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[SENATE.]

32(1 CONGRESS,

Ex. Doc.
No. 11.

1st Session.

REPORT
OF

THE

SECRETARY OF THE
Oil the state of the

TREASURY.

Finances.

JANUARY 6 , 1 8 5 2 .
Kefcrrod to the Committee on Finance, and ordered "that 10,000 copies, in additiws to ttha
usual number, be printed for the use of the Senata.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

December 26, 1851.
The Secretary of the Treasury reports :
RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES.

The receipts for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1851, were—
From customs
849,017,567 92
From public lands
2,352,305 30
From miscellaneous sources
943,106 65
Add balance in the treasury July 1, 1850

52,312,979 87
6,604,544 49

Total means

58,917,524 36

The expenditures for the same fiscal year were

48,005,878 68

Leaving a balance in the treasury July 1, 1851, o f . - - -

10,931,645 6S

(As appears in detail by accompanying statement A.)
ESTIMATES.

The estimated receipts and expenditures for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1852, a r e :
Receipts from customs, 1st quarter,
by actual returns
$14,754,909 3 1
Receipts from customs, second, third,
and fourth quarters, as estimated34,245,090 66
Receipts from lands
Receipts from miscellaneous sources

Add balance in the treasury July 1, 1851
Total

Hamilton,
Print•

raeans-i-g-3308*;

§49,000,000 00
2,100,000 00
400,000 00
51,500,000 00
10,911,645 68
62,411,645~68

Th^actual expenditures fcrJlicquartrending Sept. 3 0 , 1 8 5 1 v ^ e j v > (As appears by accompanying s t a t e ment B.)
,
.
The estimated expenditirr-i? aury&g
the other three q u a r t e t ,
1st October, 1851, to June 30,
1852, a r e :
Civil list, foreign intercourse, and
miscellaneous
Expenses of collecting the revenue
from customs
---Expenses of collecting the revenue
from lands-Army proper, &c.- * ;
Fortifications, ordnance, arming militia, &c.
Internal improvements, &c.
Indian department
Pensions-Naval establishment, including drydocks and' ocean steam-mail contracts
»
Interest on the public debt
Purchase of stock of the loan of 1847-

;

12,380,950 / o
]

>oUlVJUU

vyivz^HA

bS
n

1,675,979
167,457
2,631,647
1,661,503

02
43
IB
15

7,659,129 50
4,003,690 70
1,689,475 79

650,952,902 59

Leaving an estimated balance in the treasury, July 1,
1852° of
--—
The estimated receipts for the fiscal year, commcncing
July 1,1852, and ending June 30, "1853, are :
From customs
-----F.rom public lands
From miscellaneous sources
-

$19,000,000 00
2,500,000 00
300,000 00

Total estimated receipts
Add estimated balance in the treasury July 1, 1 8 5 2 - - -

51,800,000 0 9
11,458,743 0 9

Tola! means as estimated-

6^,2 33,743 09

The expenditures for the same period, as estimated by the several Departments—of State, Treasury, Interior, W a r , and Navy, and Postmaster
General, a r e :
Balances of former appropriations which will be required to be expended this ear
83,742,214 69
Permanent and indefinite appropriations
* 9 *92,550 8 4
Specific appropriations asked for this year- — . . . . . . .
29',257,533 6 6

42,892,299 1 9

[ 11 ]

This sum is composed of the following particulars, viz :
Civil list, foreign intercourse, and mis89,923,952 69
, cellaneous—«
Expenses of collecting revenue from customs
2,000,000 00
Expenses of collecting revenue from lands
184,620 00
Army proper, &c.
S,57J.0G8 06
Fortifications, ordnance, arming militia, &c. - - 1,799,078 00
Internal improvements, &c.
1,404.603 81
Indian department
1,206^530 ^2
Pensions
2,433,771 97
Naval establirhment, including dry-docks
and ocean steam mail contracts
i0,473,983 04
Interest on public debt
3.879,690 70
Purchase of stock of the loan cf 1347 - 925,000 00
42,892,299 19
Leaving an estimated balance in the treasury July 1,
1S53, of
-V
§20,366,443 00
T h e total receipts from all sources for the last fiscal year amounted to
$52,312,979 87, which, with the balance in the treasury on the 1st of
July, 1850, of 86,604,544 49, gave, as the total available means for the
year ending 30th June,last, the sum of $58,917,524 3 6 ; of this amount
S49,017,5b7 92 were received from customs.
T h e receipts for the quarter ending 30th September last were 815,561,511 83, of which 814,754,909 34 were from customs ; for the corresponding quarter of the previous year tbe customs yielded the gross sum of-^14,764,043 05. It is presumed that the receipts for the three remaining
quarters of the current fiscal year will not exceed those of the corresponding
quarters of the last year, and'hence the receipts from that source have been
estimated at $49,000,000.
T h e estimated total receipts for the current fiscal year amount to S51,500,000. T h e total expenditures are estimated at £50,^52,902 59. Total
receipts for the next fiscal year are estimated at $51,300,000.
In order to present the various objects of expenditure to Congress in the
most distinct manner possible, I have caused the estimates for the next fiscal
year to be prepared with such view, and therefore the amounts required for
the usual and long established wants of the government have been separated
from such as are deemed necessary for the protection and welfare of our
newly acquired territories, and demanded in the fulfilment of our obligations,
express or implied, in connexion therewith.
I t need scarcely be stated that a large proportion of the increased expenditures of the Government in times of profound peace an* consequent upon
the acquisition of our new territories. The estimates for those territories,
in addition to the otherwise ordinary wants of the Government, are deemed
essential to their well-being, and are submitted with the hope that Congress
will pursue a liberal course of policy towards that younger and weaker portion of our c o u n t r y ; as it cannot be doubted that, when a permanent population shall possess them, and consequent advancement in all the elements of

[11]

civilization shall be realized, they will anfply repay present expenditures by
permanent and powerful augmentation of the national wealth.
The expenditures for the ordinary wants of the Government for the next
fiscal year are estimated at $33,343,219 07, as will appear in the detail cf
estimates already transmitted to Congress.
Those submitted as required by our new territories, and in the fulfilment
of our obligations consequent upon their acquisition, amount in part to
$9,549,080 12, as follows:
Survey of the boundary line between the United States and
Mexico
8120,000 00
Survey of the west coast
150,000 00
Dry-dock in California-----360,000 00
Mileage and per diem of Senators and Representatives from
California, Utah and New Mexico
2G,4G2 40
Territorial governments of Utah and New Mexico
01,400 00
Judicial expenses, including marshals
77,200 00
Expenses of commission for settling land titles in California
50,000 00
Expenses of surveys in California
18,500 00
Expenses of surveys and sales of public lands in California239,075 00
Pensions under the acts of 1848
431,240 00
Expenses of Post Office Department
638,250 00
Excess of expenditures of War Department in the maintenance of troops, &c., in the new territories
4,556,709 75
Interest on so much of the debt contracted in consequence
of and during the late war
2,820,242 97
Making an aggregate of-

9,549,080 12

Add for the ordinary expenses of the Government, as per printed estimates, $33,343,219 07, and we have the sum of 842,892,299 19 as the
total estimated demands upon the treasury for the next fiscal year, leaving
an estimated unappropriated balance in the treasury on the 1st of July,
1803, of 820,366,443 90. This sum, it is believed, will be ample to meet
the amount required on that day for the redemption of the loan of 1843,
then due, of $6,237,931 35, and such additional appropriations beyond the
C o S s s 8 • tted a s m a y b e m a d e d u r i n S t h e Present and next session:, of
PUBLIC DEBT.

2 2 8 1 r e g i S t t f e d d ^ t ' , 0 n , t h e 3 0 t h November, 1850, wan 804,228,3 7 , smce which period the following reductions have been made, viz :
On account of the debt of the cities of the District of Columbia, assumed by the act of 20th May, 1836
On account of the old funded and unfunded debt
On account of the loan of 1S43
On account of the loan of 1 8 4 ?

On account of Mexican indemnity stock
On account of treasury notes pafd in specie

....:::.".

SCO 000 00
2 869 19
oqqIoO 00
i 070 S o

'm'573
"'cOO 00
1,667,843 11

5
In addition to which, the awards under the fifteenth article of the treaty
with Mexico, for which the issue of stock was authorized, amounting to
$2,591,213 45, and the instalment under the twelfth article of that treaty,
amounting to 83,242,400, have been paid in cash.
. The public debt on the 20th ultimo, per statement C, was 862,560,395 26,
as follows, viz:
Old funded and unfunded debt, payable on presentation
Debt of the District cities assumed by Congress, S60,000,
payable annually
Treasury notes issued prior to 22d July, 1846, payable or
fundable on presentation
Treasury notes issued under art of 22d July, 1846, do. do.
Treasury notes issued under act of 28th January, 1847, do.
Loan of' April 15th, 1842, due 31st December, 1862, do. do.
Loan of March 3d, 1843, due 1st July, 1*53
Loan of J u l y 2 2 d , 1846, due 12th November, 1856
—
Loan of January 28th, 1847, due 1st January, 1868
Loan of March*31st, 18-18, due 1st July, 1868
--

$116,7.16 79
840,000 CO
135,711
17,550
9,500
8,198,686
6,237,931
4,999,149
26,265,150
15,740,000

64
00
00
03
35
45
00
00

62,560,395 26Statement D, showing the redemption of treasury notes,1 is transmitted
in obedience to the requirements of the twenty-second section of the act of
28th January, 1847.
u
The amount of money expended at each custom-house in the United
States during the fiscal year ending the 30th June last, the number of persons employed, and the'oecupation and salary of each person at each ot
said custom-houses during the period aforesaid," is transmitted, (statement
. E , ) in accordance with the sixth section of the act of 3d March, 1849.
WAYS

AND

MKAN:-.

•

The receipts from customs for the last fiscal'year, as before sta en, were,
upwards of forty-nine millions of dollars. Should our importations of for *
eign merchandise for the current and next fiscal years equal those of th
past year, the revenue from that souice for the three years ending SOtti
June,* 1853, will have been about $130,000,000. Aside from demands upon*
the treasury for our new territories, this sum would have been sufficient
to have met the ordinary expenses of the Government, and to have liquidated;
the entire public debt. Notwithstanding those extraordinary demands,,
there has been effected, since the first of December last, a redemption of
the registered debt to the extent of 81,667,843 11. During the next fiscal!
year the loan of 3d March, 1843, due 1st July, 1853, must be provided for,,
and it is expected may be paid in cash out of the receipts from the usual
sources of revenue. The amounts of the land fund to be invested in accordance with law will probably amount to about 8925,000. The old funded
and unfunded debt, with the annual payments on account of the debt of f i e
District cities, will probably amount to a further sum of 861,800, making
<:n aggregate proposed redemption of the public debt during the next fiscal
year of §7,234,792 35.
The premiums paid on §2,523/200 of certificates of Government stock

[11]

purchased at market rates amounted to 832o 6o5 24, or at a cost or more
than one-eighth of the entire debt purchased These rates, if appl d to
the whole debt as it stood on the 20th November last,
liquidation, in addition to that amount, about the Mini of *b,0/4,.31t> Of.
The probability is that increased rates will follow a known demand by the
^ T ^ m a y ^ e l l be questioned whether sound policy does not demand that
some discretion shall be given to the department to purchase, out of any
available surplus revenue, sound State stocks, when it can be clone at or
near par value, to beheld as a sinking fund towards the redemption of the
public debt as it becomes due, and thus save to the Government the lar^e
premium which otherwise will be required in the redemption by purchase,
at market prices, of the stock of the United States. In the opinion of this
department such a course is desirable, and it is submitted for such action
thereon as may be thought expedient.
The language of the act of 28th September, 1650, extending the grants
of lands, has prevented the warrants issued by virtue thereof from passing
into the hands of the actual settlers by assignment ; and consequently the
receipts from that source have not been seriously affected by that act.
The receipts from sales of the public, lands, for the quarter ending 30th
September last, indicate a revenue from that source for the current year of
upwards of two millions of dollars. Any excess of receipts over the expenses connected therewith -is already appropriated, ami therefore those
receipts, whether more or less, cannot atfect the balance in the tieasury
subject to appropriation at the end of the fiscal year. The greater or less
amount of public debt redeemed will depend upon the increase or diminution
of such receipts. The revenue from imports, consequently, is the great
source upon which the country has to depend tor the means to carry on the
Government.
The unexpected addition to the boundaries of our country, covering an
area of more than five hundred and twenty-six thousand square miles, has
without doubt been one cause of the large and sudden increase of our foreign
importations, and consequent increased receipts trom custom duties. Our
expenses consequent upon such acquisition have more than kept pace with
the increase of receipts, and they will remain permanent charges upon the
treasury. Revenue to meet these required expenditures must be provided
for, and that during a period when our public debt is maturing. It cannot
for one moment be thought advisable to presuppose a renewal o? any portion
of such debt, and therefore it should be our aim to obtain revenue sufficient
to meet these maturing liabilities, in addition to the annual expenses of the
Government.
The

r e c e i p t s f r o m all

s o u r c e s for t h e l a s t

amounted to- —
The appropriations to - - - Being an excess of receipts of

fiscal

Year

g g o g j 9 079 87
~ 5 ! ,428,414 40
884,565 41

penditures of §547,097 41.
The receipts for the next fiscal year are estimated at §51,800,000; the
expenditures
at $42,892,299 1 9 ; being an excess of receipts over expendi

[ 11 ]

tures of 88,957,700 81. Making an aggregate estimated excess of receipts
o\Ter expenditures for the three years ending June 30th, 1853, of 810,339,363 6 3 ; §ubject, however, to a reduction to the extent of any appropriations which may he made for this or the next fiscal year's additional to the
estimates submitted.
Should Congress appropriate to meet the ordinary wants of the Government,
and to cover the expenditures required by our new territories, as submitted
by this department, the balance at the close of the fiscal year ending 30th
June, 1853, will be more than sufficient to meet the amount required on the
1st of July following for the redemption of the public debt due on that day.
The question presents itself, in view of the absolute necessity for a continuance of the present receipts from customs, whether-in all the branches
of the industry of our country there is that healthy and vigorous action
which is the basis of substantial and lasting prosperity. Without this we
can with no certainty presume upon any fixed amount of continuous receipts.
The gross exports (table G) for the hist fiscal year amounted to $217,517,130; of which there was of specie 829,231,880, and of foreign merchandise re-exported 89,738,695; leaving, as the exports of domestic productions, the sum of 8178,546,555. This presents a large increase upon
like exports of any previous year, and exceeds that of the last fiscal year
in the sum of 843,616,322. I regret that this increase is merely of an
accidental nature, and likely to be confined to the year just passed.
By reference.to table H , it will be seen that, for the year ending the 30th
June, 1850, there were exported 635,381,604 pounds of cotton, at an average value of 11.3 cents per pound, giving an aggregate value of 871,984,616, while 1,026,602,269 pounds exported the year previous was valued at
but $66,396,967. For the year ending 30th June last, there were exported
927,237,089 pounds, valued*, at 8112,315,317, averaging 12,Vo cents per
pound ; thus exhibiting an apparent excess in the value of this staple alone
over that of the previous year of 840,330,701.
The very deficient crop of 1849-'50 caused an enhancement in the value
of cotton of nearly double that of the previous year, and a still further advance upon the average price of the last year, thus giving the large excess
in the aggregate value of the exports before stated. I t must be borne in
mind, however, that these values as reported are not always the prices
realized on sales abroad. They are the declared values of the exporters
from our country, against which bills of exchange are usually drawn—and
not the prices received on actual sales; and it is notorious that the immense
losses on the shipments of cotton during the last year have reduced the
amount actually realized by the sales in Europe very far below the official
value* in the custom-house returns. The crop of the present year has exceeded that of the last, and will, from its abundance, probably restore the
aggregate value to near the average of previous years.
, The exports of breadstufTs and provisions in 1847 were 868,701,921 ;
in 1849, 838,155,507; and in 1851, 821,948,653, which latter exceeds the
exports of 1840, when the corn laws of England were in full force, only

82,881,118.
The exports of rice for the last fiscal year, as compared with the previous year, exhibit a decrease of 8460,917; and that of tobacco a decrease
of 8 6 9 5 , 8 3 4 . The products of planting and agriculture for the past year
have been unusually large. All Europe, with inconsiderable exceptions,
has been blessed with like abundance; and without some unexpected dis-

[U]

turbine eauses, seriously affecting markets abroad, there is every reason to
anticipate a still W d e c l i n e in our exports
Our tntal imnorts for the last year amount to
proaucm
a r ^ n ! f o f i r e lhan forty-nine^illions of dollars. The b ^ n c e s o t ^
during that period, in addition to the large amounts of the vanous sto I s of
£ country, caused an export.of
nseaj year, 10
«
—
,
v
tire year ending 30th June, 1851.
,
.
This increased ratio in the export of specie continues, notwithstanding
the large supply of foreign exchange, predicated upon the shipment of the
cotton crop, which is now rapidly reaching the seaports at the south, and is
of course going forward to the European markets in very large quantities.
When the hulk of this crop has been shipped, and the supply of cotton
bills consequently diminished; the export demand for specie will of course
be still further increased, unless there should be a very large falling o(t in
the heavy importations of foreign productions.
• With abundant and plentiful harvests, both at home and abroad, with a
large excess in the production of cotton over that of the previous years, and
its consequent decline in value, and with no evidences of any increased
demand abroad for our general exports, the grave and difficult question ol
our ability to pay. for these continued large importations, presents itself for
the consideration of Congress.
Should the large importation of foreign fabrics continue to increase, until
they drive from the market the like articles of domestic manufacture, it
follows as inevitable that the labor of our people now engaged in manufactures must be driven mainly into planting and farming. I h e y must, with
equal certainty, produce a superabundance of the latter products, with no
increased market for thern abroad, and a greatly diminished demand for
them at home.
'
_
v, If this state of things shall be realized, it follows that the ability of the
people to purchase foreign commodities will be destroyed; importations
anust greatly diminish in amount, and the revenue at once sink far below
its present swollen amount. It should constantly be kept in view that our
isystem of revenue is not compulsory, but depends solely on the voluntary
contributions of the people. If our citizens refuse or'are unable to purchase foreign goods, the revenue now almost solely relied on must cease,
and the government be driven to direct taxation for its annual support,
and the.ultimate liquidation of a large public debt.

„ ,
——
indispensable to
A
the wants
of the government.
.
I respectfully refer to the suggestions on this subject in my report to the
last session of Congress. The experience of the last year has developed
no facts which induce me^o question the propriety of the changes in the
E " ^ ? r
, a W ^ ' V n c h V l l ^ s u h m i t t e d t 0 Congress; on the contrary,
£
S T
In°st r e l h l b l e
confirmed what was
M
t
v h ° f t h e r a w c o t t o n formerly wrought into fabrics
by the labor of our qUzens now goes abroad, and returns to us for sale m

tH]

tt form vastly augmented in value, and to that extent the labor of our own,
citizens has been diminished in value and driven into other pursuits.
The history of iron manufacture for the last few years furnishes an
instructive lesson to the statesmen of this country. This article enters
into such general Use in every occupation of life in all countries advanced
beyond the first step of civilization, that it may well take rank amongst
the necessaries of life in this country.
The importations of bar and pig iron foi- the year ending •
30th September, 1842, were--"100,055 tons.
The estimated production in the United States for that
peViotl was
230,000 "
Making an aggregate consumption
Or 4 0 | pounds per head.
In 1846, the importations were
And the production estimated at

330,055

69,625
765,000

Consumption
Or 92 pounds per head.
In 1848, the importations were
and the production

834,625
~ -•
153,377
800,000

Consumption
Or 992 pounds per head.
In 1849, the importations were
the production

Consumption
Or 9o ^ pounds pei head.
In 1850, the importations were
the production

Consumption
Or 862 pounds per head.
In 1851, the importations were
the production
Consumption
Or 691 pounds per head.

„

—-

953,377
:
"
or? <c
289,687
u
650,000
939,687
—
337,£32
564,COO

_yOI,532

341,750
113,000

"
"

7o4,7-10
——:—"

"
"

(See table J . )
. Thus we perceive that the actual consumption of iron which, under high1
duties and prices, was steadily augmenting in quantity, is, under the present
reduced rates, both in duties and prices, gradually falling off, notwithstanding the increase of population and the great extension of our farming
interests.
That this great interest is in a most depressed condition, the foregoing
comparative production, being for the present year less than one-half the
capacity of the works, sufficiently attests. From the evidence furnished to
this department it is clear that the rolling mills, the charcoal furnaces and
fcr^es,
are utterly unable to produce iron at the prices at which it is now'

imported. During the last year many establishments were enabled to sur

111 ]

* 1°

vive only by'carrying the iron to the high stages of manufacture, as the
making of nails and forged work.. At the present time the prices are below the cost of production. If the present policy Continues we must witness in a short time the total prostration of this industry, which, once destroyed, will require many years to replace it upon its present footing as to
skill and experience; and we shall become dependent upon foreign roijn*
tries for the most important material in the arts of peace, and the most in1
dispensable of the muniments of war.
I present with this report several tables intended to show the sudden and
extraordinary fall in the invoice values of certain articles which, prior to
the tariff act of 1846, had been subject to specific duties, but which by that
law.were made subject to duties ad valorem. It must be apparent, from
. these tables, that great frauds are practised by under-valuations daily, which
no expedient can prevent, unless such articles as are set forth in these table*
are charged with specific instead of ad valorem duties*
,

COAST SURVEY.

The coast survey, under the superintendence of Professor A. D. Baehe,
has made excellent progress during the past year. Its operations have been
continued in all the States of the Atlantic and Pacific coast. The series ot
nearly continuous triangulation spoken of in my report of last year, now extends from the mouth of the Kennebeck, in Maine, to beyond Ocracoke
inlet, in North Carolina. The work has been assiduously prosecuted in
South Carolina, Georgiaj and Florida, is nearly completed in Alabama and
Mississippi, and has made good progress in Louisiana and Texas, and on
the western coast of California and Oregon. The report of the superintendent will show the details of progress : with it is a most valuable and
extended list of geographical positions determined by the preliminary calculations of the work, and extending over the whole coast, which was under
survey previous to July, I80O. The numerous hydrographir, sketches
which also accompany that report, present more than two-thirds of the
work of the season winch admits of being thus shown in a form suited to
immediate use by navigators and others interested in it. A new edition of
the hydrographies notices of the western coast is also prepared for publication. The activity and judgment with which this work is prosecuted, and
its efficiency and economy, recommend it, in tl»e opinion of this department,
warmly to the fostering care of Congress.
The injunction of Congress to employ as many officers of the army and
navy on the work as practicable, in addition to {he civilians, has been
steadily kept tn view, am} at prpseQt sixty-six m y pffirfrs and twelve qrmy
pfficers are atfacjied to t}*e survey.
'
'
T^e reasons given in t(|y report in reply to resolutions of the Senate in
W e a r i y parf of t t a last session qf Congress, why |he present organization ofthis great work should be maintained, apt) ^ c o n t r o l remain, as at
present m the Treasury Department, met so general an acquiescence on the
part of Congress, and, I may say, of the whole country, that I refer to it
merely to express my unshaken confidence in the value Sf that organization,
the imm
third seen
Action of
1: U L
,
^
"a*, uuuer ine
A
f i 0 U 3 e act, caused examination for sites for light-houses to be made
Digitized by
for the
FRASER
officers of the survey, and has reported, as by law directed, con the

[ 11 ]

necessity for construction in all eases where the Fifth Auditor had been
doubtful. This duty has been promptly and acceptably discharged, and
constitutes a new claim on the part of the coast survey to consideration.
MINT;

The operations of* the mint during the past year have been conducted
with efficiency, and with highly satisfactory results. Under the present
system the depositors promptly receive the value of their bullion so soon as
it is assayed ; and though the depositees are made in large masses at short
intervals, on the arrival of the California steamers, yet the assays are made
and the payments commenced usually within forty-eight hours, and the
whole generally completed within an average of five or six days after these
heavy amounts of bullion—frequently by two and three hundred different
depositors—are received at the mint; and the whole duty is performed
without any charge to the depositors, except a mere fractional per-centage
for the actual cost of separating the bullion. It is believed that equal
facilities are not presented to individuals by the mints of any other nation
as are now given by the mint of the United*States.
The realization of the value of these large quantities of bullion by the
owners of it, without loss, within a few days after it arrives in the United
States, is accomplished by means of the heavy bullion fund which can at
present be spared without inconvenience from the excess of means in the
treasury. It may, however, not always be convenient to keep so large an
amount reserved for this purpose from the public funds; and even if it were
other wise, the amount of this tund applied to the purchase and extinguishment of so much of the national debt would save nearly $400,000 annually
in interest now paid bv the treasury. It is believed this saving could be
effected, and all the advantages at present enjoyed by the depositors of gold
or other bullion still retained, if, instead of paying the mint certificates in
cash, as is now done, Congress would make them receivable for all dues to
the Government, under suitable restrictions as to the time and place of their
receipt. I can see no reasonable objection to such use of these certificates,
as they are the evidences of so much bullion already in the actual possession
of the Government, and for which the coin itself would be forthcoming,
generally in a few days, and always in a few weeks.
In connexion with the subject of the mint, I deem it my duty to call the
attention of Congress to the present standard value of gold and silver, as
established by existing laws.
The relation of gold to silver in the legal coinage of the United*States is
as 1 to 15.988 ; in Great Britain, as 1 to 14.288; and in France, as 1 to
15.499. Thus it will be seen that one ounce in pure gold will, in the
United States, be equal to that produced from the coinage of 1-5.988 ounces
of pure silver; in Great Britain, it will be equal to that derived from only
14.288 ounces pure silver; and in France, to 15.199 ounces. So soon*
therefore, as the state of our foreign commerce, as is now the case, requires
an exportation of specie, it is obvious that our silver coin must be exported
whilst it can be procured, till the demand for exportation is supplied.
From the operation of this Jaw of commerce arises the present scarcity of
our silver currency. At this time, though our silver coin commands a premium in exchange for gold, it is, notwithstanding, still found more advanDigitized tageous
for FRASER
for shipment abroad than gold. In consequence of the premium

[11]

on silver, though the relative legal value between it
„ 1 to 15.983, the real intrinsic market value is only about 1 ° '
as
A debtor, then, who offers silver in payment must give it at the rate ot
15 9 8 8 U n c e s in aoin/.b, which he loses 3 1 3 - t h o ^ i H ths o f an ounce, fo^
with 15.675 ounces he could purchase one o u n c e o f gold, whn'h latter ^oulcl
be a legal tender for the same debt. It is to be borne in niincl, h w ^ e r ,
that though the relative value of coin ui Great Britain is as 1 t o J
that is not the relative bullion value oi the two metals, which is about 1 to
15 716, the" silver coin of that country being about ten per cent, less in
value than silver bullion of the same weight ; that is to say, the silver coin
of that kingdom will go ten per. cent, farther in paying debts than an equal
weight of pure silver bullion at the standard value. A d i f f e r e n t so great in
the value of the two species of coin has not, of course, been the result o
either miscalculation or mistake, but was brought about by design, ami
with the same views which it is believed will render it neccs^ary for us to
adopt a similar plan, in order to retain and maintain a silver currency. T h e
obvious policy of this system was, to secure the gold and silver coinage o
Great Britain against the fluctuations arising from the relative vwlur of po!d
and silver bullion there. In Great Britain 11.2S8 ounces of .silver coin n s
equal in payment to 15.988 ounces in the United States, and 15.199 in
France. It is very clear, then, that there is no inducement to export silver
coin to either country from Great Hritain.
Though ,the British government manufactures one hundred shillings in
coin from bullion intrinsically worth only ninety shillings, it docs not. permit
individuals to bring ninety shillings in bullion to the mint and receive in cxchange\one hundred shillings in coin; but, on the contrary, the community
is obliged to pay the par value for all the silver coin it requires. I t must
give Xr5 in pure gold or silver for one hundred shillings in coin. Coinage
being a monopoly by the government, the latter can impose such terms as
it deems necessary and advisable, and the public, within certain limits, will
pay the government its own price for the benefit of the mint stamp.
In fixing, therefore, the proper relative value which should be established
between our gold and silver coins, it should not be done with regard to the
value of our coins in reference to foreign coi/?, but as to their intrinsic value
as bullion in foreign countries.
The relative/ralue of our gold and silver coins is, as already .stated, as 1
to 15.988; and the bullion value of our silver coin in England is 15.716,
being a difference of 272-thousandths, or nearly two per cent. I t follows,
then, as a matter of course, that on all occasions where the course of outforeign trade requires heavy shipments abroad, our silver coin will be first
sought after for that purpose, even at a premium; and, consequently, will
disappear from circulation, as it has: already done to a very gr«*at extent.
There seems to be but one immediate amf direct remedy for this evil, and
that is the one which has already been adopted in Great 'Britain, of changing the relative value between gold and silver coin by reducing the intrinsic
value of the latter. The opinion of the officers of the mint (in which j u dicious persons, whose opinions arc entitled to great weight, concur) is,
that this change could be advantageously made by making our dollar weigh
three hundre< and eighty-four grains, and the smaller coins in proportion;

[ 11 ]

ieces to gold would be as 14.8S4 to 1 ; and if the present true relation or
ullitfn value is about 15.675 to 1, the new proposed silver coin would be
over-valued by law about five per cent., a very small advance, and far less
th'in in British silver, or in the worn Spanish coin which now monopolizes
our circulation. 5 '
In the adjustment of this subject, it will be necessary to consider the depreciation in the value of gold which may have taken place already, or shall
hereafter occur, in consequence of the immense additional supplies which
have been, and will no doubt continue to be, thrown into circulation from
California, Australia, and other countries. This consideration might justify
a much greater present over-valuation of silver coin, as t h e f u t u r e depreciation of gold will probably soon overcome the limit of the present proposed
advance.
If this plan is adopted by Congress, it of course will involve the necessity of making silver coin a legal tender only for debts of small amount, say
not exceeding ten dollars, which is about the same limit (forty shillings)
which has been established in Great Britain.
T h e subject of a change in the coinage of the country is one of very
great importance, and involves consequences which require the most serious
consideration and deliberate action. That the present relative value of our
'old and silver coin requires some change there can be little doubt; and I
iave therefore* deemed it my duty to bring the subject to the notice of
Congress.
T h e great increase in the amount of bullion which AOW comes to the
United States for coinage, compared with former times, seems to require the
establishment of branches to the mint at those points where the largest
amount of bullion and foreign coin are received. Auy transportation of
those articles beyond the places where they are produced, e r received from
abroad, is attended with delay, risk, and expense, wh\ch should be avoided,
if possible, without too great" expense to the governrdep.t.
The State of California is now producing gold 'lust certainly equal in
amount to seventy-five million^of dollars, and probably equal to one hundred
millions of dollars, a year. The information in poss esskm of this department
warrants the opinion that this product will not be diminished in amount for
many years to come.
The distance from San Francisco, by way of t t e "Isthmus of Panama and
N e w York, to the mint at Philadelphia, is about S*2JU milts. The precious
metals there found have, therefore, to be transp
that distance and back,
at great risk and expense, before the owner ca j t e c t i v e its equivalent in tho
legal coin of the United States. Such a burdensome tax upon the interests
of California should be removed by the establishment of a branch mint at
the most eligible point in that State.
Nearly all the importations of specie und bullion conccntrute at the port
of N e w Y o r k ; two-third* tif all the customs d u t k s collected in the country
are there paid in specie. Sound policy demands that at that great commercial and financial centre a br; jich mint should be established, which
should be the custodian of the U r g e amount of public moneys there collected, and which will enable foreign coin and bullion to be converted most
speedily into our own c u r r e j c y , without the risk, delay, and expense bf
transportation to any other point.
It is believed t h a t the establishment of such an institution at that point
Digitized
for not
FRASER
would
charge much additional annual expense upon the treasury. T h e
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Treasurer thereof would supersede the office of Assistant Treasure!^—

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[11]

branch mints at Dahloncga, Georgia, and Charlotte, North CajHinn, may
be conv^ted into assay offices, h e r e b y several f periiuous olnecrs n i g it
be d i S S s e a with. T i e deposit** of bullion at those estahhslunents h<n e
been re^ukrly decliain g, without any decrease in the annual expenses
TThe tnmsportation from thence of bars and ingots, the values ol wl,c
would be/attested by Government a payers, would be ea.sil} clleited at Utile
^ F o r t^se^nd.other reasons, heretofore expressed by my predecessors, I
earnestly recommend the immediate establishment ot branch mints at j>cw
York and San Francisco, and the discontinuance of those m .North Carolina
and Georgia as mints for coinage, retaining them as assay olhccs under
s u c h regulations fis to the number of o f f i c e r s , . ^ as Congress may deem
^ T h e expenses of the mint and branches have of course greatly increased
since the accession of California, and will be still further augmented 111 case
C o n g r e s s should determine to establish the two additional branches at ban
Francisco and - New York. 1 would therefore Migge^t for the consideration
of Congress the propriety of-authorising « smalf seignoragc nn the bullion
deposited by corporations or individual* fur the purpose of covering the
actual expenses of coinage, instead of allowing th«> latter to remain as an
exclusive charge 'upon the treasury. This, it is believed, is the universal
usage at all other national mints, and the charge would be but a mere fractional per-centage, amounting only,to a very lew »vtits per miner.
This department- is now required by law to submit annu ill) to Congress
the mint assays of'certain foreign-coinsand it is r e w m m n d * d that this
requirement be extended so as to embrace annual assays of 'be coins of those
foreign countries with which the United Stales have anj mnriderable commercial intercourse, and that an appropriation not exceeding one thousand
dollars be made to defray the annual expense of procuring .such foreign coin
as can only be obtained from abroad.
\
Invoices of merchandise imported from foreign countries, and Mibjcct to
ad valorem duties, are required by cur existing revenue laws to ht made out
in the currency of the country whence the shipment is m«do, and the value
which such currency shall have in computations at our custom-houses has
from time to time, in respect to several foreign countries been prescribed
by specific laws..
The President of the United States is authorized, by the sixty-first section
of the; act of 1?90, to establish fit and proper regulations for estimating
, duties on imported merchandise, the original cost ofwhich shall be exhibited
ra depreciated currency issued and circulated under the authority of any
foreign government. In the execution of this power, consuls of the United
S i n t p f i

r p m n r n r l

irt

^ . . r t : A .

•

« •

a
such
euijency in Spanish or United States silver dollars.' I t L obvious, however,
so iar as the foreign currency consists of coin, that the most accurate an:l
reliable method of ascertaining its value, a s compared with our own, is by
an actual assay at the mint.
•

While the results of such annual assays will place within the power of the
rresident the best means of.performing the duty of establishing fit and
proper regulations on the subject, they will also enable Congress to revise

and
correct from toe to time, by further legislation, the values, in custom

[ 11 ]

house receipts and computations, of the foreign coins already fixed and
regulated by our laws. It is to be observed that the proceeds of the coins
thus procured will after assay be returned to the treasury and carried to
the credit of said appropriation for subsequent disbursement in like manner.
It will therefore be reduced only by the expense of transmitting the coin
from abroad and the loss consequent upon their assay.
MISCELLANEOUS.

