102 On the Natural Boundaries of Empires. 
ties. Itis a bad military line in time of war. A state is 
powerful, in proportion as she possesses the whole extent of 
the basin, from which the water flows, to supply her rivers. 
Thus the State of New York, has great national strength, 
because she possesses the sovereignty of the river Hudson, 
and nearly the whole country on both shores, without any 
interference. 
The State of Connecticut in a similar way possesses the 
course of her principal river, for a considerable distance. 
The Delaware is not of so much importance, to New Jer- 
sey or Pennsylvani 
of favouring commerce, becomes an annoyance to both par- 
r sag 
1a, as it would be if the undisputed proper- 
of either. In support of this position and of the gener- 
al fact assumed, I may adduce the opinion of Professor 
Renwick of Columbia College, New York. 
“The Hudson divides New Jersey from the State of New 
York on one side, and the Delaware separates it from Penn- 
sylvania on the other. 
“ However definite these may be as territorial limits, they 
operate, by their facilities of navigation, rather as bonds 
of union, than as divisions of the inhabitants in their vicinity, 
from those of the two adjoining states. 
“ Hence the citizens of East and West Jersey, have differ- 
ent feelings and views upon almost every question of public 
interest, nor does it appear possible to unite them in exertion.” 
The Rhine was a military boundary against the ancient 
Germans, but could not have been against a civilized power. 
The Tay was not so good a barrier against the ancient 
Scots, as the Roman wall. 
The Nile never formed a boundary, even in the intestine 
wars which sometimes destroyed Egypt. Hostile armies some- 
times encamped on the opposite shores, but the contest was 
always continued, until one was defeated. When two pow- 
ers, of nearly equal strength, have been in Eye at the 
same time, the line of demarcation has generally 
cross the Nile, one possessing upper, the other lower Egypt. 
The late contest between Brazil, and the inhabitants of 
Buenos Ayres, arose from an erroneous opinion on the part 
of the former, that the river La Plata was the true boun- 
ay 
SEAS AND OCEANS, 
Some nations appear to dread the water, and to them, the 
ocean is a boundary which they never attempt to pass. 
