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Dinsdale, Matthew / Matthew Dinsdale papers, 1836-1897: Folder 1
English Prairie 10th Oct 1844 [Transcription], pp. [1]-12
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-7- round as we had to proceed up Huron lake and down Michigan, as you will perceive if you can get to look at a map of North America, at Mackinac between Huron and Michigan there had been a short time before I was there four thousand Indians, Men, Women and Children to receive pay in goods for such a number of years. The indians were quite in their element and made speeches expressive of their pleasure in having the white man for their friend. They are a very indolent, and when not ill used very harmless race ofpeople. I would quite as soon sleep in the wigwam of a Red man as in the House of a white. But I shall probably not even see one as they are about as seldom in the neighbourhood as they are in England. I left Southport the following day and reached Peter's dwelling about 9 o clock in the evening. The distance is about 25 miles. The land for the first half of the way is chiefly prairie and has a rich park like appearance. The rest has a good deal of timber upon it tho' it is by no means close and would be easily cleared. The timber along the whole way and all about here is oak. I paid from Lancaster to Liverpool 20/ Liverpool to N York 3.10.0 N Y Albany to Buffalo along the Erie Canal between 3 and 4 hundred miles 2/2 dollars for myself and nearly 3 for my luggage. From Buffalo to Southport about 1000 miles for myself 7 dollars and one for my luggage. And then I had to purchase provisions from N York, but I had them very cheap, as I got them at the Stores as I came along. If I had boarded with the boats I should have been a great deal out. But I saw all along the necessity of being economical. Perhaps any opinions expressed by me now respecting this country would be considered premature, I may however say that I have not yet been disappointed. I have found it to be much as I expected to find it. Of course Land that has remained for ages without being cultivated
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