The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-03-29
From the Sc. Loais Gazette
SKETCHES OF
The Terrific, ~ of Louisidra.

{ from the pen Of II. N Breeken6,idge, Esg.)
II is truly surprising that the Territory Of
Louisiana, should have remained TO this day,
blank on the map of North America. France q
Span, possessed it in turn for more than centu.
rye st,ii ii isy MD IN night scarcely, has Il been
held seven years. by the U. S. until the enter
prising spirit otlreemeR has eSplored, aud made
1T known 1t rs now one of the most Interest
ing portions OF the American empire. Still,
much remains for him who is DESTROYS of emu;
1nerating the advantages il possesses, and of dis
playing to his countrymen, those stores of hap
piness and wealth which nature has SO literally
provided ~ :,
The Territory Of Louisiana, is what was call
ed, under former governments, Upper louisa
ma. Alter the cession to the u. S, Louisiana
was divided into two districts-by subsequent
act OF Congress these were erected, into the ter
ri'ory of Orleans and the territory of Louisia-
ma.
This territory is bounded on the north, by the
British possessions, or the SO of latitude, and by
the 81 on the SOUTH on the west II affords
a margin TO the Pacific Ocean, and is iaved on
the EAST " the Mississippi from It's source dis
tance OF 1000 miles
The intellectual eye can scarcely grasp SO vast
section of he globe. II is capsule OF support
ang a 'iu dred millions of souls, withou; c ing
Ion the means ot subsistence. 1t conp:s hents
extent ut country, without cross
my the Rocky Bridge, great all the rest of
the territory ut the. u S. east or the Mississippi
ri, er, AID of tlie Ailrgany mountains To give
an adequate idea Of iris extensive region, it is
to he known, that it is watered BY three hun
tired ;. vigabie rivers, the least Of which, is e.
Q,Sl to the Skuyikiit and there are at least ten
which for slzt, and excellence of navigation,
m.st, rank amongst the capital rivers OF Europe
A newworld isss been opened, to the resear.
cues f the scientific and rev proofs advanced to
overturn, the idle theories Of adventurous philo-
sophy. The Journals of Lewis & Clark ,&of Mai
Pike. " hich will shortly be given to the public
an convinced, will open the most extensive
tisid of enquiry, since the two voyages of Cook
1t is not my mention TO give description, of
all this vast country or otthe two great rivers,
Missouri and Mississippi; this would far ex-
coed the limits, have assigned myself they
will be reserved for the subject, Of merely
some future general observations. consne my
self to that portion but an inconsidersbe part,
which includes the settlements, and which ex.
cites more Immediate interest
8 The settlements of the territory, will be incl,-
ded, IN line trom Fort Usage, due south to
strike the Arkansas and ,i.,r;h oil the Misso,r-
ri, from point, opposite the Fort, jus, mention.
ed, to strike the Mississippi at Praire du Chen.
The last of these, will be considerably west of
that agreed nn, by Governor Harrison, and the
Saukees, &c. the other is the line of the Usage
purchase.
Yet, even this, is sufficient to constitute an en-
pres greater IN extent than any two states IN
the anon. Il possesses a number of fine nay;-
gable riy, rs and it is intersected by nnumers
bic creek, and ri,uets. No part of the u. S is
better adapted TO The establishment of every kind
Of ManHtac;ure and ITS situation, enable il. to
IT a.'izt msny important branches of commerce
In numerals, anqu stionabiy, the richest portion
oil she American territory and yet we'll suited
TO every species of agriculture
The writer's object is TO state facts, unsdorn-
ed he does not wish to smuse, merely but to
giVa inior!paton. After he disadvantages. which
NJ to,ni drawback on this country, will have
been !ary considered, the character, just gi-
ven, will not he found exaggerated