The weekly Mississippian. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1859-1864, 1859-10-05
For the Mississippian.
Fifty Years on the Gulf Shore.
sH1ELpsBoRo. MIss., Sept. Is, 1859.

SH1ELDsBoRo, MISS, Sept Is, 1853.
Hon. J. C. MoNET--Dear Sir: AS tn,
Board of Commissioners of the Gulf and ShiI
Island Railroad will soon assemble, to consider
matters in connexion with this great enter
prize it is desirable to have exact information
as to the gales or hurricanes that periodically
visit our coast, since, if it be found that they
usually come from one direction, and pursue
the same track, it must have an important
bearing in the selection of the terminus.
The advantages and disadvantages of Biloxi
and Mississippi City, the sheltered harbor OF
the first and the prolonged whasyes, granite
breakwaters and other artificial structures
proposed for the latter, have been discussed
by rival writers. Nothing has been said o.
the Bay of St. Louis, though, am informed
that it is the Oldest and best defined harbol
on our whole coast-with ample capacity fol
vessels drawing eight to ten feet-a secure re.
.fuge in the heaviest gales-quite as near the
anchorage off Cat and Ship Islands as otheI
points at least near enough for all purposes
of transit by lighterage with long line
of river valley in the rear, admirably adapted
for railroad construction.
If all this be true, the public should know
it from an authoritative source The Legisla-
ture should know it, before being called upon
to grant material aid. The Board of Com.
missioners should know it. and doubt not
they will direct special reconnaissance, and,
most probably, make personal inspection, be
fore deciding on the terminus.
take it for granted tnat the business Of
this Railroad, when it shall have been complet-
ed, will be done, as in every port of the world
where there is not deep water along the shore,
exclusively by lighters system that will
give employment to our sea-board population,
who are sailors from boyhood-an amphibious
race, Injured to sun and storm and who will
one day be considered the security and bull
wark of the State.
Breakwaters, and extended wharyes, to say
nothing of their temporary and precarious
tenure, and the obstruction of the high seas,
are too expensive for our resources, and dis
courage investments in stock.
Proximity to deep and good anchorage for
ships of heavy tonnage-security from hurri-
canes, and capacity for vessels of one hundred
tons and under-with country in the rear
adapted for railways, and sufficient elevation
in front to be exempt from inundation during
an easterly gale--are the points to be looked
for.
l ask you, candidly. are they to be found
at this place
l apply to you, and the Hon Jno b Toulme,
because you have had fifty years expe-
rience on our coast You are known to have
been, and to be now, close and accurate obser-
vers. You have long been accustomed to deal
with facts and are truthful and impartial
men. l therefore, apply to you for 'informa-
ton, and design to submit, whatever you
may choose to communicate, to the public
The earliest advocate of this great enterprise,
lsaye one. ] deeply intrusted in its success let
= run whese 4 MAJ, desEsss So s.sas.sss..i-
mus fixed not at this or point, but at the
point that commands mos advantages, where
it can be built most economically, and most
securely, and thus hold out the greatest in
ducements for the investment of capital
Capital is abundant-it will flow in to build
this road, but it must first be satisfied of the
wisdom Of the location, and the economy OF
its administration. The enterprise should
have no relations with politicians or specula-
tors. Either will be fatal to it, as in times
past, when it was defeated BY schemers and
swindlers. 1t concerns the glory and inde-
pendence of our State, and every movement
in it, and for it, should be regulated by sci
ence, and controlled by prudence. 1t is now
in the hands of able and honest men, and
when they decide we must all put our shoul-
ders to the wheel.
Very respectfully, and truly,
j. F. H. CLAIBORNE.