The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-07-20

been embarrassed by pubhcattons3 Ade
at the government scxpense, md extern
sively circulated by Gen. Humphreys,
Chief OF engineers, TO prove that my
work would he failure. also felt ag-
grieved that Major Howell. in defiance
of law. had been making surveys OF the
south Pass and the jetties. and publish
ing uutruthiul reports calculated to de
stroy public confidence in the enterprise.
while General Comstock, as the inspect
ing officer to report TO the secretary of
war. has not furnished any Information
to me in relations to surveys and sound
! ings. but has been making his report to
the chief OF engineer. who sends them
tn tile secretary of war. who in turn
| transmits them 10 congress. anu are con-
| sequcntlv about two months old before
| they reach publicity. Therefore. rs my
works have been rapidly executed
aud results follow speedily. Gen.
/ Comstock's information possesses
! little or no value. Major Howell,
among other statements, published nm
/ assertion that there WAS only twelve feet
/ OF water between my ictiies. whereupon |
| telegraphed to the secretary OF war to
| direct Gen. Cumstoch. who was then on
| the spot. tn measure The depth OF the
! channel with me and give me an official
I
| to correct a Misrepresentation made by
! Mai. Howell This was refused on the
! ground that n full survey of the works
! was about to be- made 10y Gen. ComstOck
/ and that when the results were received
/ in Washington a copy would be furnish
! ,tI me. thus DELAYING for 4 mouth or two
| the Information To which | was justly en-
! titled. The managers OF the Cromwell
! steamship line, however. Knowing that
their steamers would save two, hours la
their time to New York. began 10 use
tie iettrs just after this trouble. and the
passage Of ships drawing over seventeen
bet through channel in which major
! of engineers declared there was only
/ twelve feet. became a mystery which la.
not vet been explained.
TUE FINAL QUESTION.
however. mdcrlies the jctty expert
mcnts. and the people from whom eN-
pcct to receive enough assistance to com
plctc the work make up their mind:
that the government anl officials are hos
tile. the difficulties must necessarily ht
much Increased.
TO my letter OF remon-traUcc in re
gard 10 these matters, the secretary OF
war replied as follows:
WAR DEPARTMENT. WASHINGTON, ID
c., June y. lS,6,-SIR | have the hon
or to acknowledge the receipt oi you
letter OF the Doth inst. reprt scnting il
substance
First-Ihat in future the inspectin:
p officer contemplated in the act approve'
March 3. $50. for the improvement O
The South Pass of the Mississippi rive
! be required to make his report direct {
: the secretary of war.
ha If ih
and reporting upon the work will hence
= forth be performed b. the said Inspect
inc officer exclusively.
Third-1hat any official. publicatio
with reference 10 the said improvement
: will not be permitted from any othe
: officer of the engineer corps.
!. Fomth-That the chief of engineers !
d. directed to discontinue all Surveys OF III
South pass and it. bar that are not undo
" the direction of the said inspectin
o officer.
i Fifth-That the said inspecting oflic,
be directed 10 furnish YOU or your auiho
" iled assistants any Information he ma
o possess. or hereafter acquire. relating
&c the effects. progress, pcrmanenry
IN probable success OF the work.
You first request has been granite
Il and beg to iucIose you 4 copy OF u
sc letter directing it. TO the second rea,ie>
10 | have to reply hat the duty therein !
= ferred TO will be performed by the otlic
assigned TO it and his assistants excl
~ sively. a. to The third request, II III;
a. be stated az a general rule. that repor
a. made by officers OF the War DEPARTING
IL 10 the secretary are nnt..u,l6 elrfeu uit
out his .eolt notification will be sent
you. our fourth request, has alreaC
been carried into effect, a. the chief
engineers. on the Sth inst. directed Ca,
\ I. ". Howell 10 make no sounding
~ current or other measurement OF al
KIND Whatever in the South Pass
on The bars OF the river or sea ends, or
the sea or at its mouth. but To limit Il
- observations To the other passes and Il
~ main stem Of the river. should such O
- servations be- necessary in the execute
D. OF duties heretofore assigned him. Y,
: will perceive, by the inclosrd copy OF lc
+ ter that Maj. 4. b. Comst0ck, in accor
ance with your request. has been drec
y Ell 10 furnish you, or Your assistant, Ii
!, actual results OF the sOundings that ba,
= been or hereafter may be made under h
= direction, IN the performance OF Il
. duties assigned him in connection wit
' The Improvement Of the channel betw &c
The south Pass Of the Mississippi riy,
: and the Gulf OF Mexico, under the a,
approved March 3, 1873. Very resper
u fully. yonr obedient servant.
J. -. CAMERON, Secretary OF wa
u JANIS Il. EADs, Esq, Washington, ID. (
In concluding his interview with IL
. Heratd reporter, Capt. Eads said "Yo
y now perceive something Of the difficu
lies ! have had to contend with ia Missi
; slppi. My yexations have not been COZ
: hned 10 that section. ! have receive
an Injunction and verdict against ia
, brooklyn Bridge Company Tor AN il