348 



were, on the north ; or where the primitive shores of 

 the continent were, or the point at which this river 

 originally discharged its waters into the sea or gulf, 

 no mortal can explain. 



In this instance, we have no Osiris, nor no JWenes 

 from whose time we can date the gradual advances of 

 this district ; nor have we a Thebes or a Memphis, 

 as fixed points, by which we can determine its annual 

 increase or aggregate formation and extent. Neither 

 have we the writings of a Pliny, a Herodotus, and a 

 long list of other historians, to inform us of the primi- 

 tive course of the river ; of its varied and multiplied 

 changes ; of the gradual increase and extent of allu- 

 vial deposites ; or of the successive events that have, 

 in the course of time, occurred in its vicinity. All 

 and every circumstance that relates to its history, have 

 remained, during a long and fearful night of darkness ; 

 wrapt in impenetrable mystery ; while through this 

 period of ages this noble river has been left, unregis- 

 tered upon the faithful records of .time, to pursue, in 

 silent majesty, its devious course through the almost 

 interminable regions of uncultivated wilds, where 

 until the discovery of America, as far as we know, 

 the footsteps of civilized man had never left an im- 

 press. 



Under circumstances so unfavourable to the attain- 

 ment of a correct knowledge of the changes that have 

 taken place at or near the mouth of this river, it has 

 remained since its discovery subject to the remarks 



