Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1870-07-23
communicated
EDITOR HERALD.


DEAR SIR: | notice with pleasure
in your issue Of this morning the
action Of the citizens meeting III
reference to the cutoff, and the
resolutions passed In reference
therOto-with pleasure | say, be.
cause it indicates an awakening UP
of the people TO this vital and all
absorbing question, a matter that
has for the last twenty years filled
me with much solicitude, and about
which have talked so much even
at the hazard OF being considered
an old croaker. The resolutions in
dictate action IN the right direction.
| returned home this morning on
the steamer Pargoud, and while
running down behind, or outside OF
Paw Paw Island, examined the
shape Of the river very particularly.
The shape OF the banks, the force,
direction, strength and draught OF
the current, and called the atten-
ton Of an eminent Divine of our
city TO the probable aspect of the
surrounding of the iditial point
Of the contemplated cutoff. He
seemed TO realize and comprehend
the feasibility of the proposed
work.
Rounding out from Fair View,
on the Mississippi side of the river,
opposite Marshall's Cabin Teele
Plantation, the splendid steamer
headed for the chute so direct as to
create the impression that she
would pass down il, but bearing to
the left she passed down outside
the head of Paw-Paw Island, lay
ing her course In q direct line from
the channel opposite the head of
the island to the point at which the
exploring party, OF which yourself
and Major Searls formed a part,
first approached the Mississippi,
after leaving the tug Little Queen
in Old River. The hour (6 o'clock
A. NJ afforded a fair opportunity
for observation. find the present
formation Ofthe river more favora-
BILE for the accomplishment of the
Object in contemplation, /. O., the
cutoff than l had expected or
hoped. A very large middle bar
has formed on the Mississippi side
Of the channel. This bar is now
caving of rapidly towards its foot,
while a large bar has formed ex.
tending from the site or outside
bend OF Paw Paw Island, running
in the direction Of the contemplated
initial point Of the cut of at least
twO-lhirds il not three-fOurths the
distance across the river, thus force.
ing the great body and power of
the current directly against the
bank at this point, the effect is seen
In the rapid and continued carving
of the bank. This last bar is In.
creaslng very fast the bank of the
river at the point of consideration
is Of that kind Of sOluable sand (half
quicksand) that disolves with the
touch Of water. The whole face of
this bank is covered with young
cotton wood and willows that have
been carried into the river with the
falling bank these should be re-
moved at once and also those on
the immediate bank of the river,
that every existing obstruction,
however slight, may be removed.
Again, appearances indicate much
less water running through the
chute than | have ever seen at this
stage OF water in years past.
Mr.. Editor, all that is necessary
tor the salvation of our city from
this great threatened calamity, is a
comprehension Of her danger, the
power to grasp the subject In all its
vast proportions, and completed
the certain remedy, and to act with
promptness aud energy. No half
way measures, no temporary expe.
dients, no futile act that might b,
possibility place our city on the
Yazoo river. Above all, Mr.. Edi-
tor, no nigardly picayunish, penny
wise and pound foolish policy, but
let our action be as becometh men
able and willing TO grapple with
and overcome seeming destiny,
and though we may not set up a
barrier to this mighty river, yet we
may by timely persistent and well
directed effort, guide her current
the base Of our hills, and
Vicksburg will continue 10 be as
1Ow, the glory Of our State, and
BUR citizens In the future as In the
past be lulled to sleep or startled
INTO wakefulness by the pattes of
he mighty wheels aud the shrill
Whistles Of magnificent steamers as
hey continue TO pass our city ei.
.her way, bearing upon the bosom
this mighty inland artery Of the
the commerce that enriches
he world and feeds it's millions.
Mr.. Editor, the result Of our &C.
ion in this matter, is the final so.
ation Of the river terminus of the
.'icSsburg and Meridian Railroad
VICKsBURG, IL