By the second section of the act of 10th August, 1846, the money received
from the property of John Smithson, amounting to §-115,169, was lent to
the treasury at six per cent, interest, and, in addition to-the interest which
had accumulated on this fund at the time of the passage of said act, amounting to $242,129. The treasury has continued to pay, under the provisions
of said law, an annual interest of upwards of thirty thousand dollars. During the whole of this latter period a large surplus, including of course this
fund, has been lying unproductive in the treasury, and the above annual
payment has been an extra charge upon the treasury, and will so continue
to be unless Congress should think proper to otherwise order. As there is .
at present every prospect of a continued large surplus in the treasury, I
would respectfully suggest, in order to save this annual payment, that'the
department should be authorized to make the above fund actually productive by investing the full amount in stocks of the United States, on terms
which will render the result equally advantageous to the Smithsonian Institute, as it now is under the present annual payments direct from the treasury.
The Board of General Appraisers, established in pursuance of the third
section of the act of 3d March, 1851, entitled " An act to amend the acts
regulating the appraisement of merchandise, and for other purposes,"
promptly entered upon their general duties as contemplated by that act.
During the past season one of the board, under instructions of this department, visited the several ports upon our northern frontier, and from the
information communicated by him, and the satisfactory manner in which he
executed his instructions, the most beneficial results must follow. Another
of the board is about to proceed to California, and it is not doubted by the
department that the action of the general appraisers will tend very materially to establish that uniformity in appraisements so desirable, and by which
both the revenue and the honest importer will be greatly benefited.
By the act of 3d March. 1845, no revenue cutter nor steamer can be
purchased or built unless an appropriation therefor shall be made. The
several iron steamers then in pi ogress of construction have been condemned
as unfit for revenue purposes. Some of the sailing cutters have become
unseaworthy, and the number of vessels appertaining to this branch of the
service has been therefore necessarily reduced to an extent injurious to the
interests of the revenue.
The brig " Lawrence," now on the western coast, is found to be unsuited
to this service in consequence of the great expense attendant upon keeping
a vessel of her size in commission, and the want of proper sailing qualities.
I therefore recommend that authority be given for her disposal, and t h e
building of six additional vessels, which are required for our greatly extended
coast.
Should authority be given, as suggested, to sell the " Lawrence" and a p propriate the proceeds towards tile building and equipping of the six nevr

[11]

vessels, there will be required in addition, to accomplish that object, the sum
of seventy-five thousand dollars.
.
I would respectfully recommend to Congress a considerable increase to
the pay of the officefs of the revenue marine employed in the Pacific, where
their present compensation is entirely inadequate, mconsequencc of the very
heavy expenses to which they are unavoidably subject m that quarter.
Whilst the army there has had its pay greatly augmented, and all tlie civil
officers connected with the collection of the revenue receive double salaries
to what are paid at the Atlantic ports, the officers of the revenue marine
alone are left without any addition to their pay. At this time the seamen
on board the revenue cutters there, are receiving nearly the same pay as the
commissioned officers, and at* an earlier date instances occurred when the
' former have actually received higher rates than the latter. 1 would further
recommend that any increase of pay which Congress may think proper to
grant to that body of meritorious officers be not only for the future, but
also have a retroactive effect. .
- Numerous appropriations were made during the last session of Congress
. for additional marine hospitals and light-houses, and also for the continuation
and completion of similar works previously commenced. Some of these structures have been finished and occupied since the adjournment of Congress,
and several are so nearly completed as to warrant the expectation that they
may be occupied within the ensuing sixty days. The marine hospitals at
Pittsburg, Cleveland, Louisville, Paducaii and Chicago, are among those
thus finished and occupied, or expected to be occupied, within the period
stated. Those in process of erection at Natchez, Napoleon, and St. Louis,
are in such a state of forwardness as to justify the belief that they will be
finished early in next year. Reports from the officers and agents employed
in the superintendence of these works are herewith transmitted, marked
L, Nos. 1 and 2.
A site for a marine hospital at Evansville, Indiana, has been selected, but
no conveyance of the land has yet reached the department, and all further
steps are necessarily impeded until the title is perfected.
A design for the marine hospital at San Francisco was adopted soon after
the appropriation for this object was made, and a commissioner appointed
and despatched to that city, in March last, with a view to the commencement of this work on a site which was then understood, and still believed, to
be the property of the United States. Difficulties, however, presented
themselves in connexion with the titles thereto, sufficient, in the opinion'of
the commissioner, to authorize a suspension of the work. Recent advices,
however, lead to the belief that they will soon be removed, when the erecl o n 01 t h e
building will be immediately commenced.
All, or nearly all of the light-house Structures, for which appropriations
were made by the act of 3d March, 1851, have been delayed because of the
preliminary examinations enjoined by the second and thinl sections of that
f u t > o m e d by previous acts on account of the requirement.
V i C ° * g r e s s ' d a t € d l l t h September, 1841, as will be
ThpTn * ^
° f t h G s u P « ^ t e n d e n t of the light-house establishment.
e r e c H o n ^ tlm liV^v.
* making a definite contract for the
P adfic COast
^
have been authorized
F ^ d l P C U t \ e x s t s i n accomplishing that object, in consequence of what is considered the inadequate appropriation in the opinion
^

[ 11 ]

of those best capable of judging of the facts and circumstances connected
with their construction in that part of the Union.
The department will probably have to await the further action of Con- ,
gress; and if additional appropriations a.re made at an early day, the whole
of the structures could be commenced in the spring, so soon "as the rainy
season has terminated, in which case it is believed they can be completed
and put into operation previous to the ensuing winter.
In pursuance of the authority given to the department by the eighth section of the act of 3d March, I S o l , entitled " An aict making appropriations
for light-houses, light-boats, buoys, &c., ,? a board of officers, constituted as
directed by the provisions of that act, was organized soon after its passage.
The board is composed of the following officers, viz: Gen. Totten and
Col. Kearney, of the army ; Commodore Shubrick and Commander Duport,
of the navy ; Prof. Bache, Superintendent of the coast survey ; and Lieut.
Jenkins, of the navy, as secretary.
The attention of the board has been directed to the object contemplated
by Congress. The result of their labors will be transmitted in a separate
report at an early day.
The completion of the experiment for testing the use and economy of the
calcium light has been delayed by the sickness of the inventor, and other
causes. It is expected, however, that a full report thereof will be made at
an early day, which, wThen received, will be transmitted to Congress.
Sites for the new custom-houses authorized at Bangor, Pittsburg, Louisville, Saint Louis and Mobile, hrfve been selected and purchased, and the
necessary measures for the erection of suitable buildings are in progress.
The limited appropriation for the site and building authorized at Cincinnati will not justify the prosecution of that work beyond the location and
purchase of the site. I have therefore submitted an additional estimate
which is required to enable the department to erect a building adapted to
the several purposes specified by Congress.
The restriction placed upon the appropriation lor a custom-house and lot
at Bath, Maine, has prevented any expenditure for that purpose being made.
The purchase of a suitable site "will absorb so large a proportion of the appropriation. as to forbid the erection of a building with the limited amount
remaining at the disposal of the department. An additional appropriation
of twenty-five thousand dollars is therefore recommended.
The requirements of the joint resolution of 11th September, 1841, not
having yet been complied with in relation to the site for a custom-house at
Norfolk, selected by the commissioners appointed for the purpose, the commencement of that structure has necessarily been delayed.
No information in regard to a proper site for the custom-house authorized
in the Territory of Oregon has yet been received.
It is expected that the custom-house at Savannah will be completed and
occupied within a few weeks.
The work upon the New Orleans custom-house has progressed as rapidly
as circumstances would allow ; that at Charleston, South Carolina, will be
prosecuted with every desire for its completion at the earliest practicable
day.
The intrinsic difficulties in construing and enforcing many of the provisions of our existing revenue and collection laws, and particularly those levying
duties on imports, have given rise to a multiplicity of suits against the collecting
officers ; and often, under the practice of indemnifying collectors who see §

[11]
t o

h a v e

acted in

good faith, the United States are subjected to heavy bills

°{lntny

instances such suits are not really necessary to procure redre^
aggrieved, as relief might be generally obtained through an
application to the Treasury Department.
.
B r the twenty-fourth section of the tariff act of 1842 it is made the du )
of collectors and other officers of the customs to execute and carry into
effect all instructions of the Secretary of the Treasury relative to the execution of the revenue laws; and his decision is conclusive and binding upon
therm As a proper protection of the officer, as well as to prevent the unnecessary accumulation of costs,> is respectfully suggested that some provision be made by law to prevent the institution of suits against collec.tois
for their acts in executing the revenue and collection laws, until an application shall have been made to the department for relief and denial thereof,
prescribing some period within which such application and decision by the
department shall be made. Such a provision would seem the more expedient inasmuch as the department cannot in many cases exercise the power
conferred by law in advance, and hot even on an appeal from the collector's
decision, without delaying the business of the importer and the Government.
Many cases of this character arise in distant sections of the Union where
such necessary delay would often prove of serious detriment to all concerned.
The parties would thus save all their legal rights, in any event, and the department could often prevent the necessity and t expense of litigation by
affording relief. . .
In addition to such provision, it is also respectfully suggested that som^
regulation should be made by law, as to costs in suits against public officers,
under the revenue and collection laws, and also to enable the department to
bring up such cases for final decision to the Supreme Court, whatever may
be the amount in controversy. Such a process would settle the law in such
cases, and thus constitute the rule of administration, and prevent much expensive litigation, Suits involving the same principles are often upon the
docket at the same tiiney and the decision of one ought to be sufficient to
control the disposition of all. Some additional powers to enable the court,
in cases involving the same construction of law, to consolidate suits against
collectors, whether instituted by the same or different parties, would answer
the purposes of justice, and prevent the unnecessary multiplication of
o o ^ t i H>aJS° r e s .P e e t f u l l >' suggested whether the provisions of the act of
MA July, 1&13,, entitled Au act c<mceniing suits. and costs in courts of
the Uwted States," might not he sa extended or modified, as to suits against
public ameers* for acts under the revenue and collection laws, as to make
some fixed and specific regulations limiting the allowance and amount of
1
• of u
i. P r q v i s i o n s o f existing laws, plaintiffs within the same
S i r
collector may commence suit against him in State courts, and
the defendant, b j petition to the circuit court, can have the suit removed and
entered on the docket of that court. As the defendant in such cases will
doubt ess, ordinarily, if not always, avail himself of this privilege, it is sugnot
f f j t t ^ 1 ! T^
^
Pr°Perl>* b e « q « » e d to be brought
tn C ? ;
^ d e r a * T r t s > w h i c h ™mld be no additional disadvantage
to tne piamtift, and would prevent the unnecessary accumulation of costs.

f o r

t h e

p a r t y

commprii NF
TT f I i*6 m U ? e r o u s l a w s respecting the navigation and
commerce of the United States should undergo a careful re vision and arrangement. These enactments have been accumulating f o r more than halt a

[ 11 ]

century, and many of their piovisions are complex if not conflicting—others
are still unrepealed, though they have long been inapplicable to the condition of our commerce, and of the country. A repeal of obsolete and
useless provisions, and a proper arrangement of the residue under appropriate titles, with judicious amendments and additions, and the whole comprised within a single statute, or connected series of statutes, so as to be
readily referred to and understood, would be a measure of great public
utility, promote a more uniform and faithful administration of the laws, and
afford a more certain protection to the interests of the Government and the
commercial community.
Further legislation in connexion with portions of our commerce is
undoubtedly necessary. Our coasting laws, however wise and useful in the
infancy of the country, contain many provisions still in force, which, in consequence of the increased facilities which steam-offers for transportation by
land and water over our largely extended territory, are not only totally
useless, but impose vexatious and embarrassing restraints on the coastwise
and interior commerce, without furnishing any adequate security to the
public revenue.
In consequence of this state of the laws, importers are often obliged, at no
inconsiderable expense, to intrust their business with the custom-houses to
agents supposed to be well versed therein ; and the difficulty on the part of
the officers of the customs, as well as importers, of correctly understanding
and applying the provisions of such a complex mass of legislation, gives rise .
to frequent and expensive litigation, augments the business of the customhouses and at this department, and gives to the operation of law that uncertainty which it is the duty of every government to avoid. '
Respectfully,
THO. CORWIN,
Secretary of the Treasury.
H o n . LINN BOYD,

ISpeaker of the Houc

of Represe

itaii<:a.

[ 1 1 ]

List of Tables and

Statements.

A. Statement of duties, revenues and public expenditures during the fiscal
year ending June 30,1851, agreeably to warrants issued, exclusne ol
trust funds and treasury notes funded.
B. Statement of duties, revenues and public expenditures for
^
. ter of the fiscal year from July 1 to September 30, 18ol, agrceabl) to
warrants issued, exclusive of trust funds and treasurynotes toded.
C. Statement of the debt of the United States on the 20th ^ v e m b e r , 18>1.
D. Statement of the redemption of treasury notes during the fiscal year
ending 30th June, 1851.
.. .
.
E. Statement of the number of persons employed m each district ot the
, United States for the collection of customs during the fiscal year ending
30th June, 1851, with their occupation and compensation—per act ud
March, 1849..
v
F . Statement of the advances from the treasury on account of the expenses at
each custom house-in the U. S. during the year ending June 30th, 1351
G. Statement of imports and exports.
II. Statement of cotton exported annually from 1821 to 18-31, inclusive, and
the average price per pound.
I. Statement of the aggregate value of breadstuffs and provisions exported
annually from 1821 to ISol4, inclusive.
J , No. l i Statement of the consumption of iron,
J , No. 2. Statement of the importations of bar and pig iron manufactured
v
in the United States.
K, Nos. 1 to 16. Statements of the quantity and value of wines, spirits,
&c., imported annually from 1843 to 1851,""inclusive.
L, Nos. 1 and 2. Statement showing the progress of construction of the
marine hospitals under the superintendence of Lieut. Col. S. H. Long, U.
S. corps topographical engineers, with estimates for their completion.
M. Statement of the value and quantity of cotton, tobacco, and rice exported annually from 1821 to 1851, inclusive.
N. Statement showing the value of goods remaining in warehouses at the.
close of each quarter from 30th September, 184?, to 30th June, 18-31, and
also the amount of duties payable thereon.
O. Statement of the amount of hempen goods imported annually from 1821
to 30th June, 1851, inclusive.
P. Statement exhibiting the amoijnt of hemp and cordage imported annually from 1821 to l b o l , inclusive.
Q. Statement of the amount of certain articles imported during the. years
ending on the 30th June, 1844,1845, 1846, 1848,1849,1836'awl 1851,
(after deducting the re-exportations,) and the amount of duty ^'hich accrued on each during the same period.
R. Statement showing the amount of coin and bullion imported ami exported annually from 1821 to 1851, inclusive, and also the amount of
importation over exportation, and vice vena.
S, No. 1. Statement of the quantity and value #f bar, pig, old and scrap
iron imported annually from 1821 to 1851.
S, No, 2. Statement showing the amount of bar iron manufactured,
pig iron and old scrap iron imported, from 1813 to 1851, and also the
average cost per ton and the estimated duties on each.
S, No. 3. Statement of the quantity of bar, pig, and old scrap iron, reduced

durin
iQ?oPiQn^ 1
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lo4y, looO, and 18ol.
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

the

yfars

1342,1844,1846,1848,

[11]

Statement of duties, revenues and public expenditures during the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1851, agrtenbly to warrants issued, exclusive of
trust funds and treasury notes funded.

Amount.

Total.

Tho receipts into the treaaurv during tlio fiscal veai
ending June
1851, were as follows:
From customs, vi/,:—
During quarter ending September 30, 1850
$14,7G4,043 05
Do
do
December 31, 1850
8,301,503 77
Do
do
March 31, 1 8 5 1 . . . .
14,448,075) 17
Do
do
June SO, 1851
11,443,281 93
-:$4a,017,oG7 02
.! 2,352 305 30 -

From sales of public laud
From miscellaneous and ineidentalaourc.es, including military contributions in Mexico
:

Total receipts
Balance in the treasury July 1, 1?50 .

J 52,312 070 87
. 0,004,544 49

Total means

043,100 65

,017,524 36

The expenditures lor the fiscal year ending June 30, 1851,
exclusive of trust funds, uere—

Civil list.
Legislative
Executive .
"
Judiciary
Governments in Territories oi the United States ,
Surveyors and their clerks
Officers of the mint nnd branches
Commissioner of the Public Buildings
Secretary of sign patents for public hinds

..r
1,274,348 58
. . . i 1,200,030 23
...j'
772,248 33
102,800 35
00,280 00
...
50,300 00
1,033 33
...K
1,400 73

Total civil list

j $3,478,549 24

Foreign intcrcoutwr.
Salaries of ministers
Salary of minister resident to Turkey
Salaries ot charges des allaires
Salaries ot secretaries of legation
Salary of dragoman and assistant dragoman to Turkey.
Commissioner to reside in China . . . , .
Secretary and Chiuese interpreter...
Commissioner to Sandwich islands
Outfits of ministers aud charges des affaires
Compensation for certain diplomatic services
Contingent expenses of all missions abroad
Contingent expenses of foreign intercourse
Salary of consul at London
Clerk hire and office rent of consul at London
Salary of consul at Alexandria
Salary of consul at Bcvjrout
Salaries ol consuls at Hwang,
China
Otliee rent of consul at liasle, Switzerland
Relief and protection oi American seamen
Intercourse with Barbar^ powers

104,054
, 4,500
00,202
17,002
187
003
2,000
2,400
57,500
10,072
17,000
31,040

02
00
30
00
50
33
00
00
00
05
00
00

j
i
|
|
'
|
!
;
!
|
j

2,000 oo :
2,800 00 I
1,000 oo ;

125
' 3,017
152
02,755
0,847

00 j
00 ;
44
02
64

[11]

E—Continued.
Total.

Amount.

Interpreters, guards and other expenses of consulates in
Tnrkish dominions
:....
Compensation and contingent expenses of commissioners
under treatv,with Mexico.
/
1
Compensation and contingent expenses oi commissioner*
1
under convention with Brazil
*
Expenses of agent of Sublime Porte
Instalment and interest duo May 30,1851, under 12th article of treatv with Mexico
Awards under 15th article of the treaty between the United
Stated and Mexico...
•v J .

$950 75
11,525 08
6,021 74 j
4,000 00
^ ^

^ i

2,516,601 11
t»i7,170 r,0

Total foreign intercourse.........

Miscellaneous*
146,5W 55
Mint .establishment
556,440 01
Support and maintenance of light-houses, kc
64,173 on
Building light-houses, &c
1311,220 43
Marine hospital establishment
'
Building marino hospitals, including repairs, furniture and
167,821) 75
fixtures ..'
;
Building custom-houses and warehouses', including
248,740 71 j
pairs,
:
Construction and equipment of sjx revenue cutters
568 38 ,
Refunding duties on foreign merchandise, per act 8th Au. gust,im
...
i
50,732 51 i
Refunding, duties collected under act 30th August, 1842..'
207 4(1 |
y
60 86
t D o . . . . .authorized by act 8th May, 1846.
Do
collected in Mexico
..
i *
10,55:) 75
Repayment of duties on sugar and molasses illegally ex-1
acted by collectors, refunded under a decision of theSupreme Court of the Uuited States, acquiesced in by
Treasury Department
;
V
430,588 28
Payment of discriminating tonnage, per act 3d Aug., 1840.;
710 2a
Tonnage duties on Spanish vessels refunded per acta July!
13,1832, and August 3d, 1846 . .
J
2,645 44
Refunding to John Joseph Chance, Bishop of Natchez,
duties paid on a cathedral bell
250 00
Refunding to Charles P. Montgomery dirties paid on bell
presented him for church, St. Joseph, Ohio
;
' 90 60
Payment of debentures, drawbacks, bounties and allowances
704,630 61
Repayment to importers of excess of dcpoViteVfoVunasmtained duties
i
806,024 55
Debentures and other charges, (customs).!.! 1' * ] * * * * *' * >
72,623 82
Compensation of special examiners of drugs andm'edieincs.
6,456 04
Expenses of collecting revenue from customs subsequent
1
1
to 1st January, 1850
1,888,471 61
rCVCUUC
* o n i A t o m s ' prior to 1«V
1,227 37
Surrey of'the coast of YhV United States*, inducing we.Yern coast
®
247,000 00
Survey of ieefs, &c., of South Florida" *
*" V *'
30,000 00
be

^ ^ ^ ^

To satisfy the State of Maine under treaty

rtjij^wi

02,000 00
204,377 50
3,440 05

23
E—Continued.
Amount.
Pay of draughtsmen, kc.? to head of seiontiUti Corps, in
reconstructing maps of boundary line under treaty of]
'
Washington
;
$13,350 00
Salaries ot* assistant treasurers and clerks
22 937 50
Compensation of J por cent, to each designated depository.!
GOO 51
Pavment for horses, &c., lost in the military service of thei
United S t a t e s . . . . ;
*
1,915 48
Contingent expenses under act for Collecting, &c., public
revenue..
»... 1
4
*... *
*;
10/245 58
Expenses incident to loans and treasury notes
* *....j
20,483
1
Expenses incident to the Hnue.of ten millions of stock for.
j
Texan indemnity
*
!
4,70S 18 '
Expenses of taking the 7th census of the United States..! ^ 672 003 00
Taking census of Oregon Territory.
"
500 00
Publication of the laws of the United States for the years
1850 and 1 8 5 1 . . .
j
8,250 00
Printing and publishing manuscript papers of Thomas;
Jefferson
!
0,000 00
Purchase of the aunals of Congress
j
00,000 0U
To pay for 5,592 copies of the Congressional Globe and:
appendix
|
33,408 00
To pav for 1,000 «opies of the wo^ks of John Adains, 2d
President of the United States
i
5,000 00
Reporting and publishing in daily Globe 2,000 columns ofj
1
proceedings of House of Representatives
15,000 00 |
Printing Congressional Globe and appendix for members;
!
10,000 00 ;
of 81 st. Congress
Printing 20,000 copies of the report 011 commerce and na-f
j
:
vlgalion.
.
10*225 00 ;
Exchanges of certain documents and other publications of
;
Congress
2,000 00 ,
Results and account of the exploring expedition
j
25,000 00 j
Ercction of suitable public buildings for Territory of Min-i
,
nesota
!
10,000 00
Erection of a penitentiary in Territory of Minnesota.
10,000 00 j
Ercction of writable public buildiug at scat of govermnentj
Of Territory of Utah
20,000 00
Purolmso of a library to be kept at the scat of government,'
!
of Territory qf Utah,
;
3,000 00 j
Repairs and alterations of public buildings ju Washington,!
improving streets, squares,
148,033 40 !
Hupport and maintenaice of the penitentiary
fript of Columbia
7,800 00
Support and piaintemitece of the jtmne paupers wf the
Pistrict of pojumbia
1.......................
7,}G9 75 ,
Support and medical treatment of 12 transient paupers p^
fhe t h r i f t of Oohunbta.1'. . 1 1 . . . . . ; I
...
2,0ft) (»#
Auxi(iayy wajcli for citv of
ashtng\on :
IH f7 '
1
IinproYeinents in tlie'cW of Washington,
^fe*
\7, } 8 4 8 . . . . . . V . I . , ' , . . .
A,
CO '
Clewing ami deepening WashingtmVoity canal.
15, 000 00
Completing past wing of the Patent Oflioo building
72,500 00
Relief of the several corporate cities of the District ot!
Columbia
4C,CU0 72
Reimbursement of tke debt contracted of corporate cities1
ol the District of Columbia
CO, 000 00
Expenses incurred for funeral of'General Taylor, dec'd :
late President of the United S t a t e s . . . .
\
>,
8,14G 73 >
Expunges ot transporting the remains of General Taylor
from cemetery at Washington to Kentucky
4,0C0 CO r

Total.

Ill]

A—Continued,
t ===
Total.

Amount.

Selection of certain Wabasli and Erie canal lands in Ohio,
per act 30th June, 1834
Surveys of public lands
Completing geological surveys, &c., of mineral lands in
Michigan, Iowa, &e
...
Expenses of the mineral land service
Distribution of the proceeds of the public lands
Three per cent, to the State of Ohio . . . . . . . . . .
Do..
. . d o . ...Illinois
.
Five per cent
d o . . . . Florida
'.. *
. . . . . .Do.
. d o . . . .Wisconsin
. . . . . . Do... *
...do....Iowa.
,,
Repayments for lands erroneously sold.
Payment for war bounty land warrants
Expenses of collecting revenue from sales of public lands.
Debentures and other charges, (lands)
Smithsonian Institution, founded at Washington, for the
increase and diffusion of knowledge among men—
Expenses of the Smithsonian Institution, per act 10th August, 1846.
Patent fund
Consular receipts
]. *
Claims not otherwise provided for
Relief of sundry individuals.
....
|
Miscellaneous items..,
.
*****

$27,287
147, 108 47
17,080
2,031
18,214
8,0UT»

49
40
00
31

b,081 80
003
16,30il
u,097
21,800
8,325
145,800

01
17
40
00
00
78

080 01

30,910
173,701
1,100
1,302
115,388
4,752

14
47
53
04
74
20

Total miscellaneous

$8,177,247 71

Under direction of the Department of the Interior.
Indian Department.
^
Pensions, military
D o . . . . naval
....
Claims of the State of V i r g i n i a . ! ' ! ! ! ! ! !
Relief of sundry individuals
,..!...

2,815,500
2,002,207
147,108
00,807
23,402

70
17
02
01
13

Total under Department of the Interior . . .

6,116.334 OR

Under direction of the War Department.
Army proper....
Military academy
Fortifications and other works of defence
Armories, arsenals and munitions of war
Harbors, rivers, roads, &c

Surveys

Arming and equipping milithu ! ! !
t0

8,040,707
105,017
001,008
021,121
130,704
08,225
2;i5,04'»

82
73
64
80
84
11
00

V 1,mteerS Und

riS^
°
*
ami*TV^*
Relief of individualVand mi,4VuauVouJ ! ! ! ! * ! ! ! ! ! !

035,330 40
125,517 83

Total under War Department
11,811,702 78
Under direction of the Xary

Department. '

Pay and subsistence, including medicines & c
Navy yards
Navy hospitals and a s y l n m s ' . " ! ! ! ! ! ! !

...
*

2,317,214
1*084,337
518,072
1,021,478
1,342

(«5
K>
45
05
62

£ii]

A—Continued,

Amouut.
Dry docks
Steam mail service
Belief of individuals and miscellaneous .
Marine corps

5601,620
1,302,365
150,601
389,704

95
09
31
80

Total under Navy Department.

Public debt. ,
Paying tho old public debt
Interest on public debt, including treasury notes and Mexican indemnity stock
Redemption of .stock of tlie loan of 28th January, 1847..
Prentirm and commission on purchase of stock of the loan
of 2 t*i January, 1847
Reimbi ucincnt of treasury notes, per acts prior to 22d
July, 1840
Reimbursement of treasury notes, per act of 22d July.
1840
Redemption of certificates of stock issued for fourth and
fifth instalments of Mexican indemnity
Redemption of treasury notes, per act of February 4,1819.

4,419 G2
3,696,721 46
430,250 00
69,713 19
277 07
100 00
15,977 10
527 00

Total public debt
48,005,878 68

Total expenditures
Balance in the treasury July 1,1851.

$10,911,645 68

N . SARGENT,
TREASURY DERARTSNST,

[11]

B.
Statement of duties, revenues, and public expenditures, for the first quarter
of the fiscal year, from July 1 to September 30, 1851, agreeably to warrants issued, exclusive of trust funds and treasury notes funded.

. $14,764,909 34
.j
681,802 82

From customs
From sales of public lands
:
From miscellaneous and incidental sources, including military contributions in Mexico

224,709 67
15,561,511 83

EXPENDITURES.

Civil list, miscellaneous, and foreign intercourse
Expenses of collecting the revenue from customs
Expenses of collecting revenue from lands
Indian department....
Pensions
V

•
j
;
t

$3,000,337 77
488,702 3*
68,31934

$761,341 10
920,312 80
1,681,653 00

Army proper, &c
i
Fortifications, ordnance, arming militia, &c
tfavy
VAwlfli*
nT#1
jlitl.i
*
Paying
the old
public debtInterest on treasury notes and Mexican indemnity Ktock . . .
Redemption of stock issued for fourth and fifth instalments
of Mexican indemnity
Reimbursement of treasury notes, under act of July 22,
1846, in specie
From which deduct repayments on account of interest on
: public debt .

2,752,459 27
415,789 15
AW

3,168,248 42
2,256,838 04

557 67
8,040 27
287,696 76
100 00
296,294 70
12,898 17
283,396 6$
10,937,586 31

TREASURY

DEPARTMENT,

SARGENT,

Begit'er.

Statement

of the debt of the United States on the 20th November,
j Rate of interest.

Denomination of debt.

185 J.
When payable.

Principal and interest of the old funded and unfunded debt, treasury notes of 1812, and j
j
Yazoo scrip
'
j 0 n presentation
Debt of the corporate cities of the District •!'Columbia, assumed per act of May 20, 1886... t 5 | per cent
$60,000 annually...
Outstanding treasury notes, issued prior to July 22, 1846, payable cr fundable
j Ou presentation . . .
Outstanding treasury not™, issued under act of July 22, 184fl, payable or fundable
;
j
do
Outstanding treasury notes, issued under act of January 28, 1847, payable or fundable
do 31, 1862.
J \ 6 per cent . . . . . . j December
Loan of April lf>, 1842
5 per ccnt
July 1, 1853
Loan of March 3,
,1 G per cent
j November 12, 1856
Loan of July
. j . . , .do
t January 1, 1868 . . .
Loan of January 28, 1847
J
.
.
.
.
do
.
J
July 1, 1868
Loan of March 31,

Treasury notes paid in specie

*
*•
*

$2,860 10
60,000 00
230,300 00
, n~n
nn

* • :650
« !00«
1,667,843 IX
62,560,805 2G
N. SARGENT,

DEPARTMENT.

}t winter's Office, D<cemh* r 2, ltful.

79
00
64
00
00
03
35
45
00
00

62,560,305 20

Present amount as above

TREASURY

$116,716
810,000
135,711
17,550
0,500
8,108,686
6,237,031
4,090.140
26,265,150
15,740,000

$64,228,238 37

Amount of debt December 1, 1850
Deduct payments—
Old debt
Cities' debt
Stock purchased, loan oi

I M t t h i M

Amount.

R'gistrr.

[11 ]

28
D.

Statement of the redemption of treasury notes during the fiscal year end, ing 30th June, 1851.

•

Amount.

Reimbursement of treasury notes per acts prior to July 22, 1840, of
which §227 67 was paid for in specie, $50 received for lands, and
S3,400 f u n d e d . . . . . . . : .
Reimbursement of treasury notes per act of July 22,1840, of which $100
was paid for in specie, and $9,500 funded
Reimbursement of treasury notes per act of January 28, 1847, all of
which was funded

$3,677 07
ii,000 00
190,f«OO 00
203,777 C7

TREASURY D E P A R T M E N T ,

SAKGKNT,

Jit pilfer*

[ 11 ]

Statement of the number of persons employed in each district of the United
States, for the collection of customs, daring the fiscal year ending June
30, 18-51, with their occupation and compensation, per act of March 3,
1849.
Districts.

Nun er of
persons
rmp ed.

Occupation.

Passamaquoddy .

Collector.Surveyor
Inspectors
Do
Do
Do
Weigher-and measurer.
Do
do

Machias

Compensate
to each person.
$3,000
1,733
1,095
f>9G
730
547
1,205
1,221

00
15
00
00
00
60
83
16

Collector.,
Inspector.
Do...,
Do....
Boatman ..

855
730
454
250
175

70
00
60
00
33

Frenchman's Bay ,

Collector.
Inspector.
Do....
Do..:..
Do....

1,251
800
500
300
305

74
00
00
00'
00

Penobscot

Collector
Inspector
Do
Occasional inspector.
Do

1,225
1,095
730
600
150

23
00
00
00
00

"Waldoborortgh.

Collector
Permanent inspectors.
Occasional inspector..
Do..'.
Do
Do
!

1,878
1,095
402
341
299
151

39
00
00
25
25
25

Wiscasset.

Collector.
Deputy collector and inspector.
Do
do
Do
do
Do
do
Temporary inspector
Do
Measurer..

- 909
1,047
795
720
720
250
150
411

C7
00
00
00
00
00
00
74

Bath .

Collector
Deputy collector and inspector
Inspectors, weighers, gaugers, and
measurers
Inspector
Do
Do
Do
Do
Occasional measurer

1,914 81
1,095 00

1,500 00
1.095 00

350 00
500
480
214
> 48

00
00
00
42

[11]

E—Continued.

Districts.

Occupation.

Number of ,
persons j
employed^

Portland and Falmouth..»

Saco.

Kennetmak.

York.

Belfast.

Bangor.

. Portsmouth, N. H,.

j CompenMit'ii
t to each jier| sou.
i

| Collector
|
I Deputy collector and occasional j
weigher, eauger, and measurer...:
Clerk..,./.
1)0
i
Inspectors*."//
j
Occasional inspectors
j
Do. .-.
Weighers, gaugers, and measurers...]
Surveyor
.....j
Boatmen

S3,000 00
],/»0u OO
M
100 00
1,005 m
00
•>'»! Oi)
1,500 (Hi
25
300 00
308 81

Collector
Inspector
Do
Do
Aid of revenue.

003 0**
72 00
21 00

C 00

Collector..
Inspector..
Do....
Do....

203 02

} Collector.,
S Inspector.,
;
DO...

271 74
2<K) 00

Collector..
Inspector.,
Do....
Do....
Do....
Gauger...
Measurer.
Do...,

1,300 95

Collector
Deputy collector and inspector..
Inspector
Do......
Inspector and ganger.
Ganger, weigher, and measurer .

1,876 M
1,(^5 l»0

COO 00
80 00
32 (K)

1*20 00

1,005 o:)

1,071 00
1.032 t'O

'400 00

108 00
133 SJ
123 15

Collector.
Naval ofticfr
Surveyor
Inspector and deputy collector.

"...do
Occasional inspector
Inspectors.

Do...

j Inspectors and measurer*.,....
| Occasional inspectors
Inspectors
Occasional inspector.
Do.
Weigher and gauger.

1,005 00
1,011 00
1.138 41
"707 03
677 41
637 08

€80 02
730
200
450
300
300
087
256
520

0C«
00
00
00
00
07

00
00

100 00
110 00
707 0±

[11]

E—Continued.
Districts.

Number of
persons
employed.

Vermont

1
5
1
6
3
1
3
" 1
o
o

Occupation.

Collector
Do
Do
Inspector
Do

;
;

Boatmen

Newburvport

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Collector
Naval ollieer
Surveyor at Ipswich
Surveyor at Ncwburyport
Inspector
Do
Inspector and ganger
Weigher, measurer, and inspector...
Inspector at Ipswich

Gloucester

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

Collector

Salem and Beverlv

Marblehead.

Boston and Chariest own...

1
1
1
1
1
3
12
o
1

Do
Do
Do
Weigher, gauger and measurer
Do
do...

Weighers and gaugers
Deputy collector

Collector.

1
1
1
1
o

Inspector at Lynn

1
1
1
1
o
1
o
o
6

Naval officer

Compensate
to each person.
$1,000
500
570
360
240
600
240
160
240
120

84
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

483
458
250
556
615
663
983
946
198
45

61
89
00
51
00
00
16
10
00
00

944
250
1,095
939
300
150
699
649
200

74
00
00
00
00
00
64
30
00

2,120
1,490
1,267
277
930
1,376
769
789
' 1,000

24
07
25
56
00
06
00
61
00

637
365
275
5o
68
100
150

03
00
00
00
84
00
00

6,400
5,000
4,900
2,000
1,500
1,800
1,400
1,300
1,200

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

[11]

E—Continued.
Districts.

Occupation.

Number of
persons
employed.
4
7
4
58

Boston and CharleBlown.

2
•

9
4
8
9

Compensate

Collector^ clerks
Do..............
Do..
Inspectors
Do
Do
Do
....
Night inspectors
Weighers...
Gaugers....
Measurers
Appraiser*
Assistant appraiser*..
Appraiser's clerks
Do..
Do
Spccial examiner of drugs.
Storekeeper
Assistant storekeepers....
Do
Storekeeper's clerk
Do.
Do
Do
Do
Deputy naval officer
Naval officer's clerk.
Do
Do.
Do....
Deputy s u r v e y o r . . . i . . . .
Surveyor's clerk
Do
Messenger..

Plymouth.,

Collector.
Inspector.
Do...
Do...
Do...
Do...
Measurer.
Do...

