349 



and speculations of every person who might choose to 

 express his opinion of the subject. 



Among the variety that has been advanced, but 

 two oniy bear the semblance of probability, and those 

 even are not without exceptions. 



The first is, that the alluvial region or districts in 

 the vicinity of the Misssisippi, have been formed by 

 the influence or operations of the gulf stream, which is 

 (it is said) constantly wafting or transporting the 

 sand into the bay of Mexico to be deposited upon its 

 shores. 



The second is, that it has been formed by the allu- 

 vion brought down by the current of the Mississippi 

 river and its auxiliary streams, and deposited near its 

 borders, and at its confluence with the bay of Mexico. 



These two opinions I shall proceed to examine in 

 order, in the first place, to see how far they are en- 

 titled to credit ; and in the second, to ascertain to what 

 extent we are to admit the agency of either. 



M. de Beaujour observes that " The alluvial zone 

 is in general, of an equal level, rising insensibly to- 

 wards the Alleghany ; and it appears to have been the 

 work of the current of the Mexican gulf, which 

 bathes the American coast from Florida point as far as 

 Cape Cod, from which it afterwards diverges to run to 

 the east towards the banks of Newfoundland."* 



On the subject of the alluvial zone, Mr. Volney ob- 

 serves, " Whereas, proceeding southward from this 



* Sketch of the United States, page 45. 



