Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1823-08-12
THE MISSOURI RIVER

FRANxLrs, (Nissouri,) June iO.-From
inlOrnaliOn, we believe the late rise OF
he Missouri exceeds that of any former
period since the settlement Of the country.
Nearly all the islands were inundated, aud
we apprrhend much Inconvenience, and
some injury, to planters settled there and
in low bottoms. The tracts OF country
adjacent to Charlton, Grand River, and
Lou,er Island, and many other places be-
low, must have suffered injury by loss Of
domestic animals, and washing OF gulleys.
snd. perhaps, may yet suffer more by SUBJ
sequent liability 10 levers. Completely
filing It's channel, aud buryiog beneath its
capaciOu, surface, bars, sawyers, and ISL
aOds, it seemed with impotence and i'm
petuOsi,y TO hurry 20 resting place with
lis kindred element.
During its rise, all immPD use quantity OF
di!t.woo1 hoaled on it's turbid bosom, and
"a stimes lnlerlocked and bound together
" such an eArent, and so filed up with
cher matter, as 10 exhibit the appearance
Of hoattug island, But, Afterwards lsrle
Cnbers eleyatIng their roots and branch
~ tops, cl tned with verdue, indicae ed
great ravsges on its shores. Apparently
rendered indignant by confinement, it en-
ia,ged its path way, by sweeping off The
hid, with us hunble growth and lofty
trees. which for ages have lowered over il
ia all the pride of conscious security.
Ne witnessed several near this place on
tt verge OF the river, which were pros
jraisd within Few hours alter the water
IT, risen around their roots. The cause
q banks washing away that have been
'i5ble tor such a length OF time, is, that
hf.P SAID bars adjacen, TO the islands and
bluff banks, are rmed by the alternate
fse and tall of the river which occupy a
space before occupied by water. and thus
irrcr the current on the opposite shore -
these changes are continual and person
passing on the river will observe every
srafe Of growth from the slender willow
lotne sturdy cotton, wood. all occasioned
By aud subject 10 be destroyed by the Huc-
NA'ions Of the current HIRE It's destroy
Og terrible bottom, with its growth OF an
hundred years, and there forming and fos-
fnng bar, which in its turn, will produce
Se largest kind OF timber, and furnish all
ihs,irults incident TO bottoms. In fact we
hive 90 doubt that, in The long lapse OF
lime, The uver gradually changes from
ouri TO bluff, sometimes building up bot.
NM along the one, and then tearing It a
! way and forming il along the other; and
"4t the AhorIgines 1000 years ago, might
'lVe seen il flowing on one side, while we
~ II on the other. at distance OF several
niles This suppoSitIoD is fully justified
oY'he circumstance OF logs being dug up
@TousDout the space here spoken OF, and
q The similarity Of perpendicular rocks
N each side, which equally exhibit that
'anolhness OF surface, and those curves
'8l unduiatory shapes, which can only be
'cca>ioned by washing
Considered from IFS rise 10 its coniu-
''ce With the ocean, and with regard 10
,E 9Gotlty Of water which il discharges,
W. Missouri is the nobles' and most c0nsid
,'io'e stream on earth. Some OF its tri-
U'a'ares equal the largest rivers OF the
G'a"orid; and its Course is SO rapid, that
re would he very great deception in
.u.sns lis quantity of water by its width
"l appearance. II encounters obstacles
VIVA ro"rIng and agitation aud sometimes
pnes up log heaps Of prodigious size. II
oeAa' 10 have gwen name 10 the Missis
.P2', below their junction, because, in
uIly appearance ut water, rspidiiy Of
'U''sa', fluctuations o! channel, and ior-