periods of the history of North America, the scenes of sanguinary battles, and naval engage

ments.

95. Several smaller lakes are connected with the great chain which has been described. Some of the most interesting are the small lakes of the state of New York, emptying into Lake Ontario. Cayngo lake, the largest, is forty miles long, and twelve broad, about the same extent with the lakes of Constance and Geneva, in Switzerland. It is here interesting to notice also, that Lake Ontario, the smallest of the great chain, except St. Clair, is larger than any body of fresh water yet discovered on the eastern Continent. Lake Nepining, which empties into lake Huron, is the most considerable on the north of the great chain, being about equal to lake St. Clair in extent.

96. The river St. Lawrence, which forms the outlet of this vast mass of waters, after a course of 400 miles from lake Ontario, forms an estuary called the gulf of St. Lawrence of about the same length, and 250 miles in breadth, which is separated from the ocean by the island of Newfoundland, and communicates with it by two openings between the island and the main. The quantity of water which flows through this channel to the ocean, after all the waste of evaporation, may be estimated by the dimension of the channel below the falls of Nyagara. The river is here half a mile broad, twenty-five feet in average depth, and flows about three miles an hour. In one hour, therefore, it discharges a column of water, which would fill the channel for three miles, or 1,111,000,000 cubic feet; being 8,000,000 cubic feet, or 113,000,000 gallons each minute.

97. On the northern declivity of North America we find rivers of a similar character to the St. Lawrence, but inferior in magnitude, including several lakes in their course. The most remarkable is Mackenzie's river, which is called the Unyah or peace river at its source. It passes through lake Athapescow, and assumes the name of Place river; expands into the Slave lake, and from the northern extremity of this lake pursues its course to the Arctic ocean, under the name of Mackenzie's river; the whole length of this stream exceeds 2000 miles. The Athapescow lake which discharges its waters through the same outlet, is also supplied by the Athapescow or Elk river, which rises not far from Peace river. Havi lake lies between latitude 60° and 62° north. It is twenty-seven miles in length from east to west, and about forty in average breadth, and equal to lakes Michigan and Erie in size.

98. The Sascatchawine river rises in the Chippewan mountains, and passing through lake Winnipee, empties by Nelson's river into Hudson's Bay. A number of other lakes are connected with these waters, and with each other, by a variety of inosculations which indicate the level character of the country. The water course which rises near lake Superior in the Long lake, and lake of the Woods, also passes through lake Winnipic, and finds its way by a different outlet to Hudson's Bay.

99. Lake Winnipic appears to be the largest of the northern lakes, and Slave lake is next in

size; both are less than lake Huron, and approach to lake Erie in extent. The Athapescow lake is among the largest of the others. The lake of the Woods which forms a part of the boundary of the United States, is among the small lakes of this continent, but is larger than those of Switzerland. The nature of the country, and the climate, will probably prevent the employment of these extensive water courses in commerce, except in the portage of cannon, for the conveyance of the hunters and their provisions, and furs, and the few articles which the natives are able to purchase.

100. In the southern peninsulas portion of North America, the largest lake is Nicaragua, about 200 miles in circumference. It is of such depth as to be navigable for the largest vessels. It communicates with Lake Leon, and its waters empty into the Carribbean Sea, by the River St. Juan: it is only twenty or thirty miles from the Pacific Ocean. The valley, in which is the city of Mexico, contains five lakes, of which Tetruca, which formerly flowed around the capital, is the largest. It is eighty square miles in extent, and is only remarkable on account of its situation, and saltness. All these lakes communicate with each other, and the superfluous water of the valley is discharged by the river Tula, at the harbour of Sampico. Lake Chapala, which lies west of these, is the largest in Mexico, thirty miles in length, and twenty in width. It communicates with the river St. Jago, which empties into the Pacific Ocean.

