Daily National Intelligencer

LAKE ERIE
FROM THE ALBANY ARGUS.

The following information cannot fail to interest the community:

The want of a good harbor on Lake Erie, so important to our future intercourse with the western regions, has been a subject of general regret.

Fortunately, within a short period, an excellent harbor has been discovered, exactly half way between Buffalo and Erie, 45 miles from each. It is called Dunkirk, and lies in the county of Chautauque, in this state. The form of the bay is nearly a semi-circle, protected on the east and west by two promontories; in front by a ledge of smooth slate rock, with a capacious channel towards the west head land of 12 feet depth, and another on the east of 10 feet.--Within the ledge is a spacious basin, capable of containing one hundred sail of vessels, at the moorings, with from twelve to eighteen feet of water, and good anchorage in blue clay. The town plat of Dunkirk is laid off in spacious streets, crossing at right angles; the land at the head of the bay has an elevation from 8 to 12 feet--The site of the town is truly beautiful, descending gradually to the north, and the country in its vicinity presents the same general symmetry; the land of a superior quality, and clothed with excellent timber.

An important feature connected with the future prosperity of this new establishment is the proximity of navigable waters communicating with the Ohio river. The Chautauque lake lies about 8 miles south of Dunkirk, the waters of which are navigable for boats of five tons burthen, communicating with the Canawango branch of the Alleghany river leading to Pittsburgh.

To perfect the navigation, some obstructions of trees at the outlet of the lake require to be removed, which can be effected at a trifling expense. The west promontory being faced with high perpendicular rocks, washed at their base with the waters of the lake, is remarkably well situated for works of defence, and a commanding site for a light house.

The proof of the rising importance of this harbor, so essential to the safe navigation of Lake Erie, we give this fact that the last Chautauque Gazette details a list of ten vessels which arrived at, and of three which sailed from Dunkirk, during the week preceding the 30th June.