MISSOURI is one of the largest states in the Union, covering an area of 69,100 square miles; some compute it as high as 70,000. It extends from 36° to 40° 30′ north latitude, and from 11° 45' to 17° 30' west longitude. To form some idea of its extent, we have only to reflect that the Mississippi washes five hundred miles of its eastern boundary, while the Missouri runs more than five hundred miles along its western border, and through its centre. It is bounded north by Iowa, south by

Arkansas, and west by Indian territory. The banks of each of these rivers are dotted all along with towns, rapidly growing into importance by the commerce of its waters. Besides these great highways of trade, there are the Osage, Gasconade, and Grand rivers, navigable for one or two hundred miles within its borders. The great prairie, which extends over Indiana and Illinois, stretches through Missouri on to the Rocky mountains, interspersed, in this state, with heavy bodies of timber along its numerous water-courses. The soil, climate, and productions, are

like those of most of the western states.

Generally, where the country is too rough and barren to be cultivated, there are inexhaustible mines of lead, copper, and iron. In connexion with these mineral ores, there are vast beds of coal, the great moving power of the world, the indisputable index of approaching greatness. It is worthy of remark, that within a few miles of the eastern border of Missouri is the first place west of Wheeling where this article is found in large bodies. All along the Missouri, on both sides, it is found in abundance.