Proctor made a speedy retreat, much to the dis- 
 gust of Tecumseh, but was overtaken and thoroughly 
 defeated at Moravian Town.f Tecumseh was killed 
 in the engagement, and Proctor fled. 
 
 On the 29th of September (1813) the Americans 
 again took possession of Detroit, and Colonel Lewis 
 Cass was placed in command. 
 
 MICHIGAN TERRITORY UNDER GOVERNOR CASS-1813 TO 1831. 
 
 On the 9th of October, 1813, LeAvis Cass was made 
 Governor of Michigan territory, by appointment of 
 the President. 
 
 ♦Judge Campbell's "Outlines of the Political History of Michigan/* 
 t Usually called "Battle of the Thames." 
 
44 
 
 A PRIMER OF 
 
 Arch Rock, Mackinac Island. 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 45 
 
 FOET MACKINAC. 
 
 In the mid-summer of 1814 an attempt was made 
 to recover Mackinac Island, still held by the British. 
 Lieutenant Croghan was sent to effect the recapture, 
 but delayed the attack so long that the English 
 commander had an opportunity to strengthen his 
 position and increase his force, and the expedition 
 ended in failure. During the engagement. Major 
 Holmes, a brave and accomplished American officer, 
 was mortally wounded. The island remained in the 
 possession of the British until the year after the 
 close of the war. The post was evacuated in the 
 spring of 1815, and the fort was again occupied by 
 American soldiers. 
 
 THE GOVERNOR. 
 
 The appointment of General Cass to the office of 
 Governor was a fortunate event for Michigan. No 
 better choice could have been made. The office at 
 that time was one little to be coveted by any one 
 who was afraid of difficulties, or unwilling to do 
 hard and patient work. A man of strong charac- 
 ter — thoroughly alive to the interests of the people, 
 energetic, persevering, with large experience of 
 pioneer life, and endowed with excellent judgment 
 — such was the man who guided the destinies of 
 Michigan through the better part of her territorial 
 existence. 
 
46 A PRIMER OF 
 
 CONDITION" OF AFFAIRS. 
 
 At the beginning of his term of office, Governor 
 Cass found a small population, confined to a few 
 settlements on the eastern border, while the great 
 interior was not only an uninhabited, but an un- 
 known wilderness. 
 
 Worse yet, it was often regarded as an impenetra- 
 ble swamp, and people in the eastern states had no 
 desire to gain a closer acquaintance with the coun- 
 try. Some of the civil engineers sent out by the 
 United States Government to survey lands for the 
 bounty claims of soldiers, soon after the war of 1812, 
 were responsible for false reports of this kind which 
 helped to injure the territory. Governor Cass took 
 pains to correct these wrong impressions, made 
 treaties with the Indians, and secured the titles to 
 their lands for the United States Government — 
 
 Note.— In 1820 Governor Cass conducted an expedition to the Lake 
 Superior region and the upper Mississippi, for tlie purpose of explor- 
 ing the Territory and examining the natural resources of the countr5\ 
 An incidental object was the selection of a site for a military post at 
 the foot of Lake Superior. The Indians of the upper lakes were not 
 very friendly to the United States, and during the council at the Sault 
 they were disposed to question the right of the authorities to plant a 
 garrison among them, notwithstanding the fact that the land had 
 been ceded to the government of the LTnited States by the treaty of 
 Greenville (1795). General Cass told them that as sure a.s the rising sun 
 should set in the tvest there woidd be an American garrison establMied at 
 that place. One insolent chief kicked away the presents which had been 
 offered him, and the council broke up in anger ; a few minutes later the 
 same chief hoisted a British flag in the Indian encampment. The 
 plucky Governor, accompanied only by his interpreter, went at once to 
 the spot, took down the insulting emblem and carried it away, telling 
 the Indians that only the Amei-ican flag would he permitted to float over 
 this soil, and that if they presumed to offer any further insults to our 
 government the United States would set a strong foot upon their necks 
 and crush them to the earth. 
 
 The courage and spirit of Governor Cass gained the day, and the 
 matter was soon settled without bloodshed. 
 
MICHIGAN" HISTORY. 47 
 
 always treating them fairly and honorably. And 
 after the necessary treaties had been made the lands 
 were surveyed and opened for settlement. 
 
 SURVEY AND SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS. 
 
 The survey of public lands was begun in 1816, 
 and, two years later, had i3rogressed sufficiently to 
 permit the authorities to begin the sale. '^ This is 
 the most important era in the history of Michi- 
 gan, and from it may be dated the commencement 
 of her march in the career of improvement.'^ * 
 Farmers would not come in large numbers until 
 there was a chance to procure lands, and little 
 growth or prosperity could be expected without the 
 tillers of the soil. But with the settlement of 
 the interior, which practically began in 1818, came 
 substantial growth and prosperity. 
 
 THE PRINTING PRESS. 
 
 The first printing press in Michigan was brought 
 from Baltimore by the Rev. Gabriel Richard — a 
 public-spirited man, who did much for the educa- 
 tion and enlightenment of the people. A printing 
 office was fitted up at Detroit, and a weekly news- 
 paper, called '' The Micliigan Essay or Impartial 
 Observer,^' was started in 1809, with James M. 
 Miller as publisher. The price of the paper was 
 ^' %^ a year to city subscribers, 14.50 by mail to resi- 
 
 * Major Jolin Biddle, "Historical and Scientific Sketches of Michi- 
 gan." 
 
48 A PEIMEE OF 
 
 dents of Upper Canada and Michigan^ and $4 to 
 more distant subscribers '' (!) So far as can be as- 
 certained this paper perished after an existence of 
 one week. 
 
 The second Michigan newspaper^ started in 1817, 
 was called " The Detroit Gazette,'' and was published 
 for a number of years, by Sheldon & Eeed. '"^ It 
 was a Democratic paper" and was *^^ established at 
 the suggestion and under the patronage of Governor 
 Cass.''* That the publishers of the " Gazette'' did 
 not grow suddenly rich, may be readily accounted 
 for, as the total number of subscribers in 1820 was 
 152, and the proprietors complained that only 90 of 
 these were prompt in paying the annual subscrip- 
 tion. 
 
 THE STEAMBOAT— 1818. 
 
 The first steamboat on the great lakes — the Wallc- 
 in-the- Water — reached Detroit in the summer of 1818. 
 Erom that time forth westward-bound settlers found 
 fewer difficulties in coming to Michigan. For, al- 
 though the WalJc-in-the-Water was wrecked in 1821, 
 the Superior and other steamers soon took her place, 
 and steam navigation contributed not a little to the 
 commercial prosperity of the growing Territory. 
 
 PUBLIC ROADS. 
 
 '^Another matter of immediate and pressing impor- 
 tance was that of roads. Immigrants could not come 
 
 * Silas Farmer's "History of Detroit." 
 
MICHIGA]^ HISTORY. 49 
 
 into the Territory in any considerable numbers so 
 long as they must find their way through the woods 
 by trails, or by roads cut out but never worked, 
 and which in a little while by use became nearly 
 impassable."* Roads around the west end of Lake 
 Erie to Detroit, and from the latter place to Chi- 
 cago, and other highways of importance were built 
 as soon as possible, through the energetic and wise 
 management of Governor Cass and his efficient 
 assistant. Secretary Woodbridge. 
 
 THE ERIE CANAL-1825. 
 
 The opening of the Erie Canal, in 1825, was an 
 event of great importance to Michigan. 
 
 Steamers and sailing craft became abundant on the 
 lakes, and it was estimated that not less than 300 
 passengers a week were landed at Detroit during the 
 fall of 1825. 
 
 PROMOTION OF GENERAL CASS AND CONDITION OF THE 
 TERRITORY IN 1831. 
 
 In 1831 General Cass accepted the office of Secre- 
 tary of War under President Jackson. 
 
 * Judge Cooley's " Michigan," 
 
 Note.— In 1822 Henry Rowe Schoolcraft was appointed Indian agent 
 and took up his residence at the Sault de Ste. Marie. For nearly 
 twenty years Mr. Schoolcraft continued to be one of the distinguished 
 citizens of Michigan. He lived at the Sault the greater part of the 
 time, and afterwards at Mackinac Island. His writings, "Thirty 
 Years With the Indian Tribes," '* Narrative Journal of Travels from 
 Detroit Northwest Through the Great Chain of American Lakes to 
 the Sources of the Mississippi River," etc., are interesting to students 
 of Michigan history, Mr. Schoolcraft took a great interest in the 
 study of the Indian languages and character, and published several 
 works on the subject. 
 
50 A PRIMEE OF 
 
 For eighteen years he had managed the affairs of 
 Michigan Territory with satisfaction to the people 
 and honor to himself. He found the Territory suf- 
 fering from the ravages of war, with a population 
 of perhaps five thousand jDersons; he left it in pros- 
 perity, with more than thirty thousand inhabitants, 
 with developing resources and a bright future. 
 
 CLOSE OF THE TERRITORIAL PERIOD. 
 
 Geo. B. Porter of Pennsylvania was then appointed 
 Governor of Michigan Territory, and Stevens T. 
 Mason, Secretary. As Governor Porter was absent 
 a considerable portion of the time, the Secretary — 
 who was a beardless youth at the time of his ap- 
 pointment — was acting Governor; and after the death 
 of the chief executive, in 1834,* no change was 
 made, and Mr. Mason continued to manage the 
 duties of the office until the close of the Territorial 
 Period. 
 
 Meanwhile the population of Michigan Territory 
 had reached and passed the number fixed by the 
 Ordinance of 1787 — 60,000 — as necessary to admission 
 as a State, and the people desired to be admitted 
 into the Union. 
 
 THE TOLEDO WAR. 
 
 About this time a dispute arose concerning the 
 boundary between Michigan and Ohio. Careless 
 management had admitted Ohio, in 1802, with an in- 
 
 * Note.— Governor Porter fell a victim to the cholera which visited 
 Detroit in 1833 and 1834. 
 
MICHIGAJ^ HISTORY. 51 
 
 definite northern boundary. The act of 1805, organ- 
 izing Michigan Territory, fixed the boundary at a 
 line running due east from the most southern bend 
 •of Lake Michigan. This included Toledo and a con- 
 siderable strip of land which Ohio tried to claim. 
 In 1835 Governor Lucas of Ohio issued a proclama- 
 tion assuming control, and the State Legislature 
 passed an act to organize the county of Lucas. Act- 
 ing Governor Mason of Michigan Territory called 
 •out the militia and proceeded to Toledo to prevent 
 the Ohio officers from exercising control of the dis- 
 puted land. Several shots were exchanged, but no 
 blood was shed. 
 
 Anxious to settle the dispute without giving offense 
 to Ohio and India-na — as a presidential election was 
 .soon to take place, and votes were valuable — Con- 
 gress endeavored to satisfy both parties by giving to 
 Michigan the extensive territory known as the Upper 
 Peninsula. Michigan reluctantly accepted the terms, 
 permitted Ohio to fix the boundary as it is shown 
 ■on our maps, and herself acquired the title to the 
 rich and valuable mineral districts of the Lake Supe- 
 rior region. 
 
 STATE GONVENTIOIs"S. 
 
 The first State Convention for the adoption of a 
 Constitution was held at Detroit, in May, 1835. An 
 •election for the adoption of the Constitution, and 
 for the election of State officers, was held on the 
 first Monday of the following October. The Consti- 
 
52 A PEIMER OF 
 
 tution was adopted by vote of the people, and Ste- 
 vens T. Mason was elected Governor, Edward Mundy, 
 Lieutenant Governor, and Isaac E. Crary, Eepre- 
 sentative in Congress. The Legislature met in 
 November (1835), and elected John Norvell and 
 Lucius Lyon L^nited States Senators for Michigan. 
 Everything was ready for admission into the Union,, 
 but the unfortunate boundary dispute with Ohio 
 prevented the favorable action of Congress. Several 
 conventions were held in 1836, and in December of 
 that year a body of men, mostly politicians, held a 
 convention at Ann Arbor and decided to accept the 
 terms proposed by Congress. This was called the 
 ^^ frost-bitten convention," but in spite of public ridi- 
 cule, the action of this body was accepted by Con- 
 gress, and Michigan was admitted into the Union,. 
 January 27, 1837. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 NliclTLigarL as a State— ISST to 1886. 
 
