Washington telegraph., 1852-08-04
Correspondence of the TELEGRAPH.
MISSISSIPPI RIVER BELOW MEMPHIS. !
JuLu 18Th. 1852


Mr. ETTER: In emerging from one of the many
great tributaries that add their volume of waters
to the everfowing tide of the Mississippi, and en-
tering upon its broad and restless current one is
struck with sense of its power and its grandeur
While on the Arkansas river l thought of its
far-distant source amid the everlasting SHOWS of
the Rocky Mountains.-of the many different
countries which were washed by its turbid waters,
and in view OF Its length and Importance regarded
it as great and noble stream; but when we
reached the giant Mississippi and steamed out in
to its unknown depths, and gazed with delighted
and wondering eye upon its stupendous volume
rolling its waves in silent majesty from the cold
regions of the North, through various climates al
most to the sunny plains of the Torrid Zone, my
mind was impressed with deep and strong emo
tions of its greatness and power. Aside from its
affording never failing means of transportation
and ntercommunicatOn between SO many distant
and differing regions of country its course from
North to South over so many degrees of latitude,
enables its waters to wash and ertilize the earth
and cause it to yield the varied productions of diff
ferent zones. 1t is this that renders our finland
sea" superior to every other river upon the globe.
There is but one other large river the Ganges,
that in any degree possesses the same advantage
of extensive communication with many differ
ent climates Rising, as it does, in the extreme
North, it holds its bold and rapid course almost
directly South over vast extent of territory.
bearing upon its surface the changing productions
of the different countries through which it passes
Lieut.. Maury in his letter to the convention, held
at Memphis few years since, forcibly presented
this view to the consideration of the Government
as a reason tor the improvement OF It's navigation
Napoleon has very much improved in appear
ance, since saw it last some four years ago. Two
or three substantial buildings have been erected
and it now more of the appearance of busi-
ness and improvement. The hospital erected by
the government is a fine imposing building. and
is. suppose, ready for the reception of the sick
1t seems to me, however, that a more eligible
position might have been chosen for building
devoted to purpose so useful, at least position
that would not be liable to inundation at every
time of high water The banks OF the Mississippi
above Napoleon present no object of attraction to
the mere tourist. The unvaryng character OF the
scenery, consisting of river, and bar, and wooded
shore never elevated above its usual level and all
subject to annual overflow, offers but little to the
lover of the grand and the pturesque The only
point on the entire route from Napoleon to Mem
phis where the eye can refresh Itself by the view
of higher ground is at Helena. This latter place
by the way, seems to be very pleasantly situated,
and indeed, bears evidence of very considerable
improvement within the last three or four years.
Nothing of any interest has occurred on the
journey thus far. Our boat slowly but steadily
assends the strong current of the Mississippi.
Nothing occurs shore aboard to disturb the
wearisome monotony of the way. Occasi )nally a
little merriment is extracted from some triflng
occurrence that for time serves to make us forget
the tedium of the journey, but every thing again
soon relapses into the same unvarying monotony,
and occupied with viewing the succession of the
same bars and woods, and shore, day after day
wears slowly away We have heard and seen
nothing of the Cholera thus far, and presume
that it has almost entirely disappeared from the
nver. Should my stay in Memphis allow me
time | will again write to You from that point.
Yours, s.