146 



UNITED STATES, 



It is not to be understood that the rise and fall of 

 the Mississippi, in any one year, ever arrives to the 

 extent of the above table ; it is found, that years of 

 least elevations will generally be those of greatest 

 depressions. The table is calculated only to convey 

 some idea of the extremes which have been noted 

 in a series of years, and of the general progress of 

 the inundation, both in its advancement and its re- 

 treat. 



The Mississippi overflowed its banks for three 

 years 'preceding 1774, and did great mischief to the 

 planters. Since that period, from year to year, it 

 has continued to rise higher and higher, in so much, 

 that embankments of five or six feet perpendicular 

 are now required^ where as many inches were for- 

 merly sufficient. This increasing ascent of the in- 

 undation, may be naturally accounted for, by the 

 gradual extension of the levees, or embankments, 

 on both sides of the river, v/hich became, each suc- 

 ceeding year, more necessary for the defence of the 

 new settlements, against the encroachments of this 

 great river. Those establishments are now extend- 

 ed, on either bank, to the distance of 60 leagues 

 above the capital. 



The Mississippi has ceased to rise to its usual 

 heights for these three years past ; * the defect at 

 Natchez has not been less than from eight to twelve 

 feetj and proportionably in the lower country. 



It does not appear, that v\^e can assign any physi- 

 eal cause, why the Mississippi should have certain 



^ This account was comnitnced in 1800. 



i 