101. The only large river of the western declivity which has been fully described is the Columbia, which rises in the Chippewan Mountains. It has three principal branches, Clark's River, Lewis's River, and the Multnomah; the most northern of which rises near the sources of the Missouri, while the main stream rises near the head waters of Mackenzie's River: it empties into the Pacific, in the forty-sixth degree of north latitude, after a course of 1500 miles. The stream is remarkably large in proportion to its length. At the junction of Lewis's River, 400 miles from the sea, it is 960 yards wide, and below the head of tide-water, 159 miles from its mouth, it expands to four or five miles, and is capable of receiving vessels of considerable burthen. The greater part of its basin is considerably elevated above the ocean, and it is, therefore, precipitated over a series of ledges which obstruct its navigation, but add to the beauty of the scenery: the banks are generally productive, and the appearance of the country interesting. The Colorada, the principal remaining river of the western declivity, rises in the Mexican Cordellera, or Sierra Madre, and empties into the gulf of California after a course of 1000 miles. It has been too imperfectly examined to permit any correct description. On passing to the western side of the mountains, we find the Rio del Norte, which rises near the sources of the Arkansaw, about 300 miles north-west of Santa Fe. It is peculiarly an independent river, and pursues a course of 1500 to 2000 miles to the gulf of Mexico almost without receiving a single branch. The stream can be forded with great difficulty during the summer; but it is subject, like other

rivers of this region, to annual floods, which continue two or three months, and raise it far above the ordinary level. Its waters are remarkably turbid. The Colorado of Texas is the only considerable river before reaching the Sabine, which forms the western boundary of the United States for 250 miles from the gulf of Mexico to its source, and empties only a short distance from the mouth of the Mississippi.

102. INLAND NAVIGATION.-North America is penetrated by four great rivers, the Mississippi, the St. Lawrence, the Columbia and Mackenzie's River, by which navigation is extended to a great distance into the interior. The Mississippi and its branches, drain the great central basin which lies between the Allegany and Chippewan Mountains. On the Mississippi, the navigation for boats of considerable burthen extends to the Falls of St. Anthony. On the Missouri, which is the largest, and in fact the principal stream, it extends to the Gates of the Rocky Mountains. From the secondary character of the country, the numerous branches of these great rivers are generally navigable, and afford a passage from almost every part of the western states, and the vast regions at the base of the Rocky Mountains, to the Gulf of Mexico and the ocean, at least during the season of high water, from the spring to the middle of summer. The current of the principal streams is so rapid, that although their depth would admit vessels of considerable size, the navigation is chiefly by means of steam-boats. Even the ascent from the mouth of the Mississippi to New Orleans is so difficult that vessels are sometimes delayed thirty days.

103. The navigation of the Mississippi is attended with some danger, from the numerous trees fixed in its bed, which are called by the boatmen planters and sawyers, and are as fatal to the boats as reefs of rocks. Below Natchez these dangers are obviated by the depth of the water. Above this they become more and more numerous and difficult to pass; but the main channel, though intricate, affords depth of water in all stages sufficient for boats of five or six feet draft, to the mouth of the Ohio. From this point to the mouth of the Missouri, 220 miles, the navigation is obstructed by shoals at low water, which will not admit boats drawing more than three feet. Its current probably averages 3 miles an hour. The obstructions to the navigation of the Missouri resemble those in Mississippi but are much greater. This stream is rapid and turbulent. No part of it is exempt from rafts, bars, snags, or other obstructions, and the channel is very intricate. From March to July or August, it is raised by freshets to such a height as to admit boats of any burden; but during the remainder of the year, it can scarcely be called navigable, except for boats drawing two to two and a half feet of water. Its velocity in a middle stage of water is four miles and a half; in freshets five and a half per hour. It is usually blocked up with ice during the winter. 104. The Ohio is navigable for boats of considerable burden, from the middle of February to the latter part of June, and again a few weeks during the freshet in the autumn. The falls of Louisville can be passed by large boats, only in

the highest water. During low water, boats of small burden cannot pass some other rapids and shoals, and the river is fordable in many places.

105. The Arkansaw is the next branch to the Missouri in size. It has only short periods of flood, and will not admit boats of considerable burden. A part of its channel is sometimes dry. The Canadian, a branch of the Arkansaw, 1000 miles in length, leaves its channel dry a large part of the summer. The Red River is navigable most of the year to the Great Raft, a collection of timber which closes the passage, 300 miles from its mouth. The river St. Francis is blocked up at its mouth by rafts of logs and drift wood, which prevent the passage of boats entirely.

