Washington telegraph., 1847-02-24
TIE RED RIVER RAFT.


The editor Of the Caddo tshreyeport)
Gazette (his name is "Battls''l does battle
,loriously, in late number, for the remoy.
al orthis "giganllo eonglomeralion Of logs
and bars" which has settled like an ineu.
bus on the commerce comforts and prosper.
ily ofthe people oi upper Red River, blessed
and surrounded as they are by all tho ele.
nents of wealth and greatness. lie "des.
pairs of the Republic doing any thing for
the removal OF tho raft as, year after year,
petitions on tho subject TO Congress have
been laid over unanswered and when, at
length, lafdy appropriation has been offer.
ed 10 the wants ofhe people above the raft.
it is with the hand Of government SO partial.
ly opened as TO seem more n mockery than
an indication oil desire to complete tho
Improvement. Tho editor of the Gazette
then enumefales the advantages 10 be de.
rived by the people Of the whole valley Of
He'd River from il source TO its mouth, from
having the raft removed and conlures them,
al once, to enter upon tho work OF It's 70.
moyal as, on lhemselyes,-not on govern.
ment, must they depend.
This is right. The population on the
margin OF Red River above the raft is now
considerable aud every day increasing
We have been favored with many unerring
assurances that it Is an enlerprising popu.
laiion. Take away Tint stubborn raft and
il would be as happy and prosperous u pop.
ulalion asa Southern sun smiles on. Like
all Young communities, however, il Is u
difficult matter TO bring those composing il
together to loin, all as one, in great public
enterprise. They may satisfy themselves
At once, that they hine 10 meet aud discard
ing the lholghl Of farther petition or resb.
luton, take steps to have the WORK begun
by thair own industry. There are no pub.
lie buildings above the raft 10 bring il with.
IN that class OF improvements Of which the
general government can take cosnizance
according To the now layorie constructions
ui the constitution. and as the people on
upper Red River cannot make il ont to be
an finland Sea oven, their last and only
hope from government expires in the
citizens uf lower Rel River, to many OF
whom iinneanfihle benefit. would flpw
bY ihu removal u, lhs raii. lhey may Justly
look for, anl are sure 10 receive essential
assistance; ami the liberal citizens Of New
Orleans, who more than all the others br.
law the raii. will be benefited by the great
inilut OF produce into their city from that
region, will MT he mlnd wanting with
their subscriptions; still those measures Of
assistance cannul be calculated on until the
inhabitants Of the land, walafrl by upper
Roi River take active measures in the
beginning oflhe work. Lot them organize
with determination To remove the rat-
make calculations ol the cost aud pledge
their industry and 80 much capita a. each
can .pae To carry this gfeat measure Of
prosperity ln them, through 10 completion.
- soon as the wufl, is begun they eau call
on their friend, below aud they will be an.
.sweteI by subscription abunlantly large
for their purpose. Then will new lie be
Infused into the f,nilr dell. Of North Wcs.
tern Louisiana, Northern rrta. and
largo portion ol Arkansas and the CON,
m-rcn oi Red River with rs steamers anJ
.'hroadhorns" bearing down 10 market
their ircighls Of stock, wheat, bacon, pork,
lard and other agricultural wealth would
r,su 10 an important membership Ia the
giant family u Western waters.
Caarnriia Iniciliesnccr.