Fall River.

Collector
Depnty collcctor, weigher, gauger,
Inspector, weigher and measurer....
Do....
do
Weigher and measurer

Barnstable.

Collector
Deputy collector, inspector, and
weigher and measurer
Deputy collector and inspector . . . .
Bo
do
Do
do.

Inspector.....

Do.,*..,...

tocach person.

SI,100 00
1,000 00
000 00
1,005 00
800 00
700 00
600 00
600 00
1,500 00
1,500 00
1,500 00
1,500 00
1,200 00
1,000 00
900 00
800 00
1,000 00
1,400 00
1,100 00
1,000 00
1,005 00

1,000 00
000 oo
800 00
600 00

1,600 00
1,200 00
1,150 00
1,100 00
1,050 00
1,500 00
1,150 00
1,000 00
600 00
537 18
1,005 00
800 00
600 00
300 00
160 00
111 00
30 00

[U]

E—Continued*
Districts.

Number of
persons
employed

Occupation.

Compensate
toeachper-

$260 00
21 00

Barnstable—Continued ,

Inspector.
Temporary inspector.

New Bodford

Collector.
Clerk
Inspectors
Do
Do
Do
Do
Inspectors, measurers, &c.
Inspector, weigher, &c....

3,133
600
1,095
300
114
99
105
1,500
611

00
00
00
00
00
0000
00
00

Edgartown.

Collector
Deputy collcctor and inspector.
Do
do
Inspector
Do
Boatman
Do

1,203
600
600
500
893
300
240

84
00
00
00
00
00
00

Kantncket.-

Collector.
Inspector.
Do...,
Boatmen.,

718
1,095
730
160

IS
00
00
00

Providence.

Collector
.......
Clerk
Naval officer
Surveyor, Providence
Surveyor, Pawttixet
Surveyor, East Greenwich..
Inspectors coastwise
Inspectors, foreign
Inspector, Pawtuxet
Do
do
Do."...East Greenwich.
Weigher
Gaugcrs..
Measurer of coal, &c
Do
Measurer of salt
Boatman, Pawtuxet
Boatman, East Greenwich.

1,078 90
600 00
067 92
657 4S
200 00
187 60
1,095 00
295 60
450 CO
300 00

Bristol and Warren.

Ex.—a

Collector
Permanent inspectors.
Do.,...
Temporary inspector..
Do.
Do
Do
Do....
Do.,...
Gauger
Do

Weighor

206 02

362 01
364 86
1,341 48
605 18
265 47
800 CO
99 CO
566 £8
647 60
420 CO
258 00
231 CO
66 00
126 CO
114 00
6 CO
449 64
259 6S
357 k 60

[U]

34
E—Continued.

Bristol and Warren—Con..

Newport.

Assistant storekeeper.
Boatman
Do
Surveyors
Collector
Naval officer
Surveyor, Newport
Surveyor, North Kingston
Surveyor, Tiverton
Surveyor, East Greenwich
Deputy collector and inspector.
Inspector
Do
Do
Occasional inspectors
Do
Gauger
Weigher
Boatmen

Middletown.

Collector
Deputy collector
Inspector at Middlctown ,
Inspectors at Hartford . . ,
Inspectors nt Saybrook..
Deputy inspector
Surveyor at Middlctown.
Surveyors at Hartford*.,
Surveyors at Saybrool;..
Gauger at Middlctown . .
Weigher at Middlctown.

New London .

Collector..
Inspector..
Do....
Do....
Do....
Do....
Weighers..
Measurers.
Boatman..
Surveyor.

New Ilaten.

Fairfield.

Collector
*
i
Snrveyor aud storekeeper
\
Deputy collector and inspector
Inspector
;
5
Do
Do
i
Do
Do
j
Inspector, weigher, and measurer *.. j
Inspector, weigher, and ganger
{
Do..
do
i
Iusp<*etor and boatman
Collector.,
Inspector.,
Do...,

$523 00
180 00

60 00

250 00
783 91
463 73
441 35
250 00
200 00
62 60
519 00
549 00
646 00
400 00
103 60
101 84
404 00
2 63
125 25
891 51
60 00
498 00
226 60
79 00
18 00
826 00
238 06
110 00
42 12
39 81

[11]

35
E—Continued.
Districts.

Number of
persons
employed.

Occupation.

Fairfield—Continued.

Inspector
Night inspector.
Do

Stonington ,

Collector.
Surveyor.
Inspector .
Do...
Boatman
DO.,.:

Sackett's Harbor.

Collector
Deputv collector and inspector...
Do
.do
Inspectors
*
Do
I)o
Night watch
Do
Teniporarv inspectors
Do..;
•
Do

Genesee.

Collector
Deputy collectors and inspectors.

Oswego .

Collector
Deputy collector
Clerk
Do
Inspectors
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Assistant storekeeper. - .
Aids of revenue . . . . . . .
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
:
Do
Night watch.
Do.....
Boatman

Niagara ,

Collector
Deputy collector at Lewiston
Deputy collector at Youngstown
Deputy collector at Niagara Fall*...
Deputv collector at 1 tigliteen-mile
Creek
Deputy collector at Oak Orchard
Creek
Inspectors at Lewiston
Inspector at Niagara F alls
Night watch at Lewistun

Compensate
to each per-

244 00
244
730
730
oG5

00
00
00
00

[11]

E—Continued.
Districts.

Occupation.

Number of
persons
employed

Collector....
Deputy collfcctorand inspector.
Do
do
Do
do
Do
do
Inspector
Do.
Do
Temporary inspectors
Night "watch
Aid od* the revenue

Buffalo.,

Boattnan..
Clerks

Oswegatchi*.

Collector
Deputy collcctor.
Inspector
Do
Do
Do
Do
Night watch
Do

Sag Harbor.

Collector..
Inspectors.

New York...

Collector
Auditor
Cashier
Assistant collector.,
Deputy collectors..
Do
Do
Assistant caahier..
Assistant auditor..
Clerks
Do
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
l)o.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.

1
1
1
1
1
23
1
1
1
4
1
1
1»
1
1
~1
13
1

[li]

E—Continued.
Districts.

'Number of
persons
employed

Clerk
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do...
Do
Do....
TYatchmen
Keeper
Fireman
Porters.
Messenger
Do
Assistant keeper.
Messenger
Do
l)o.

New York—Continued....

Occupation.

i\'aval offi.ee.
1
,1
8
6
11

1
1

1
1
1
1

Naval o f f i c e r . . . . .
Deputies
Auditing deputy
Clerk
;
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do...
Do
Do
:
Do
Porter
Messenger

Compensate
to each per-

$576
569
582
750
400
683
700
600
576
• 500
547
800
456
360
850
300
382
101
64
27

08
67
61
00
00
33
00
00
00
00
60
00
25
00
00
00
22
36
00
42

6,000 00
1,600 00
1,500 00
1,200 00
1,050 00
* 950 00
900 00
800 00
750 00
600 00
600 00
400 00
450 00
150 00

Surveyors office.
1
1
4
1

1
1
1
1
19G

1
1
75
10
18
8

Surveyor
Deputv surveyor
Clerks'
*
Do
Do
Porter and messenger.
Surveyor at Albany . .
Surveyor at Troy
Inspectors
Do..
Do
Nigbt Inspectors
Weighers
Assistants
Gaugers
Assistants
Measurers
Appraisement*.
Principal appraisers
Assistant appraisers

4,900 00
1,500 00

1,000 00

1,100 00
700 00
600 00
150 00
250 00
1,095 <H>
832 00
730 00
547 60
1 500 00
360 00
1,500 00
480 00
1,500 00
2,163 96
1,663 96

t li

38
E—Continued.
Districts.

CotUjK'DSJt'o
(o each per-

Clerks

New York—Continued..

Occupation.

Number of
persons
employed

$1,200
1,003
1,076
1,050
089
022
1,000
701

Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Clerks to storekeeper
Do.....
Do
Do
Porter
Messenger
Foremen
Cooper
Samplers

ooo no

GOO 00

1.000 00
464 54
746 67
800 00
800 00
780 00
650 00
624 00
520 00
676 00
520 00

Watchman.....
Do
Laborers
Special examiner of drugs
Clerk
*

00
S3
00
00
25
05
00
12

620 00

2,000 00
1,000 00

JV4/>V wrchotuci*
Storekeeper and deputv collector.
e r

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
16
12
12

6
2
2d

16
17
14

Assistant storekeeper*.
Clerks.
Do...,.
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do.....
Do
Do
Do....;
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
.t Tt-, Do
Watchmen .
Do
Do
Do

Laborer*.

Do....,
Do....,
Do....,

1,827 0*
1,200 00
1,200 00
1,000 00
1,000 00
013 **
878 60
933 33

816 CO

910
834
000
333

67
45
oo
33

800 00
700 00

405 &
400 00
356 &
230 11
UG Gj
63S a
647 50
363 00
271 50
365
780 00
C24 05
600 00

620 00
390 00
6^5 00
zoo 00

39 [11]
E—Continued.
Districts,

Number of
persons
employed

New York—Continued ,

Occupation.

Compensate
to each person.

Measurers of passenger vessels
Watchman of assistant treasurer's
office
Do
do
do

Champtera.

Collector...
Deputy collectors and inspectors
Do
do
Do
do
Do
do
Do
do
Clerk
Boatman
Do
*

Cape Vincent.

Brklgotown

912 60
647 60
1,050 71
750 00
GOO 00
500 00
450 00
400 00
400 00
180 00
120 00

Collector
Deputy collectors and inspectors . . . J
Do
do
Night-watch.
Aid of revenue

Forth Amboy.

$930 00

1,014
730
647
647
547

00
00
50
50
50

Collector
Deputy collector ,
Inspectors
.
Do
Do
Surveyor

908
600
600
306
408
150

00
00
00
00
00
00

Collector.

272 47

j,
Collector.

150 00

Great Egg Harbor

, Collector,
j Inspector.

279 97
3G0 00

Little Egg Harbor

| Collector.,
:
Inspector.
Do....
Do...,

604
84
15
6

Burlington

i
Newark

i
\
i

Camden, N . J
Philadelphia

4*5
00
00
00

Collector
Deputy collector and inspector.
Temporary inspector

427 91
730 00
102 00

Survevor.

205 76

Collector
Naval officer
Surveyor
Assistant collector
Deputy collector
Do.
Deputy naval officer* and surveyors
Appraisers
Assistant appraisers
Special examiner of drugs
Weigher
Do
Dv

6,006
5,000
4,600
2,164
1,728
1,493
1,500
1,828
1,463

92
00
00
38
60
lo
00
77
01

1,000 00

1,500 0O
1,200 00

1,000 00

[ 1 1 ]

E—Continued.
Coropcwal'n
to each per-

Occuj>ation.

Philadelphia—Coutiuucd.
4

•1
1

' 4)

1
1
4

1
a

.1
1
1
1
2
1
/>

15
20
26
4
3

5
1
1
2
3

1
1
I

Presqu'isle .

Gangers
...»
Measurers...
Clerk
Do
Do
Do..
Do
Do.....
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Superintendent of public htorra «
Assistant storekeeper.
Examiner*
Inspector
Do..
Occasional inspectoro
Do
Night inspector*—principals...
Do
Boatmen . ,
Messengers
Laborers
Laborer
Do
"Watchmen
Do
Do
Do
Sampler, deputy

1
1

Collector
Deputy collector

Pittaburg.

Surveyor

Delaware.

Collector...
Inspectors..
... D o / . . . .
Do
Messengers.
Boatmen...

1
1
Baltimore 4.

$1,500 00
1,500 00
1,503 15

1,500 00
1,200 00
1 J W 24

Moo 00

1,000 00
w 00
wo 00
916 76
#60 00

850 00

600 00
033 15
760 00
706 62
1,500 00

JM0 00

1,005 00
730 00
1,005 00
730 00
547 60
800 00
517 60
m 00
600 00
547 ^0
456 25
400 00
360 00
547 50
420 00
456 25
547 &0
375 "6

73000

1,678
643 36

MESS
800 00
500 00
365 00
300 00

Collector...
Deputy collector....
Cashier
Clerks
Do..
Do
*

0,400 00
1 500 00

1 600 00
1 200 00
1,100 00

1,000 w>

;;;

600 0<>

Deputy naval yffiecr.

4,3*
g
1,200^0

Do.....,
Messenger
Naval officcr..

[ 11 3

E—Continued.
Districts.

Occupation.

Number of
persons
employed*

Compensate
to each per-

Clerk
Surveyor..
Clerk
;......
Inspectors
Night inspectors
Do..
Boatmen
Appraisers
Clerks to appraisers.
Do...
Messenger
*.—
Storekeeper
Do
Clerks
Do
Porters
»./....

$600
2,283
600
1,095
038
547
540
1,500
1,000
600
540
1,150
1,095
1,0C0
600
547

00
47
00
00
75
50
00
00
00
00
00
00
0*
00
00
50

Annapolis.

Collcctor.
Inspector.
Surveyor.
Do...
Do...

250
1,095
270
200
150

00
00
76
00
00

Osford

Collector.

385 80

Vienna

Collector.

514 03

Havre do Grace..

Surveyor.

Georgetown, D. C

Collector
Deputv collector and inspector.
Do
do
Ganger
Clerk
Temporary inspector

1,524
1,384
821
34

Richmond.

Collector
Deputy collectors
Inspectors, weighers, and measurers

2,323 32
1,095 00
1,095 00

Norfolk and Portsmouth ..

Collector
Deputy collector, inspector,
storekeeper
Clerk
Naval officer
Clerk
Surveyor... 1
Inspectors
Do
Weigher and gauger
Measurer
Assistant measurer
Watchman
Boatman
Do
Surreyors

2,181 67

1
1
1

Baltimore—Continued

Rappahannock.

Collector......
Deputy collector and inspector.

151 97
88
18
25
20
m 50
200 00

and
1,095 00
500 00
725 88
610 00
444 98
1,095 00
400 00
1,431 85
324 06
142 71
365 00
300 00
150 00
. 250 00
489 64
300 00

EH]

E—Continued.
ComtKnuat'a
to rach pcr-

Occupation.

Number of!
persons" i
employed, j

Districts.

i
T&ppaliaunock—Continued

] Surveyor..
t
Do....
i
Do....
Do....
j
Do...

$365 00
noo 50
280 00
170 00
150 00

Cherrystone

i Collector,
i Surveyor.

208 76
250 00

* Collector.
, Surveyor.

404 00
237 40

I Collector
: Deputy collector
I Surveyor
I Weigher, Ace...
, Inspector*.,....
; Occasional inspectors.

591 00
730 «l

50*) 00
1.,500 00

j Collector..
; Deputy collector and inspector....
j Surveyor
: Inspectors...
, Weigher and measurer
i Gauger

1,063 99
1,1*5 00
659 67
1,095 00
1 000 00
48 43

j
Yorktown
.

•

Petersburg
r.

I
i
Alexandria

.i
- -.it
I

1.095 W
136 00

Wheeling

Surveyor and insi>cctor .

4(H)

Yeocoralco

Surveyor and inspector . . .

223 45

( {Jaraden, N. C . . ^ . . . . . . j

Collector
Temi>orttry inspector, gauger,
Do
do
Appraiser
Do
.

l
;

|
....•
•
«

Edeoton

Collector
Temporary inspector.

Plymouth, N.C.

Collector
,
Surveyor
*
Inspector, weigher, gauger, &c.
Do
do
do......

Washington»

Collector
Deputy collector, inspector, weigher,

N*wbern.

Ocracoke ,

Collector.,
Inspector.,
Gauger..,
; Weigher.
; Measurer.
j Collector..
1 lt»pcctor.
I Boatmen.

714 23
547 73
18 50

52 00
4<> 00
H 00

43
E—Continued.
Districts.

Occupation.

; Number of
i persons I
j employed.

[. Compensate
to each per-

Beaufort, N . C.

Collector.
Inspector.
Ganger..

Wilmington....

Collector
Inspectors
Temporary inspectors.
Naval officer
Surveyor
Boarding officer
Weigher and ganger..
Boatmen
Servant

1,722
600
460
900
815
480
1,500
240
225

Charleston.

Collector
Deputv collector
Clerk
Do
Do
Naval officer
Deputy naval oflicer. - . .
Surveyor
"Weigher
Measurer
Ganger
Appraiser.?
Kxu miner of drugs
Inspectors
Boatmen
Messenger
Temporary night-watch ,

6,000 00

Collector
Deputy collector.

Georgetown, S. C
Beaufort, S. C.

Collector

Savannah

Collector
Deputv collector
Clerk !
Inspectors
,
Inspector at I l d r d w i c k . . . .
Inspector at Sun bury
Appraisers
Weigher and ganger
Appraiser's porter.
Custom-house night-watch.
Surveyor
Naval officer
Storekeej>er
Bargemen
.

St. Mary's, Ga.,
Brunswick . . . .

Digitized Mobile
for FRASER

Collect cr..
Inspector.,
f Collector.
. Surveyor.
;

Collector,

$371 23
42 00
3 00
31
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

1,120 00
1,300 00

1,000 00
000
2,189
628
1,762
1,500
1,500
1,500
1,500

00
07
00
79
00
00
00
00

1,095
360
365
42

00
00
00
00

* 1,000 00

538 61
125 00
303 32
3,264
1.200
800
1,095
250
250
1,500
1,500
ISO
182
150
150
800
360

90
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
50
00
00
00
00

630 31
200 00

ot
250 00

£,000 00

[11]

E—Continued.

Districts.

Occupation.

Number of)
persons |
employed, t

Clerks
InsjHxtors
Do
Do
Do
Do
Do
Du.
Weighers and measurers.
Appraiser
Gauger

Mobile—Continued.

CnmjKsnbat'n
to each per*
son.
$105 0f>
1,095 00
00
£36 00

411
360
312
1*500
402
ti

00
00
00
oo
00
52

Collector.

310 40

1 Natchez

| Collector.

506 23

• Vicksburg.

! Collector.

500 00

Pensacola.

1
1
1

\ Collector..
! Surveyor.,
i Inspector.,

1,P66 62
75 00
1,0'Jo 00

Collector.
Iusju-ctor.
Do,..

m 0>

Pearl river..

St. Augustine.,
f

Key West

St. Mark's.
St. John's.

Apalacbicola.,

!
.
j
|
1
2
1
4

Kew Orleans.

0
0
4
3
1
76
1
1
1
1
1

500 00
730 00

Collector........
Deputy collector.
Inspector........
Do
Clerk

1,507
1,005
1,005
550
360

Collector..
Inspectors.

601 71
1,095 00

Collector..
In*j>ectors.
Surveyor..
Boatmen..

571
730
300
180

51
00
00
00

1,750
1,005
1,500
300

01
00
00
00

| Collector...
j Inspectors
j Weigher and gauger.
! Boatmen
Collector
Deputy collectors.
Clerks
Do
Do
Do
Porter
Inspectors
Ganger
Deputy ganger...
Weigher
Deputy weigher..
Measurer........

27
00
00
00
00

6,400 00
2,500 00
1,500 00

1,200 00
1,000
900
730
1,095

00
00
00
00

1 200 00
1 500 00
1,200 00
1 500 00

35
E—Continued.

'Districts.

Number of
persons
employed.

New Orleans—Continued.

1
1
i
i
1
1
2
4

Occupation.

j Compensate
I to each person.

^Deputy 'measurer.
Naval otticcr...
^ p u t y naval oflicbr

$l»09o 00
5,000 00
:i,600 ( 0f)
1,200 00
l,.05t> 66
. 730 .00
•4,500 00
i,500;0b
540 ob
360 Ob
-2,560.6b

telcrk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Do
•...
Do.
Surveyor
Deputy surveyors.Boatmen . . . .
Do
Appraisers
Assistant appraisers
Clerks......
Pollers . .
...........
Do...
Storekeeper
Depiity ^torektetfcpfcr.Laborers . . ..v.:
Do.
Oustom*houT?e watchmen.

Aodo
1,095
540
360
1,500
1,095
480
420
730

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

Teclie

Cdlletttir.
Deputy collector and inspector.

Tesas

'Collector
Inspectors
Deputy collector
Do
Surveyor
Boarding inspector, &c
Clerk

1,750
1,095
1,000
600

Brazos de Santiago 4 .

Collector
Deputy collector and inspector.
Do
do....
Do
do
Inspectors
Clerks
.
Storekeeper
Bargeman....
,,

1,750 03
900 0©
1,000 09
700 00
7-00 06
700 00
700 00
480 J00

Saluria.

Collector
Duputy collector
Surveyors
Do......

3/250
500
600
500

Mjajni,

Collector.
Inspector—Toledo
Do
Maumce city.
D o . . . . . Perrysburg . .

Sapdusky ,

Collector
Deputy collector.

i)o
Do
fnyahoga.

Collector.....*..
Deputy collector.

£02'3fc
150 00
00
(j0
00
00

1,000 00
1,200 00
800 00

...

.00
00
00
00

325 46

800 00

600 00
400 00
459 52
800 00
300 00

200 00
591 20
730 00

46 [11]
E—Continued.
Districts.

Number of
persons
employed,

Corai>cnsat'n
to cach per-

Occupation.

Cuyahoga—Continued.

Inspectors.
Do

Cincinnati

Surveyor and inspector.
Clerk

Detroit

Collector
Dcputv collcctor
Do
Do
Do..
Do
Do
Inspector, weigher and gauger.

Inspector
Do
Do
Do
. Do.....

Michilimacklnac.

Chicago.

Louisville.
Nashville .
St. Louis..
Oregon ,

"
*

Collcctor
Deputv collector.
Do
Do....... ,
Collector
Deputy collector and inspector,
Do
do
Do
do
Do
...do
Surveyor and inspector.,

3,008

do....

Surveyor, fee
Aid to the customs..! 1

3,350 00
652 00

Collector
Deputy collcctor and inspector! 1!! 1
_
,Do
do
special inspectors

1,583 83

1,000 00
m 00
215 OT

[ 11 ]

Statement of the advances froiil the Treasury oii account of the expenses
at each custom-house in the United States dtiring the year ending 30th
June, 1851.
District.

Amount.

District.

Amount.

Md...
Passamaquoddy
Maine.. $25,437 06 | Vienna
$456 67
2,501 40 j Port of Town C r e e k . . . . d o . . .
Machias
do...
153 42
3,111 00 11 Georgetown
Frenchman's Bay
do...
D. C . .
3,800 52
3,774 00 j Richmond
Penobscot
do...
Va...
7,058 00
6,403 00 Norfolk & Portsmouth..do...
Waldoborough
do...
21,372 00
3,162 00 I' Tappahannock
Wiscasset
do...
do...
1,637 00
7,638 00 :! C h e r r y s t o n e . . . . . . . . . . . . d o . . .
Bath
do...
502 00
Portland and Falmouth, . d o . . . 15,254 00 j; Yorlctown
do...
366 58
980 00 Petersburg.
Saco
do...
.do...
6,007 46
909 52 !' Alexandria
Kennebunk
do...
do...
5,398 00
570 00 II Camden
York
do...
N . C.
748 56
Belfast
do..
2,351 00 ! i Edenton
do...
391 00
Bangor
do..
5,133 23 !i Plymouth
do...
577 00
do...
Portsmouth
N . H . . 10,133 00 '} Washington
786 59
9,996 00 !t Newbern
do...
Vermont
Vt.
869 00
4,183 00 \\ Ocracoke
do...
Newbury port
Mass
2,140 00
5,204 00 ] Beaufort
do...
Gloucester
do..,
456 50
do...
Salem and Beverly
d o . . . 18,962 00 j Wilmington
5,881 00
Marbleliead
do...
2,070 80 ! Charleston
S. C . .
53,433 99
Boston and Charlestown..do... 224,765 00 Georgetown
do...
. 450 00
3,312 00 Beaufort
do...
Plymouth
do...
121 40
Fall River
do...
5,304 67 Savannah
Ga...
30,263 85
3,360 00 ! St. Mary's
do
Barnstable
do...
786 00
8,292 00 j Brunswick
do...
New Bedford
do,..
371 30
Kdgartown
*
do...
3,981 00 t| Mobile
Ala...
21,632 00
2,533 00 i| Natchez
Miss
Nantucket
do...
614 89
do
Providence
K. I . . 11,135 00 ij Vicksburg
334 75
5,414 00 Pensacola
Bristol and Warren
do...
Fla...
2,636 00
Newport
d o . . . 10,307 00 St. Augustine
do
2,790 00
2,861 00 Key West
Middletown . . . ;
Conn..
do...
18,084 45
4,114 7o St. Mark's
New London
do...
do...
6,041 00
New Haven
d o . . . 11,924 00 St. John's
do...j
2,783 00
1,846 00 Apalachicola
Fairfield
do...
do...
6,120 00
1,613 00 New Orleans
Stonington
do...
L a . . . | 178,282 00
8,255
00
Sackett's Harbor
N. Y..
Teche
do..
488 00
4,165 00 Texas (Galveston) . . .Texas..!
Genesee
do...
9,246 00
Oswego
d o . . . 11,073 00 Saluria
do.
4,697 00
Niagara
do...
6,525 00 \\ Brazos de S t . J a g o
do...
10,437 00
Buffalo Creek
d o . . . 15,705 49 !j Miami
1,528 00
Ohio..
2,406 00
5,745 00 II Sandusky
do...
Oswegatchie
do...
4,814 00
458 00 Si C u v a h o g a ( C l e v e l a n d ) . . d o . . .
Sag Harbor
do...
12,925 83
Mich..
N e w York
d o . . , 679,578 00 ;| Detroit
1,690 00
8,041 00 |j Michilimackinac
do...
Champlain
do...
2,810 00
5,124 00 | Chicago . .
Cape Vincent
do...
Ill
600 00
4 , 0 8 2 00 ! California
N. J..
Perth Amboy
7,458 10
551 28 i Cincinnati
Ohio..
Bridgetown."
do...
2,577 80
168 00 1 Louisville
Ky...
Burlington
do...
717 83
899 00 ; Nashville
Great E g g Harbor
do.. •
Teun..
559 52
488 95 | Pittsburg
Little Egg Harbor
do...
Penn..
4,814
18
Newark
do..
1,301 00 | St. Louis
Mo...
631 65
Camden
do..
157 83 Wheeling.
Va,
443 95
Philadelphia
Penn. 165,080 09 Yeocomico
do...
1,079 00
10,368 15 i Milwaukie
Presqu'isle
do..
Wis
3,000 00
19,322 53 Weights and measures
Delaware (Wilmington) . Del..
83,950 39
Baltimore
Md..
2,202 00
Annapolis
do..
1,918,260 45
Total.
203 47
Oxford
do..

Digitized for TFRASER
E E A S U H Y D E P A R T M E N T , Register's Office, Nov. 11,1851.

til]

G - N o . 1.
Statement exhibiting the value of dutiable merchandise reported
annually, fr<mK 1821 to 1851, inclusive, and showing, also, the value rc~n~
ported from warehouses, under the act of August 6, 18JG.
| Dutiable value of Value rc-cxponed
merchandise re- from warehousesexported.

Tears.

1821
1822.,
1823.,
1824.,

1826.,

1826.
1827.,
1828 .
1829 .
1830.
1831.
1832.,
1833.,
1834 .,
1835.,
1836 .,
1837 .,
1838..
1839.,
1840.,
1841,
1842 ,
1843 .
1844.
1845 ,
1846.
1847—5 months to November 30
1847—7 months to June 30

$2t*333, 527
2,020,360

$10,537,731
11,101,80$
19,846,873
17,222,075
22.704.603
19.401.604
15,617,086
13,167,330
11,427,401
12,007,162
12,434,483
18,448,857
12,411,069
10,870,520
7,743,655
0,232,807
0,406,043
4,466,384
5,007,608
6,805,809
4,228,181
4,884,464
3,456,672
3,062,608
6,171,731
5,522,677

4,353,007
6,576,409
6,625,276
7,376,361
8,661,967

1848.
1349.
1850,
1351,

Total in 31 years

Average per annum.,

Treasury DmHTMBNT,
.
Rtgi*U?>3 Office January 6,1852.

300,644,498

0,988,632

N. SABGENT,

Reguur.

49
G—No.

[11]
2.

Statement, exhibiting the value of foreign merchandise imported, re-export'
cd, and consumed, annually, /ro?;i 1821
1851, inclusive,
a&o /Ac
estimated population and rate of consumption, per capita, during the
same period.

V.iluc of foreign merchandise.
i

Years endingImported. ! Re-exported.
;

September SO * . . . . . ; i 1821
182a
1823
1824
1825
1826
1827
1828
1829
1830
1881
1832
1838
1834
1805
1830
3887
1838
, 1839
1840
1841
1842
9 months to June 80, 1843
Year to Jun«
fiO
1844
1846
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851

§02,585,724 :
83^211,541 I
77,579,207 |
80.549.007
96*340,075 |
84,974,477 i
79.484.008 :
88,509,824
74,492,527
70,876,920
103,191,124
101,029,206
108,118.311
126.521^332
149,895,742
189,980,035
140,989,217 j
113,717,404 j
162,092,132
107,141.519'
127,946,177 j
100,102,087 j
04,753,799 ;
108,435,035 I
117,254,504 |
121,091,797 !
140,545,038 i
154,998,928 I
147,857,439 ,
178,138,318 j
223,419,005 j

Consumed j
and on hand. J
:
(

$21,302,488
22.280,202
27.543,622
25,337,157
82,590.043
21,539^612
23,408,136
21,595,017
16.058.478
14.387.479
20.033,520
24,039,473 !
19,822,735
23,312,811
20,504,495
21,740,300
21,854,902
12,452,795 ,
17,494,525
18,190,312 |
15,499,081 ;
11,721,538
0,552,697
11.484.807
15,340,830
11.340.023
8,01i;i58
21,132,315
13,088,805
14.951.808
21,743,293

$41,283,236
60,955,339
60*035,645
- 55,211,850
63,749.432
60,484,865
56,080,932
60,914,S07
57,834,019
56,489,441
83,157,598
70,989,793
88,295,576
103,208,521
129,391,247
168,233,075
.119,134,255
101,204,009
144,597,007
88,951,207
112,447,096
88,440,549
' 68,201,102
90,950,108
101,907,734
110,345,174
138,534,480
133,806,013
134,7C8,574
163,180,510
201,675,712

§"
SH

9,960,974
10,283,757
10,606,540
10,929,828
11,252,106
11.574.889
11,897,672
12,220,455
12,543,238
12,866,020
13,280,364
13,706,707
14,127,050
14,547,393
14,967,736
15,388,079
15,808,422
16,228,765
16,649,108
17,069,453
17,612,507
18,155,561
18,698,615
19,241,670
19,784,725
20,327,780
20,870,835
21.413.890
21,950,945
23,246,301
24,250,000

X. SARGENT, Renter,
TRKASCBY

DEPARTMENT,

G—No.

Statement exhibiting thetotal value, of imports, and the i?nports consumed in the United States, exclusive of specie, during
eachjiscal year from 1821 tolSol;
showing, also, the value of the domestic and foreign exports, exclusive of specie, and
the tonnage employed during the same periods.
°

Year.

1821

1822..
1823
1824.........
1825...
1826
1827.

1828.......
1820
183 0
183 1
183 2
1833...
183 4
183 5
1836.
183 7
183 8
3839
1840
1841...

1842.

1843"(9 months* ending June 30)

1844 for FRASER
Digitized
1MB
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
1S4G
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

(Total imports, in- Imports consum- Domestic produce
Total exports, ineluding specie,
ed, exclusive of exported, exclu- Foreign merchan- cluding spccio,
dise
exported,
ex
epccie.
sive of specie.
elusive of specie
$62,585,724
83,241,511
77,579,2G2
80,549,007
90,340,075
84,974,477
79.184,068
88,509,824
74,492,527
70,870,920
103,191,124
101,029,266
108,118,311
126,521,332
149,895,742
180,980,035
140,989,217
113,717,404
162,092,132
107,141,519
127,9-16,177
100,162,087
64,753,709
108,436.035

117,254,504

121,C91t7Y>7

$43,696,405
68,307,425
51,308,936
53,8(0,507
66,395,722
57,652,577
54,901,108
66,975,475
5-1,741,571
49,575,099

82,808,110
75,327,688
83,470,067
86,973,147
122,007,974
158,811,392
113,310,571
86,552,598
145,870,816
86,250,335
114,776,309
87,996,318
37,29-1,129
9G,390,M8
105,509, M l
110,048,859

$43,071,894
49,874,079
47,155,408
50,649,500
66,944,745
52.499.855
57,878,117
49,076,632
55,037,307
58,521,878
59,1*18,583
61,726,529
69.950.856
fl0,623,662
100,459,181
106,570,1*42
94,280,895
95,560,880
101,625,533
111,660,501
103,636,236
91,79V2!2
77,686,354
99,531,774
98,455,330

101,718,04ii

$10,824,429
11,504,270
21,172,435
18,322,605
23,793,588
20,440,934
16,431,830
14,044,G08
12,347,314
13,145,857
13,077, 069
19,794,074
17,577,876
21,636,553
14,756,321
17,767,7G2
17,162,232
9,417,690
10,62*1,140
12,008,371
8,181,235
8,078,753
5,139,335
G. 214,058
7,584,781
7,80R»,20G

$64,974,382
72,160,281
74,099,030
75,980,657
99,535,388
77,595,322
82,324,827
72,204,686
72,358,671
73,819,508
81,310,583
87,176,943
90,140,433
101,336,973
121,G93,577
128,GG3,040
117,419,376
108,4*6,616
121,028,416
132,085,1> 16
121,85], 803
104,691,531
84,316,480
111, 2tK», 046
114,64G,G06

Tonnage.

1,298,958
1,324,690
1,336,566
1,389,163
1,423,112
1,534,191

1,620,608
1,711,392
1,260,798
1,191,776
1,267,8-17
1,439,450
1,606,151
1,758,907
1.821,040
1,882,103

1.8%, 686
1,995,640
2.096.380
2,180,764
2,130,714
2.092,391
2,158,003

2.280,095
2,417,002

18(7
1848
1840
1850
1851..,

146,545,6-58
154,008,028
147,857,430
178*136,318
223,419,005

116,257,505
140, f>51,902
132,565,108
164,032,033
207,618,003

150,574,844
130,203.700
131,710,081
134,000,233
178,620,138

0,166,754
7,986,802
8,641j091
9,475,493
10,347,121

158,648,622
154,032,131
145,755,820
151,898,720
218,433,011

2,839,046
3,154,042
3,334,015
3,535,454
3,772,439

N . SAKGENT, R e n t e r .
TliEASCHY DLTAUTKEXT, Regi'stcOjjUe,

January

5 , 1852.

.Of

I—*

H*
i

Ill]

H.
Statement exhibiting the quantity and value of cotton exported annually
from 1821 to 1851 inclusive, and the average price per pound.
COTTOX.
Years.

Sea island.

Total.
Vulnr.
Pounds.