 FIRST CONSTITUTIOIn^ OF MICHIGAN. 
 
 The State Constitution under which Michigan was 
 admitted into the Federal Union contained several 
 peculiar features, which deserve brief mention. The 
 Secretary of State, Auditor General and Attorney 
 General were appointed by the Governor, with the^ 
 
MICHIGAI^ HISTORY. 53 
 
 advice and consent of the State Senate. The Super- 
 intendent of Public Instruction was appointed by the 
 Governor, with the advice and consent of the Legis- 
 lature, in joint vote. The Governor and Lieutenant 
 Governor were elected, and all State officers above 
 mentioned were chosen for a term of two years, as 
 at present. Judges of the Supreme Court were ap- 
 pointed by the Governor, with the advice and con- 
 sent of the Senate, for a term of seven years. 
 
 The Constitution contained the following provis- 
 ion, which had a considerable influence on the early 
 history of the State: ^^ Internal improvements shall 
 be encouraged by the Government of this State ; and 
 it shall be the duty of the Legislature, as soon as 
 may be, to make provision by law for ascertaining 
 the proper objects of improvement in relation to 
 roads, canals and navigable waters," etc. 
 
 i:n^^ter:n^al improvement scheme. 
 
 It so happened that the Hon. Stevens T. Mason 
 — '^the boy Governor of Michigan" — who was the 
 first chief executive of the young State, was in 
 hearty sympathy with the plan of internal improve- 
 ments for which provision was made in the Consti- 
 tution. With his approval, the Legislature speedily 
 passed the necessary laws, and the scheme was put 
 into execution. Arrangements were made to borrow 
 five millions of dollars on bonds issued by the State, 
 and Governor Mason was authorised to negotiate the 
 loan. The Morris Canal and Banking Company 
 
54 A PRIMER OF • 
 
 bought a portion of the bonds, and as agents, dis- 
 posed of the remainder to the Pennsylvania United 
 States Bank. About half of the purchase money 
 had been paid into the State treasury when both of 
 the buyers failed, and the Michigan bonds — v/hich 
 were all in their possession — were turned over to 
 their creditors. Here was a dilemma. It was highly 
 important that the credit of the State should be^ 
 maintained; and it was equally important to avoid 
 the payment of several millions of dollars for which 
 the State had received nothing. After due deliber- 
 ation, Michigan statesmen decided to redeem the 
 bonds that had been bought, and to refuse to pay 
 the bonds that had been seized before they had been 
 paid for. This decision, founded u]3on principles of 
 equity, was received with respect by the business- 
 world, and the terms offered were soon accepted by 
 the holders of the bonds. 
 
 Among the various internal improvements which 
 were begun and carried on for several years by the 
 State, two of the most important were the Michigan 
 Central and Southern railroads. The first-named 
 road was to begin at Detroit and extend to the 
 mouth of the St. Joseph Eiver, on Lake Michigan. 
 The second was to extend from Monroe to New Buf- 
 falo. After an experience of four or five years in 
 prosecuting these enterprises, and others of lesser 
 note, it became evident to careful observers that it 
 ■would be better for the State to dispose of the rail- 
 roads to private corporations; and accordingly, thfr 
 
MICHIGAi^' HISTORY. 55 
 
 Michigan Central and Southern railroads^ which were 
 only partially completed, Avere sold, in 1846, for the 
 sum of two and a half millions of dollars. This was 
 less than they had cost the State, but nevertheless 
 the sale was considered a good bargain. Under the 
 management of their new owners the roads were 
 speedily pushed forward to completion, with some 
 changes in the western portions of their routes. 
 The rising city of Chicago, like a great magnet, 
 drew the iron bands to the southward, and St. 
 Joseph was left as a quiet monument of what 
 ''might have been." 
 
 ''wild-cat" baxkikg. 
 
 When Michigan became the twenty-sixth member 
 of the Union, there were fifteen banks doing busi- 
 ness within her borders. But among other fanciful 
 theories of that time was the notion that banking, 
 like farming and store-keeping, should be free to 
 all. Accordingly, in the spring of 1837, a general 
 banking law was passed by the Legislature. Under 
 this act "any ten or more freeholders" might engage 
 in banking with a capital of not less than fifty thou- 
 sand nor more than three hundred thousand dollars. 
 The provisions for the security of the public were 
 loosely framed, and proved utterly worthless in prac- 
 tice. Among other things, it was provided that 
 thirty per cent, of the entire capital should be paid 
 in, in specie, before commencing business; that debts 
 and bills issued should be secured by mortgages on 
 
56 A PRIMER OF 
 
 real estate, etc. The banks were subject to exami- 
 nation and supervision by commissioners. But all 
 provisions of safety were successfully evaded by 
 shrewd rascals in one way or another. Banks were 
 started by persons who were mere adventurers, alike 
 destitute of capital and credit. When the bank com- 
 missioners started upon their rounds of inspection, 
 bags of coin were secretly and swiftly carried by 
 messengers from one bank to another, so that they 
 were constantly deceived. The requisite amount of 
 coin would be found in the vaults, the commission- 
 ers could discover nothing wrong, and the inspec- 
 tion was over. During the following night the coin 
 would be spirited away to the next bank, and 
 counted again as before. Meanwhile these fraudulent 
 banks were issuing bills and getting them into cir- 
 culation as fast as possible. 
 
 The year 1837 is memorable as the time of a great 
 financial panic in the United States. In June of 
 that year, the Legislature of Michigan, in the hope 
 of relieving the financial difficulties for the time being, 
 passed a law authorizing the suspension of specie 
 payment until May 16, 1838. But the general bank- 
 ing law remained in force, banks were organized, 
 and bills were issued as fast as possible during the 
 period of suspension. The fraudulent banker waxed 
 fat with his ill-gotten gains, and the irredeemable 
 paper currency — generally known as ''^ wild-cat ^* 
 notes — became almost as worthless as the paper 
 upon which it was printed. Banks were located 
 
MICHIGAN^ HISTORY. 57 
 
 anywhere and everywhere. One was found flourish- 
 ing in an old saw-mill; and it was humorously 
 asserted that ^'a hollow stump, to serve as a vault/' 
 was all that was needed for a bank in those days.* 
 The commissioners proceeded to close all banks 
 that they could discover to be in an unsound condi- 
 tion. And many of these fraudulent concerns only 
 wished to operate long enough to put their worth- 
 less bills upon the market. So, with those which 
 were closed by the officers, and those which were 
 closed voluntarily, the greater number of the "'wild- 
 cat " banks had suspended operations by the end of 
 the year 1839. But more than a million dollars of 
 their worthless bills had been put in circulation, and 
 whatever had been received in return was practically 
 stolen from the people. In 1844 the general bank- 
 ing law was declared unconstitutional, and "wild- 
 cat" banks caused no further trouble. 
 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 By the Ordinance of 1787 — creating the North- 
 west Territory — and subsequent legislation. Congress 
 made provision for the support of public schools in 
 
 * Note.— The Bank oe Singapore. "No school-boy ever saw the 
 name of Singapore on his map of Michigan. It was one of the mag- 
 nificent cities of the days of which we write, and was located in 
 Allegan county. Its bank enjoyed an extensive cii'culation and con- 
 siderable popularity, from the fact that most people supposed it to be 
 in Asia. Tliat was a happy thought, in christening this particular 
 wild-cat, to give it a name with an East India flavor. It inspired 
 respect. The bank would not, by any means, have smelled so sweet 
 by any other name. A gentleman, who took the bills because of the 
 mellifluous title of the bank, relates a mournful story of how the 
 aforesaid bank bursted while he was traveling about in the western 
 part of the State looking for Singapore."— H. M. Utley, in " Michigan 
 Pioneer Collections." 
 
58 ' A PRIMEE OF 
 
 this part of the Union. The sixteenth section of 
 every organized township* was set apart for the cre- 
 ation of a permanent school fund, of which the 
 interest only is used from year to year. Since 1858^ 
 the ^'primary school fund/' as it is called, has been 
 increased by the addition of one-half of the yearly 
 cash receipts from the sale of swamp lands belong- 
 ing to the State. It is estimated that when all the 
 lands are sold, the primary school fund will reach 
 the sum of four and a-half millions of dollars, and 
 earn an annual income of three hundred thousand 
 dollars for the support of schools. So much for 
 the financial foundation of the Michigan school 
 system, f 
 
 After the State v/as admitted into the Union, one 
 of the first steps of interest in this connection was- 
 the appointment of a Superintendent of Public 
 Instruction. By the advice of General Isaac E. 
 Crary, Governor Mason selected for this important 
 office the Rev. John D. Pierce, a Congregational 
 clergyman, who was engaged in missionary work 
 among the pioneers of central Michigan. The first 
 State Superintendent of Public Instruction was a 
 man of sound culture, broad views, and good judg- 
 
 * Note. — One thirty-sixth of the total area, or about a million acres 
 of land in Michigan. 
 
 + Note.— Since the State has been practically out of debt, a portion, 
 of the specific tax received from corpbraiions — which formerly went 
 into the sinking fund — has been devoted to the support of schools. 
 In some years this has exceeded JSOO,000— making, with the interest 
 on the permanent fund, about two-thirds of a million per annum. 
 But the larger part of the sum required to supixirt the best schools is 
 generously levied and raised as a direct tax, by vote of the people at 
 the annual school meeting. 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 
 
 5^ 
 
 Hon. John D. Pierce, 
 
 Foumler of the Michigan School System. 
 
60 A PRIMER OF 
 
 ment. He had studied the school system of Prussia 
 with care, and in mapping out a plan for Michigan 
 he availed himself of whatever good things he could 
 discover anywhere. Under his careful guidance, laws 
 were devised and plans perfected for an educational 
 system that has been a permanent blessing to the 
 people of the State. 
 
 Father Pierce — as the founder of the Michigan 
 school system is reverentl} called — wished (1) to 
 place the primary school within the reach of every 
 child in the State; and (2) to establish a State 
 University* for the higher culture of advanced stu- 
 dents. 
 
 The plan which was drawn up by Superintendent 
 Pierce, and passed by act of the Legislature in 1837, 
 contained most of the essential features of the pres- 
 ent school system. And when it is remembered that 
 Father Pierce was the first State Superintendent of 
 Public Instruction in the United States, we are the 
 better prepared to appreciate the wisdom and fore- 
 sight of the founder of Michigan schools. 
 
 After five years of hard work in the educational 
 field, the worthy State Superintendent resigned his 
 office to other hands, and resumed the work of the 
 Christian ministry. 
 
 * Note.— The State University had been a favorite project of Judge 
 "Woodward, away back in the Territorial days. With tlie approval of 
 Governor Cass, the eccentric jurist drew up a plan for an institution 
 which he called the '"Catholepistemiad, or University of Michigania," 
 which was established by act of the Territorial Legislature, in 1817. 
 But little progress had been made, however, in the realization of the 
 university proper, when Father Pierce took charge of the educational 
 affairs of the State. 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 61 
 
 Other educational institutions were provided from 
 time to time. The State Normal School — at Ypsi- 
 lanti — was chartered in 1849; the Agricultural Col- 
 lege — at Lansing — in 1855. The latter was the 
 first agricultural college established in the United 
 States. In providing for general education, the 
 unfortunate have not been forgotten. There are (1) 
 the School for the Blind — at Lansing; (2) the Insti- 
 tution for the Deaf and Dumb — at Flint; (3) the 
 State Public School for Dependent Children — at 
 Coldwater.* Youthful criminals and unmanageable 
 child^'en may be sent to the Eeform School for Boys 
 — at Lansing — or the State Industrial Home for Girls 
 — at Adrian — where they receive sound training, and 
 often become good members of society. 
 
 Meanwhile, one department after another has been 
 added to the State LTniversity, eminent teachers have 
 been employed, and it has become one of the leading 
 educational institutions in America. 
 
