The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-01-20

NoTE-In measuring the valleys.the entering and re-
entering angles considerable loss, therefore the
difference between these two results.
Measured again by the Rhumbs on different map, the
result was l ,252, 1875.
It only those persons habituated perform such OPP
eraons, who estimate the difficulty OF coming to
very definite result in such operation as that OF deter
mining the contained in the basin of the Mississippi
My opinion is, that safe conclusion as can be
come to on the subject is e allow 25oooo square miles,
equal to eight hundred millions OF statute acres.
Amongst the natural features which give peculiarly OF
character to the Mississippi BASIN far the most remarka
BILE, and regards social and political considerations, the
most important Is the near approach OF the northern
fountains of the two great valleys of Ohio and Mis-
sssppi proper 1t is imprachcabe to render tins tact
evident BY means Of verbal description but it may be
observed, already stated that in distance OF 1900
statute miles, from the sources OF the Mississippi to those
of Allegheny river, only comparative narrow strip OF
land nvenes between the border OF the Canadian lakes
and the fountains which the continents OF the
Ohio and Mississippi rivers. In northwestern Pennsyl-
vania, this strip does not exceed or 8 to 70 or IS
miles, but the ground high and abrupt though not pre-
cipitous the side OF Lake Erie.
Opposite the southwestern extreme OF Michigan IN the
northwestern angle of Indiana, and northeastern OF Hi
o the int n s M Of Se Meb
gan and south OF Lake Superior the dividing line OF the
waters recede from the lakes but approach again to
within few miles westward Of Lake x, Superior. -
to the OF Allegheny river, and intervening be-
tween the basin of Mississippi and Canadian sea-
square miles $4,000
Extent Of land intervening between the Lakes
Michigan and Superior, and basin OF Mssis-
sppi--square mules eo'ooo
Amount Of SQUARE miles 1923 900
This place. in its broadcast parts either east west Of
Lake Michigan, not 300 miles wide, and, in its narrow
est part southwark of Lake Michigan, not two miles
wide. The average breadth about rs miles.
So near, indeed and so blended the two basins of
Mississippi and Canada and the intervening space in
cluded in the domain of the United States, that it would
do great violence to natural laws and be to
political connection, 10 unite them parts Of one whole
the as in fact they are both parts OF the great CEN
trail basin OF the continent OF north America
Similar remarks may again be made on the opposite
west, and the consecutive valleys of Pascagoula Mo
bile and Appalachicoa on the east form paris Of the
same great inclined plane with the basin OF the Misss-
sippi, .!
Rio Grande the southwest and west by the Gulf OF
Mexico southeast, and all other sides by the former
contiguous territories of the United States.
From the mouth of the Rio Grande nearly on north
attued o6 degrees in direction OF nearly north. north
west the length does not much exceed fall short of
900 miles From the point where the onehundredth
degree of longitude west of London, leaves Red rver
to the Rio Grande direction OF southwest by west,
the width is about 300 miles, and the md-distance OF
such line would fall very nearly on longitude Is de-
rrees west of Washington city, and latitude 32t de-
rrees north Such line would represent what may be
called the Narrows Of Texas, and if drawn would d.
vide the country into two sections, and which might be
relatively called South Eastern and Northwestern Texas
South Eastern Texas has form rudely approaching
that of trapezum base along the general course OF the
Rio Grande GOO miles, and perpendicular OF 500 miles,
falling from the northeastern angle on Red river Ihe
curves in the outline, however, yield an area OF about
10000 square niles The slope gentle and in south
eastern drestion obquely towards the Delta OF the Mis-
sssippi, as shown by the general of its rivers
northeastern Higher Terms, approaches square OF
$50 miles each side, or area about 10000 square miles