For the Great Lakes to have developed, in the sixty years that have marked the growth of the big city throughout the land, five of the twelve largest cities of the United States is a remarkable showing. Not only have these cities become leaders industrially, politically, and socially, but they are constantly increasing at a rapid rate in size, volume of commerce, and most of all in plans and forecasts for the future. From 1880 to 1890 the most rapid growth of the city was in this region. During these ten years, while the rate of increase of the ocean ports ranged from San Francisco’s fourteen per cent to New York’s thirty-eight per cent, and that of the river cities from Cincinnati’s nine per cent to St. Louis’ twenty-seven, no one of the six great ports of the lakes fell below an increase of thirty-seven per cent, and Chicago’s ran up to fifty-four, and Toledo’s to sixty-one. This is a striking exhibition of the movement of population in the wake of commercial opportunity. In the Old World such a group of cities situated close together on immense bodies of water would create an individual empire of great wealth and prosperity. In the United States they are recognized as a leading factor in our prosperity, and a centre from which not only will great wealth and natural resources be evolved and distributed, but great leaders, great policies, and great ideals will come forth, making the lake region a force to be reckoned with and depended upon in the future of the Nation. A BRIEF LIST OF BOOKS _General Works_ There is no important general work covering the entire field. The best single book is Charles Moore’s _The Northwest under Three Flags, 1635–1796_. B. A. Hinsdale’s _Old Northwest_ (2 vols.) deals with this region, but with especial emphasis on the geographical and political phases. Francis Parkman treats of French and English occupation in his _Series of Historical Narratives, France and England in North America_, the nine volumes of which will be cited under their individual names. Besides his _Narrative and Critical History of America_ in eight volumes, Justin Winsor has three books on the history of this region: _Cartier to Frontenac_, 1534–1700; _The Mississippi Basin_; and _The Westward Movement_. Under this heading should be mentioned the publications of the various historical societies of the lake states, especially the Buffalo, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota collections. PART I. _Discovery and Exploration, 1615–1700_