 The public schools have grown from the modest 
 beginnings of pioneer days,f until their good influ- 
 
 NOTE.— The Hon. John D. Pierce passed the greater part of his life 
 in Michigan, and. flUed various positions of responsibility with credit 
 to himself and satisfaction to the people. Full of years, and crowned 
 with the rich blessings earned by a well-spent life, he died in 1882. 
 His remains rest in tLie cemetery at Marsliall. 
 
 * Note. —In establishing this school for the maintenance and educa- 
 tion of dependent children, in 1871, Michigan was again the pioneer 
 State, not only of the American Union, but of the world. 
 
 t Note.— The walls of the pioneer school-house were made of logs» 
 the roof of "" shakes," and the floor of " puncheons.'" Slabs with legs 
 in them were used for seats, and the desks were formed by fastening 
 rough boards upon pins driven into large auger-holes in the walL 
 Chimneys, constructed of sticks and mortar, Avere used in place of 
 stoves. Sometimes amusing incidents happened at these fireplaces: 
 " A certain teacher had carefuly impressed upon the minds of his pupils 
 the importance of tlvinking three times before they spoke once. Coming 
 
6^ A PRIMER OF 
 
 ence, in "some measure at least, has readied every 
 nook and corner of the State. The high schools of 
 the cities and villages have done excellent service as 
 connecting links between the primary schools and 
 the higher institutions of learning, and in providing 
 the means of fair culture to large numbers of stu- 
 dents who could not or would not secure it other- 
 wise. 
 
 It is to be hoped that this educational system, 
 •established by the founders of Michigan, and nur- 
 tured by several generations of patriotic citizens, 
 may be cherished in the future as in the past, for 
 •education is the chief safeguard of a free State. 
 
 PIOKEERS. 
 
 Most of the early settlers of interior Michigan 
 came from New England, New York, and Ohio. 
 Eeared in the enjoyment of many of the blessings 
 of American citizenship, they were alive to the value 
 of the refining and ennobling influences of intellec- 
 tual, moral, and religious training. Hence, they were 
 the firm friends of the school and the church. Some 
 of them came from the birth-place of the ^'^town 
 meeting," and they took an active interest in the 
 
 into the house one cold morning, he pulled, off his boots, and placed' 
 them before the fire to thaw. Soon they began to scorch and fry 
 before the intense heat of the fire. A thoughtful scholar, standing by, 
 drawled out. *• Schoolmastei; I think.— I think— I think— your boots are 
 burning.'' By tt.is time the boots had burned to a crisp."* and the boy 
 learned that circumstances alter cases. 
 
 * J. S. Tibbits, in " Michigan Pioneer Collections," 
 
 Note.— The following denominational institutions should be men- 
 tioned as educational factors in Michigan : Adrian College, Albion 
 College, Battle Creek College, Detroit College, Hillsdale College, Hope 
 College (Holland City), Kalamazoo College, Olivet College. 
 
MICHIGAI^ HISTORY. 63 
 
 wise and honest government of their adopted State. 
 Intelligent and public spirited, but prudent as well, 
 they were good and safe citizens. 
 
 The style of living was necessarily plain. For 
 clothing, ^' cheap, coarse cloth answered the purpose, 
 and the wives and daughters made it up for use. 
 The pioneers could not be particular about other 
 qualities of their cloth than those of wear and com- 
 fort, and nobody would criticise the style or the fit. 
 Silks for the woman and broadcloth for the man 
 were rare extravagances; many a bridegroom, des- 
 tined to become an important personage in business 
 and political circles, went to the altar in Kentucky 
 jean, and received his bride in calico; and the wed- 
 ding journey, from the bride's home to the husband's, 
 was made with an ox-team. * * There was little 
 sentimentality in this, but there was New England 
 hard sense, and good promise of domestic virtues and 
 •contentment."* 
 
 The first houses were log cabins, and the food of 
 the pioneers, like the clothing, was plain and sub- 
 stantial. Hard work was the order of th6 day. 
 Village loungers and corner loafers were scarce among 
 the people who converted the forests and " oak- 
 openings" of the past into the fine farms and fruit- 
 ful orchards of the present. 
 
 Hospitality and genuine friendship are usual char- 
 acteristics of pioneers, and the ^'^ pathfinders" of the 
 
 * Judge Cooley's " Michigan." 
 
64 A PKIMEE OF 
 
 Michigan wilderness were bright examples of the 
 general rule. One who knew them says, they '' were 
 a band of brothers in those times that tried men's 
 souls. If one had a barrel of flour, it was divided 
 with the others. No one was allowed to want for 
 what another had."* 
 
 MORMONS IN^ MICHIGAN. 
 
 In 1847, a colony of Mormons, under the leader- 
 ship of James J. Strang, located on Beaver Island. 
 Their settlement was on the shore of the beautiful 
 bay still occupied by the little hamlet of St. James 
 — which they founded and named after their leader. 
 Strang styled himself '^ King, "and monopolized the 
 offices of "^apostle, prophet, seer, revelator, and 
 translator." At first the Morman colony consisted 
 of only five families, but a system of vigorous prose- 
 lyting increased their numbers to nearly two thousand 
 persons within the few years of their stay on the 
 island. But internal dissensions arose, and Strang 
 was assassinated in 185G. Soon after the death of 
 the leader, the colony was dispersed by an armed 
 band of fishermen from the neighboring shores, and 
 
 * Hon. Charles D. Little, in " Michigan Pioneer Collections.''' 
 Note.— After trains had been running for several years on the Mich- 
 igan Central Railroad, the pioneers were startled one day by a strange 
 noise. "It came through the woods as swift as lightning and 
 its shrill and piercing voice was more startling than thunder. * * * 
 What on earth could itbe?"t One of the pioneers thought it was a 
 bear, and took his rifle and searched for hours for the animal with 
 the big voice, but no bear was visible; and he soon discovered what was- 
 doing the screaming. It was the steam whistle of the locomotive engine^ 
 then a new invention. 
 + William Nowlin, " Michigan Pioneer Collections." 
 
MICHIGAIsr HISTORY. 65 
 
 the Mormons were given only twenty-four hours to* 
 ** emigrate/' which they lost no time in doing. 
 
 REMOVAL OF THE STATE CAPITAI^1847. 
 
 From the time of Cadillac's occupancy of Fort 
 Pontchartrain (1701) until 1847, the seat of govern- 
 ment was at Detroit, but in the latter year the 
 Legislature decided to locate the permanent capital 
 of Michigan at Lansing — then covered by a dense 
 forest, and forty miles distant from a railroad. The 
 project was greeted with both ridicule and severe 
 denunciation at first, but the decision was made and 
 the location — on the banks of the Grand River — 
 proved to be pleasant and generally satisfactory. 
 
 SECOND CONSTITUTION OF MICHIGAN-1850. 
 
 After an experience of more than a dozen years 
 with the State Constitution under which Michigan 
 came into the Union, the people wished to make 
 some changes in the supreme law of the Common- 
 wealth, and a convention for that purpose met at 
 Lansing in June, 1850. After careful preparation, 
 a new Constitution was submitted to the people, by 
 whom it was adopted in due time. 
 
 Among other changes, the second Constitution 
 provides for the election, by the people, of all heads 
 of State Departments and Judges of the Supreme 
 Court, thereby lessening the power formerly given 
 to the Governor, and placing the selection of the 
 principal State officers — where it properly belongs — 
 with the people. 
 
66 A PRIMER OF 
 
 Suitable restrictions are placed upon the Legisla- 
 ture to prevent the recurrence of any of the reckless 
 financial management that involved the State in 
 debt and loss in the early days. 
 
 In their desire to be economical^, the framers of 
 the new Constitution fixed the salaries of State offi- 
 cers at low rates, and named the respective sums in 
 an instrument which cannot be changed without the, 
 consent of a majority of the legal voters. The sal- 
 aries of the Grovernor, State Treasurer, Auditor 
 General, and Superintendent of Public Instruction 
 were fixed at $1,000 each, per annum; the Secre- 
 tary of State, Commissioner of the Land Office, and 
 Attorney General at $800 each. These salaries were 
 low at the time, and, with the changed conditions 
 of the labor market and cost of living, they have 
 long been regarded as entirely out of keeping with 
 the value of the services required, and not at all 
 creditable to the great State of Michigan. Attempts 
 have accordingly been made to amend this clause of 
 the Constitution so as to offer a reasonable compen- 
 sation for services that at present are only rendered 
 by men of ability at a constant personal loss.* 
 
 * Note.— The poor policy of paying such low salaries has been fre- 
 quently noticeable in the office of State Superintendent of Public 
 Instruction. Men of ability, who might have wielded great influence 
 for good in the educational interests of the State, have lelt unable to 
 hold the office for many years in succession, and frequent changes have 
 naturally followed. Thus the office has lost the services of such men as 
 Superintendents John M. Gregory, LL. D., Horace S, Tarbell, Cornelius 
 A. Gower, and Varnum B. Cochran. 
 
 During the Civil War, Governor Blair rendered excellent service to the 
 Union by devoting his whole time to the duties of his office, " almost 
 entirely at his own expense. The salary of $1,000— a miserable pittance 
 at any time— was made by war prices and the depreciation of currency 
 
MICHIGAN" HISTOKY. 67 
 
 * 
 
 •Strange to say, however, thus far (1886) the amend- 
 ment has failed to pass. 
 
 POLITICAL MATTERS. 
 
 When Michigan was admitted into the Union, the 
 Democratic party was in power and the Governor of 
 the State was a member of that party. Dissatisfac- 
 tion with the financial mismanagement of 1837 and 
 1838 caused a change in the political control of the 
 State, which was secured by the Whig party — headed 
 hy William Woodbridge — for a single term. From 
 1841 to 1854 the Democrats were again in power. 
 In the latter year the newly organized Republican* 
 party elected its candidates, and, with the exception 
 of a single term — 1883-85 — has continued in political 
 ■control of the State to the present time (1886). 
 
 REFERENCE LISTS OF PROMIl^ENT OFFICERS OF 
 MICHIGAi>r. 
 
 Gove7'nors of the State. 
 
 'Stevens T. Mason 1837 to 1840 
 
 William Woodbridge 1840 '' 1841 
 
 J. Wright Gordon (acting) 1841 " 1842 
 
 John S. Barry 1842 '' 1846 
 
 Alpheus Felch 1846 " 1847 
 
 Wm. L. Greenly (acting) 1847 ''■ 1848 
 
 "but a mere fraction of its ordinary value. The policy which prevents 
 men of modest means from filling the offices of State is not only poor 
 economy, but contrary to the cardinal principles of representative gov- 
 ernment." 
 Judge Campbeirs " Outlines of the Political History of Michigan." 
 * Note.- -In the summer of 1854 a convention of Whigs, anti-Nebraska 
 Democrats, and Free Soilers met at Jackson and organized the Republi- 
 can party. 
 
68 A PKIMER OF 
 
 Epaphroditus Kansom 1848 '' 1850 
 
 John S. Barry 1850 '^ 1852 
 
 Robert McClelland . 1852 '' 1855 
 
 Andrew Parsons (acting) 1853 '^ 1855 
 
 Kinsley S. Bingham 1855 '' 185^ 
 
 Moses Wisner 1859 '' 1861 
 
 Austin Blair 1861 '' 1865- 
 
 Henry H. Crapo 1865 " 1869 
 
 Henry P. Baldwin 1869 " 1873 
 
 John J. Bagley 1873 ^' 1877 
 
 Charles M. Croswell 1877 '' 1881 
 
 David H. Jerome -_1881 '' 188a 
 
 Josiah W. Begole 1883 '' 1885 
 
 Eussell A. Alger 1885 '' 1887 
 
 Superintendents of Public Instriiction. 
 
