302 ANNUAL OF SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. 



the waters and sediment of that great stream, were by resolution di- 

 rected to continue their observations, with the view of ascertaining 

 the probable effect which the reclamation of the annually inundated 

 land would have upon the improvement of its navigation, and the 

 general health of the country. 



They therefore submit the following as a combination of their ob- 

 servations, in accordance with the terms of the resolution, viz : That 

 the reclamation of the bottom or swamp lands, which has been in 

 more or less successful progress for a great number of years, and of 

 late very generally and rapidly prosecuted by means of a system of 

 artificial embankments, by which it is intended ultimately to restrict 

 the whole waters of the river to their legitimate channels, which ob- 

 ject has been in a very considerable degree already effected, an im- 

 provement of the general health of the country is found to have been 

 more than in the simple ratio of the reclaimed lands, and so decided 

 is the character of this salutary change, that it is alike evident to the 

 individual occupants of such lands, and to the residents of cities and 

 towns in their vicinity. 



From long continued observation, supported by concurrent testi- 

 mony, your committee entertain not the least doubt but that the oc- 

 cupants of these low, wet lands may secure a perfect immunity from 

 their miasmatic effect, by clearing them of the forests, and bringing 

 them into cultivation, when their exposure to the action of the sun 

 and the free circulation of the atmosphere will render them healthful 

 to the inhabitants, and contribute largely to the general salubrity of 

 the country. Much speculation has been entertained with respect to 

 the effect of restricting within its proper channel the vast body of 

 water that periodically overspreads so many hundred square miles of 

 bottom land. Fears have been entertained that no practical embank- 

 ments could possibly confine the accumulating waters as they received 

 their tributary contributions on their way to the ocean ; and other 

 rivers have been cited as a proof that, if embankments were thrown 

 up to restrict the waters of the river to their proper channel, they 

 will, in the same ratio, elevate their own bed ; and hence that any gene- 

 ral system of leveeing the waters of the river within the limits of its 

 channel would be impracticable, and if practicable, inexpedient, as 

 tending to inundate the good lands already reclaimed by the present 

 inconsiderable embankments that protect them. 



Now, however formidable the force of these arguments may seem 

 at first sight, they will be found to have little practical application in 

 fact, and what experience there is, seems at least to confirm their in- 

 sufficient foundation. 



When it is contemplated that the whole extent of country from 

 which these surplus waters How, is rapidly undergoing great physical 

 changes, by its settlement and cultivation, it may certainly be inferred 

 that such must in some measure have its effect upon the relative quan- 

 tity and condition of such waters as are discharging from the lands, 

 and should that be found equivalent to the progressive confinement of 

 the river within its banks, there will certainly be less to fear from any 

 undue accumulation caused by such confinement. 



