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

No H.
WAsHINGroN April Is, 1876
SIR have TO acknowledge the following list OF que
Mr. Calhoun wishes answers to the following queries
!; What IS now the probable population OF the valley
OF the Mississippi
2. What its population under the first census and
the subsequent censuses and
3. The average OF increase under the three last
4 hat rs the number OF square miles in said valley
Entering a reply to these queries, have taken the
liberty to commence with No 4, as being more natural
order OF survey and the term bas for the entire
face drained out by the Mississippi, and the term raliey
for the particular sarface drained BY the branches
pectively.
The basin OF the Mississippi is the southern section of
the immense central basin OF the continent of North
America spreading from the Gulf of Mexico Hudsons
bay. In general TERMS the Mississippi basin extends
latitude from % 10 50 degrees NORTH and in longitude
from the extreme northeastern OF the Allegheny
branch OF Ohio, near Cowderspo Penn, degree west Of
Washington 10 the northwestern of Marias river
branch Of Missouri, 81 degrees west OF Washington,
extending twenty degrees OF latitude, and thr
y-three OF longitude Forty north to admit
being assumed as the mean latitude. This curve on
North America, is its whole range round the
EARTH the most important Of all lines OF latitude extends
over the basin Of the Mississippi about 800 miles.
The outlines Of the Mississippi basin only be de-
ermined approxmatvey; but, however, with adequate
accuracy for all general purposes Commencing the
Cult OF Mexico and at the mouth of the Atchafaaya the
subjOned tabular view, taken from the best maps, viii
serve to show the several parts and aggregate permeter
of this great basin: Miles
Mouth Of AtchafalaJa, between the sources OF
streams continents Of the mississippi basin and
those Of the Gulf OF Mexico, to latitude 40 de-
grees in the Rocky mountains, from whence
issue the sources Of Platte, Rio Grande, and
| Colorado rivers l,400
Along Rocky mountains to sources of Marias
Around northern sources Of Missouri river, to the
head of Red river branch Of Assinnboin 500
Around the sources Of Mississippi proper to the
head of Kankakee branch Of Illinois river i,l0o
Between the continents OF the Canadian sea and
NhNuo rf IN fhn nvfra sn1urCa Of
Along the dividing line of water source between
the sources of streams flowing towards the At
lantc ocean and those into Ohio river 100
Between continents Of Mobile and Tennessee ry-
ers 300
Between sources discharged into Mississippi and
those of Mobile and Pearl rivers to the mouth
OF Mississippi river 400
Outlet OF Atchafalaya 200
Entire outline of Mississippi basin 6,l00
To estimate to any very near approach to accuracy
the actual comprised within this great permeter eX-
ceedng six thousand miles, easy task but the fol-
lowing carefully measured sections, geographically and
by the river valleys. will exhibit the parts comparatively
with each other.
Table Of the erent Of the Mississippi basi" by lines Of fat
itude:
Square miles
From lat As deg. to 40 deg. n. 10000
40 deg to As deg N 100000
:" IS deg. to 40 deg. N. 100000
South of latitude IS 10000
Entire surface, by Rhumbs, of latitude 1,25o,ooo
The following from careful measurement of its great
valleys is the aggregate OF the Mississippi basin as
tionary:
Square miles
Valley OF Ohio 100000
Valley OF Mississippi proper 10000
Valley Of Missouri 100000
| Valley of the Lower Mississippi 100000