 Rev. John D. Pierce 1837 to 1841 
 
 Franklin Sawyer 1841 ^^1843 
 
 Oliver G. Comstock 1843 " 1845 
 
 Ira Mayhew 1845 " 1849 
 
 Francis W. Shearman 1849 " 1855 
 
 Ira Mayhew 1855 '' 1859 
 
 John M. Gregory 1859 " 1865 
 
 Oramel Hosford 1865 '' 1873 
 
 Daniel B. Briggs.... 1873 '' 1877 
 
 Horace S. Tarbell 1877 " 1878 
 
 Cornelius A Gower 1878 " 1881 
 
 Varnum B. Cochran 1881 " 1883 
 
 Herschel R. Gass 1883 '' 1885 
 
 Rev. Theodore Nelson 1885 '' 1887 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 69 
 
 U. S. Senators from Michigan. 
 
 Lucius Lyon 1836 to 1840 
 
 John Norvell 1836 '' 1841 
 
 Augustus S. Porter 1840 '' 1845 
 
 William Woodbridge 1841 '' 1847 
 
 Lewis Cass 1845 " 1848 
 
 Alplieus Felch 1847 '' 1853 
 
 Charles E. Stuart 1853 '' 1859 
 
 Zachariah Chandler 1857 '' 1875 
 
 Kinsley S. Bingham 1859 '' 1861 
 
 Jacob M. Howard 1862 '' 1871 
 
 Thomas W. Ferry 1871 " 1883 
 
 Isaac P. Christiancy 1875 '' 1879 
 
 Zachariah Chandler .1879 '' 
 
 Henry P. Baldwin 1879 '' 1881 
 
 Omar D. Conger 1881 '' 1887 
 
 Thomas W. Palmer 1883 " 1889 
 
 Micliiga7i Members of Presidents^ CaMnets. 
 
 General Lewis Cass, Secretary of State under 
 President Buchanan. 
 
 Robert McClelland, Secretary of the Interior 
 under President Pierce. 
 
 Zachariah Chandler, Secretary of the Interior 
 under President Grant. 
 
 MICHIGAN IN THE CIVIL WAR-1861~65. 
 
 During the four years of the Civil War, Michigan 
 was fortunate in having Austin Blair as her chief 
 executive. Every effort was made to lend all possible 
 
70 A PEIMER OP 
 
 support to the United States government in its 
 struggle for existence. Few States were more prompt^ 
 and none sent braver soldiers to the front. AIL 
 told, Michigan furnished 90,747 men, of whom 
 14,855 died in the service of the Nation. The ^'war 
 Governor '' devoted his entire time and energy to* 
 the performance of his public duties, and earned 
 the respect and gratitude of all patriotic citizens. 
 
 The veteran General Cass,* who had recently been 
 a member of President Buchanan's cabinet, was 
 present at the first '^^war meeting" held in Detroit 
 and lifted his voice in support of the federal 
 union. 
 
 At that time, Zachariah Chandler was a member 
 of the United States Senate^ and no man exerted a 
 more vigorous influence in opposition to the Eebel- 
 lion than the brave and outspoken '' war Senator of 
 Michigan." On the floor of the Senate, in public- 
 speeches, in his^intercourse with the people and with 
 the officials of the Nation — everywhere. Senator 
 Chandler was an active and influential supporter of 
 the Constitution and an unflinching foe to treason 
 and disunion. He was the champion of whatever he- 
 believed to be right, and no threats or dangers were 
 sufficient to turn him from the path of honor or the- 
 performance of duty. As the friend of the soldier, 
 he rendered unnumbered services of kindness. ^"'A 
 blue uniform gained for its wearer prompt admit- 
 
 * Note.— General Cass died at his home in Detroit, June 17, 1866. 
 
MICHIGA^^ HISTORY. 71 
 
 tance to his room and a careful hearing for any 
 request/^ * 
 
 With prudent and fearless leaders, and brave 
 soldiers, Michigan made a good record in the war. 
 
 MISCELLAISTEOUS. 
 
 In 1852, Congress granted 750,000 acres of land 
 to the State of Michigan for the construction of a 
 ship-canal around the rapids of the St. Mary's Kiver. 
 The contract was let to a private company and the 
 canal and lock were completed in 1855. This opened 
 Lake Superior to the navigators of the lower lakes 
 and exerted a great influence upon the development 
 of the Upper Peninsula. A new lock, with a single 
 'Hift " instead of the two used in the old lock, was 
 completed by the United States government in 1881, 
 and has proved of great convenience to the shipping 
 of the lakes. 
 
 The new State Capitol building was begun in 
 1873, and has been completed at a cost of about one 
 and one-half millions of dollars. 
 
 * '* Life of Zachariah Chandler," by The Post and Tribune. 
 
 Note.— Mr. Chandler served three terms (18 years) in the Senate. He 
 was made Secretary of the Interior in President Grant's cabinet (1875- 
 1877). For the fourth time he was elected to the United States Senate- 
 February, 1879, upon the resignation of Senator Christiancy. During 
 the spring and early summer. Senator Chandler was engaged in the 
 political canvass with his usual zeal, although his health was somewhat 
 impaired. He died suddenly at the Grand Pacific hotel, Chicago, after 
 having made a ringing speech the same night (Oct. 31, 1879) at McCormic 
 Hall. 
 
 Note.— As a matter of local curiosity rather than of importance, it 
 may be remembered that in the fall of 1864 some of the rebels who were 
 then sojourning in Canada made an attempt to capture the U. S. revenue 
 cutter '' Michigan." The plot failed in execution, and the people of the 
 lake ports were not called upon to witness the threatened destruction of 
 their cities. 
 
72 A PRIMER OF 
 
 Under the present Constitution^ the State Legis- 
 lature consists of one hundred Eepresentatives and 
 thirty-two Senators, chosen at the general election — 
 which is held on the first Tuesday after the first 
 Monday in November of every even year. The 
 Legislature holds one regular session every two years, 
 beginning on the first Wednesday of January after 
 the general election. 
 
 Under the apportionment based upon the census 
 of 1880, Michigan is divided into eleven congressional 
 districts. 
 
 By the revision of the criminal laAvs in 1846, the 
 death penalty for murder in the first degree was 
 changed to imprisonment for life. 
 
 From 1855 to 1875 the State had a prohibitory liquor 
 law on her statute books. Since that time laws have 
 been enacted for the taxation and restraint of this trafiic. 
 
 REFERENCE LISTS OF STATE INSTITUTION'S. 
 
 Educational. 
 State University Ann Arbor 
 
 Agricultural College Lansing 
 
 Normal School Ypsilanti 
 
 Institution for the Deaf and Dumb Flint 
 
 Institution for the Blind Lansing 
 
 Public School for Depend't Children, Coldwater 
 
 Michigan Mining School Houghton 
 
 Educational and Reformatory. 
 
 State Eef orm School for Boys Lansing 
 
 ^' Industrial Home for Girls Adrian 
 
MICHIGASr HISTORY. 73 
 
 Gliaritable, 
 
 Insane Asylums Kalamazoo^ Pontiac, Traverse City 
 
 Soldiers' Home Grand Rapids 
 
 Penal. 
 
 State House of Correction Ionia 
 
 ^^ Prison Jackson 
 
 " '' Marquette 
 
 COKGLUSIOK. 
 
 The first half century of State history has wit- 
 nessed many wonderful changes. In 1837 the interior 
 was sparsely settled, and the forests and prairies 
 showed few signs of human industry. Wagon roads 
 were scarce and poor, and there was no completed 
 railroad. Postal arrangements were exceedingly in- 
 convenient, and correspondence was an expensive 
 luxury. The population of the State was 174,467. 
 Cities there were none. Schools, churches, and 
 newspapers were few, and the privations of pioneer 
 life were many and severe. 
 
 Fifty years have changed the wilderness into more 
 than a hundred thousand cultivated farms. Five 
 thousand miles of railroads afford good market and 
 travelling facilities to the people of almost every 
 county in the State. The census gatherer reports a 
 population of nearly two millions of people. Ten 
 thousand schools afford instruction to about four 
 hundred thousand pupils.* Churches are numerous, 
 
 * Note.— In our gratitude for what has been accomplished, we should 
 not forget that only about three-fourths of the youth of school age are 
 
74 A PRIMER OF 
 
 and religions inflnences shonld be felt in every com- 
 munity. Postal facilities have improved a hundred 
 fold, and the newspaper is abroad in the land. 
 
 Times have changed, and the people of the pres- 
 ent are enjoying numberless blessings gained by the 
 toils and trials of the past. What are our duties to 
 the future? 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 A Brief Sketch of tine Nlaterial Re= 
 soiarces of thie State. 
 
 LOCATION AND SIZE. 
 
 Michigan lies between 48° 20' and 41° 42' north 
 latitude^, and between 90° 32' and 82° 25' longitude 
 west from Greenwich. Bounded on three sides by 
 the great lakes, it has a coast line of 1,620 miles. 
 According to the geograi^her of the tenth census, 
 the area of Michigan is 58,915 square miles. In 
 addition to the mainlands of the two peninsulas, the 
 political limits of the State include 179 islands, from 
 one acre in area upwards. Michigan consists of 82 
 counties, including the island counties of Isle Eoyal 
 and Manitou. 
 
 SURFACE. 
 
 In the Lower Peninsula the surface is generally 
 
 yet enrolled in the schools, Avhile the average daily attendance is con- 
 siderably less. This is not as it should be, and it is' the duty of all good 
 citizens to improve this state of affairs by all possible means. 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 
 
 75 
 
 I MAP I 
 
 SHOWING LOCATION OF 
 
 SCALE, 100 MILES-. 
 
 RAND, MC NAtLY & CO. 
 
.76 A PRIMER OF 
 
 level or gently rolling. The average elevation is 
 estimated at about 500 feet above the level of Lake 
 Michigan. T.ie highest point of the most elevated 
 plateau of this peninsula — in Otsego county — is 1,200 
 feet above the same level. Although there are no 
 mountains and few hills of considerable height in 
 this portion of the State, the surface is sufficiently 
 rolling to be well drained in most places by the 
 numerous streams which flow toward the surround- 
 ing lakes. So that, notwithstanding the false reports 
 of some of the early surveyors, central Michigan 
 contains comparatively few swamps. 
 
 The eastern portion of the Upper Peninsula is 
 generally low and level, while the western portion is 
 rocky, hilly, and even mountainous in some places. 
 The highest knob of the Porcupine Mountains has 
 an altitude of 1,380 feet above the level of Lake 
 Superior. 
 
 The State contains 5,173 inland lakes. 
 
 The Saginaw, Grand, and Muskegon rivers are the 
 most important streams. In places the water-shed 
 is so narrow that several streams flowing|in opposite 
 directions originate within a radius of three or four 
 miles.* 
 
 Many of the rivers and creeks flowing through the 
 pine forests are used as ^ '^ logging '' streams by the 
 lumbermen. 
 
 That portion of the Lower Peninsula which lies 
 
 * Note.— The Kalamazoo, Grand, St. Joseph, Raisin, and Maumee 
 rivers rise on Hillsdale Summit. 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 77 
 
 south of a line* drawn from Grand Haven to the 
 mouth of the Saginaw Eiver is the region chiefly 
 devoted to agriculture. 
 
 This section originally consisted of "oak openings/' 
 prairies, and extensive forests of hard-wood timber. 
 
 Between the first line and a line drawn from the 
 northwest corner of Manistee county to the north- 
 east corner of Alpena county lie the vast pine forests 
 of central Michigan. 
 
 The remaining counties — north of the last men- 
 tioned line — consist chiefly of hard-wood lands, and 
 are adapted to agriculture. 
 
 The eastern portion of the Upper Peninsula con- 
 sists of forests of pine and hard -wood timber, with 
 some swamps and barren plains. 
 
 The western portion contains valuable mineral 
 deposits, and extensive forests of pine and hard- 
 wood timber. 
 
 The shores of Lake Superior are bold and pictur- 
 esque in many places. The fantastic forms of the 
 ''Pictured Rocks" — carved out of the precipitous 
 sandstone coast by the action of the waves — are alike 
 interesting to the geologist and to the unscientific 
 traveler. Low sand hills or dunes have been thrown 
 up by the winds at various places on the shores of 
 
 * Note.— It should be clearly understood that these divisions are only 
 approximately correct, and made simply for the purpose of description. 
 There is some pine south of the first line, and there are considerable 
 tracts of hard-wood timber in some of the counties of the pine belt. But 
 for a rough generalization these divisions are believed to be as nearly 
 correct as can be made by straight lines. 
 
