389 



Work, will not, it is hoped, be considered unseasona- 

 ble or inexpedient. 



In attempting this, it is not intended to bring into 

 yiew all the circumstances, that are connected with the 

 subject, as it would unavoidably increase the number 

 of pages, which has already exceeded the limits pre- 

 scribed. 



From what has been said, it must appear obvious, 

 that the Mississippi river, has, at different epochs, 

 discharged its waters into the gulf of Mexico, at dif- 

 ferent points in its course, as at New-Orleans, &c. but 

 principally, and more probably, not far from the head 

 of Black Lake, or about fifty miles above the efflux of 

 that river at the Balize. From this point, at least, to 

 its present termination, it may be said to flow through 

 a self-created channel. 



The consequences resulting from this extension of 

 the banks into the gnlf, have already been taken no- 

 tice of; but as these results do not depend, exclusively 

 upon the prolongation of the river, and its banks, it is 

 necessary to examine another circumstance, intimate- 

 ly connected with the subject, and by no means of the 

 least importance. 



I have observed, that as the banks of a river are ex- 

 tended into a bay or gulf, beyond its original point of 

 discharge, either by artificial means, or by deposites of 

 alluvion, its current is checked or retarded in propor- 

 tion to the distance, which it has to pass beyond tide 

 water, or the level of the bay or gulf, and the alluvion 

 which icas suspended by the current, is deposited at 





