Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1852-02-21
The Meeting Last Saturday.

MAG &&&NCt&1SS &6ssSS SNS0A~~y
1t will be seen that, at the Meeting last Sat-
urday, respecting Bayou Plaquemine, the rec
ommendation was carried relative to locking
and canaling the bayou. Whether this is a
measure which will be deemed practicable by
the Legislature, or one presenting less objec-
tions and greater benefits than any other, is
yet to be seen. In fact, we consider any rec
ommendation which could have been made by
the Meeting, Of whatsoever nature, as a mat
ter of little moment. The main object was
effected by presenting the evils existing and to
be apprehended through the undisturbed con-
dition of the Bayou. That the Internal I'm
provement committees, and both branches Of
the Legislature, will be governed by the repre-
sensations and recommendations of scientific
men in the service of the State, the sugges-
tons of any Meeting to the contrary notwith-
standing, is evident. That something will be
done in regard to the bayou by the present Le-
gislature, of infinite advantage to the public,
we cannot doubt. If suffered to remain un-
misunderstanding into its mouth half the
drift of the Mississippi which passes down at
high water-the small bayous west and a short
distance from here, will be entirely choked up
in a very short time, without a doubt. No
boats, then, can pass in this direction to the
interior. This obstruction to the egress of the
flood of water, will, moreover, raise it higher
in Bayou Plaquemine, and ultimately, if no
cUdnteracting measures are taken, destroy the
plantations in this direction.
We do not pretend to know with what faci-
lily, or at what cost, the canaling of the bayou
to DARDENNE's, can be effected. The distance
is about five miles from the Mississippi, to
which point on Bayou P%laquemine navigation
is open the whole year. But we have heard
gentlemen remark who have studied the sub
jet, that it could be easily done and at a mod
expense. Uninterrupted navigation from
The Mississippi through this Bayou, the year
.ound, would be a great achievement, and a
work which would undoubtedly be of great
" LiIC IN SldtCs Hltlout, III Oul Soti
injuring any one section of it.
There is a strong feeling in our Parish be-
ow this point, and in the other Parishes be-
ow, against interference at all by the State
With Bayou Plaquemine-but to let it sweep
N in its destructive course, whatever the result.
opposition arises from an apprehended
lcrease of water against their ~levees, if this !
ayou should be checked or closed, and conse-
uently putting them to greater expense, be- ,
making the danger of overflow greater
o our mind, the evils anticipated through the
.osing or checking the current which comes -,
Ito the bayou, are greatly exaggerated. How r
the State will not, we are sure, do any, O
ling with Bayou Plaquemine without keeping
watchful eye upon the interests and safety b
other sections. The subject calls for the o
wisdom of the Legislature, and we trust =
ION to hear of such measures being adopted n
7 that body in reference to the bayou, as will il
eet with general satisfaction throughout the "
ate. n