78 A PRIMER OF 
 
 the great lakes, and are particularly noticeable on 
 the Michigan shore of Lake Michigan. 
 
 SOIL. 
 
 The soil varies so much in different localities, and 
 so many varieties are often found in the same neigh- 
 borhood or even on the same farm, that anything 
 like a careful and accurate statement of the subject 
 would far exceed the limits of this work. 
 
 It may be stated, in general terms, that the 
 soil varies from a sandy loam to a strong clay on 
 the one hand, and to a light sand, in some places, 
 on the other. In those sections covered exclusively 
 with pine, the soil is usually light and poor. But 
 the hard-wood lands, prairies, and oak openings of 
 the Lower Peninsula are generally fertile and adapted 
 to the ordinary field, garden, and orchard crops. 
 The eastern portion of the Upper Peninsula has 
 some good soil; in the western portion the greater 
 part of the soil is light, and loses its strength after 
 a few crops of vegetables. 
 
 CLIMATE. 
 
 The climate of Michigan is considerably modified 
 by the large bodies of water on three sides of the 
 State. Owing to the fact that water parts with its 
 heat very slowly, the great lakes serve as reservoirs, 
 storing up the heat rays of the sun through the 
 long summer days and giving uj) their warmth to 
 the atmosphere during the autumn and early winter. 
 
MICHIGAJ^" HISTORY. 79 
 
 This accounts, to a considerable degree at least, for 
 the late falls of this section. The vapor and warmth 
 arising from the lakes serve to protect the crops of 
 the neighboring shores from destructive frosts. And 
 as the prevailing winds are from the west, the east- 
 ern shore of Lake Michigan is more fully protected 
 than other parts, and is therefore a natural fruit 
 region.* 
 
 The mean annual rain-fall of the State is about 
 31 inches, f 
 
 The average annual temperature of the State is 
 46 ^V/ Fah.t 
 
 FAEM PRODUCTS. 
 
 Among the material resources of Michigan the 
 products of the soil claim the place of first impor- 
 tance. It is estimated that half of the labor of the 
 people is devoted to this industry. And owing to 
 the fertility of the lands under cultivation, combined 
 
 * Note.— By reference to a map or chart showing the isothermal lines, 
 it will be seen that the line which passes through Chicago bends north- 
 ward and crosses through Leelanaw Peninsula at Northport. (1) Wliat 
 is the meaning of the change in direction? and (2) what is the cause 
 Avhich underlies the condition represented by the line ? 
 
 + Note— The severity and length of the winters, and the consequent 
 depth of snow, gradually increase from the Indiana line to the extremity 
 of Keweenaw Point. In tlie southern half of the Lower Peninsula, the 
 snow seldom reaches an average depth of more than 13 or 15 inches at 
 any time, and the ground is rarely covered with snow more than three 
 months during the year. In the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula 
 it is a common thing to see the snow 24 inches deep on the level, and tbe 
 ground is usually covered for five months of the year. In the L,aiie 
 Superior region an average depth of 48 inches of snow is a common ex- 
 perience, and the earth is usually covered during six months ot the year. 
 In the latter region the nights are usually quite cool during the summer, 
 and overcoats and fires are sometimes needed in July and August. 
 
 t Note.— The mean annual temperature at Grand Haven is 47 2-100°; at 
 Detroit, 48 28-100°; at the Agricultural College, Lansing, 41) 64-100 ; at 
 Alpena, 41 60-100°; at Escanaba, 40 60-100°; at Marquette, 41 97-100 . 
 
80 A PKIMER OF 
 
 with favorable climatic conditions and good market 
 facilities, Michigan farms — according to reliable 
 statistics for a term of years — have earned a greater 
 average income per acre than those of most of the 
 other States in the Mississippi valley. 
 
 Wheat is the leading crop and brings more money 
 than all the other surplus field crops combined. In an 
 average year, Michigan produces about twenty-five or 
 thirty million bushels of wheat. Winter wheat — the 
 kind principally raised — is usually sown in Septem- 
 ber and harvested in the following July. The market 
 price is generally not far from one dollar per bushel. 
 
 Indian corn is an important croj) in the southern 
 portion of the State. 
 
 - Oats, barley, clover-seed, hay, and garden vegeta- 
 bles are grown with profit. 
 
 Potatoes are raised in all parts of the State, but 
 reach greatest perfection and yield most abundantly 
 when grown on the newly cleared lands of the north- 
 •ern counties. 
 
 Stock-raising is carried on to a considerable extent. 
 
 FRUITS. 
 
 Since the time when it was found that peaches of 
 fine quality could be profitably raised on the western 
 border of the State — about the year 1840 — fruit 
 
 Notes.— The corn crop of 1884 was more than 33,000,000 bushels. The 
 oat crop was over 25,000,000 bushels. The potato crop was about 14,000,000' 
 bushels. The hay crop was over 1,600,000 tons. The wool ''clip'' exceeded 
 13,000,000 pounds. Large quantities of celery are raised near Kalamazoo 
 
 which is sometimes called " Celeryville." 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 81 
 
 culture has rapidly increased until Michigan is the 
 leading fruit producer of the Mississippi Valley. 
 
 Apples grow in all sections and are raised in large 
 quantities in many of the counties of the Lower 
 Peninsula. A good crop yields four or five millions 
 of bushels. The average crop is a little less than 
 three millions. 
 
 Peaches are grown now in considerable quantities 
 in some of the interior counties of southern Mich- 
 igan^ but the crop is considered more reliable near 
 the western shore. The average yield for seven years 
 (1878 to 1885) was about two hundred thousand 
 bushels per annum. 
 
 Small fruits — raspberries blackberries, strawberries, 
 etc. — are raised in large quantities. Cherries, plums, 
 and pears are grown. 
 
 VALUE OF THE PRODUCTS OF THE SOIL. 
 
 The total value of the agricultural products of the 
 State for an average year has been estimated at 
 about eighty-eight millions of dollars. 
 
 FOREST PRODUCTS. 
 
 The forest products of Michigan are second only 
 in importance to the fruits of the soil. During the 
 past thirty years, the lumbering business has been a 
 valuable source of wealth. It is stated that the total 
 receipts from this industry have exceeded one billion 
 
 Note,— In 1885 the apple orchards of Michigan covered an area of 237,- 
 703 acres, and the peach orchards 11,327 acres. 
 
 5 
 
82 A PBIMER OF 
 
 of dollars, or more than the lumber products of any- 
 other State. 
 
 In 1854 there were 61 mills, many of them small, 
 and the '^cut" of that year was estimated at 108,- 
 000,000 feet of lumber. The number of mills in 
 operation had increased twenty-five fold in 1872. 
 The average yearly cut for several years has been 
 about three billions of feet. 
 
 In the various branches of the lumber manufacture 
 from fifteen to twenty thousand men find employ- 
 ment. 
 
 This industry follows the courses of the streams, 
 which serve to carry the pine logs from the forests 
 to the mills.* On the eastern side of the State the 
 Saginaw River is the most important stream. Its 
 various tributaries, the Tittabawassee, the Cass, the 
 Flint, the Shiawassee, the Bad, the Pine, the Chip- 
 pewa, the Tobacco, and others, penetrate finely 
 timbered regions, and as the Saginaw is navigable 
 for large vessels, the shipping facilities are excellent. 
 It is not strange, therefore, that this river should 
 be lined with saT-mills and other wood-working 
 establishments, some of them among the finest in 
 the world. The Au Sable, Thunder Bay, and numer- 
 ous other rivers flowing into Lake Huron are also 
 alive with this important industry. 
 
 Note.— The lumber cut of an average year would load a train of ca,rs 
 about two thousand mi les long, with 10,000 feet to the car. It would build 
 substantial frame dwellings for a million of people. 
 
 * Note.— Railroads have been constructed in some places where valu- 
 able timber is situated at a distance from any good "logging stream, 
 and the logs are carried to the mills on cars. 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 83 
 
 On the western side of the State, Muskegon is the 
 center of greatest importance — cutting, it is said, 
 more lumber annually ^^than any other single city 
 in the world.'' The Manistee, Grand, and other 
 streams flowing into Lake Michigan, carry large 
 numbers of logs to the great saw and shingle mills 
 of that region. 
 
 The Upper Peninsula lumbering interests have not 
 heen developed yet to the extent warranted by the 
 rich forests, but the annual product is an important 
 source of wealth, and the industry furnishes employ- 
 ment to a considerable number of men. 
 
 Although the cutting of pine lumber has received 
 ■chief attention in Michigan, the forests of hard- 
 wood trees cover a much greater area now than the 
 standing pine.* The hard- wood forests yield sup- 
 plies of the several varieties of the maple — including 
 £L limited quantity of the beautiful ^^ bird's-eye " — 
 white ash, rock elm, oak, etc., all of which are 
 valuable in various ways. The beech, used chiefly 
 for fuel, is found in large quantities. The arbor 
 Titae, which is valuable for fence posts and telegraph 
 poles, grows in the swamps. The hemlock is prized 
 more for its bark than for its lumber. The bark is 
 sold in large quantities to leather manufacturers. 
 
 The maple sugar product of Michigan, iji a good 
 season, amounts to four or five millions of pounds. 
 
 * Note. —According to a recent forestry bulletin, the merchantable 
 ine of Michigan is distributed over about 7,000,000 acres of land ; the 
 ard-wood timber covers about 30,000,000 acres. 
 
84 A PRIMEE OF 
 
 Some intelligent observers think that before many 
 years the products of the hard-wood forests will 
 equal in value the present returns of the pine. 
 ^' Certainly the time is not far distant when hard- 
 wood saw-mills must become common^ and the 
 innumerable industries into which such timber 
 enters must rapidly multiply. For years to come 
 Michigan will keep its rank as the great timber- 
 producing State, and this interest will continue to 
 furnish profitable investments for capital, remuner- 
 ative employment for the laborer, and a sure home 
 market for the produce of the farmer.'* 
 
 VALUE OF THE FOREST PRODUCTS. 
 
 The total value of the forest products of Michigan 
 is estimated at not less than sixty millions of dollars 
 per annum. 
 
 MINERAL PRODUCTS. 
 
 The observations of the early missionaries and 
 traders,* and the more accurate explorations of Grov- 
 ernor Cass, Mr. Schoolcraft, Dr. Houghton, Colonel 
 Long and others, furnished good grounds for general 
 belief in the mineral wealth of the Upper Peninsula 
 before Michigan became a member of the Federal 
 Union. Immediately after the organization of the 
 State, the Legislature made a liberal appropriation 
 for the purpose of beginning a thorough geological 
 
 * Note.— An English mining company was organized about 1770, with 
 Mr. Alexander Henry as superintendent, and an attempt was made to 
 start a mine near the mouth of the Ontonagon River, but the enterprise 
 was soon abandoned. For a full account, see Henry's " Travels." 
 
MICHIGAIs" HISTORY. 85 
 
 survey. Dr. Douglas Houghton became the first 
 State Geologist of Michigan, and made " such care- 
 ful exploration of the south shore of Lake Superior 
 as to clear up the mists of tradition, illuminate the 
 subject, and attract the attention of the people of 
 the United States and of Europe to the new mineral 
 fields of North America.''* Dr. Houghton was 
 engaged on the surveys until the time of his death, 
 in the fall of 1845. f His first Geological Keport 
 was made to the Legislature in 1841, and created 
 great interest in the mineral possibilities of Michigan. 
 
 COPPER. 
 
 By a treaty with the Chippewa Indians, made in 
 18*42, the lands of the Lake Superior region lying 
 €ast of Fond du Lac were ceded to the United States. 
 This opened the way for the prosecution of explora- 
 tions, and the government was soon in receipt of 
 requests for mining ^^ permits." Public interest 
 waxed greater from time to time as new evidences 
 of the metallic wealth were discovered, and the years 
 1844, 1845, and 1846 witnessed no little excitement 
 on Lake Superior. The beautiful and ^'^ rock-bound 
 haven " of Copper Harbor became the first centre of 
 
 * '' Mineral Resources of Lake Superior," by A.. P. Swineford. 
 
