Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-08-26

7" LOPoTt tHelT opinion Ill detail DIS 10 Tue
present condition of its navigation; the
character of the obstruction which endan-
ger or impede its navigation; to what ex-
tent they can be removed; what would be
the effect of their removal in diminishing
the hazard to which it is exposed, and in.
creasing its expedition; what means
ought to be adopted for their removal
what sum would it be advisable to appro-
pirate annually to keep its navigation in a
safe and good condition, when once re-
moved; and, finally, what means ought to
be adopted to insure an efficient and eco
nomical expenditure of the money which
may be appropriated. Your committee
are further Of the opinion that it would be
advisable that the board should consist Of
three engineers, one military and two
civil; and that in the mean time, until they
can report, a moderate sum should be ap-
propriated to romove the more dangerous
distractions.
Having now finished the portion of their
report which relates to the improvement
of the navigation of the Mississippi, inclu-
ding its great tributaries, your committee
will next proceed to the consideration of
that portion of the memorial which relates
to the retaining, by entertainments, the
public lands, which, in consequence of
being subject to its foundations, are not fit
for cultivation.
The subject is one of no small impor-
lance. The Mississippi, like most of the
other great rivers, has formed by It's de-
posts, in the long course of years tract
of great extent and fertility IN its approach
to the ocean, and which is subject to in
by lis floods. There is no data
by which the extent of this tract can be
ascertained with any accuracy, but it is
estimated, from the best attainable data
by the proper departmet, to contain about
33,O75,OOO acres, or $3.50 square miles,
lying in the States of Louisiana, Missis-
sippi. Arkansas, Missouri, ard Illinois.
1t is believed by far the greater part
may be reclaimed by proper system of
embankment. 1t is more difficult to esti-
mate with any precision what portion of it
is still public land. They have not been
able to obtain any document that may be
relied on as approaching accuracy in that
respect, except in reference 10 the portion
of the tract lying in the State of Louisi-
ana. 1t appears by report Of the sur
Veyor general of that State, made in Oc-
tober, 1S45, that there is of overlooked
and swamp land in that State, 6,505,505
acres; of which there are subject to pri.
vate claims 799,763 acres; granted for
schools and other purposes, 37S,743; sold
prior to the Both September of that year,
1886, 45S; and unsold, or public lands,
5,692,836, making nearly three-quarters
of the whole. Assuming the same pro-
portion to remain unsold in the other States,
the aggregate amount still belonging to
the public would. be 24,850,000 acres.
AS fertile as this great body of land is.
by far the greater part is at present of lit
tie or no vnlue, in consequence of It's
swampy character and being subject TO IN
undation, and must remain so; alike an.
profitable to the public and individuals, SC
long as they may remain in their present
condition. But they must remain so until
reclaimed by entertainments. To meet the
expense of making them, the convention
recommends the grant of lands, or appro
priation of money by Congress.
Your committee are of the opinion thai
something ought to be done towards bring
ing this great body of fertile land into cul
tivation. While it remains in it's present
state, with one, and that the larger por
ton, held by the Union, another Chat gran
ted for schools and other purposes) by the
States, and a third by individuals, anC
these several portions not held in parcels
or bodies, separate and distinct from eacf
other, but ntermixed one with me other
nothing can we'll be done towards reclaim
ing them. Il would require the co-opera
ton of the parties interested, each in pro
portion to the extent of his interest, to &C
complish the object. To obtain such co
operation, and fix satisfactorily the amour
that each should contribute towards ma
king the necessary entertainments, woult
obviously be work of too much difficult,
and complication to be undertaken. Tn
only remedy is to diminish the number 0
the parties interested; and for that pur
pose, your committee are OF the opinion
that Congress ought to adopt measures t
dispose of its portion of these lands, wit
as little delay as a just regard 10 the pub
lie interests will permit. And to eHec
that, they are of The opinion the most ad
yisable course would be 30 reduce tn
price of the portion belonging to the pub
lie, gradually. say at the rate of one-fift
at intervals of four years, until it shall b
reduced to the rate of % cents an acre
and TO cede to the STATES in which the
may respectively lie all not sold at the eS
! piration of four years thereafter.
Your committee will next proceed TO cor
slider that portion of the memorial whic
relates to the communication by railroad