383- 



clined plane, and distance which it had to run, and 

 aio the resistance of the tides in the gulf of Mexico. 



These were, doubtless, considerable ; but when we 

 consider that the Mississippi river was then confined 

 within high banks, and propelled by the same irresist- 

 ible force into the ocean, and over a distance much 

 less than at present ; need we hesitate to say, that the 

 lands on the western borders of what is called the 

 delta of the Mississippi were not only previously 

 formed, but seldom overflowed, and that not until the 

 inundations of the river had arrived to its greatest 

 height ? 1 presume not. If, however, it is contended 

 that the waters in the Mississippi have probably been 

 always the same in quantity, and that, consequently, it 

 has always risen to the same height, attended by the 

 same results, as respects the inundation of the neigh- 

 bouring districts : let us examine a little farther, and 

 compare the present state of things with the past, in 

 order to see whether .this opinion will bear the test of 

 a plain and impartial investigation. 



Let us suppose that the Misissippi river, instead of 

 discharging its waters at a point corresponding with 

 the general line of sea coast, as at New Orleans, was 

 by the formation and extension of alluvial grounds, 

 conveyed so far beyond its ancient limits as to dis- 

 charge itsejf at some indefinite point, on a line from 

 Black Lake to Bastien bay, which is distant from New 

 Orleans forty miles, in a direct line. 



Now as there is not the least possible doubt, that 

 the sea once flowed at New Orleans, and that the Mis- 