 + Note.—" In the autumn of 1845, while on his last expedition for the 
 season, when approaching Eagle River In a small boat a sudden storm 
 arose, and before his frail bark could find a safe landing place * * * 
 it was capsized, and all on board perished save one man. The whole 
 country was shocked at this tragical event, and science mourned for one 
 of its brightest ornaments. Aside from personal considerations, his 
 death was to be deplored ; many of his field-notes were lost with him, 
 and the treasures of his well stored mind were irreparably beyond recall." 
 —[A. P. Swineford.] 
 
 The body was found in the following spring and buried at Detroit. 
 
86 A PEIMER OF 
 
 mining operations, and presented a lively and pictur- 
 esque appearance during the few summers of its- 
 prosperity. 
 
 The Trap Eange is a belt of dark-colored rock, 
 from one to seven miles in width, and extending 
 from the Porcupine Mountains to the extremity of 
 Keweenaw Point — about one hundred forty miles 
 in length. In this trap rock the deposits of native* 
 copper are found. 
 
 The most important mines of the early days were 
 the Cliff, '^ of Keweenaw county, and the Minnesota,^ 
 of Ontonagon. The former was opened in 1845 and 
 the latter in 1848. '' The first general mining law 
 of the State Avas made in 1853.''^ 
 
 Other mines were opened from time to time, and 
 the copper product was rapidly increased. Tiie most 
 important event in the history of copper mining on 
 Lake Superior was the discovery of the deposit at 
 the Calumet and Hecla location, in 1865. This has 
 proved to be the most valuable copper mine in the 
 world and produces the lion's share of Michigan 
 copper. 
 
 * Note.— iVatfue copper is pitre copper, as distinguished from the ores 
 of the metal. It should be noted that the copper mined on Lake Superior 
 is not an ore at aU, but the pure metal. There are small beds of copper 
 ore, but they are unimportant and have not been worked for years. 
 This explanation seems the more necessary for the reason that writers 
 unacquainted with the subject are continually making the error, and one 
 of the texts of '' Michigan (Geography " makes the same blunder. 
 
 1 Note.— During their prosperous days, the CUff and Minnesota yielded 
 m^ore than $3 000,000 each to their stockholders, and thereby contributed 
 to the increase of public confidence in the profits of Lake Superior min- 
 ing ventures at a time when the losses in other mines were exerting an 
 opposite influence, 
 
 2 "Annual Report of the Commissioner of Mineral Statistics" for 1883, 
 by Chas. E. Wright. 
 
MICHIGAN- HISTORY. 87 
 
 About forty copper mines in Michigan have been 
 worked more or less since 1845. The low prices of 
 copper for the past few years have interfered with 
 the prosperity of the poorer mines, and many of 
 them have been ^'shut down." The number of 
 working mines at the present time (1886) is about 
 a dozen. The annual copper product is estimated 
 to be worth not less than eight millions of dollars 
 a year. 
 
 In quality, the native copper of Lake Superior is 
 unequaled by the product of any copper ore, and 
 therefore commands a more ready sale and a better 
 price in the markets of the world. The supply 
 shows no signs of exhaustion, and there is every 
 reason to believe that this important industry will 
 continue for many years to come. 
 
 Note.— From the commencement of mining operations on Lake Super- 
 ior to May 1, 1884, the total dividends paid by Michigan copper mines 
 had reached the sum of $37,140,000. The dividends for the year 1883 were 
 as follows : 
 
 Atlantic Mine S80,000 
 
 Calumet and Hecla 2,000,000 
 
 Central .-_ 60,000 
 
 Osceola 200,000 
 
 Quincy 380,000 
 
 Total for the year $2,720,00*1 
 
 The Tamarack, a new mine near the Calumet and Hecla, and on the 
 same lode, bids fair to become one of the profitable mines at once. 
 
 In the various operations connected with copper mining on Lake 
 Superior, probably five thousand men find constant and remunerative 
 employment. The work in the mines is dangerous, and many lives are 
 lost every year through accidents of one kind or another. 
 
 Note.— During the 30 years of its active existence, the Calumet and 
 Hecla has paid about $35,0;K),(X)0 in dividends. For a number of years 
 the usual profit has been tf2,000,000 a year. Two thousand men are em- 
 ployed, and all the operations of the mine are carried on upon the most 
 extensive scale. The machinery for hoisting the rock, pumping water 
 from the mine, etc., is magnificent. The mine has reached a depth of 
 about two-thirds of a mile, on a slant of 39°. Half a dozen railroads ex- 
 tend from top to bottom through the slanting tunnels or " shafts " which 
 have been cut in the rock, and ponderous iron cars, called " skips," are 
 
88 A PRIMER OF 
 
 iro:n". 
 
 Although the presence of iron ore in some of the 
 metamorphic rocks of the Upper Peninsula was not 
 unknown to Dr. Houghton when he made his Geo- 
 logical Report, in 1841, it was supposed that the 
 percentage of metal was not sufficiently high to pay 
 for mining. In 1844, a party of U. S. surveyors 
 running lines near the present site of Negaunee, 
 observed great variations in the magnetic needle. 
 After placing the instrument in various places and 
 witnessing rapid and remarkable changes, Mr. Burt, 
 who was in charge of the work, called out, '^''Boys, 
 look around and see what you can find!" 
 
 They left the line, and after a brief search re- 
 turned with a number of specimens of magnetic iron 
 ore, which was found to be both rich and abundant 
 in the neighborhood. ^' To the government survey- 
 ors, therefore, belongs the credit of having first 
 given to the world information of the existence of 
 iron in considerable quantities in the country bor- 
 dering the south shore of Lake Superior.'^* 
 
 In 1845 a company was organized at Jackson and 
 explorers were sent to the Lake Superior region to 
 locate some mineral lands. They selected the prop- 
 drawn up by steel- wire ropes at a speed of ten or twelve hundred feet 
 per minute. Each skip carries about two tons of rock at a load. The 
 best rock yields about five per cent of copper. At the " stamp-mills " 
 the rock is crushed fine by ponderous iron hammers, wator is turned on 
 and the powdered rock, being lighter than copper, is washed out and the 
 copper, in fine grains, remains in the bottom of the trough. It is then 
 sent to the "■ smelting furnace," where it is cast into " ingots," etc. 
 * " Mineral Resources of Lake Superior," by A. P. Swineford. 
 
MICHIGA?^ HISTORY. 89 
 
 erty afterwards known as the Jackson Mine. In the 
 course of the next three or four years mining oper- 
 ations were begun on a small scale at the Jackson 
 and other mines which were opened from time to 
 time in the neighborhood, and some iron was 
 smelted* in the primitive forges or ^' bloomeries " 
 of ' Lake Superior, But extensive and profitable 
 mining was delayed until after the completion of 
 the ship-canal and locks at the Sault de Ste. Marie, 
 which opened Lake Superior to the vessels of the 
 lower lakes, in 1855. The regular shipment of iron 
 ore to lower lake ports began in 1856. The high 
 price of iron during the Civil War stimulated the 
 industry and made mines profitable that had not 
 been self-supj^orting. 
 
 The iron mines of Michigan are located in three 
 separate districts: (1) The Marquette; (2) the Me- 
 nominee; (3) the Agogebic. 
 
 The mines in the Marquette district were first 
 developed, and some of them have been and are very 
 productive and valuable. Among the leading mines 
 are the Republic, the Cleveland, the Lake Superior, f 
 and the Jackson. The ore is carried by rail to Mar- 
 quette or Escanaba — at both of which places may be 
 seen a considerable fleet of ore vessels almost any 
 time during the season of navigation — and thence 
 
 * Note,— The first iron smelted in this region was on Feb. 10, 1848, in a 
 little forge erected by the Jackson Mining Company near the Carp River, 
 ten miles from the present city of Marquette. 
 
 + NoTE.— " The yield of the Lake Superior Mine in 1882 was the largest 
 ever produced in a single year by any iron mine on this continent." 
 
90 A PRIMER OF 
 
 by water to the great furnaces of the lower lake 
 ports. 
 
 Active and extensive mining operations were not 
 begun in the Menominee district until about 1877. 
 Since that time, however, the development has been 
 remarkably rapid. "It has advanced from an 
 almost unbroken wilderness to a region of extra- 
 ordinary activity and prosperity, containing many 
 thriving villages and numerous rich and productive 
 mines." * 
 
 The Agogebic district was almost wholly undevel- 
 oped until 1885, when railroad advantages were 
 secured. But the operations have been so vigorous 
 and the returns so encouraging that the Agogebic 
 country is rapidly assuming the importance of a 
 prosperous mining region. '' The deposits are, to 
 all appearances, very extensive, and the history of 
 the Menominee range is likely to be repeated in 
 that of the Agogebic, the ores of the two being 
 very similar in appearance as well as quality.'^ f 
 
 In quantity of iron produced, Michigan ranks as 
 the second State in the Union. In quality the iron 
 manufactured from the best Lake Superior ores has 
 no equal. About sixty mines are working and the 
 average output for the past four or five years has 
 exceeded two million tons per annum. The value 
 
 * " Annual Report of the Commissioner of Mineral Statistics" for 1882, 
 by Chas. E. V^^rigbt. 
 
 t " Annual Report of the Commissioner of Mineral Statistics " for 1884, 
 by A. P. Swineford. 
 
MICHIGAN" HISTORY. 91 
 
 of this product has been roughly estimated at ten 
 millions of dollars a year. 
 
 GOLD AND SILVER. 
 
 Gold has been found in Marquette and other 
 counties of the Upper Peninsula, and miriing, on a 
 small scale, has been carried on near Ishpeming. 
 The Ropes mine has been worked for several years 
 and has yielded some rich gold-bearing quartz, but 
 unfortunately the quantity, thus far, has not been 
 sufficient to enrich the stockholders or to justify the 
 hope that gold mining is certain to become one of 
 the important industries of the State. However, the 
 discoveries of a day may change the whole face of 
 the matter, and some good judges have not yet lost 
 faith in the future of Michigan gold mines. 
 
 Silver is found in small quantities in most of the 
 copper mines of Lake Superior. At some of the 
 stamp-mills boys are employed to pick the little 
 silver nuggets out of the copper, and the product 
 thus obtained amounts to several thousand dollars a 
 year. 
 
 SLATE. 
 
 Extensive and valuable deposits of slate are found 
 near Huron Bay, Lake Superior. The quarries have 
 been operated for only a few years and the work 
 has not been pushed with much vigor, so that the 
 product is yet small; but the excellent quality of 
 
 Note.— Iron mining is, if possible, more dangerous than copper mining, 
 as the iron mines are not so well '*tim.bered-up " as a rule. Accidents 
 are numerous and often fatal. 
 
92 A PRIMER OF 
 
 the slate, and the extent of the beds, warrant the 
 belief that this will some day become an important 
 industry. 
 
 SALT. 
 
 Owing to geological causes, a portion of the State 
 is underlaid by porous rocks which contain brine of 
 good quality in almost unlimited quantity. The 
 manufacture of salt was not begun until about the 
 year 1860, but the business increased so rapidly that 
 Michigan has become the largest salt producing 
 State in the Union. 
 
 Three-fourths of the product is manufactured in 
 the ^^salt-blocks" along the banks of the Saginaw 
 Eiver. Smaller quantities are made at the shore 
 towns from White Kock to Caseville, and, on the 
 other side of Saginaw Bay, at Oscoda and Tawas 
 City; also at St. Louis, Midland, and Manistee. 
 
 In the vicinity of the Saginaws, the average depth 
 of the wells is about 900 feet. Steam is often used 
 to heat the pans — in the evaporation — and a saving 
 of fuel is effected by having the ^^ blocks" connected 
 with saw-mills. 
 
 The salt product of Michigan in 1884 was more 
 than three million barrels. The average value of 
 the product is estimated at about two millions of 
 dollars a year. 
 
 Note. — " A single well has yielded 26,000 barrels of salt in a season of 
 ■eight months."— [" Michigan and its Resources."] 
 
