In 1847, a Mr. James Seymour, owning some land on the Grand River, made a proposition to the Legislature of Michigan, that if they would remove the seat of Government on to his lands, he would give 20 acres, and erect the capitol and buildings for the use of the State authorities. This offer was not accepted, but the Legislature passed a bill locating the capital in the township. At this period but one family occupied the site of the future capital. In May, 1847, the town of Lansing was laid out, and within the next few weeks one thousand persons moved into the place, which was named from Lansing in New York, the former home of some of the settlers. In 1850, the seat of Government was formally transferred from Detroit to this place.

DETROIT,

The metropolis of the State, is situated on the right or northwest bank of the Detroit River, 18 miles from the head of Lake Erie, 8 miles from the outlet of Lake St. Clair, and 110 miles by railway from Lansing. The width of the river averages about five-eighths of a mile, the width from the docks of Detroit to the opposite docks of Windsor, in Canada, being about half a mile. The depth between the docks. varies from 12 to 48 feet, averaging 32 feet; the descent from Lake St. Clair to Lake Erie is about 6 feet, averaging 3 inches per mile; and the velocity of the current in the deepest part opposite the city is two miles and a half per hour. The stream is so deep and its current so strong and uniform, that it keeps itself clear, and its navigation is not affected as is that of the Mississippi, with either rocks, sand-bars, trees, or sawyers. Its current also carries along the ice with a slow and uniform motion, so that it is never dammed up in winter, while the St. Lawrence, at Montreal, is shallow, full of rocks, against which the ice lodges, and often forms a dam across the river, and raises the water from 20 to 25 feet, overflowing its low banks for miles, and sweeping off and destroying large amounts of property. These peculiarities make Detroit a secure and accessible harbor in all seasons.

Bordering the river, along which it extends for several miles, and for 1200 feet back from the water, the plan of the city is rectangular. In the rear of this portion it is triangular. The city covers an area of about 10 square miles, and is for the most part well built. The streets and avenues are wide, many of them from 100 to 200 feet. Five of these centre at a public ground, called the Grand Circus. In the city are several public squares or spaces, the principal of which

are the Grand Circus and the Campus Martius. The streets are generally well paved, with broad side walks, and are shaded with noble forest trees. Jefferson and Woodward avenues, and Congress street are the most important thoroughfares. Lines of street cars connect the principal points of the city.

A large portion of the city is built of wood, but of late years, brick, stone, and iron have been largely used in erecting new edifices and in improving old ones. In consequence of this, the business streets now present a handsome appearance, and in the private sections are to be found many elegant and tasteful residences.

The principal buildings are the Custom House, a magnificent stone edifice; the City Hall, a fine structure of brick; and the Old State House, now used for literary purposes.

The city contains about 66 public schools, each of which is provided with handsome and convenient buildings. The citizens are very proud of their free school system, and with good reason.

The benevolent and charitable institutions are numerous, and are well conducted. The principal establishments are the Industrial School, the Harper, St. Mary's, and Marine Hospitals, the Orphan Asylum, and the House for the Friendless. In the Industrial School,

the ragged and vagrant children of the city are gathered and taught to read, write, and sing, to mend and make their clothing, and are given a good meal every day.

The city contains about 38 churches, some of which are among its principal ornaments, 11 newspaper, and 3 magazine offices, and 3 firstclass hotels. It is lighted with gas, and is supplied with pure water, which is pumped from the Detroit River by means of a steam engine into a hydraulic reservoir, from which it is supplied to the city pipes. The city is provided with an efficient police force and a steam fire department, and is governed by a Mayor and Council. In 1870, the population was 75,580.

The admirable position of Detroit has made it an important commercial point. It controls a large share of the commerce between the United States and Canada, but its chief source of prosperity is the lake trade. Commanding the only outlet of the three upper lakes, it of necessity controls a large share of their commerce, and also conducts a large trade with the ports of Lake Erie. It is largely interested in the rich trade which the working of the copper and iron mines of Lake Superior has developed. Regular lines of steamers ply between the city and the ports on the lakes. Detroit has direct railway communication with all parts of the Union, and the terminus of the Great Western Railway of Canada is at Windsor, on the opposite side of the river. The grain trade of Detroit is important, and is increasing every year.

The city is extensively engaged in manufactures. The most important articles produced are locomotives, iron machinery, window sashes and blinds, cabinet ware, leather, malt liquors, iron and brass ware, and lumber. The Detroit Copper Smelting Works annually smelt over $2,000,000 worth of copper ore into ingot copper. Another large establishment is engaged in manufacturing iron from the iron ore sent from the Lake Superior mines.

