Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1843, by

HARPER & BROTHERS,

In the Clerk's Office of the Southern District of New York.

THE design of this volume is to present to the reader, in a brief and popular form, a view of the principal events connected with the history, progress, and present condition of Michigan, condensed from the larger work prepared by the author under the sanction of a law of that State. Such a work, embracing a great variety of particulars relating to the early settlement and subsequent growth of the West, would, it was thought, be both useful and interesting. The rapid advance of the vast territory bordering on the lakes in population and wealth, is the best commentary on the nature and effects of our free institutions, and offers a political phenomenon well worthy of being studied.

For my facts I have relied principally upon Father Marquette, Hennepin, Joutel, La Hontan, Charlevoix, Rogers, Henry, Carver, M'Kenzie, Bouchette, and M'Gregor, and have consulted with particular care Mr. Bancroft's great