MICHIGAI^ HISTORY. 93 
 
 GYPSUM. 
 
 Extensive beds of gypsum are found in Kent and 
 Iosco counties. In the first mentioned locality the 
 beds have an area of ten to twelve square miles. In 
 Iosco county the deposit is found in the bluffs on 
 the lake shore, near Alabaster. Manufacturing 
 establishments are in operation, converting the rock 
 into ^^land plaster" and ^'plaster of Paris/' and 
 the yearly product has become an important source 
 of wealtli. 
 
 COAL. 
 
 About one-fifth of the Lower Peninsula is under- 
 laid by beds of bituminous coal. But although the 
 deposits are large in area, the seams appear to lack 
 sufficient thickness in most places to encourage min- 
 ing on an extensive scale, and owing to the presence 
 of a large percentage of sulphur and other objection- 
 able ingredients the coal is unfit for the purposes of 
 smelting and gas-making. Mining operations have 
 been attempted at several plac3s, but thus far the 
 Jackson mines have yielded the principal share of 
 the Michigan coal product. 
 
 STONE. 
 
 Building stones are found in Calhoun, Eaton, 
 
 Note— In 1884, Michigan produced 27,412 tons of land plaster and 156,320 
 barrels of calcined plaster or " stucco." 
 
 Note— The location of the coal fields of Michigan may be roughly in- 
 dicated on a map as follows : Draw a line from Sebewamg through 
 Holly, Jackson, Albion, Hastings, to Big Rapids; thence to the north- 
 west corner of Clare county, and eastward to the northeast corner ot 
 Gladwin county; and thence to the mouth of the Rifle River. 
 
 The Michigan coal product for 1882 was 110,336 tons. 
 
•94 A PRIMER OF 
 
 Hougliton, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Marquette, and 
 Monroe counties. 
 
 Grindstones of good quality are cut from the 
 quarries of Huron county. 
 
 Limestones are found in great abundance in sev- 
 eral places, and quick-lime is manufactured in large 
 quantities. 
 
 VALUE OF MII^^ERAL PRODUCTS. 
 
 The value of the mineral products of Michigan is 
 probably not less than twenty-five million dollars a 
 year. 
 
 FISHERIES. 
 
 The fresh-water fisheries of Michigan are more 
 valuable than those of any other State in the Union. 
 Several thousand men are engaged in this industry, 
 and the yearly ^' catch" is worth about a million 
 dollars. Whitefish, Mackinac trout, lake herring, 
 sturgeon and pickerel are the fishes commonly taken. 
 Of these, the whitefish is the most valuable, and 
 contributes largely to the profits of Michigan fisher- 
 men. 
 
 CON^CLUSION". 
 II 
 
 As products and prices vary from year to year, 
 the estimated values are presented merely for the 
 purpose of indicating the magnitude of the material 
 resources of the State> and not as exact figures. 
 
 Note.— The fishes are caught in "gill-nets "or in "pound nets." As 
 those caught in the latter are alive when the net is "• lifted," they are 
 preferred to the " drowned," and sometimes partially decayed, fishes 
 caught in the gill-nets. 
 
MICHIGAN" HISTORY. 95 
 
 Gathering up the estimates placed on the crude 
 products, we have the following summary: 
 
 Products of the soil $88,000,000 
 
 Products of the forest.. 60,000,000 
 
 Mineral products - - 25,000,000 
 
 Pish 1,000,000 
 
 Total for an average year $174,000,000 
 
 According to the census of 1880, there were nearly 
 nine thousand manufacturing establishments in the 
 State, and many of the crude materials are greatly 
 increased in value before they are exported. These 
 factories employ large numbers of men, and thus 
 help to improve the local markets for labor and 
 provisions.* 
 
 With more than sixteen hundred miles of coast 
 line on the great lakes, and upwards of five thousand 
 miles of railroad, the commercial advantages of 
 Michigan are excellent and freight rates are favorable. 
 
 Unsurpassed in richness and variety of material 
 resources by any other State in the Union, with 
 growing manufactures and good markets, Michigan 
 completes her first half century of State existence in 
 a thrifty condition, and all things promise a pros- 
 perous future. 
 
 * Note —In 1880 the number of manufacturing establishments was 
 8 873; number of employes, 77,591; capital invested in manufacturing, 
 «92,930,959: wa^es paid during one year, $25,318,682; value of products, 
 «150;692,025 per annum. 
 
96 
 
 A PRIMER OF 
 
MICHIGAN HISTORY. 97 
 
 QUERIES 
 
 I. When and by whom was the first French explorine.- expedition sent 
 to America? 
 
 3. Who named New France and wrote the first description of its coast ? 
 
 3. What was the principal object of the early expeditions? 
 
 4. Wlio first attempted to plant an agricultural colony in Acadia? 
 
 5. When and by whom was Quebec founded ? 
 
 6. When and for what length of time was Quebec first under English 
 control ? 
 
 7. Who was the " Father of New France " ? 
 
 8. Explain the purpose and give the date of the treaty of St. Germain. 
 
 9. Who was the first white man who visited Michigan? When and 
 where ? 
 
 10. Who founded the fii'st mission and built the first church on Lake 
 Superior ? 
 
 II. Who founded the mission at the Sault de Ste. Marie? 
 
 13. For what purpose was the French and Indian council of 1671 held 
 at the Sault ? 
 
 13. When and by whom was the mission established at St. Ighace ? 
 
 14. What is the oldest permanent settlement in the State ? 
 
 15. What influence was exerted on the Indians by the Jesuits? By 
 the coureurs des bois f 
 
 16. What part did the fur traders play in the early exploration of this 
 region ? 
 
 17. What was the name of. the first schooner on tl.e great lakes? By 
 whom built ? When was the first voyage made, and what became of the 
 vessel ? 
 
 18. What Indian village covered a portion of the present site of Detroit ? 
 
 19. Where was Fort St. Joseph? When and by whom built? 
 
 30, Where, when, and how did La Salle lose his life ? 
 
 31. When and by whom was Detroit founded? 
 
 33. What caused the French War ? When did it begin and end ? What 
 battle decided the contest, and what was the final result of the struggle 
 on the history of North America ? 
 
 33. How long was Canada under French control ? 
 
 34. What was the principal occupation of the people during the French 
 Period ? 
 
 35. By whom and to whom was Detroit surrendered after the fall of 
 Quebec ? 
 
 36. When did the English take possession of the Other posts in Michigan? 
 
 37. What was the chief design of Pontiac's Conspiracy? Was it 
 achieved ? 
 
 28. How many posts were attacked ? How many captured ? 
 39. Who saved Detroit ? 
 
 30. Where did the savages act the part of cannibals ? 
 
 31. Why did the Indians abandon the siege of Detroit, and when ? 
 
 33. What was the Quebec Act, and what does the Declaration of Inde- 
 pendence say about it? 
 
 33. How did the British officers at Detroit and Mackinac make them- 
 selves odious to the people of America during the Revolutionary War ? 
 
 34. What was the treaty of Paris, and when made ? 
 
98 A PKIMER OF 
 
 35. When did Michigan become an American possession? Who first 
 unfurled the stars and stripes at Detroit ? 
 
 36. What was " the ordinance of 1787 " ? 
 
 37. State some of its chief provisions. 
 
 38. How many and what States have been formed from the North- 
 west Territory ? 
 
 39. Which French explorer died and was buried near the present city 
 of Ludington ? Whei'e are the remains now buried ? 
 
 40. What Indian tribes lived in Michigan under French rule ? 
 
 41. What Englishman superintended the first modern attempt at cop- 
 per mining on Lake Superior"? 
 
 43. Who were the courenrs des hois ? 
 
 43. Who was the first Governor of the Northwest Territory ? 
 
 44. When and how long was Michigan connected Avith Indiana Terri- 
 tory ? 
 
 45. Describe the origin of the primary school fund. 
 
 46. When was Michigan Territory organized ? What were its bound- 
 aries ? 
 
 47. Who was the first Governor ? 
 
 48. What .judge was said to be "fit only to extract sunbeams from 
 cucumbers " ? 
 
 49. What was the immediate cause of the war of 1812? 
 
 50. When, where, and by whom was the battle of Tippecanoe fought ? 
 With what result ? 
 
 51. When was the fort first established on Mackinac Island? 
 
 52. When and how was this post captured by the English ? 
 
 53. Where was Maiden ? 
 
 54. When and where was a white tablecloth used as a sign of surrender? 
 
 55. Who said " We have met the enemy and they are on^s " f 
 
 56. How was Michigan recaptured from the British ? 
 
 57. Who was the second Governor of Michigan Territory and when 
 was he appointed ? 
 
 58. When was the survey of the public lands begun in Michigan? 
 
 59. Who brought the first printing press into the State ? 
 
 60. When was the first permanent newspaper begun and what was it> 
 called ? 
 
 61. What was the name of the first steamboat on the great lakes? 
 When was the first voyage made ? When was the steamer wrecked ? 
 
 62. What was the early name given to Monroe City ? What massacre 
 took place there and what oflicer was responsible for the outrage ? 
 
 63. What causes retarded the settlement of Michigan in the early days? 
 
 64. What was the cause of " the Toledo war " ? The result ? 
 
 65. When and where was the " frost bitten " convention held, and 
 what action was taken ? 
 
 66. What was the incident in connection with General Cass and the^ 
 British fi.ag at the Sault ? 
 
 67. When was Michigan admitted into the Union ? 
 
 68. Who was " the boy Governor " of Michigan? 
 
 69. What public improvements were undertaken by the young State? 
 
 70. What plague visited Detroit in 1832 and 1834 ? 
 
 71. What territorial executive lost his life with the disease? 
 
 72. Who was " the founder of the Michigan school system " ? 
 
 73. Who were the first Michigan Representatives in Congress? 
 
 74. Who were the first U. S. Senators from this State? 
 
 75. Give a list of the educational institutions controlled and supported. 
 by the State. 
 
 76. What wa s the " Catholepistemiad " ? 
 
 77. Name the two oldest railroads in the State. 
 
 78. What were the " wild cat" banks? 
 
 79. What were the "• nail-keg reserves " ? 
 
MICHIGAJf HISTORY. 99 
 
 80. What portion of tlie land was set apart for the support of primarv 
 schools, and when ? ^ j 
 
 81. What Michigan institutions were the first of the kind in the Union''* 
 8:i. From what portion of the United States did most of the pioneers of 
 
 Michigan come ? 
 
 83. When and where did the Mormons start a Michigan colony ? 
 
 84. ^\ here did the Quakers settle ? 
 
 85. What were the leading characteristics of the pioneer settlers? 
 
 8b. \^ here was the capital of the State during the early davs ? When 
 was It removed to Lansing ? 
 
 87. When was the second Constitution of the State framed ? 
 
 88. State the essential differences between the first and second Con- 
 stitutions of Michigan. 
 
 89. What legal difficulty prevents a poor man from serving as Gov- 
 ernor of the State ? 
 
 90. Who was the *' war Governor of Michigan " ? 
 
 91. Who was tlie " war Senator of Michigan " ? 
 
 no- Hr*^"' many boys in blue did the State furnish during the Civil War? 
 
 do. \\ hen and how was Lake Superior opened to navigation ? 
 
 94. "\Mien was the new lock finished ? 
 
 ^^^V-^V°.^ many Senators and Representatives constitute the Legislature 
 of Michigan ? 
 
 96. For what length of time are the State officers elected ? 
 
 9i. When and how often do the regular sessions of the Legislature 
 occur ? 
 
 98. How many congressional districts has Michigan under the appor- 
 tionment based on the census of 1880? 
 
 ?^\ ^^^l\®^^ ^^^^ *^^*^ death penalty abolished in this State ? 
 
 nm • l^rl^^^ ^^^^'^ ^^^^^ ^®^^^ made in regard to the liquor traffic ? 
 
 inV V,-."^* ^^^^ ^^^ population when the State was admitted ? 
 
 10:2. vv hat is the population now ? 
 
 103. How many schools in the State ? 
 
 }n^- T^rJ^^^'® ^^ ^^^® center of population in the State ? 
 
 lOo. What IS the average population to the square mile in the State ? 
 In your county ? 
 
