Page:Notes on the State of Virginia (1802).djvu/26

16 Miſſiſippi. Its current is moderate. It is navigable for loaded boats of any burthen to the Muſcle ſhoals, where the river paſſes through the Cumberland mountain. Theſe ſhoals are 6 or 8 miles long, paſſable downwards for loaded canoes, but not upwards, unleſs there be a ſwell in the river. Above theſe the navigation for loaded canoes and batteaux continues to the Long iſland. This river has its inundations alſo. Above the Chickamogga towns is a whirlpool called the Sucking-pot, which takes in trunks of trees or boats, and throws them out again half a mile below. It is avoided by keeping very cloſe to the bank, on the ſouth ſide. There are but a few miles portage between a branch of this river and the navigable waters of the river Mobile, which runs into the Gulph of Mexico.

Cumberland, or Shawanee River, interſects the boundary between Virginia and North Carolina, 67 miles from the Miſſiſippi, and again 198 miles from the ſame river, a little above the entrance of of Obey's River into the Cumberland. Its clear fork croſſes the ſame boundary about 300 miles from the Miſſiſippi. Cumberland is a very gentle ſtream, navigable for loaded batteaux 800 miles, without interruption; then intervene ſome rapids of 15 miles in length, after which it is again navigable 70 miles upwards, which brings you within 10 miles of the Cumberland mountains. It is about 120 yards wide through its whole courſe, from the head of its navigation to its mouth.

The Wabaſh is a very beautiful river, 400 yards wide at the mouth, and 300 at St. Vincennes, which is a poſt 100 miles above the mouth, in a direct line. Within this ſpace there are two ſmall