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back, in an eastern direction. The soil is rich ; 

 the cotton plantations are well cultivated, produ- 

 cing plentiful crops. 



About fifteen miles further down, on the same 

 side, is the river Iberville, which forms an out- 

 let from the Mississippi when the water is high, 

 but when the river is low, it is dry. The water 

 of this stream runs into the lakes Maurepas and 

 Ponchartrain, and through them s tothe sea, form- 

 ing what is called the island of New Orleans. 

 At a point a little below the Iberville, commences 

 an uninterrupted series of plantations, which are 

 continued, upwards of one hundred miles, to the 

 city of Orleans. These plantations are all cleared 

 in front, and under improvement. Some of them 

 are planted with sugar cane, but the greater part 

 with cotton. They are narrow at the bank, and 

 extend back to the swampy ground, which it 

 incapable of cultivation ; the land no where ad- 

 mitting of more than one plantation deep. 



At the point below the Iberville, the Missis- 

 sippi turns short to the westward, forming a large 

 bend. At the extremity of this bend is an out- 

 let, called the bayau Placquemine, on the western 

 side, discharging its waters into the sea. By this 

 bayau is the principal communication with the 

 two populous and rich settlements of Atacapas- 

 and Opelousas. These, settlements are the most 

 wealthy in Louisiana, abounding in horses and 

 neat cattle ; containing a large quantity of good 

 land, capable of being much better improved. 