106. The branches of the Missouri are usually blocked up at their mouths after the freshets in July, until the next spring, with mud brought down by the Missouri. They are of course navigable only during the freshets. The Platte is a broad shallow stream, fordable in almost every part, and navigable only for canoes of skins.The Yellowstone is nearly as large as the branch which takes the name of the Missouri, and is navigable through the greater part of its course 107. The St. Lawrence is navigable nearly to Montreal, for vessels of 600 tons burthen, where it is obstructed by rapids. The boat navigation continues above them to Ogdensburg, whence sloops and large vessels may be navigated 170 miles, through Lake Ontario, to the River Niagara. At the falls is a portage of seven miles, after which there is a navigation of 231 miles through Lake Erie, for vessels of sixty or seventy tons. The navigation continues by the straits of Detroit twenty-eight miles; Lake St. Clair twenty miles; and the River St. Clair sixty miles, to Lakes Huron and Lake Michigan. Between Lakes Huron and Superior, are the rapids of St. Mary's Straits; along a part of which a canal has been formed by the British North West Fur Company, for the convenience of their traders.

108. The River St. Lawrence above Quebec, and a great part of the lakes are frozen over from the beginning of December till April; but an easy and rapid conveyance is afforded over the ice by means of sledges. The common route of the fur traders in their bark canoes, is from the Saint Lawrence, through the Ottawa or Gran River, and thence by a short passage to Lake Nipissing, and down the French River, into Lake Huron. This route is one-third shorter than through the great lake. From Lake Huron they proceed through the straits of Saint Mary, and Lake Superior, to the Grand Portage, nine miles in length, which brings them to the great northern chain of Lakes, beginning with the lake of the Woods, at the distance of 1100 miles, from the place of their departure.

109. Lake Champlain is a branch of the Saint Lawrence, emptying into it by the River Sorel, or Richelieu. Vessels of 150 tons may ascend twelve or fourteen miles; and boats to Chambly or St. John's. From this place there is a ship navigation of 160 miles on the lake, to the shores of Vermont and New York. The River St. Francis, one of whose branches rises in Lake St. Francis, and another in Lake Memphrema

gog, is also a channel of navigation to the St. Lawrence.

110. The Columbia River is from one to three miles wide in the lower part of its course. Vessels of 300 tons may ascend to the mouth of the Multomah, 125 miles; and sloops, to the head of the tide waters, sixty miles further. At the distance of 200 miles from the mouth, there are two rapids which require a short portage; but except these, the boat navigation is uninterrupted as far as the great falls, 260 miles from the sea. The numerous rivers on the eastern declivity of the Apalachian Chain, afford the advantages of a good inland navigation to most parts of the Atlantic states In all those streams which flow through the alluvial region, from the Mississippi to the Roanoke, the tide waters of the ocean terminate at some distance from the foot of the mountains, varying from 30 to 120 miles. From the Roanoke to the floods, they extend through the alluvial region to the base of the primitive hills; but in no rivers south of the Hudson do they pass beyond the alluvial region. As far as the tide flows the streams are generally navigable for sloops.

111. In passing from the hilly and primitive, to the flat and alluvial region, the streams are almost uniformly precipitated over ledges of rocks, by rapids which obstruct their navigation. Indeed the line of alluvion marks the line of navigation from the sea, which passes through Milledgeville on the Altamaha, Augusta on the Savannah, Columbia and Camden on the Santee, Richmond on the James, Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock, Georgetown on the Potomac, and Trenton on the Delaware. Above the rapids, navigation is performed entirely by boats propelled by oars or poles, or drawn up by ropes, or by means of the bushes growing on their banks.

112. The Savannah River is navigable for ships to Savannah, and for boats 350 miles to Augusta. The rivers of South Carolina are navigable nearly through the alluvial region, and there are some good harbours at their mouths; that of Charleston, which is formed by the Ashley and Cooper Rivers and the Santee Canal, with the Santee River.

