Below the Ohio, the chief branches of the Mississippi are, the Arkansas, and the Red River, each Of which add about 1000 miles of navigation. They rise in the mountains of New Mexico, and pass through the graz ing country, which hitherto has been scarcely explored.
As the foregoing brief notice of the inland navigation of the Mississippi) and other waters of the United States, _ _ _ .
gives but a very partial view of the subject ; the follow ing is now subjoined..
The most south-western sue= of the United States is that of the Sabine. This river has its source in the province of Texas, North Lat. 32° 30'. It flows in a general course nearly south, but curves to the eastward about mid-distance between its source and mouth. At North Lat. 30° it expands into a large lake, of 30 miles in length, and from 5 to 8 wide ; which at its lower ex tremity again contracts into a river, and discharges into the gulf of INIexico, at North Lat. 29° 28' West Long. from Washington city, 16° 45'.
The Sabine aflbids no navigation of consequence, having only 3 feet water on the bar at its mouth : the Sabine lake is also shallow, not having more than 4 or 5.
The Calcassiu is the next stream east of the Sabine. The former rises in the angle between the latter and Red river ; flows nearly south about 120 miles, and falls into the gulf of Mexico, 30 miles east of the mouth of the Sabine. The Calcassiu, similar to the Sabine, expands into a lake, and again contracts into a river channel, be fore its final discharge. The former is also similar to the latter in its navigation, being impeded by a bar, and by the shallowness of its large lake. The mouth of the Calcassiu river is at North Lat. 29° 20'.
Following the coast of the gulf of Mexico, 12 miles east from the discharge of the Calcassiu, is found the en trance of the Mermentau. This latter stream is formed by a number of branches, having their sources in the prairies of Opelousas. The general course of the Mer mentau is frum north-east to south-west about 100 miles. It is remarkable as possessing similar features to the Cal cassiu and Sabine rivers, and similar also in a defective navigation, arising from a bar at the entrance, and by the shallowness of its larg-e lake, neither affording more than 3 or 4 feet water.
An interval of near 60 miles stretches east of the mouth of the NIermentau to that of the Vermilion, a fine but small stieam, rising in Opelousas, but flowing through Attacapas into the gulf of Mexico, after an entire course of about 80 miles. The lands along the
Vermillion river are of the first quality, producing cot ton, and towards the mouth some plantations of sugar cane have been successfully attempted ; but vessels draw ing more than 5 feet water cannot enter. The Vermil lion enters the gulf of Mexico at North Lat. 29° 45'.
The united streams of Atchafalaya, Teche, and Cour tableau, form a river of much greater importance and magnitude than any other in the United States, west of the Mississippi.
The Atchafalaya is the upper mouth of the Missis sippi, and leaves the latter at North Lat. SI°, and West Long. from Washington city 14° 47', by a stream 110 yards wide ; its course is a little east of south, and by its windings 48 miles to where it receives the Courta bleau from the north-west. Below the Courtableau, the Atchafalaya flows 80 miles, and is again augmented by the Teche, also nom the nol th-west. After receiving the Teche the Atchafalaya flows 20 miles, where it is lost in a large bay, known by the same name. The Atcha falaya bay is about 23 miles long, and 13 miles wide. It is enclosed on the south west by two lor.g narrow points of land, Point Chevreuil. and Point au Fel.. Between those two points extends a bar, over which there is 9 feet water, and within the bay a:,d river sufficient depth to permit the passage of any vessel to the mouth of the Teche, which can pass the bar. The mouth of Atcha falaya is at North Lat. 29' 21' ; West Long. from Washington city, 14° 22'.
The Techc rises in Opelousas, and flowing 30 miles, enters Attacapas, where it receives a creek from the west, and assumes the form of a river. After entering Atta capas, the Teche continues, by a very winding course of 80 miles, a little east of south, to New Iberia, North Lat. 30° 2'. The town of New Iberia stands upon the right bank of the Teche, at the head of schooner or sloop na vigation. Vessels, however, drawing five feet water, can ascend to this place at all seasons. The Teche, be low New Iberia, gradually widens from about 20 to 100 yards, and deepens from 5 to 30 or 40 fcet. Its stream now turns to E.S.E. and continues 90 miles, where it mingles its waters with the Atchafalaya.