 106. How many miles of railroad ? 
 
 107. Which is the longest railroad in the State ? 
 
 108. What IS the length of Michigan's coast line? Is it exceeded by 
 any other State m the Union ? 
 
 }?n- U^y^ many inland lakes in the State ? How many counties ? 
 
 110. Between what meridians and parallels is Michigan situated ? 
 
 111. How many islands belong to the Slate ? 
 11:2. What island counties ? 
 
 113. }Ytu^(^^ ^^ ^^^ largest island in the State ? 
 
 lU. What States east of the Mississippi River are larger than Mich- 
 igan ? 
 }}^' ^yi^ich is farther north, Isle Royal or the city of Paris ? 
 }\^- ?i^J^®,'^"® °^°^^ important rivers of Michigan. 
 }}L' wv*^.'^<'f>V-^^ original plan of Detroit, and after what models ? 
 iln )Vt, ^ Michigan ball game ended in a massacre ? 
 119. What five rivers rise on Hillsdale Summit ? 
 1 ,V' }Yt^ -^ ^^® ^®^^^ annual rain-fall of the State ? 
 1x1. What IS the mean annual temperature ? 
 iS?" tXI^^^ ^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ important field crop in Michigan ? 
 lof -)^l^^? ^^^^ fruit raising begun on a large scale in this State ? 
 L24.^What portion of the State is best adapted to fruit growing, and 
 
 125. Name the chief " logging " streams. 
 
 .126. What place makes the largest quantity of lumber of any single 
 City m Lii6 world r 
 127. Name the most valuable copper mine on the globe. 
 
100 A PRIMER OP 
 
 138. What proportion of the labor of the State is employed in agri- 
 culture ? 
 
 129. How naany men are employed in the lumber manufacture ? 
 
 130. Locate the agricultural, lumbering, and mining districts of Mich- 
 igan. 
 
 131. What is the average yearly lumber " cut " of the State ? 
 
 133. How does Michigan rank as a fruit producer? Lumber? Salt? 
 Fish? Iron? Copper? 
 
 133. Who was the first State Geologist of Michigan ? 
 
 134. What discovery followed the command, " Looh around hoys and 
 see what you can find,'''' and who said it ? 
 
 135. When was iron mining begun in Michigan, and where? 
 
 136. Name the earliest productive copper mines. 
 
 137. What is the difference between native copper and copper ore ? 
 
 138. How many copper mines are in operation in Michigan? 
 
 139. How many iron mines ? 
 
 140. Locate the iron districts of Michigan. 
 
 141. Where is gold mined in Michigan? 
 143. Locate the gypsum beds. 
 
 143. For what purposes is gypsum used ? 
 
 144. Where are the slate quarries ? 
 
 145. How does Michigan rank in the sale of fresh-water fish? 
 
 146. What Michigan men have filled places in the Presidents' Cabinets ? 
 
 147. Where are grindstones quarried ? 
 
 148. What effect had the opening of the Erie canal on Michigan 
 history ? 
 
 149. When and where did a Yankee soldier and a British cannon ball 
 cut down a pear tree ? 
 
 150. Who was Henry Rowe Schoolcraft ? Where did he live and what 
 did he write ? 
 
 151. What elective State officer receives $3,000 salary? How does it 
 happen ? ( See note on page 103.) 
 
MICHIGAN HIvSTORT. 
 
 101 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 PAGES. 
 
 Admission of State.- 52 
 
 Allouez, Pere Claude 8,9 
 
 American Possession ..- 29 
 
 Arch Rock (Illustration) 44 
 
 Bloody Run 24 
 
 Boundary of Michigan 51 
 
 " Boy Governor " of Michigan. 53 
 
 British Landing 38 
 
 British Possession 17 
 
 Brock, General 40 
 
 Cadillac, La Motte 15 
 
 Cartier, Jacques 2, 3 
 
 Cass, Gen. Lewis.... 39, 43, 45, 49, 70 
 
 Catholepistemiad 60 
 
 Champlain, Samuel 3-6 
 
 Chandler, Zachariah. 70 
 
 Chicago. 55 
 
 Climate 78 
 
 Coal.... 93 
 
 Coast Line. 74 
 
 Commercial Facilities 95 
 
 Copper Mines. 85 
 
 Council at the Sault... 9 
 
 Council at Ecorces... 20 
 
 Counties in Michigan 74 
 
 Courcurs cles Bois 11 
 
 Crary, Isaac E... 52, 58 
 
 Crogiian, Lieut 45 
 
 Dablon, Pere 9 
 
 Dalzell, Captain 24 
 
 Death Penalty 72 
 
 De Monts 3 
 
 Detroit.... 13, 15, 18, 20, 28, 34, 40, 43 
 Druilletes, Pere 10 
 
 Education 57, 58, 60, 61, 62 
 
 Erie Canal.. 49 
 
 Etherington, Major 26 
 
 Farm Products 79 
 
 Financial Panic. 56 
 
 Fisheries 94 
 
 Forest Products 81 
 
 Frontenac, Count 12 
 
 Frontenac, Fort 12 
 
 " Frost-bitten Convention "... 52 
 
 PAGES. 
 
 Fruits 80 
 
 Fur Traders 10 
 
 Geographical location of Mich- 
 igan 74 
 
 Gladwyn, Major 21 
 
 Gold. 91 
 
 Governors of the State 67 
 
 Griffin, The....' 13 
 
 Gypsum 93 
 
 Hanks, Lieut 38 
 
 Harrison, Gen. Wm. H....36, 37, 41 
 
 Hennepin 13 
 
 Hog Island 24 
 
 Holmes, Major... 45 
 
 Houghton, Dr. Douglas 85 
 
 Hull, Gen. Wm 34, 39, 40 
 
 Indiana Territory... 33 
 
 Internal Improvements. 54 
 
 Iron Mines ....88-91 
 
 Islands Belonging to State 74 
 
 Jougues, Pere.. 7 
 
 Lakes, Inland 76 
 
 La Point ' 8 
 
 La Salle.. 12 
 
 Leaning Rock (Illustration) ... 96 
 
 Legislature 72 
 
 Liquor Laws 72 
 
 Lucas County, O.. 51 
 
 Lyon, Lucius 52 
 
 Mackinac, Fort 37,45 
 
 Maiden, Fort.... 39 
 
 Manufacturing Interests 95- 
 
 Marquette, Pere .8-l(h 
 
 Mason, Governor 50-53,58. 
 
 Map of Mackinac Island 30 . 
 
 Map of Michigan 75 
 
 Menard, Pere 8 
 
 Michilimackinac 7, 26, 28. 
 
 Michigan Centred R. R 54, 55 
 
 Michigan in the War 69 
 
 Michigan Members of Presi- 
 dents' Cabinets. 69 
 
 Michigan Southern R. R 54, 55.. 
 
102 
 
 A PRIMER OF 
 
 PAGES. 
 
 MicMgan Territory 34 
 
 Mineral Products 84 
 
 Mormons in Michigan 64 
 
 Morris Canal and Banking Co. 53 
 
 Mundy, Edward 53 
 
 Nlcolet, Jean 7 
 
 Northwest Territory 31,32 
 
 Norvell, John 53 
 
 " One Hundred Associates "-.. 5 
 Ordinance of 1787 .31, 33, 57 
 
 Past and Present Compared... 73 
 
 Pennsylvania U. S. Bank 54 
 
 Perry's Victory 43 
 
 Pictured Rocks. 77 
 
 Pierce, Hon. John D. 58-60 
 
 Pioneers....- 63, 63 
 
 Point Pelee Massacre 23 
 
 Political Matters 67 
 
 Pontchartrain, Fort. 15 
 
 Pontiac, Chief 17, 19,28 
 
 Pontiac's Conspiracy 18 
 
 Porter, Captain 29 
 
 Porter, Governor ,50 
 
 Primary School Fund 33, 58 
 
 Printing Press 47 
 
 Proctor, Colonel-. 41 
 
 Public Lands. 33, 47 
 
 Quebec ^ 3,5,16 
 
 Quebec Act 38 
 
 Queries 97 
 
 Railroads 54, 55, 73, 95 
 
 Rain-fall 79 
 
 Raymbault, Pere.. 7 
 
 Reference Lists of Prominent 
 
 Officers 67 
 
 Reference Lists of State Insti- 
 tutions 72 
 
 Richard, Rev. Grabriel 47 
 
 River Raisin, Massacre of 43 
 
 Rivers 76 
 
 Roads, Public 48 
 
 Rogers, Major Robert 17 
 
 St. Clair, Oen. Arthur 33 
 
 St. Clair, Lake 13 
 
 St. Ignace Mission... 10 
 
 PAGES. 
 
 St. Joseph, Fort .14,36 
 
 St. Mary's Ship-canal and 
 
 Locks 71,89 
 
 Salaries of State Officers 66 
 
 Salt 93 
 
 Sault de Ste. Marie 8 
 
 Schoolcraft, Henry R 49 
 
 School Section 33 
 
 Silver 91 
 
 Slavery Prohibited 32 
 
 Slate Quarries 91 
 
 Soil 78 
 
 Specie Payment, Suspension of .56 
 State, Admission into L^nion.. 53 
 
 State Bonds 54 
 
 State Capital, Removal of 65 
 
 State Capitol 71 
 
 State Constitution 51-53, 65 
 
 State Conventions .51, 53 
 
 State Officers.. 53,53 
 
 State Schools 61 
 
 Steamboat, The first 48 
 
 Stone Quarries 93 
 
 Strang, James J 64 
 
 Summary of Values 95 
 
 Superintendents of Public In- 
 struction 68 
 
 Surface 74 
 
 Tecumseh, Chief .35, 43 
 
 Temperature of Michigan 79 
 
 Thames, Battle of 43 
 
 Tippecanoe, Battle of 37 
 
 Toledo War 50 
 
 Treaty of Paris 38 
 
 Treaty of St. Germain 6 
 
 University Fund 33 
 
 U. S. Senators from Michigan 69 
 
 Verrazzano, John 1,3 
 
 War, The French 15 
 
 War, Revolutionary 38 
 
 War of 1812 36 
 
 War of Rebellion- 69-71 
 
 Wayne County 33 
 
 " Wild-cat " Banking 55-57 
 
 Winters 79 
 
 Woodward, Judge 34, 35, 41 
 
illCHIGAJs^ HISTORY. 10? 
 
 On page 16, m the tliiixl line from the foot of the page, read 
 one hundred" instead of "two hundred." 
 
 The Auditor General's salary was fixed by an act of the Leg- 
 islature, approved April 24, 1883, at $2,000 per year. In 
 amending Article IX of the State Constitution so as to give 
 Circuit Judges $2,500 salary, the office of Auditor General was 
 accidentally omitted from the list of State offices, hence it 
 w^as left to the Legislature to fix the salary. ^ 
 
THK 
 
 D 
 
 A Twenty-Four Page Semi-Monthly School Journal 
 FOR Teachers and Pupils. 
 
 TKR.MS, Sl.SO F'E^R YKAR. 
 
 (30 Numbers Constitute a Year.) 
 
 Tlie Official Organ of tlie State Department of Public 
 
 Instruction, of tlie State Teacliers' Association, 
 
 of tlie City Superintendents' Association, of 
 
 tlie State Reading Circle, and of tlie 
 
 Micliigan Sclioolmasters' Club. 
 
 It contains Abstracts of School, Law Decisions, State Cer 
 TiFiCATE Examination Questions, Full Reports of all Teachers' 
 Meetings, Many Reports of Actual Class Work in the Schools, 
 School News, and Miscellaneous Reading. 
 
 « 
 
 SEND ROR A SANIPLE COF^Y. 
 
 Outline Maps, Charts, Globes, Erasers, Dissected Maps, Books 
 for Teachers, etc. , furnished at Low Prices. 
 
 Agents wanted in every township to canvass for The Moderator 
 and Primer of Michigan History. Good commissions given. 
 Address 
 
 H. R. PAXTENaiLL, 
 
 LANSING, MICH.