Washington telegraph., 1846-03-18

NAVIGATION OF RED RIvER--RACCoUR
CT CUT-oFF.-The New Orleans Bulletin
says the following communication from the
late engineer was presented TO the Senate
few days since:
In reply TO the resolution OF your honora.
bic body requiring the opinion of the State
Engineer upon the probable effects of the
CONTEMPLATED 'Raccourci Cutoff" the un.
dersigned would refer to his annual report
as covering the whole subject, except so far
as il relates TO the navigation of the Red
River.
The effect of the Raccourci Cut off upon
the navigation of the Red River. either for
good or for evil, will be only temporary.
Whilst on the one hand the immediate
tendency of the Cut. off will be TO increase
the velocity with which the waters of Red
River are discharged into the Mississippi
river; on the other, it will in the same ratio
reduce the level of the water at the mouth
of the Red River. These two effects be-
ing opposite, although proceeding from the
same cause, will either partially or COM
pletely neutralize each other. Furthermore.
both will be only temporary. Uses Annual
Report.) The inference then is. that we
cannot expect any permanent Improvement
TO the navigation of The Red river from
the Raccourci Cut off. Shreve's Cutoff
has ruined The navigation of the Red River.
Ii not prevented, the whole waters of the
Red River will, sooner or later, find their
way down the Atcha!alaya. Of this there
is no doubt. The Red River and the At
chaialaya were once, one and the same river;
the former has tendency to return 10 its
original channel. The only remedy is to
close completely or partially the mouth of
the Red River, and give ii an opening
through Trask's Cutoff. 1t is suggested
thit resolution be passed, authorizing the
State Engineer TO make a special survey
to ascertain the practica5ility, cost and pro-
bable ultimate effects of either of the above
measures. An appropriation to deiray the
expenses of the survey should accompany
the resolution.
The subject permits a digression: An
officer of the Army of the United States
has, for several years, had charge OF the
Red River and its Improvements. The un.
dersigned did not consider that he could with
proprIety make surveys or interfere in any
manner with The plans of the General Gov
ernment. unless positively ordered by the
Legislature.
Many surveys are ordered, and no ap.
preparation made to deiray expenses. An
accurate survey in.olvrs more of less cx-
pense, ami req iires. of course, time and ia.
Dor. The regu.as finI ioe the Enginecr
Department is barely suiicien: TO delray the
necessary expenses OF The service. Moth
ing is leli for special surveys. 1t will yet
require some considerable time to finish ac.
curaiely, and make maps of all the surveys
ordered.
The undersigned will again on this &C.
casion suggest the absolute necessity of call
ing Immediately upon Congress for large
appropriation i,r the Red River, and to urge
the adoption OF a system of Improvements,
continins at frs the operations to the mouth
of the river-a work which should be ac.
complished previous to tie removal of the
raft above. The first effect )l the complete
removal OF the ''Grtat Raft" will be TO
flood al the lands AMI plantations on the
lower section OF this river.
The State of Louisiana cannot, nor is it
right that she should. bear The cost of i'm.
proving this river. Being the boundary of
fexas on the north, of the Western Terri
tory on the south. and flowing through Ar
kansas and Louisiana. the Red River is
rational in lis characier-is a great line of
communications in the military operations
oi the General Government. and deserves
at the hands of this Government due a,tcn-
ton and liberal appropriations.
All of which is respectfully submitted,
p. o. HEBERr, State Engineer.