STATE OF MICHIGAN.

1861.

DOCUMENT NO. 7.

ANNUAL REPORT of the Superintendent of the St Mary's Falls Ship Canal.

ST. MARY'S PAULS SHUP CANAL OFFICE, }

November 25th,

TO HIS EXCELLENCY, AUSTIN BLAIR,

Governor of the State of Michigan:

In compliance with the law defining the duties of the Superintendent of the St. Mary's Falls Ship Canal, I have the honor to submit this, my annual report for 1861, showing the amount of money received from all sources, the amount deposited with the State Treasurer, the amount expended for all purposes, the whole number of vessels, the number and tonnage of each class of vessels, the number of tons of copper, iron, grain, flour, &c., that has passed through the canal, a reference to improvements made this year, and to those that I deem absolutely necessary to be made the coming year; and a reference to such amendments to the law, regulating the affairs of the Canal, as is deemed to be requisite for the better management and protection of the same, and in order to more effectually secure the commercial interests connected with and growing out of the efficiency and permanency of this great National work.

I received my commission in February, 1861, from which I learned (also from the conditions of the bond required and given) that I must assume the responsibility of opening, operating, and managing the Canal, from and after the 1st day of April following, which was at least one month prior to the opening of navigation. I resolved to be at my post on the day assigned, from and after which I would be held responsible for all acts and accidents connected with the opening and preparing of the Canal for the passage of vessels, let the dangers and hardships of an overland trip be what they might. I accordingly left Jackson on the 1st of March, and reached this place on the 25th day of the same month, traveling a distance of nearly four hundred miles, in company with Guy H. Carle ton and two Indian mail carriers. I took possession on the 1st day of April, receiving from L. C. Mead, a son of Ex-Superintendent Mead, the keys, books, &c., belonging to the office.

The ice in the Canal, when we arrived, was from five to seven feet thick, but by opening the valves in the gates of the locks we were enabled to clear it out by the 10th day of April, and by the 25th had everything in good order for the passage of vessels.

I received from L. C. Mead, as aforesaid, the sum of thirtytwo dollars and ninety seven cents.

I have received in tolls, sixteen thousand six hundred and Beventy-two dollars and sixteen cents. Deposited with the State Treasurer, to be placed to the credit of the St. Mary's Ship Canal Fund, ten thousand one hundred and thirty-six dollars and sixty-seven cents, Expended on embankment, two thousand one hundred and fifty-seven dollars. Expended for all other purposes, three thousand eight hundred and seventy dollars and sixty three cents. Cash on hand in office, five hun dred and seven dollars and eighty-six cents.

For the particular purposes for which the above sum of $3,870 63 was expended, I would most respectfully refer you to my monthly reports, made to the Hon. L. G. Berry, Secretary of the Board of Control, in which you will find the name of