RESOURCES OF THE GREAT BASIN.
The resources of the great inland basin which we have been describing are, without exception, superior to any thing of the kind which the world can present,—in fact, so immeasurably superior that no comparison can be made even with the most favored mineral region yet known to science or the world.
Of the 1,500,000 square miles within this immense basin, drained by the waters of the Mississippi, the Alabama, and the Rio Grande, there is scarcely a mile that is not available as agricultural or mineral land. Within the basin the greatest portion of the coal-fields presents a rich and productive soil, and the margins of the basin, terminating on the lime stones or the gneissic mineral rocks, not only present the richest beds of iron, copper, and lead, but also a surface generally susceptible of cultivation and much of it extremely productive.
The form of this great basin is also eminently available to the industrial pursuits and economic uses of society. The rivers tend to one common centre, and their descent is so uniform and gradual that most of them can be navigated almost to their sources, while their banks present ready grades for our great railroad-lines.
The entire area thus drained is capable of supporting a population as dense as that of England, with more ease and equal wealth; or the great Mississippi basin is fully capable of supporting one-half the population of the earth in wealth and luxury. It may be many years, perhaps centuries, before 500,000,000 inhabitants shall crowd this vast and rich arena. But there is no limit that we can now place to the increase of our population; nor can we say that the time will not come when even the number.we have specified shall find free homes in the magnificent plains beyond the Alle ghanies.
Our coal-fields then will fulfil the uses designed by Providence, and our mountains of iron will be reduced to implements of industry and trade, and all may conduce to the prosperity and happiness of a nation having no rival or counterpart, where the people are only accountable for their own welfare and peace, and where the blessings of Heaven may be enjoyed "under our own vine and our own fig-tree, and none to make us afraid."