the Coosa is interrupted by falls at the distance of 7 miles fromits mouth. The principal tributary of the Alabama is the Cahawba, which joins it at the town of Cahawba, 160 miles below the forks of the Coosa and Tallapoosa.

The Tombigbee rises in the N. W. part of the state, and flowing in a southerly direction, near the western boundary, for about 450 miles, joins the Alabama to form the Mobile. It is navigable for boats to the mouth of the Tuscaloosa, its principal tributary. The Tuscaloosa or Black Warrior is navigable for boats to the falls, situated near lat. 33° 15′ N.

Bay.] Mobile bay, at the mouth of Mobile river, is 30 miles long, and on an average 12 broad. It communicates with the gulf of Mexico, by two straits, one on each side of Dauphin island, which lies at its mouth. The strait on the west side will not admit the passage of vessels drawing more than 5 feet of water; that on the east side, between the island and Mobile point, has 18 feet of water, and the channel passes within a few yards of the point. There is a bar which runs across the bay near its upper end, over which there is only 11 feet of water.

Face of the Country, Soil and Productions:] A ridge of highlands divides the waters which fall into the Tennessee on the north from those which flow into the gulf of Mexico on the south. North of this ridge is a limestone region; south of it the whole country is alluvial. The soil is generally fertile, particularly on the banks of the rivers. The country bordering on Tennessee river, for the space of 100 miles east and west, and 40 from north to south, is regarded by some as the garden of North America. Thousands of emigrants from the neighboring states have resorted hither within a few years. Madison county, which lies in this region, 7 or 8 years ago was a mere wilderness. In 1820 it contained more than 17,000 inhabitants, and produced 15,000 bales of cotton or 4,500,000 pounds. Cotton is the staple production of the state, and the great article of export.

Chief Towns.] Mobile is on the western channel of Mobile river, near its entrance into Mobile bay, 33 miles north of Mobile point. It is built on a high bank, in a dry and commanding situation, but the approach to the town for vessels drawing more than 8 feet of water is difficult and circuitous. It formerly belonged to the Spaniards, but came into the possession of the United States in 1913, since which it has rapidly increased in population, and an attempt has been made to make it the depot for the produce of the rich and extensive country on the Tombigbee and Alabama rivers. There is, however, a vigorous rivalry between this place and Blakely.

Blakely is a new town, laid out in 1813, on the Tensaw or eastern outlet of Mobile river, 6 miles from its mouth, and 10 E. N. E. of Mobile. It has in some points a decided superiority over Mobile as an emporium for the commerce of the state. The same wind that enables a vessel to enter Mobile bay will carry her to the wharves of Blakely, which is not the case with Mobile. Another advantage is an open road to the rapidly improving

country on Alabama river. Vessels drawing 12 feet of water can enter the port at full tide.

St. Stephens is on the west side of Tomoighee river, 80 miles by land above Mobile. The river is navigable to this place for vessels drawing 4 feet of water. Cahawba, the seat of government, is situated at the junction of Cahawba river with the Alabama, 77 miles N. E. of St. Stephens. It was laid out in 1818. Eagleville is a French settlement, situated near the junction of the Black Warrior with the Tombigbee.

Huntsville, the capital of Madison county, is situated near the head waters of Indian creek, 10 miles N. of Tennessee river. It is regularly laid out, and contains 150 dwelling houses, a court house, a bank, 2 printing offices, and 2 houses for public worship. Most of the cotton which is raised in Madison county is purchased bere, and sent in wagons to Tennessee river, where it is shipped for New Orleans.

Forts.] Fort Claiborne is on the east side of Alabama river, at the head of schooner navigation, 60 miles above its junction with the Tombigbee, and 25 E. of St. Stephens. Fort Jackson is between Coosa and Tallapoosa rivers, about 3 miles above their junction. Fort Stoddart is on the west side of Mobile river, 44 miles from its mouth, at the head of sloop navigation.

Population.] Alabama has been but recently settled, and the population has increased with astonishing rapidity. In 1810, there were less than 10,000 inhabitants; in 1816, 29,683; in 1818, 70,594, and in 1820, 127,901, of whom 41,879 were slaves. The settlements at present are principally confined to the banks of the great rivers. The counties on the Tennessee contain more than one third of the whole population.

