ocean; a supposition which, as already observed, is corroborated by a variety of circumstances.

The large bones of the mammoth, a name given to an unknown animal, which must have been of an enormous size, may be numbered among the greatest natural curiosities of North America. The teeth, like those of the elephant, are of ivory; but from their form, the animal appears to have been carnivorous. The bones of the mammoth evidently prove this enormous animal to have been five or six times as large as the elephant, These bones are found only at the salt licks or springs, near the Ohio. Some few scattered teeth have been met with in other parts; but they appear to have been carried from this deposit by the Indians. The causes of the extirpation of this wonderful animal, and the period when it happen. ed, are equally unknown. The Indians have various traditions on the subject, which have descended through successive generations; but as they are wholly absurd, this curious. article of natural history appears unlikely to be ever eluci dated.

Antiquities, &c.]-The historian and the antiquary will not expect to find any ancient monuments in America. In this quarter of the world all is recent, nothing excites recollection, nor recalls to the mind the remembrance of great events. The countries however, on the banks of the Ohio present some remains of an obscure antiquity, which have excited the admiration of the curious, and afforded abundant matter of speculation. These are a number of ancient forts, mostly of an oblong form, situated on strong and well chosen ground, and contiguous to water. At what period, by whom, or for what purpose these forts were erected, is totally unknown. They appear, however, to be of very considerable antiquity, as there is not the least visible difference between the age and size of the timber growing on and within these fortifications, and of that which is seen in the vicinity, and the oldest natives have lost all traditions concerning those ancient monuments. The ingenious Dr. Cutler, who has accurately examined these trees, which he supposes, from various appearances, to be of * [Morse, p. 140.]

the second growth, conjectures that the forts must have been the efforts of a people much more devoted to labour than the present race of native Americans; and Mr. Morse says, "It is difficult to conceive how they could be constructed without the use of iron tools;" but he ought to have considered that the Mexicans and the Peruvians, without the use of iron, erected edifices superior to the forts in question. These two North American curiosities, the forts in the Ohio territory, and the bones of the mammoth in the same region, must for ever remain, the former a historical, the latter a physical mystery.d

[IF" it was difficult to conceive how the forts, &c. on the Ohio, could be constructed without iron tools;" it can only be more difficult to conceive how the Mexicans and Peruvians, without the use of iron, erected. edifices (if such was the fact) superior to the forts in question!! AM. ED]

d[Perhaps not. Farther researches and discoveries may explain these "historical and physical mysteries." Some late discoveries encourage a hope, that this may be the case. In Tennessee, as well as on the banks of the Ohio, these ancient and curious monuments are found. Vestiges remain of ancient dwellings, towns, and fortifications, with mounts, barrows, utensils, and images, wherever the soil is of a prime quality and convenient to water, throughout the country. The growth of forests over these relics demonstrates, that the country was evacuated, at least 500 years ago, and probably nearer a thousand

Two bodies of these ancient people, who are supposed to have migrated to the south, were discovered in the autumn of 1810, in Warren county, Tennessee, one of a man, the other of a child about four years old. They were four feet below the surface, in a situation perfectly dry, the earth being a mixture of copperas, allum, sulphur, nitre, &c. Their skin was preserved, though its original complexion could not be ascer tained; and their hair, which was auburn. The child was deposited in a basket, well wrought of smooth splits of the reed; (arundo gigantica,) and several singular species of cloths, as well as deer skins, dressed and undressed, were wrapped round and deposited with them, also two fea. ther fans and a curious belt. A few more discoveries of this kind, may unravel this "historical and physical mystery." AM. ED.]

ཐ ག །

CHAP. II.

IN

Principal Cities and Towns.....Edifices....Islands.

