the
whole. Whatever nation, therefore, chances to possess this
place, possesses in reality the command of a greater extent of
country than is included within the boundary-line of the whole
United States since from every direction are goods, the produce
of East, West, North, and South America, sent down by the
Mississippi to the Gulf. But were New Orleans properly supplied
with fortifications, it is evident that no vessels could pass
without the leave of its governor; and therefore is it that I
consider that city as of greater importance to the American
government than any other within the compass of their
territories.

Having said so much on its commercial advantages, let me now
point out more distinctly than I have yet done the causes which
contribute to its safety from all hostile attempts. The first of
these is the shallowness of the river at its mouth, and the
extreme rapidity of the current. After flowing on in one
prodigious sheet of water, varying in depth from one hundred to
thirty fathoms, the Mississippi, previous to its joining the
Mexican Gulf, divides into four or five mouths, the most
considerable of which is encumbered by a sandbank continually
liable to shift. Over this bank no vessel drawing above
seventeen feet water can pass; when once across, however, there
is no longer a difficulty in being floated; but to anchor is
hazardous, on account of the huge logs which are constantly
carried down the stream. Should one of these strike the bow of
the ship, it would probably dash her to pieces; whilst,
independent of this, there is always danger of drifting or losing
anchors, owing to the number of sunken logs which the under-current
bears along within a few feet of the bottom. All vessels
ascending the river are accordingly obliged, if the wind be foul,
to make fast to the trees upon the banks; because without a
breeze at once fair and powerful, it is impossible to stem the
torrent.

But besides this natural obstacle to invasion, the mouth of the
river is defended by a fort, which from its situation may be
pronounced impregnable. It is built upon an artificial causeway,
and is surrounded on all sides by swamps totally impervious,
which extend on both sides of the river to a place called the
Detour des Anglais, within twenty miles of the city. Here two
other forts are erected, one on each bank. Like that at the
river's mouth, these are surrounded by a marsh, a single narrow
path conducting fro