Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-04-03
HayIeArIoa OF THE x1ssrss1ppI

NAt40A1lo0 Of IA6 A10S1Se46k4-
The main object Of Mr.. Jefferson and the
men OF his day in the purchase Of Louisiana at
q very heavy expense for that period of this
country's weakness and comparative poverty,
was to secure the control of the Mississippi
from its far-reaching tributaries to its mouth.
This was justly deemed an object Of prime inn
portance, an essential condition of national
independence and prosperity; and if SO impor-
tant then-long before the invention OF the
steam5oat-it is vastly more so now. Yet 1t
looks as if this great boon, purchased at SO
large price, and cherished ever since as one
of our country's greatest national glories. was
about 10 be rudeiy snatched from US, not by
the over-matching power Of foreign enemies,
but by domestic traitors. On this subject, the
Chicago Tribune, OF last week says:
seThe terms upon which the Mississippi riv-
er can be hereafter navigated by citizens of
the United States Of America, are published
by G. q. Memminger Of South Carolina, who
signs himself s'Secretary Of the Treasury
supposed to be acting under jeff Daris's gov
ernment. Mr.. MeDminger's regulations are
highly refreshing to all OF US who reflect how
Louisiana was bough: with Federal dollars for
the express purpose OF giving to the North
west a free outlet to the ocean. The first
regulation pertains TO vessels entering the
ssConfederate States'' from points above their
northern limits. Mr.. Memmnger says that
the Collector of the port of orfolk, or Nelm's
landing, in the State OF Mississippi, shall 6oard
all vessels or craft OF whatever description
entering said Confederate States, and compel
the master thereof to exhibit two copies of his
manifest, setting forth his cargo, destination,
etc. Alter a sufficient time spent in smelling,
measuring and gaugiDg the cargo, the collec-
tor shall give the master permit to proceed
on his course, written upon the back Of one of
the manfests-the other to be retained by the
said collector. All fat boats loaded with coal
must stop at Norfolk, or Nelm' s Landing, and
if destined for any point which is not port
Of entry, must pay duties on the same then and
there. All vessels destined for ports OF entry,
having received the permit OF the collector Of
| Norfolk, or Nelm's Landing, shall be allowed
to pay duties to the collectors of said ports
| respectively, under complicated system of
| appraisement, inspection, surveying Ubnding,
ct cetera. We have frequently called atten-
ton to the fact that there can be no such thing
as free navigation of the Mississippi while any
State, or any number of States, south of US
assume the right to place any restrictions
whatever on the ocean bound products of the
Northwest. We have examined Mr.. Mem
minger's circular quito carefully, and we find
that the right to levy duties, fees, imposts and
is fully and distinctly assumed. 1t is true
that no duties are imposed by the present tar
| if of JET. Davis's government on the princi-
pal products OF the Northwest. This liberal
ity may proceed from motives of self interest
| or from fear of the outraged millions inhabi-
ting the Upper Mississippi and its tributaries,
| or from both combined. But the right TO tax
every pound of freigh. shipped from Pitts
burgh, Cincinnati, Louisville, Memphis, ST.
Louis or GaIena, destined for Havana, New
York, Liverpool any other port in the
world, is distinctly assumed. In view of this
plainly declared tact, it is impossible to see
how war is to be avoided, whether in the
| Union or out of the Union. 1t is impossible
to see how Henry Clay's prediction in 1850 is
not in fair way of meeting bloody fulfilment
'"If this Union shall become separated, new
| Unions, new Conrederacies, will arise; and
| with respect to this-if there be any-I hope
there is no one in the Senate-before whose
Imagination Is fitting the idea ofa great South
| crn Confederacy to take possession OF the
Balize and the Mississippi, say in my place,
never nereri ! NEVER will we who occupy the
broad waters of the Mississippi and its upper
tributaries consent that any foreign flag shall
| float at the BaliZe, or upon the turrets of the
Crescent City-never sEvER 20