[Navigation of Lake Erie, & the Vessels there at Detroit in Aug^t 1795. — By the information of a British Sailor, given in Philadelphia to [undecipherable] in Sept. 1795.] The information of a Sailor who with three others deserted from the British armed vessel the Dunmore, on Lake Erie, in August 1795. — The Sailor was known to [undecipherable] having been in the Dunmore in 1793, when [undecipherable] crossed Lake Erie in that vessel, and the information is relied on for its correctness; in respect to the vessels described, and the navigation of the Lakes & rivers. Kings Vessels on Lake Erie. The Chippawa, a Snow, 100 tons, pierced for 12 guns, but mounts only to [undecipherable] pounders, double fortified. The Ottawa, a Snow, same dimensions, guns de. The Dunmore, a Schooner, [undecipherable] 4 pounders, about 80 tons. ([undecipherable] remembers all the above vessels) Sloop on the Stocks, of 100 tons New Felicity [undecipherable] — [undecipherable] A gun-boat [undecipherable] — to mount in the bow a [undecipherable] in the Stern a [undecipherable] 5 gun boats building in the river French. 2 ditto in commission, each having a bow 12 in the bow, [&] a [undecipherable] in the Stern. Private Vessels. Schooner Nancy, 100 tons (80, carpenters tonnage) mounts 2 three pounders — owned by [undecipherable], [undecipherable] Sloop Detroit, 80 tons, owned by [undecipherable] &c Sloop [undecipherable], 80 tons, owned by ditto — Sloop [undecipherable], 80 tons [undecipherable] in the Northwestern [undecipherable] Sloop [undecipherable], 40 tons, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] [undecipherable] is the Agent for the company. The northwest Indian trade is [undecipherable] by Lake Erie; but [undecipherable] times as much of it is carried on by the way [undecipherable] River [undecipherable] which is entered from the [undecipherable], about 18 miles above [undecipherable] as by Lake Erie. Had it not been that the Americans were about to have possession of the posts, the company would have [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. [undecipherable] the fastest of all the N.W. trade by Lake Erie, as the fastest, so many [underline: portage] the other way damaging the furs. Beef at Detroit [undecipherable] York money [undecipherable] /lb — Wheat 19/ [undecipherable] — Indian Corn [undecipherable]. — In 1794, Government offered [undecipherable] for 6000 bushels of corn, to feed the Indians; who are still [undecipherable] with provision — 4000 men, women & children, as [undecipherable] have read. — Corn in Aug^t 1795, at [undecipherable]. Distances Stated by the Sailor. From Detroit to [undecipherable: Mitchilimackinac], 400 miles. The Voyage from 7 days to a month, according to the wind. — A bar between Lake S^t Clair & the river S^t Clair, having but 6 [undecipherable] water. The Dunmore half loaded, went over it. The Felicity of 40 tons [undecipherable] half [undecipherable] load over this bar, and then [undecipherable] to Detroit — bringing a load of wood to Detroit, where it is 12/ [undecipherable]. The bar 32 miles from Detroit. From Detroit to Gross Point 12 miles Gross point to the Bar 20 32 Lake S^t Clair carries from 12 to 18 feet depth. From Detroit to the bar at Lake Erie — — 18 miles thence to the Middle Sister — — — 18. Big Bass Island — — — 18. [undecipherable: Leaming] Hills — — — 40. [undecipherable] 40. [undecipherable: Presque Isle], or Long Point 40. Fort Erie — — — — 60. From Detroit to Fort Erie, which is just [undecipherable] 234 miles above the outlet of Lake Erie — Fort Miami cost £14,000. Sterling. The money was [undecipherable] to build towns & churches: Gov. [undecipherable: Simcoe] applied it to building the fort; and is now "in the center of a hobble about it."