Indians.] The Indians formerly occupied the whole state, but their title has been almost extinguished by the government of the United States. The Cherokees, however, still own a large section in the N. E. part of the state; the Creeks occupy the country between Coosa river and the 'eastern boundary; and the Choctaws inhabit a considerable tract between the Tombigbee and the western boundary.

History.] Alabama and Mississippi formed a part of Georgia, till 1800, when they were separated from it, and established by act of Congress as a separate government, under the name of the Mississippi Territory. In 1817 Alabama was separated from Mississippi and became a territorial government, and on the 3d' of March, 1819, was admitted into the Union as an independent state.

Education, Roads and Canals.] In the act of Congress admitting Alabama into the Union, two townships of land were granted to the state, for the support of a college; and one section, or thirty-sixth part, of every township, was given for the support of schools. Five per cent. of the net proceeds arising from the sale of the public lands within the state, were also appropriated to making roads and canals for the benefit of the state.

MISSISSIPPI.

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Situation and Extent.] Mississippi is bounded N. by Tennessee; E. by Alabama; S. by the gulf of Mexico and Louisiana W. by Louisiana and Arkansas territory. The boundary runs as follows: Beginning on the Mississippi river, at the point where the southern boundary line of the state of Tennessee strikes the same; thence east, along the said boundary line to the Tennessee river; thence, up the same, to the mouth of Bear creek; thence, by a direct line, in a southerly direction, to the N. W. corner of the county of Washington; thence, due south, to the gulf of Mexico; thence, westwardly, including all islands within six leagues of the shore, to the most eastern mouth of Pearl river; thence, up said river, to the parallel of 31° N. lat.; thence, west, along said parallel to the Mississippi river; thence, up the same, to the place of beginning. It extends from lat. 30° 10' to 35° N. and from lon. 88° 10' to 91° 35′ W. The area is estimated at 45,000 square miles.

Divisions.] About one half of the territory of this state, embracing the northern and north-eastern parts, is in the possession of the Chickasaw and Choctaw Indians. The part of the state belonging to the whites is divided into 17 counties.

Rivers.] The Mississippi forms the western boundary from lat. 31° to lat. 35° N. Its principal tributaries are, 1. The Yazoo, which rises near the northern boundary of the state, and pursuing a S. W. course, runs into the Mississippi, 12 miles above the Walnut hills and 100 above Natchez. It is navigable 100 miles. 2. Big Black river, which empties itself 50 miles above Natchez, after a S. W. course of 170 miles, for 70 of which it is navigable. 3. The Homochitto, which joins the Mississippi a little above Fort Adams, after a S. W. course of 70 miles. For about 15 miles from its mouth, the banks of the Homochilto are annually overflowed. 4. Buffalo river, which falls into the Mississippi at Loftus' heights, 2 miles above Fort Adams.

The principal rivers in the southern part of the state, are, 1. The Amite, which rises in the county of the same name, and pursues a southerly course into the state of Louisiana, 2. Pearl

river, which rises near lat. 33° N. and pursuing a southerly course, discharges itself through several mouths into the Rigolets, or channel of communication between lake Pontchartrain and lake Borgne. Below lat. 31° it forms the boundary between Mississippi and Louisiana. 3. The Pascagoula or Chickisawhay river, which. runs into a bay of the gulf of Mexico, 38 miles west of Mobile It is navigable for vesbay, after a southerly course of 200 miles. sels drawing 6 feet of water 50 miles, and for boats, 100 miles farther, but the bay at its mouth is too shallow to admit vessels drawing more than 4 feet of water.

