Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1874-06-13
MOUTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI.


Bill
The House Of Representatives passed the
following bill for improving the mouth of
the Mississippi on the 9TH inst, by ayes
40, noes 81:
That aship canal to connect the Missis-
sippi river with the Gulf Of Mexico, COM
mencing at 81. Vincent Point, on the
Mississippi river, below Fort st. Phillip,
on the east side of said river, and termi-
mating at some convenient point in CretOn
Pass. in the Gulf Of Mexico, shall be con-
structed and maintained al the expense If
the Government Of the United States. and
for this purpose the Secretary Of War I'll
cause to be made, in the most expeGHio IS
manner a thorough and final survey of
said canal. The survey and report OF the
engineers assigned TO this duty shall ex-
hibit complete plans and specifications Of
the work in the construction Of such sur
vey, and the sum Of 10000, or so much
thereof rs may he necessary, is hereby APP
prcprialed out OF any funds in The TreasI-
~ not otherwise appropriated, % dcfray the
expenses Of such survey.
Sec. 2. That the dimensions Of said
canal shall nOt I've less that 20 feet wide at
the lotto ON throughout the trunk, and with
not less than twenty-five feet in deF.b Of
water with guard-gates, locks, Lighthouses.
basins, bridges, and other erectiOns and
fixtures as may be necessary for the safe
and convenient navigation of said canal,
and that the location Of said canal shall be
That indicated in the report Of the en-
gineers.
See. 3. That the Secretary Of Wa shall
cause said canal to be made and constructed
through tine lands indicated in the report
of the engineers.
Sec. 4. That said canal shall, a. all
times, night and day; BE- open to the free
use and navigation Il all vessels and craft
belonging to the United States or any Of
its citizens, and until Otherwise provided,
to all nations in commercial amiiy with
the United States free from toll or charge;
said canal shall be maintained in good Or
der and repairs at the expense Of ihe United
Ssates, and operated under the supervision
of an officer 20 be detailed by the Secretary
of War for said duty and under his orders;
and said canal shall be 4 military, naval, |
postal and public highway, connecting the
Mississippi River and the Gulf Of Mexico;
that the admiralty jurisdiction Of
the United States be extedend
and established over said canal
to the same extent rs it exists over
the iidflgdDit NdltES Gi liz GnlaCt O~tlco
connected thereby. The Secretary Of Var
shall have power to establish al Heedful
rules and regulations not inconsistent with
the laws of the United States concerning
the navigation thereof, a copy whereof shall
be fled in the office Of the Clerk Of the
United States District Court for the Dis
trict Of Louisiana, and printed copies Of
said rules shall be framed and hung in con-
spicuous places on board Of all canal and
river ~tow-boais, as well as in the offices at
either end Of the canal, also in the Post
Office and CustOm-house at New Orleans;
provided that Congress may at any time re-
wise such rules.
See. ). That no expenditure shall be
made or authorized for the construction Of
said Fort st. Phillip canal until a valid III
tie to the lands for the site and appurte-
nances Of said canal, as indicated in the |
report of the engineers, including a strip
Of land not less than 1000 yards on each
sid. ST tnbe csaIgaat. AL slSa FL sch 4ePdsssS1
lands for the construction Of said canal, and
shall also duly release ard relinquish to
the United States the right to tax or in
any way assess said lands or property OF