1821
1822
182 3
182 4
182 5
182 6
182 7
182 8
1829
1830......
183 1
183 2
183 3
183 4
183 5
183 6
183 7
183 8
1839......
184 0
184 1
184 2
1843......
184 4
184 5
184(5
1847......
1848......
1849
1850......
1851

11,344,066
11,250,635
12,136,688
9,525,722
9,665,278
5,972,852
15,140,798
11,288,419
12,833,307
8,147,165
8,311,762
8,743,373
11,142,987
8,085,937
7,752,736
7,849,597
5,286,971
7,286,340
5,107,404
8,779,669
237,424
7,254,099
7,515,079
6,099,076
9,389,625
9,388.533
6,293,973
<•724,148
11,969,259
8,236,463
8,299,656

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

113,519,339
133,424,460
161,586,682
132,843,911
160,784,629
198,562,563
279,169,317
199,302,011
252,003,879
290,311,937
268,668,022
313,471,749
313,655,017
376,631,970
379,606,256
415,781,710
438,924,566
588,665,957
408,516,808
735,161,392
523,966,676
577,462,918
"84,782,027
657,534,379
863,516,371
538,169,522
520,925,985
806,550,283
1,014,633,010
627,145,141
018,937,433

12K893,105 i
114,675,095 ,
173,723.270 1
142,369,663 ;
176,149.907
204,535,115 1
294,310,115 j
210,590,463 ;
264,837,1*6 ;
298,459,102
276,979,784
322,215,122
324,698,604
384,717,90* 1
387,358,992 ;
423,631,307 ,
444,211,537 1
595,952,297 .
413 624,212 '
743.941,061 1
530,201,100 j
584,717,017 !
792,297,1C6
663,633,455
872,905,996
547,558,055
527,219,958
814,274.431
1,026.602,269
635,381,604
927,237,089

$20,157,4*4
2 4 • 03"», 058
20,415,520
21,917, 101
3 6 , 8 J6,649
25,025,211
2^,359,515
22,187,229
26,575,311
29,674,883
25,289,492
31,724,682
36,191,105
49,448,402
61,901,302
71,284.925
63,210,102
61,556,811
61,238,982
63,870,307
64,330,341
47,593,464
49,119,806
54,063,501
61,739,643
42,767,341
53,415,848
61,998,294
60,396,967
71,98-1,616
112,316,317

K. S A R G E N T ,
Register*

[ 111

Statement exhibiting the aggregate value of breadstuffs and provisions
ported annually from 1821 to 1851.

cx-

T
Amount.

Yeai ending September 30, 1 8 2 1 .
Do.
.do
1822.
Do.
1823.
.do
Do.
.do.
.1824,
Do.
.do.
.1825.
Do.
.do.
.1820.
Do.
.do.
.1827.
Do.
.do.
.1828.
Do.
.do.
.1829.
Do.
.do.
.1330.
Do.
.do.
.1831.
Do.
.do.
.1832.
Do.
.do.
.1833.
Do.
.do.
.1831.
Do.
.do.
.1835.
Do.
.do.
.183(3.
Do.
.do.
.1837.
Do.
.do.
.1838.
Do.
.do.
.1839.
Do.
.do.
.1840.
Do.
.do.
.1841.
Do
do.
.1842.
Nine months ending June 30, 1843.
Year ending
do.
1841.
Do.
1845.
.do.
Do.
1846.
.do.
Do.
1847.
.do.
Do.
.do.
1848.
Do.
.do.
1849.
Do.
.do.
1850.
Do.
.do.
1851.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

$12,341,901
13,886,856
13,767,847
15,059,484
11,634,449
11,303,496
11,685,556
11,461,144
13,131,858
12,075,430
17,538,227
12,424,703
14,209,128
11,524,024
12,009,399
10,614,130
9,588,359
9,636,650
14,147,779
19,067,535
17,196,102
16,902,876
11,204,123
17,970,135
16,743,421
27,701,121
68,701,921
37,472,751
38,155,507
26,051,373
21,948,651

Js\ S A K G E N T ,

[11]

J—No. 1.
Statement of the consumption of iron in the United States at the data
therein specified, and of the rate per capita.
Tears.

Consumption of iron,
in tons.

Population of tho
United States.

1842,
1846
1848
1849
1860
1851

330,055
834,626
953,377
939,687
901,632
754,760

18,155,661
20,327,780
21,413,690
21,956,
23,246,301
21,250,000

K»le t in pounds,
per capita.

02
n
m
m

J—No. 2.
Statement of the importations of bar iron manufactured
hy rolling <>r
otherwise, and of pig iron, into the United States, and of the cost thtrtoff at the periods therein referred to.
Time.

Tons.

Tear ending September 30,1842..
100,055
9 months ending June 30,1843...
25,8*5
Tear ending June 30, 1844........ !
64,658
.
5°
1845.......
96,875
Do
...1846
* 69,625
5 months endiug Nov. 30,1846...'
2° 089
7 months ending June 30,1847... I
60.560
Tear ending June 30,1848
i 153,377
5°
1849
289,687
1850..
i 337,532
1)0
1851
; 341,750

Value.

$3,390,117
887,083
1,849,169
3,070,100
2,782,420
1,105,030
2.433,647
5,470,227
7,991,451
9,002,561
9,011,833

Averago <
value* «

$33 88
34 27
28 GO
31 69
30
48 07
40 18
35 66
27 58
26 01
26 08

Tariff*

i Specific.
*
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
Ad valoremdo*
do.
' do.
do.

[ 11 ]

K.
Statement exhibiting the quantity and value of wines, spirits, frc.,
ported annually from 1843 to 1851 inclusive;
and also showing
foreign cost per gallon under specific and ad valorem duties.

imthe

No. 1.—MADEIRA WINE.
Period of importation.

Gallons.

9 months ending June 30, 1813
Year ending Juno 30, 1844
Year ending June 30, 1845
1
Year ending June 30, 1846
6 months ending November 30,1846..
7 months ending June 30, 1847
Year ending June 30, 1848
Year ending June 30, 1849
Year ending June 30, 1850

3,949
16,754
101,176
169,797
117,117
13,806
44,634
193,971
' 303,125
163,941

;

!
!
;

Value.

Av. cost
per gallon.

Duty.

$9,075 $2 29.8
Specific.
30,575
1 82.5
145,237
1 43.6 ,
122,895
1 11.9
128,613
1 09.8
5,717
Ad valorem.
41.4
21,630
48.4
105,302
64.3
150,096
. 49.51
116,008
70.76

No. 2.—SHERRY WINE.
9 months ending June 3 0 , 1 8 4 3 . . . .
Year ending June 30, 1844;
Year ending Juno 30, 1845
Year ending June 30, 1846
5 months ending November 30,1846..
7 months ending June 30, 1847
Year eRding June 30, 1848
Year ending June 30,1849
Year ending June 30, 1850
Year ending June 30, 1851

4,685
18,665
23,616
26,538
14,543
77,521
215,935
170,794
212,092
259,277

Specific.

6,491
23,418
38,289
41,761
26,194
56,061
109,983
128,510
118,952
154,668

Ad valorem.

No. 3.—SICILY WINE.
9 months ending June 30,1848
Year ending June 30, 1844
Year ending June 30, 1845
Year ending June 30, 1846
6 months ending November 30, 1846,
7 months ending June 30, 1847
Year ending June 30, 1848..
Year ending June 30, 1849..
Year ending June 30, 1850
Year ending June 30, 1851

14,579
31,180
110,590
209,131
21,281
92,631
190,294
130,851
91,123
301,010

6,617
15,000
46,033
74,000
8,933
24,230
67,364
32,231
24,933
98,975

60.6
48.1
50.4
85.4
42.0
26.2
85.4
24.6
27.36
32.88

Specific.

Ad valorem.

No. 4.—PORT WINE IN CASKS.
9 months ending June 30, 1843
Year ending June 30, 1844
Year ending June 30, 1845
Year ending June 30,1846.
6 months ending Norember 30,1&46..
7 months ending June 30, 1847
Year ending June 30,1848
Year ending June 30, 1849
Year ending June 80,1850
Year ending June 30,1861

38,593 1
223,615 i
260,693 !
872,628 j
80,991 !
8,076 i
601,123 i
711,268 ;
626,211 !
762,967 •

25,714
156,878
162,368
148,895
62,851 i
3,791 i
170,134
272,700
305,454
349,849

66.6
70.2
02.3
40.0
77.6
47.0
$4.0
38.8
48.77
45.85

Specific.

Ad valorem.

[11]
No* 5.—CLARET, IN* CASKS.
Value.

Gallon'*.

Period of importation.

0 nfcntlis ending June SO, 18U>
Year ending June SO, 1844
j
Tear ending June 30,1845
Year ending June 30, 1846...;
j
6 months ending November 30,1816..I
7 months ending June 30,1847
t\
Year ending June 30,1848
;;;
Year ending June 30,1849
j
Year ending June 30, 1850.
Year ending June 30,1851...
i

$**>>
003, 198
1,0,il, 862
951,1
EH, 433
, 591,656
1,227.071
1,912,701
1,919,766
1,940,121

Duty.

A v. co*t
l»cr gallon.

$134,598 $0 15.10 Specific.
21.97
218,209
23.73
219,633
26.24 j
249,703
37.85 ;
111,453
20.26 Ad TtlOftttu
119,6H
221,416
18.04 ;
263,836
13.79 i
267,445
13.93 I
250,333
14.46 ,

No. 6:—OTIIEU RED WINES*
9 months ending June CO, 1843...,.»;
Year ending June 30, 1844
»i
Year ending June 30,1845
Year ending June 30,1846
6 months ending November 30,1846..
7 months ending June 30, 1847
Year ending June 30, 1848
Year ending June 30, 1849.
Year ending June 30,1850
Year ending June 30,1851

340,3*7 ;
495,588 |
954,6-46 ,
1,072,589 i
539,454
781,073 •
994,458
1,469,256
1,245,201

60,096 :
143,210
316,821
328,814
119,411
180,928 j
221,177
265,988 i
236,727 ,

17.65 Specific28.90 I
33.19 ,
30.65 !
22.14 ; Ad valorem23.16 j
22.24 i

18.10 1

19.01 !

No. 7.—OTHER WHITE WINES.
9 months ending June 30,1843
Year ending June 30,1844
Year ending June 30,1845.. ^
Year ending June 30, 1 8 4 6 . . . . . . . .
5 months ending November 30, 1846.
7 months ending June 30,1847
Year ending June 3 0 , 1 8 4 8 . . . . . . . . .
Year ending June 30,1849
Year ending Jhne 30,1850
Year ending June 30,1851

i
123,832 .'
268,414
591,735 s
705,808 1
618,267 5
278,482 ;
840,687 I
971,895 I
,088,801 )
,085,374

28,205
75,090
211,183
310,241
296,736
69,831
193,358
210*139
215,353
209,847

22.77 ! Specific.
27.98 :
35.69 ;
43.96 1
48.00 ;
26.08 ! Ad TatoW*'
23.00 i

106,267
606,633
819,540
839,231
355,451
575,631
U135,089
1,347,514
2,659,637
2,128,679

65.40 Specific.
77.62
76.79
87.13
1 07.30
92.36 Ad ViAorW
82.84
€6.28
64.14
€7.28

21.62

19.79 t
19.83 j

No. 8.—BRANDY.
9 months ending June 30,1843
Year ending June 30,1844
[
Year ending June 30,1845
Year ending June 20,1846
5 months ending November 30,1846.*
7 months ending June 30,1847.... J
Year ending June 30,1848
#'"t
Year ending June 80,1849. . . . . " I
Year ending June 30,1850....
!
Year ending June 30,1851... **

191,832
782,510
1,081.814
1)63,147
331,108
623,309
1*370,111
2,064,091
4,145,802
8,163,783

tii]

K—Continued.
No. 9 — G R A I N SPIRITS.
Period uf importation.

Gallons.

Value.

j Av. cost
tper gallon.
!

Duty.

9 months ending June 30, 1843
Tear ending Juno 30, 1 8 4 4 . . . .
Tear euding June 30, 1846
5 months ending November 30, 1846.
7 months ending June 30, 1847
Tear ending June 30, 1848
Tear ending June 30, 1849
Tear ending June 30, 1850.
Tear ending June 30, 1851

259,129
416,918
606,311
677,785
136,323
327,635 •
676,683
796,276
751,183
984,417

$121,517
171.015
262,543
345,352
86,073
143,549
327,493
327,957
361,078
364,204

i
j SO 46.91
|
41.02
i
43.30
!
50.95
!
63.14
43.81
48.40
41.19
48.07
36.99

Specific.

Ad valorem.

No. 10.—OTHER SPIRITS.
0 months ending June 30, 1843
Tear ending June 30, 1844
Tear ending June 30, 1845
Tear ending June 30, 1846
6 months ending November 30, 1846..
7 months ending Juno 30, 1847
Tear ending June 30, 1848
Tear ending June 30, 1849
Tear ending June 30, 1850
Tear ending June 30, 1851

32,095
78,027
78,957
81,713
28,862
57,806
75,943
145,784
113,779
100,850

135,399
210,477
270,484
221,344
65,477
160,747
228,671
542,492
339,169
309,214

23.7 1 Specific:
37.07 j
29.12 !
30.92 !
44.08 i
35.96 i Ad valorem.
33.21
26.87
33.57
32.61

No. 11.—BEER, ALE, AND PORTER FROM ENGLAND.
9 months ending June 30,1843
Tear ending June 30,1844
Tear ending June 30, 1845
Tear ending June 30, 1846
5 months ending November 30,1846..
7 months ending June 30, 1847
Tear ending June 30, 1848
Tear ending June 30, 1849
Tear ending June 30,1850
Tear ending June 30, 1851

63,612
107,489
79,302
117,621
46,146 |
132,157
130,008
146,473
156,735
275,336

57,098
102,157
73,729
110,397
42,987
67,305
101,171
118,233
129,957
189,010

89.76
95.04
92.97
94.71
93.15
50.93
77.82
80.72
82.92
68.64

Specific.

Ad valorem.

No. 12.—BEER, ALE, AND PORTER FROM SCOTLAND.
9 months ending June CO, 1S43
Tear ending June 30,1844
Tear ending June 30, 1845
Tear ending June 30, 1846
5 months ending November 30, 184C.
7 months ending June 30, 1817
Y*ar ending June 30, 1848
Tear ending June 30, 1849
Tear ending June 30, 1850
lear ending June 30,1851

7,423
19,236
26,711
38,464
2,151
15,375
39,282
52,297
52,856
88,179

335
IS, 343
21, 294
39, 831 j
1, 895 !
8, 657
21, 533
30, 088
41, 790
56, 736

85.34
95.36
79.72
03.55
88.1
56.31
54.05
57.53
79.07
64,34

Specific.

Ad valorem.

L11 ]

58
K—Continued*

Recapitulation of the average cost of tcines, spirits, and alt and poritr.
TTines, &c.

j Under spc* I Under AD TA-! Diflcrcncc.
j citic duties, lorera duties.
:

No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.
No.

1.-Madeira
2. Sherry
.
j
3. S i c i l y . . . . . ; . .
4. Port, in casks
'
5. Claret, in casks
I
6. Other red wines
7. Other white wines
8. B r a n d y . . . . . .
I
9. Grain spirits..
10. Other spirits
11. Ale and porter from England.
12. Ale and porter from Scotland.

JV gallon. | Per
$1 55.5 ; $0
1 52.5
47.3
03.3
25.3
27.6
35.68
$0.63
49.06
34.18
93.13
90.41

TFTEASTRRY DEPARTMENT,

Rigister's Office, December 24, 1851.

gallon.
62.87
62.83
29.29
42.78
16.09
20.93
21.76
74.38
43.69
32.41
72.21
62.26

Per qntlvn*
$1 02.63
89.67

18.01

20.52
9.21
6.07
13.92
6.25
6.37
1.74
20.92
28.35

N. SARGENT,

Equal t*-

ptr cent.
$0 66

68.8
38.07
8 2.4
36.4
24.16

33.00
7.7*

10.N
6.10

22.46
31.15

K—Continued.

No. 13.—MOLASSES.

Imported.

(Vvcragc.

Tariff.

ResuK.

Cents.
Nine months ending June 30,1843..
Y W ending June 30, 1844
Do
1845
Do
1846
Five months ending Nov. 30,1846.
Seven months ending June 30, 1847
Year ending Jtmc 30, 1848
Do
1849
Do
1850
Do
1851

.do
.do
.do
.do

10,794,710
20,785,739
16,775,947
20,863,903
4,979,653
25,215,281
5
33,640,287
I 23,796,816
25,044,835
36,376,772

$1,134,820
2,833,753
8,164,782
3,332,297
651,253
2,342,987
3,435,708
2,778,174
2,890,185
3,707,581

10.60
13.63
18.80
15.97
13.08
9.28
10.21
11.67
11,54
10.16

Average invoice cost at specific duty . , .
Average invoice cost at ad valorem duty
^Reduction in average cost
Equal to
per cent

K—Continued.

N o . 14.—RAW S U G A R S .

•

(Which include all sugars imported, except refined.)

Imported.

Tariff.

Specific
Nino months ending June oO, 1848 . • . . d o .
Year ending Juue 3 0 , 1 8 4 4 . . . . . . .
...do
Do
1846
...do
Do
1840
...do
Hfve months ending N o v . 30, 184G_ Ad valorem
Seven months ending June 80,184*
. . .do*
Yoar ending June 30,1848
...do.
8 9
Do
I *
...do
Do...
M0
...do
Do

Pounds.

Value.

70,632,350
184,589,007
113,619,978
127,776,496
32,611,036
203,267,751
255,008,125
258,917,226
217,629,131
368,328,298

$2,490,943
7,061,244
4,647,664
5,429,350
1,372,842
8,437,251
9,310,706
8,014,822
7,606,482
12,118,006

Resrult.

Average invoicc cost at specific d u t y .
Average invoice cost at ad valorem d u t y . .
Reduction in average cost
—
Equal t o . . . . . .
v™

$0 03.97
3.48
.40
12.37

A
©

K—Continued.

No. 15.—CIGARS.

Imported.

Tariff.

Average.

Result-

I
Nine months ending Ju-so 30, 1843.
Tear ending June 30, 1844
Do
..1845
Do
1840
Five months ending Nov. 30, 1840.
Sovcn months ending June 30, 1847
Tear ending June 30,1848
Do
1849..
Do
1850
Do
1851

Specific
do..
..do
..do
..do
Vd valorcir
..do
..do
..do
..do

34,510
04,GO7
73,300
79,218
40,740
43,208
125,065
106,982
124,303
210,792

$463, 431
074, 431
1,160, 644
1,282, 861
645, 389
562, 512
1,360, 408
1,439, 765
1,469, 097
2,520, 902

$13
15
15
16
16
12
10
13
11
11

43
08
82
20
84
81
83
46
81
32

Average invoicc cos-t at specific duty
$15 48
Average invoicc cost at ad valorem d u t y . . . .
11 89
* Reduction in average cost
....
3 69
Equal to
percent.
23 19

K—Continued.
tfo. 16.—CARPETING.
{Ingrain y Brussels, and all othei woolen

Imported.

Nine months ending June 30,184a
year ending June JO, 1 8 4 4 . . . . . . .
poi l
* 1 ttir
Five months ending >
30,1Mb
Seven months ending June 30, 184
Year ending June 30,1848..

Do
S:

1850

Tariff.

Specific
....do
....do......
,...do.
....do
Ad valorem
. ...do.
....do
....do
....do

Yards.

142,768

218,1^1
306,446
172,220
50,014
391
695,328
642,376

833,600
984,944

Value.

$180,810
1*89,475
431,914
253,513
83,265
335
634,360
464,468
719,901
923,989

carpeting
Result.

Average.

$1
1
1
1
1

27
33
41
47
49

80
92
85

SO
M

$1 88

90
48

'Reduction in average
Equal to

ccnt.

63
Statement L, JYos. 1 and 2.
B U R E A U OF TOPOGRAPHICAL

ENGINEERS,

Washington, October 13,1851.
SIR : I have the honor of transmitting herewith an extract from the
annual report of Lieutenant Colonel S. H. Long, corps topographical
engineers, showing the progress of construction of the marine hospitals
under his superintendence, with estimates for their completion.
Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
J. J. ABERT,
Colonel Corps Topographical Engineers.
HON. T .

CORWIN,

Secretary of the Treasury,

Washington-

L, No. 1.
Extract from

the aimual report of Lieutenant Colonel S. H. Long> corps
topographical engineers, dated Septembes 1, 1851.
MARINE HOSPITAL AT LOUISVILLE.

The condition, progress, &c., of this work, prior to the commencement
of the last fiscal year, have been sufficiently explained in my annual
report of September 1st, 1850, and in two special reports subsequently
rendered, viz: My report of 23d October following, to the Topographical
Bureau, and of 7th of November of the same year, to the honorable
Secretary of the Treasury, to which I take leave to refer, for all desired
details under the head, up to the date last mentioned.
From this date even to the present time, the construction of the hospital
has been prosecuted with the utmost diligence, and embraces the following
items,of work, most of which have been commenced and completed within
the period just specified. The items are as follows, viz:
The procuring and setting of all the mantels, fireplaces, and fire fronts,
together with iron railings required for the hospital; the plastering of all
the rooms and apartments of the building, from the cellars to the belvidere,
inclusive, together with the over-coating of the sub-basement columns or
piers, and the exterior of the foundation walls below the water-table, with
hydraulic cement; the procuring and setting of the hot-air and ventilating
registers; the interior or architrave finish of all the rooms of the hospital,
(the lumber for which having been previously dressed;) the hanging of all
the doors and windows of the hospital; the completion of all the stairways from the cellar to the belvidere, inclusive of hand-rails, balusters,
newel posts, &c.; the glazing required in connexion with the windows,
doors, &c.; the painting of the entire hospital outside and inside, including
all the piazza floors, the floors of all the main wards, &c.; the lining and
setting of four water-tanks, holding nearly two thousand gallons each;
the tubing and other plumber's work for connecting said tanks with the
water-closets, See., and for conveying the wash water from the tanks to
the rain-water cisterns; the digging and lining of two rain-water cisterns
containing three hundred and thirty-two barrels each; the digging and

[ 1 1 ]

walling of two privy vaults twenty feet deep, as i t ' c c n t a c l e s for all disX a S from the water-closets, sinks, kc. - paving the hospital c e l l a r with
brief, and grouting the same with hydraulic cement; the construction of
f o u ^
front
pfazza of the hospita ; the construe
tion and erection of a flag-staff rising twenty-iour feet above the^peakot
the belvidere, and the application of a lightning-rod, cardinal pointed, ana
H vane six feet long, fashioned in the likeness of ait aihgaior gar. A
double force-pump, for the purpose of draining water from the cisterns,
whenever required, to replenish either or all of the tanks near the connce
of the building, has been procured, and set under the rear piazza, and is to
be supplied with an ascending copper pipe, with such hosu-nozzle, hoses,
&c.j as are needful for the conveyance of water to all parts of the hospital
* Sloped pavements of broken stone, together with an open drain of brief
work for carrying off the water that may fall upon the pavements, and in
rear of the hospital; said pavement and drain covering an area of eightyseven by fifty-four feet, and the latter discharging into a subterranean
sewer. A substantial under-ground sewer of brick masonry, fifteen by
eighteen inches in the clear, and five hundred and thirteen feet lone,
with suitable gratings of cast iron at the inlets and outlets, to exclude
vermin, &c.; said sewer being in a suitable position, and having a sufficient
capacity to convey away all the water that may fall upon the hospital lot.
In addition to the works above enumerated, others have been commenced
and considerable progress has been made towards their completion; hut the
appropriations for this hospital having been very nearly or quite exhausted,
their completion has been unavoidably postponed. Among the works alluded to are,—the construction of two hot-air furnaces for warming the
building, &c.~ Flues, &c., connecting the same with the chimneys and with
the rooms to be warmed. The construction of a balustrade fence along
High street, in front of the hospital. The construction of a similar fence,
enclosing a hospital yard. The construction of a similar fence, enclosing
a hospital yard of suitable size. Surface grading in the front, rear, and at
both ends of. the hospital. Paving of brick-walks on all sides of the same*
Surface-drains for conveying water from High street back upon the lot, jn
order to obviate the abrasions and washings of the street and hill slope in
front. *
The means of accomplishing these, and a few other items of work not yet
commenced, are to be looked for in a new appropriation for this hospital*
which may be estimated as follows :
For completing two brick furnaces- - $2,000
Do
brick side-walks
30®
For fencing river front of hospital lot and yard
2,000
For grading and draining
500
Total--.-.."

^000

The Louisville hospital has been so far completed as to admit thereJ ® J funnture ever sinoe the 18th of July last, agreeably to my report

65
MAIUXE HOSPITAL AT PADUCAH.

My annual report of September 1,1850, explains the nature and extent
•of the work done, materials procured, &c., in furtherance of the construction
>©f the hospitals, and the condition and progress of the same, at the commencement of 'the last fiscal year.
.
,
The operations performed and the progress made towards the completion
<of this twork, during the year commencing July 1, 1850, and. ending
June 30, 1851, and subsequently to the present date, are as follows, viz :
The erection of the entire superstructure of brick-work, including the
•setting of stone water-tables, door and window sills and caps, door-frames,
window-frames,
for the entire building. The flooring, roofing and
trimming the same, and supplying the cornices with copper gutters. Setting
-all the stone door-steps and paving the cellar with brick and hydraulic cement. The construction and setting of four iron tanks, containing more than
two thousand gallons each. Two rain-water cisterns containing about three
(hundred and thirty barrels each. Two privy vaults of suitable size. The
Various items of plumber's work, tubing, &c., required in connexion with
the cisterns, tawks, water-closets, &c., &c. Pamting of the whole exterior
<of the building with three coats. Plastering of all the rooms and apartments of the . building. Procuring and setting hot-air and ventilating registers. The fitting and setting of the interior and architrave finish of
the entire building- The fitting and hanging of all the doors, windows,
shutter-blinds, &c., of the same. The construction and erection of all the
stairways of the building.,from the cellar to the belvidere inclusive, together
with various other items of less note.
^ The works in progress and remaining to be completed, are as follows,
viz : Procuring and setting iron-railings in the piazzas. The grading in
front and rear and at both ends of the hospital. Setting of fire fronts,
•grates, &c. The construction of the hot-air furnaces, with their flues, &c.,
ffor warming the building. Procuring and applying a double-acting force
pump,to serve as a fire-engine, &c., for the hospital. Procuring and
setting the flag-staff, lightning-rod, cardinal pointers, vane, &c. Painting
the interior of the hospital throughout with three coats, and the exterior of the
roof and cornice with one coat. Laying walks, paved with brick, on all sides
of the building. Construction of balustrades, fence around hospital yard.
Surface-drains on .various parts of the lot; together with sundry minor
operations too numerous to mention.
The hospital at this time may be regarded as ready for the reception pf
furniture; the painting of the interior and the setting of the fire-fronts,
grates, &c., being the main impediments to its immediate occupancy.
MARINE HOSPITAL AT KAPOLEON.

Although arrangements were made, by contracts or otherwise, for the preparation and delivery of most of the materials, labor, &c., required for the
construction of this work, prior to the commencement of the last fiscal year,
Jet all operations at the site of the hospital were rendered impracticable,
^y reason'of excessive floods in the Arkansas and Mississippi rivers, till August, 1850, when operations preliminary to the work of construction were
commenced with the utmost energy, and prosecuted with signal despatch,
Ex,—3
.
''
.

[11]

during the entire low-water season, beginning at that time, and continuing
till the 8th of March, 1851, about seven months- ontv.
The work done and materials delivered during this comparatively short
period were as follows, viz: the manufacture of all the bricks required for
the foundations and walls of the entire hospital. The digging of a cellar
under the entire building: the formation of terraces around the same. The
digging and walling of a well, which at first gave promise of a plentiful
supply of pure water, but soon failed. The delivery of all the timber required for the frame work of the hospital. The preparation and delivery
of all the window and door-frames, doors, sash, shutter-blinds, architrave
finish, &c., &c., for the entire building. The delivery of sand and lime, and
the construction of all the brick masonry of the foundations, walls, chimneys, &c., from the bottom of the cellar to the tops of the chimneys. The
procuring and insertion of cast-iron door and window sills and caps, and of
cast-iron chimney bands and copings for the chimneys. The fitting and
laying of all the flooring and ceiling joists, rafters, girders, &c n of the entire building. These several items were accomplished and ready for inspection and acceptance on the 8th of March, as above, the very day on whicl
the floods of the two rivers above mentioned had again become »o excessite
as to prevent any further operations on the ground surrounding the base d
the hospital.
The work of construction was nevertheless prosecuted with great energy
and zeal, under exceedingly unfavorable circumstances, for the' purpose of
having the masonry protected as much as possible from the ravages of the
weather during the approaching hot and inclement season.
Un the 7th of June following, the roofing and shingling, the formation
and application of the cornices with gutters of copper, ami various other
outside work for protecting the building from storms, winds, rains, and other
accidents of weather, were so far advanced as to secure the desired protection. Prior to the date last mentioned, sickness and general debility befi^
to prevail among the workmen and laborers, and throughout the neighborA sin le
£ C X t e n t *
6 ^ v i d u a l only, of all employed »
WaS e
S,™ 1 W
?f r a P t e d f r o r a ^sease,and the residue were so much
S X
*;° uId n ? 1 ° ° n s e n t t 0 s e r v e ^ that place any long*
u Was deeraed a
dvisable to suspend all forth*
perauons on ims hospital, except in so far as relates to its custody and s*n
o S
i l l
' 1 ' ^ " " " P a r t o f t b e "irrent month, w h e n the work
of c o l o n s expected to be restimed again with due energy.
' \
^ for the s u p p ^ of all**
addSi n a S e S V W T * h a V e ^
&C
bdStime S S
u' r e ^ u i r e d for t h e completion oY &e hosp"
i n ^ f i n t n V o f ^ - ^ r e q u 5 r e d t o b e d ° n *> ™»t bo included thesinV;
S e en a mem^t of t W r W a t e r d s t e r n s o f ab*>ut « » r hundred barrels each,
it maVp S u s t f ^ ™ ? "J"™1 t h e h u i l d i n 5 to such an e x t e n t ^
h u n d r e d a n d fift
buildYnf
Itf
7 rf ^tt mwide
on all sides oft*
J
cn
mentioned
contnb^e I to^he a t
™ S ' e n t of the terrace . ^
water from the
hospital, which
ground percoIationcliL
. , e t 0 ** charged with water. by
K m 5 2 5 . 1 ^
^ su rface of L river is higher than *

Various other items of work also remain to b e d o n e / y i z : the

feyi^

67
the floors of the entire building; digging and walling sink vaults ; grading,
and paving cellar floor and the walks around the building ; procuring and
setting door steps of cast iron; setting plaster grounds and plastering the
interior of the entire building ; procuring and setting hot-air and ventilating;
registers ; fitting and setting the interior and architrave finish ; fitting and
hanging doors, window shutters, blinds, &c. ; preparing and setting all the
staircases of the building; procuring and setting the fire fronts, grates, &c.,,.
and laying the hearths; painting the exterior and interior of the building
with three coats ; procuring and setting four iron water tanks, and all theplumber's work in connexion with the same, and with the water closets,,
bath rooms, kitchen, wash room, wash room cisterns, &c; the construction
and application of a double force pump, or fire-engine, for the conveyance*
of water from the cisterns to all parts of the building; with various otheritems that need not here be enumerated.
MARINE HOSPITAL AT NATCHEZ.

The condition, progress and prospects of this work, on the 1st September,.
1859, were fully explained in my annual report of that date. To this, as
also to a subsequent report to the Topographical Bureau, dated October :23d
of the same year, I take leave to refer for any details that may be required
in relation to these topics.
All operations on this hospital except such as could be performed by a
single individual employed as carpenter and keeper of the building, and the
public property pertaining thereto, were suspended from the 30th of June,
1859, to an early date in April, 1851, for want of adequate appropriations
to carry on the work. At the date last mentioned, and in anticipation of
the appropriation by Congress for the fiscal year beginning on the 1st day
of July, 1851, the work was resumed with all practicable energy, and has
been prosecuted with vigor till the present time.
The items of work done, materials procured, &c., since the resumption as
above, are as follows, viz :
Four large rain-water cisterns, containing about four hundred and fifty
barrels each, have been formed beneath the surface of the ground; also two
privy sink baths walled and lined with cement, twenty feet deep. The entire cellar has been paved with brick; the floors of the entire hospital
previously begun, have been completed; the door steps have been set; the
plaster grounds have been applied; the plastering of the entire building is
nearly completed ; the interior or architrave finish has mostly been fitted
and applied ; the staircases of the entire building, from the cellar pavements
to the belvidere, are nearly completed; the exterior of the entire building
has been covered with three coats of paint; the doors, windows and shutter
blinds have been hung; the fire fronts and grates have been procured, and
the hearths laid. Much of the grading around the hospital has already been
done.
In addition to the works in progress as above, arrangements have been
made for completing the grading around the building; for laying brick
pavements on the terrace walks m front and rear, and at the ends of the
hospital, together with broad steps paved with brick, leading down the
slopes of the terrace, in front and rear of the building; for connecting the
tanks with the Jcisterns, water closets, washstands, kitchen, wash-room,

Ill]

&c., by means of leaden pipes and other plumberwork ; for painting the
interior of the entire hospital; for the construction of two hot-air furnaces with flues, &c., for wanning the hospital: for the constructionanJ
application of a double force pump or fire-engine, with the conduits, hose,
&c., requisite to convey the water from the cisterns to all parts of the building: for the setting of the fire fronts, grates, &c., in all the fireplaces; for
the drainage of the hospital site, &c., by means cf paved surface drains anJ
•other water ways; for fencing the hospital yard : for the construction ad
erection of a flag-staff, lightning rod, cardinal pointers, vanes, 8lcaid
for various other works and operations that need not here be enumerated.
To these several duties must be added the superintendence of the variou
^works now in progress at the several marine hospitals, hereinbefore treated
•of, together with such other operations as may be found needful to theentirt
completion of those hospitals.
It remains that I here subjoin an estimate of the sums required for the prosecuting the various works committed to mv charge, antl for the completion
of the several hospitals under my superintendence within the next fiscal
year, beginning on the 1st of July, I S ® , and ending on the 30th June,
1803, which is briefly as follows:
Probable amount required for the completion of the grading
draining, facing, warming and watering the marine liostipal
at Louisville, Kentucky
5 5 000 OJ
At Paducah— -_
g QOQ 00
A t Napoleon---

6,000oo

At Natchez—
Respectfully submitted:

0,000 00

Col. J. J. ABERT

T* l n 1 T

LONG,
'

Chief Topographical Engineer*, Washington,

P(S" ^

D. C

L. No. 2.
Estimate of the cost of completing the United States Marine Hospital n<*
,,
^ Louis, Missouri.
• 4 or umber, carpenters* work and hardware
..
§9,976 00
*or lathing, plastering, painting and g l a z i n - 4,025 09
*
' cisterns, tanks, baths, kitchen and water
„
injHfS

5 450 W

For mm railing for porticoes, steps, &c., paving'and'fl'aggin'g,

thC

buildin

S by steam will

require

,he

.mexpendedli^

Respectfully, your obedient servant,
DANIEL T. WRIGHT,
Superintendent.

Hon. T. COHwis,

S r T o , S T A Z °FTHE
i r . L o u i s , MO., November

TRTASUR1J

>
17,1331.

