The south-western., 1870-10-12
Red River Raft.


Mr. Editor: 1t may not be generally understood,
that the navigation of upper Red River is entirely
closed by the formation of the Raft past and above the
head of Adams canal making now continuous accu-
mutation of drift of little less than thirty miles
tent. The raft has to make but few miles to
reach Digges hills the west bank of the river when
the obstruction will be complete, running diagonay
the valley, from Mers Bluff the hills above
mentioned. This will necessarily cause the inunda
ton of vast extent of valuable lands, including Long
Praire.
The plan heretofore resofted to- for the purpose Of
avoiding the raft and navigating the upper Red River
i. E., canaling around has proved but poor subst
tute the present being the third canal the accumula
ons of the raft have closed up in the last six years
The exorbitant tolls the canals too (exorbitant in
proportion to the cost of their construction subject
the country to high freights and ipsuranees while no
relief is afforded the overfowed lands.
Having been President Of the company, chartered
by Congress preTiousy to the late war; for the
al OF the Red River Raft, company which thor
oughly organized, and which, had not the war inter-
rupted its plans, would have speedily accomplished its
object my friends and those most deeply concerned in
the have for several years past persistenty
urged me to take lnlaory steps for the renewal of the
old charter The pressure of private business deli
cacy in assuming the lead in matter of such vital I'M
portance TO people OF vast district and conscious
ness that there were others competent than my
self to do So has, up to this time, deferred ME from
acting
But now, seeing some hopes of ACCOMPLISHING the
OBJECT In view, ana relying upon the magnanimy of
the government to aid in work of such general
interest, have consented to yield to the wishes of the
community, and IN conjunction with any and all, who
are Wiling TO JOIN IN the enterprise will earnest
efforts to push 1t to a successful conclusion.
All the western States and cities, as well New
Orleans, deeply interested in the removal of the
Raft, and will give all possible aid through their rep
resentaVes IN Congress The benefits which the ac-
compshment OF this work will bestow upon Shreve-
port, are incalcuable. 1t will open FIVE hundred miles
of navigation above this place, through one of the
finest cotton growing districts the South and will
reclaim hundreds of thousands of acres of valuable
land, the products of which must in time swell the
growing volume of our commerce.
In my opinion, there is not railroad project in con-
temptation, OF halt the Importance, considering the
relative costs, or that should readily command the
patronage OF the government, the removal of the
Red River Raft. The magnitude and costs of this en-
terprise have been variousy estimated The removal
OF the Raft ITSELF not the most difficult portion of the
undertakings the labor of keeping the channel clear
alter 1t is once opened until the of the river
has Wldened sufficiently to pass the heaviest OF
dr Will prove the greatest obstacle This drift has
been known to make mile of solid raft during one
rise OF the RIVER ana IN the past season 1t made one
| and half miles.
Our first step should be to memorable Congress for
aid in this work. and blanks will soon be prepared and
sent out to obtain the signatures of those interested
in the undertaking, and trust we will be able to send
up to that honorable body petition which from the
number and character Of its signers will command
prompt consideration.
IT any are disposed to charge me with arrogance in
stepping forward in this matter | can only reply that
am influenced by selfish purpose, that have taken
the initiative at the persistent and earnest solicitation
OF my upper Red River friends who are the greatest
sufferers from this obstruction to navigation. have
frequently urged them to select person compe-
tent to manage the matter than myself but my former
connections seem to have given them claims upon me
which can no longer ignore
1t may not be amlss here, for to give briefly my
views to the best mode of etectng the object in
question; this will at least open the question: and lead
to the expression of the views of Others from which
good results may flow, and will remark, that time
should now be lost.
am in favor of revivng the old charter, or, of OBJ
tanning new one, Incorporating the same privileges
being the surest most and eectual means
with government and State aid of accomplishing
end. Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas deeply and
directly interested while donations of lands from prl
vate individuals have been frequently offered through
me to the enterprise.
Objections will doubtless be urged on the grounds
that the government, in treaty with the Indian tribes
located on the borders of Red River, guaranteed to
hem free and easy access the Mississippi river and
is obligated to them well to its citizens to do
the work and open free navigation to all. This is moi
denied. But, reviewing the past, what have we to ex
pect2 The general government has, first and last,
pended on this work $560O00, and 10 what purpose
The work was accomplished but the drift permitted to
accumulate appropriation having been made to KEEP
the channel open. The last appropriation expended
by Colonel Fuller wasted in futile effort to open
route around the Raft that effort failed and all tu
ture efforts to accomplish the same object will be at
tended by like result
The navigation of upper Red River can be opened
and made safe easy and cheap; but the only way tc
accomplish the obect,is, in my opinion by clearing
out the old channel and the continuation OF the work
thereafter in keeping the channel free of drift This
should be done by company chartered by the genera
government, and empowered to collect tolls.
| Regretting, sir to have trespassed so much upof
your space, remain, very respectfully, &c,
C.M. HERvEY.
PS.-Papers favorable 10 this enterprise will please
copy.