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THOMPSON'S COAST PILOT, ast The numerous streams which penetrate every portion of the Peninsula, some of which are navigable for steamboats a consider- able distance from the lake, being natural outlets for the products of the interior, render this whole region desirable for purposes of settlement and cultivation. Even as far north as the Strait of Mackinac, the soil and climate, together with the valuable timber, offer great inducements to settlers ; and if the proposed railroads, under the recent grant of large portions of these lands by Congress, are constructed from and to the different points indicated, this ex- tensive and heavily timbered region will speedily be reclaimed, and become one of the most substantial and prosperous agricultural por- tions of the West. It is well that in the system of compensation, which seéms to be a great law of the universe, the vast prairies which comprise so - large a portion of this great Western domain are provided so well with corresponding regions of timber, affording the necessary supply of lumber for the demand of the increasing population which is so rapidly pouring into these Western States. : oe The State of Michigan--all the waters of which flow into the Basin of the St. Lawrence--Northern Wisconsin, and Minnesota are the sources from which the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa, and a large portion of the prairie country west of the Missis--- sippi, must derive their supply of this important article (lumber.) The supply in the West is now equal to the demand, but the con- sumption is so great, and the demand so constantly increasing with the development and settlement of the country, that of necessity» within comparatively a very few years, these vast forests will be exhausted. But as the timber is exhausted the soil is prepared for cultivation, and a large portion of the northern part of the southern Peninsula of Michigan will be settled and cultivated, as it is the most reliable wheat-growing portion of the Union. | Besides the ports and towns already described, there are on Lake Huron, after leaving Saginaw Bay, going north, several settle- ments and lumber establishments, fisheries, etc. These are at Tawas Bay, mouth of the River au Sauble, Black River, etc. ALpEna, situated at the head of Thunder Bay, is a very flourish- ing town, and the capital of Alpena county. It contains about