CATARACTS AND INUNDATIONS. 39 



each other, and with the great river ST. LAWRENCE. On the 

 pastern side of North America are the fine livers, HUDSON, DELA- 

 WARE, JAMES, POTOWMACK, SUSQUEHANNA, CONNECTICUT, 

 and several others of extensive length and depth. 



The rivers which flow westward, and discharge themselves into 

 Ihe Pacific Ocean are very imperfectly kuown; ainorg these, the 

 OREGAN, COLUMBIA, or RIVER OF THE WEST, is probably by 

 for the largest. Captain Cook proceeded a considerable way up it 

 in the year 1/78, and through tiie whole extent of his navigation it 

 was found to be broad, deep, and rapid, so that it may be supposed 

 to take its rise in the centra* part of the American continent. 



The BOURBOV has only been traced from a very extensive lake, 

 which has received the same name; is course is toward Hudson's 

 bay, above the fifty-filth degree of north latitude. 



The vast river MISSISSIPPI is supposed to take its rise from three 

 or four springs, which unite at about 46 north latitude, and i)8* 

 west longitude; it has been ascended as high as 45 north, about 

 one hundred and fifty miles above the Falls of St. Anthony. Its 

 course extends above two thousand miles, comprising its continual 

 flexions. It proceeds in a south-east direction, till it arrives at about 

 35 north latitude, arid then proceeds almost due south, till it 

 arrives at West Florida, where it again runs to the south-east. 



It receives the river St. Pierre, or St. Peter, on the westward, 

 near the Falls of St. Anthony, and the Moingona in the same direc- 

 tion, about 41 north latitude; from the eastward, the Fox river; 

 and the Illinois below 40. A little lower, the noble Missouri runs 

 into it from the westward; the Ohio joins it from the eastward. 

 At 33, the White river and the Paniassas first join, and then pour 

 their united streams into this grand receptacle of waters, which dis- 

 charges itself into the sea by many openings, most of which have but 

 little depth of water. 



The Mississippi, after being joined by the Missouri, is about six 

 miles wide, and continues its course southerly, no considerable 

 stream falling into it after this for between two and three hundred 

 miles, when it is joined by the Ohio. The country on each side the 

 Mississippi to this place is exceedingly fine, the climate warm and 

 agreeable. 



The navigation of the Mississippi is very tedious, even in descend- 

 ing, as it is not deemed safe to sail down it (taring the night ; the 



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