Washington telegraph., 1849-05-09
For tie TeIenrnnh

WILLIAM II ETTER, Eso.,-Dear Sir: Your
Editorial on the subject of removing the Red
River Raft, in the Telegraph of the lIth of Aprl.
induces me from coincidence of opinion with
you, in regard to the consequences of failure to
give You summary Of my views, of the river,
the raft its navigation and the best means that
present themselves to my mind for its ultimate
and permanent improvement.
| Commencing at Loggy Bayou, distance of
$50 miles below the foot Of the present raft, and
| traversing the channel up TO that psnt we find
ID miles of river with sufficient current and width
Of channel to carry off raft the balance Of the
stream, or channel, is so serpentine and narrow
that nothing can ever be done, effectualIy, with
the old channel, except by Strengthening and
widening it. So far as The raft is concerned, we
have only to view the results that have attended
the operations of Capt. shreve, of the most
efficient agents in the employ Of the Government
! of the United States, at any period, and who
done as much for Red River as any one could
have done, under similar circumstances.
An appropriation OF seyenty-fve thousand dol
lars has been recently exhausted and the results
are fresh in the memory of all interested. AS
wise and judicious parties. having in view the
| navigation aud permaneut Improvement Of Red
River, we should look with reasoning powers
awake, and find, if possible, plan that may re-
suit successfully, either to private enterprise or
public appropriations.
The plan l would suggest, is not without its
! falIacies, perhaps, all suggestions on this i'm
portant and exciting question may be considered
fallacious, until success shall crown their result.
will, as graphically as possible, explain to you
the plan of operations would pursue, were my
life and property at stake.
| should commence where Dooley's Bayou en-
ters Lake Soda, clearing the timber from the
channel Of said Bayou to the distance of sixty
yards on each side, until reached the psnt OF
its leaving the river. would select this Bayou
for many reasons.
! First, its volume Of water is greater than any
one of the many streams leaving the river above
the Raft and running into the Lake.
Secondly, its passage is entirely through an al
luvial and soft soil, that will yield readily to
rapid current.
Thirdly, its distance into the Lake from the
River is less than any other Bayou, and
Fourthly, it passes through no private proper
ty except my own, which at any time would be
cheerruIly surrendered for the public benefit
The distance of the river, by changing its di-
rection through this route, would be iessened one
half, and Lake Soda would afford deposit, for
many years, for the accumulation Of Raft. The
truthuness of this proposition resolves itself into
this question; whether it would be cheaper and
| easier to clear out from ten to sixteen miles of
Bayou, containing greater volume of water than
the channel of the River or clear out 146 miles
of River, now obstructed and liable to obstruction
from drift, as represented in my view of the river
| above.
| The State Engineer of this State, with the
same view that have taken, has at this time, a
large force employed in opening Bayou Pierre in
| to the Lake Of The same name. BY this improve
ment he will shorten the River from Shreveport
to Natchitoches, seventy five miles; create de-
postory for Raft, and establish safe and perma-
nent navigation to Shreveport.
These views are presented for the consideration
of community. who, ] know feel senslbly on
the subject The recent rise in this River has
brought down more Raft than could be removed
| in four months, by any force that has yet been
| employed in its removal; supposing the balance
| of the River to be free from drift, which has not
been the case since my knowledge of it, which
commenced in 1884.
From recenl evidence it is considered that the
improvement Of the River, and the permanent re-
| moval of the Raft is within the pale of individual
| enterprise If such be the fact, it can be effected
as propose with one Goth part of time, labor and
money, consequently coming more directly under
the ability of individual enterprise. Would it not
be we'll for ten or twelve of your intelligent plan
| ters to come in person, and examine the various
Bayous leading from the river above the Raft inte
Lake Soda2
| If the above opinions are worth consideration
YOU can give them publicity in your paper, and
with them an assurance, that should any gentle
men above the Raft, feel disposed to examine my
views critically, by calling me at my residence
near the Raft, they will be gladly received and
every means afforded them to scrutinize my plan
with hearty cooperation on my part, in any plan
ofimproyement that may be deemed practicable
and permanent. The United States has recently
presented to Louisiana all the waste or wet lands
of the State that she may drain or make valuable
the State will concede to company the same
favor. I feel SO well assured of the benehts tina
would result, both to the navigation of Red River
and the improvement of waste land from Shreve
mort to the Arkansas line, that, SO long as coult
conveniently raise a dollar, it would be employed
in the purchase of stock in any company tia
might be formed for such a purpose.
With high regard,
| / remain your oSt. serv't.