The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-08

From the Ibervills South ]


We publish below communication from one of
the most energetic citizens of the State, propos-
ing plan for rebuilding the Pointe Coupee Grand
Levee. This Is werk of the utmost importance.
not less than eleven parishes are injured by the
waters Of this crevasse. Our correspondent is
also perfectly correct when he states that the
merchants Of cities and towns are also greatly in
terested In the matter.
There is no harm in trying the plan he pro-
poses or at least In discussing 1t. We ask the city
press and that of the country within the district
overfowed BY the Grand Levee crevasse. to place
the plan before the public and to urge concert OF
action. 1t lie evident that the general government
and the State will do nothing this year:
R., Sept. Is, 1868.
DR.. O. Wdrd-I am not given to letter writing
or to proposing plans for the public; but as we
now have no reason to expect any good from our
present State authorized, we, the people, must
have concerted energetic action to carry on our
public works. / would therefore take the liberty
of presenting through your columns the following
plan for rebuilding Grand Levee, provided you
deem my ideas worthy OF insertion.
The town and city merchants are deeply inter-
ested in this matter. Il affects their trade ser-
ously, and they have debts due them by the over
flowed, which are now hopeless. Every planter
of the parishes exposed must expend more or less
each year for his individual protection, and loses
great deal 1 By being unable to protect much Of
prompt action under the following plan, I feel
confident that with an advance from both mer-
D
expenses and losses from overflow, we can rebuild
that levee and receive our money back, and per.
hsps even more than our advances.
But our action must be prompt and energetic.
viii give you the outline of my plan, the same
to be Afterwards elaborated by the joint wisdom
and experience of our best citizens.
Let our country and city papers call and urge Q
meeting Of the merchants Of New Orleans say on
the nth proximo, to elect say one delegate for
every ward, to attend . convention to be elect In
the city on the 9th Of October and Q similar
meeting OF the citizens OF each country precinct
to elect delegate to the above convention.
This convention to kdscuss and elaborate this
plan, or some better one. and to appoint commit
tees and officers to carry out the details. Our
most reliable and solid contractors should be
conferred with, and it should be ascertained for
how much in State bonds they will take the con.
turned into cash immediately, in the following
way: The delegates for each parish to appoint
thoroughgoing men, to call meetings In each pre-
cinct, upon the earliest practicable day, to raise
subscriptions in cash, or cotton or other pro-
gates can be chosen BY the 18th. and the con.
vention meet by the 9th prox., these subscrip-
tons should be raised and reported to the proper
officer by the 10th of November. This will leave
ample time for the contractor to make his bid,
close his contract and finish the levee most sub.
stantialy. / feel quite confident that with proper
Efforts this precinct, the poorest of the poor, can
guarantee $4,000. Each freedman will advance
IIOm 20 10 tlUs uuQ tuoy ana Otner small SUD-
scribers can purchase bond conformity.
/ alone, for my small crop Of 100 acres, must
expend $50 in leveeing. II Grand Levee should not
be closed and then not only be insecure but lose
ct least t20e BY transportation and extra labor.
Rather than do this would advance 500. and the
freedmen on my place will, believe, advance
another 500.
This advance IL to be made upon bonds that we
expect to make redeemable at par. or can ct least
improve their present value IL we protect our
lands.
Should the Radicals succeed We must not de-
SPAR, but we must use individual efforts to save
and redeem our country II the conservatives
succeed we must be up and doing to start our
country in its new prosperity.
Should you deem this worthy of publication
please urge the other country papers to bring it
forward promptly and prominently in their next
issues. Teapus JugiLn Very respectfully.