La sentinelle de Thibodaux. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 1861-1866, 1865-09-09
THE GOVERNMENT AND THE
LEVEES.

The annexed letter from Major Gen.
Candy to Gov. Wells, says the New Orr.
leans Weekly Times of last Saturday, is
of the very highest interest to the,
planters of this State. Though Gen:
Candy recommends an appropriation by
Congress, as a temporary loan, it is clear
that no action will be taken in time to,
render such a loan available for the
present season. The planters must,
therefore. put their own hands to the
pillow, and do the best they eau, with such
State aid as can, be afforded them. Would
that we had now in the. Treasury the,
$400,0 900 wasted by the members Of the.
last years Convention :. - )
HEADQUARTERS Dept LOUISIANA, !.
New Orleans, La, August %, 1865, s.
To His Excellency the Governor Of Louisiana, N. O.,
-S1R-I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt of your communication of
yesterday, in relation to the leyees liz
Louisiana.
|D have recommended that reconstruct
ton of the levees on the Mississippi river
should be assumed by the General Cow
eminent to the extent that they were;
destroyed or damaged as the actual and
necessary result of military operations,
and to the extent also of the taxes that
might be levied by the States interested
upon the plantations and other property
subject to such taxation. but now held by
the United States. as abandoned or con.
fscated lands. 4
/ have alsorecommended, as a question:
of great Importance, not only to the
r.orJo of 4ho M:,esecsrn; Ua1fo- Int *
the entire country, the proprietyTof asks
ing the aid of Congress in restoring the
fevees by aaaking appropriations as adj
vances to the States interested, to be-
reimbursed to the United States at some,
future time. :.
!. do not know that there is Ut this time
any appropriation that can properly be,
applied to this work, even If the recomA;z
%mendation made by me should have been
approved by the War Department.
There are now no funds under my con-,
troll that.ec can be SO applied, and the,
expectations that expenditures already,
made, under the orders of Departments,
commanders, would be reimbursed by,
assessments on the plantations interested,
have not been realized. ss i
In addition to what has been done under
General Orders. No. 4, fof 1864. 4 copy
of which is enclosed, there has beenyexs
pended, on account Of the levees in this
State. during the past year. Se89, 1sI 81
above what has been collected by assesss
ments, and for this expenditure the De-
partment commanders who ordered it are
personally accountable. . -
/ have found the planters very willing
to submit to assessments when the danger
threatened, and 50 reluctant to pay their
assessments when 1t had passed away.
that / have abandoned the attempt to
make any further collection.
With this experience, lam not disposed
to assume any further responsibility than
such as may be necessary to satisfy obi
cations already incurred.
Very respectfully, your obsdient SER
want, o at
Ed. R. s. CANDY, NJ. G. C.
NoTE-This letter has been delayed ii.
order TO obtain the amounts expended Oh
account Of the levees, and in excess of
the collection. The amount stated above
does not include the sums paid by Col.
Holabird, which cannot be stated now, IN
NnnnonyA~,n &c L. -I-- ErLI' t#