The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-11-29

been characterized DY some yer sdilS uiIidIy "
currences, which will carry wo and misery into
many families in happy England. It IS very
difficult to gather the actual results, thus FAR
the operations. In one part 1t IS SAID thai tort
Constantine is in great danger, IN another, that
/ it has proved quite as strong as was apprehen-
ded and that its fire had dismounted thirty
guns Of the allies baston
We do not understand this very clearly, as
| fort Constantine commands the northern en-
trance of the bay on which sebastopoli is situa-
ted, and tie position Of the allies is to the
southeast It is probable the fort referred to IS
fort Alexander, Of ninety guns, which defends
the southern mouth Of the bay Of lnkerman II
had been previously stated that the allies had
captured the quarantine fort, which would bring
them within striking distance Of fort Alex
ander.
1t is left in doubt whether the injury to this
fort has been effected by the bombardment or
the explosion of magazine. But of one fact
there appears to be little or no doubt, and that
lis, that the Russian army outside OF the city
made fierce onslaught on the allied position,
achieved several advantages, and inflicted upon
them very severe loss. The English cavalry
suffered particularly. The aristocracy Of Eng
land, from which the cavalry officers are chiefly
selected, will be clothed in mourning.
Altogether, though the bombardment is pro-
ceedng vigorously, it is quite evident that the
allies are in position which must give their
several governments great alarm and concern.
They may vet rescue themselves by the invinci-
BILE valor of their troops, but the chances ap-
pear to be against them. The desperate char
acter of this enterprise is now clearly devel-
oped. Confined to a corner-the Russians
commanding all the communications into the
interior-the position Of the allies must be a
very embarrassing one, nor would 1t be greatly
improved if they were to obtain possession OF
the city, with the enemy occupying the interior.
I C-@--l~--~~~~-~@O-~~4~-~-
/ V1cksBuRG SHREVEPORT AND TEXAS RAILROAD.
/ Much anxiety has been felt says the Vlcksburg
Wing, recently by all interested in the construc-
ton of this road, in relation to the right OF way
between the Mississippi river and Richmond
When the building Of this road was first aglta-
ted, it was the general impression that scarcely
single land owner in the parish OF Madison
would Hesitate moment in granting tree
right of way-so important was it to that parish
to have the terminus on the Mississippi river OF
the great western road. a..Z. .
iSeoo>''
that several between here and Richmond, who
have been regarded as excellent friends of the
road. have determined to claim damages for
the right of way. We regretted very much to
hear this, because, we know that the gentlemen
who are said to be claiming damages, are not
only very friendly to the construction of the
road, but abundantly able to grant a free right
of way We have a letter from Mr.. Coleman.
the energetic president, from Richmond, which
is flattering in its character and rather induces
the belief that some misrepresentation has exls-
ted in relation to this matter He gives US the
names Of several who have freely relinquished
the right of way, and seems to be sanguine thai
when he sees others who have been said to be
claiming damages, that they will also relinquish
freely In the mean time, however, he IS hav-
INC juries appointed to assess damages, IN the
event they should positively refuse to make a
free grant, so that the progress ofthe work may
not be impeded AS the great enterprise is yet
in its infancy, and struggling for good com
mencement, we sincerely hope that those who
have contemplated claiming damages may re-
consider the matter and grant the right of way
whenever it can be done without serious detrl.
ment to personal interests. Such course will
not only be of great service to the interests and
prosperity Of the work, but in our opinion ad-
yantageous to every man'who makes the grant
! The Yazoo river was never in a worse condl-
ton for navigation than at present. In addition
! to the great scarcity OF water, innumerable
snags and logs appear in the channel and in
many places sand bars of the worst kind stretch
| almost from shore to shore.
| Al TpI ! or,otI.
bic with duty and propriety to give its consent
to the appropriation of such swamp lands as
are not consumed for levying purposes, to the
Clearing out of the Yazoo river. and putting it
! in navigable condition. Already has the ces-
sation of river communication with Vicksburg
operated seriously against the interest of oul
merchants, and it will be impossible to estimate
the injury that may accrue to US, if the present
state of things is suffered to continue
[Yazoo Democrat.
! That is a very modest expression OF hope,
for paper opposed to internal improvements
by the general government. The Democrat
could not, to be consistent with its party princl
pies, for a moment listen to the idea of congress
appropriating dollar to improve rivers and har
bors, but it at the same time, can propose thai
| body shall cede the remainder OF its swamp
lands for such improvements! 1t could not think
of congress appropriating money to clear ou
snags and remove obstruction in rivers, in whose
trade and navi gable condition several states are
interested but it can hope that the body vii
appropriate its lands to perform that work in &
river lying entirely within one state, and ir
which only the trade of that state is interested
Now what matteys it whether congress appro
pirate its lands or its money? One Of Pierce's
arguments in his insane veto, was that congress
had no more right to donate its lands than its
treasury funds And yet the Democrat asks
for the former in order to improve the Yazoo
when it would denounce the appropriation of the
latter to improve the Ohlo-nor does it conten
itself even for the Yazoo with the wish tina
congress should donate a part of its lands fol
the improvement of that stream, in order tina
the remainder may be made more valuable, bu
it asks for the appropriation the swamp
lands not already consumed, without any reser
walton, and with a view to local improvement
merely! ~
We are in favor of internal Improvements
and are glad to see a practical relaxation o