113. The coast of North Carolina is lined with a range of low, sandy islands, enclosing a chain of sounds. Their entrances are generally obstructed by bars, and no vessels of considerable size can enter. But the streams are navigable for sloops, some distance into the interior. 114. The Chesapeake bay is of itself an inland sea of considerable size; and, with the numerous streams and inlets on its borders, forms an important channel to the ocean, for a large extent of country, covering the whole of Maryland and the eastern declivity of Virginia; and extending through the middle section of Pennsylvania, nearly to the small lakes of New York. The largest ships have access to its shores, and proceed to some distance, in several of its streams. Not far from the entrance of the bay are Hampton Roads, which is the first anchoring ground for vessels from the ocean. The James river is navigable for large ships to James town, and for sloops to Richmond. Canals are formed around

the falls at this place, and several obstructions above, which extend the boat navigation 227 miles above Richmond. The Potomac is navigable for ships of any burden to the navy yard at Washington; and this is the most inland point in the United States, to which the largest vessels have access. Above Washington, there are five falls on this stream, which are rendered passable by canals. A boat navigation is thus opened to its sources, which are connected with the waters of the Mississippi by the great Cumberland road. The Susquehannah is obstructed at its entrance into Chesapeake bay by a series of rapids, extending forty miles, to Columbia, which can scarcely be ascended by boats. Attempts have been made to remove these obstructions, at great expense; and a canal of one mile in length has been cut around the Conewago falls, twenty miles above Columbia. But the navigation of this river is still so difficult, that the trade is principally confined to the conveyance of timber in rafts, and of produce in large flat boats, termed arks, from the interior to the bay. Above the falls of Conewago, there are few obstructions in the Susquehannah to the boundaries of New York; and batteaux may ascend to its very sources.

115. The Delaware bay and river are navigable for the largest ships as far as Philadelphia; but the ascent is often much retarded by the current. Sloops ascend to the falls at Trenton; and boats of eight or ten tons, 100 miles farther, to Easton. By means of the Schuylkill and Lehigh, it affords inland navigation to a long though narrow section of country, comprising the eastern part of Pennsylvania, and the western part of New Jersey. A canal is now forming to connect the Schuylkill with the Susquehannah, and thus open a direct navigation from the basin of the Susquehannah to Philadelphia and the ocean. The Lehigh, one of its branches, has been rendered navigable for a part of its course, to open a conveyance from the extensive beds of coal upon its banks.

116. The Raritan river, in the northern part of New Jersey, is navigable for sloops to Brunswick, within twenty-eight miles of the head of sloop navigation on the Delaware; and the Passaick and the Hackinsack afford a short inland navigation. But the dry sandy region of New Jersey on the south, and the mountainous portion on the north, have no navigation except from their borders; and there are few harbours on the eastern coast.

117. The Hudson is the only river in the United States where the tide passes through the alluvial, primitive, and transition formations. It is navigable for ships to the city of Hudson, and sloops of considerable burden pass through all the formations, to the falls of the secondary country, above Troy, which is 165 miles from the ocean. This is the most distant point to which the tides flow, and sea-vessels can approach in a direct line, in the United States. At its mouth this river forms the harbour of New York, which is considered one of the finest in the world. The Northern Canal connects the Hudson with the borders of Lake Champlain and the St. Lawrence; and the Western Canal with the

upper lakes, and the rich secondary region which occupies the centre of the state. This river is thus made the grand artery of an inland naviga tion, by which the wealth of this tract of country will flow to the city of New York.

118. In the rivers of the United States, east of the Hudson, the tide extends only a small distance, and the navigation is obstructed by the falls and rapids which are common in primitive countries. The Connecticut river is navigable for vessels of considerable size, fifty miles to Hartford. Several canals and locks have been constructed on this river at South Hadley, Hanover, and some intermediate rapids, which extend the boat navigation to Averhill, in New Hampshire. In the eastern part of Connecticut, the Thames is navigable for sloops to Norwich, and forms the fine harbour of New London, at its mouth. Narraganset Bay, and the streams which empty into it, afford easy access from the ocean to every district of Rhode Island. A canal is contemplated, to extend from Providence into the interior of Massachusetts, to furnish an easy conveyance for fuel and produce to this flourishing seaport.

