Richmond Enquirer

DOMESTIC. [From the (Washington) National Register.] A letter from L. H. Long, major of topographical engineers, and acting engineer of fortifications, addressed to George Graham, Esq. acting secretary at war. (CONCLUDED.) Fort Dearborn is situated upon a point of land formed by a bend in Chicago river, and is about 500 yards distant from the mouth of the river. Directly opposite to the present site of the fort, on the other side of the river, is a position better adapted to the defence of the place, as it would afford a more complete command of the entrance into the river, and at the same time command the anchorage to a very considerable extent. This position is upon a point of land lying between the river and lake, and ought to be fortified in a manner calculated to resist any naval force that may be brought against it. At the head of the Maumee, just below the junction of the St. Joseph's and St. Mary's, the constituent branches of that river, is the site of Fort Wayne. This is a pallisade work, constructed of square timber, as are also its barracks, magazines, &c. The fort is large enough for the reception of about two companies of soldiers. The works were planned by major Whistler, and executed by the soldiery under his command, in a style of neatness and convenience seldom equalled in works of this kind. Fort St. Mary's, on the river of the same name, has not been occupied since the late war, and is at present in a state of decay. On the Mississippi, Wabash, and Maumee are other works of a similar character with those described above, which it was not in my power to visit. On the north west bank of the Ohio river, twelve miles above its confluence with the Mississippi, is a position well adapted for the site of a general military depot for the western country. Ascending the Ohio from its mouth, it is the first ground secure from the inundations of that river, and is situated a few miles below a limestone bar extending across the river, and obstructing its navigation during the lowest stage of the water. Below this there is always depth of water sufficient for all kinds of navigation to N. Orleans. Any position on the banks of the Mississippi that might be selected for this purpose, would be objectionable, on account of the frequent changes to which its channel is liable. For further information on this subject, I beg leave to refer to a communication of Brig. Gen. Smith to Col. Bomford. At Chicago, on Lake Michigan, it would be proper to establish a depot of inferior magnitude, suited to the exigencies of the north western part of our country. The central position of the place—the facilities the country affords for communicating both by land and water with almost every other part of the north and north west frontier, give it high claims to consideration as a military post, and place of deposite for military stores. As respects produce, soil, &c.—This tract of country may be considered as an extensive plane, inclining towards the common centre of gravity in its north easterly parts. Adjacent to the valleys of the Mississippi and Ohio the country is intersected by numerous rivers, creeks and ravines, and by this means exhibits a broken and uneven appearance. The hills and knobs, however, particularly on the Mississippi, have nearly an uniform altitude. On retiring inland, these irregularities gradually disappear, and the country assumes a uniform and level aspect. On the Ohio it is hilly and broken in many places, but further north a country with gentle swells and broad valleys presents itself. Stagnant pools and marshes occasionally make their appearance, but in general the country is sufficiently dry for agricultural purposes. Many parts of it are well watered, but the rivers and creeks in general have very few rapids suitable for mill seats. Of the country bordering upon the Illinois, and extending northward to the Rock, and southward to the Kaskaskias and Wabash rivers, about four fifths are prairies, and the remaining fifth, wood land; the former being separated from each other by intervening tracts of the latter. The prairies yield a plentiful supply of wild grass, well adapted to the pasture of cattle, &c. but after being pastured for a short time, the wild grass gives place to a luxuriant growth of blue grass, upon which animals feed with greater avidity In the marshy grounds, particularly within the valley of the Illinois, wild rice grows in great luxuriance. The growth of the wood lands comprises several varieties of the oak; the red, white, and blue ash, the black and honey locust, the sycamore, sugar tree, maple, red birch, hickory, walnut, pecan, cotton wood, linden, heartberry, buckeye, elm, beech, American box, poplar, and cherry : each furnishing excellent timber of its kind for buildings and other purposes. Cypress is found in some places, and white or sapling pine of a good quality upon the shores of lake Michigan. The under growth consists of sassafras, dogwood, haw, crab apple, papaw, grape-vine, hazle, elder, thorn, bramble, &c. The soil is in general rich and deep, being well adapted to the cultivation of corn, grain, and most of the vegetable products common to the United States.— In the various parts of this country, where Indian corn has been cultivated, the annual crop is between forty and one hundred bushels per acre.
Geology—This tract of country and creeks, the strata are arranged in the following order from the surface downward : the soil gradually passing into sand; horizontal strata of sand stone passing into lime : argillaceous lime stone passing into slate; laminated soft slate passing into coal; stone coal containing bitumen and sulphur. The soil is generally thin in the neighbourhood of the bluffs, and consists of a silicious loam.— But in the interior, and remote from the bluffs, it becomes deeper and of a much better quality : consisting of an argillaceous loam, united in many places with a rich black mould. The sand stone is generally soft and friable, containing a greater or less proportion of lime. The lime stone is of a grey colour, compact and hard, containing a large proportion of clay in its composition. In some instances, clay prevails to such a degree, that instead of lime stone a flinty formation is substituted, occasionally tinged with iron but more generally white or grey. The slate is in some places black, and in others green, but uniformly soft and friable. The coal is apparently of a very good quality, and may be found in very great abundance. The stones and pebbles generally, throughout the country, both upon and below the surface of the ground, are calcareous and argillaceous, abounding in marine and other organic concretions.— South Westward of Lake Michigan loose masses of granite of considerable size are found lying upon the surface of the ground in many places. Indians—This part of the country is inhabited principally by tribes of Indians of different nations, scattered in various directions. Of these the following are the principal, viz. the Sacs, Foxes, Potawatomies, Kickapoos, Miamies, Delawares, Chippeways, Shawnees, and Kaskaskias; the greater part of which took up arms against the United States in the late war, and probably would do the same again upon a renewal of hostilities with G. Britain. They still have a stronger friendship for the English than for the Americans: some of their reasons for which I take the liberty of inserting here, as I had them from the Indians themselves —" The English made us more presents than the Americans. They furnish them with better articles, and at a cheaper rate. They are more punctual in fulfilling their engagements to the Indians.— Those appointed to transact business with the Indians are not in the habit, like the Americans, of taking every advantage in their dealings with them." I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient and Very humble servant, L. H. LONG, Maj. T. Eng. & actg Eng. Fortns. GEORGE GRAHAM, ESQ. Acting Secretary of War. Washington, March 4, 1817.