Arkansas true Democrat., 1859-01-19
From the N. o. Picayune.
Red River Raft.

The efforts to keep the navigation off the Red river open above the raft, have proved, in the main, decided failure. Opened by the gener- al government temporarily, the pass was soon again obstructed, aud the work was virtually abandoned.
 Lately company has been organized, en- bracng the planters interested, in Louisiana, Ar kansas and Texas, who purpose to open the navigation of the Red river and to keep it in good order
 The enterprise is ore of great magnitude and vast importance to a large section of very fruit ful country. Nothing but this impeachment of the raft prevents the rapid settlement of the terrltoryywhlch, from it's capacity for production and Its eenlallty of climate, offers inducements to emigrants not surpassed by any other part of the Union. The rich aluvial lands of the Red river valley are unequaled in adaptation for cot- ton culture. The DeighboriDg highlands pro- duce all the cereals in greatest profusion. The whole territory is well timbered, well watered and Is noted for healtfulness; but it is so effec- tually shut out from market by the cost of the transport of its products that it is of little more value than if 1t were a barren desert
 The removal of the raft, so as to secure con :. stant passage of boats whenever the river is navlgaole, would bring these valuable lands into market and speedily populate this most desira- bic section of the southwestern States.
 Il IS proposed to give the company the right to charge a toll of fifty cents per bale on cotton, and twenty five cents per barrel on other freight, which will reduce the present expenses of trans portation to reasonable limits, while it will re- munerate the company for its outlay in opening and keeping open the river. It is estimate ed that this charge will save to the planter S2 per bale on cotton, and enable the shipment of other products which will pot now bear transporta- ton to market.
 | A bill Is now pending before the legislature o' Al kansas, to charter the company, so far as that State is concerned, but delay marks it's progress that is unaccountable by its friends.
 The importance of the work should not only enlist the good wishes and kind offices of those immediately interested, but it presents strong claims upon the General government for aid l Having so much at stake as she has. the State of Arkansas cannot hesitate to favor the project. It has In It the elements of success if clothed with proper powers by the State legislature | Deeply interested in the consummation of the enterprise, this city cannot fail to look with anxiety to the result, and to urge the attention of the representatives of this State in Congress to use their influence to bring the aid of the gen. eral government to this important public work It Is no less important to remove the raft now than when large appropriation was made to accomplish this object. The raft can be open ed, hut 1t requires constant labor to keep it open. The former expenditure of the nation Tn this enterprise failed because the river was left to take care of itself when the raft had once been cut through. The company proposes to keep out all obstructions until the river has made a channel for itself through which the drft-wood will be carried away, as it now is in the lower part of he stream; and any appropriation made by the government will not now therefore be lost