Semi-weekly Louisianian. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1871-1872, 1871-06-15

NEW ORLEANS NOT SUB
MERGED.

In OfOeI TIC DeCCer 70 COuCrOVeIt
the false impression which exists in
the minds of the people North and
West in regard to the condition of
New Orleans, we have obtained
from the City Surveyor o statement
of the area of the city and the actual
area overaowed by the waters from
the canal.
The whole are drained, according
to Mr.. Bell, is 1857 acres, while
the area overAowed was but 1647.
Thus it will be seen that we are not
nearly so much affected by the
water as would be inferred from the
statements which have been freely
circulated to the great detriment OF
New Orleans There are still, or
were, even when the food was at its
height, 1880 square acres Of dry
land in the city, upon which we
could move about, and it will be
borne in mind too, that a large
proportion of the 1647 acres inun-
dated were unimproved, or but
sparsely settled.
We ask those journals that have,
no doubt Internationally, misled
their readers, to publish the fore
going facts, in order that their minds
may be disabused of impressions
calculated to injure New Orleans
very seriously.
We are not only absolutely secure
from overflow by the. water of the
Mississippi, but can never again suf-
fer more than we have from iunda-
ton by reason of overAows from the
lake.
Indeed, we trust and believe that
L
before another year shall have pass
ed, the lake protection levee will
be constructed, and render an over
flow from the lake matter of I'M
possibility.
The members ofthe Council seem
fully awake to the necessity Of
having that levee built, and Sur
veyor Bell has been called upon to
furnish Immediately an estimate Of
what the actual cost Of it's construc-
ton will be. We have relied toe
long upon the insecure and frail
entertainments that have guarded
our canals and water courses lead.
ing to the Lake, and the people as &
whole are anxious for the day to ar
rive when they shall be secure from
inroads by old Pontchartrain. There
are some few who combat the idei
as being unnecessary, but we ven
turc to assert they live in districts
not subject to overflow and do no
sufficiently appreciate the suffering:
Of those whose homes have beer
surrounded by water, the immense
damage and loss which has bee,
inflicted, and tho enorm aus expense
to the city.
The witer is rapidly receding
the crowns OF many of the recent,
submerged streets being now visible
and all thepumps, together with tn,
Usage and draining machine orr
constantly at work.
The Administrator of Improve
ments is causing fences, bridges ant
crossings to be repaired as fast a
the water recedcs, and it is nov
about two feet and half below
high water mark.
Hagan Avenue Shell Road is nov
visible from the new canal to Com
mon street, though Monday evenin.
it was under water.
The Relief Committee, Messrs
Bonzano, Lewis and Delassize, ar
still at the Marine Hospital, dis
pensing the stores sent them by tn
, city authorities and by generou
, citizens.
The rain, which has been of dali
occurrence, though disastrous +
!. the crops, viii be beneficial i
causing the filth and mud to b
,, swept out from the portions of th
city relieved of water, and may pre-
, vent any unfortunate or unhealth
full effects being experienced b
reason of the food.
CENATOR DTNNuRACK