The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1862-06-08
NEW YORK, SUNDAY, JUNE 8, 1852.

stipulation became necessary the part Of England for
the safety Of her possessions then took the centre
Of the channel for the western boundary from the her
VILE Bayou 10 the rivers source.
France very soon after the confirmation Of the above
mentioned treaty, ceded to Spain all her rights TO
Lousana and the latter Power consequently became the
possessor Of the outlet Of the Mississippi.
BY the treaty Of 1883 the Independence OF the United
States acknowledged and the Of the Revolution
was closed. BY that treaty the United States succeeded
TO the rights Of England in the navigation OF the river
a. derived from the treaty Of 116s with II ance But
England would not relnqush her right, but had an
article inserted in the treaty which acknowledged our
independence to the effect that she also should have the
right TO navigate the river from its source the
forever.
Between 1853 and 1795 this subject was much contest
ed by spain She denied the right Of navigation made
regulations for the collection Of heavy duties imports
and established military posts garrisoned with officers
and with instructions 10 collect the duties by force
The claim Of Spain strenuously contested by our
government but sho was unyieding and may be said
that from 1888 to 1864 period OF twelve years-we
had no right On the Mississippi beyond what paid for.
In the latter year, under washngton's administration,
the treaty OF Madrid was concluded, wherein rights
permanently acknowledged by Spain the follow
ing language
His Catholic Majesty has likewise agreed that the
navigation OF the said river (the MssissippD, in its
whole breadth from its to the shall be free
only TO his sub and the citizens Of the United States
Louisiana retroceded from Spain France in the year
1890 and in 1903 the whole territory purchased by
the United States and the transfer made the Both Of
November.
The right Of British subjects to navigate the river,
however, still remained after the purchase, and con-
tnued until the treaty Of peace between England and
tho United states negotiated 1875 when the Anne
rican Commissioners terminated the privilege and ths
United States became the sole owners Of tho river.
The greatest tributary Of the Mississippi is tho Mis-
souri, river which rises in the Rocky Mountains three
thousand and nineysix miles from the junction. The
next in Importance is the Ohio river, tho source
Of which thousand and miles from where
empies into the Mississippi. Forty-nvo rivers, nearly
all navigable and innumerable creeks contribute te
make up the Great Father Of Rivers from the Falls Of ST
Anthony Now Orleans distance Of nearly two thou
sand miles.
Counting the rivers ard creeks which flow into th
main tributaries OF the Mississippi find that at
two hundred streams OF the former denomination, AM
thousand creeks, stretching from the Alcgha
MES to the Rocky Mountains, pass their waters into th
Gulf OF Mexico through the channel Of tho Mississippi
The States q Illinois, 10 va Wisconsin, Minnesota Mis-
souri, Kentucky, l,nnessee, Arkansas, Louisiana an
Mississippi all border this river and the waters
twenty States and four Territories flow into it.
It estimated that before the breaking out Of th
rebellion the value Of the steamboats, alone engaged
commerce on the river upwards of sir'ysix mil
lions If dollars and the amount OF property conveye
up and down almost incalculabe. Under this view
how many thousands will rejoice that those mighty
waters again open 70 transport upon their bosom
the trade OF the great West.