Kingston Gazette, July 8, 1817

p.1

[Quebec Gazette June 12th]

Progress and Prospects of Trade and Industry

We have inserted, in the present and previous numbers of this paper, a list of Arrivals and Clearances at the Ports of Kingston and York, on Lake Ontario, and of Buffalo, on Lake Erie. They amount to upwards of thirty schooners and other small vessels, in the course of about a fortnight; there are besides two large Steam Boats, for goods and passengers, which are now plying on Lake Ontario; and we understand one has been built or is building on Lake Erie. Thirty years ago, these Lakes were navigated only by Indian Canoes, Batteaux, and 2 or 3 small vessels, chiefly employed in conveying goods for the fur traders. Their banks, and the shores of the St. Lawrence, beyond 50 miles above Montreal, were then inhabited only by the occupiers of a few houses built in the vicinity of the military posts. At the present day, the population in these parts, cannot be much less than half a million. The majority of this population is indeed within the limits of the United States; but their outlet to the sea, the great highway of all new countries to a market, is by the St. Lawrence. The natural facilities which this River and the Lakes offer to navigation, are unparalled, extending, with a few interruptions, nearly 2000 miles. They can hardly be rivalled by artificial methods, which are always accompanied with enormous expenses. The application of the power of steam to navigation, has increased the advantages of the St. Lawrence. There can be little doubt but that this power, whether employed for propelling or dragging vessels up the rapids, will be chiefly instrumental in overcoming these obstacles. Increasing wealth, individual enterprise, and public encouragement, will, in time, effectuate the rest....

p.3 a letter about the harbour of Ernest Town recently being named a Port of Entry and Delivery - ...Their wharves, which during the war, were neglected, and suffered to be swept away, will doubtless be soon rebuilt, for the convenience and safety of vessels and boats.... A spirit for building seems pretty lively in Ernest Town. Besides houses, they are still engaged in Ship Building. Another Steam Boat, on a smaller scale, adapted to the navigation of the Bay of Quinte and the River St. Lawrence, is about to be put on the stocks, at the same yard, where the Steam Boat Frontenac was built, and where a Schooner, the Minerva Ann, was more recently constructed...    signed Publius.

Assault & Robbery - a man on Wolfe Island has his pocket book and a boat called the Betsey stolen.

PORT OF KINGSTON

ARRIVED

July 1st - Schr. Triumph, Reid, from Sacket's Harbor, potash.

Schr. General Brock, Petrie, from Burlington Bay, 183 bbls. flour.

2nd - Schr. Com. Owen, Sinclair, from Niagara, potash.

Schr. Com. Perry, Parker, from Sacketsharbor, sheep, horses, books and                         shoes.

Sloop Arcadia, Ingersoll, from Sacketsharbor, passengers.

Schr. Dolphin, Frazer, from do., passengers.

Boat Hornet, Wood, from do., sheep, butter, etc.

Schr. Triumph, Reid, from do., provisions.

3rd - Boat St. Lawrence, from Coteau du Lac, with merchandize.

4th - Schr. Rambler, Cherry, from Sacket's Harbor, passengers.

5th - Boat Dolphin, Howe, from Bellville, flour, potash, and beer.

Schr. Fairplay, Kiblin, from Sandy Creek, 8000 ft. of boards.

7th - Schr. Farmer's Daughter, Ingalls, from Sacketsharbor, passengers.

Schr. Minerva Ann, Parker, from Niagara, passengers.

Sloop Arcadia, Ingersoll, from Sacketsharbor, horses.

Sloop Fellowship, Dyer, from Bay of Quinte, country produce.

Schr. Com. Perry, Parker, from Sacketsharbor, horses and wagons, etc.

Steam Boat Frontenac, McKenzie, from York, passengers and baggage.