New-York tribune., 1871-04-26


CREvASSE-NoNE OF THE OTHERS CONsID-
Erred DANGEROUS-THE RIVER FALLING.
NEw-ORLEANs, April 25. - Chief Engineer
Th0mpson's official report says:
"By some unfortunate msconception Of orders in re-
gard to establishing line OF couriers from kennenvle
TO Bonnet Carre crevase nothing official has been heard
up TO O'clock tonight from that point This is sure
Cured"
Early tomorrow morning party, consisting OF Gov.
Yarmouth, Mayor Flanders, President McComb Of the
Jackson Road and other officials will visit the crevasse
COL Walton, Engineer OF the Mexican Gulf Canal and
Capt Hatch, Assistant State Engineer, went
up this evening the steamer Lee.
II is sad the people at Kennenvlle turned
out build themselves protection evees around the
town The front evees have been repaired and strength
ened and the levee Tndeau's place is rapidly
approaching completion Information received this
afternoon srom tho superintendent of the Marero Gre
vase Just below the barracks He says:
al happy to tell you getting along very
work accomplished"
No direct from Poverty Point Crevasse has been
received which is considered favorable Yesterday
Capt Smith reported that he had plenty OF materials,
and expected TO complete the work from the
McDonough Crevasse IN Paquemune Parish the right
bank of the Mississippi.
Mr. Decker in charge of the telegraph, has Just
from the Dr. Parmeee's place. and that
it can be conveniently closed with materials. These
terias sent this morning
In long letter from Engineer Van Pelt dated at 1880
yesterday, he says:
The Grand and Morgan sea levees are safe.
Coupe levees safe for this The crvasse at
Point Mason now between geo and ESQ feet wde with
about -four feet OF water. Mr.. Glynn commenced
work the levee on the 18Th and the crevasse was
broken the 10TH He has taken all the force except
enough keep the levoe from breaking at other places
have just passed Evergreen Levee IL VIII stand II he
The rumOrs of a crevasse at Blue Stone in Point COu-
pee and Bayou Sara are unfounded. Tie evees, from
Red River TO these points, intact and the river Is
falling. No interruption of telegraph communication
has place. the jackson Railroad. There is no
water Care Crevasse the city than
miles The river in front Of the city is 6 inches below
high-water mark Of 1862, and is now falling.
WHY THE CREvAssE OCCURRED.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR In your issue of this date you mention
truth but not all the truth regarding the Bonnet
Care Crevasse. Believing IT your desire when you
do so, to state "but the facts" desire to correct
upon point There has "been total neglect ofre
pairs for several years" upon the eyees Of the Msss
sippi River. But the inference of THE TRIBUNE tlat
such "negect was the result either of ignorance Of
apathy the part Of the merchants Of NewOreanS or
that Of the people Of the Southwest is utterly u-
lust as IL is incorrect The whole active population Of
that section of the almost beegared and
the struggle for bread has since exerted their whole
strength The construction and repair of the levees is
utterly hopeless to be met by people in such financial
prOstraton But the absolute necessity for maintenance
OF these levees has been Reenly appreciated by our
people. They vital TO the trade not alone of New
Orleans but Of vast outlying territory that emptice its
granares into her storehouses and draws thence is
supplies.
Keeniy alive to this truth, Board OF Trade of New
Orleans has constantly 20 raise the funds to
at least peh the most threatening portions Of this wall
Of life. The condition of the trade Of the South uncer
existing laws aud the failure Of successive crops left no
means az command for undertaking gigantic.
Thence principally resulted the great Commercial Con-
yeutions Of Memphis and ew-Oreans immediately sue
ceedng each other in the Summer OF 1859. Called to
consider the trade and business prospects OF the
Southwest. both these dcliberatiye bodies com, com
business men from every state interested s in IN
rgoyement of its channels and mouths. But in both
Conventions all other questions gave pace 10 the para
mount one Of "Pr0t6etOn Of LeUees" Even the grave
necesses OF fgmi0rqon were made secondary 10 this
and in both bodies the most emphatic ana te most clearly
expressed resolutions were adopted praying Congress 10
come to the aid a territory unable to help tse and
least assist in the preservation Oh pariers vital 10
the trade least onchah the Union These petitions
are matters record They clearly set forth the grave
apprehensions of both Conventions the lnmnence OF
the danger to be apprehended ana the ict td Nheie
millions necessary, thousands might possibly stay
There were many members Of Congress delegates to
these Conventions they represented every snde o. po
Itical sentiment, and am officially aware tlat thcse
petitions were formally inrusted to accreaIted repre-
sentafyes OF more than one southern stae ioi p9pt
vigorous urging upon tlt congress Ol Mhdt
became them TIE TRIBUNE Knows as wei as L. nav
ing been delegate ana officer in h0th conventions
eak of what know 10 be iae ana OF what you must
know to be matter of record III tho hles or your own
paper. .. - - 4, ,,, ,,o
necessary money granted and employed; why
millions of property are to-day swept away and thou
sands Of millions endangered do not propose 10 discuss
here II these facts be not patent in the history OF the
last Congress, any attempt to make them so were
useless. II the Legislators for the soutn nave not
the interests of the South more AT heart than ule
q ways that are dark" in the lobby, need not
retTiate that fact. But 1t is palpable injustice TO
struggling patient and eninently useful business CON
munify to saddle them, as culpaDle eghgehee, WIN
what bitter necessity. Inc business men vi INC
eoutbWest have long known, and loudly spoken, te ne
cessity Of repairing the eyees; ana II tney naao @ hep
their hands In their laps 1t is because those band nave
l,een tied And the question concerns NeW-fOIh hud
the whole Union neatly NOS SO oecty as IL uoes
New-Orleans Zach square mile submerged represents
an immediate loss i'll stock, buildings farming lnpic'
nen.s crops in the ground dlnlcuIt 10 estimate. IN
dcucss and prostration the loss If as nca
cula,e as is territory that VIII be submerged peoIe
fbe Shiny curse may withdraw from the race OF that uh
hapy country. Though Cotton be not hR IL ~ at c's
nenber OF our financial federation, ana the des0iaon
of Thousands Of OF C0ttOand, ana tho conscqueht
ruin of merchants cannOt Dut seriously rcdc' npon
next years calculations, here As well as there -
These views OF the question have ong been taken p our
peoIIe They have indors6d by Conventions nave
hee proclaned the press of NewOrlens; and. Wile
editor OF The A0O.e RtgiSter were tpeFe
dwell unon win almost daInnaDle iteration" ,
request that you will publish ueso Iacts In hmpie
,ustee 20 people borne and bearing he w
burdens and that you will not permit tie Southern any
OF New York TO carry false inputaton oI
Teeigeuce and apathy, when she mas only been aDe 10
Who hss m NAMED doggedy silent Very respectfully
Neic-I0rk, April rs, 1871 T. e. Dk LION
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DEW IT