Arkansas true Democrat., 1858-12-15
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For the True Democra

MR EDIToE.--Thc legislature has under con- sideraion bill entitled an act approving an act of the General Assembly of the State of Louisiana incorporating the Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas Navigation Company
 This measure is of great importance to south west Arkansas, the northeastern portion ol Texas and the Choctaw Nation.
 Almost, if not the entire portion embraced in the above is well adapted to the cultivation of cotton. The valley of Red river and its tri- butaries above the raft are calculated to produce at least 15O, 900 bales, when at this time there are not more than 10000 bales raised above the raft
 Those that are familiar with the high and exorbltant rates of the transportation of cotton from and above the raft will at once deviue the cause why no more cotton is produced.
 The counties of Lafayette, Hempstead, Pike and Sevier, and the Choctaw N Nation, ship about 2000O bales of cotton, while the counties ol Bowie, Red River, Lamar, Fannin and Grayson on the opposite side of Red river, will ship a corresponding number, making in all about 4O, ,- GOO bales, which will cost on an average at least s per bale, if not more, freight to New Orleans; amounting in the aggre gate to S20O,- 0OO. The present average rate of insuranccis about Sl 5 per bale, which on 10000 bales will amount to the sDaqN sum of $700O0-thus t will be seen that t costs the planting inte- rest S270O00 to get their cotton crop to mar ket
 The amount of freight usually paid from Shreveport to New Orleans is one dollar per bale; ard the insurance is about one per oent wsieh $ about equal to fifty cents per bale, and from ths White Oak Shoals and Fulton, on Red river, aud White Cliffs on Little river, it occu- pies but little over days run to Shreveport, and from these points we arc frequently com polled to pay from S3 to S4 per bale to Shreve- port, with the insurance ranging from 3la to f per cent.
 These eXtravagant rates of transportation and high rates of insurance are all owing to the raft in main Red river. Now if this obstruc- ton was removed the majority of boats that run to Shreveport could easily navigate upper Red river, and they would take our cotton at S2 per bale, and the insurance would not be more than one half the present rates. Show ing an annual saving to the planters of S16O.- GOO. Suppose they charged us s per bale and one dollar per bale insurance; then there would be saving annually of S1100OO. By the removal of the raft, the government of the United States would be vastly benefited, not only by the rapid and increased sales of her lands, but the means of furnishing cheap and speedy transportation of all her supplies and munitions of war for Forts Belknap, Phantom Hill, Washta and Arbuckle.
 And as the overland mail to California has been pit in operation, crossing Red river at Preston, thence to the Rio Grande, passing through a fertile and healthy country, which is now almost an entire wilderness; but the we'll known characteristics of the Anglo-Saxon race, love of adventure, desire to emgrate and ex- plore unknown regions will soon cause this sec tion of country to be densely populated; and it is nothing more than our just rights that Con- gress should grant us aid and assistance in i'm proving and completing the navigation of upper Ret river. The interest and welfare of her citizens demand it.
 And to a speedy prosecution of this work Congress should take early action on the mat ter and pass an appropriation, placing the same in the hands of the Louisiana, Texas and Ar kansas Navigation Company, whose interests are identified with the growth and prosperity of the south Aside from the great advantages that it will be to thousands of her citizens. it will dim uish her expenses on the transportation of her supplies nearly one half, if not more, for as the country is settled up, an extension of the line of ports will be required.
 And there is another question involved in this; and it is one of great and vital mpor- tance to the south. No one will attempt to deny, that the formation of new slave States is an object to be greatly desired It must be conceded by all that We are loosing our eqaiii- brum in the Senate of the United States, with little prospect of equalizing that power.
 Now in conclusion, would ask, is t not right aud proper that we should Use all hoiofa- able means 10 further the establishment oi De" slave States. Tine formation oi new slave States would give ns moro pol tieal l"we', and at the same time is would tr lessentng The dangers of a dissolution of the Un'on irom tae fact of our increased strength. I'
 
 0A- Sad news--tbe latest " isshaons' say s skirts are saill worn very long sehind. sweep ing the xsoaad; tot in front they wiii be mush shostef.-