IN a view of the American cities, it is reasonable to assign the first place to Washington, the new metropolis of the. Anglo-American empire, although it has not yet attained to the population and opulence of Philadelphia and some other capitals of particular states. The town of Washington being ceded by the states of Virginia and Maryland to the United States, was fixed on, to be, after the commencement of the nineteenth century, the seat of the federal government, An accurate description of the plan has been given by Morse; and although it has been transcribed by recent geographers, I shall venture to go over the same ground. The rising metropolis of the Anglo-American empire is a subject of sufficient importance in a work of this kind to be admitted as an apology.* "This city, which is now building, stands at the junction of the rivers Potowmak and the castern branch, latitude 38°, 53′ north,† extending four miles up each; and including a tract of territory exceeded, in point of convenience, salubrity, and beauty, by none in America; for although the land in general appears level, yet, by gentle and gradual swellings a variety of elegant prospects are produced, and a sufficient descent formed for conveying off the water occasioned by rain. Within the limits of the city are a great number of excellent springs, and by digging wells, water of the best quality may readily be had. Besides, the never failing streams that now run through that territory, may also be collected for the use of the city. The wa

This description from Morse, although already transcribed by Pinkerton, could not, consistently with the present plan be omitted. Without a description of the American capital the work would be incomplete. Nearly in the parallel of Athens and Lisbon.

vers of Reedy branch and of Tiber creek may be conveyed to the president's house. The source of Tiber creek is elevated about 236 feet above the level of the tide in the said creek. The perpendicular height of the ground on which the capitol is to stand is seventy-eight feet above the level of the tide in the Tiber creek. The water of Tiber creek may therefore be conveyed to the capitol; and, after watering that part of the city, may be destined to other useful purposes. The eastern branch is one of the safest and most commodious harbours in America, being sufficiently deep for the largest ships for about four miles above its mouth, while the channel lies close along the bank adjoining the city, and affords a large and convenient harbour. The Potowmak, although only navigable for small craft for a considerable distance from its banks next to the city, excepting about half a mile above the junction of the rivers, will nevertheless afford a capacious summer harbour, as an immense number of ships may ride in the great channel opposite to, and below the city.

The situation of this metropolis is upon the great post road, equi-distant from the northern and southern extremities of the union, and nearly so from the Atlantic and Pittsburg, upon the best navigation, and in the midst of a commercial territory, probably the richest, and commanding the most extensive internal resources of any in America. It has therefore many advantages to recommend it as an eligible place for the per manent seat of the general government; and as it is likely to be speedily built, and otherwise improved by the public spirited enterprise of the people of the United States, and even by forcigners, it may be expected to grow up with a degree of rapidity hitherto unparalleled in the annals of cities.

The plan of this city appears to contain some important improvements upon that of the best planned cities in the world, combining, in a remarkable degree, convenience, regularity, elegance of prospect, and a free circulation of air. The positions for the different public edifices, and for the several squares and areas of different shapes, as they are laid down, were first determined on the most advantageous ground, commanding the most extensive prospects; and, from their situation, susceptible of such improvements as either use or orna

ment may hereafter require. The capitol will be situated on a most beautiful eminence, commanding a complete view of every part of the city, and of a considerable part of the coun try around. The president's house will stand on a rising ground, possessing a delightful water prospect, together with a commanding view of the capitol, and the most material parts. Lines, or avenues of direct communication have been devised to connect the most distant and important objects. These transverse avenues, or diagonal streets, are laid out on the most advantageous ground for prospect and convenience; and are calculated not only to produce a variety of charming prospects, but greatly to facilitate the communication throughout the city. North and south lines, intersected by others running due east and west, make the distribution of the city into streets, squares, &c. and those lines have been so combined as to meet at certain given points with the digergent avenues, so as to form on the spaces first determined the different squares or areas. The grand avenues, and such streets as lead imme diately to public places, are from 130 to 160 feet wide, and may be conveniently divided into foot-ways, a walk planted with trees on each side, and a paved way for carriages. The other streets are from 90 to 110 feet wide.

In order to execute this plan, Mr. Ellicot drew a true meridional line, by cœlestial observation, which passes through the area intended for the capitol. This line he crossed by another running due east and west, which passes through the same area. These lines were accurately measured, and made the basis on which the whole plan was executed. He ran all the lines by a transit instrument, and determined the acute angles by actual measurement, leaving nothing to the uncertainty of the compass."* In the situation of the American metropolis, a variety of circumstances combine to facilitate the construction of a large and elegant city. The banks of the Potowmak present inexhaustible quarries of excellent free stone and slate; paving-stone and lime-stone are also found at no great distance. It does not seem, however, that the increase of buildings and population at Washington corresponds with the expectations that had been formed, or that

* Morse's Amer. Geog. p. 468, 469, 470.