The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1905-12-09
THE CANAL.

We here reproduce more reports
concerning the canal, and we would
call the attention of our people |
particularly to the different levels |
which show conclusively the FEAST
bility of draining all the Cypress
Island basin, which include part
of the Parish of Lafayette. and
the lands up to the Fifth ward of
st. Martin parish also the Guide
Sac section aud all the Spanish
Lake marsh. Here is the reports
Extract from the Report Of the Com
missioner. First District, Of January 2,
1860. Copies from records on file in the
OHicc Of the Board Of State Engineers in
Book marked No Engineers Reports
l848 81.
Baton Rouge, La, Sept. 1, 1859.
Col. Lafayette Caldwell.
COMMISSIONS Second Swamp
Land District.
Dear Sir:
In accordance with your general in
structions, relative to the inspection Of
the work now in the course Of construc-
ton between the BayOus Teche and Tor
tue. In the Parish OF st. Martin. l have
the honor to submit the following re-
port.
In my last report to you, stated that.
up to that date. some eighteen or twenty
thousand cubic yards has been excava-
ted. Since then. the work has been
pushed forward with great energy by
the enterprising contractor. and from
present indication, have no doubt the
work will be successfully completed,
provided the Legislature, In it's wisdom,
makes the necessary appropriations to
carry it on.
From accurate measurement, made on
or about the last Of May. the number Of
cubic yards completed was $4,000. Since
that time, a larger and more efficient
fOrce has been employed, and estimate
the work done. up 10 the fifteenth Of
August, to b. 10000 cubic yards. You
will thus perceive that within the last
ninety days. the work has progressed
rapidly, and il afford me great pleasure
to say. 1t has been faithfully executed.
And here might. with prOpriety,
bring this report to close but deem
1t my duty to combat some speculative
ideas which have taken possession OF
some Of the prominent men Of that sec
ton.
1t seems to be the fate of all public
works IN this State, to encounter opposi.
ton from some quarter. One party dis
approves OF the manner Of construction;
another finds fault with the location
aud Others, without Investigation, con.
denim everything. without suggesting a
remedy. This has. to some extent, been
the case as regards the canal now 10 the
course Of construction between Teche
and TOrtue. The Acts making appro-
priations for the work in question, had
In view the most expeditions and feast
Bile plan OF draining and retaining all
the low lands between those two bayous,
which were subject to inundati0n from
excessive rains and the superfluous wa
ters of the Bayous VermilliOn AMI Tor
tue. which, at certain periods overflow
their banks, and suhmcrge the great ba.
sin lying htweeD the highlands of the
Teche and the Cote Gelee hills.
The most practical and expeditions
means of venting this water, waa the
irst thing to be ascertained. Some con.
tended. and still contend. that the most
feasible plan was 10 clean out and deep
pen the Bayous Teche and yermilliOn.
aud by species of net work of small
canals. dykes. etc, etc., draw off the wa
ter by a circuitous route, and throw it
back from whence it came. This woul,l
have been gigantic undertaking, at
tended with an enormous expenditure
Of money. and would not have accom-
plished the object in view; for l have.
upon several occasions during the pre-
valenee Of the autumnal equinox. seen
che waters of'the vermillion and Tortue
ever0ow their banks, and after sweep
jug across a large extent of country. fall