In 1670, the French built a fort on the present site of Detroit. The vicinity at this time was occupied by villages of the Huron, Potawatomy, and Ottowa Indians. Ninety years later, in 1760, the French posts passed into the hands of Great Britain. In 1783, after the close of the Revolution, Detroit became a part of the United States, but was not formally delivered up to the American forces until 1796. By this time a straggling town had sprung up around the fort; the inhabitants of which were principally French Canadians. On the 11th of June, 1805, this town was entirely destroyed by fire;

but, undismayed by this reverse, the inhabitants at once set to work to rebuild it. The Territory of Michigan had been organized in the ealier part of the same year, and the Governor, General William Hull, caused the town to be laid out upon a new plan, which is substantially that of the present city. On the 15th of August, 1812, the town and fort were surrendered by General Hull to the British. They held it until the 29th of September of the same year, when they evacuated it and retired into Canada. Upon the admission of Michigan into the Union as a State, Detroit became the capital (in 1836), and remained the seat of Government until 1850, when Lansing became the capital.

GRAND RAPIDS,

The second city of the State, is situated in Kent county, on both sides of the Grand River, at the Rapids of that stream, 40 miles from its mouth, 60 miles west-northwest of Lansing, and 150 miles northwest of Detroit.

It is well built, and is prominent among the northwestern cities for the improvement it is making in the style of its architecture. The streets are wide, and are generally well paved. The city contains 12 churches, several public and private schools, and 6 newspaper offices. It is lighted with gas, and supplied with water. The Government consists of a Mayor and Council. In 1870, the population was 16,507.

The Grand River here is 900 feet in width, and falls 18 feet in the course of a mile, producing ample water-power, which is employed in turning a number of flouring and saw mills, and iron founderies. The city does an immense business in lumber, lime, gypsum, and building stone, which are found in large quantities in the vicinity. Salt springs of unusual strength exist in the immediate neighborhood. The water is much stronger than that of the Syracuse wells in New York, requiring but 29 gallons to produce a bushel of salt. The manufacture of this article is rapidly increasing in importance. A large portion of the yearly product finds a market in Chicago. Grand Rapids is the great seat of the lumber trade of Western Michigan. The country watered by the Grand River is one of the richest timber regions in the world, and is steadily adding to the wealth of the State.

There is railway communication between Grand Rapids and all parts of the Union. Large steamers ply between the city and Grand Haven, at the mouth of the river, where they connect with the lake steamers; and small steamers ascend the stream to Lyons, about 50 miles above the Rapids.

Grand Rapids is one of the healthiest cities, in the State. It was settled in 1833, laid out as a village in 1836, and incorporated as a city in 1850.

ADRIAN,

In Lenawee county, is the third city of the State. It is situated on a branch of the Raisin River, 80 miles southeast of Lansing, and 70 miles west-southwest of Detroit. The city is regularly laid out, and is well built. It contains several fine public buildings, 10 churches, several public and private schools, and 2 newspaper offices. It is lighted with gas, and supplied with water, and is governed by a Mayor and Council. In 1870, the population was 8438.

Adrian lies in the centre of a rich farming region, of which it is the principal market. The river furnishes admirable water-power, which is used by a number of manufacturing establishments. The city is connected with all parts of the State by railway, and has grown rapidly since the completion of these improvements. It was settled in 1828, and was incorporated as a city in 1853.

MISCELLANIES.

PONTIAC'S EFFORT TO CAPTURE DETROIT.

As every appearance of war was at an end, and the Indians seemed to be on a friendly footing, Pontiac approached Detroit without exciting any suspicions in the breast of the Governor or the inhabitants. He encamped at a little distance from it, and let the commandant know that he was come to trade; and being desirous of brightening the chain of peace between the English and his nation, desired that he and his chiefs might be admitted to hold a council with him. The Governor, still unsuspicious, and not in the least doubting the sincerity of the Indians, granted their general's request, and fixed on the next morning for their reception.

On the evening of that day an Indian woman, who had been appointed by Major Gladwyn to make a pair of Indian shoes out of a curious elkskin, brought them home. The major was so pleased with them that, intending these as a present for a friend, he ordered her to take the remainder back and make it into others for himself. He then directed his servant to pay her for those she had done, and dismissed her. The woman went to the door that led to the street, but no further; she there loitered about as if she had not finished the business on which she came. A servant at length observed her, and asked her why she stayed there. She gave him, however, no answer.

Some short time after, the Governor himself saw her, and inquired of his servant what occasioned her stay. Not being able to get a satisfactory answer, he ordered the woman to be called in. When she came into his presence, he desired to know what was the reason of her loitering about, and not hastening home before the gates were shut, that she might complete in due time the work he had given her to do. She told him, after much hesitation, that as he had always