ected with
Lake Huron at its western angle by a short and wide strait, in the
centre of which is the island of Michilimakinack, belonging to the
United States. This island is about 9 miles in circumference, and, like
St. Joseph, its neighbour, it possessed a small fort and garrison. Lake
Huron flows through the river St. Clair, which is in length about 60
miles, into Lake St. Clair, a small circular lake 30 miles in diameter.
The beautiful river Thames, in Upper Canada, opens into Lake St. Clair,
and it was along the banks of this river that Major-General Proctor
retreated in 1813. From Lake St. Clair, the stream, through the Detroit,
navigable for vessels not drawing more than fourteen feet water,
pursues a course of nearly 40 miles into Lake Erie.

Upon the western side of the Detroit is situate the American town of
that name. About 5 miles below Detroit, upon the opposite side of the
strait, is the British village of Sandwich, then containing scarcely
fifty houses; and 18 miles lower, and within four of the termination of
the strait, is the British village of Amherstburg, then containing about
one hundred houses, and a fort where a small garrison was maintained,
and where the principal vessels for the service of Lake Erie were
constructed. The American village of Brownstown stands nearly opposite
to Amherstburg, which is distant from Quebec by the nearest route by
water 815 miles, from Fort Erie about 250 miles, and from York 315
miles.

Lake Erie, from Miamis Bay to the entrance of the straits of Niagara, is
in length 257 miles, in breadth 64 miles, and in circumference 658
miles. The greatest depth of water is between forty and forty-five
fathoms, but a very rocky bottom renders the anchorage unsafe in blowing
weather. Except Amherstburg, the British have no harbour or naval depot
upon Lake Erie, while the Americans have two or three excellent ones.
_Presqu'ile_ harbour is situate on the southern side of the lake, not
far from the entrance to the Niagara. It is a safe station, but has a
seven feet bar at its entrance, as indeed have all the other harbours on
this lake. The town, named Erie, is situate on the south side of the
harbour, and contains a dock yard, in which the Americans built their
Lake Erie fleet. To the eastward of the town stands a strong battery,
and on the point of the Peninsula forming the harbour, a block house,
for the protection of this naval depot. The rivers Raisin, Sandusky, and
Miami, th