miles, between the Mississippi and the Bartholomew. Less than eight miles of this space is subject to annual submersion--generally from March to July. Much of this is but partially drowned. There are several ridges covered with a heavy growth of cane; some in parallel, some in transverse swells of this alluvial formation, the surface of which the annual freshets scarcely touch. Some of these ridges have not been inundated for many years by the highest floods of the river. There is a strip of land laying along the east margin of Bartholomew, from 3 to 5 miles wide, which is not overflown at any stage of the rivers. There is little of what can be de nominated swamp, proper, in all the space between the two last mentioned streams. There is no marsh or bog. In the dry season, the surface is almost as hard as slate rock. The mud is transformed into a substance resembling indurated marle, and of sufficient consistency to sustain the weight of loaded wagons. This is the season, viz. from July to January, to make the road, which I would effect by first cutting down the timber to make a space 60 feet wide. The next step should be to take all the sound trees, and those the least liable to decay, cut them to lengths of 20 feet, and lay them across the course of the road to form the foundation of the causeway. Upon these I would heap clay on the contiguous soil in sufficient quantity, to elevate my road above the inundations of the Mississippi. The excava tion of the ground necessary to the raising of the causeway, might be so arranged as to form a regular ditch, or sort of canal, along one of the margins of the road. This would answer a most valuable purpose for the transportation of merchandise and produce during the times of high water; and would require neither locks nor artificial feeders. The causeway, if properly made and directed, might hereafter, when the settlement and wealth of this country shall require it, serve as the foundation of a railroad from the Bartholomew high lands to the west bank of the Mississippi. He must be contemptibly ignorant of the topography of this section of country, and of its immense resources, who should deem these views as visionary, considered in connection with their applicability to our daily increasing means, or the prospective and rapid advancements of our industrious and enterprising citiIt would seem that no portion of the United States is so imperfectly known, or which has been so grossly misrepresented by travellers, as this section of our country. Indeed, I have found most of the strangers, among whom business frequently throws me, lamentably ignorant of the topography of Arkansas. But a few years have elapsed since the whole alluvion of the Mississippi was described in print as one immense swamp, excepting a few spots of dry ground on the immediate margin of the river. Within the last five or six years, and while the regular surveys have been progressing on both sides this river, extensive bodies of first rate lands, above the highest floods, have been discovered in these great plains, where before it was con jectured that no human being could exist. These discoveries have afforded the sites for numerous and extensive cotton plantations; some of which are already among the largest and most valuable in the cotton growing country. I might instance Lake Providence, Lake Washington, Lake Bolivar, Grand lake, Macon lake, Old river, &c., and several creeks and bayous not yet named on any published map. Eleven years' residence in this place, and frequent excursions in and through the great valley of the lower Mississippi; often with careful and minute observations respecting the different eleva tions of its plains, and depths of its inundations, will, it is presumed, warrant the expressing of something like an opinion on this case. The observa zens. tions which I have made, and the accurate knowledge of the public surveys which I have taken the necessary pains to acquire, and having compared this section of the Mississippi with other parts of the great western moiety of its alluvions, I am impelled to the conclusion that there is no point on this river below New Madrid, with the exception of Helena, in Philips county, from which a road can be made to reach the high lands westwardly, with equal ease, and at, comparatively, so little cost, as may be effected from this place to the high lands on the bayou Bartholomew, from which high and dry roads may be had, at little expense, to every part of the Territory, over gently undulating plains, and through beautiful open woods and prairies. In order to arrive at some knowledge of the probable cost of the contemplated road, the following estimate is submitted. It is founded upon data, attained with sufficient accuracy to justify the conclusion that the expense will not vary materially from the sums set down for the different branches of the work. Eight miles is considered the extent which will require causewaying and bridging through the low grounds. It will not exceed this measurement through the overflow in whatever part of the country the road may be located. But we will call it 12 miles, which may require this sort of labor. It is sufficiently well ascertained that the average depth of the inundation will not exceed three feet along the contemplated route of the road. The cutting down, clearing, and laying the trees, to form the foundation of the causeway, for every mile, would be equal to the clearing eight acres of land evenly and smooth This would be worth $20 per acre, or $160 a mile, through the low grounds, including the labor of laying the founda tion of the causeway. Twelve miles, at $160, is The bayou Macon, the bayou Beouff, and the bayou Bar- $1,920 14,400 6,000 $22,120 The opening of the road through the open woods, from the Bartholomew to the Pine bluff, would be but a comparatively trifling expense. I think it might be opened, 30 feet wide, for $20 a mile. I am of the opinion that this road should cross the Arkansas at Pine bluf, as there seems to be a prevailing impression in that section, that the best site for the road can be had on the north side of that river. This point, however, as well as every other important one connected with the under taking, should, of course, be determined by competent commissioners, companied by a practical engineer. And here, my dear sir, permit me to suggest to you, that whatever you do, or may be done, be careful on this point: be particular to get men appointed as commissioners, who will know what they should be at, and who will act disinterestedly. Should such appointments be given to some of the ignorant old hunters whom I have heard spoken of here as expecting it, they will spoil the whole concern. Every fellow of them will want the road to pass by his own door, regardless of the interests of the community. They will do well for assistants, but never as principals, in such business. Should the General Government be so munificent as to appropriate twenty five thousand dollars for this great road, a finished undertaking might be made of it, worthy of this fine country, and its industrious and enterprising inhabitants. This would be but as a drop in the bucket, rompared to the advantages which would be derived nationally from the new impetus it would give to the commerce of the Territory, and the sales of the public lands. Tens of thousands have been expended upon the Memphis road, and the road now asked for is considered, by many intelligent persons, to be at least as important as that to the future prosperity of the Territory; and it is obvious that it can be made at much less expence, as it will not have to pass over more than one-third the extent of flooded lands. Leaving this subject to the enlightened councils of the nation, and, particularly, to your well exercised and mature judgement, I remain, with profound respect, and great consideration, Your most obedient servant, J. C. JONES. |