New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-11-15
A NATIONAL, WORK.

leans Chamber of Commerce in regard to
the contemplated construction of the Fort
St. Philip canal. The report is signed by
w. NJ. Burwell, L. j. Highly, Z. Ell. Sum
mers and W. G. Black, delegates from
Louisiana to the annual session Of the Ma
tional Board Of Trade for 1872, recently
held in the city of New York. and was
doubtless deemed expedient, inasmuch as
the subject matter is one Of vast import
ance, not only to New Orleans, but to the
nation at large. A resolution passed the
| National Board of Trade recommending
| to Congress "the construction, as a ma
tional work, on national account, and under
national jurisdiction, of free ship canal to
connect the deep water Of the Mississippi,
near the mouth Of that river with that of
the Gulf Of Mexico, at points near Fort
st. Philip and Breton island" As the
want Of proper and sufficient outlet to
the great river that courses by our doors
has long been felt by the Crescent City
and the immense interior country whose
commerce will naturally flow this way if a
sufficient and certain outlet to the sea is
secured at all times, the project OF con.
structing the Fort st. Philip canal, as
| recommended by the National Board Of
Trade, will be regarded with deep interest.
not only by the citizens Of our own city,
but by the inhabitants Of the great valley
Of the Mississippi and the country lying
beyond it. The magnitude Of the trade
and extent Of territory that viii be affect
cd by this enterprise are set forth in
the report as follows: "The Mississippi
and its tributaries afford twenty thousand
miles Of navigable water. These drain
one million five hundred thousand square
miles. They carry out and in by the
natural outlet OF the Mississippi alone
$3.50 000,O 600 commercial values The
population Of this area is more than seven
teen million: and the tonnage Of these
rivers equals, perhaps, one-fourth of the
whole national tonnage" 1t conpre-
hends, as shown by the report in question,
the interest Of all sections Of our own
country and Of all nations. It must be
recollected that the commercial values and
tonnage Of the Mississippi and its tribu-
taries are constantly on the increase and
will keep pace with the increase Of popp-
lation. We are already beginning to feel
the effects Of the grain trade that il flow
ing this way from the great West on the
bosom Of the grandest river known to the
commercial world There should be o
mouth to this river commensurate with
the river itself, and the immense trade that
is bound to flow in and out Of it whenever
the largest size vessels can be insured
safe ingress and egress. We are now feel
ing the want Of tonnage and must con.
tinue to be more or less circunlscribed il
orr business relations with our own coun.
try and the balance Of the world unit! we
have secured passage from the MISSISSIPPI
pi to the Gulf Of Mexico that will admit
the largest size vessels. When we have
secured an outlet Of from twenty-five 70 4
thirty feet Of water, we may expect to see
q large share Of the commerce OF the
world coming this way in lines Of steam
ships that will bring freight and passon~
gers and take from New Orleans the grain.
cotton, tobacco, ETC., Of our country.
New Orleans is well known to The Old
World as a commercial point. but she has
long 1abored under disadvantages that
have kept her from progressing as rapidly
as her position would warrant ii she had
art with her natural advantages.
The construction Of the Fort 81. Philip
canal will remove one Of her most seYicus
disabilities, and at the same time render
great service to the twenty thousand miles
Of inland navigation that seeks an Quite:
to the sea by the way OF New Orleans. i
is the immense territory and population
that will be affected beneicially IN this
way that renders the work Of nationa! I'M.
portance and enables it TO command na. |
tional attention and aid. The national
government has already considered :le |
subject one that is entitled to its attention,
and is giving aid to the extent Of several |
hundred thousand dollars gear 30 keep
open an outlet Of from eighteen 10 twenty !
feet deep fog the iugyess ana es,.oss OF YES
sells
It has also authorized survey aYl! esfi
mate Of cost If tha CONSERVATION, ~ 49,
Fort ST. Philip canal. The las; survey was |
made BY Captain c. ". Howell, Of the
United States army, vino reports the work
and that it can be done al q |
cost Of six millions Of dollars With The
canal finished. the Mississippi will have .
permanent outlet. withou: 40 annual ez.
oense Of several hundred thousand dol
lars, for vessels drawing II LEASE twenty.
seven feet cf water. Considering the wort.
me Of great nationa! interest. .s well
IS Of great Importance 10 o:y oily, "
would call the favorable consideration @.
congress to it. and hope that our :nl1ae.
Late representatives Will 10: fiji to 10
heir duty in the premises.
Under the operations o. ;njunct:ons.
editions for mandamuses. motions 10
lissolye, dismiss. quash, and the various
volation5 Of Judicial machinery. nothing
'as done yesterday BY either Of the
eturning boards. A delay ID the work
MIL Monday carrr7-. " IA Ir,ar,;Ear IL