The Southern journal., 1846-03-14
For the Southern Journal.
THE NAVIGATION OF PEARL RIVER
sYDENHAM-NO. I'LL.

MEssRs. Ep1ToRs. In the early part of.
1914, "Sydenham" presented three num-
bers written upon this subject, which were
published in the ssSouihern Journal" in No.
26 VOL a, No. 90 Vol. 4, and in No. 81 of
Vol. A.
The Editor promptly responded TO the
views and sentiments Of the writer, and
with a zeal that reflected credit on the con-
ductor of the Journal for his efforts in be-
half ofthe subject and his country, contin-
ued the subject in various editorials until
the people of the country were warmed
and animated 10 wish for consummation
of the great experiment. County meetings
were held--and action was the result
the slumbering genius of the doubtful was
walked up 10 believe that the immense
project was possible, after all. People
and papers in other parts of the State be-
gan TO handle the subject, and thus bring
our hitherto neglected portion Of the State
into notice--our Legislature saw that the
scheme was feasible, and at the session lust
now over, memorial was forwarded to
the Congress of the United States, asking
for donation of alternate sections of the
public land on Pearl River, which we have
fair assurance on the part Of our Repre-
sentatives and Senators will be granted at
the present session of Congress. This
donation of SO much Of the naton's bounty,
is intended by our State Legislature to
constitute fund for the purpose of impro.
wing the navigation of Pearl river-,o be
managed in such manner as may be stipu-
lated in the grant, or hereafter designated
by law of mississippi
In the mean time other persons who were
apprised of the great importance of the
work, and who from scientific observations
also believed it practicable, were not idle
Capt. BoARDMAN, an experienced naviga-
tor and man of business habits, has, at
great expense procured the building of
a very commodious and substantial STEAM
Boat for the trade Of this river expressly,
which has this season made two trips from
the city of New Orleans to MONTICELLO.
Georgetown, and intermediate points-she
brought large ireights-our merchants
were busy receiving and storing--whlst
the hum of buslness-the cracking of the
whip, and railing of wheels in our streets.
keeping time with the boatman's song and
the erlivenng Yo, heave or of the crew,
together with the corners and goers TO and
from the boat, and the busy tread upon our
pavemens gave TO the town lively air,
and for time Monticello looked like a
place of business, and gave evidence to all
who could observe at all, that the question
of the navigation of Pearl river was no
longer 10 be considered as mooted point.
nor the subject of its free and safe naviga-
tion an experiment." The fact has been
demonstrated We now want the applca-
ton of the active energies of those con-
cerned, and whose interests are implicated
in the result, 10 stand forth as advocates in
the great cause, and keep the ball in mo-
ton. 1t will not do to say-and act as
as though you believed it--hat Pearl river
never can be navigated. The convenience
and prosperity of too much valuable coun-
try depends on the perfection Of this great
measure. Our sister State, Louisiana, al
though open to the trade of the world be-
sides, has cast her eye and her purse upon
this valuable stream, and with giants
touch, has succeeded in obviating the chief
obstacle to the safe navigation ofthe river
by opening a passage through Holmes
Bayou into West Pearl.
By report from her able State Engi.
neer, Mr.. HEBERr, lately Published in the
Jeflersonian," of New Orleans, the fol-
lowing facts amongst others appear, which,
considering the scientific attainmenis of
that gentleman, and that they are the re.
suit Of his personal observation, give am
pie earnest Of the great destiny this river,
and that of the people Of Eastern and Cen,
trail Mississippi on a proper concert Of ac-
lion towards the accomplishment Of the
design. He says: "the navigation of East
Pearl is rendered dangerous by distractions
in lis channel, commencing some twenty
five miles from its mouth, and extending
twenty seven miles. These distinctions