PROCEEDINGS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATION. 841 



It was by this peculiar echelon arrangement, with its cross val- 

 leys, and great lateral valle}- that Washington was enabled to 

 deceive Lord Clinton, and availing himself of this natural screen, 

 move his troops from the Hudson to the Potomac, and at York- 

 town terminate the war of the Eevolution. 



The outer range in its upheaval brought up wJth it the precious 

 metals in great profusion ; and iron in largest measure. Enough 

 of this metal so essential to civilization, lies within a few miles of 

 this city to last our country many centuries. 



The second range brought up lead, zinc and copper. And the 

 inner the well known anthracite coal of Pennsylvania, and a few 

 detached outliers of bituminous coal. 



The whole range abounds in water power in such super-abun- 

 dance, that at the present time not one-eighth of it is utilized. 

 Marbles of rare beauty ai-e hidden in its recesses, while brine 

 springs gush forth from its I'avines and valleys. 



Its culminating peaks rise 6,476 feet above the level of the sea, 

 giving a clime oxygenated and cool for the lassitude of summer at 

 its feet. 



On its southern flanks are lowlands ijrowing rice and cotton, 

 the staples of the mildest temperate climates. Its middle slopes 

 grow tobacco in such wonderful exuberance, that after supplying 

 our inhabitants, if our English cousins, so highly enamored with 

 free trade, will sedulously keep down the interest on their national 

 debt, and faithfully devote their present revenue from tariif on 

 this article, within one hundred and fifty years it will extinguish 

 their national indebtedness. 



Along the northern slopes of this valley rich pasture lands 

 abound. Oats, hay, and rye are the staple products. Sheep and 

 other live stock abound in greater proportion to its inhabitants, 

 than any other portion of our country. Its butter and cheese have 

 a world-wide celebrity. 



What is to be the future of its inhabitants ? What the popula- 

 tion it is capable of supporting ? Passing over as much ground 

 as this paper does, I cannot go into the special capabilities of each 

 State in this basin, but look upon them as a whole. 



Owing to the rapid increase of its manufacturing capabilities, 

 and the emigration of its youthful agriculturists westwards, it 

 does not now raise its own bread stufts. It cannot feed its own 

 inhabitants, and it will ftiil to do it more and more in the future. 

 Its sons, then, must be men of commerce, trade, manufactures and 



