New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-05-25
APROJECT EXAMINED


addressed to Congress, with a view TO
calling the attention of the Government to
the prospective value of the South Ameri-
can trade. Mr.. Maury is well known as
scientific man of solid merit; as the head OF
the National Observatory he has achieved
lasting reputation; and whatever he pub
fishes bears the stamp of a broad, genial
and enthusiastic mind. Of the general char
acter of the present document, it is enough
to say, that its conception and style are
worthy of its author; it is only with its
substance that we have any difference.
The true outlet of the Mississippi into
the sea, says the memorial, is not at the
mouth of that river, but at the Florida
Pass; there too, from the regular and con-
slant influence of winds and currents, is
the real mouth of the great South American
river, the Amazon. The dri t wood which
the mighty currents of the latter roll
downward from the distant slopes of the
| Andes, and the chance log that the Mis-
souri, bears from our own Rocky Noun
tains meet together at this common outlet
on their way to the broad Atlantic. And
Just as vessels from our own ports on the
| Gulf must stand out to sea through this
passage, so it is with ships sailing from the
Amazon. Whether bound south, or east
ward, for Brazil, India or Africa, they must
steer northward to cross the northeast
trade winds, and thus pass the shores OF
the United States.
The marine basin formed by the waters
of these vast rivers flowing into the Gulf
of Mexico and the Caribbean sea, Mr..
Naury holds to be peerless on the earth.
No where else is there so grand CONNER
cial receptacle. Half encircled by the
great divisions of the American Continent,
with its entrance guarded by the Antilles
islands outvieing in fertility and loneliness
the golden Hesperides of antique fancy
with easy access across its isthmus to the
Pacific and the East, and with majestic
streams that know no rivals, sweeping
into its bosom the teeming wealth Of all
zones and all climates, from regions more
vast and remote, more fecund and varied
| in their products than ever fired the imagin-
alton of conquerer, it is no exaggeration
to say, with the memorial, that this mag
nifcent basin must forever remain unsur
passed and unequaled.
Having thus laid down his premises, Mr..
Maury goes on to refer to the commerce
of India, and to state that Europe has been
enriched by that commerce for the reason
that the two regions differ in climate, and
have need of each others products. The
exchanges between Europe and India have
been accomplished, however. under the
difficulties of long and perilous voyage.
No such hindrance awaits US in trading
with tropical South America. On the con-
trary, everything will favor US. We may
reach that region with short and easy
voyage; indeed, nature, by the arrangement
of the oceanic and atmospheric currents
has made it, as it were, part OF our own
domains. There are all the advantages of
soil and climate that India possesses, twice
told. The great Amazonian valley covers
and area of above two million square miles,
and its navigation, and that Of its continents
together, winds through the enormous
distance of $4,000 miles, connected through
above 1900 miles Of natural canals, with
other streams Of almost equal Importance.
Were this vast region but settled and cul-
tivated, a commerce richer than that of In
dia would at once be opened at our very
doors.
The navigation of these great water
courses Mr.. Maury would have secured
to our merchants by means of reciprocal
treaties with Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and
Brazil, giving them the free use Of the Mis-
sissippi in exchange. This would at once
give rise to considerable commerce; it
would divert from the Pacific coast great
deal of the trade which now goes around
the Horn to be borne acrsss the Andes On
beasts of burden; and would lead emigra-
ton from Europe into those teeming valleys
to degree otherwise out of the question.
These emigrants, while devoting them
selves to the culture of such things as we
shall want, will take from our Atlantic
ports, the only market places for which the
winds are propitious for going and coming,
not merely flour and salt meat, but every
article of the loom and the shop, from the
ava and the hoe mn m gals drassAs and