The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1859-08-05
A FIELD FOR ENTERPRISE.


nmerce of recent date, contained a
very able article in relation to rivers,
ancient and modern, showing how in
nifcant they alf are in compar ision
to the Mississippi and the Amazon.
The latter rolls its majestic tide through
a vast region of country, destined, as
we may suppose, to become the abode
of future nations of enterprising men !:
"The Amazon, Maranon, or OrelIana,
as it is variously styled, is, however, in
soma respects, superior to the Missis.
sippi. Its sources are soiled with the
ashes of Cotopaxi, which look over
the Pacific. Its mouth opens to the
Atlantic. It's waters spring from eter-
nal snow, and roll through anmendless
summer of the topics, It is fed by the
great tributaries from the North and
South, which are themselves longer
than the Danube. The Guinas and
Venezuela lie above its reach to the
North, and are drained BY the Orinoco
to tho East. and the Magdalena to the
Spanish Main. Excepting the region
which pours into shese channels; there
are no rivers east of the Andes, on tae
whole continent, but those which are
tributary to the Amazon, until, in 10
degrees South, the head waters of the
Rio Grande are reached It's sources
are the Tunguragua and Uncayale, but
both rising in Peru; the former from
Lake Lanricocha, in latitude 10 degrees
20 minutes South; the latter formed
by the Apurimas and Bori, the head
waters of which are between Is degrees
and ls degrees latitude S. Its general
course is North Of East, ana, inclusive
OF its windings is upwards of 1000
miles in length. The depth of water
has been stated at from 80 10 40 faith
oms, fifteen hundred miles from its
mouth; but the soundings Of Herndon
leave this ansopen question. Boat nayi
CATION commences upon it at Jean de
Bracomoros, in Quito, and runs down
through the usual graduations of small
draught steamers and briggs, to that
unobstracted channel which permits the
largest vessels TO sail fifteen hundred
miles island. The tide GIBBS and flows
through six hundred miles Of its course
In a distance of 1000 miles, Condar
mine found its descent to be but 1920
feet, or about six and one quarter inches
to the mile. The drainage from North
to South, includes territory of about
sixteen hundred miles in length, and
not less than two hundred rivers, some
of which, as the Ucayle, are more than
/ equal to the DANUBE The Santiago,
Morona, Pastaza, Tgre, Napo, Negro,
Putomayo, Yupura, Yaguupiri, Cum
patuba, and Yari are the most notable
Of those from the North. From the
South flow the Guallaga, Ucayale, Gu
chivara, Madeira, Cayara, Topayas.
Aingu, Cunapai, Munju, and others.
Z The banks are clothed with dense and
impenetrable forests, inhabited by IT,
! gers, leopards, wild bears, a great yari-
ETY. Of enormous snakes, serpents, apes,
and birds of glorious plumage.
The waters ara populous with turtles
aligators and the most delicious fish.
The wild products of this region are
more than tropical in their abundance
and value. Cacao, cinnamon, vanilla.
pines, and cotton of peculiar grade,
flourish in their greatest perfection |; and
the country is adapted to the growth Of
coffee, sugar-cane, rics, maize, plan
tains, lines, lemons and oranges. The
forests are rich in cedar, redwood, holly.
pine, and other precious woods. Gold
has been gathered to a considerable
amount by the Indians, in the Maranon
and adjoining rivers. Diamonds and
precious stones are collected from the
whole country, and some of the most
valuable in the world haye been found
BY the Indians and negroes who never
knew their worth. The pampas which
skirt the river banks are covered with
Wild horses and cattle, and on the
mountains, lying back, the lama and
the condor enjoy an almost unlimited
| freedom"
The question naturally arises-how
Il shall 4bfc rpwaok .o...~- I..f "a