D. C.

69
O F F I C E UNITED STATES M A R I N E HOSPITAL,

JVcar Si. Louis, ^Missouri, November 17, 1S51.
SIR : In obedience to your request contained in your communication of the
Gth instant, I have the honor to submit the following report in respect to
the United States marine hospital now being erected near the city of St.
Louis, Missouri.
The building now presents the
Stone work, complete except the steps and chimney caps, which require
setting.
Brick work finished, except four pediments, and the building of the chimneys above the roof.
Cast-iron work, finished except the railing.
Frame carpenter's work, for roof and belvidere now being raised, and the
work on the cornice progressing.
The building may be closed in and protected from exposure by the 20th
of next month, and there will then remain an unexpended balance, of the
several appropriations made by Congress for this work, amounting to five
thousand five hundred and nineteen dollars and elven cents ($5,519 11.)
The building can be completed and ready for the reception of patients by
the first day oi September, 18-52. In the opinion of the undersigned, the
existing appropriations are insufficient to complete the building, and he submits herewith an estimate of the sum which will be required for that object,
and begs that reference may be had to the statement marked No. 1, wherein
it is shown that an additional appropriation of twenty-one thousand two hundred and fifty-one dollars will he required. As it will require the full
amount of unexpended balance to heat the building, that sum may remain
for that purpose if sanctioned by you.
In addition to the information called for, I beg leave to state that, owing
to the bad quality of the material (cut stone) used in the foundation of the
building by my predecessor, I was compelled, for the safety of the building*
to remove it and supply its place with a better article. This change was
necessarily attended with considerable expense. I also raised the height of
the basement, and have so arranged the plan of the building that it will*
when completed, accommodate two hundred inmates instead of one hundred
and forty, according to the original plan.
I send herewith a drawing of the building and its position, which occupies
a beautiful eminence, affording a pleasing view of the river and surrounding
country. Though not required to do so by your communication, yet I beg
to suggest the pressing necessity which exists for the completion of the
United States marine hospital at this place. According to the report of
the custom-house officer, the number of enrolled steam vessels at Saint Louis
on the 31st December, 1850, was one hundred and eighteen, measuring
^7,962 tons, and sixty-two vessels, other than steamers, measuring 4,004
tons, which, at a low estimate, would employ four thousand men and boys ;
and I learn, from the proper officer of the city hospital, that seven-twelfths
°f the disabled river men are provided for at that institution ; and I am furthermore informed that about one hundred are annually provided for by the
Sisters of Charity at their institution, without compensation. These, with
the great number of foreign immigrants who crowd the hospitals of Saint
constitute a most onerous burden upon its citizens. But, what is
njore to be deplored, the crowded condition of the hospitals detracts from
the comfort of their inmates, and is doubtless the cause of much suffering

many
deaths. In conclusion, allow me to say that suffering humanity

1 11 ];

demands the speedy completion of the United States marine hospital at this
place, and it is obedience to her voice that has led me to transgress *h strict
requirements of your communication in this report,
I have the honor to he, with great respect, vour obedient servant,
DANIEL T. WRIGHT,
Superintendent.
T o H o n . T . CORWIX,

Secretary of the Treasury, Washington City, D. C.

Statement exhibiting

the quantity and value of cotkn, tobacco and rift expcrhd annually jr cm 1821 to 185 J, inclusive.

Year®.
Sua Island—lbs.
1821...
1822...
1828...
1824...
1825...

1820...

1827...

1828...

1829...
1830...
1831...

1882...

1833...
1884,..
1835...
1830...
1887...
1838...
18*0..,
1840...
1841...
1842...
1843...
1844...
1845...
1840...
1847...

11,344,006
11,250,035
12,130,688
9,525,722
0,665,278
5,972,852
15,140,708
11,288,419
12,833,307
8,147,165
8,311,702
8,743,373
11,142,987
8,085,987
7,752,730
7,849,597
5,286,971
7,286,340
6,107,404
8,779,000
6,237,424
7,254,009
7,515,079
6,099,076
9,389,625
9,388,533
Cj 293,973

Other- -lbs.
113, 549,339
133, 424,460
161, 586,582
132, 843,941
166, 784,629
198, 562,568
279, 169,317
199, 302,044
252, 003,879
290, 311,937
268, 668,022
313, 471,749
313, 555,617
376, 681,970
379, 606,256
• 415, 781,710
438, 924,566
588, 665,957
408, 516,808
735, 161,392
523, 966,676
677, 462,918
784, 782,027
657, 534,379
863, 516,371
538, 109,522
520, 925,985

Hogsheads.
$20,157,484
21,065,058
20,445,520
21.947.401
36,846,649
25,025,214
29,359,545
22,487,229
29.575,811
26,674,883
25,289,492
31,724,682
86,101,105
49.448.402
64,961,302
71,284,925
63,240,102
61,556;81I
61,238,982
63,870,307
54,330,341
47,593,464
49,119,806
54,063,501
51,739,643
42,767,341
53;415,848

66,858
83,169
90,009
77,8S3
75,984
61,098
100,025
96,278
77,131
83,810
86,718
106,806
83,153
87,979
94,353
109,042
100,232
100,598
78,995
119,484
147,828
158,710
94,454
163,042
147,168
147,998
135,762

Value.
$5,648,962
6,222,838
6,282,672
4,855,566
6,115,623
5,347,208
6,577,123
5,269,960
4,982,974
5,586,365
4,892,388
5,999,769
5,755,968
6,595,305
8,250,577
10,058,640
5,795,647
7,392,029
9,83 943
9, S83,957
12,576,703
9,540,755
4,650,979
8,397,255
7,469,819
8,478,270
7,242,086

Tierces.
88,2**1
87,</i 9
101/! 5
113, i29
97,015
111,063
133,518
175,019
132,923
130,697
116,517
120,327
144,163
121,886

110,851
212, 983
106,084
71,048
93,820
101,660

101,617
114,617
106,766
184,715
118,621

124,007
144,427

Value.
$1,4.1 ,'07
1,55 . 82
l,82(r,985
1,fc82,982
1,925,215
1,917,445
2, m t 908
2,620,696
2,514,370
1,986,824
2,016,267
2,152,6a1
2,744,418
2,122,272
• 2,210,331
2,£48,750
2,309,279
J,721,819
2,460,198
: i , 942,076
2,010,107
1," 907,887
1,625;720
2,182,468
2,160,456
2,564,991
8,605,896

M—Continued.
HICK;

* 'H
*f
• y f" '

COTTON.

Years.

. . •......

Other—I lis.

Sea

1848.-;.*. • »•'.«•• m »• «• • *
1840.*..
.•••*•*••••••«•»
1850.W.

7,724,118
11,91)0,259
8,230,403
8, 2991050 ;

800,550,283
1,014,033,010
* 027,145,141
918,037,433

$01,998,291;
00,390,907
71,984,^10
112,815,017

Hogsheads.
i;iO, 005

101,521
1-15,7120
95,945

Value.
$7,551,122
f>, 801,207
9,951,023

9,219,251

Tierces.
100,408
128,801

127,009
105,690

Value.
$2,33ti824
2,509, 362
2,031,557
2,170,027

K , S AH G E N T , UrffiMt^.
,

• T*i:**vKt . | t o * i n i f f l 1 l « w " > ' O r r r c K ,

Value!

JO, 185

[II}

73
N..

Statement showing the value of goods remaining in warehouses at the clow
of each quarter, from the 30 th of September, 1847, to the
of June,
1851, as exhibited by the quarterly returns of the collectors of the customs, under the provisions of the act of the 6 t h of August> 1 8 4 6 : and'
also the amount of duties payable
thereon.

Goods remaining in warehouses.
Periods; emlingValue.
September 30, 1847.
December 31, 1847.,
March 31,1848
June 30, 1848
September 30, 1848.
December 31, 1848..
March 31, 1849
June 30, 1849.';*.
September 30, 1849..
December 31, 1849 ..
March 31, 1850
June 30,1850
September 30,1850..
December 31, 1850 ..
March 31, 1851
June 30, 1851
Total.
Average quarterly value.

Treasury DEPARmrNT, Raster's

Duties.

$3,618,758
4,863,591
5,291,179
6,272,275
5,419,676
7,201,246
5,450,593
7. 880,010
6;021,G27
6,163,151
5,600?318
8,247,055
8,162,721
7,307,623
7,127,751
10,017,061

$1,264,624 55".
1,524,881 16,
1,669,067 39'
1,936,464 00
1,649,182 85*
2,152,544 50
1,702,639 37*
2,501,394 35*
1,927,754 72'
• 1,997,536 75>
2,009,165 33
3,077,129 80
2,930,035 49
2,384,419 50
2,293,090 13
3,172,328 08

104,624,635

34,192,263 9T

$6,539,039

$2,137,016 49'

N . S A R G E N T „ Register*
OJSrc, December 27, 1851-

Sialement

exhibiting

the value of hempen goods imported

anmmlly

from

1 8 2 1 to June 30, 1 8 5 1 ,

inclusive,

M A N U F A C T U R E S O P I IB i t P .

Years ending—

..wiast.
Do.
...•1822.
Dtli
*• • • * * i
Do*.,,,
**.il824.,
Bo**•«•••«. . . . • 1 8 2 5 . ,
Do.
. . . . I 82<f.,
Ho *•«••••**<. . . » 1 8 2 7 ' . .
i • • • 18*28,«
Do»
Do «*».***» • „ . mo. *
Do *»**•»•••• . • . t & J I , .
D o * i . t t i t t * . ...1832*.
Do. «*«•«»«••
Do..»*..••»*
Do t<*i*i*t»« a m * .
Do «•*.*••••* .1836*.
Do.
.1837..
Do
...ifttH,.
Do••*«•***.* ...18*9*.
Do***••••»•* •»»1I14U * *
Do* .**««.*•<
Digitized for
D o FRASER
ft
moQtVik
to June
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
YttWtoJuaci ao.«
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
Sefitoinbtfr 3 0 ; , ,

Sail duck:

$894<276
1,624,480
1,024,180
990,017
677,151
850,474
700,810
1,041,749
302,333
817,347
470,000
776,191
800,823
720,780
828,820
002,652
640,421
083,070
700,199
015,723
904,493
510,880
!inft,9G6
s&o,ai7

Sheeting, brown
and wbHto*

$226,174
332,842
472,820
073,735
405,739
470,705
330,124
352,483
247,805
250,237
351,499
340,027
3*7,518
400,000
426,942
655,141
541,771
336,345
635,789
201,173
325,107
110,782
«ui,6oa

!iOO,*2\t>

Cotton bagging*

Tickletibuigs,
osuaburgi, and

burlaps.

Square yards.

Voluo.

Other mumlfac
tures oi lictni>:

Total vale.

* l , i 2 0 , rb
$37, : m

381,003

411,007

36a, 82(3

66*, 074
6.11,700
6*3, G05
5f;l,645

81)6,320

018,89 1

800,000

337,011
392,194
3tM,7iG

302,726
483,2119
329, a y

639,77*1
187,000

08,099

2nc,7:w

893, 77a
4, '17(1,775

2,204,822

3,340,427
8,067,121
2,729,835
688,015
207,900
803,48ft
1,421,185
1,902,920
7,051,780
13, 20:1,0%
3,431,075
1,670,337
2,093,693

2,080,075

0, 780, 889
4,856,265
1,410,028

HC8

$111,430
037,023
274,973
300,913
408,020
274,073
09,120
18,900
87,900
158,081
237,200
921,030
1,701,451
429,251
173,325

220,(423

310,211
723,07H
421,824
l(Wi,49n
U»A, WM

$00,018

33,-108
48,909
rtti, 293
43,052
62,505
133,103
122,009
84, 114
40,022
21,955
39,032
54,159
55,407
47,292
97, 130
71,991
73,271
37 t OI2
41,842

oh, e«7

1,857, 328
1.497, mm
1,873, i n
2.134*
2,00'J, 728
1,883, 400
2,509, 081
1,108, 485
1.333, 478
1,477, lilt

1.000, 018

2,030, 03 »
1,079, W*
2,555, 81/
3,305, 891
1,951, 020
1,591, 151
2,090, 710
1,588,
1 55
2,500,
381
1,273,
5-H4

ftiio,

1,008, •t-jv

Do
Do,

Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.
Do.

1845
1846
1847,
1848,
1849,
I860,

1851,

272,031
217,102
205,593
280,518
125,783
68,380
74,854

l06,7<10
G4,0l0
00,000
49,646
62,353
13,070
1,808

1,551,044
79,905
123,189
298,918
1,453,248
2,914,304
1,015,132

1305, i 82
20.1,211
184,850
105,329
101,053
187,121
483,925

117,331
5,972
10,390
27,525
121,308
251,905
93,154

N.
TBEASUKY

DEPARTMENT,

S A R G E N T ,

STF.MS

700,004
084,880
058,0V5
619.774
088,410
001,508

Statement

exhibiting the quantity and value of hemp and cordage imported annually from 1821 to 1851 inclusive.
IIGUI* AND CORDAGE.

Years ending—

Ilenip, unmanufactured.
Cwt.

September w

*t 1 -

JjjoJ;;
1823!!
1824..
1825..
1820..
1827..
1828..
1829..
1830..
1831..
1832..
. 1833..
1834..
' * 1835..
1830..
1837..
1838..
1839.,
1H40..
. .

inn.,

1842.
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
0 months to Juno 30, 1*43.
Y w
to J u w
Federal
Reserve
Bank of St. Louis

80,192
178,503
115,735
94,840
70,817
88,110
100,50*1

161,601

05,195
30,782
51,909
150,739
94,020

102*211

102,163
147,190
£4,965
81,391
87,401
93,788
72,0152
39,730
30,209
1)0,752

Value.
$510,189
1,054,701
(174,454
485,075
431,787
551,757
035,854
1,075,243
655,9^
200,338
295,700
866,865
170,973
514,743
528,981
815,558
483,71*2
512, 506
607,760
080,777
561,039
267,840
228,882
£

Cordage, tarred, and cables.
Pounds.
931,097
1,725,112
1,424,900
489,877
858,138
1,505,107
1,127,109
2,101,090
1,818,254
1,437,735
081,507
2,459,301
3,012,738
3,895,598
2,157,071
1,800,773
751,582
1,441,404
1,881,152
1,480,9:13
1,813,045
1,019,740
381,012
I 1,121,526

Value.
$107,807
147,321
122,277
19,170
42,046
77,186
56,162
109,151
97,436
71,291
33,522
110,389
112,538
147,805
81,591
82,561
31,108
75,142
106,902
89,501
112,995
mi, 518
26,570

Cordage, untarrod, and yarn.
Pounds.

49,230
105,086
119,107
85,230
til, 629
109,775
152,826
14)5,725
79,129
148,509
160,727
152,551
117,613
202,655
191,914
30, Wit
379,011
1,108,217
:i9O»806

Total*

Valuo.

$4,923
10,393
7,413
6,389
6,714
8,868
8,114
6,344
3,999
10,513
6.759
5.760
5,984

12,180

9,917
2,331
13,434
68,9.10
19,491
0,820
11,817

$•118,356
1,202,085
796,731
509,168
484,820
636,350
098,355
1,191,441
762,239
279,743
335,572
987,253
621,051
069,307
016,311
904,10il
530,080
597,565
716,999
789,715
712,970
353,8**H
•J62.278

1845
1840
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851

T R E A S U R Y DEPARTMENT,

28,155 1'
31,131
9,545
27,157
80,892
85,394
37,530

145,209
180,281
50,377
187, 905
491,033
579,814
223,984

1:,114,830
805,509
703,055
o ,138,920
i],887,482
,010,091
030,847

'
.'
.

07,209 |
47,289
40,711 .
223,904
129,120
139,751 !
41,173

415,903
825,828
388,727
287,874
252,271
1,884,400
2,853,000

j
|
;
i
i
i

22,39t
38,018
20,881
15,022
17,290
117,020
172,012

234,809
260,188
123,909
427,431
038,043
837,191
437,709

N. S A R G E N T , Register.

r*
M
ttei

r—'l
£

Q.
Statement exhibiting the valve of certain articles imported during the years ending on the f ^ ' f ^ ' t X e d m i cicA durtng
1848, 1 8 4 9 , 1 8 5 6 and 1851, (after deducting the re-exportations:)
and the amount oj duty which acciuca on
""" b
the same periods,
respectively.
1844.
Articles.

Woollens...»
Cottons.
Ileaipen goods
Iron am! manufactures o f . . . . . . . . . .
Sugar
llentjt, unmanufactured.
Salt
Coal
*... •
Total

1
|
f
1
$9,408,279 j
13,230,830
805,427 j
2,395,700 f
0,897,245
201,913 ;
892,112 1
203,081

$8,313,495 j
4,850,731
213,802 j
1,007,113 :
4,507,093
101,338
051,881
133,845

84,101,247 j

15,472,358

Value.

Duties.

J
i

184G.

1845.

|t
Yaluo.

Yaluo.

Duties.

$10,501,423
13,300,729
801,001
4,076,142
4,019,708
140,372
883,359
187,902

$3,731,014
4,908,272
198,042
2,415,003
2,55J,075
55,122
078,009
130,221

31,003,350

14,071,418

$9,035,925
12,857,422
090, 888
3,000,581
4,397,239
180,221
748,500
330,091
[

1
|
;
;
i
;

32,813,633 \
j

Duties.
$3,480,797
4,865,483
138,894
1,029,681
2,713,800
02,282
509,244
254,149
$13,053,790

ST ATEMENT—Continued.
J"--MP-? 11

1848.
Articles.
Value.
Woollens
$15,001,102
Cottons
17,205,417
Hempen goods
000,900
Iron and manufact 11 res of..
7,000,470
Sugar
8,775,223
Ilcnjp, unmanufactured...
180,335
Salt
1,027,050
Coal
420,997
Total

60,344,100

- -• • • M ' , ^

^-r.-xrr-.rr

1849.
Duties.

Value.

]

1850.
Duties.

Value.

|
i

Duties.

Value.

$3,723,708
3,709,605
92,007
2,778,770
2;182,734
143,470
284,900
114,070

$1G,900,910 !
19,081,012
490,077 :
10,804,080 !
0,950,710
574,783
1,227,518
301,855

$4,082,457
4,890,278
98,015
3,259,404
2,085,215
172,135
245,604
108,557

$19,239,930
21,480,502
015,239
10,780,312
13,478,709
212,811
1,025,300
478,095

$5,331,000
6,348,095
123,048
3,234,094
4,043,013
03,843
205,000
143,429

47,970, G58 j

13,089,950

67,052,157 j

15,547,805

07,310,898

18,493,382

13,022,498

Duties.

$4,190,007 : $13,503,202 ;
4,100,073
15,183,759 1
121,380
400,335 !
2,118,141
9,202,507
2,032,507
7,275,780
54,100
478,232 |
205,531
1,424,529 i
128,099
382,264 !

N.
TREAFIUNY D E P A R T M E N T ,

--J.^* -J - -

1851.

1852,

S A R G E N T ,

NEUTER*

I [ L L ]

R.
Statement exhibiting the amount of coin and hut/ion imported
andexporM
annually from 1321 to 1S51 inclusive;
and also the amount oj importation over exportation, and of exportation over importation, during
the same years.
COt.Y A XT) O V L U U V .

Kxcoss of—

Tears ending—
Imported.

Exported.

! Import *n over
j exportation,

^September 30

1821
1822

1823
1824
1825
1820

1827
1828
1820

1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1880

1837
1838
1889
1840
1841
1842
•9 mouths to June SO, 1843
Year to Jans 30
1844
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851

T E E A S X H T DEPARTMENT,

$8,064,890 | $10,478,059 ,
3,369,846
10,810,180 i
5,097,89*1 ;
6,372,9*7 i
8.379,835 1 7,014,552 j
6,150,76> j
8,797,055 :
6,880,966 I
4,704,533
8,151,130 ;
8,014,8H)
7,489.741 ;
8,243,476
7.403,612 !
4,924.020
8,155^904 ;
2,178.773 !
7,305,945 j
9T014,1*31 i
5,907,501 i
5.056,340 !
7,070.368 ;
2.611,701 1
17,911.632 i
2.076.758 J
13,131,447 !
6,477,775 •
13,400,881 !
4,324,336 .
10,516,414 j
5,976,249 ;
17,747,116 I
3.508,046 !
5,595;176 '
8,776,743 1
8,882,813
8,417,014 ?
4,988,633 i 10,034,332 '
4,087,016 ;
4,813,539
22,320,335 i
1,520,791
5,830,429 !
5;454,214
4,070,242 |
8.606,495
3,777,732 |
3,905,268
24,121,289 •
1,907,739
6,360,224 j 15,841,620 i
0.651.240 !
5,404,048
4,628,792 !
5,4.53,981 \

R&sttr's Office, Dertmkr 27, 1817.

Kxpotfno*r
importation

$2,413.1^
365,2H> . .

1,273,051

136*250 ...
*i ,479.592 ..
5,,977.191 ..
"i'ios,^
2M. 164
4.45*,067
15.834,874
6.653,672
9.076,545
4.540.165
14.239,070
465*799
20.799,544
376,215
' 127,^
-2,213,550
^246*592
2

SARGENT,

6 N ^

S No. 1.
gJ,Statement exhibiting the quantity and value of bar iron, pig iron, <rrcc2 oM
i

from 1821 to

scrap iron, imported annually

1851.

IRON.

Bar, manufactured by
; rolling. „,

Years ending—

Cwt;
September 30.

.1821*
1822

1823
1824
1825

1820

1827
1828

1829
1830
1831
1832
1833
1834
1835
1830
1837
1838
1839
1840
1841
1842

-Value. •

. 385,778 $1,213,041
634,139 1,^64,868
698,013 1,891,635
115,809
.240,727
85,010
224,497
88,741
223,259
102,052
347,792
205,897
441,000
00,408
119,326
138,981
226,330
344,918
644,604
427,745
701,549
560,500
1,002,750
577,927
1,187,230
560,201 1,050,152
933,511 2,131,828
956,792 2,573,307
723,480 1,825,121
1,205,097 3,181,180
050,574
1,707,649
1,201,118
2,172,278
1,231,985 2,053,463

Bar, manufactured otherwise *
Cwt.

Value.

425,066 $1,205,856
492,998 1,562,146
467,515 1,590,350
440,200 1,323,749
067,849 2,141,178
589,638 1,884,049
613,865 1,730,375
400,359 1,260,166
763,002 1,929,493
722,486
1,837,-473
635,098 1,742,883
630,584 1,641,359
658,752 1,891,214
620,512 2,017,346
426,389 1,166,196
711,153 2,054,094
576,381 1,089,831
592,108 1,614,619
390,236 1,041,410

Pig iron.

Old and scrap iron.

j
Total value.

Cwt.

2,313
16,309
34,092
35,118
69,937
22,771
22,499
138,907
203,025
186,601

22^,205
245,917
170,822
282,571
243,830
250,154
110,314
245,353
378,881

Value.

Cwt.

Value.

$3,444
30,513
67,004
46,881
93,025
28,811

25,044
100,681
222,303
217,668
270,325
289,779
272,978
422,929
319,099
285,300
114,562
223,228
295/284

19,903
32,746
12,800
24,953
15,333
8,739
11,783
14,142
15,670
13,713

$2
o
1
2
1

035
243
609
224
391
567
1 101
1 749
1 537
207

SI, 213, 041
1,864, 868
1,801, 035
1,450, 027
1,823, 156
1,880, 013
1,718, 422
2,675, 203
2,032, 186
1,982, 355
1,905, 511
2,853, 345
3,081, 926
3,233, 087
2,992, 899
4,324, 244
5,032, 033
3,317, 983
5,530, 735
3,527, 791
4,020, 602
3,398, 354

ST A T E M E N T — C o n t i n u e d .
IRON\
Years ottdfa^H"

liar, manufactured bv
rolling.
Cwt;
315,157
767,824
1,023,772
482,170
803,070
1,631,780 ;
3,469,142 I
4,959,022 *
6,086,039 *

0 months to Juno 30,
June 3 0 . , . . .
1*44
1845
1840
1847
1848
1840
1850
1851

TftEA.FWR DCPARTMI*T,

Value.

Bar, manufactured otherwise.
Cwt.

Old and wrap iron.
Total value.

Cwt.

Value.

$511,282
125,081
$327,550
77,461
$48,251
1,065,582
236,451
583,065
298,880
200,522
1,691,748
•363,530
872,157
550,209
600,291
1,127,418
426,569 1 1,166,429
483,766 :
489,673
2,129,489
864,708
•308,223 ;
657,114
554,486
975,214
1,032,041
403,127 f
816,416
3,079,598 j
525,770 f 2,112*649 > 1,405,618
211,964 X
0,060,068 f
744,735 | 1,497,487.
950,660
294,132 \
i , 397,' 166 T
900,020 f 1,9H,990 *
787,624
403,970 f
7,324;28S }

RfgisUr** Q$t4f DictmUr 10y 1851.

Values.

Tig Iron.

Value.

Cwt.
8,157
42,663
116,950
47j247
37,871
132,600
189,001
202,090
107,885

$2,743
43,396
119,740
66,534
40,699
140,037
144,424
161,981
112,029

$889,820
1,872,665
3,189,936
2,838,954
3,579,382
6,010,264
8;13$,870
9.254,642
9,123,362

N. SAKGENT, JZtgisUn

S N o . 83.
Statement exhibiting the quality and value of bar iron, manufactured
by rolling trnd otherwise, pig iron and old and
imported annually from 1843 to 1851, inclusive, and also the average cost per ton and the estimated amount of
which accrued, on each during the same period.

scrap,
duties

B A R IRON, M A N U F A C T U R E D B Y R O L L I N G .
•iods.
During 9 months to June 30, 1843
During year to June 30, 1844
During year to^June 30, 1845
During year to June 30, 1846
During 5 months to November 30, 1816
During 7 months to June 30, 1847
During year to June 30, 1848
During year to June 30,1849
During year to Juno 30, 1850
During year to June 30, 1851

Tons and cwt.

15,757
37,891
51,188
24,108
8,098
32,085
81,58:)
173,457
247,951
254,301

17
04
12
16
08
08
06
02
02
19

Value.

:
i
1
1

•
!
!

$54,2*2 .
1,065,582
1,691,748
1,127,418 .
434,316
1,695,173
3,679,598
6,000,008
7,397,106
7,324,283

Average cost.
$32 45
28 12
33 05
46 76
53 f,3
52 83
15 10
34 93
29 83
28 80

Rate of duty.
$25 00
25 00
25 00 —
25 00
25 00
30 per emit.
do.
do.
do.
do.

Duties.
$393,946 25
947,280 00
1,279,715 00
602,720 00
202,460 00
508,551 90
1,103,879 40
1,818,020 40
2,319,149 (80
2,197,284 J0

ST ATEMENT—Continued.
BAR IRON, MANUFACTURED O T H E R W I S E T H A N B Y R O L L I N G .
Periods.
During 0 months to June 30, 18-13
During year to June 30, 1844
During year to June 30, 1845
During year to June 30, 1840.....
During 5 months to November 30, 1846
During 7 months to June 30, 1817
During year to June 30, 1848,...,
During year to June 30, 1849
During year tu Juno 30, 1850.
During year to June 30,1851.....

Toiia and cwt.
0,254 01
11,822 11
18,170 10
21,328 09
10,413 02
4,998 01
20,150 07
10,698 01
14.700 12
20,193 13

Value.
$327,650
583,005
872,157
1,105,429
588,322
200,380
975,214
625.770
744.735
900,020

Rate of duty.

Average cost.
$52 37
49 32
47 99
51 05
60 60
63 30
48 38
49 01
60 04
44 55

$17 00
17 00
17 00
IV 00
17 00
30 IHT cent
do.
do.
do.
do.

l)utie«.
$100,318 85
200,983 35
209,000 50
302,683 05
177,022 70
79,916 80
292,604 20
157,731 00
223,420 60
270,007 80

ST A T E M E N T — C o n t i n u e d .
P I G IRON.
Periods.
During 9 months to June 30,1843
During year to June 30, 1844
During year to June 30, 1845
During year to June 30, 1840
During 5 months to November 30, 1840
During 7 months to June 30, 1847
During year to June 30, 1848
During year to June 30, 1849
During year to June 30, 1850
During year to June 30, 1851

Tons and cwt.
3.873 01
14,994 00
27,610 09
24,187 10
4,478 05
23,477 09
61,032 01
105,032 09
74,874 07
G7,249 .10

Value.
$48,251
200,522
600,291
489,573
82,398
472,088
815,415
1,405,013
950,0G0
787,624

Average cost.
$12 4G
13.42
18 40
20 24
18 40
20 11

15 79
13 30
12 09
11 71

Rate of duty.
$9 00
9 00
9 00
9 00
9 00
30 per cent,
do.
do.
do.
do.

Duties.
$34,857 45
134,490 00
247,694 05
217,090 20
40,304 26
141,020 40
244,024 50
421,083 9U
285,198 00
230,267 20

ST ATEMENT—Continued.
OLD A N D SCRAP IRON

Periods.

During 9 months to June 80,,184.1...
During year to June JO, 1844
During year to Juno 30, lWo
During year to June 30, 1 8 4 0 . . . . . . . . .
During 5 months to November30,184b
During 7 months to
During year to June S0,1B48
During year to June 30, 1849...
During year to June 30, 18o0- •
During year to June 30,18ai . . . . . . .

Tons and cwt.
157 14
2,133 03
5,847 10
2,300 07
250 03
1,043 08
0,030 00
9,450 01
10,104 10
8,391' 05

Average cost.

Value.
$2,743
43,390
119,740
50,534
6,831
34,808
110,037
144,424
Kil,981
112,029

00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00
00

$17
20
20
23
23
21

43
34
48
95
32

21 12

15 28
10 03
to 35

Duties.

Rate of duty.
X.
$10 00
10 00
10 00
10 00

10 00

ao per cent,
do.
du.
do.
do.
N. SARGENT,

•THM.WT DKlMKTHSJrr, Iter's

Office, Navels

10, 1861.

$1,578
21,331
58,476
23,003
2,501
10,400

50
60
00
50
50
40

42,011 10

43,327 20
18,691 30
33,008 70

[ 1 1 ]

S No. 3.
Statement exhibiting the quantity of bar, pig and old scrap iron, reduced
to pounds, imported during the years 1840, 1842, 1844, 1846, 1848,
1849, 1850 and 1851, and the quantity per capita of such
importations
during these years
respectively.

Tours ending—

September SO, 1840
September 30, 1842
Juno 30, 1844
June 30, 1M6
June 30, 1848
June 30, 1849
June 30,1850June 30,1851

Population.

!
j
|
j

17,069,453
18,155,561
19,241,670
20,327,780
21,413.890
21,956^945
23,246,301
24,250,000

Bar, pig and
old imported—
pounds of.
165,323,448
241,711,213
161,440,768
178,776,943
397,897,093
714,327,913
778,705,872
784,328,344
N. S A R G E N T ,

T«KA3OUV

DEPARTMENT.

Raster's Office, November 10, 1851.

Raster.

32d

CONGRESS,

Ex. Doo.
No. 12.

[SENATE.]

Session.

REPORT
OF

THE

SECRETARY

WAR,

WITH

Statements showing the contracts made under authority of that
during the year 1851.

JANUARY 9 ,

Department,

1852.

Ordered to lie on tlie table, and be printed.

WAR

DEPARTMENT,

Washington, January 7, 1851.
SIA: In compliance with the requirements of the acts of April 21, 1808,
and March o, 1809,1 have the honor to transmit herewith, statements showing what contracts have been made under the authority of this Department
during the year 1851.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. M .

CONRAD,

Secretary of WarH o n . WILLIAM R . K I N G ,

President of the Senate*

Statement of contracts and purchases made and received at the Ordnance Office during the year 1851.

Cyrus Alger & Co.
James T. Ames...
J. B, Anderson...
Henry Alton
J. T. Bell

J. Boyd h Sot*.

Stamel C o l t . . . . . .

DigitizedJoseph
for FRASER
Bctvl.

May 5, 1861.
40 ccnts a pound.... Boston, Mass
May 5,1861.
....do
do...... ......do
Springfield, Mass . . November 15, 1851.
....do......do.
November 15,1851.
do
....do
do
3 cents and 3^ mills
Fort Munroe, V a . . . October 20, 1851.
per pound
Middlctown, Conn.. December 14, 1860.
$190 10
August 1, 1851.
Sundry parts for repairs ot\pistols
......do
$48
October 21,1851.
do
do...........
New York
75 ecnta each
Octobcr 24, 1861.
1,000 cartridge-box belts and plates
......do
32 cents each
October 21, 1851.
1,000 waist belts and plates.
do
65 cents each
October 24, 1851.
1,000 bayonet scabbards
. .'**V ;7 7
. . . . . . do
08 cents each
140 non-commissioned officers* belts and platen..
53 cents e a c h . . . . . . . . . . . . . do . . . . . . . . . . October 21, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
do
150 ritle waist belts and plates.
$1 35 each
October 21, 1851.
do
75 cents each
200 sabre belts
October 21, 1851.
do
32 cents e a c h . . . . . . .
2,000 cartridge-box belts and plates...
October 24, 1851.
do
55 cents each
2,000 waist belts and plates
October 21, 1851.
do
v
1,500 bayonet scabbard*
V 1 * * * * * "08 cents each
October 24, 1851.
47 cents e a c h . . . . . . / . . . . . . do
280 non-commissioned officers* belts and plates
Octobcr 21, 1861.
do
$1 35 each
|
No v e in be r 0, 1851.
300 rttle waist bolts and plates
do
$2
50
a
pair
!
[
Novembci 0, 1851.
450
belts
*
** •
do
125 sabre
pairs holsters.
.
.
$1 33 e a c h . . . . . . . . .
MnvH,
1851.
Hartford,
Conn....
125 sabre b e l t s . . . . . .
$24 each
,
do .
. • . July 22, 1851.
2,000 pistols and appendages
*
17 cents each
.i
Jnlv
22,
1851.
do
600 pistol screw driver*
40 J ceuts each
Jutv 22, 1851.
. . . . . . do
250 bullet moulds
1 cent each
.S October 27, 1851.
do...
20 rings
$1 each
October 27, 1851.
do
100 powder flasks . . . . . . . . . .
*
17 cents e a c h . . . . . . * 1
.1 Octobcr 27, 1851.
do
1C0 screw drivers.
*
*' 40* cents each
,.1 May 20, 1851.
I To 1h>
for by ' Fnmfcflwtl, Ta.
measurement
Frtmkford nraciud.
\
spoclftecl prices.

2 O-pounder bronze guns.
1 12-pounder bronze howitzer
10 0-pounder bronze guns
3 12-pounder bronze howitzers
12,228 32-pounder shot

Robert Diugeo.
I I . A . Dingee..

Ira N . Johnson.
G. Kcmble
Dennis Kennedy
Knap & Tottcn..
J . C. Nixon
Peck & Barnctt.
J . J . Pittman...

Francis A. Quinctte.
E . Remington & Sons .
C. S. Storms

. 200 cavalry sabre belts and knots
250 cavalry sabre belts
.
1,500 cartridge-box belts and plates
1,500 waist belts .
1,000 waist belt plates
1,500 bayonet scabbards
200 non-commissionecl officers' belts and plates
200 rifle waist belts ancl plates
325 sabre belts
125 pairs holsters
125 sabre belts
10,000 percussion pistols
4 mortar beds
1 testing machine
For building river-wall and embankment at Frankford
arsenal
2 10-incli columbiads.
2 8-inch columbiads
250 carbine swivels.
For building two barracks and one stable at St. Louis
arsenal
500 rifle waist belts
250 sword knots
1,500 cartridge-box belts anil plates
1,500 waist b Its
1,000 waist b It plates
1,500 bayonc scabbards
200 non-comi lissioned officers' belts and plates
200 rifle wais belts and plates
325 sabre be s
.
125 pairs hob
125 sabre bel s
For building a magazine and several out-houses at
Jefferson -arracks, Mo
.
5,000 percuss on rifles
1,000 gun slit gs
500 rifle curtiidgc boxes
1,000 bayonet scabbards (cadets)
24 sabre belts and knots
1,000 cartridge-box belts and plates

$1 58 each
$1 33 each
75 cents each...
25 cents each...
7 cents each
55 cents cacli...
68 cents each...
47 cents each...
$1 35 each
$2*50 per pair . .
$1 33 each
SG 7o each
$704 46
$1,215 53

New York
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
;
Middletown, Conn..
New York
do

$6,974 2 3 . . . .
$2,335 4 2 . . . .
$2,335 42 . . . .
83 cents each.

Frankford arsenal... June 23, 1851.
Pittsburg
May 23, 1851.
do
May 23, 1851.
New York
March 20, 1851.
>

$12,348 13
44 cents each
25 cents each
75 cents each
25 cents eacli
7 cents each
55 cents each
08 cents each
47 cents eac;L
$1 35 each
$2 50 per pair
$1 33 each

St. Louis, Mo
New York
do
do
do
do
. . . . . . do
do
do
do
do
do

$15,922 08
$11 each
1.5 J cents each
$1 05 each
55 J cents each
$1 44* each
75 ccijts each

March 20, 1851.
March 21,1851.
October 24, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
November 6,1851.
November 6, 1851.
March 28, 1851.
June 5,1851.
May 5, 1851.

