Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-01-14
Their and white elm, 20 necessary to

trimmed, forms impenetrable hedges.
The wa.sr.wiilow, the white and red
mulberry tree. ~
The linden tree, the horse-chesnutsf
India, so much priced Ia the European
gardens, &c. &c.
On the shores are found in abundance,
the white and black oak, proper for every
kind of ship.wrighs, and Carpenters
work.
The pine. SO easily worked, and on the
stony mountains, the durable cedar.
1t would be impossible TO detail allthe
species of trees, even these unkaown IN o.
ther countries, and Of the use thar san be
made Of which we are still ignorant. :
Ike plants are still more numerous;
will pass slightly over this article, for the
want of suaicien, totanical knowledge.
The Indians are we'll acquainted with the
virtues OF many OF the M, they make use OF
them to heal their wounds and to poison
their arrows, thew also make use of differ.
rent kluds of sqvoyanues, to die different
colours; they have one waich isa Certain
and promp, cure for the vensreal disease,
in short they carefully conceal from US
plant, which renders them for few mo-
m.nts Insensibls to the heat Of the most
ardent FIRE. | have seen them seize al red
hot iron, or burning coal without suAsr.
ing.
The lands Ola the border Of the Mi.sou-
ri are excellent, and WHEN cultivated are
capable of Welding abundantly all the pro.
due,ioas of the temperate, aad even some
Of the warm climates; wheat, maize, and
every species Of grain, Irish potatoes and
excellent sweet potatoes; Hemp seems
here to be an indigenous plant: even cot
ton succeeds though not a. well as 10 more
southerly countries, it. culture however
yields Areal advantage to the inhabitants
settled on the banks of the Missouri, who
iiad in the crop field Of abou, two acres
sufficient for the wants of their families.
The natural prsirias are great resource
being OF themselves excsllsnt Pasturages,
and facilitating the labors OF the man who
is Just settled, and who can thus enjoy with
little labor, from the first year a con.idsra-
bic crop. Clay fit for making bricks is We.
ry common: there is also Fayance clay,
and every species Of clay which in the o.
pnion Of intelligent persons is the real ka.
holm to which the porcelain of china owes
the whole Gifts reputation.
There are found on the borders OF the
Missouri many spli0ss Of salt water OF ev-
cry kind waich w'll be more than sufficient
for the consumption Of the country, when
it shall become inaaSitcd.
Sals.petrs is found here's great aoun'
dance in numberless caves, which arc met
with along the banks oftbe river.
The sI,ne, VI generally calcareous and
gates. There is found one also which l
believe to be peculiar to tho banks of the
Missouri. 1t. is of a blood red colour,
compact, soft under the chisse!, and har-
dsns in the air, aud is susceptible Of most
beautiful polish. The indians MAKE use
of it for ,hcir caluhcts but from the ex-
tent of its layers 1t might be easily employ.
ed in more important work. They have
also quarri-s Of martte, Of which we ooly
know the colour; they are strcased with
red. One quarry is we'll known and easily
worked, namely species of plaster
which we are assured isof the same nature
a. that of Paris, and OF which the United
States make agreat use.
They also fad volcanic stones, which
demonstrate the ancient or present exis.
tence of unknown volcanoes.
The shor. stay We have generally made
among the savage nations have prevented
us from making those researches winch
would have sapplled Is wi h more ex'en'
sive Information respecting the various
mines found OF the borders Of the Mis-.
souri,; we know with certainty Only OF
those of iron, Lad, and coal; there is
howeyerno doub; but that there are some O!
tin, Of copper, of silver, aud even OF gold,
according to the account of the indians,
who have found some particle. or dust Of
these metals either on the surface OF the
earth, or on the banks Of small torrents.
The products which are drawn from
the Missouri are obtained from the indians
and hunters in exchange fer nerehandIzs.
They may be slassed according to the Sub.