Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-20

maturity. AIen VINO have adopted neither an arm
cultural pastoral life therefore drawn towards
the lakes, the rivers and the CULTS for means Of sub
sistunce. They there ENJOY the advantage Of fshno
and at the same time those of hunting because AM.
mails attracted hither by the ready means of sub
sistence and also more easily surprised The
alimentary plants roots, fruits, &c grow much bet
tor here than elsewhere, the earth is covered with
more vegetable soil, the temperature of the atmos-
pbere is mder-and the soil itself ia moro ,vatorod
and less shaded than other parts of the country
The waters and winds continually TRANSPORT into the
Yallics the different kinds of vegetables which grow
on elevated places; but 1t Is difficult for vcgeta-
bles which grow the vallics and low ploccs 70 Ia
transported TO the hills. The vallies too, along
streams generally represent triangle, the sammit
oil which Is formed by tho junction of two mountain
aud the base by the course of the Hence it fol-
lows, the nearer one approaches the mouth Of
stream or the confluence OF two rivers larger por-
ton OF productive earth sill be found.
At the same time that waters con,ai5 in their bo-
SONS considerable part of the substance of man,
and multiply III certain places tho species OF vepeta-
bcs and attract large number Of animals to thrir
shores. they oor or less easy across inr-
peuetrdbe forests. Lands abandoned 10 themselves
are genci1y covered with immense forests, but these
forests have resemblance 10 those which are found
among civilized people. In the latter the under
growth is destroyed the trees never fall of old are
anu the waters of rains and rivulois ave car;uy
drawn oil But in the former, ,ohng that the earth
Produces IS removed. Briars, brunh!es and bfal
cover the SOIL and often render access iripos sibe
to either the traveller hunter. The t.cts being
destroyed by time alone fall oC cid age and contri.
butte TO render the country impassab.e Finally ;he
foliage, the remains % vegetables and The soil wash
cd ell Jy rains, arrest the coarse OF streams turn
them from tner proper channel, aud convert immense
plains INTO marshes. The country il then covered
with insects and reptiles, and IL animals are vet able
to penetrate i. man cannot follow them, 5ul with
! great iaDUur and danger.
Rivers among savogc3 who inhabit county cover
cd with forcse, DO not present The samc facilities of
Ir.nfF. tflce
ensc trees fallen from oil age torn p BY the wa
tiers, IL acres The stream aHd render the naviruloo
dangerous. Notwithstanding these dlicu!iles, tie
peor.c who 1--we ON tho banks and who POSSESS
the art OF constructing boats, have much yrenter
means OF transportation than arc onioycd b.
these VIII live IL the interior Il is only necessary
TO abandon themselves to the current 10 be carried 10
immense distances. The tAci,y Of descending and
the difficulty of ascending contributes 70 fy tcn at
the mouths of rivers and along the guss This fact
may be ius ratcd by many examples in the - States
ana especially IL the State Of Virginia. Governments
have often fixed upon places where towns shall be
oult, but their DEGREES have beep without effect
whenever the position and the nature of the places
were not ablo 10 attract population. Mr. Jefferson
IN mentioning the towns OF Virginia, says there arc
other places OF which the laws have "a ID there shall
be towns but nature has said there shall not and they
rcmpn unworthy Recommendation Jefferson Notes
All The causes, moreover which cont .bute 10 deter
mine the location of savage tribe Contribute also
10 increase the population and 10 deyeOpe he human
]
success and with security must End place where the
fish are attracted by the caanes of The waters and the
facilities Of subsistence and where the tribes them
selves may De sheltered from tie ravayc Of storms
Ihey, Therefore, choose a bay which is calm and
deep, or place themselves at the mouths of rivers
Ihcy build their cabins the borders Of the banks &
there establish their ia,Ges Here they commence
10 improve navigation. According to necessity tucv
can advance into tho for tIe purpose Of success
fol fishery, plunge themselves INTO the woods for
the pursrl Of game The temperature bcin.; more
pleasant, veg talon is continued, ana IL j. more
easy Tor h" TO observe its progress and the idea of
cuitvatlng plants more naturally presents to tne.r
mind. Lustly the earth Itself more ertilc because
being nearer the level OF the x Is under nider
climate. FgoFo this place, population and cultivation
gradually cXt'nd themselves eong the valcs villa
res formed at the confluence Of rivers because
there tho lands arc susceptible Of more extended
cultivator,-thc communication between different
people more easy, and the means OF subsistence can
be brought tror Llorc places az tie same time.
Rivers. therefore have IN Immense influence or the
civilization and TIC dist bn'ion of people, but the
cunfgurat"l aud extent of different parts Of the
globe. the nature Of the soil and the enlnerature Of
tt1c atmosphere hive grc1t an influences upon the
courses of ggcss thc- distribution, their volume and
. their utility.