Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-05-22

r.
small number of plants naturally; those which arc
vigorous possessing themselves of the soil and do
istroying the rest, or striking them with steri.y
fhe greater part cannot of themselves produce any
kno or froit, and those which might produce them
are tor the most purt barren, either because they
mutually obStruct each other OF are Crowded And
again. when trees and shrubs are found to nrodncn
some fruit, It is that can last but f,u,
Jays, because these fruits common both to brn,os
ana men, and because they perish on comDu IN
maturity. Men who have adopted neither IN ,or-
cultural pastoral life are therefore drawn to,vn d.
the lakes, the rivers and the CULTS for means of sh
sistapce They there enjoy the ADVANTAGE of fisbnp
anu ae the same time those OF hunting; because am
mas are attracted hither by the ready means of sub
slstence and are also more easily surprised The
ainentary plants, roots, fruits, &c. grow much bet
Ter here than elsewhere the earth is covered with
more vegetable SOD. the temperature of the atmos.
pherc Is mildef-and the soil itself is more watered
and less shaded than other parts of the country
Inc waters and winds continually transport into the
VALUES the different kinds of vegetables which GROW
on elevated places; but it is difficult for vegeta
blcs which grow in the valiies and low places 2, he
transported to the hills. The vallies too. alop1
streams generally represent triangle, the summit
OF which Ia formed by the junction of two mountains
and the base by the course of the Hence it fol-
| lows the nearer one approaches the month of
stream or the confluence Of two rivers larrer por-
ton OF productive earth will be found
AT the same time that waters contain i'm their bo-
SONS considerable part of the substance of man
ana multiply IN certain places the species of vereta
Dies and attract large numberrof animals to their
shores they otter routes less easy across I'M
pnnetrable forests. Lands abandoned to themselves
are generally covered with immense forests but these
forests have no resemblance to those which are found
among civlzrd people. In the latter the under
growth Is destroyed, the trees never fall of old
anu the waters of rains and riyulets are carfIlly
drawn OIL But IN the formcr, nothing that the earth
Pfodnces Is removed Briars, hrambles and brakes
cover the SOIL and often render an access impossible
to her the traveller or hunter. fhe trees beny
destroyed by time alone, fall OF old age and contri
butte to render the country impassabe. FINALLY the
foliage, the remains of vegetables and the soil wash
ed eh by rains, rest the course OF streams turn
them from their proper channn and convert immense
plains into marshes. The country is then covered
with Insects and reptiles and if arnas are vet able
to penetrate 1t, man cannot follow them but with
great lubour and danger.
Rdvers among savages who inhabt country cover
ed with forests DO not present the same facilities OF
navigation as those among civilized peoDle The i'm,
mense trees fallen from old agc torn up by the wa
ers, lie the stream and render the uavioaliou
! dangerous Notwithstanding these difficulties the
people who hive the banks and who nossess
the art OF constructing boats have much create
means OF transportation than are enoyed b,
thoso who live in the interior. 1t is oniy necessar
to abandon themselves to the current to be carried
Immense distances The facility of descending auc
the difficulty OF ascending contributes to TX them
the mouths OF rivers and along the CULTS. This fac
may be illustrated by many examples in the u State
and especially in the State OF Virginia. Government,
nave often nxed upon places where towns Shall y
built, hut thelr DEGREES have been without nfcr
whenever the position and the nature oftiie place
were not able to attract population. Mr. jefferson
inmont!oring the towns of Virginia. says sthesc ar
other places OF which the laws have said there sIIa
be towns, but has slid there shall not and te
remain unworthy remuneration" JetferSons Notes
All the causes, moreover, which contribute 10 deter
mine tho location OF savage tribe, contribute MS
to increase the population and dcyelopc the human
!, faculties. tribe Of savages in order to fish wit
success and with security must find place where la
fish attracted by The anincss of the waters and IN
facilities OF subsistence, and where the tribes them
selves may be sheltered from the ravarcs of storms
they, therefore, choose bay which is calm all,
deep, or place themselves at the mouths of rivers
They build their cabins the borders OF the banks
there establish ;heir families. Here they cmnmenc
to improve navigation. According 10 necessity the
can advance into the for the purpose of success
full fishery, plunge themselves into the woods fo
the pursuit OF game. The temperature beinu NOR
pleasant, vegetation Is continued and il IS more
easy tor them TO observe Its progress and the idea
cutivGtirg plants more naturally presents to the,
mind Lastly the earth itself is fertile, becaus
being nearer the level OF the sea Il is under q Inde
climate. From this place. population and cultivation
gradually extend themselves along the vallieg; villa
ges are formed Of the confluence of rivers tecaus
there the lands are susceptible Of more cxtende
Cuivatlon,-the communication between tjfaren
people more easy, and the OF subsistence ca
be brought from more places at the same time
rivers therefore, have lnIIucnse influence OH h
civilization and the distribution of people; but ii,
contiguration and extent of different parts Of tin
globe, the nature Of the SOIL and the temperature
. the atmosphere have Us great influence upon tn
courses Of rivers their distributions their vorne an
, their utility.
From, M National Futsllespcsy
THE LATE AFFAIR AT PORT NATION.
Oar readers have seen the report in circulation {
fracas between the crews ofnational vessels of Tn