Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-05-03
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.

Messrs. GALEs g. SEAroN: Though, apparently,
time has still and steady flow and no refiux, the
events bears on its course appear to move with a
yery UNEQUAL rapidity. Close observation would
lead us, however, to the discovery that we are
prone to magnify objects in proportion to their
proximity to our centre of vision, and we are, in
our eagerness 10 rush forward too negectfu OF the
ground we have passed. But let us not neglect
the awful past. Let US pause and look with awe
on that grave Of nations, whose bosom enshrlnes
the myriads who have lived and died in Asia,
Africa, and Europe; whilst America, IN the lar
West, awaited to receive 10 her bosom the men OF
latter days, and give to earth new aspect and
thus complete the circle Of nations.
IF ever there was any one subject, which more
than any other could awaken the most sublime as
pira,ons of the human mind, this is the one, by all
pre-eminence Ii is no metaphor to say, Z" a new
creation has opened; !" for, during 5,496 years of
time, 1852 passed away before the most enlighten-
ed nations of Europe were made to suspect the
existence of America! The curtain at length
drawn, the expansive scene opened, and one event
followed another to display the vast expanse.
And yet even now, in the three hundredth and
six,ieth year of display, what do We behold Why,
some of the finest regions of North America re-
ceiving for the first time civilized inhabitants.
The Anglo-Saxon family, in possession of the en-
tire zone Of North America on the Atlantic side,
from the Gulf of Mexico to the inland sea OF Ca
NADIA, and on the Pacific. from the bay of San Diego
north latitude thrty.three, TO Dixon's and Van
Couvers sound, north latitude fifty, or, over seven
teen degrees of latitude, spreading from ocean to
ocean, and embracing at least three millions three
hundred thousand square miles. On this great ex-
panse we may regard the possessors as hxed, and,
under very peculiar circumstances, forming one OF
the great communities or nations; which, from re-
latiye position and character, must henceforth, to
more or less extent, influence all other nations.
Every people must be Influenced and iu great
degree modified by the climate in which they exist;
but, in the case of the United States, the law OF
winds is the most important to decide political
power. The phenomena Of this ali-lmportant at
mospherical motion, and its all controlling effect on
climate entirely round the earth. in the zone OF la-
tude embraced by Anglo-Saxon North America,
we are now to review
In advance, must take the liberty to assert that
of all other common, and yet by the laws of nature
contradicted, general errors, supposed radical
change Of climate is the least excusabe. Success
sve seasons differ; so do all other objects of our
contempla,ive faculties; but where are we to seek
revolution in genera
The a-mportant law of the winds, or, in other
words, the eastward motion OF the atmosphere
within the temperate northern zone OF the earth,
has engrouped, modified, and located nations and
is notwithstanding in great part blank in general
science. This law OF a,mospherical motion, once
known, would show why the climates of western
coasts are so much more uniform and exempt from
extremes than are those of the same latitude and ele-
walton on eastern coasts, and Of course why the
western coasts of continents and large islands,
within the temperate zones, are so much more cul-
tivable and habitable than are eastern in compa.
ra,ive polar distance The following tables were
constructed by me to illustrate the difference of
mean temperature in like laitudes, between the
eastern and western shores Of the Atlantic ocean.
The two enclosed printed tables were constructed
by me for and inserted in the Philadelphia edition
of Brewsters Encyclopaedia. TO all general pur.
poses they have never been really published. They
were formed from an immense mass Of document, and
show that the three west winds have an enormous
in occurrence over the from the five other
points. may be added that in intensity the pro-
portion is still greater and in both respects account
for the general leaning eastward of forests and or
chards over the whole northern temperate zone,
and for The very remarkably greater speed and safe
ty Of conducting ships eastward than westward in
the same zone Of our planet.
Summary Of the unds of North America and Of the North
uestcrn parts Of Europe.