group, contains the highest land in the State of New York, rising in some places to the height of 5,000 feet and upward, abounding with iron ore and timber of large growth. In the streams which flow into this lake are frequent waterfalls of great beauty; and the fine headlands, with numerous indentations and bays of singular beauty, only need to be seen to be admired. Its waters are well stored with salmon, salmon trout, sturgeon, pickerel, and other fish. "Lake Champlain was discovered by Samuel Champlain in July, 1609, having founded the colony of Quebec in 1608; in June, 1809, he, with a number of French and Indians, proceeded in a shallop up the St. Lawrence and river Iroquois, now Richelieu, till stopped by the Chambly Rapids. From this place he determined to proceed in Indian canoes, but the Frenchmen manifested great reluctance, and only two would be persuaded to accompany him. With these and about sixty of the natives, having transported their canoes by the rapids on the 2d of July, and, proceeding southward, on the 4th of July e entered the lake. "CHAMPLAIN and his party proceeded along the west shore, advancing by water during the night and retiring into the forests by day, to avoid being discovered by the Iroquois, between whom and the Canada Indians a war was then carried on. As they drew near the enemy's country they proceeded with great caution, but on the 29th of July, in the evening, they fell in with a large war party of the Iroquois. Both parties drew up to the shore, and the night was spent in preparation for battle, and in singing and taunting each other. In the morning an engagement took place, but the Frenchmen being armed with muskets, it was decided in favor of Champlain and his party, a large number of the Iroquois being slain and several taken prisoners. With these they returned immediately to their shallop. Champlain says that this battle was fought in lat. 43° and some minutes, and the place is supposed to have been on the west shore of Lake George. The present name of Lake Champlain was given by its discoverer during his first visit, as he informs us in his journal. He was not drowned in its waters, as has been sometimes said, but died at Quebec in 1635. One of the Indian names of this lake was Petawa-Bouque, signifying alternate land and water, in allusion to the numerous islands and projecting points of land. Another is said to have been Caniaderi- Guarunt, signifying the mouth or door of the country. If so, it was very appropriate, as it forms the gate-way between the country on the St. Law rence and that on the Hudson. In more recent times the Indians called it Corlear, in honor of a Dutchman who saved a war party of Canada Indians from being destroyed by the Mohawks in 1665. "The first steamboat built on this lake commenced running in 1809. The line boats have always been favorably known to travelers either for business or pleasure, for the manner in which they have been managed-their neat and orderly appearance-obliging and attentive officers and efficient crews. At present there are daily lines to and from Whitehall and Rouse's Point, stopping at Ticonderoga, Burlington, Plattsburgh, and intermediate places, connecting with the various railroads --also numerous ferry boats, propellers, and tow boats, besides more than 300 sloops, canal boats, barges, etc." Champlain Canal connects the waters of the Hudson with Lake Champlain. It is 64 miles long, 40 feet wide at the top and 28 at the bottom, with a navigable feeder at Sandy Hill 11 miles long. It has 21 locks, 14 by 90 feet. Rise from the Hudson, 134 feet, fall to the lake, 54; was begun in 1816, finished in 1819, and cost $1,079,872. The route of this canal is interesting on account of its passing through a section of country rendered memorable by important military operations. It passes in part along the line of Burgoyne's advance from Lake Champlain-near the scene of his principal battles--and of his final surrender. It passes near Fort Miller--Fort Edward--the spot where Miss M'Crea was murdered--Fort Anne--the tree to which Gen. Putnam was bound in 1757, etc. LIST OF STEAMERS BUILT AND RUNNING ON LAKE CHAM PLAIN SINCE 1809. Tons. Whe e built. Remarks. 167.. Burlington, Vt.-sunk Oct., 1815. 373.. Whitehall, N. Y. * Built and run by Capt. John Winants. Fare $7 from Whitehall to St. John's, Can. FREIGHT BOATS. Ethan Allen, Capt. Wright, 500 Whitehall to St. John's, Can. Oliver Bascom, 66 Eldridge, 350 66 66 James H. Hooker. Propeller 66 66 STEAMBOAT AND RAILROAD ROUTE FROM WHITEHALL TO BURLINGTON, ROUSE'S POINT, AND MONTREAL. USUAL TIME from Whitehall to Rouse's Point, 9 hours. Rouse's Point to Montreal, 2 hours. Fare... $3.00 4 50 The village of WHITEHALL, 77 miles north of Albany by railroad route, is situated in a narrow valley at the head of Lake Champlain, and at the junction of the Champlain Canal with the lake, being a secure and important naval station in time of war. The village was incorporated in 1820, and now contains four churches, three hotels, a bank, 30 stores of different kinds, several storehouses, and extensive forwarding houses; two ship-yards and two dry docks, where are built and repaired steamboats, lake craft, and canal boats; machine-shops, brick-yards, tanneries, and other manufacturing establishments. Population about 4,000. Besides the daily line of steamers running from Whitehall to Burlington, Plattsburgh, and Rouso's Point on the north, the Saratoga and Whitehall Railroad extends 40 miles south, to Saratoga Springs, and a branch railroad extends east to Rutland, Vt., connecting with the Rutland and Burlington Railroad, thus forming speedy facilities for reaching New York and Boston by railroad routes. In the immediate vicinity of Whitehall are high and rugged hills, while to the south lies the valley formed by Wood Creek, heading near the banks of the Hudson. Through this valley, during the old French War of 1759, and the Revolutionary War of 1776, the French, the British, and the American armies each marshaled their forces preparatory to attack, or on their retreat. This place was formerly called Skeenesborough. The Indian name was said to be Kah-sha-quah-na, or place where dip fish. Here, during the Revolutionary War, for a time, was the rendezvous of the American forces; this point and Lake George being the only two accessible approaches from Canada, by the invading foe, under Gen. Burgoyne. Here, too, during the old French War, Gen. Putnam distinguished himself, both in battle and in an adroit escape from Indian foes, having, it is said, plunged into the lake about one mile north of Skeenesborough, and swam his horse to the opposite shore, thus eluding their pursuit. Peaceful pursuits and pleasure now render this place a great thoroughfare. |