Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1855-12-08
TIE RISING WATERS.


49,
For q long time-for two months, perhaps
the Mississippi in this neighborhood has been
higher than at the same period (as far as oul
recollection serves us) for many years previous
and latterly quite a rapid rise has occurred, an
evidence Of the rising of the upper waters that
flow into the great Father of them all; and
from the manner in which Bayou Plaquemine,
a. consequence, is becoming filled up, prom.
Uses to be of great advantage to our friends re.
siding thereon, in enabling them to get out the
early paoduce Of their plantations. The rising
waters il an occurrence also particularly SER
viceable to the planters or Bayou Crosse Tete,
should cooperative rains in that section have
done for the upper portion of the Bayou what
may be expected of the lower through the
back water from Bayou Plaquemine-causing
the former to be navigable. And we presume.
from the wofal experience Of the past year on
the part Of the Crosse Tete planters, that they
will take advantage Of the first opportunity to
ship what sugar and molasses they may have
ready at the time of the frst rise. To do this
they have two strong incentives apart from the
apprehension Of low water-the good price
which can now be obtained for the above sta
pies, (but for which there is every surety that
2 better price will yet be had,) and the danger
to BE- feared of Bayou Plaquemine being closed
with drift wood.
Against this latter danger the last Iegisla-
-tuss, in its wisdom, passed an act authorizing
Improvements to be made at the mouth of the
Bayou, and for which a large sum Of money
was appropriated, for the purpose Of preventing
the drift from entering the Bayou; but from
reasons which we are not prepared to explain,
instead Of the work which was accordingly
made in obedience to the act, tending to pre-
vent the drift from entering, no description of
mechanical invention, probably, could have been
designed which would more effectually catch
and turn the drift down the Bayou and in
case Of . rapid rise Of the river, we are almost
certain to see the Bayou blocked up at or near
the Indian Village, if at no point nearer tn.
mouth. i
Whatever may be the fear Of a raft accu-
mulating in the Bayou, we sincerely trust the
upper rivers may continue to keep a respecta-
bic quantity Of water within their banks, whe.
ther or no it causes drift to Gov which blocks
up our navigable bayous. That is q risk We
are obliged to run for the good Of getting the
water. There was % much distress the last
spring and summer throughout the lower por.
ton Of the State, 10 consequence Of low water
10 the bayoas, and the inability Of planters in
such regions to get their crops to market, that
presume they would prefer to have . food
having no water at all.
Upon NO bayou, doubtless, was the evil Of
ow stage Of watsr during the year that 10 now
'earIy gone, more severely felt than on Bayou
irosse Tete-upon none, probably. was there
no'e wealth eoocentrated, in the quantity Of
'ssar and molassss laying idle and useless 10
- magnificent suear-houses which line both
tds. Of that ~bayou--nor in no other section,
e vsntars 70 asssrt, was there 70 great an
Of money expended, 40 the planters
paschassru were obliged ultimately to do.
transport thar produce tpa navigable point.
lis p b hoped then that the upper rivers
~ high waasrs Of which affect many Of our I
ayous through their influence IN swelling the
liseinippi) will not remain - low ~ they ,
r. 80 EIf AEI -.
w ~ past year; and also, that thers will b
Of steamers ready TO enter every bayou
soen % Il 10 navigsbis, and = load Of sur |
lluabls stsples can b obtained. /
We feel assured that there will Be no delay
u rsfsssnce - Crosse Tsts, ~ we observed
apt. ]. L Pzrlr (sr .Gsssral sCssA," ~ BE- !
. bssa hsroieally dubbed. for sertssordissvy .
dGavy ssvias,' W presumed taking 4 cur d
n sslniaation Of Bayou Plassemins on
fsdnesdays with the intensien no doubt Of !
'ssisg 0sesss Tsts as early o. possible; Is |,
puschased : steamer last season for this e. 4
'ciai tssds, bat o asseant of confined low i
atss vas unable 70 naks > siaeih trip. :