Near St. Louis, Mo.
; Ilion, N. Y
New York
do
do
do
do

July 10, 1851.
March 20, 1851.
March 20, 1851.
Octobcr 24, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
November 6, 1851.
November 6, 1851.
May 30, 1851.
November 21, 1851.
March 20, 1851.
March 20, 1851.
September 1, 1851.
September 17, 1851.
Octobcr 24, 1851.

STATEMENT—Continued.
Articles contracted for or purchased.

Names of contractors.

1,000 waiat belts and plates
U500 bayonet ttcabb.irds
140 non-commissioned officers' belts and plates
150 rifle waist belts and plates
.........
200 sabre belts
1,320 horse-artillery ssthrc belts
;••*.***
For building u carringe-maker's shop at St. Louis ai
scnal..
*

Date.

! Price paid or to l>e 1 Place of delivery.
|
paid.
. j 02 cents euch
. j 55 cents each
,; fi8 cents each
47 cents each
. s,l :J5 each
VI 13 each
|

j Now York
do
do
j
!
do
;
do
!
do
!'
i
St. Lous, Mo

October 24,1851.
October 24, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
October 24, 1851.
* Octobur 24, 1851.
November 18,1851.
March 20, 1851.

II. K. CBAIG,
GMWANCK OFFICE,

January 2, 1852.

Qvlontl of Ordnance.

Statement of contracts made during the year 1851, for works under the direction of the Bureau of
Engineers*
No.

Place and date.

Parties.

Sureties.

George TT. Pcndexter.

2 Portsmouth, N. H., June Lory Odell, Collector, with
16,1851.

Joseph W. Coburn.

Washington, October 21,
1851.

William Wurdcmunn.

»
B U R E A U TOPOGRAPHICAL E N G I N E E R S ,

Article or thing contracted for.
Carpenters5 work—For removing the entire wood-work of the interior of the light-house on the WhalcVback rock in Maine, and
re-finishing tlie same again in a thorough and workmanlike manner,
with the best of materials, for the sum of $87o.

J Portsmouth,^. H., June Lory Odeil, Collector, with
16,1851.

Topographical

Mason*' work.—For picking out and repointing the joints of tho
masonry on the outside of the base and tower of the light-houte
on the Whalo's-back rock in Maine, with tho best hydraulic mortar, and in the best manner, for the sum of $285 49.
Base-measuring apparatus.—For furnishing the ncccssary materials
and constructing for the United States an apparatus for measuring
base lines, to be delivered within nine months from the date of
this contract, for the sum of $0,500.
J . J . ABERT, Colvnd Corps Topographical

January

^
^

Engi.tctr*.

1,1852.

i—i
U_J

[11]

ENGINEER D E P A R T M E N T ,

Washingto7if December 31, 1851.
SIR : I have the honor to transit, herewith, a list of the contracts made
by officers of this Department, during the year 1851, which have been
received at the office.
I am very respectfully, sir, your obedient sen-ant,
J. G. TOTTEN,
Brevet Brigadier General and Cofonel of Engineers.
H o n . C . M . CONRAD,

Secretary of War.

List of contracts received at and made under the Engineer Department during the year 1851.
Names of contractors.

Date of contract.

December 19,1850.. June 30, 1851

Bigler, Wright & Co.
Tyler, Johnson, Dimnock & Weatberby.
A . H . Newbohl
John A . Kelly
Edward M. Borcb, M. D

Fur what object, and on what terms.

For the delivery at Fort Delaware, of 170,000 feet, hoard measure,
4-inch white pine plank, at $13 per thousand ; and if the delivery
is completed by the 30th June, 1851, then $14 to be paid.
For the delivery at Fort Delaware, of 38,000 cubic foot of white
December 11, 1850.. June 30, 1851
pine hewn timber, at 10 cents per running foot; and if the delivery is completed before the 30th June, 1851, then 12 cents per
running foot.
For the delivery at Fort Delaware, of 50,000 feet, board measure,
June 30, 1851
January 6, 1851.
4-inch white pine plank, at $13 per thousand; and if the delivery
is completed by 30th June, 1851, then $14 per thousand to bo
paid.
April 28,1851..
August 15, 1851... For constructing fifteen iron stairs for soldiers' barracks at Fort
Wayne, Michigan, at three cents per pound for all cast iron, and
ten cents per pound for all wrought iron used in the construction
of said stairs.
August 20,1851... For repairing cisterns at Castle Finckney, Charleston harbor, for
July 19,1851.
the sum of $550.
For rendering services as physician and surgeon to all persons in
July 20, 1851.
the employ of the engineer department, on works in Charleston
harbor, S. C., at $40 per month.

James J . Given

EKGIKEEH D E P A R T M E N T ,

When to be completed.

Washington

December 31, 1851.

J O S . G . T O T T E N , Brevet Brigadier General and Chief

Engineer.

List of Contracts on account of the Medical and Hospital Department of the Army for the year 1851.
Date of Names of the contractors.
contract.
1841
April
1 Horatio Adams . . .
1843.
March 11 Cyrus Briggs....
April
1 Augustus Viele.
1845.
Nov.
1 P . P . Burton . . .
1846.
Jan.
1 J . L . Dawson
Fob.
6 AVm. H . Rossell...
1847.
Jan.
6 Enoch Agnew
20 F . TV. Mather....
Fob.
7 It. McMillan
Nov. 17 Laurenco Byrne...
May 10 Jno. G. McKibben
1848.
Dcc. 14 T. G. Catlin.
1849.
Jan.
24 N . VT. Oliver
Juno
2 TV. Manning
July
1 R . W. Guhnette . .
6 L . B. Mayberry...
15 A . A . Marshcl....
23 Edward "Worrell...
Aug. 15 John Carter . . . . . .
Sept. 11 David Hunter
Oct. 18 J . W. Robertson..{
1850.
July
IB W . Seidell
Aug.
1 TV. Spottawood .

18 i H . 1.. Brlgg<i . .

The place wlioro delivored or performed.

The article or thing contracted
for.

$S0 per month.

Medical attend'eo andrmedicinos Watcrtown arsenal, Mass
.....do....
do....
do....
do
do'.
do
.....do
do
do
.....do

d o . . . . Kennebeck arsenal, Me
.....do....
Watervlcit arsenal, N. Y
...do.,
Little Rock arsenal, Ark
...do....
Charleston
C
Mt.
Yernonarsenal,
arsenal,S.Ala.

do.....'.
.do
.do
.do
.do
.do..
.do..
.do
.do
.do
> .do
. .do
. .do

20
do
80....do
26....do
•

2d batallion Palmetto regiment
Pennsylvania regiment
Tampico, Mexico
Pikcsville arsenal, Md
1st regiment New York volunteers.

...do.

.......do.
do.
do.
do.

25....do
45....do.....
50
do
100....do.....
150....do.....
20....do
2 50 per day.

Fort Niagara, N . Y

30 per month .

Fort Constitution, N . I I
Fort Brady, Mich
San Antonio, Texas
Fort Sullivan, Me
Escort to J . Collier to California . . .
Fort Delaware, Del
Augusta arsenal, G a . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Madison barracks, N . Y
Austin, Texas

HO....do
30
do
82....do
30....do
80....do
10....do

Frcdcrickaburg, Texas
Pensacola,
Fort Croghan, Texas

Remarks.

Amount of compensation.

20....do

Discharged Jan. 20,1847.
....do
Mar. 27,1847.
....do
May 27,1847.
„..do

July 10,1847.

.do
July 1,1851.
.do.....Mar. 16,1851.
.do

Nov. 3, 1840.

30
do
35....do

.do... .Feb. 10,1851.
.do... .Mar. 22,1851.

60....do
65
do
I 81 88. do

.do... .Dcc. 18,1850.
.do... .Dcc. 8,1851.
.do... .Mar. 26, *83lt

Aug.
Sept.

19 Edward Kane
5 J . Overstreet
'
1 C. C. Parry
i
It J . J . Milhan
'
Oct.
1 J . I I . de TTaldeggJ
15 W. G. Hatch
28 G. W. Semple....;
25 J . L . 3IcKcnnuy .. I
May
<1 Nick Spring
]
Nov. 14 A . Brainard . . . . .
IT TV. T . Mills
!
24 A . B. Campbell...1
3 J . It. W l i e r l y ...1
Dec.
9 P . H . Hard
i
18 W. Keidell
I
1851.
Jan.
9 Nick Spring
18 T. A. Pinckncy...
Feb.
5 Geo. A . Sturgis...
8 Charles Page
10 D. N. Mahon
12 F . M. Robertson -.
21 R . B. Simpson
March 7 D. P. Grav
14 S. W. Crawford...
15 Nick Spring
20 R . W. Guelmctte..
1 Julian Rogers
April
1 Thos. H . Webb...
26 John F . Brown
May
8 R . B. Simpson.
12 T. C. Smith
19 D. I I . Gibson
21 E . Pollard
June 12 W. G. Curtis
13 James n . Wilson..
July
1 John P. DuVal . . .
1 Linus Mott
15 Alfred Benson . . . .
Aug.
3 G. C. M.Roberts..

.do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do.
do
do.
do.
do
do.
do.
do

Plattsburg barracli
Ranche del China, Cal
San Louis Key, Cal
New York city
Texas mounted volunteers,
Fort Clark, Iowa
Fort Monroe, Va
Camp San Antonio river
Fort Smith, Ark
Detroit arsenal, Mich
Texas mounted volunteers,
Fort Milllin, Pa,
Batullion of artillery,
Fort Ontario, N. Y
Fort Martin Scott, Texas

.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do
.do.
.do.
.do
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do.
.do
,do.
.do
.do

Fort Smith, Ark
Key West barracks, Fla
Rancho del China, Cal
Key West barracks, Fla
Carlisle barracks, Pa,
Castle Pinckney, S. C . . .
Allegheny arsenal, Pa
Camp San Antonio, Texas,
Fort Croghan, Texas
Fort Smith, Ark
Camp Brooke, Texas
Fort Clark, Iowa
Boundary Commission
5th infantry in the field
Allegheny arsenal, Pa
Fort Inge, Texas
Fort Towson, C. N
5th infantry to New Orleans
Fort Johnston, N. C
Pittfiburg, Pa
Fort Mason, Texas
Fort Brady, Mich
Columbia barracks, Oregon.
Fort McIIcnry, Md.

Oct.
Feb.
Feb.
April

19, 1851.
5,1851.
28, 1851.
30, 1851.

April
Jan.
Mar.
Jul v

7, 1851.
4,1851.
5,1851.
11,1850.

Jan. 24, 1851.
Mav 26, 1851.
Jan. 18,1851.
Mar.
FobMay
Oct.

15, 1851.
18, 1851.
21,1851.
1, 1851.

Mar. 10,1851.
May 8, 1851.
Mar. 31, 1851.
July 12, 1851*
Aug. 6, 1851.
June
1851.
Aug. 10,1851.
Aug. 2,1851.
Sept. 22, 1851.

I—I

LIST OF CONTRACTS.—Continued.
,
Date of
contract.
1851.
Aug. 18
Oct.
1
o
23
Nov. 11
1846.
July
13
1851.
Nov. 10
17
20

Tlie article or thing contracted
for.

Names of the contractors.

The place where delivered or performed.

Thos. Foster... . . .

Fort Snolling to Pembino, Min

do
AreVd Tavlor
L . . . . .do
Win. T. Bell
do
Chas. Sutherland..

Recruits for 5th infantry
Fort Howard, Wis

....
Amount of compensation.

=
Remarks.

$30 per month....
70
do
Pay of Ass't Sur.
30 per mouth....
100.... do.. . . . . . . Discharged Sept. 8, 1818.
. ...do
Dec. 0,1851.
30
do
80....do.

James L . Ord
t> TT

T i l . L A W S O N , Surgeon General.
SUKOEOX G E N E R A L ' S OFFICE,

January

1852.

Statement of contracts made in the Subsistence Departmen t during the year 1851.
Posts.

Contractors.

By whom made.

For—

Date.

Commencing.

Terminating.

New Orleans barracks,La. Hyatt & Stump.... Com. Gen. of Subsistence. Subsistence.
3,1852 March 1, 1853
Oct. 17, 1851 June
Baton Rouge barracks, L a
do
do
. .do
.do
do....
do....
Key West, Fla
do
do
, .do
.do
do....
do...,
Fort McIIenry, Md
James C. Adams
do
Oct. 24, 1851
.do
do....
do....
Fort Monroe, Y a
do
do
, .do
.do.
.do...-,
do....
Fort Washington, Md
do
do ..
, .do
.do.
•do....
alo.
Castle Pinckncy, S. C
do
do ...
do...
.do
do
do.
Fort Moultrie, S. 0
do
do..
do...
, .do
do
do.
Fort Hamilton, N. Y . . .
do
do ..,
do...
do
, .do
do.
dO...
Fort Mifflin, Pa
....do....
do..,
do
.do
do.
do...
Fort Trumbull, Ct
D. J . Odell
do ..,
do
.do
do.
do...
Fort Preble, Me..
do
do..,
do
.do
do.
do...
Fort Constitution, N. I I
do
do ..
.do
do
do.
do...
Fort Sullivan, Me
do
do ..,
.do
do
do.
do...
Fort Independence, Mass
do
.do ..
..do
do
do.
do...
Fort Adams, R . I
do
do..
..do
do
do.
Fort Gibson, Ark
J . P. Brawlev
. . . . . . . . . . . d o ..
..do
Nov.
3, 1851 En all May, 1852In all May, 1852
Fort Towson, C. N
]
do..]
do ..
In all April, 1852 In all April, 1852
..do
do
In all May, 1852jln all May, 1852
..do
do
Fort Smith, Ark
|
do
do ..
I , 1852 iJune
1,1852
1, 1851 June
..do
Fort Leavenworth, Mo... . James S. Henderson
do ..
Nov.
.do
March 1, 1853
..do
Oct. 22, 1851
Fort Johnston, N . 0
iGeorge Schabel.,. .j
do ..
1, 1851 Jan.
1, 1851'.Tan.
1, 1852
Rations to recruits .Tan.
Albany, N . Y
'John Martin
Capt. J . Hayden
1,1851 Aug.
1, 1851 Feb.
....do
Feb.
1, 1851
Whitehall, N. Y .
|W. H. Hagadorn
do .
....do.....
March 1, 1851 March 1,1851 Dec. 31,1851
New York city
'John Thompson.... Bt. Major A . P. Howe
1, 1851 March 31,1852
Rat'nstoord. men March 24, 1851 April
Champlain arsenal, V t . . . J P . W. Collins & Co. W. A . Newman...»
Geneva, N. Y
'J. G. Tompkins.... Bt. Capt. J . P . Hatch . . . . Rations to recruits March 19, 1851 March 19, 1851 Not stated.
April 1, 1851 April 1, 1851'April 30, 1851
Bt. Capt. C. G. Merchant.
do
New Bedford, Mass
'A. Brown
do
do
June 30, 1851
Capt. G. C. Wcstcott
do
Pottsville, Pa
fD. Hill
1,1851 May
1, 1851 Optional.
May
Bt.
Capt.
C.
G
.
Merchant.
do
Fitchburg, Mass
W. F . Day
1,
1851
July
1,
1851
June 30, 1852
July
Bt.
Lt.
Col.
J
.
R.
Smith..
do
Buffalo, N. Y
S. D.Flagg
Albany, N. Y
G. II. Newcomb &
.do.
8, 1851 July 13, 1852
July 14, 1851 Julv
| Co
ICapt. J . Hayden
;
.do.
July 31,1851 July 31,1851'July 31, 1852
Nashville, Tenn,
F . W. Collet
Bt. Capt. T. Claiborne

Amount.
$2,4G7 10
2,467 16
2,618 07
2,173 44
4,980 00
3,023 50
2,376 18
0,841 00
2,215 94
2,215 94
2,164 78
4!, 122 19
2,188 84
2,093 GO
4,173 50
6,555 87
0,707 46
2,648 32
1,007 06
7,932 45
4,GOO 50

STATEMENT—Continued.
Contractors.

Posts.
Whitehall, N. Y
Dayton, O h i o . . . . . . . . .
Chicago, III
St. Louis, Mo,
St. Louis, Mo
Louisville, Ky.
Cleveland, Ohio
Ilarrisburg, P a . . . . . . . .
Valparaiso, Chili.
Sauta Fo, N. M
Fort Washington, Md..
Fort Sullivan, Mo . . . . .
Fort Mifllin, Pa
Washington arsenal....
Fort Duncan, Texas...
St. Louis arsenal, Mo..
Fort Independence....
Fort Wood, N . Y . . . J .
Fort Graham, Texas...
Fort Mcintosh, Texas..
Fort Smith, Ark
Fort Gibson, Ark
Fort Kearney, O. It
Post on the Arkansas..
Key West, Fla
Baton Rouge barracks.
Fort Trumbull
Kn routo to E l Paso...
Fort Scott, Mo
Fort Worth

CarWalc barracks
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/

By whom made.

W. II. Ilagadorn.. Bt. Lt. Col. W. I I . T.
Walker
Lt. G. W. Howland
James Murray.
Lt.
DeL. Floyd—Jones...
Adam Eaton
Bt, Capt. Geo. Sykes....
P. IlefFernan
Capt. A. J . Lindsay
John Regan
George Schalk... Lt. W. B. Lane
Capt. N . Newton
G. N . E 1st011
Capt. R . P. Maclay
A. Fishburu
Maj. R. B. Lee
J . Waddington
Lt. J . C. McFerran.
Ellison & Davy
Emerson & Baggett. Lt. O.B.Wilcox
Lt. J . K . Dmjcan
D . J . Odell
Capt. J . Roberts
J . Cassidy
Lt. T . L . Ringgold
S . J . Little
W. L . Cazneati... Lt. J . B. Plummer..
Lt. J . McXutt
W. HotVmaster
...
Davis & Severance. Lt. J . W. Patton
B. W. Valentine... Bt. Capt. E . Johnson
Lt. C. D. Jordau
A . F . Leonard
Lt. P. T. Tnrnley
B. Benavides
Lt. A. C. Baukliead.
A. Neise
Lt.
S. Archer
W. D. Shaw
Bt. 3Iaj. J . A . llaskin....
C. A . Perry
do.
....do
Capt. J . A . Vodges
G. Alderdade
[Lt. D. Nickel
M. Lange
R. F.Lyons h Co.. i L t . R . I I . Smith
Lewis & Groesbeck.] Bt. Maj. J- Longstreet...
[lit. Maj. A. Cady
«T. Preston
•S.
S, Gilmoro..... j L t . S. II. Starr
,\Lt.
J . C. McFerran
A. DuvaU & Co.
.\Bt. Capt. J- l^ovc
ohn Noble

•I

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

For—

Date.

Commencing-

Terminating.

Amount.

Jan. 25, 1852
Rations to recruits Aug. 1, 1851 July 25, 1851 [Sept.
80, 1851
Aug.
.do
1, 1851
. . . . do
April 1, 1851 April h 1851 Optional,
....do
July
1, 1851 July
h 1851 July 31,1851
....do
July 20, 1851 Aug. f>, 1851 Optional.
....do
o, 1851 Not stated
Aug.
0, 1851 Aug.
....do
Aug. 11, 1851 July 17, 1851 Sept. 30, 1851
....do
Oct. 17,1851 Oct. 17, 1851 Optional,
do
Flour, beans, &c. Feb. 20, 1851
April 5, 1851
Beans, &c
1, 1851 Dee. 31, 1851
1,1851 Jan.
Jan.
Fresh beef.
June 30, 1851
do.,
.do
...do
Dec. 31, 1851
do..
.do
...do....
.do.
Feb.
1,1851 Feb/ * 1, 1851
...do
Feb."
1, 1852.
.do . . . . . . . . . . Feb. 10, 1851 ....** do..
Feb.
28,18521
..do
March 1,1851 March 1, 1851
24, 18511
...do
Feb. 24,1851 Feb. 21, 1851 Aug.
Aug. 31, 1852'
do
March 1, 1851 March 1, 1851
30, 1851
..do
March 20, 1851 April 1, 1851
.do
I
do.,
..do
March 22, 1851
2, 1852!
do
April 1, 18ol April
1, 1851J April 30,1852:1
do
Lvpril 22, 1851 May 15,1851'July
15, 1851
...do
April 20, 1851 July 30, 1851;May 30,
1851J
..do
do
30,1851;
1,1851
[Oct.
1,1851 May
do
Mav
l t 1851 Jan. 31, 1852;
do
'Jan.
h ISolFeb. 14,1851
Jan. 14, 1852
..do
'Jan. 17, 1851 Jan. 10, 185lj
..do
Il April 10,1851 April 1,1851 [April 30, 18f>2 j
' .do
Mav
1, 1851 May 15,1851:June 15, 1852!
do..
'Mav 31, 1851 Juno
1, 1851 June no, 1852;
1
"'/.do
'Juno 10, 185Uuly do
.do
I
..do
'Juno VI, 18511

New Tori; e/fy...
Fort Brown, Tenn
Fort Brady
Pottsville, P a . . .
Fort Sullivan...
Boston, Mass...
Rochester, N. Y
Baltimore, Md..
Fort Mackinac.
Fort Snelling..
Fort Dodge....
Fort Merrill, Texa,
Fort Mcintosh...
Newport barracks
Fort Howard
Fort Constitution.
Fort Adams
Fort Ontario.....
Fort Preble
Madison barracks
Charleston harbor
Fort Leavenworth

Capt. G. C. Westcott..
[it. John Gibbon
Lt. R . Macfeely
Capt. S. G. Simmons..
,!Lt. J . K . Duncan
.|Bt. Maj. E . Johnson...
. Capt. J . ITavden
.iBt. Lt. Coi. R . C. Bu
' chanan
W. Saltonstall.. .,Lt. D. A . Russell...
. Bt. Capt. S. B. Buckner
R. Steele
.'Jit. Maj. S. Woods
Saylor
J L t . S. D. Carpenter....
John Ross
G. W. Pierce... j L t . P. F . Turnloy
. Bt. Maj.E. Vandorn...
M. Rvan
.'Lt. B. D. Forsvthe
W. Wilson
Bt, Capt. H. B. Field..
J . B. Currier....
Bt. Maj. J . F . Reynolds
T. B. Sherman..
Lt. E. Underwood
D.C.Buell
Lt. J . Kellogg
Jones & Phinney
Bt. Capt. W. S. Grant.
ILMcKee
Brown & Johnson Lt. J . II. Carlisle
Lt. S. D. Sturgis
J . W. Drew
A. Ponton
N. Chano
fx. C. Godfrey..
J . Spohn
J. Norton
Burgess & Talbott
Mcintosh....
Ilcnrv Wade...

. June
. June
. June
. July
. Aug.
.Aug.
.|Aug.

.do
21, 1851
June 30,1851
.do
29, 1851
20, 1851 Juno 25, 1851 June 25, ia52
Julv 23, 1852
July
23,
1851
28, 1851
1, 1851 Jan. 31, 1B32
1, 1851 Aug.
Not stated.
.do
5, 1851
11, 1851 Aug. 11, 1851 Aug. 10,1852

jsept.
. 'Sept.
. Sept.
„ Sept.
. Sept.
. Sept.
. Sept.
. Oct.
. Oct.

1, 1851 Sept. 1, 1851 Aug. 31,1852
1,1851 Sept. 30, 1852
13,1851 Oct.
8, 1851 Oct. 31, 1851 Oct. 31, 1851j
10, 1851 Oct. 15, 1851 Mav 15,1852
1, 1851 Sept.. 30, 1852
22, 1851 Oct.
March 31, 1852
.do
20, 1861
Sept. 30, 18.32
.do
SO, 1851
do
.do
1, 1851
0, 1852|
0, 1851 Oct. 10, 1851 Oct!
8, 1852
Oct.
9,1851 Oct.
.do
1, 1851 Nov. 30, 1852
17,1851 Dec.
17, 1851 Oct. 17,1851 Oct. 16, 1852
1, 1851 Oct. 31, 1852
31, 1851 Nov.
do
10, 1851 Nov. 11, 1851
Aug. 31, 1852
15, 1851

. Oct.
, Dcc.
, Dec.
. Nov.
.Nov.

GEO. GIBSON, C. <?. 8.
O F F I C E OF COMMMISSABY G E N E S AL OF

SUHSISTKNCK,

Wasfiington, Jetmtery 6, 1852.

[11]

QUARTERMASTER G E N E R A L ' S O F F I C E ,

Washington city, January 7, 1852.
SIR : I have the honor to enclose herewith, the annual statement of contracts of the Quartermaster's Department, for the year 1851, in which is
included such contracts of the year 1850, as were received at this office
after the statement for that year was sent in.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Til. S. JESUP,
Quartermaster General
Hon. C. M .

CONRAD/

Secretary of War, Washington city»

Statement of contracts for

transportation, fuel, building materials, rgwm*,
0/ Me QiwrfrnMrferV
continuation oj the statement made for the year 1850.

Fort Howard, Wis.,
October 12, 1850.

Lieut. J . B, Collins, a. a. q.
m., with Peter White.

St. Louis, Mo., November 12, 1850.

Lieut. Col. T . Swords, q. ni.,
withF. A. Quinette.

New York, December
14, 1850.

Brig. Gen. H. Whiting, a. q.
111. g., with W111. A. Parsons.

New York, December
23, 1850.

Brig. Gen. II. Whiting, a. q.
111. g., with John A . McGaw.

St. Louis, Mo., Janury 17, 1851.

Lieut. Col. T. Swords, q. m.}
with John Rogers, jr.

Pensacola, Fla., December 1, 1850.

Capt. II. D. Grafton, a. a. q.
m., with Jesse Pritchett.

Fort Howard, Wis.,
July 21, 1850.

Lieut. G. B. Collins, a. a. q.
111., with Jolm P. Arndt.

Newport barracks, Ky., Major E! Yan Dorn, a. a. q.
m., with F . F . Logan.
December 7, 1850.

Transportation of troops: To transport, from Fort Howard, Wis.,
to the pay-ground of the Mcnoinonic Indians and back again to
Fort Howard, 2 officers and 32 privates, &c., with their baggage, for the sum of $140.
Building a gun-shed: To build and finish, at Jefferson barracks,
Mo., a gun-shed, according to schedule given, for the sum of
$1,312. Bond, $2,000.
Charter: For the charter of the ship Kate Hunter, to transport,
from Bedlow's Island, New York harbor, to Brazos San Jago
and Corpus Christi, 2 officers and 20G men, with their baggage
and such other public property as may be sent 011 board, for the
sum of $2,190. Demurrage, $80 per day.
Charter: For the charter of the ship Helen McGaw, from New
York and Old Point Comfort, Va., to San Francisco, Bcnicia,
or some other post in San Francisco Bay, to transport, from
New York, stores, and from Old Point Comfort 1 officer and 27
men, with such other stores as may be there put on board, for
the sum of $24,000. Demurrage, $80 per day.
Coal: To deliver at Jefferson barracks, Mo., during the month of
February, 1851, 3,000 bushels of good stone coal, for the sum
of 13 cents per bushel. Bond, $3,000.
Wood: To deliver in Pensacola harbor, during the year commencing
December 1, 1850, good oak wood, in quantities required, for
the sum of $3 80 per cord, delivered at Fort Barrancas; $1 10
per cord, at Fort Pickens; and $6 25 per cord, at Fort McRee.
Bond, $2,000.
Wood: To deliver at Fort Howard, Wis., at such times an may be
required, 400 cords of good wood, for the sum of $1 87 i per .
cord. Bond, $800.
Transportation of troops: To transport, from Newport barracks,
Ky., to New Orleans, La., 011 the steamer South America, 1
officer and 100 recruits, 2 laundresses, and 1 servant, for the
sum of $10 for the officer, and $2 50 each for the others.

department,

John Whitehall, Oli
vcr Quinette.

Ashton Johnson, J . B.
S. Lcmoinc.
I I . F. Ingraham, C.
P. Knapp.
II. Eugene Eastman,
J . W. Arndt.

STATEMENT—Continued,
Xo.

Place and date.

Parties.

Fort Moultrie, S. C.,
January 1,1861.

Lieut. I I . Benson, a. a. q. in.,
with Daniel Sinclair.

Santa Fe, N . M., Angust 21, 1850.

Capt. L . C. East on, a. q. m.,
with Tnllv & Ferguson.

Newport barracks, Ky., Lieut. J . IT. Potter, a. a. q.
July 15, 1850.
ni., with Rogors & Slierlock.

Newport barracks, K v., j Lieut. J . I I . Potter, a. a. q.
August 1G, 1850/ !
m., with Hugh Campbell.

St. I^ouis, Mo., August ! Capt. N . .T. T . Dana, a. q.
13, 1850.
;
with J . L a Barge, jr.

St. Louis, Mo., August Capt. N . J . T . Dana, a. q.m..
13, 1850.
|
with W. C. Jewett.

New York, February
1,1851.

Brig. Gen. H. Whiting, a. q.
m. g., with Gorham Bassett 9t Co.

New York, January 18.
1851.

Brig. Gen. I I . Whiting, a. q.
in. g., with F . & D . Fowler.

Subject-matter of contract.

Sureties.

Wood : To deliver at Fort Monltrie, S. C., as much w*od of good George Kinlock.
quality as mavho required during tho year 1851, for the sum
j
of $4 50 per cord. Bond, $1,000.
; Transportation of stores: To transport, from Santa Fe to Donana,
I
N . M., in wagons, 10 boxes and 9 tierces of clothing and 2 iron
pots—total weight 4,952 pounds—to be delivered before September 15, 1850* for the sum of G cents per pound.
Transportation of troops: To transport, from Newport barracks,
K y . , to Jefferson barracks, Mo., on the steamer Fashion, 3 officers and 173 recruits, &c., with their baggage, for tho sum of
$8 for each oftlcer, and $4 each for tho others.
Transportation of troops: To transport, from Newport barracks,
K y . , to Jefferson barracks, Mo., on the steamer Ilindo, 3 officers
and 70 recruit*, laundresses, &c., with their baggage, for tho
sum of $8 for each officer, and $2 75 each for the other*.
Transjiortation of troops: To transport, from St. Louis to Fort
Leavenworth, on the steamer St. Ange, 7 officers and 250 men,
with their baggage, for the sum of $8 for each oftieer, $4 for each
man, and $0 for each horse; extra freight, 25 cents per 100 lbs.
Transportation of troops: To transport, from Jefferson barracks,
Mo., to Fort Leavenworth, on the steamer Kansas, 7 officers
and 250 men, with their baggage, Ibr the sum of $8 for each
oflieer, $4 for each man, and $0 for each horse; extra freight,
25 cents per 100 pounds.
Charter: For the charter of the barque Kepler, from the city of
New York to lndianola, Texas, to transport two officers and
100 men and laundresses, for the sum of $2,470. Demurrage,
$05 per day.
Charter: For the charter of the ship Stephen Surman,to transport,
from New York city to San Diego and Benicia, California, subsistence stores: to"San Diego, 1,288 barrels, 110 boxes, and
210 kegs; to Benlcla, 2,B77 barrels, 220 boxes, and 820 kegs,
more or less, for the »ura of.$17,400.

Demurrage, SCO per d a y .

17 j New York, January 18,

Brig. Gen. IT. Whiting, a. q.
m. g., with Francis Burritt.

Charter: For the charter of the ship Elizabeth Ellen, from Now
York city to Fort Vancouver, Oregon, to transport 5,122 barrels, 365 boxes, and 400 kegs, (subsistence stores,) with other
military supplies, for the sum of $22,000. Demurrage, $75 per
day.
St. Louis, Mo., August Capt. N. J . T. Dana, a. q. m., Transportation of troops, &c.: To transport, from St. Louis, Mo.,
5,1860.
with Ilcnry J . Moore.
to Fort Leavenworth, on the steamer Pocahontas, a detachment,
of United States troops, consisting of one cabin and 4 deck passengers, also 50 horses, for the sum of f?8 ior the cabin and $4
for each deck passenger, and $6 for each horse.
St. Louis, Mo., August Capt. N. J . T . Dana, a. q. m., Transportation of troops, &c.: To transport, from St. Louis, Mo.,
with Thomas Baker.
12, 1850.
to Fort Leavenworth, on the steamer Sacramento, 5 men and
75 horses, for the sum of $4 for each man and $6 for each horse.
St. Louis, Mo., August Capt. N. J . T , Dana, a. q. m., Transportation of troops, &c.: To transport, from St. Louis, Mo.,
with C. D. Blossom.
22,1850.
to Fort Leavenworth, on the steamer E l Paso, 5 men, 40
horses, and 20 mules, lor the sum of $-1 for each man, $7 for
each horse, and SG for each mule.
St. Louis, Mo., August Capt. N . «T. T . Dana, a. q. m., Transportation of troops, fccc.: To transport, from St. Louis, Mo.,
with William Edds.
22, 1850.
to Fort Leavenworth, on the steamer Robert Campbell, 5
men, 40 horses, and 20 mules, for the sum of $4 for each man,
$7 for oaeh horse, and
for each mule.
*St. Louis, Mo., August Capt. N . J . T. Dana, a. q. m., Transportation of troops, &e.: To transport, from St. Louis, Mo.,
S.
Raymond.
with
D.
31, 1850.
to Fort Leavenworth, on the steamer Saranac, 5 men and 40
horses, for the sum of S>4 for each man, and $(> for each horse.
St. Louis, Mo., August Capt. N . J . T. Dana, a. q. m., Transportation of troops: To transport, Ironi St. Louis, Mo., to
with Fi. Saltmarch.
17, 1850.
Fort Leavenworth, on the steamer Saranac, 2 men and 2
laundresses, lor the sum of
each.
St. Louis, Mo., August Capt. N. J . T . Dana, a. q. m., Transportation of troops, ice.: To transport, from St. Louis, Mo.,
with E . Saltmarch,
to Fort Leavenworth, on the steamer S<ir:mac, 3 men and 19
31, 1850.
mules, for the sum of £4 for each man, and $7 for each mule.
St. Louis, Mo., Sep- Capt. N. J . T . Dana, a. q. m., Transportation of troops, &c.: To transport, from St. Louis, Mo.,
with C. D. Blossom.
to Fort Leavenworth, oil the steamer E l Paso, 8 men and 50
tember 4, 1850. horses, for Hie sum of $4 for each man, and $7 for each horse.
Capt.
N
.
J
.
T . Dana, a. q. m., Transportation of troops: To transport, from St. Louis, Mo., to
St. Louis, Mo., Sepwith A . C. Montf'ort.
Fort Snelling, M. T., on the steamer Dr. Franklin, No. 2,
tember 17.1850.
1 officer and 25 men, for the sum of $12 for the officer, and $5
for each man.
Fort Gates, Texas, No- Lieut. I I . ITaldeman, a. a. q. Corn: To deliver at Fort Gates, Texas, during the year ending De- George W. Glasscock
and Thomas J .
m., with A . J . Mackayc.
cember 31, 1851, good quality corn, in such quantities as shall
vember 4, 1850.
Allen.
be required, for the sum of $1 73 per bushel. Bond, $5,000.

mi.

ST ATEMENT—Continued.
Phce and date.

Parties.

Baton Rouge, La.,
Jmuary 11, 1851.

Lieut. Col. L . B. Webster, a.
a. q. in., with Jacob /Jug.

St. Louis, Mo., Jnlv
23, I80O.
St., Louis, Mo,, Julv
23, 1850.
Vancouver, Oregon,
May 15, 1850.
Fort Snelling. M. T.,
May 12, 1800.

Fort Mackinac, Mich., *
January 22,1831.
Fort Brady, Mich., ;[
January 4,1801.
Fort Smith, Ark., August 1,1800.
\

Philadelphia, Pa., October 19, I860.

Subject-matter of contract.

Sureties.

