Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-06-23


ture seems 10 have meditated an improve
ment on her former works. Her opera.
tons are remarkable for their appropriate
grandeur and ma sni5cence. The Ameti-
Ca coniiaGDi Stretches toward, the south
81 degrees beyond the most southern pro
tnontory of the continents of the cas-.
Us inic nai scenery corresponds with ,hc
immensely OF its outlines, The Andes,
are 1000 ee, higher than any other noun
tan on the lace Of he earth. The lakes
oi Ia ada, are OF greater extent Than ma.
ny OF the inland seas Of the eastern he
mIsphere,-Europe would be drained of
hall her waters, in furnishing Supplies for
such immense rivers as the Mis- sissppi,
St. Lawrence, La Plate and Amazon, the
last OF which. is the largest river in the
known world. The most distinguished
transatlantic cataracts, bear no compari.
son with the falls OF Niagara. The forests
OF Europe, Asia aud africa, are lost in
the magnitude of those of America. The,
Elephant OF the cast is far inferior in point
ot size, TO the Mammoth Of the west.
We caRnst suppose that this extraordina-
ny physical! grandeur ct America, was Gre
ated withoGi design and what design so
probable az TO be subservient 10 some cor.
responding exalted state OF man?
May We not, therefore, indulge hope,
that the inhabitants OF country SO emil
Ifentiy distinguished by the author of ma
tire, are destined 20 form p 'i.tiCai associ-
atoms al large size, and that the,e will
enjoy an uncommon portion of happiness
We are now met 10 celebrate an event
nj NJ
pleasing conjeclures, Louisiana is ours
II we rightly improve the heaven-sent
boon, we may be as great and as happy
natIoH, as any on which the sun has ever
shone. The establishment OF indepen.
dence, and of oar present constitution, are
prior, both in time and importance but
with these two exceptions, the aquisiton
Of Louisiana IS the greas,est political bles
sing ever Cofcgred on these states. Con.
sldering 1t IN its most inferior point OF
view, merely as property, IL is OF meal.
cuiabls value. L. gives uS from two TO
three hundred miles OF additional sea coast.
W;th several excellent harboTs. The land
on both sides OF the Mississippi, for two
or three hundred miles helow our south
ern limits, together with the exclusive
source to its mo,I.h, aud an extension of
our western territory, for its whole length,
stretching indefinitely across the CONT
nent, till 1t touches the Pacific Ocean.
Though in this immense region con.
siderable part IS rr1u and unhealthy, vet
the greatest proportion enjoys ssIubri-
Gus ar; and is 80 fertile, as to be equal
TO the support Of population, far exceed
ing the many millions which inhabit Great
Britain, Ireland, France, Spain and Por.
tugal-I had almost said all Europe. I'm
1t, forests, coeyal with time itself, lift
.heir towering heads. These abound with
excellent timber, adequate for the build
ing Of navics, far superior to all that are
now afioat on The ocean. Prairies, or ma
tural meadows Of inexhaustible fertility,
frequently extend for many leagues, in
which there are neither trees, nor the
roots OF trees TO impede The plough, while
their native grasses are capable Of main
tanning millions, both Of wild and domes
tic animals, for the support and comfort of
the human race.
Every production Of the United States,
may be raised to advantage in Louisiana,
while It's Southern parts produce the SUI
gar cane in great perfection, and would,
doubtless, yieid coffee, and most of the
other productions, both Of the East and
West.Indics. Indeed, such is the varje.
~ of soil. and extern OF climate, stretch.
ing nearly, from the notthern troDic, to
the north frigid zone that it is highly pro-
bable, all the valuable, native commo-
ditics, Of every part Of our world, might
be adgantageously cultivated IN different
portions orthis widely extended territory.
We have reason 10 believe, that in Il.
there are valuable mines of gold and sill
yer; but IL IS certain that salt, iron, lead
and plaster Of Paris articles of much
more Importance, are in great abundance,
When this country, hitherto untrod bv
the foot Of either ohy.nist or botanist, shall
becareiully explored ~ orr Warehouses.
Mitobllls, and Bartons, such additions
will be made to our present stock of know.
ledge, in natural history, a. will both de.
light end benefit an admrinp world.
In other countries, and under the di
rettion ofother governments, tie energies
ofnauons have been called forth ;thous4nds
ri tfvpa have hoau