Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. II
Buffalo creek rises south from Tonawanda creek, runs a westerly course, emptying itself into the streights of Niagara. The lands on this creek are remarkably good in quality.
Lake Ontario ; by which this country is bounded on the north, is about 180 miles in length, and about 60 miles in breadth. Its shores are watered by many creeks and inlets, which form excellent harbours for vessels ; and the adjoining lands are generally fertile. It is navigated by several sloops and schooners, and a British
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armed brig, pierced for 16 six pounders. From this lake large boats proceed by the River St Lawrence, nearly to Montreal, a large, populous and commercial city in Canada, where considerable quantities of produce and lumber from this State and Vermont, are sold, and shipping take in cargoes for Europe and the West Indies. From this lake, also, by Oswego and Onondago rivers, Oneida lake, Wood Creek, and Mohawk river, navigation is extended to the Atlantic Ocean, only with the interruption of 16 miles by land from Schenectady to Albany. Navigation is continued from this lake, with the intervention of two carrying places not exceeding the distance of 23 miles, by lake Erie, to the waters of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers.
Lake Erie, by which this country is partly bounded on the northwest, is nearly 300 miles in length, and nearly 40 miles in breadth. It is navigated by some, sloops, and from hence there is carrying place of 14 miles to Le Beuf, in Pennsylvania, near the head waters of French Creek, wdiich is navigable by boats to Alleghany river, and from thence to the Ohio ; and by this route quantities of salt, which is transported from the Military Lands, are conveyed to Pittsburgh. This communication was used by the French before the taking of Fort Pitt from them by the English in 1758, and it is probable that by it, goods could be transported from New York and Albany to the Ohio, at less expense than by any other.