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

Mississippi, including its great tributaries;
TO report their opinion in detail as to the
present condition of IFS navigation; the
character of the obstruction which endan-
ger or impede its navigation; 10 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 ii would be
advisable that the board should consist of
three engineers, one military and two
| civil; and thatin the mean time, until they
can report, moderate sum should be APP
proprlated 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 10 its foundations, are not lit
Tor 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
10 the ocean, and which is subject to IN
undatons 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 attalnable data
by the proper departmet, TO contain about
33,O75,0O0 acres, or $3.50 square miles,
| living in the States of Louisiana, Mlssls-
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 II
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 TO the portion
of the tract lying in the Slate of Loulsl'
ana. 1t appears by report OF the sur
yeyor general of that State, made in DC
tober, lS4), that there is OF overlooked
and swamp land in that State, S,5O5,5O5
acres; of which there are subject to pri'
yate claims 79S,763 acres; granted fol
schools and other purposes, 37S,743; solo
prior to the Both September of that year
i, 635 ass; and unsold, or public lands
5,692,S36, making nearly lhree-quarler'
of the whole. Assuming the same pro
portion to remain unsold in the other States
the aggregate amount still belonging t.
the public would be 24,s50,00O acres.
As fertile as this great body of land IS
by far the greater part is at present OF lit
lie or no vnlue, in consequence OF III
swampy character and being subject 10 IN
undation, and must remain SO; alike un
profitable to the public and individuals, 81
long as they may remain in their presen
condition. But they must remain so unit
reclaimed by embankments. 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 tina
something ought TO be done towards bring
ing this great body Of fertile land into cul
tivation. While it remains in its presen
state, with one, and that the larger por
T ton, held by the Union, another Chat gran
ted for schools and other purposesD by tn
States, and a third by individuals, an
these several portions not held in parcels
or bodies, separate and distinct from eac
5 other, but inermixed one with the otheI
: nothing can well be done towards reclaim
inc them. II would require the co-opera
, ton of the parties interested, each IN pro
7 portion to the extent of his interest, 10 ac
a complish the object. To obtain such co
b operation, and fix satisfactorily the amour
/ that each should contribute towards ma
d king the necessary embankments, woul
e obviously be work Of Too much difficult
i and complication to be undertaken. IN
n only remedy is to diminish the number
II the parties Interested; and for that pul
/ pose, your committee are of the oplnlo
If that Congress ought to adopt measures
dispose of its portion of these landss vii
II as little delay as a just regard to the pui
c lie interests will permit. Aud to elie'
= that, they are of the opinion the most al
n yisable course would DO 10 reduce Il
;. price of the portion belonging to the Pu
,r lie, gradually: say at the rate OF one.h
'e al intervals of four years, until 1t sha'l
C, reduced TO the rate of 20 cents an acre
le and 10 cede to the States in which the
y may respectively lie all not sold at the c
SIS piration OF four years thereafter.
Your COMMITTEES will next proceed TO co
n slider that portion Of the memorial whlt