119. The Marimac of New Hampshire, is much obstructed by rapids; but its upper waters are connected with Boston Harbour by the Middlesex canal. The rivers of Maine are generally obstructed. The Penobscot, the St. Johns, and the western branch of the Kennebec, afford a boat navigation nearly to their sources. The heads of these rivers approach within no great distance of the waters of the St. Lawrence; and the portage from the head of the Kennebec to that of the Chaudiere River is only five miles. The basins of the river St. Lawrence, and the Mississippi, and the Atlantic declivity are so intimately connected, that it would not be difficult to unite them by an inland navigation; and much progress has been made in accomplishing this important object. The waters of the St. Lawrence, or the great lakes, have two natural communications with the branches of the Mississippi at particular seasons. The Fox river, which flows into the branch of Lake Michigan, called Green Bay, rises near the Quisconsin branch of the Mississippi, and afterwards flows within a mile and half of its channel, separated from it only by a short portage, over a prairie. During the season of high water, this river is easily navigable, and the intervening ground is overflowed, so that loaded boats may pass to the Ouisconsin, which affords a rapid but unobstructed navigation to the Mississippi. A short canal would render the communication permanent.

120. Another communication is stated to exist from the Chicago River, emptying into the southwestern corner of Lake Michigan, to the Illinois. It is passed by boats of fifty tons, engaged in the fur trade, and is open at all seasons, except

about three months. The Atlantic waters are

united with Lake Ontario, and the lower portion of the St. Lawrence, by the Northern Canal of New York, from Whitehall, on Lake Champlain, to Fort Edward, on the Hudson. It passes in part through the channels of small streams; and the navigation is extended around the ob

structions in the Hudson River, to Albany; It is the channel of considerable trade.

121. The most important canal in the United States, and the longest in the world, except the Imperial Canal of China, is the Grand Western Canal of New York. It passes from the Hudson River along the Mohawk, generally above its level, to Rome; and thence westward, across the head of the small lakes, and over the Genessee River, to lake Erie, at Buffalo, connecting the Atlantic with the great Anticasa above the falls of Niagara; in different parts, it rises about 526 feet, and contains in the whole, about eighty locks, with several considerable embankments and aqueducts. It was commenced in 1817, and in 1823 it was finished from Albany to Rochester. It is expected that the whole canal will be completed in 1826. The expense is estimated at about five millions of dollars. The canal will be the property of the state; and is likely to afford an immense revenue for public purposes. Since the commencement of this great work, an effort has been made by the people of Canada, to prevent the diversion of trade from Montreal, by cutting a canal along the northern shore of the falls of Niagara, and thus compete the chain of communication by the lakes. It is said that the project is ready for execution; and many of the preparations made for commencing the work.

122. Two routes have been proposed to connect the Atlantic and western waters, by means of the Grand cana. of New York. The most obvious is by a Canal from lake Erie to the branches of the Ohio, which will probably soon be overtaken by the state of Ohio. The other route is by a canal from lake Erie to lake Michigan, and another from Chicago river to the Illinois. The latter route is but little longer than the former; and the navigation would probably be less obstructed. It is also proposed to connect the Ohio with the Atlantic, by a card from the head waters of the Monongahela to those of the Potomac, which will pass under the precipal ridge of the Allegany, by a tunnel two mies in length. There is now a portage communica tion, by means of the Cumberland Road. The state of Virginia proposes another portage com munication, from the head waters of the James to those of the Great Kanhawa; and a third ba been proposed in Pennsylvania, from the weste branch of the Susquehannah to the Allegany river, and also to lake Erie.

123. Great facilities also exist for the establish ment of an inland navigation along the coast of the United States, from New Hampshire to Georgia. The Middlesex canal connects the Merrimac river above the falls, and the interior of New Hampshire, with the harbour of Boston. From this harbour and Massachusett's bay, a canal across the isthmus which unites cape Cod to the main, would form a communication through Narraganset bay, and Long Island Sound, to New-York. The Raritan river could be connected with the Delaware by a canal of twenty-eight miles, requiring only an elevation of thirty feet to the summit level. The Dela ware bay will soon be united with the Chesa