The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-02

FfcSS writes du lulcIestluS lCItCl " 1'SIo P"PSi
from New Orleans under date of the 10Th ult..
in which the subject Of the levees, the crevas'
ses, and the general condition Of things de-
pendent thereon, are discussed. We make the
following extracts:
GENERAL. OBSERVATIONS.
Holland, the home of the brave and thrifty
Dutch, has suffered much from overf1ows and
foundations of the sea, and the result OF their
losses is and has been more perfect system
of dykes or levees, guaranteeing safety for the
future. Dutch engineers have worldwide
reputation, and if we had few OF these en-
rineers in this State (Lousiana) at the present
Time our bottom-ands would not be washed
out. To-day the Mississippi River Is high
very high; higher Than it has been tor many
years, and from all points above anu DeloW lhe
city hear oil crevasses.
On Sunday last visited Carrolton, suburb
of this city, but in another parish or county,
called Carroll Parish. some six miles from
Canal street, the heart or centre Of the Cres-
cent City. Here found the river at several
pcints dashIDG or washing over the levee, and
The inhabitants OF the place no more alarmed
than if the river were fifteen ieet below the
level of the city, Instead Of being. as it Is, at
least fifteen feet above the level. walked for
O mile along or on top Of the levec: anu coulIl
look down into the interior Of the second
stories of The dwellings, as we'll as the ilrSt,
and could plainly see that the Inhabitants did
not know Of their danger, or II they dld, tney
did not care as long as they were sille Tor The
moment. II u crtraSse were 10 oIcnr auoVe
The city, at Carrolllon, there Is no telling the
result, as millions Of dollars worth Oh properly
wond be destroyed, and numerous lives lost.
Yet, with all these tacis staring the people Ill
the face, they make no preparations whatever
for The safety of either themselves or their pro-
perty, | cannot liken them To anything else
tbun sinners, living from day to day. never
dreaming of eternity until their last moments
and then it is loo late Tor repentance.
APPEARANCE OF TIE LErEE.
This morning paid visit TO the levee at the
foot nj Canal street. and found the river 10 ht
higher than it was OH Sunday last by several
inches. Four more inches and 1t would wash
over the levee and overflow the "6ack ol
lown:: at once, and finally The best part Of the
CITY. Now and then hear joke profered by
some smart fellow, stating That ''sKIi15 anu
baIteanx are on the riz." / passed down The
levee TO the French Market, where the Phlla.
(elphia Steamship Junit..a is being unaden.
The ship towers above The city like huge
monster, and she looks rs Though sne We're
about to topple over on the landing. took u
position sumo ten squares OF SO from lhe
river. and the steamboats, and ships iooked as
NEGLECT OF OFFICIALS.
The levees along The "coast," above and
below The city, have been neglected not only y
by the planters, but by The State Officials: Inc
oil levees are honry-combed by craw-fsh-a
small shell fish, resembling young lobster,
and and very cry toolllsome when dressed up into a
salid-toring through and causing the waie.
10 follow lheir wake, which eventually causes
the creyasse. The board Of public works have
power 10 build neg levees. but they have No
power TO repair old ones, and the consequence;
IL. that lhr caliousness OF The planters and
| their Indifference i'll regard 10 matters Outside
of raising sugar and cotton is The cause OF ON
present danger. This morning The telegraph
Tells us ,har The river is falling, and that al
Memphis the river has already fallen fifteen
feet. Tie real danger commences when thy
river is falling, Us the undermined ieYees lai
| in and wash away as the water declines.