Historic Diaries: James Doty, 1820
June 17, 1820: Into Lake Superior
Editor's Note:
Before leaving the Sault, Doty, at the request of Cass, drafted this letter for the Detroit press that summarized the council at Sault St. Marie and the importance of the U.S. erecting a fort there.
Schoolcraft described their entrance into Lake Superior this way: "The whole river is here embodied before the eye, and is a mile or three-fourths of a mile wide, and the two separate villages on the British and American shores began to reveal themselves to view, with the cataracts of the Sault de Ste. Marie in the distance; and a beautiful forest of elms, oaks, and maples on either hand. We ascended with our flags flying, our little squadron being spread out in order, and the Canadian boatmen singing one of their enlivening songs."
Location: Sault St. Marie, Michigan
View Doty's handwritten manuscript of this page
View page in the 1895 printed edition
We left the Sault at 1 o'clock. We walked across the portage of rather more than one mile in length, while the canoes at several trips took up the provision and baggage. This is a rapid fall of 22 ft. 10 inches according to Col. Gratiot. From the head of the foot of the fall there are 5 Islands — 3 large and two small. The rapid is run with an empty canoe in less than 5 minutes. Below, the river is about 3/4 of a mile wide. The rapid extends rather more than half way across. It affords a beautiful prospect when approached on the river below.
At the foot of the rapid, immense quantities of Whitefish are taken and of a superior quality — their flavor is delicious. They are the chief food of the inhabitants & Indians of the place during the year. The inhabitants are Frenchmen chiefly married to squaws by whom they have families. There are 8 or 10 houses.
On the British shore are several good farms, the settlers appear to be industrious. At the foot of the rapids and the commencement of the portage on the British side, the North West company have a large & extensive establishment. This portage is much better than that on the American. The traders resident here have always exercised great influence over the Indians of our country. They consider it (and very justly) the key of communication into the upper country, and hence have greatly opposed the establishment of a [U.S.] post at the Sault. Our Government at present seems to entertain the same view of it…
At 4 we got on board above the Sault, and in rather less than a mile passed the White rock, the upper boundary of the cession made by the Indians… From the point on the American shore the course up the shore was S. 80 W. Day 6 miles.
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