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MICHIGAN AS A PROVINCE 1 - 5
These facts account for the early establishment at Sault Ste Marie and Michilimackinac
of depots for the traffic in peltries. Those points were convenient of access from all directions, by canoe a9 well as overland. The latter was also the rallying point or headquarters for various expeditions fitted out for further westward exploration. It was called "The Key of the Northwest" and to it from every side adventurous travelers gathered; it was a great rendezvous. Long who visited the country as recently as 1768 and wrote an account of his travels, says of Michilimackinac: "It is perhaps the most material of all the barriers, and of the greatest importance to the commercial interest of this country, as it intercepts all the trade of the Indians of the upper country from Hudson's bay to Lake Superior, and affords protection to various tribes of savages, who constantly resort to it to receive presents from the commanding officer, and from whence the traders who go to the northwest take their departure for the grand portage, or grand carrying place, before they enter on the waters communicating with the northwest. "*
The route of travel between Quebec, Montreal and this westernmost post was by way of the Ottawa river, thence crossing over to Lake Nipissing and thence down French river to Lake Huron. A glance at the map will show that this is the shortest possible distance, being almost a direct line. Aside from this fact it possessed several advantages, although it compelled a portage of
some length. It was the ancient Indian route of travel from time immemorial. It avoided the numerous rapids and cascades of the St. Lawrence above Montreal, which Carrier had found so troublesome. It was wholly within the country of friendly tribes and gave a wide berth to the blood-thirsty Iroquois who infested the shores of Lakes Ontario and Erie and the Niagara frontier.
MICHIGAN
Page 46
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