Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-27
The River Amazon In I79O.-Mr. Stanton
Sholes writes as follows 10 the National Intelt
cenney of Auoust %.

The River Amazon In 179O.-Mr Stanton
Sholes writes as follows 10 the National InteH-
geneer of August %;
In September, 1871, we entered the mighty
waters of The great river Amazon, Of South Amer
ica and moored our ship far up the river, near its
left bank, and abreast of plantation My object
in recurring 10 this part of my journal is 10 show
my views OF the connection of the waters of the
great Amazon of South America with those ofthe
Gulf stream of the North Atlantic Ocean. After
that voyage TO the Amazon ] made several voy-
ages 10 the Cayenne, the Surinam, and the Deme-
rara rivers, so that | became well acquainted
with the coast as well as the interior of the coun-
Try.
~ will now give my views 10 prove that the
waters OF the Gulf stream are nothing more less
than the waters OF the river Amazon. This great
father of waters is bedded more than 1000 miles
immediately under the equator, and all lis tributary
streams for many thousand miles IRE constantly
pouring their hot water into this mighty reservoir
of wafer. As these waters are gathered in under
the burning sun of the equator il is extremely
warm far more so than the Atlantic Ocean waters
under the equator. This great body Of heated
water shoots out into The Atlantic more than a
hundred miles in the face of the eternal trade
winds.
The Amazon is sixty miles wide, after being
belted in It's irresistible course il curves of 10 the
left and scuds off before the strong trade winds
till out Of their reach. Driven along with great
force, it takes lis course round the great bay
formed between the two continents OF North and
South America. Dashing along the northern coast
of South America, and passing 10 the leeward of
the Yves, India Islands, il leaves the shore of
Cuba, and proceeds along the shores of Florida,
the capes of Virginia, and the south coast Of North
America, and, passing the shores of Newfound.
land, ends its mission among the icebergs which
float out oftbe Northern ocean. Cut of the Gull
Stresm, and II would not be many years before
lbe. North Atlantic would be filed with irehara.
but wise Providence has provided an eternal
reservoir Of bot wafer constantly rushing around
over the back OF the cold Atlantic 10 lis destina-
ION, where, after spending its vita! warmth among
the icebergs, IL is hurried away by new supply OF
native warm water from the great Amazon. Sea-
men can always tell when in or out of the Gulf
Stream by dipping the hand in the water along
eide. Surely The wisdom Of an awise Being is
wonderfully displayed in these trade winds which
hurry this great body Of water on its destined
course so soon as is free from the confines OF its
great reservoir.
Undoubtedly this view will be new 10 some
readers. but what have written is from expert.
ence, and was seen while was rowing upon the
mighty deep. The Gulf stream, repeat is moth.
ing more nor less than the waters Of the great
Amazon Of South America. | have crossed il in
many places, and for many years have glided
through its warm water. always pleased 10 have
i, asiern. The most violent storms, from what.
ever quarter they may come, never change its
course or its current, but II continues 10 move on
in that irresistible power which was given 10 il in
the beginning by the Power above.
II would be very pleasing 10 me perhaps one
OF the Oldest seafsring men now liyinR) il some
one OF our naval gentlemen would sn these sug-
gesions and cast overheard whatever il chat;
remembering, however that they came from the
hand OF one who has stood at the wheel through
many raging storm, and one who takes great
pride in our young naval officers, who will be the
pride and bulwark Of our national defence. God
grant H.