The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1871-09-16
Our Leyees.

AS a matter of general interest to
the community, we publish the follow
ing communication in reference to the
leyees, which will explain itself
PARISH OF ASCENSION, Sept. II, 1871.
The undersigned would respectfully
represent to the Governor of the State.
and to the Louisiana Levee company,
that they have been appointed spe-
cial committee by the Police Jury Of
the Parish of Ascension, at the earn
est request of the citizens of that
Parish, to call the attention of the
State authorities and the La. Levee
company, to the condition of the
Levees in the Parish of Ascension.
In the discharge of this duty, we
would make the following statement,
that after a. personal inspection of the
Levees on both sides of the Missis-
sippi River and on that portion of
Bayou Lafourche situated in the
Parish of Ascension, we find that the
following Levees absolutely require
to be rebuilt or thoroughly repaired
On the left bank of the River, near
the upper line of the Parish the Levee
has caved into the River in four or
five places, extending over a half
mile in length, on the Tillotson and
Minor plantations. For these breaks
new Levee will be required across
the Tillotson and portion of both
the Minor plantations. And If the
ba,,l~ .I>,,,ll <.r-,., lS>,,<,,, 1<,xsrr ~, %ha
bend, which it gives some indications
of doing, the new Levee should be
continued below the New River Road.
At the Dorcine Landry plantation,
left bank, short Levee will be re-
quired connecting the two elbows of
the old Levee, which is too near the
bank to be safe at the next high wa
ter.
The Levee at the Marchand place,
next above Burnside's Riverton plan
tation left bank, has been In a danger
GUS state for more than year and
new Leyee will be required acress the
entire Marchand front. The Levee i'll
front of the plantations known as Ash
land and Bowdon, belonging to ID. +.
Kenner, and the Levee Immediately
below Canty's lower line, belonging to
A. S. Darrow, have been SO completely
honey -combed by the craw-fish, that
unless they are rebuilt or thoroughly
repaired it will be impossible to pre-
vent erevasses at the next high water
at one or more of the weak points.
On the right bank OF the River, at
the Lacroix plantation afew miles be-
low Donaldsonvifle, the Levee has
caved entirely through III one place
and the bank is still caving making a
new Levee necessary at this point.
ffhie Eevee In front 81 Hsnry fJlIffsii' : )
plantation, also that in front of the
Prosper Landry plantation, now be-
longing to DR. Legare, have been worn
by the action of the water till they
are in an unsafe condition and need
repairs. In many places the levees in
the Parish have been worn down be-
low the level of high water, by the
wear and tear incidental to the tramp
ing of cattle. It is impossible to des-
ignate all of these points as it would
reuire an instrumental survey TO do 50
properly, however, wecall your atten-
ton to the general fact.
There are also weak points N the
Levees such as in front of the Pedes-
claux plantation, where as a precatl-
tionary measure it might be advisable
to strengthen the levees. =
Should any crevasse occur ON the
left bank in this Parish from the neg
lect of these levees the water viii How
into the Lake through the channels
formed by the waters from the break
at Bonnet Carre, deluging, however,
a much larger district of cultivated
land, and doing great injury to the
jackson Rail Road.
We respectfully request his Excel
lency the Governor to transmit this
statement to the La. Levee Company,
with such endorsement as he may
deem appropriate as formal notice to
that company of the absolute and lnl-
mediate. wants Of the people in Aseen-
sion Parish on the subject of levees.
+. w. MASON,
ID. F. KENNER,
A. s. BARROW,
ERTIY REYNAIID