Litchfield enquirer., 1833-11-14
rnE VALLEY or rae MrssIsslPPr.

nature are on great and extensive scale; and
IN estimating their magnitude. the nBi0d y &C
fnally lost in wonder. When we thihk O
she valley Of any river in this country says
m English writer we have only 10 Siew dis
trict Of ground measuring at most a hundred
miles in length by less than the third of that
extent 10 breadth; but speaking Of the valleys
Ia America, we are called Un 10 remember
. that they sometimes include territory var
more extensive than the whole island ~ BIT
tai0s' The chief wonder 0fthis Description IN
North America, is the vaiey OF the MissssslP
ri. which IL the natnral drai. Of the central
part Of this vast continent, and embraces all
that tract Of country Of which the waters are
discharged into the Gulf of Mexico. Il is
bounded on the North by 40 elevated conntry.
which divides il from the waters that Aow in
10 HmdsOn's Bay. and the northern lakes and
3 st. Lawrence; on the east by the table land
from whence descend the waters that fall intO
the Atlantic and ON the west by the Rocky,
ar Chippewa Maintains, which separate the
waters OF the Atlantic from those Of the Pa
cifc.
This great central yale nf America IS COM
sidered the largest division Of the giobe9s,f
which the waters pass into one estuary.
II extends from the 29ih to the 49th de-
gree Of north latitude, or about 1900 miles
from south and north, while the breadth a.
cross Is about the same dimensions. To sup
pose the United States and its territory to be
divided into three porsions, the arrange meni
would be-the Atlantic slope, the Mississippi
basin or3 valley, and the Pacific slope. a
glance on any map Of MOI tn America, will
show that this valley includes about two
thirds of the territory ofthe United States:
The Atlantic slope contains 100000. the Pa-
600 square miles; while the valley OF the
Mississippi contains at least 800. 000 square
miles, or four times as much land as the whole
CT Britain. This great vale is divided into
two portions, the upper and the lower valley,
distinguished by particular features, ana sep
arated by AN imaginary intersecting line at
ahe place where the Ohio pours its waters 70
~ the Mississippi. This large river has ma
Dy tributaries Of first rate proportions besides
the Ohio. The chief is the Missouri, which
indeed is tbs main stream, for 1t y not only
longer and larger. but drains greater extent
OF country. ITS length is computed at 1890
miles, and upon a particular course III 5000
miles. In its appearance It is turbid. violent
and rapid. while the. Mississippi. above ITS
juncture with the Missouri - clear. sylttlsa.
gentle current. Al ST. Charles, 90 miles from
its entrance into the Mississippi. the Missouri
measures from ave to six hundred yards a.
crcss--th0' Ito depth ID only few fathoms.
The Mississippi Proper takes its rise IN Ce-
dar Lake, in the 47ih degree OF north latitude.
From this to the Falls Of st. Anthony, q avs
lance of i've hundred miles, il runs in devil
Gus course. first south east. then southwest,
and finally southeast again; WHICH last 4
continues without much deviation. till 4
reaches the Missouri, the waters Of which
strike Il at right angles. and throw the cur
rent Of the Mississippi entirely upon the cas-
tern side. The prominent brunch OF the up
per Mississippi il the ST. Peters, which rises
in the great praiTies 10 Tire north west, and en-
tiers the parent stream, little below the Falls
of ST. Anfhony. The Kaskaskia NEXT joins
it, after course Of 200 miles. In the S6ih
degree &c north latitude, the Ohio, (formed
by the junction of the Allegheny and Monon-
gaheia) pOnrs 10 It's tribute after pursuing q
course of75O miles, and draining about goo
900 square miles Of the country. A little be-
low the S4th degree the White River enters,
after course of moro than 1000 miles
Thirty miles brlow that.ihe Arkansas, bring
ing in its tribute from the confines Of Mexico.
ponrs its waters. Its last great tribute = LEO
River, stream taking its rise 10 the Mektran
dominions, and flowing acourse Of mafesfhan
5000 miles saa
Hitherto the, waters in the west have been
congregated "a one point. The Father ~
Waters j. now upwards Of annie IN Width.
and several fath0ms deep. During It's annual
floods Il 0yerA0ws its banks below the mouth
Of the Ohio, and sometimes extends thlriy
and forty miles into the interior, laying the
prairies. bottoms, swamps, ana otnsr 70"
grounds under water for season. After re-
ceiving Red River, this vast stream y unable
to continue III one channel; It parts into sep
arate courses, and like the Nile, fnds iis way
10 the ocean ut different and distant points.
The capabilities Of the Mississippi Tor pur'
poses oftrade are almost beyond calculation
aud are hardly yet developed. For thou
sands Of years this magnificent American riS'
er rolled Its placid and nndisturbed waters a
midst widely spreading forests. rich gree1
prairies, aud swelling mountain scenery, or
namented with the ever varying tint q nature
ia ifs widest mood. unn0iictd savd tbs
wandering sagages Of -westy sf the animal.
which browse upon its ranks AtAengtn y
came under the observation ofciyilized men
aud now has begun to contribute 10 tfei'
wants and wishes. Every part Of the vast
region irrigated hy the main stream and IL
tributaries. can be penetrated by steam boats
and Other craft nor is there another spot 10
oil its wide territory, except small dsstrac
IN the plains Of Upper Missouri. that IS mOrt
than one hundred miles from some nasigabi'
water. A boat may take IN lading on thu
Chatauque Lake, in the state Of New ork--
another may receive its cargo In the lntsEin
of Virginia--a third may start from inc nc