Face of the Country, Soil and Productions.] The southern part of the state, for about 100 miles from the gulf of Mexico, is mostly a flat country, with occasional bills of moderate elevation, and is. covered with forests of the long leaved pine, interspersed with cypress swamps, open prairies and inundated marshes. As you proceed farther north, the country becomes more elevated and agreeably diversified, and the soil is a deep, rich mould. The Indian country is very fertile. On the Mississippi, between the mouth of the Yazoo and the southern boundary of the state, there are extensive bottom lands, occupying a surface of about 600 From these low lands square miles, liable to annual inundation. the country rises into hills, and for 10 or 15 miles towards the interior, presents a warm and waving soil, generally composed of rich loam, and admirably adapted to the cultivation of cotton. The price of land is very high in this part of the state, and immense profits have been realized by the cotton planters. The sugar cane is sometimes planted as high up as Natchez, but not with the same success as is experienced farther south. Tobacco and indigo were formerly extensively cultivated, but since the introduction of cotton, they have been almost abandoned. The flour and grain used in the settlements on the Mississippi are principally brought from Kentucky.

Climate.] The climate is temperate, and in the elevated parts of the state, generally healthy. The bay of St. Louis on the southern border, is esteemed one of the most salubrious places in that climate, and is the retreat of many of the citizens of NewOrleans during the sickly season.

Chief Towns.] The city of Natchez is in Adams county, on the E. bank of Mississippi river, more than 300 miles above NewOrleans by the course of the river, and 166 by land. The greater part of the town stands on a bluff, upwards of 150 feet above the surface of the river. Business is transacted principally at the bottom of the bluff, on the margin of the river, where there is a convenient landing place. The country around Natchez consists of excellent cotton lands, and is laid out in extensive plantations. The income of many of the planters is from 5,000 to The town contains a court house, a 30,000 dollars per annum. bank, with a capital of 3,000,000 dollars, and 2 houses of public worship, 1 for Roman Catholics and 1 for Presbyterians. Population, in 1820, 2,184.

Monticello, the capital of the state, is a new town, in Lawrence county, on Pearl river, 90 miles E. of Natchez. Washington is

a flourishing town, 6 miles E. of Natchez. Shieldsborough, in Hancock county, on the bay of St. Louis, 40 miles N. E. of NewOrleans, is a pleasant and healthy settlement, and is much resorted to by the citizens of New-Orleans during the hot months.

Population.] The population in 1810, was 31,306; in 1816, 44,208; and in 1820, 75,448, of whom 32,814 were slaves. More than half the population is in the counties bordering upon the Mississippi, between the mouth of the Yazoo and the southern boundary, on a territory of about 2,500 square miles.

Indians.] The country of the Choctaws lies principally in this state, but partly in Alabama. It extends from the Tombigbee to Mississippi river, and is watered by the Yazoo, Big Black and Pearl rivers, in the upper part of their course. The number

of the Choctaws is estimated at 20,000. Within a few years they have made great advances in civilization. They raise corn, cotton and a great many cattle, and often appear clad in garments of their own manufacture.

In 1818 the American Board of Commissioners established a mission among these Indians, which has been prospered beyond the most sanguine expectations. The primary seat of the mission is at Elliot, on the Yalo Basha creek, about 30 miles above its junction with the Yazoo, and 275 by water from Natchez; but another establishment, called Mayhew, has been recently made on Ook-tib-be-ha creek, 12 miles above its junction with the Tombigbee. School houses have been established at various other places. The Choctaws have from the beginning manifested the most friendly dispositions towards the mission; and have recently proved their sincerity by unequivocal evidence. At a treaty, held in 1816, they sold a portion of their country to the United States, for which they are to receive $6,000 annually, in cash, for 17 years. The whole of this sum they have voted to appropriate to the support of schools, under the direction of the American Board. The government of the United States has also extended its patronage to the mission. The expenses of erecting a school house and dwelling house, at each of the establishments, have been defrayed from the National treasury, and $1,000 a year has been allowed to the establishment at Elliot.

The

Government.] Mississippi was admitted into the Union as an independent state in 1817. The legislative power is vested in a general assembly, consisting of a senate and house of representatives. The representatives are chosen annually, and cannot be less than 24 Hor more than one hundred in number. senators are chosen for three years, and their number cannot be less than one fourth nor more than one third of the house of representatives. The executive power is vested in a governor, who is chosen by the people for two years.

Education.] Jefferson college, in Washington, near Natchez, was incorporated in 1802, and an edifice, 170 feet by 40, has been erected for the accommodation of students. Another college was established at Shieldsborough, in 1818.