The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-08-25
I CON Nurp.

!
EkRATuM.--This part of the defcrptior fhoud
have prsredtdth that which appearedin tae lafpaper.
The current being les, immediately to the right and
lef than in 'front.' of the mouth of the river the epo-
fton and accumulation Of matter will coufequently
proceed more rapidly either ide, and the velocity
q. the current being increaed by the contraction OF
the channel, the bar will be protruded further into the
ocean hence it appears why the mouths of all alluv
al rivers terminate in promontory projecting
leis into the this iat mentioned operation of
nature points the method of Improving the navi-
cation of the entrance of the Miinlppi, which may
be effected at very comfortable cxpence by carry
ing out pier each iide of the principal branch,
competed of piles, 70 far may be found icient
procure the deGred depth the bar wil thereby be
thrown into deeper water, and in procefs of time will
accumulate and afcend to its former height, which viii
demand new PRONUNCIATION OF the piers Every
fmall rivues paiirg through lower Louifara is mi
mature of the Miihlippi; what may be performed
npon in fcale in reipea to the latter, viii ceftai-
y iueceed 10y well directed efforts on the former
TIE river St Johns, so so feet wide, entering
lake Portcartrain the north of New-Oreans was
found frequently 10 choaSed up and n,peded by bar
acrois its mouth, that could fo.netnes with d
tculty enter; Hoops and batteau2 being Obliged at
fuch times remain in the lake expoied 10 daarer-
the government directed two very hmpe piers, each
competed oil double of round rough piles, to be
carried from the hore acrofs the bar ard although
lccisy acquired that the bar was very fpeedily
iweept Off and the river has always Grce remained
na7iga5le tor t:2ll nonps and .fchooners which pro-
coed up to the city by the river and caral OF Caronde-
let.
The depth OF the river diIriniihes confderably as
we advance upwards probably owing TO the increafeci
tenacity OF the matter forming its bed ; at Natchez
when the waters low, Il is about . fathoms and
there iitRatons below the Ohio where lie ord;-
nary boats nave been erbarraiied to find pafaye
both upwards and dowrwards 4 moderate .SreIh ne
vertheleisrsnders the MiiiIppi nav;gsbe up to the
falls o. ST. Anthony, about thoulad miles from,
ITS mouth. The breadth Of the river appears to be
upon the ncreafe upwards in proportion as we gst a.
bove the auvia country, high as the NIiiour not
wIthltlnding the lois CT number of principal rivers
which How in below in latitude 400 it is iaid TO be
half mile in breadth which probably equals It's mean
breadth From, Yazooz TO its mouth,
he margin of the river is the highei land TO
be found III the valley of the MIiiIipp--As the river
oyeriowsi its banks the Immediately esin n
depotit their grole particles, which are chiefly Gnd
and black mari, and in their progrefs backwards tb:s
depoition is continued until at length matter ;s de-
Potted 10 highly evigated that upon the retiring Of
the waters, it aiumesa compaGtnels and oldv rei,
bhng pitch when the river By difruption alters iss
conrie and new Accommodations of ilie fand and mari
are laid upon this very compact earth, fae belief
might be induced that this fold foil is not the OIL.
P1ng OF the river, but the original parent earth coe
val with the MifhlFpi tlelf, upon which this great
river had afterwards depoiited the rich fpols of The
northern REGIONS, borne down by IT'S mighty tide his
compact ioii have found at the depth Of from 10 TO
80 feet; and in other ituations TO appearance is RI b
fcen OF any ,her t!an the common foil formei of the
mud OF the river. The foil rear the river Is fard
particularly that which has been lately FORMED f.s
quarter to half mile from the margin of the river
the iand is iefs apparent and it lofes its name f
re ia5lonneute acquiring that of giraffe, being
the riche't black mari, with moderate admixture IF
land; stgreater diitances and Frequently - Co,,e
depth under the la mentioned oils is found ,he a.
Dove mentioned compact earth called ga;ie fpo.ter
earth 1T is no doubt enunenty adapted to the ufe Of
the potter, though hitherto much applied 10 the
manufacture OF earthen ware Upon all lands lone
f9olet to culture and defended from the inundation
ii2ph near to the margin, the appearance of fand
IS amot lott, but il is evident from the fra;,y of tho
ioii, and the facility with which it is cultivated that
farge portion fill rernains intimately mixed with il
whereas the terre giraffe unnixed or pure n,arl ved
WITT difficulty to the plough il EXHIBITS proofs Of b
riehet mari, Hight hower cauiir It TO crun,ble into
powder alter beng turned up yet as our climate is
ePoied to iudden and violent falls of rain with fbC
qrent not un-iiae frequently becomes 70 firm and
unyeld;ng, after Tie crop has been planted that NO
mode OF cultivation can be conveniently applied but
barely by tcratchng the fiirface with the hoe va.
THIS becu1e with the French indigo planters favor,
re ioil; although leis productive it is more eail,
sept clear OF weeds, the compa6ied foil relfnc pa
sage to Their tender fbrons roots, while the grorous
taproot OF the indigo plant conquers the cinscv oe
the iuoJaeeit From the river bank natural
glacis istorned, Whole decyity at New-Orleans NAV
DC al the rate OF or inches in 100 feet to the df
lance Of or 700 toiles, dnuihing after which the
decent becomes almo inperceptible and il qrsdall,
lott IN iwamps, marines and lakes which finally COM
mnnicate with the fea.
ms peculiar Fracture Of the lands formed by ,he
operation Of the great river tlelf has pointed ont 70
the ingenuity Of man, fnple and natural mod ar
defending his plantation againh the encroaeb,erts IS
the inundation; He commences by FORMING ~, en,-
5annent near the margin Of The river elevated above
fhe hlgnct waters and of iuIicent frength to reGh
theH picture; he is protected from the direa
influx OF the MifiFp but the tranfudation from, re
riVsrs 70 conilderable that his plantation would b.
no 0etter ;1an quagnre ne is therefore Under TIE
hsesihty ~ e'taEhirs regular fya,sn, of c;-ri,ss
eFohhlg eaen other at right angles by which the f,
Is coPietely drained aud placed in the mott favoura-
Die ituaton to dipay the wonders of its inexbauGhl
fertility Within the LIiIi1ipp territory van boIv
OF aluynl land exits, but the fchene of drainiuer b
eroiS bitches would produce here no beneficial ciie6
oeeaue The waters mud noneaf,s OF eIcapino in the
rear put beng heinmed III by the hgh laIri would
~ engtn accumulate 70 TO produce an iu,nenfs ba
ion' pordered by the embankment on one hand. and
D. the high land on The Other: Although no r,r-ers-
nv attempt likely to be made in orr day, vet poas
riy VIII reclaim thoie lands When the indunrv If 4,
inii population, flall have hamped an in,rinGe vale
upon tl'e iod OF our country the ingenuity Of ma,
VIII aicoyeF remedy probably the iiesr1 eroine II
10 80 tf4rs Il g