The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1845-03-28

Such are the series OF counties and riv-
ers in this Interesting region under review;
their principal towns are,
JEFFERSON, in Ashe county, on New River,
at n. lat. 30 deg. % min.. long. w. l..
4 deg. 20 min. w, about $50 miles
NV. by w. Of Raleigh.
in Wilkes county, situated
on the Yadkin, 2l miles SSE. Of Jeiier-
son, y. lat. SO deg. 06 min., long. a
deg. 04 min. w. of West.
Burke county, situated on
Catawba river, n. lat. 35d i5m., long.
4d. 36m. w. of w; 90 miles south
westward from Wilkesboro', and very
nearly due w. 200 miles fiom Raleigh.
BuRSEsvuLE, in Yancy county, situated
on branch of Nolichucky river, 40
miles something n. of w. from Nor
Canton, n. lat. Sd. SON., long. ID 05m.
w. Of w.
AsHvILLE, Runcombe county, situated on
French Broad, n. lat. 35d Son. n.
long. sd. 22m W. W., 81 miles SW.
by W. from Morgauton, and SO miles q
little S. of w. from Burnesyille.
WAYNEsvILLE, in Haywood county, situa
ted on Big Pigeon, n. lat. Sod. 2sm.
long. Sd. 52m. w. W., 80 miles little
S. Of w. from Ashville.
FRANKLIN, in Macon county, situated on :
branch of Little Tennessee, n. lat. 35d
l0m., long. Cd. 90, w. W., by pos
road 800 miles westward of Raleigh
and 500 miles NV. by w. of Wash
ing,on City.
In estimating the relations Of hegh, anC
latitude, Humboldt and other Geographers
have regarded 300 French metres, or 32c
English feet Of elevation or depression, a
equal TO degree of latitude on arial TEN
perature. along western Europe. | believe
that, for general purposes, 400 feet is 1
safe estimate for Ike purpose over The
United States, and, if adopted, Waynes
vile, in Haywood, with on elevation 0
6,652 feet, would have a mean lempera
ture suitable TO n. lat. 90 deg. 40 min. OIL
the ocean level. Again, the mean Of tn
s elevations, given in the letter, yield
very nearly an equivalent to Ten degrees o
lat, and if we then assume Morganton a
the mean lat. Of the towns named above
the result gives 10 Western North Carroll
ma a climate Of very nearly IS deg. N, /
reduced to the ocean level.
thought, however, TO be distinctly un
derstood that height operates much more
upon mean than extreme temperature
You request mo TO state IN regard 10 the
data in the letter enclosed, What error!
or wrong impressions i, may be calculated
to rectify; and on what questions Of Geo
graphical science or economical interest
it throws any and what new light 7"
In answer, may say at once, that
throws food of new light on the relation
of height in the United States, and afford
an immense field to enable observers I
determine positively the relations Of tenn
peratute and height. The mean Of III
heights given amounts TO 5,943 feet. Th
means afforded by such a region TO expe
rlment on Agriculture arc Incalcplable.-
Ii might he also remarked, that the spac
included in our review is of necessity onl
a part, the most elevated no doubt, bl
with gradual depression extending in;
Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia an
Tennessee. Such data brought TO ligt
ought TO induce the government 10 do 10
this country what has been already don
by The governments Of Europe for thei
respective territories that is TO make a
universal Geographical survey, dctermin
Ing every position and every relation c
height.
There is one object OF primary, perma
nent, and vital interest, reflection on whic
is enforced by the subject before u.s.
Sheep have accompanied man il is proba
bic from the very infancy of society, an
now, after the lapse Of thousands Of years
by far the most substantial article Of hi
clothing comes from the fleece Of this tru
ly useful and innocent animal. On tn
arid plain and mountain steep, where q,
cultivation can gain subsistence TO man
The sheep finds food, and seems destined /
carry and support his human protecto
amid every variety Of soil and climate,
which he may be exposed in the eyer.ya
rying ATTITUDES out Of the lorrid zone, an
within that zone, where height compel
safes for latitude.
In brief, the document before US canno
fail to excite to farther inquiry, and ten
10 remove much ignorance IN regard t
sections of our country the most Interest
ing and yet most effectively known Of tn
parts iDlla bted.
With sincere respect,
WILLIAM DARBY.