HISTORY OF VERMONT. 43 



bears, signifies the long rivef.* This river has 

 its source in a ridge of mountains, which extend 

 northeasterly to the gulph of St. Lawrence. 

 The head of its northwestern branch, is about 

 twenty five miles beyond the latitude of forty 

 five degrees ; and so far it has been surveyed. 

 When it first enters the state, it is about ten 

 rods Vv'ide ; and in the course of sixty miles in- 

 creases in its width to twenty four rods. Its 

 course between Vermont and Newhampshirc, a 

 distance of two hundred miles, is southwesterly ; 

 from thence to its mouth, the course is more 

 southerly. After running about four hundred 

 miles through the country, and receiving a 

 great number of other streams and rivers, it 

 discharges itself into the ocean at Seabrook.--- 

 V/ith respect to its length, utility, and beauty, 

 this is one of the finest rivers in the eastern 

 states. In the months of April or May, it over- 

 flows its banks ; and for a length of three hun- 

 dred miles, forms and fertilizes a vast tract of 

 rich meadow. Vessels of eighty or one hun- 

 dred tons, go up this river as far as Hartford in 

 Connecticut, fifty miles from its mouth. It is 

 navigable for boats, three hundred miles further, 

 except the falls which the states of Vermont, 

 Massachusetts, and Connecticut, are now ma- 

 king navigable by locks. While it increases 

 the richness, and serves to transport the produce^ 

 by its perpetual majestic movement through an 



• The nSmes which the original inhabitants assigned to our moun- 

 tains, plains, and valleys, are mostly lost. Many of our rivers, bays, and 

 falls of water, are yet known by their ancient Indian names. On account 

 of their originality, antiquity, signification, singularity, and sound, thess 

 names ought to be carefully preserved. In every respect they are far 

 preferable to the unmeaning application, aad constant repetition of ap im- 

 proper Ejigliih nzms. 



