The following statement was furnished to me by Judge Porter; The price of transporting a barrel of salt from Oswego to Lewiston is five shillings, payable in salt at Oswego, at twenty-four shillings per barrel. >From Lewiston to Black Rock, six shillings per barrel, payable in salt at Black Rock, at forty-eight shillings per barrel. >From Presque Isle to Pittsburgh, fourteen shillings, payable in salt at Presque Isle, at fifty-four shillings per barrel. The following are the cash prices of salt at the above places: At Oswego $2.50; Lewiston, $3.50; Black Rock, $4.50; Presquille, $5.50, per barrel. Seneca grass grows near Buffalo Creek, and is sold by the Indians in small bunches. It is fragrant, and useful as the bean in perfuming segars. The Commissioners gave the name of Grand Niagara to the village where Judge Porter resides. Grand is prefixed, to distinguish it from British Niagara, and the American fort, and on account of its vicinity to the Falls. We visited the Adams, a brig of 150 tons and four guns, belonging to the United States, commanded by Commodore Brevoort, who appears to be a worthy officer. This is the only vessel we have on the lakes, and she is employed in transporting military stores. She can make a voyage to Fort Dearborn, upwards of 1000 miles, on lake Michigan, and return, in two months. The British have two armed vessels on this lake, one pierced for sixteen, and the other for twelve guns, and a fort to the south-west of Black Rock, called Fort Erie, and garrisoned by a Lieutenant and twenty men. Commodore Brevoort says vessels drawing seven feet water, can at some seasons go from Fort Dearborn or Chaquagy, (Chicago) up a creek of that name, and to the Illinois River, whose waters in freshets meet, and so down the Mississippi; he thinks he can effect it in his brig, which draws but six feet when lightened. A brig of 150 tons, sailing from Black Rock to Hudson, would seem incredible. On a commanding eminence at Black Rock, Gen. Wilkinson has designated a proper site for a fort. Black Rock was crowded to-day with people from all quarters; it looked like an assembly for divine services. We saw Erastus Granger, Le Latteaux, a French gentleman, Andross, and others, and dined at Miller's tavern, whose sign is surmounted with masonic emblems. Here we left Mr. Geddes to commence his surveys, and parted from Col. Porter with a great regret, who, on every occasion, exhibited himself in an amiable and respectable manner, and whose countenance brightened with a benignant smile, whenever he could contribute to our comfort or pleasure. We left the young gentlemen here, to follow, and after dinner proceeded, with our two carriages, three servants, and baggage-wagon, eight miles, to Ransom's tavern, in the town of Buffalo, where we lodged, and which is a bad house. Three miles from Black Rock, there is a manufactory of red earthen ware. The country is well cultivated and settled. (The End) (The above was published in the March 2004 edition of "Fortress Niagara," the Newsletter-Journal of the Old Fort Niagara Association, editor Harry M. DeBan, pgs. 9-14. Permission to post it has been granted. To view the entire journal on line go to http://www.history.rochester.edu/canal/bib/campbell/Chap06.html. )