LOUISIANA. 485 



previous to its discharge into the Mississippi, it divides its waters in 

 many places in a singular manner, and after a long separation reunites 

 them, though, lower down, several of its refluent currents find their 

 way to the sea without entering the Mississippi at all. The valley 

 through which it passes, is even more cut up than that of the Missis- 

 sippi by refluent currents and lakes. This river rises in the Cordil- 

 leras, west of Santa Fee, and has a course of little less than two thou- 

 sand miles, and might be more justly compared to the Nile than the 

 Mississippi. It may be ascended in keel boats, and smaller kraft, 

 with but one interruption, as far as the great raft, a natural bridge 

 formed over the river by trunks of trees brought down by its current 

 and lodged. Above the raft it is a clear fine river, and much wider 

 than below, bordered by a beautiful country. Its principal branch 

 within this state is the Washita, called, for about fifty miles, after 

 its junction with the' Catahoula and Tensa, by the name of Black 

 river. This river rises in a chain of high hills or mountains, which 

 separates it from the waters of the Arkansas. The Washita has a 

 course little short of one thousand miles, about three hundred of 

 it nearly parallel with the Mississippi. It is well adapted to naviga- 

 tion ; the lower part flowing through a flat country, has a current 

 rather sluggish ; beyond, it is a handsome clear stream, flowing 

 through a hilly country, and being impeded by some rapids. The 

 Tensa, Bayou Boeuf, and Bayou Maeou, are considerable rivers, 

 flowing between the Washita and the Mississippi, and augmented 

 by the walers of this river, from outlets in high water. 



The Sabint, the Teche, Amite, and Pearl rivers, are considerable 

 streams ; the two last discharge themselves into the lakes east of the 

 Mississippi. There are besides a great number of smaller streams, 

 and navigable Bayous, or natural canals ; that of La Fourche is the 

 most remarkable ; it leaves the river eighty miles above New Or- 

 leans, and has the regularity of some magnificent work of art. The 

 Chafalaya is a long Bayou, but of bad navigation, and in one place it 

 is interrupted for eighteen miles by a raft or natural bridge. 



Lakes ...Lake Pontchartrain is a beautiful sheet of water, situated 

 between the large island of Orleans on the south, and West Florida 

 on the north. It is about 35 miles long from east to west, and 25 

 broad; and from 10 to 15 feet deep. Lake Maurepas communicates 

 at the east end with lake Pontchartrain. At its west end it receives 

 the river Iberville. It is 12 miles long and 8 wide. West of the 

 Mississippi, there are a great number of lakes, formed partly by the 

 streams which flow into this extensive flat from the upland country, 

 and partly from the waters of the Mississippi. Lake Barrataria 

 is one of the most considerable, and is famous as the seat of a band 

 of pirates who not long since infested the gulf of Mexico. In the 

 vicinity of Red river there are a great number of lakes, known by a 

 variety of names, and some of great extent. The most considerable 

 are lakes Bestiana, Yac, Natchez, &c. 



Mountains... .There is nothing in this state which can deserve the 

 name of mountain, excepting the dividing hills of the Washita and 

 Arkansas. 



Principal towns. ...New Orleans, the capital of this state, and the 

 great mart of the western country, is situated on the east bank of the 

 Mississippi, about 109 miles from the sea. The houses are generally 

 of wood, one story high, without cellars, and make an ordinary ap- 

 pearance. The following are the public buildings: the cathedral, 



Vol. II. Q 



