Page:A Topographical Description of the State of Ohio, Indiana Territory, and Louisiana.djvu/95

87 two story, and in a handsome style. The houses generally are commodiously constructed for the transacting business, and the free admission of air in the hot season. The prospect from the city is delightful; commanding an extensive view of the river in both directions. There are two printing offices, issuing weekly papers; a post office, receiving a mail once a week; several mercantile houses, and a large number of smaller stores and shops. Great quantities of cotton, indigo, tobacco, and other commodities, are annually shipped from this city, where the accumulation of wealth is pursued with industry and ardour. It is a port of entry, and ships of four hundred tons can come up from Orleans, which is about three hundred miles, without any other obstruction than the strength of the current.

The land in the district of Natchez is generally rich and very productive. It is elevated ground, extending about one hundred and thirty miles on the Mississippi, and from twenty to thirty miles back from the river. Some parts of it are broken, by hills, which favours the raising of horses, neat cattle, sheep, and swine. In the woods and swamps they get their living during the winter. The wool of the sheep is not so good, being more hairy than in the country further north. Frequent changes in the state of the weather are experienced in the winter, but is rarely excessive hot in the summer.