NOTE. In the progress of the preparation of the report, it was found necessary to change Part III to an appendix, which contains notices of the trade and commerce of Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, Pittsburg, New Orleans, the steam-marine of the interior, of the inland waterroutes, the increase and value of the foreign and domestic trade, navigation, &c., &c.; as also tables showing the exports and imports of the principal Atlantic States for a series of years, and statements of the increase in the tonnage of the several States from 1836, with the per cent. increase of the total tonnage, and that of the several States. It was conceived very desirable to publish a particular account of the inland, coasting, and foreign trade of the principal Atlantic cities, and a portion of the materials were collected for that purpose; but, for the want of correct statistical data, it was found to be impossible to have them of a character suited to this report. It is proper to state in this place my thanks to Mr. N. Davidson, late of the Buffalo Advertiser, for his very valuable and intelligent services in the preparation of the report, particularly in those portions relating to the trade of the lakes and the importance and value of the internal trade. The importance of the Mississippi trade, through the Gulf of Mexico, to every portion of the Union, it is presumed will be regarded by all as a full justification for the copious notices, in the appendix, of the Gulf of Mexico and the Straits of Florida; and the value of the cotton crop to the whole country called for the extended and complete exposition in regard to it there inserted. Similar reasons-and to exonerate the report from the imputation of being sectional-demanded the notices of the commerce, railroads, &c., of the southern States and southern. cities. It is believed no one will object that they were not within the strict literal terms of the resolution under which the report was prepared. The annexed map of the Gulf of Mexico and Straits of Florida, and Isthmus of Tehuantepec, furnished, as before stated, by the Coast Survey, is the first one of the kind ever published from authentic sources. It will be found interesting in illustration of the views taken in the paper contained in this report respecting this American sea, and generally with reference to other considerations. The labors of the Coast Survey are progressing in that quarter, and ere long their results will be published. This map is but an index of what they will be. Thorough and exact as the severest labor and the highest order of scientific skill can render them, their usefulness to our commerce will be unappreciable, and their benefits will extend through ages. WASHINGTON, 1852. I. D. A. CONTENTS. Introduction to report, setting forth resolution of Senate and instructions Imperfect system of managing the lake trade; incorrect returns, and necessity for a correct account.......... Statistical returns in the United States behind those of other countries.. The annual returns of commerce and navigation incomplete and unsatisfactory. In the absence of official returns, the value of works containing statistical statements The basin of the great lakes and the St. Lawrence. Influence of emigration upon the West Growth of the lake trade, illustrated by statistical statements Trade of the Erie canal, illustrated by statements of its traffic.. The great lakes, and their natural outlet to the sea.. Harbors on the lakes; more extensive accommodations needed The necessity of establishing marine hospitals at principal ports on the lakes 222 Several statistical statements relating to the trade and commerce of Canada, the colonies The total trade of the colonies of North America in 1851. Negotiations, respecting colonial trade, between the United States and Great Britain- Quantity of wheat, corn, and rye raised in the United States and Canada, with several tables showing imports and exports of wheat, &c., in the United States, Great Britain, Proposition in 1848 from Canada for reciprocal free trade in certain articles.. The free navigation of the St. Lawrence and St. John. Remission of export duty on American lumber in New Brunswick Free participation with sea-fisheries........... Present state of the fishery question, and its threatening aspect.. Conclusion; value of colonial trade, and its importance to the United States The Sea-fisheries of North America. Limits to which American citizens are confined by fishery convention of 1818 Coasts and places to which American fishing vessels principally resort. . Navigation of the St. Lawrence in connexion with a free participation in the fisheries..... 42 French fisheries at Newfoundland, and new measures of the French government 42 No. 2. Champlain.—General description, with statements showing the nature, quantity, and value of the Canadian and coasting trade and tonnage of this district... No. 3. Oswegatchie.-General description, and tables showing the nature, quantity, and value of the articles composing the Canadian and coastwise trade of this district .... No. 4. Cape Vincent.-A general description, with tables exhibiting the Canadian trade and tonnage of the district in detail.......... No. 5. Sackett's Harbor.-A general description, with returns showing in detail the coast- wise and Canadian imports and exports, and the Canadian and coasting tonnage of the No. 6. Oswego.-General description, with several statements exhibiting in detail the No. 7. Genesee.-General description, with tables illustrative of the Canadian trade and No. 8. Niagara.-General description, with tables exhibiting in detail the Canadian and No. 9. Buffalo Creek.-Description, with eleven statements showing the coasting and foreign commerce of this district in detail and with abstracts.... No. 18. Summary.-A description of each of the great lakes in extent, resources, tribu- Report on the geology, mineralogy, and topography of the lands around Lake Superior.. 232 General view, with eight tabular statements of the lakes: 223 No. 1. Statement exhibiting the trade and tonnage, (Canadian and American,) the tonnage enrolled, and the amount of duties collected, in each of the collection dis- tricts on the lakes, and the aggregates of the lake commerce, for year 1851 No. 2. Statement showing the quantity and value of the principal articles imported into each collection district on the lake frontier from Canada in 1851.. No. 3. Statement exhibiting the quantity and value of some of the principal articles of domestic produce and manufacture exported from the collection districts on the No. 5. Statement exhibiting the export trade of the custom-house districts on the lake frontier with Canada in the year 1851, distinguishing between foreign and domestic produce, and showing what portion of the former was entitled to draw- Page. No. 6. Statement giving a tabular view of the Canadian import trade on the lake districts, and also the tonnage entering and clearing at each port, distinguishing American from Canadian, and steam from sail, in the year 1851... Review of the canals and railroads of the United States, showing their influence upon, and con nexion with, the trade of the Great West, accompanied by a general map of railroads and canals, Comparative statement showing the tolls, trade, and tonnage of the New York State canals, and the progress in commerce, navigation, population, and valuation of the four principal Atlantic cities, and the foreign commerce of the United States, from |