The independent. (Harrisonburg, La.) 1853-18??, 1859-04-27

fore many years, We should commence at
the mouth Of the river and close all the out
lets but the east pass, this would throw the
whole force Of the river into one channel
which would add enough velocity to tho
current to cut out channel deep enough
for ships Of. any draught of water, and the
current through the east pass would havo
the advantage Of the direction of. the gulf
stream, and furthermore, the waters of the
river would be driven back by the wes-
terly winds. 1t is fact in regard to the
Mississippi, that receiving the waters of a
tributary does not increase his width but his
depth, as is evidenced below the junction Of
the Missouri, Ohio and Arkansas rivers.
Now the closing of two or mora mouths of
the Mississippi would have the samo effect,
and instead Of having the force Of the cur
rent frittered away by its division into sever
al channels, We would have current with
sufficient force to cut channel deep enough
to float seventv-four gun ship, instead Of
the shoal waters that We have under presen
existing circumstances.
1t is a fact, that there is greater depth Of
water on the bars at the Passes .or Balizs
during low stage of the river than during
q high stage Of water, caused by concentra-
ton of the water to a narrower channel,
hence the practicability Of making the east
pass deeper BY closing the other, and eoncen-
trating the whole power of the river on ono
pass. Cut-offs in the lower plane Of the RI
yer as We approximate the gulf, would also
have tho same result, but as the fall is less,
the incresed velocity obtained by cut-ofs
would be less.
Asths Mississippi is gallant old stecd
that occasionally seizes the bit in his teeth
and dashes with terrific fury where he pleas
es, or to dsop the metaphor is a river in somo
respects sui gener;s, it is we'll enough for US
to confne ourselves to the contemplation of
such phenomena as. he has presented to our
our consideration through the vista Of untold
centuries. But if it were necessary We
might turn the attention of the .reader to re-
cults in other countries effected by the uni
ted force Of two or moro rivers. In the
Northern part Of Italy, in the year 1900 the
watass Of tho Parane were aided to the Po-
Grande, and in 1920 the waters Of the Rhc-
no we're also changed from their course and
added to the Po, with the result of deepen
ing it's channel, and consequently improving
its navigation. Now closing some Of the
mouths Of the Mississippi would have the
same effect, and like cut-offs. would give
more force to the current, and would. like
them, necessarily give more power to trans.
port the vast amount Of deposit held in so.
luton and confined to the bed of the river
BY the conterminous levee system.
In conclusion the question. is not whether
we will have cut-ofs or not, but simply,
whether We will anticipate them few short
years. Let us then follow the indications
of nature, for the manifestations Of nature
are the unwasehng laws Of Omnipotence.
ssFirst follow nature, and your judgment frame,
From her Just standard that b stiil the same"
Fessolong As the snnbeanis sbal radiate
through unlimited space, 90 long as the
moon with her bespangled jewelry shall illu-
minate the blue arch OF heaven, Just 80 long
will the Mississippi, governed BY the great
laws that have directed him since be .crea-
tionsQt the world, continue to mails sdt-offs.
Very Respectfully,
HENRY ]. PEcx. '
Sicily Island, La. January 10th, 1859.