Historic Diaries: James Doty, 1820
May 24, 1820: Leaving Detroit
Editor's Note:
Doty made notes almost every day from May 24 to Aug 5, 1820, as did one of the scientists, Henry Rowe Schoolcraft (1793-1864). Doty's original pocket diaries are now in the possession of the Wisconsin Historical Society and we present their text here. His manuscript and a printed version are also available in Turning Points in Wisconsin History.
Location: Detroit, Michigan
View Doty's handwritten manuscript of this page
View page in the 1895 printed edition
The canoes which were to convey us had been bargained for with the Indians of Sagina[w], but as they did not arrive two others were obtained. The wind for two weeks has been from the East very strong which has also been an impediment to our departure. The Governor's ill health has also retarded our movements, and on the whole circumstances may be considered rather unfavourable. As we were loading our canoes, having determined to proceed today at all hazards, those from Saginaw came down and it was not until 4 P. M. that we had everything prepared. The canoes put off from the shore opposite the Governor's house, while the most of the party proceeded in carriages attended by most of the citizens of Detroit, to Grosse Point. We arrived at the Point at 6 but the wind being down the river, the canoes did not reach until ½ past 7. Our tents were pitched on the bank of the Lake St. Clair below Hudsons, 9 miles from Detroit.
The feelings of us all may be justly appreciated on thus leaving our friends, and the civilized world too, on a voyage of such length, danger & difficulty, and it will not be thought strange that our spirits were a considerably depressed.
Our party consisted of His Excellency Lewis Cass, Governor of Michigan Territory, under whose direction and guidance the Expedition was placed, Capt. David B. Douglass of the corps of Engineers and professor of Mathematics at the Military academy at West Point, Henry R. Schoolcraft, Mineralogist & geologist, Doct. Alexander Woolcott, Jr., Indian Agent at Chicago, Lieutenant Aeneus Mackay of the Artillery, Robert A. Forsyth, private Secretary to the Governor, Charles C. Trowbridge and Alexander R. Chase, Assistants to Capt. Douglass, James Ryley Interpreter, Engagees and soldiers. One of the Frenchmen named Roy is to be our pilot across Lake Superior, and one of the Soldiers (Baptiste) attended as a cook, and myself.
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