New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-05-28
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER LEvEEs,
Hon. K. John Ellis Report.

Hon. K. John Ellis Report.
Mr.. Ellis, from the Committee on the
Mississippi Levees, to which was referred
the most important subject of retaining
and protecting from overflow by the an
pusl floods of the Mississippi river of the
vast and fertile region included within it's
delta, submitted the following report May 8:
The importance of this subject can not
well be oyerestimated. The Mississippi
river is the natural drain of that vast area
of our territory lying between the Allegheny
mountains on the east and the Rocky noun
tains on the west, and reaching from our
most nOrtherly boundaries to the Gulf OF
Mexico in the south, and embracing not less
than fifteen States and Territories, and over
100000 square miles. The delta OF this
vast drain extends from 29o to $50 3C north.
or ac1 oss Slao of latitude. 1t is about 600
miles in length, by an average width of
sixty miles. 1t embraces within its confines
nortions of the States of Missouri, Illinois,
Arkanaae. Tennessee, Mississippi and Louis
lana, and contains about g, 200 square miles,
or in acres, allowing $40 acres to the square
mile, the enormous aggregate OF =, o6S, OOo
acres. OF this amount there are ABOUT
1900 square miles, or $50, 900 acres, OF sea
marsh. and irreclaimable, leaving q, 3OS, 600
acres of land.of inexhaustible fertility. ~
ing in the very heart Of the richest valley
in the world, wholly idle, useless, and being
rapidly deserted because it annually inun-
dated by the waters of the Mississippi.
Divided into farms of 100 acres each, it
would give us 223 0s0 farms.
The coil of this region is of the richest
alluvial deposit, and is inexhaustlble.
More favored plantations, peculiarly situ-
ated, so as to be free from the invasion OF
the foods, without artificial fertilization
produce as luxuriant crops of cotton. sugar,
rice or corn as when redeemed from the
forest fifty years ago. Its value, from
100000 under cultivation and by being
protected by levees, had increased up to
1861 to nearly $340,000,O0O. Containing at
that time not exceeding 100000 population,
it was capable, and if reclaimed, is amply
capable of sustaining in comfort, even in
luxury, not less than 5000, 600 people.
Its productions are the richest In the
world-one and one-half bales Of cotton to
the acre, 5000 pounds or two hogsheads of
sugar besides mOlassee, syrups, etc., to
the acre. Forty bushels Of corn to the
acre are easily produced on these lands.
Rice grows in its southern portion in great
luxuriance, and the yield is equal to any
rice lands Of the world, not excepting the
regions of the Nile and the GAnges.
Other cereals, as well as vegetables of
every kind. fruits of the most delicious
character, grow in that favored region in
endless profusion. The soil is free from
rocks and hard formations, is easy OF cult
walton, and never fails to respond to the
husbandman's touch. The forest growth
of oaks of all kinds, including the magnlfi-
cent live oak, magnoliss, pecan, poplar,
beech, cypress, hickory, and many othe.
kinds of trees, are Of the grandest and
most useful character. Rivers and cracks,
the tributaries of the Mississippi, vein and
water this splendid region in every direc'
ton, and afford ample highways for the
transportion of its products. In fine, your
committee have the highest authority for
asserting that it is the largest and finest
region Of country in the world.
In 1861 it produced 469, 900 hogshesds OF
sugar, or One-fourth of what is now needed
for our home consumption. The same year
it produced nearly $500, 900 bales of cot
ton, worth the enormous sum, at low prices,
Of &l3S, OO0, 00e. Last year (ls75) it pro-
duced about $4,000 hogsheads Of sugar
and fraction over ,000.0 900 bales Of cot
ton. Its value from $40 000, 900 il now
less than $loo,ooo,0oo. Fully developed, it