Wood: To deliver at Baton Kongo, La., during the year 1851,
such quantity of good, sound wood as mav bo required, for the
sum or $2 05 per cord.
Capt. N; J . T . Dana, a. q. 111., Transportation of troops: To transport, from Jefferson barracks,
with P. Yoro.
Mo., to Fort Leavenworth, im the strainer St. Paul, f officers
and 200 men, with their baggago, for the sum of £8 for each
f
o/licer, and $4 for each num.
Capt. N. J . T. Dana, u. q. mM Transportation of troops: To transport,from .Toilorson barracks. Mo.,
with J . Chcever.
j
to Fort Leavenworth, on the steamer Anna, 4 officers and 200
;
enlisted men, fbr the sum of'SS fur each oflieer and £4 for e.ich in on.
Capt. Ii. JnguIN, v. q. to., f Charter: For the charter of the hark M eld on, from Vancouver
with Samuel Buckman.
to Astoria, Oregon, to transport supplies for 00 persons, (J
I
months* quartermaster's stores, 20 arsenals with 3<>0 bushels of
forage, otlicers and soldiers' baggage, and other public properI
tv, for the sum of $1,500. Demurrage, £02 50 per day.
Bt. Cwpt. K. W. Kirkham, a. s Transportation of troops: To transport, tVom Fort Snotling, M. T.,
to Muscat in, Iowa, on the steamer High laud Mary, No. 2, 2
q. m., with John Atchi- !
I
otllcers and 113 men, &c., also 45 horses, 23 mules, 0 wagons,
son.
• and quartermaster and siib^tence stores over and above the
!
troops' baggage, for the stun of $8 for each oflicer, S I 50 for j
each man, and $0 for each horse and mule, and
for each t
wagon. Extra freight, 50 cents per 100 pounds.
j
Lieut. 1L Dever, a. a. q. m., Wood: To deliver at Fort Mackinac. Mich., during the year com- | .Michael Dousman and
Augustus Todd.
mencing May 1? 1851, all the wood required, not exceeding 320 1:
with TullyO'M alley.
cords, for the sum of $3 44 per cord. Bond, $2,000.
Lieut. E . Russell. a. ft. q. in., Wood: To deliver at Foit Brady, Mich., by July 1, 1851, 150 | Lewis M. Dickens and
cords of cjood qualitv wood, lor the sum of $2 70 per cord, i
William Holean.
with K. J . ltulbert.
Bond, $1,000.
'
I
Capt. A . Montgomery, a. q. Ilttv: To deliver at Fort Smith. Ark., by 22tl August n^xt, 50 tons
of good, me reliant able bay, for the sunt of $5 47 per ton.
1
m., with J . L . C. Allison.
Transportation of troops: To transport, from Fort Alifllin, Pa., to I
New Orleans, La., on the hark Charles Thompson, 2 officers j
(J. H . Cro-mmti, q. m.,
and 55 enlisted men, servant-*, and lauudresse^, with their bsi£villi BishopfccWatson.
gflgo and stores, for the sum ol' $1,120.
\

Alexandria, Va,, October 17, 1850.

Lieut. J . C. Davis, a. a. q. I Charter: For tlie charter of the brig Nancy, from Fort WashingQI., with Stephen Shinn 8c f
ton, on the Potomac, to New Orleans, La., to transport 2 ofSon.
I fleers, and forty-five men and women, for the sum of $2,500.
St. Anthony. M. T., Bt. Capt. R . W. Kirkham, a. [ Transportation of troops: To transport, from St. Anthony, M. T.,
q. in., with John Rollins.
to Fort Gaines, M. T., on the steamboat Governor Ramsay, 1
September 26,1850.
o(licer and 28 men, with their baggage, &c., tor the sum of
$2 50 each for the officer and men.
New York, April 1, Major O. Cro.HA, q. m., with Transportation of troops: To transport from Bedlow's Island, N.
Y., to New Orleans, La., on the whip Juliet, f! officers and 240 j
1831.
J . Atkins is: Co.
men and laundresses, witli their stores and baggage, for the i
sum of $1,2GU. Demurrage $50 per day.
j
Key West, Fla., No- Lt. .T. C. Booth, a. a. q. m. Transportation of troops: To transport from Key West, Fla., to i
Charleston, S. C., on tlie steamship Isabel, 2 companies of' the
vember, 4 1850.
with A. F . Tift.
(D and E ) 4th artillery, with their officers and servants and |
camp and garrison equipage, for the sum of $1,340.
i
Savtinunh,G a., August Capt. M. S. Miller, a. q. m., Charter: For the charter of the schooner J . II. Holmes from Sa- j
vunnah,
Ga.,
to
Indian
river,
.Fla.,
to
be
at
the
exclusive
use
of
I
with
Krastiin
Lodge.
14, 1860.
the United States, and to transport such stores as she may he |
freighted with, (in hulk about 1300 barrels) for the sum of $950. ;
St. Louia, Mo., August j Capt. N . J . T . Dana, a. q. in., Transportation of troops: To transport from St. Louis, Mo., to i
Fort Leavenworth, on the steamer Highland Mary, 1 officer and' j
20, 1850.
I
with M. L . Atchison.
15 men, with their baggage; for the sum of $ 8 for the officer, j
and
for each man.
j
St. Louis, Mo., April Capt. L . CYKaston, a. q. m.., Transportation of troops: To transport from St. Lou if; to "Fort '
Sue 11 ing, on the steamer Dr. Franklin, No. 2, 10 men and 1 j
with A . C. Mont fort.
I , 1850.
laundress, lor the sum of $4 each.
'
Transportation
of troops : To transport from Jefferson barracks to |
St. L o u i s Mo., August Capt. N . J . T . Dana, a. q. 111.,
Fort Leavenworth on the steamer Anna, <°> officers and 70 men, j
with J . Chcever.
28, I860.
for the sum of $8 for each oflieer and $4 for each man, and $6 !i
for each sick man furnished a state-room.
Savannah, Oa., June Capt. M. S. Miller, a. q. m., Charter: For the charter of the schooner Cotton Plant from Savannah, Ga., to Indian river, Fla., to be at the exclusive use of the
With R. llarbersham.
20, 1860.
United States, and to transport such stores as she may.be
freighted with, for the sum of $400.
Savannah, Ga.» No- Capt. M. S . Miller, n. q. m v Charter: For the charter of tlie brig Henrietta from Savannah,
Ga., to Indian river, Fla., to be at the exclusive use of the
with James A. Dubel.
vember 12, 1860.
United States, and to transport such stores as she may be
freighted with, for the sum of $700.
Savannah, Ga., No- Capt. M. S. Miller, a. q. m.: Charter: For the charter of the steamer Jasper from Indian river,
Fla., to Charleston, S. C., to be at the exclusive use of the
with Cohens & Hertz.
vember 10, 1850.

ST ATEMENT—Continued.

Now York, February
15, 1851.
Detroit, Mich., January 1, 1851.
Nowport, Kj%, April
10, 1851,
Fort Leaven worth, Mo.
February 2d, 1851.
Fort Atkinson, Iowa,
February 17,1851.
Fort Leavenworth, Mo.
March 10,1851.
Prarie du Cbien, Wis.,
March 18,1851.

United States, and transport such troops and stores as may be
required (elsewhere than named if deemed necessary) for •the
sum of $1,000 per week and pro rata per day, whilst in public
employ.
Brig. Gen. I L Whiting, a. q. Charter: For the charter of ship Montauk from New York City
to San Diego and Benicia, Cal., to transport 2027 barrels and
m. g., with Wetmore &
223 boxes subsistence stores to Benicia, and 082 barrels and
Cryder.
100 boxes subsistence stores to San Diego for the sum of
$15,950. Demurrage $05 per day.
Bt. Capt. E . S. Sibley, a. q. Rent of fishing privileges: To rent ibi tho term of two years from
January 1, 1851, of the United States, the exclusive privilege
m., with S. Giliet.
of fishing upon the fishing ground situated upon the Military
Reserve at Fort Gratiot, for tho sum of $125 per annum.
Bt. Maj. E . Van Dorn, a. q. Transportation of troops: To transport IVom Newport, Ky., to
Jeiierson barracks, Mo., on the steamer Pike, No. 0, 1 officer
m., with J . Tucker.
and 70 men, with their camp and garrison equipage, for tho
sum of $10 for the ollicer, and $2 50 for each man.
Lt. Col. T . Swords, q. m., Transportation of stores: To transport from Fort Leavenworth,
Mo.,
to Forts Kearney and Laramie, in good substantial wawith B. Iloiladay.
gons, such armv stores as shall be for transportation during the
roars 1851 and 1852, for the sum of $3 80 per hundred to Fort
kearnev, and $0 80 per hundred to Fort Laramie. Bond $20,000
L t . Col. T. Swords, q. ni., Taking charge of public property : To take in charge and tend to ;
the preservation and security of the Military Reservation at :
with IJ. Harkius.
Fort Atkinson, from November 2, 1850, for the sum of $25 per
month.
L t . Col. T. Swords, q. nu, Transportation of stores: To transport from Fort Leavenworth, i
Mo., to Fort Mackay, in good substantial wagons, such army j
with Perry & Young.
stores as shall be for transportation during the years 1851 and
1852, for the sum of $1 23 per hundred. Bond, $50,000.
Taking
charge of public property: To take in charge and tend to
\ L t . Col. T . Swords, q. m.,
tho preservation and security of tho Military Reservation at
I
with E . P . Wood.
Fort Crawford, Wis., from March 18,1851, for the sum of $2o
per month.

J . M. Hughes.
Joseph Charless.

A . « . KUcy.
W.Dickey,

Indian river, Fla., September, 18, 1850.

Capt. Thos. Jordan, a. q. m.,
with Jas. P. Lightbourn.

Newport barracks, Ky., Bt. Maj. E. Yan Dorn, a. a.
April 15, 1851.
q. m., with II. J . Spotts.
Nmv York, August 7,
I860.

New York, July 81,
1851.
New York, September
21, 1850.
New York, Julv 1ft,
1850.
New York, September
20, 1850.
New York, October
19,1850.
Charleston, S. C., November 13,1850.

transportation of stores; To transport from Indian ftiver to Fort
Dallas, E , Fla., ou the schooner Fire Fly, so many barrels, kegs
and boxes of subsistence stores as can be stowed under cover,
for the sum of 75 cents per barrel, 38 ccnts per keg, and 20
cents per box.
Transport ition of troops: To transport from Newport barracks,

lit. Gen. H. Whiting, a. q.
in. g., with Ilussey & Murray.

and 105 men, laundresses, &c., with their baggage and stores,
such as may be put aboard, for the sum of $2,950. Demurratcc,
$50 per day.
Brig. Gen. IT. Whiting, a. q. Transportation of troops: To transport from Bedlow's island, N.
m. g., with J . Howard &
Y . , to Port Lavaca, Texas, on the steamer Galveston, 3 offiSon.
cers and 83 recruits, with their baggage, for the sum of $00 for
each officer, and $20 for each man.
Brig. Gen. II. Whiting, a. q. Rent of burying-ground : To rent for the term of 99 years, 20 lots,
m. g., with J . Belknap
containing 1,G00 superficial feet, situated in the New York Bay
Smith.
Cemetery, county of Hudson, New Jersey, for the sum of $300.
Brig. Gen. I I . Whiting, a. q. Transportation of troops: To transport from New York city to
m. g., with John W. Mills.
St. Louis, Mo., by way of Buffalo and the lakes, 3 officers and
252 non-commissioned officers, privates, &c., with their baggage,
for the sum of $20 for each officer, and $13 75 for each man.
All baggage over 100 pounds per man, $3 25 per hundred.
Brig. Gen. II. Whiting, a. q. Transportation of troops: To transport from Bedlow's island, N.
m. g., with W. Nelson.
Y . , to Port Lavaca, Texas, on the ship Sultana, 3 or 4 officers
and 170 men, and G laundresses, with baggage, and what other
property there may be to send,-for the sum of $4,000. Demurrage, $70 per day.
Brig. Gen. I I . Whiting, a. q. Charter: For the charter of the ship Kate Hunter, from Governor's
island, N. Y . , to Tampa Bay, Fla., to transport 5 officers and
m. g., with W. I I . Parsons.
138 men and laundresses, with their baggage, and what other
property there may be to send, for the sum of $1,995. Demurrage, $80 per day.
Lieut. J . C. Booth, a. a. q. m., Transportation of troops: To transport from Charleston, S. C., to
Fort Hamilton, N. Y., on the steamer Southerner, two compawith II. Missroon.
nies of 4 th artillery, D and E, with their officers, servants, baggage, &c., with one horse, for the sum of $1,151.

it)

ST ATEMENT—Continued.
No.

Place and date.

Parties.

India noli, Texas, April
1, 1851.

Lieut. E . ITays, a. a. q. m.,
with Win. M. Cook.

Fort Gaines, M. T., 1 Capt. N . J . T. Dana, a. q. ra.,
with Chas. W. Borup.
July 10, 1850.

GG New York, October 21,
1850.

Brig. Gen. I I . Whiting, a. q.
in. g., with Thos. P. StUlltOTI.

New York, October23,
1850.

Brig. Gcu. I I . Whiting, a. q.
nn g., with N. P . Thompson.

New York, August 3, ; Ma). D. I I . Rucker, a. q. m.,
with John W. Mills.
1850.
|

Rent of wharf and warehouse: To rent for the term ot 0[ m o f N
from date, the wharf and warehouse (known as Cook a,) Mtuated in Indianola, Texas, together with lots
at present by the United States, for the sum of $80 per month. Pierre Choteau, jr., &
Hav and oats: To deliver at Fort Gaines, M. T ; , 10,000 bushels o
Co., and Franklin
o a t s before March 1,1851, and 300 tons of prairie bay befoie
Steele.
February 1, 1851, the quantity of each to be increased or dimhiished one-fifth, i f required, for the sum of $1 30 per busl.el
for the 11 rat 2,300 bushels of outs; for the remaining quantity
$1 "r bushel; for the hay, $8 per ton, and a l o v e n u u o m t
n a m e d , $10 per ton. Bond f o r oats, $3,000. Bond lo u^ $800.
Transportation i f troops: To
^
^
leans, La., on the ship Francis P. Sage 2 «mcc s a « .8 cu
being the non-commissioned S. and B., kc., lot tin sum oi
Clmter- For the charter of the ship Silas Leonard, from Bcdlow\>
is md X Y., to Indianola, Luvuca bay, Texas to transport 2
S a n d 58 b r u i t s anil laundresses, with then-stores and
b ^ g ' g e with such other property as there may be to send, tor
the sum of$l,005. I>emurntge, $00 per day.

u - lo (-.jnvar.t from ti...« to time, lor tho >mn of?o pel tmml.ut
To .runs,,,.* ttom For.
Albuquerque, m K«wt
;
0 such nrmv store* as may Unnil
an" 1lfj.Vi,
, •
v
l M ) „ ( n l m iti .0

;

Capt. N . J . T.Dana, a.q.m.,
wUb C. W . Bomp.

Sureties.

Subject-matter of contract.

T r X S u t i - . . . of Mores:
Fort Leavenworth, Mo.,! Lieut. Col. T . Swords, q. m.3
Mo tto0 Sant v Fe anil
with Junes & Russell.
,
" " V .the
r yCars 1H--1
February 17, 18>1. j
tliiruig
l»oJ

70 FRASER
i St. Paul, M, T. ? April
Digitized for
% 1851,

I -

X - I C , ! » , : « .

» -

Elijah Rogers, W. W.
Purler, Jonathan
Ilicklin, Jan. W.
lletiifk, G. R.
Smith, A . M.
For boa.

tO
iO

contract for forage being hereby annulled by these parties.) for
the sum of $1 25 per bushel for oats delivered prior to next
harvest; for the remainder, 90 cents per bushel; for corn, $1 SO
per bushel.
St. Louis, Mo., Octo- Capt. N. J . T. Dana, a. q. m., Transportation of troops: To transport from St. Louis, Mo., to
ber 2, 1850.
with T. M. Melinu.
Fort Leavenworth, on the steamer Sacramento, 5 enlisted men
and 1 laundress, for the sum of $1 apiece.
St. Louis, Mo., August Capt. N. J . T. Dana, a. q. m., Transportation of horses: To transport from St. Louis, Mo., to
* 10, 1850.
with P. Yore.
Fort Leavenworth, on the Reamer St. Paul, 125 horses, with
their forage, and hired citizens, for the sum of $7 fur each
horse, and S I for each man.
St. Louis, N<
November Lieut. Col. T. Swords, q. m., Transportation of stores: To transport from St. Louis, Mo., to
8!, 1850.
with Beach, Eddy & Co.
Jetferson barracks, Mo., on ttie steamer Kingston, 23,000 il-et
of lumber, 6,500 bricks, 50 barrels of pork, 5 sacks of salt, and
tucli other stores as may be required, for the sum fjf
Lieut.
Col.
T.
Swords,
q.
m.,
St. Louis, October 20,
Transportation of troops: To transport from St. Louis, Mo., to
with Jos. Labarge, jr.
1850.
Fort Leavenworth, Mo., on the steamer St. Ange, one laundress, with her baggage, for the sum of §5.
St. Taut, M. T., April Capt. N. J . T. Dana, a. q. in., Transportation of stores: To receive and store at St. Paul, M. T.,
with C. W. Bomp.
2, 1851.
• and transport thence to Fort Kipley, all such army stores as
may be destined for Fort Kipley, during a year from Starch 15,
1851, for the sum of$l 12^ per 100 pounds.
Fort Smith, Ark., July Capt. A. Montgomery, a. q. Transportation of troops: To transport from Fort Smith, Ark., to
2, 1850.
m., with Jas. Withers.
Fort Gibson, on the steamer.!. B. Gordon, company E, 5th
infantry, o diefirs,men, &c., with their bagg.;go and f.tores, tor
the sum of $325, and pro rntn to any point shmc of Fort
Gibson.
St. Louis, Mo., April Lieut. Col. T. Swords, q. in., Transpor atk n of stores: To transport, in wagons, from Fort Lerv- David Waldo. J.iibez
with Joseph Clymer.
emvoifh to E l Paso, Texas, arid Dona Ana and Don Fenutn lo
18, 1851.
Smith, Wm. Mcde T.ios, N. M., during the years 1851 and 1852, sueh amy
To v.
stores as tiiere siiall be to be transported, for the sum of $12 -S
per 100 pounds to E l Paso, $12 50 per 100 pound.-; to Dona si m,
and $8 83 per 100 pound.; to Fernando de Taos. Bo al,
$50,000.
New York, Mav 1U, Major O. Cross, q. m., with Charter: For the charter of the steamer Credent City, from N.:\v
. York harbor to Savannah, Ga., to transport 12 officers and 300
M. O. Roljerts.
1851.
men and 1 undresses, with their baggage, for the sum of 31,1:00
per day wl ilst in Government use; 3 days'* pay allowed for her
return to New York.

STATEMENT—Continued.
No.

Place and date.

Parties.

L a Vaca, Texas, November 1,184i>.

Capt. J . K . Irvine, a. q. m.,
with Thos. Ilayncs.

10
Subject-matter of contract.

Rent ot ground: To rent (> acres of land, being part of the town
tract ot L a Vaca, and tlie undivided proper! v of Thos. llaynes,
O. K . Billiard, and J . 31. Smith, until such a time as s-iicl land
is divided, for the consideration of the benefit arising from the
occupation
by the United States.
80 New Orleans, La., May j Col. T. F . Hunt, dep. n. ni.
Transportation of troops; To transport, from New Orleans, La., to
1851
<
|
g*> with J . C. Cahle.
.Jelierson barracks, on the steamboat James Hewett, such number of officers, men, &c., with their stores and baggage, as there
may bo to be transported, for the sum of SI5 for each officer,
and $2 50 each for the men.
81 New Orleans, La., Ap^l ; Col. T. F . Hunt, dep. q. m.
Transportation of troops: To transport, from New Orleans, La., to
lbA
*
j
g - with C. J . Meeker &
St. Joseph's Island, Aransas Hay, Texas, and return, on the
Co.
steamboat Fanny, such troops as there mav be to he transported
to and from either place, for the sum of $10 for each officer, and
$8 for each man, to St. Joseph's Island, and $15 for each officer,
and $0 for each man, to New Orleans.
82
12 NewOrleans, La., Ap'l ; Col. T. F . Hunt, dep. q. m.
Transportation of troops: To transport, fVom New Orleans, La., to
.
g., with T. B. Smith.
Fort Smith, Ark., on the steamer Cleona, and to Fort Gibson,
if required, such number of troops as there shall be to go, not
exceeding 4 companies and 8 horses, for the sum of $15 for each
officer, and $5 for each man, to Fort Smith, and $5 and $2 50,
respectively, in addition, to Fort Gibson; and for each of the
horse* $12 to Fort Smith, and $15 to Fort Gibson.
83 New Orleans, La., Jan- j Capt. R . E . Clan-, a. q. m., Transportation of troops: To transport, from New Orleans barracks
uary 3, 1851.
I
with II. E . Boelmer.
to Indianola, Texas, on the steamer Portland, 1 officer and 77
recruits, with their stores, kc., for the sum of $20 for the ollicer,
.
j
:
and $8 for each man.
84
Newport barracks, K y . , i Brevet Major E . Van Dorn, i Transportation of troops: To transport, from Newport barracks to
May 27, 1851.
!
a. a. q. m., with H . J . I
Jefferson barracks, Mo., on the steamer Lady Franklin, a de|
Spotta.
| tachment of 13 enlisted men, for tho sum of $2 50 for each
man.
85
^ O r17,1851
t e a u s } L a . , M a y ' Col. T . F . Hunt, dep. q. m. ; Transportation of troops : To transport, from New OrleAiis barracks
\
g.,
with
A
.
Warden.
to Fort Smith, Ark., on the stcamhout Pontine, No. 2, such

Sureties.

Fort Graham, Texas,
February 14, 1861.

New York, May 21,
18«il.

Fort Gibson, C. N.,
March 12, 1851.

San Francisco, Cab,
September 5,1850.

Savannah, Ga., January 9,1851.

St. Louis, Mo., March
20, 1851.

St. Louia, Mo., March
1, 1851.

St. Louis, Mo., March
1,1851.

94 New York, June 3,
1851.

number of troops (officers and privates) as there shall be to be
transported, for the sum of $15 for each officer, and $9 for each
man.
Lieut. C. D. Jordan, a. a. q. Wood: To deliver at Fort Graham, Texas, all the fire-wood, buildin., with Jesse Sutton.
ing-timber, and charcoal, that, shall be required between February 1, 18-L>1, and June 30,1851, ibr the sum of $3 per cord for
the wood and timber, and 25 cents per bushel for coal,
Major O. Cross, q. m., with transportation of troops: To transport, from New YoHt city to
I
Silvester Center.
Jellerson barracks, Mo., by the way of Buffalo and the lakes,
1 officer and 85 non-commissioned officers, privates, &e., for the
sum of $25 for the officer, and $11 for each man; extra freight,
a
$3 75 per 100 pounds.
Lieut. Sam'l Archer, * a. q. Transportation of troops: To transport, from Fort Gibson, C. N.,
iu., with Hugh L . Rogers.
to Fort Smith, Ark., on the steamer General Shields, company
E , oth infantry, with their baggage, for the sum of $300.
Capt. J . L . Folsom, a. q. m., transportation of troops: To transport, from San Francisco, Cal.,
with Ogden & Harries.
to San Pedro, Cal., on the barque Gaiinda, 4 officers, 18 privates, and 3 laundresses, of compuny A , 2d infantrv, with their
stores, &c., for the sum of $1,000.
Capt. M . S . Miller, a. q. in., Charter: For the charter of the schooner Kossuth, from Savannah,
with John Wilson.
Ga., to Indian river, Fla., to be at the exclusive use of the
United States, and transport such stores as she may be freighted
with, for the sum of SG50.
Lieut. Col. T . Swords, q. m., Transportation of troops: To transport, from Jefferson barrack's to
Fort Leavenworth, on the steamer Kansas, 1 officer and 37 men,
with Wm. C. Jewett.
laundresses, &c., with their arms, &c., for the sum of $15 for the
officer, and $6 for each man; freight, 75 cents per 100 pounds.
Lieut. Col. T . Swords, q. m., Transportation of troops: To transport, from St. Louis, Mo., to
Jefferson barracks, on the steamer Kansas, 1G enlisted men,
with Wm. C. Jewctt.
with arms, &c., for the sum of $1 each.
Transportation
of troops: To transport, from Jefferson barracks to
Lieut. Col. T. Sworda, q. m.,
Fort Leavenworth, on the steamer Kansas, 2 officers and 84
with Wm. C. Jewett.
men and laundresses and 13 horses, with their arms, &c., for
the sura of $10 for each officer, $3 for each man, and $G for each
horse; freight, 40 cents per 100 pounds.
> Major O. Cross, q. m., with Charter: For the charter of the ship Catharine, from New York
harbor to Smitliville, N . C., and Fort Moultrie, Charleston, S.
|
Thos. Wardle.
C., to transport 2 companies of artillery and G8 recruits, with
their baggage and stores, for the sum of $1,G00. Demurrage,
S-JO per dav.

ST ATEMENT—Continued.

Washington city, I>.
0., October 1,1850.

Sureties.

Subject-matter of contract.

Parties.

Place and date.

R.Mit of rooms: To furnish, at Washington city, rooms, bedding,
ire ami Wits for a detachment of United States troop, from
f >ct..T.er 1, 1850, during tho pleasure of the oflieer commanding,
for the sum of $1 per week tor each man,
Ch
F llic charter of the schooner Uranus, irom Savannah,
G i to Indian river, Fla., to l.o at the oxclumvo uao ot the
•
United s i , and to transport wa-li stores as sl.o may bo
K i r i v f t h , for the sum of $100. Demurrage, $lo per

Lieut. Col. J . D. Graham, a. •
a. <1* nn, with Mary J .
Flood.

Savannah, Ga.,Febru- 1 Capt. M. S ^ H c r , * *
tiry
1851.
|
with L . W. Conuei.

New York, December | Brig. Gen. H.
£ *
at, 1850.
!
m. g., with II. l u o k u .

' n.artrr- For the eharter of the schooner O. L . IJavlcs, from New
V.»V' 1, »o to Fort Washington, Potomac, river, to transport
one e o n , I X * «»" *!, artillery, uith their ollicers and stores,

E . S. Johnson, Geo.
II. Gray.

Austin, Texas, June j Lieut. A. D. Tree r. q. nu,
11,1851.
withJosiahFi.sk.
•i
AU^Tox^J,.^, j U . U . ^ c . r .
A ^ t a t J t a . * j
Austin, Toxas, April •
17,1831.
Ifcw Orleans,La., July
7,1851.

Geo. Hancock, Josiah
Fisk.
Ed. Zimmerman, Calvin Bell.

»•'

wlt1

Joa

D . T r e e , r.
- lAt"

«-•,

Capt. R . K. CUryyU c,. .„.,
,vltil
J. . fll.H.k.

'•^^ssstssfssssi^

X m n ' \ v U I « their laundresses, ta', l»r the sun. ot W-. lot ea< h
ollieer and S1V tor each man,

10S
11,3

Kcw Tor'.;, June 28, Maj. O. Cross, <1- m., with
i
1851.
i
J nines Downey.

Coal- To deliver at Bedlow's ami •
i
ilton and l.atUvctte, before I ctoI«. :I.

,,.„„

J
Cll I
' l I sum of I

104 Fort Gilwon, C. N.,
June 13, 1851.

105

Fort Gibson, C. N.,
June 2J, 1851.

100

Portland, Me., July.'U,
1851.

107

Portland, Me., Julv 22,
1851.

108

Fort Smith, Ark., June
28, 1851.

109

Fort Washington, Md.,
July 23, 1851.

110

Fort Croghan, Texas,
July 0, 1851.

111

Washington city, D. C.,
June 11, 1851.
i

112

Dokesville, C. N., July
11, 1851.

nit

New York, August 9,
1851.

Governor's islands, and S3 24 per ton for such as shall be delivered at Fort Hamilton and Fort Lafayette.
Lient. TL M. Black, r. q. m.. Transportation of troops: To transport from Fort Gibson, C. N.,
with Abraham Allen.
to Brazos river, via Fort Washita, Ark., in eight good wagons,
the baggage, hospital and subsistence supplies of the headqiiniters, non-commissioned stall*, and band, and one company
of the 5th regiment of infantry, lor the sum of $5 per day for
each wagon while in public service.
Lieut. 11. M. Black, r. q. in., 1' Hay: To deliver at Fort Gibson, C. N. s before September 1,1851, | William P. DcnckJa,
Win. D. Shaw.
175 tons of good clean hay, lor the sum of $0 per ton. Bond, j
with James Wiikius.
$5,000.
Lieut. John Kellogg, a. a. q. f Coal: To deliver at Fort Preble, Me., before October 31, 1851, 80 E. W. Patten, II. H.
Boody.
tons of the best Peach mountain, and 20 tons of the best Lehigh
in., with Levi Sawyer & :
coal, broken and screened, for the sum of £5 80 per ton. Bond,
Son.
$000.

Lieut. John Kellogg, a. a. q. : Wood: To deliver at Fort Preble, Me., before October 31,1 Sol, John Guilford, Sani'l
A. Nash.
100 cords of good merchantable oak wood, for the sum of $3
m., with Elijah Guilford.
! per cord. Bond, $-300.
Capt. A. Montgomery, a. a. Hay: To deliver at Fort Smith, Ark., before duly 31, 1851, 250
tons of good merchantable hay, for the sum of §5 73 per
q. in., with Chas. B. Johnton.
son.
Lieut. G. W. llazzard, a. a. Wood : To deliver at Fort Washington, Md., before September 30,
1851, 350 cords of bc*t qualify oak Mood, for the sum of $4 20
q. m.j with R. Atkinson.
per cord.
deliver at Fort Croghan, Texas, before September 15, R . H . Williams, G . T .
Lieut. T. K . Jackson, a. a. q. Hav: To
William
*18-r)l, 100 tons of good hav, with 50 additional tons, if required,
m., with Samuel Mankin.
for the sum of §9 50 per ion. Bond, $2,000.
Capt. M. M. Clark, a. q. in., Rent of rooms: To rent from July 1, 1851, during the pleasure of
the parties, the two lower rooms and front cellar of the brick
with J . Williams and II.
building situate on the corner of Pennsylvania avenue north,
Wells.
! . and Seventeenth street west, to be used as store-room, ollice,
&e., for the sum of $200 per annum, and pro rahu
Lieut. M. R . Stevenson, a. j Hay: To deliver at Fort To\vson,C. N., by September 1, 1851, 80 J . R. Berthclet, Sampson Folsom.
tons of good, sound, well cured hay, for the sum of $1 98 per
a. q. m.. with Simpson :
ton. Bond, $000.
Folsom.
i
Maj. O. Cross, q. in., with j Charter: For the charter of the ship.S. V. Givcns, from New York
harbor to Smithvillc, N. C., to transport two companies of artilJames W. E l well.
j
lery, there being six officer^ for the sum of $1,995. Demurrage, $<50 per day.

ST ATEMENT—Continued.
Place and date.
Fort Smith, Ark.,
June 7,1851.
Baltimore, Md., November 10, 1850.
St. Louis, Mo., April
2-t, 1851.
St. Louis, Mo., May
12,1851.
St. Louis, Mo., April
12, 1851.

Transportation of stores; To transport, from
^
^
Brazos river, (about 158 miles,) in good, well-covered magma,
Mich army stores and baggage as there shall be to bc vuusporU
h
ed, during a year from date, for the sum of $3
we gh , and pro rata for a farther distance. Bond, $52,000.
Major S. B. Dusenbury, q. Triii snort at ion of stores: To transport, fVom Baltimore, Md., to
I ml ian oU , T ex as, on the brig Wavcrty, 1,388 pounds bulk ot
m., with Jacob Anderson.
govcramcEt stores, for the sum of $1 per pound bulk, and
rata.
Demurrage, $25 per day.
™
Capt. F . II. Mftsten, a. q. m., Tpfliiqnnrtition of troops: To transport, from bt. Louis,
K r S
the steamer Saranac, 1 oflicerandllfy
with W. E . Saltmarsh.
enlisted men and laundresses, with their haggage &c., lor the
«imi of SI0 for the officer, and $1 each for the others.
TransIIoit
iUoti of troops: To transport, from Jefferson barracks
Capt. F . H. Masten, a. q. m.,
Mo
to Fort Leavenworth, on the steamer Kansas, 4 officers
with \Y. C. Jewett.
*»d'>00 enlisted men, laundresses, and servants, w ith their bag« i L t c torthe sum of $15 for each officer, and $0 each for
the O W T H ; for the officers' horses, $10 apiece.
T l ^ x t i ™ of troops: To transport, from Jefferson barracks,
; Capt. F . II.Mastcn, a. q. m.,
?lo
F o r t Le^^uworth, on the steamer El Paso 3 officers
1 with T. I I . Brierly.
a id 183 enlisted men, laundress, and servants, with heubagg a g e , & c t o r the sum of $10 for each officer, and $4 each for
Capt. A . Montgomery, a. q.
ni.t with Messrs. Black &
Butt.

St. Louis, Mo., Janu- ! Lieut. Col. T . Swords, q. in.,
ary l l ! 1851.
I
vith Thos. Hector.

Transportation of horses: To transport, from Gainers Landing,
M S pi river, to San Antonio, Texas, such number of horses
m m ^ b o x M under his charge at Gaines's Landing tor the

St. Louis, Mo., March Lieut. Col. T . Swords, a. nr.,
28,1851.
'
with W. E . SftUmarsh.

'
;

Sureties.

Subject-matter of contract.

Parties.

W. IT. Hunt and
D. Fitzgerald.

e a A t B i s a w
^ ^ r s H m n B S W a M *

others.

10
CP

321

Savannah,

May

Capt. M. S. Miller, a. q. m.,
with W. Iv. Gourlay.

122

Fort Adams, R . I.,
August 18, 1851.

Bt. Maj. J . F. Reynolds, r. q.
m., with George Bowen
k Co.

128

Fort Adams, R . I.,
August 18, 1851.

Bt. Maj. J . F . Reynolds, r. q.
m., with T. if. llalloway.

121

Fort Trumbull, Conn.,
October A, 1850.

Capt. S. L . Fremont, a. a. q.
in., with Holt & Fitch.

125

Madison barracks, N .
Y . , July 21,1851.

Bt. Capt. W. S. Grant, r. q.
m., with S. Hooker.

120

Fort: Gratiot, Mich.,
August 9, 1851.

Lieut. T . J . Montgomery, a.
a. q. m., with James Cox.

127

St. Louis, Mo., June
4, 1851.

Capt. S. Van Yliet, a. q. m.,
with John Shaw.

128

Fort Snelling, M. T.,
June 9, 1851.

Bt. Capt. S. P . Buckner, a.
a. q. m., with D. S. Harris.

129

Howard's Bend, Mis- Maj. W. F . Sanderson, a. a.
q. in., with W. I I . Fulton.
souri river, May 7,
1851.
Fort Gates, Texas, Lieut. I I . ITaldeman, a. a. q.
m., with Lewis A . Ogle.
June 21, 1851.

130

3, 1851.

Ga.,

131 ; Fort Graham, Texas,
j . April. 16,1851.

L t . N, C. Givens, a. a. q. m.,
with J . C. Brice.

