The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-06-17

ton is one thousand and fftysix feet while at the
lower end of Lake Pepin, in the same latitude, the
elevation is only seven hundred feet above the Gulf
There are in the Missouri 2lO islands between the
Yellow Stone and its mouth; one half of them pro-
duce forest trees, chiefly the cottonwood and plane
tree below the Platte, and above it intermingling
gradually with trees and shrubs peculiar to higher
regions until the predominatng growth is stunted
cedar and pine. The number Of its tributaries with.
in the same space is over two hundred. Very few
Of them are Of any size or length. The Kansas and
the Platte are the only ones west OF the States OF
any value for navigation.
Taking its rise in the North Park in the Rocky
Mountains, in latitude 40 deg, and longitude log
deg. 40 min, the Platte river winds through the
mountains noith aud then east, in rapids and cata
racts until it bursts through the chain, and flows
rapidly east to point in latitude Al deg. and long
tude 100 deg. so min, where it receives the South
Fork which takes its rise In the vicinity Of the Ar
kansas, and hows in a northeast direction to its
mouth. Immediately below the junction the stream
Is five thousand three hundred feet wide, and flows
on with average width Of thre c-fourths of mile
to its mouth, in latitude Al deg and longitude 95.
There are many islands, some Of them timbered and
ali fertile. The river bottoms are also fertile but
destitute of timber, and in many places subject to
inundation. The waters are expanded over so great
surface that it is too shallow to be navigated by
anything but light fat boats, and they get along
with difficulty. Nor can it be improved by art and
labor
Two great forks, the Republican and Smoky Hill,
which have their sources within the spurs of the
mountains unite in latitude SO deg. and longitude
96a deg, to form the Kansas river, from whence it
flows several hundred miles eastward to its junction
with the Missouri, in latitude SO deg and longitude
"a deg, through narrow valley well timbered for
three hundred miles, and well wooded thence to the
mountains. Like the Platte, It Is too swift and shall
low to be nayigated with anything but very light
craft.
The Yellow Stone, rising amid the peaks Of the
mountains, flows northeast to the Missouri II
waters large and fertile valley, and is nayigable
for steamboats, eighty miles, aud for other craft two
hundred and fifty miles. Here we anticipate the
birth and growth Of a considerable community.
Rising within the spurs of the mountain, the
Arkansas leaves them with breadth Of fifty yards,
and widen ng, as il flows EDWARDS TO four hundred
yards, and sometimes mile from its tribute into
the Mississippi, in latitude 81 so. Its upper por.
ton rs densely timbered, But about one hundred
miles east of the mountains every trace OF trees is
lost, and 1t flows several hundred miles through
vast expanse of undulating plains, and again pen
etrates fine forests near the western line OF the
State. 1t is navigabe for steamboats, high the
Neostro. distance OF six hanIred miles, above ths
point navigation H. and must continue to be. wretch
ed even for large canoes. The Washita, one Of its
tributaries, Is also navgable considerable distance.