The Great West has now a commerce, within it's own rights, nearly, as valuable as that which floats between the United States and Europe. Leaving the western rivers out of consideration, and confining ourselves merely to the Lakes. We find a tonnage enrolled licensed at the several American ports, embracing 110 steamers, 97 propellers,33 barques, 101 brigs, 639 schooners and 216 sloops and scows, making an aggregate of 237,830 tons. The history of man does not exhibit a spectacle of such rapid advancement in population, wealth, and industry--such energy, perseverance and public spirit, as is manifested in the progress of the western people.

In the year 1794, the treaty known as "Jay's Treaty" was concluded between England and the United States, under which the English agreed to surrender the military posts on the American side of the Lakes. The surrender, however, did not take place until the Summer of 1796, and from that time only have we used, or had the privilege of using, our Great Lakes, over which now floats a commerce of millions of dollars.

The first American vessel built on Lake Erie, was constructed at Four Mile Creek, near Erie Pa. in 1797, and she was called the "WASHINGTON". The first American vessel constructed on Lake Ontario was at Hanfords Landing, 3 miles below Rochester, in 1798, of 30 tons, and was called the "JEMIMA". From this time to the commencement of the war of 1812, a large number of vessels were built. Many were lost by storms, and several were captured by the British during the war, and burnt, so that the time peace was restored very few vessels were on the Lakes, except such as had been used by the Government during the war. In 1816 the steamboat "ONTARIO" was built on Lake Ontario and in 1818 the WALK-IN-THE- WATER, at Black Rock. This was the first use of steam on the Lakes.

In 1826 or 1827,the waters of Lake Michigan were first ploughed by steam and in 1832 the first steamer made its appearance at Chicago. Prior to 1832,the whole commerce west of Detroit, was confined almost exclusively to carrying up provisions and goods for the Indian Trade and bringing back furs, etc., all of which formed a limited business for a few small schooners. In 1833,the first association was formed of steamboat owners. This year there were employed 11 steamboats. which cost $360,000. There were made, that season, three trips to the upper Lakes, two to Chicago and one to Green Bay. One of the boats left Buffalo for Chicago on the 23rd. of June, at 9 p.m. and returned on the 18th July, at 10 p.m.; and the other left July 20th. and returned August 11th.; the first trip occupying 25 days, and the other 22 days. In 1854 the same trip was made by a sail vessel in something over four days. In 1834 the association was composed of 18 boats, costing $600,000, seven new ones having come out that season. This season three trips were made to Chicago and two to Green Bay. In 1836 the steamboat association was dissolved. In 1839 another association was organized and a regular line of eight boats, varying in size from 350 to 650 tons each, was formed to run from Buffalo to Chicago, making a trip in every 16 days. In 1840 the number of boats on the Lakes was 48, of various sizes, from 150 to (one of them only) 750 tons, and cost in their construction $2,200.000.

In 1841, the same arrangement existed. The number of sail vessels owned on the Lakes above the falls of Niagara, during that year, was estimated at 250, varying in size from 30 to 350 tons, the largest

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The cost of these vessels varied from $1,000 to $14,000. The average would probably be $5,000, which would show a capital invested in sail vessels, that year, of $1,250,000.

In 1845 ,there was the following number and description of vessels owned and running on the Lakes above Niagara Falls:

Costing in their construction,$4,600,000. On Lake Ontario there were 7 steamboats, 6 propellers and about 100 sail vessels, having an aggregate tonnage of about 18,000 tons and costing $1,500,000.

In 1849, there were, on the whole chain of Lakes.-

Valued at about $7,868,000 and in 1854 there were

Valued at about $10,185,000. The actual number of steamers now on the lakes does not show a large increase over 1849, but those which have gone out of existence have been supplied by others of double and quadruple tonnage, The large number of steam and sail vessels which are appended are but the successors of others which have gone before them, some by decay and many from the want of adequate harbors to protect them during violent storms.

The application of steam power to the purpose of navigation forms the brightest era in the history of our country. It is that which has contributed more than any other cause to the rapid growth of our population and the almost miraculous development of our resources.

The history of our Lake Marine, could it be written out in full would form a subject of interesting study. It would present a series of triumphs in naval architecture quite as important to the States bordering on the lakes, quite as clearly defined and as legitimately gained by the aid of nautical skill and of keen observation, united to a wise application of scientific principles as those which have occurred along the greater extent of our national seaboard. A few short years have witnessed the bark canoe displaced by a fleet superior to the entire marine of many nations. and the same lapse of time will find the country fully developed--agriculture in it's highest state of perfection, a region rich in treasures of iron, lead, copper, coal and various other products of the mine, yielding rich rewards and the broad expanse of water of the lake region whitened with the sails of a gigantic commerce; for, as yet we are but in our infancy.

The influence of railroads upon the commerce of the lake region is marked. Already are the south and east shores of the chain of lakes lined with railroads which are fast drawing passenger travel, from the lakes, and the day is not far distant when the locomotive will travel each shore of all these inland seas. What such an event will accomplish it is difficult to conceive, and thus far the effect in working a change in the character of the lake commerce is perceptible. Except to fill fragments of railroad routes, first class steamers are of little account, and are fast diminishing in number. In the mean time, steam vessels built with reference to safety, and capacity of tonnage, and economy in working them, are rapidly multiplying. A fine fleet of propellers is now doing the great bulk of freighting business on the lakes, showing conclusively that steam in growing more rapidly into favor in a trade so admirably suited to it's successful application as that of the western lakes.

In 1843,we believe the first freight propeller was built on the lakes, and was called the HERCULES. In 1845,there were only eight, and ten new ones were added to the list during the following year. In 1849 there were 45 propellers on the lake, and in 1854 the number was increased to 97. The annexed list comprises all the vessels of all classes, Steamers, Propellers, Barques, Brigs, Schooners, Sloops and Scows enrolled on Lake Michigan, Huron, Superior, St.Clair, Erie, Ontario and Chanplain, now in commission as obtained from the different custom houses. We have made erasures where we know the vessels were dead and it is more than probable that some will be inserted twice. The list however is as correct as it was possible to make it. The valuation of the property on the lakes has been made at what it is supposed to be worth now,-not at what it cost. We also append lists of the name, class and tonnage of new vessels built during the year; the amount of tonnage now on the stocks at the several -Lake ports; the lists of disasters for the past year and a summary of disasters for the past six years, showing in what manner the vessels were lost or wrecked and the amount of loss. In the aggregate tonnage of the lakes we have confined ourselves exclusively to American vessels...