Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-06-02
From the Nashville Union.
THIRD CENTENNIAL ANNIVER-
SARY OF THE DISCOVERY OF
THE "FATHER OF RIVERS"

THIRD CENTENNIAL ANNlVER
SARY OF THE DISCOVERY OF
THE "FATHER OF RIVERS"
1t was early in the Month of May, 1541
that Fernando de Soto, native of Xer-
xes and favorite companion of Pizar.
70, in the conquest of Peru, having landed |
in Florida, (Which was discovered by
Prince de Leon in 1879 with company
of Spanish soldiers in pursuit of gold and
silver mines, pitched his tents upon the
Chikasaw Bluff, near Memphis, in this
State, and upon the Identical spot from
which irradiates the thriving prospect of
the City of Fort Pickering.
An event which unfolded to the admi-
ration of the world the inexhaustable re-
sources of the Valley Of the Mississippi,
should not be suffered to pass down the
curreht of Time without due commemo-
ration. Similar achievements have be-
come the subjects of popular celebration
none of which have been productive OF
! greater results. And we think it may be
. safely said that the landing of the Pill
h grims at Plymouth ..or any other feature
Of that great scheme of colonization con-
+ Quoted by Columbus, surpasses in magnif-
II icent consequences this bright way-mark
v in the advancement Of civilizat on through
,e the New World.
N It has been said by writer of unwea
,e riediresearch and correct observation tina
er the balance of political power IN this coun
,e try will soon become firmly fixed west o
w the Allegheny mountains. The influx o
ID population is so rapid, and the extent ant
es fertility of its soil SO great, that the des
d TIMES of this country viii shortly be dc
ID. termined by the voices of the people Inv
inn in the Valley of the Mississippi. Ihl
ne stupendous region is pronounced by a
nj. erudite foreigner, the most magnlilcer
Ter dwelling place prepared by the Almight
ter for mans abode. Yet even at the preser
day, comparatively speaking,It is Nigh
ty desert, only stupendous moral waste
len The geographical extent of this valley
!, vast, and the number and size OF the pa
the ties of which irrigate its soil almost eXce(
az computation. The moral culture wh'
&C. should be difused here, its Importance
5 of ratio proportional to its boundless n
lew cessities. But few persons are ava
the that the extent of the Mississippi Vail
It of exceeds that of France more than
der times, embracing as it does more thar
'ers, million and half Of square miles. Its
road sources and dimensions fit 1t tor susta
r bo- ing population much beyond the pres
NTH number of the people who inhablt Euro
was The rivers which fertaizes its bosom
y but scarcely equalled in the whole world
born The Mississippi alone traverses a sec'
ages of country $500 miles in length, W
re or 500 miles from its mouth ships OF g
Is of burthen float upon its bosom. FIFTY Sc
y up. large streams act as tributaries and
twin to swell the waters of the Father OF
head, ers. The Missouri exceeds $500 n
their in length, the Arkansas 23OO,and the
Baby 1000. All the variety OF soil ana V
lebes, table productions and temperature oil
them rome are found in this almost boun
scarce valley, while fertility and sterlllty are
ce Of fused alike with prodigal hand,
stones The discovery oEthis ample thoro
Mid fare through the valley OF this vast
ness, | tory which promises so much tor u
milling turc-a companion highway, OF md
-geous al enterprise upon which the abu
show product, of our fruitful soil are trar
them. ted to the seaboard markets;whlch Re-
c their no renair but is constantly improving
n their in navgation,is no considerable even
decay history of the Great West; ana IS "
hedust the periodical remembrance OF thos
before enjoy It's manifold benefits -, ).
whose In recording the demise ofthe oil
ate and rer On the DIST of May, 1912, of
g over liant fever during which he had lltti
and do fort and was neither visited nor after
pom the the last hours of the demand 1 H
he grey CROFT says:-"Thus persisted re
ent of de Soto the Governor OF Cuba the
Ii away. FIJI associate of Pizarro. His end
brow of more observed from the greatness;
on the former prosperity. His soldiers Pl
oles and ced his eulogy by grieving Tor Inc
the lips The priests chantented over III
row the the first requiems that were ever d
es. Old the waters of the Mississippi
days be ceal his death his body was wro
eternity mantle: and in the stiffness OF
d its wa was silently sunk in the midoIe
and the stroan. The discorerer Of the NJ
onsl Not nj sleeps beneath its Waters
my flight crossed large part of the cont
ses, who search of gold AND FOUND NOT
nplished; REMARKABLE AS HIS BURIAL PLACE
one can We have heard the suggestion
the place Dist Of Nav be celebrated by
dinner, or in some other aPPToPT-
GIVE ner. in commemoration OF the l
ace in the of "Ihe tatRe[ Oh O iSr H;storica
ay, which not enough OF me o eo,,nr;te scieI
little pain still devotedto 'nel5 '"''''
relatives the ball IN motion.
-oung gen. clever female French WI