Charter: For the charter of the schooner Mary Ann, from Savan- f
nah, Ga., to St. Augustine and Indian river, Fla., to be at the
exclusive use of the United States, and transport such stores
fis she may be freighted with lor cither plnce, for the sum of
Si00. Demurrage, SI5 per day.
Coat: To deliver at such times and in such quantities as may be W. I I . Ailraan and
required, at Fort Adams, Newport, R . I., 375 tons of Peach
Chas. Howard.
Mountain, broken, and screened coal, for the sum of $5 45 per
ton. Bond, $1,000.
Wood: To deliver at Fort Adams, Newport, R. I., at such times David S. Baker and
and in such quantities as required, 250 cords of good, merchantD. S. llalloway.
able, well-seasoned oak wood, for the sum of $0 per cord.
Bond, $1,000.
Wood: To deliver at Fort Trumbull, Conn., at such times and in
such quantifies as required, 200 cords of the best quality, merchantable oak wood, for the sum of $5 50 per cord.
Wood: To deliver at Madison barracks, N. Y . , for the year ending Jesse C. Dai in and
June 30, 1852, such quantity of wood as shall be required, for
Jas. L . Hooker.
the sum of $2 70 per cord. Bond, $250.
Wood: To deliver at Fort Gratiot, Mich., by the 28th of February, L . M. Mason and Jas.
1852, 4G9 cords of good, hard-seasoned fire-wood, for file sum
Sanborn.
of $2 99 per cord. Bond, $1,500.
Transportation of troops: To transport, from St. Louis, Mo., to
Fort Leavenworth, Mo., on the steamer Saranac, 1 officer and
111 enlisted men, with their baggage, &c., for the sum of $8
for the officer, and $2 50 each for the men.
j
Transportation of troops: To transport, from Fort Snelling, M. T., j
to Jefferson barracks, Mo., on the steamer Dr. Franklin, No. 2,
1 oflicer, 20 enlisted men, &c., one servant, and one horse, with <
their siriiia, &c., for the sum of $200.
<
Transportation of troops: To transport, from llie steamer St. Paul, at. i
Howard's Bend, Missouri river, to Fort Leavenworth, Mo., 1 ofli- !
cer and 135 men, &e., with their baggage, for the sum of $1,250. j
Hay: To deliver at Fort Gates, Texas, by the 15th of August, I .Tn. Williams nnd J .
1851, 200 tons of well-cured huv, for the sum of $7 50 per ton. j
J . Ake.
Bond, $1,000.
"
I
Building materials: To deliver at Fort Graham, Tiixas, before the 1
20th of May, 1851, 20,000 clap boards and 150 bushels of lime j
of good quality, for the sum of $2 50 per hundred for the {
boards, and 50 cents per bushel for the lime. ,
!

W
O

r—i

STATEMENT—Continued.
Place and date.

Parties.

St. Louitf, Mo., April
15,1851.

Capt. F . If. Mastcn, a. q. m.,
witb N. Itobirds.

Fort Constitution, N. i Bt. Capt. I I . B. Field, a. a. q.
m., witb William P. Fioat.
I L , Oct. 9, 1851. j
Newport, K v., October
8, 1851.

Bt. Major E . Vamlorn. a. a. q.
m., witb I). Wtlkins.

Newport, K y . , October
10, 1851.

Bt. Major E . Vandorn, a. a. q.
m., witb John Wilson.

Wild Horse Creek* C.
N., July 1, 1851.

Bt. L t . T . Henry, a. a. q. ui..
. witb A . Cloud.

Wild noise Creek, C. ! Bt. L t . T . Henry, a. a. q. m.,
with A . Cloud.
> \ , July 1,1851.
Newport, K y . , Octot«*r
10,1851.

Bt. Major K. Vandorn, a.a.q.
in., with G. \V. Bowman.

Newport. K v . , Octobcr | Bt. Major E . Vandorn, a. a. q.
m., with H. Pritcbnrd.
I S , 1851.
,
»
Digitized140
for FRASER
\ New York, October 13,
\
1851.

Major O. Ctoss, q. m., with
Thomaa P . Stautou.

Subject-matter of contract.

0£>

Sureties.

Transportation of troops: To transport ft-om Jefferson barracks,
Mo., to New Orleans barracks, on the steamer Grand i uru,
12 officers and 225 men, &e„ together with G horses, stores and
baggage, for the sum of $12 each oflicer, $2 50 each man, &e.,
and $G foi' each horse.
Benjamin Mathcs and
Wood: To deliver at Fort Constitution, N. I L , ibr one year comAlfred Iloitt.
mencing October 10, 1851, such quantity of the best upland
oak orhickorv as maybe required, for the sum of $# 8o per
cord. Bond $I,(KI0.
.
.
Transportation of troops: To transport from Cincinnati, Olno o
.Telferson barracks, Mo., on the steamer Geneva, o f f i u n s j
and 10O recruits,
with their baggage, for the sum ot
«
for each officer, and $4 75 each for the others.
[
Transportation of troops: To transport from C.tn«it>tmtw Ol.io. to ,
Jefferson barracks, Mo., on the Meamer Lady
!
officer and 80 recruits,
with their baggage, tor the sum of
$10 for the officer and $4 50 each for the others.
H a v : To deliver within six miies of \\ ild Horse ( reek, ( .
«»
quantities as mav be directed, 100 tons of g o o d , sweet and ;
sound hay, for the sum of $4 per ton.
Building materials: To deliver with.n six miles ot \ Id Ilonu
Creek C. N., in quantities as maybe required,
shmCles and clap hoards, for the sum of Srt 25 per thousand,
f ramportation of t r o o p s : To transport from Cincnmat, Ohm. to
barracks, Mo., on the steamer Federal Arch ,
officers and 100 recruits, fcc., with baggage and stores, Mr the
Mini of $12 each officer, and $1 each for the othersTruism,nation of troops: To transport from Newport, K
to tor
S A r k .
on the steamer Emma Dean, 2 officers and
^ r^ruils
, with their baggage and stores, for the .nm ot
co 500, and pro rata per mile for a les* distance.
Charter: For the charter of the ship Fr»w.»
fc^**1"
i ^ i e w York harbor to New Orleauu barrack*, La., to tiaru

141 f Austin, Texas, Sept.
29, 1861.

Lt. A. D. Ti^e, r. q. m., with
I L Cheatham and C. R.
Johns,

142

Lt. E . Underwood, a. a. (j.
m., with Phiueas If:dl.

Fort Ontario, N.
October 16*, 1851.

143 ; Fort Gibson, C. N.,
Sept. 20, 1851.

Lt. I L M. Black, r. q. in.,
with William t>. Shaw.

Fort Gib won, C. N.,
Sept. 27, 1851.

Lt. IT. M. Black, p. q. m.,
with A. J . Maxwell.

145 ! Bostou, Mass., October
1851.

Major 1). 11. Vinton, q. m.,
with David It. Lecraw.

146

New London, Conn.,
October 28, 1851. "

Lt. If. I I . Smith, a. a. q. m.,
with Holt & Fitch.

Vancouver, Oregon,
October 15, 1850.

Capt. It. Ingall, a. q. m., with
Jamea II. Leach.

148 Fort Croghan, Texas,
Sept. 25, 1851.

Lt. T. K. Jackson, n.a.q.m.,
with Evan Williams.

144

147

149

Fort Leavenworth, Mo., Bt. Maj. E. A. Ogden, a. o.
m., with Th. W. Seott.
October 2G, 1851.

15Q

Indianolu', Texas, October 1,1851.

Bt. Maj. E . B. Babbitt, a. q.
m., with Wra. M. Cook.

port troops, say 2G0 non-commissioned officers, privates, &c v
for the sum of $1,075. Demurrage $80 per day.
Corn: To deliver at Austin, Texas, at such times and in such George ILmdcock and
quantities as may be directed, 24,000 bushels of good, merJames G. Swisher.
chantable, shelled corn, for the sum of £ cents per bushel.
Bond $8,000.
Wood: To deliver at Foit Ontario, Oswego, New York, at times 12. Stevenson.
and in quantities as ordered, before December 1st, 1852, 325 ;
cords of good, marketable quality and seasoned bodv maple
wood, for the sum of $2 04 per cord. Bond $200.
Corn: To deliver at l\.rl Gibson, C. xY., before the 31st of March, | Wni.P. Denckler and
1852, 3,500 bushels of good, sound and merchantable com in
Samuel 11. Brady.
the ear, lor the sum of 09 cents per bushel. Bond $5,000.
Oats: To deliver at Fort Gibson, C. N., before the 30th of April, !: T . K . K i d d and G\ G.
1852, 7,000 bushels of good, clean, merchantable onts, for the
Scott.
sum of 431 cents per bushel. Bond $7,000.
j
Coal: To deliver at. Fort Independence, Mass., on or before the •Warren Tiltou and
10th of November, 1851, 70 tons or more of the best quality
Calvin Bullard.
screened red ash coal, known as Peach mountain, for the sum '
of $0 12 per ion. Bond $500.
Wood and coal: To deliver at Port Trumbull, Conn., by January ; W. A. Weaver.
1st, 1853, 175 cords of good, sound, merchantable oak wood; I
and on or before December 1st, 1851, 75 tons of well screened j
red ash anthracite coal; for the sum of $5 50 per cord for the !
wood, and $(> per ton for the coal. Bond S2,800.
;
Taking charge of public animals: To receive on or before Novem- j
her 1st, 1850, 07 public horses and 300 public mules, and herd, I
graze and protect them until required for use, for the sum of ! '
$2 per month, each horse and mule.
I
Corn: To deliver at Fort Croghan, Texas, commencing October 1st, J . Williams and S. G.
1851, at such times and in such quantities as directed, 0,000
Sneed.
bushels of sound, good, merchantable qualitv shelled corn, for
the sum of $J 30 per bushel. Bond $5,000.*
Transportation of troops: To transport from Fort Leavenworth to
Jefferson barracks, Mo., on the .steamer St. Ar<ge, 3 officers
and 140 enlisted men, 100 horses and 0 laundresses, with baggage, &c., for the sum of $000.
Bent of wharf and warehouse : To rent, for the term of 12 calendar months from date, the wharf and warehouse known aa
"Cook's wharf and warehouse," with lots adjoining, situated
at Indianola, Texas, for the sum of $80 per month.

ST ATEMENT—Continued.
Place and date.

Parties,

Nowport barracks, Ky., Capt. N. C. Macrae, a. a. q.
m., with G. U. Bowman.
Novombor 7,1851.
Newport barracks, ICy.: Capt. N . C.. Macrae, a. a. q.
m., with John Mulvine.
November 11,1861.
San Francisco, Cal., Capt. J . L . Fotsom, a. q. m.,
with Ogden & Hayries.
No vombe r 11,1851.

3o6

San Pedro, Cal., Juno
25, 1851.

Capt. E . K . Kane, a. q. m.,
with J . I). Nason.

Fort Vancouver, Oregon, September 10,
1851.

Capt. R.Ingalls, a. q. m.,
with YTm. Tichenor.

Fort Snelling, 31. T.,
June 20, 1851.

Bt. Capt. S. B. Buckner, a. a. :
q. m., with Ch. U. Borup. \

Lieut. M. K . Stevenson, a. a.
q. m., with Berthelet &
Jones.
Fort Towson, C. N., Lieut. M. It. Stevenson, a. n.
q. m., with Sampson FotOctobcr 11,1851.
som.
,
Col.Tho.F.Hunt,a.q.m.g.»
"New Orleans, La., No- t
Digitized169
for \FRASER
with Green,Hauling&Co.
\
vembcv
7,1851.
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Fort Towson, C. N.,
October 11,1851.

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Subject-matter of contract.

Sureties.

Transportation of troops: To transport, f r o m Cmcuinatj, Ohio,to
Jetterson barracks, Mo., on the steamer Federal Arch, * oUtccrs and 39 recruits, &c., for the sum of $12 for each olhcei,
and S I each for the others.
.
Transportation of troops: To transport from Cincinnati, Oh o, to
Je fersou barracks, Mo., on the steamer Lydia Golhns, - o ccrs and 02 recruits, &e., for the sum of $10 for each officer,
and $3 each for the others.
Charter of ship: For charter of the ship Lucas, to anspo t c n missary stores, supplies, &c., f r o m Valparaiso and two other
ports on the coast of Sonth America to San Frm.c^o, ouching at San Diego on her return, for the sum of ^-,<>00 pel (
mouth, with all port charges.
«
1
Transportation of troops : To transpor fVom San
t X
terev and San Francisco, Cal., a officers and 42 men, oi the {
3d artillery, for the sum of $1,000.
trmisnort ,
Charter * For charter of steam propellor Sea Gull, to transpoit ,
to Orforf. from Vancouver, 25 tons of freight, including 12 j
mules and 1 horse; and from Astoria, 1 commis* oned officer
ruid 20"mn-comuitssiotied officers and soldiers, and a supply ol ;
c o m m i s s a r y s t o r e s , for t l i o s u m ot $1,000.
,
r „ ™ ™d m t i - To deliver at Fort Sot-limp, on »r before October !
" 851? 2000 bushels of oats, and 5000 bushels of corn : .be |
" i s to weigh 3- pounds, and the com 50 pounds to the bushel, ,
for the ram of •«> cents ,-er bushel for oats, and M for com.
, Sampson Fulsom anil
' T, X l i v e r within the vear at Fort Towson, C. N., a quau- L . 1>. Alsobrook.
r
"ItV o f c o r n , not to Exceed S000 bushels, for the sum of 08 cents j
J . 11. Berthelet and
L . D. Alsobrook.

Arkansas, such commissioned officers, not exceeding 6, and
non-commissioned officers, musicians, privates and laundresses,
not exceeding 269, as Lieut. Col. Wm. Chapman, U. S. A.,
commander
said troops, may direct, for the sum of $2,500.
San Antonio, Texas, Bt. Lieut. Col. D. D. Tomp- Lease of a lot: of
To lease a lot of ground, with horse-yard and staOctober 1, 1851.
kins, q. m., with S. A.
bles, situated in San Antonio, Texas, and now in possession of
Maverick.
the quartermaster's department, for a term not to exceed ten
years from date, for $20 a month.
Fort Niagara, N. V., Lieut. J . C. Bonnycastle, a. Wood, hay and straw: To deliver at Fort Niagara, N. Y . , in JanP. Babcock and
December 2, 1851.
a. q. m., with Lewis C.
uary, 1852, 100 cords, and in March, 1852, 100 cords of maple,
W. I). Clark.
Beats.
hickory, beach, or white oak wood; also, 5 tons of hay and 4
tons of oat straw, for the sum of $2 25 for each cord of wood,
$10 for each ton of hay, and $10 for each ton of straw. Bond,
^ $700.
*
Mt. Vernon arsenal, Lieut. A . II. Dearborn, a. a. Wood: To deliver at Mt. Vernon arsenal, Ala., oak wood in such
S. Barrett and B.
Ala., November 21,
q. m., with E . S. Barrett.
quantities as the quartermaster may direct, until June 80,1852,
D. Simison.
1851.
for the sum of $2 75 per cord. Bond, $100.
Newport barracks, Kv., Maj. E . Vandorn, a. a. q. m., Transportation of troops: To transport 2 commissioned officers
December 11,1851.
with Capt. J . M. Moore.
and 107 recruits, laundresses and servants, more or less, on
steamer Amazon, from Napoleon, Ark., to Rock How, on White
river, Arkansas, for the .sum of $375.
Fort Smith, Ark., Sep- Capt. A. Montgomery, a. q. Corn, oats and fodder: To deliver at Fort Smith, Ark., as follows, U.
Barrington, Sheltember G, 1851.
m., with Barrington, Shelviz: 5,000 bushels corn, 5,000 bushels oats, and 10 tons of
ton & Co., Abram
ton & Co.
fodder, on or before November 30, 1851; 10,000 bushels corn
Allen and R. P.
and 15 tons fodder, on or before January 31, 1852; 10,000
Smith.
bushels of corn, on or before March 31, 1852, and 5,000 bushels
corn and 5,000 bushels oats, on or before June 30, 1852, for the
sum of 64} cents per bushel tor corn,
ccnts per bushel for
oats, and $2 50 for each one hundred pounds of fodder. Bond,
$49,000.

TIL
QUARTERMASTER

GENERAL'S

OFFICE,

tVushingtitnt />, 0., Jan2iar$ 5, 1852.

J E S U P , Q. M ,

3 2 d CONGRESS,"

Isi

[SENATE.]

E x . Doc.
No. 13.

Session.

REPORT
OF

THE

SECRETARY

WAR,

"WITH

A statement of expenditures for contingencies of the Military
during the year 1851.

establishment

JANUARY 9 , 1 8 5 2 .

Ordered to lie on the table and be printed.

WAR

DEPARTMENT,

'Washington, January 9, 1852.
SIR: AS required by the fifth section of an act approved March 3, 1809.
I have the honor to submit, herewith, a statement prepared by the Second
Auditor, of the expenditures made during the year ending December 31,
1851, from the appropriation for contingencies of the Military establishment.
Very respectfullv, your obedient servant,
C. M.CONRAD,
Secretary of War.
H o n . W M . R . KING,

President of the Senate.
Hamilton,

Ji statement of the expenditure of the appropriation of (he contingent expenses of the Military establishment for the year
1851 ; exhibited in pursuance of the fifth section of the act of 3d March, 1809, entitled "an act to amend the several
acts fcr the establishment and regulation of the Treasury, War end Navy Departments "
Date.

To whom paid.

Amount.

For what purpose.

1851. |
Jan.
21 f William Read, Lt. and A. A. Q. M
21 ; K. I). Make, Lt. and A. A. Q. M.

$10 (10

Paid Nancy, a Witchita womaa, for services as interpreter.,
Paid John Murpliy.and John Connor, lor services as guides mid interpreters
in Texas, in 1840
Paid Henry Bel lend, Peter Quinn and Joseph Kolette, for services as guides
Ho A. D. Nelson, Lt. and A. A. Q. M . . . .
j
and interpreters on Kcd river, in 1849
Printing returns, muster rolls, commissions,
for adjutant general's otjico.
4 ! C, Alexander
Fib.
I
In 2d, 3d, and 4th quarters, 1850.
For
professional
services
in
defending
ninety-two
habeas corpus cases in the
4 W. G. Marshall, late district attorney, Maryland
f
courts of Maryl"1"!
*
Paid James Wldtton and Samuel Itogors, for service* as guides in Florida, in
March 14 j IL W. Black, Lt. and A. A. Q. M
1840.
|
Paid P. F. Paulsan, for services us interpreter in New Mexico, In 1 8 4 0 . . . . . .
14 ; A. W. Bowman, Bt, Capt. and A. A. Q. M
Printirg and binding 2,000 copies of " Instruction for Mountain Artillery"...!
126 Gideon & Co
:
Engraving, copper,
for " Instruction tor Mountain Artillery"
20 i IL McClelland
Paid
Abner Dolilf ami John Slielden, Ibr services as guide in Florida, in 1H4£I.»
April
8 I A. A . Gibson, Lt. and A. A. Q. M
Paid Ibr cnq>e Ibr regimental flag hi Mexico, in 1848
;
17 I C. IL Mcrritt, Lt. and A. A . Q. M
Paid Isaac Leu eh, jr., Philadelphia. Pa., for county, state, road and )>oor tax;
May
6 ; (J. II. Cro*man, Major and Q. M.
on United States proi>erty, in Octolnr, 1H48 and 1840
Henry W. Watts, for professional services in prosecution of a suit of the
United States
Lmmtrd & Brother, for six pair handettils
Bridges & West, for use of two rooms for Army Medical Board, from Octobe^
15 to November 10, 1840
Paid Isaac Bridge, for one patent iron safe for use of pay department at Newj
7 I R. E. Clary, Capt. and A. Q. M.
Orleans, in 1817
;
Paid J. C. Bergli, for one Iron chest, $00, and 21 speele boxes, $21, at Newj

June
ft \ .lame* M. llttl, Capt. and A . Q. M.

4 \ a . G . Treucb, Cu^t. and A . Q. M . .

Orleans, in 1848
Funeral vxpciiKeM of the lute Major Thomas Noel, U. S. army

Valtl BIMJIUNTN McCii11o«k1i, for *ERVTCE« AS guUlo hi Tcxua, In 1848

228 00
882 00
52 50

400 00
22
18
155
117
00
2

(HI
75
00
04
00
50

25 50
10 00
14 04
125 (Ml
110 00

!
4

111 00
40 00
.182 OO

July

Sept.

Oct.
Nov.

D«C.

Kice, Holiinshead, & Becker
M, M. Clark, Capt. and A . Q. M.

C. Alexander.

13
13
1

D. McClelland
Gideon gc Co
E. A . Burnside, Lt. and A . A . Q. M.

yEncas Mackav, Major and Q. M
G. Tallmage, Lt. and A . A . Q. M
Alexander Morrow, Capt. and A . Q. M

20
23

For professional hervieea as counsel for United State**, in cases of ha be a;
corpus, in favor of eighteen soldiers at Fort Snelling, in June, 1851
Paid for files of Union newspaper and expenses of freight on boxes
Advertising in Union, Intelligencer, and National Whig
Franklin Peale, for five Buena Vista, Monterey and Palo Alto medals
Funeral expends of the late Lt. C. N . Hagncr
W. G. Dry den, for services as translator at Santa Fe
W. H. Gatchell, clerk of Baltimore city Court, bill of costs in habeas corpus
cases
J. Wittemberg, copving documents, &c., for Court of Inquiry, convened at
Washington in 1849
S. A . Keller, clerical services in writing record of proceedings of Court of
Inquiry, &c
George Templeman, 10 folios Statutes at Large
W. S. Williams, making and painting box . .*
[ Henry Hardy, balance of his account as bearer of despatches to Santa F e . . .
J. C. Bcrgh, for an iron safe
I John Espy, lettering eight books, United States Laws
*
I Printing sundry blanks, orders, &c., for war department and adjutant general's
j
office, in 1st and 2d quarters, 1851
[ Engraving plates, coppcr, &c., for "Instruction for heavy artillery"
Printing, binding, &c., 2,000 copies of " Instruction for heavy artillery" . . . .
Paid C. Carson, It. Fisher, J. L. Keithly, T. Donaldson, Beaver, Delaware
spy and hunter, and Logan, Delaware spy and hunter, for services as
guides and interpreters in New Mexico, in 1849
Paid S. C. Wood, for three days' services as guide
Paid an Indian guide in 1849
Paid John Hamilton, services as guide

200
34
103
15
40
196

00
46
65
50
00
75

69 49
58 29
35
37
3
628

00
00
00
19

18 60

3 00
419 42
1,142 40
948 00
324
6
4
1

00
00
00
50

$6,648 98

P . C. CLAYTON, 8wnd
TRKABURT DEPARTMENT,

Second Auditor's OffiJanuary

Auditor.

6,1852,

3 2 d CONGRESS,

1st

[SENATE.]

E x . Doc.
No. 14.

Session.

REPORT

THE

SECRETARY

WAR,

WITH INFORMATION'

Relative to the construction of a Military road from Fort Dodge to
Dutotque, and the cost of transporting the munitions of war, provisions,
used at that Fort, from the Mississippi
river.

JANUARY 1 3 , 1 8 5 2 .
Referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, and ordered to be printed.

W A R DEPARTMENT,

Washington, January 10, 1852.
SIR : In compliance with the resolution of the Senate, of December 29,
1851, « T h a t the Secretary of W a r be directed to communicate to the
Senate such informatioij as may be on file in the W a r Department, relative
to the construction of a military road from Fort Dodge to Dubuque, in I o w a ;
and that he inform the Senate what the cost has been for the transportation
•of the munitions of war, provisions, &c., used at said Fort, from the usual
place of deposit upon the Mississippi r i v e r a n d ,
" T h a t the Secretary of W a r be also directed to communicate to the
Senate a plan and estimate for the construction of a military road from
Dubuque to F o r t Dodge, and the amount necessary to pay for a survey and
estimates for such r o a d / ' I have the honor to transmit, herewith, reports
from the Quartermaster-General and Chief Topographical Engineer, containing the information required.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. M . C O N R A D ,
Secretary of War.
H o n . WILLIAM R . KING,

President

of the Senate.

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL'S

OFFICE,

Washington, January 17, 1852.
SIR : I n compliance with your instructions, requiring a report, under a ,
resolution of the Senate of the United States, of the 29th December, 1851,
as to the cost of transporting munitions of war, provisions, &c., used at
F o r t Dodge, from the usual place of deposit on the Mississippi "river, I
have the honor t o state, that the cost of such transportation amounted,
during the last fiscal y e r r , as far as can be ascertained from accounts

14 ]

•

received at this office, to six thousand, one hundred and twenty-one dollars,
and seven cents.
.
,
I return the resolution, and I am, sir, most respectfully your obedient
SERV

*NT'

TH.

JESUP,

Quartermaster-General.
The Hon.

C. M .

CONRAD,

Secretary of War, Washington

City.

BUREAU OF TOPOGRAPHICAL

ENGINEERS,

Washington, January 6, 1852.
SIR: In reply to a resolution of the Senate, of the 29th ultimo, I have
the honor to submit:—
1. A copy of a letter from the Honorable Mr. Jones and Honorable Mr.
Dodge, of the Senate, dated January 6, 1851.
2. Copy of a letter to Honorable Mr. Jones, dated Dubuque, December
24, 1850, from'J. H. Emerson, Esq.
o. Copy of a letter to Honorable Mr. Jones, dated Dubuque, December
24, 1850, from Charles Corking, Esq.
4. Copy of a petition in reference to a road from Dubuque to Fort
Clarke, now called Fort Dodge.
5. Copy of a letter to General Jones, dated Dubuque, December 2o,
1850, from G. M. Hayden, Esq., enclosing the foregoing petition.
6. Copy of a report from this office, in reference to said road, dated
January 7, 1851.
The resolution also desires information as to " w h a t the cost has been for
the transportation of the munitions of war, provisions, &c., used at said
fort, from the usual place of deposit upon the Mississippi river." As this
part of the resolution can best be answered by the Quartermaster's Department, it is respectfully suggested to refer it to that Department for report.
Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
J.

Hon.

C. M.

CONRAD,

ABERT,

Colonel Corps Topographical
Secretary of War.

Engineers.

SENATE CHAMBER U N I T E D S T A T E S ,

Washington, D. C., January 6,1851.
SIB : W e enclose herewith the petition of several of the most intelligent,
respectable, and influential business men of the city of Dubuque, Iowa, praying that you will take steps for the construction of a military road from
Dubuque to Fort Clark, all in Iowa. The petition is accompanied bj; letters written by gentlemen residing at Dubuque, who are well acquainted
with the subjects embraced in their letters, and upon whose statements the
utmost reliance may be placed. W e earnestly hope that you will give the
subject your early and favorable attention.
VT
, Very respectfully, &c„
?
*
*
' G E O R G E W . JONES,
*
^
V
'
A. C* DODGE.

?
H o n . C . M . CONRAD,

http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Secretary of War,
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

War Department.

3
DUBUQUE, IOWA, December

[M]
24,

1850.

: Our citizens feel a deep interest in the establishment of a
military road from this point to Fort Clark on the Des Moines river.
I t is desirable, also, to supply the fort with the necessary stores; the
route is direct and the distance much less than from any other point on the
Mississippi, being only one hundred and eighty miles, with the certainty
of the eastern railroad terminating at this point, making increased facilities
from the different points in case of emergency.
The business of F o r t Clark is now done by way of St. Louis and Keokuk, at a great expense, which would be saved by the improvement proposed, and a large extent of our best and most desirable State would be
made at once available.
Believing that you were instrumental in establishing the post, we trust
you may be able to do your constituents a still greater favor by urging
upon the proper department the importance of this subject.
Most respectfully yours,
J. H. EMERSON.
General W . JONES,
Washington,
DEAR SIR

D U B U Q U E , IOWA, December 2 4 , 1 8 5 0 .
: I t is unnecessary to add a word to what others of our fellow
citizens will say to you on the subject of a military road from this place to
F o r t Clark, on the Des Moines river. You are aware that Fort Clark is
situated a little north-of-west of this place, and a road passing through the
seats of justice of the counties of Delaware, Buchanan, Black, Hawk, &c.,
"would not only be of immense importance to northern Iowa, but would
bring the fort one hundred miles, or more, nearer to the Mississippi river
than is Keokuk, the present point of shipment. All the stores, munitions,
troops, &c., necessary to the occupation of the fort, are now landed at
Keokuk. F r o m Keokuk to Fort Des Moines is two hundred and eight
miles, and from F o r t Des Moines to Fort Clark is eighty miles of very long
measure. This will make two hundred and eighty-eight miles, but from
the best information and other data which we can obtain here from surveyors Marsh and others, and from William Morrison, who travelled over the
route repeatedly, while selecting the school lands, the distance from
Dubuque will not exceed one hundred and seventy miles. These advantages
are so obvious to the Government and to the people, that I should hope an
-appropriation will be made for so important a road without hesitation.
Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
, •
CHARLES CORKING.
DEAR SIR

H o n . GEORGE M . JONES.

The undersigned citizens of Dubuque and the adjoining counties most respectfully solicit and earnestly request our Honorable members in Congress
to obtain of the W a r Department, the establishment of a military road, com-

1 1<4• -•" ]; *
*

' *

. '

, .1 J

mencing : ,at Dubuque and terminating,at Fort Clark.on .the Des Moines:
river. _v ,.
{,
Owen Smith,
M . M. Hay den,
J . E . Wootoii,
J . H . Emerson,
B. J - O'Halloran,
J . M. Marsh,
Michael Nolan,
George'.M. Henry,
Patrick Byrne,
Henry S. Hethenngton,
J . J . E . ftorman,
William Dohnellan,
W . J . Sullivan,
Peter Waples,. •
William Roche,
Charles Bogy,
7
Francis Mangold,
L . D. Randall,
J . L. Longworthy,
J . Sprague,
: *
A . I L Miller,
Charles Corking,
Michael O'Brien,
Timothy Fanning,
J o h n Palmer,
E . D. Turner,
J . P . Farley,
S. t R . West,
. . . *
Jacob Christman,
C. H. Booth,
A. Linn,
F . V. Goodrich,
Dennis Mahoney.
E . Langsworthy,
D U B U Q U E , I O W A , December 2 3 , 1S50.:—Enclosed, please find a petition relating to a military road from this place to Fort Clark, on the Des Moines river.
* W e are indebted to you for the location of the fort, and hope you may
be able to open a road so desirable to both the interests of the country
through which it passes, alike to the government in furnishing the necessary
supplies. As it now requires hauling by land from Keokuk, a distance of
two hundred and eighty miles, while from Dubuque it would be only one
hundred and eighty miles, as you will see by referring to the S. F . range, m
which the new fort' is located. Marsh tells me the Lizard fork of the
Des Moines, is in range 28 W . , S. 89 north.
The trade of the upper Des Moines is of more importance to Dubuque
than a score of railroads to Keokuk (in my opinion.)
It is unnecessary for me to say more on this subject, others will most:
likely write touching the importance of the road, See.
Most respectfully your obedient servant,
M. M. HAYDEN.
T o General W . J O N E S , '
'
Washington
City.
JVIY DEAR GENERAL

B U R E A U OF TOPOGRAPHICAL E N G I N E E R S ,

Washington, January 7 , 18ol»
SIR ; I have the honor to acknowledge your direction to report upon a
letter of the 6th instant from the Honorable G. M . Jones and the Honorable A . C. Dodge, of the United States Senate.
T h e object of this letter, and of its several enclosures^ is to t a r e a militarf
road from-Dubuque, on the Mississippi, to F o r t Clark, on the Lizard for*
of the Des Moines.
T h e best map we have of that country is the one compiled i n this office

[ 1 4 J

from the results of Nicollet's expedition, and will be foundr printed with
Nicollet's report, as Senate Document 237, 2d session, 26th Congress..
By this map the distance from Dubuque to Fort Clark
about one h u n dred and eighty miles, and the distance from Fort Clark to*the mouth of the
Des Moines about three hundred miles.
This last distance is represented as the usual travelled' distance with supplies, making the difference between the two routes—both are land'routes—
of about one hundred and twenty miles; the route from Dubuque being
that much shorter. This fact gives to the Dubuque route great advantages.
The only difference deserving of notice is, that to arrive at Dubuque,,
the Mississippi has to be ascended about two hundred miles; but as this
distance during the season when supplies are forwarded can be passed by
steamboats, it reduces a comparison of the difference on this account between the routes to t\\;o hundred miles of steamboat navigation and one
hundred and twenty miles of land carriage. This fact also gives to the
Dubuque route great advantages.
Under all circumstances, therefore, the Dubuque route is much to be preferred, and the making of a road on this route would cost but little more
than half for a road on the other route.
Moreover, from general information, for we have no survey of the route,,
it is believed that the ground from Dubuque to Fort Clark is-very favorable for a road; and, in addition to the great saving in distance,.it would cost
much less per mile than the other route from Keokuk. On all these a c counts, if a r®ad be made from either point,, it is recommended to be made
from Dubuque to Fort Clark.
It is not in my power to give an estimate of the probable cost of the
road, as the essential preliminary step of a survey has not been made, nor
is there any existing appropriation which could be applied to either the survey or making of the road.
It is, therefore, respectfully suggested that an appropriation, say of t w o
thousand dollars, be made for the survey, location and making of a-military
rOarl from Dubuque to Fort Clark.
Respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
J.J.ABERT,
Colonel Commanding Topographical
Engineers..
H o n . C. M .

CONRAD,

Secretary

of War•

[SENATE.]

3 2 d CONGRESS,

Ex. Doc,
No. 15.

Is/ Session,

MESSAGE
FROM

T H E P R E S I D E N T OF T H E UNITED STATES,
COMMUNICATING

A resolution of the Legislative Council of Canada, expressive of satisfaction for the donations made in aid of the reconstruction of the Library
of the Canadian Parliament.

JANUARY 9 ,

1852.

Ordered to lie on the table, and be printed.

WASHINGTON,

January

6, 1852.

To the Senate of the United States:
1 transmit to the Senate the copy of a resolution adopted by the Legislative Council of Canada, together with the copy of the note by which the
resolution was communicated to this Government, expressing the satisfaction of that council a t receiving intelligence of certain donations in aid of,
the reconstruction of the Library of the Canadian Parliament.
MILLARD FILLMORE..

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL,

Wednesdayy August 20, 1851,
Resolved, That this House receives with much satisfaction, the intelli- -N
gence of the munificent donations which have been made in aid of the
reconstruction of the Parliamentary Library, by the Houses of Congress of
the United States, the legislature of the State of Vermont, and the legislature of the State of New York.

BRITISH LEGATION,

Washington J October 30, 1851.
SIR : The Governor-General of Canada has forwarded to her Majesty's
Legation, the copy, which I have the honor to enclose herewith, of a resolution adopted by the legislative council of that province, when the provincial Parliament was last in session, expressive of the satisfaction with whichthey have received the intelligence of the munificent donations which have
been made by the Congress of the United States, by the legislature of the
Hamilton, p r u u .

X 1 5 ]

State of Vermont, and by the legislature of the State of New York, in aid
of the reconstruction of the Library of the Canadian Parliament.
I have accordingly to request that you, sir, will have the goodness to
cause the above resolution to be communicated to the Congress of the
United States, as well as to the legislatures of Vermont and New York.
I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you, sir, the assurance of
my highest consideration.
JOHN F.
> - H o n . DANIEL WEBSTER,

CRAMPTON.

132d CONGRESS,

[SENATE.]

Ex. Doc.
No. 16.

] st Session.

R E P O R T
OF

THE

SECRETARY

WAR,

SHOWING

The persons employed in that department, other than officers of the army,
during the year 1851.
JANUARY 1 9 , 1 8 5 2 .

Ordered to be printed.
WAR

DEPARTMENT,

Washingtony January 14, 1852.
SIR : In compliance with acts approved April 20, 1818, and August 26,
1842, and a resolution of the House of Representatives of the 13th of
January, 1846, I have the honor to transmit, herewith, lists of clerks and
other persons employed in this department, other than officers of the army,
during the year 1851.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. M. CONRAD,
Secretary of War.
Hon. WM.

KING,

President of the Senate.

X2] 2
Statement showing the names of all clerks and other persons employed in
the Subsistence Bureau during the year 1851, the State from whence appointed, the time when employed and the amount paid to each
State from whence ap- Time when em- Amount paid
to each.
ployed.
pointed.

Name and employment.

Whole year.
do....
do....
do....
do....
......do....

Maryland
New York.
District ot Columbia,
do
.do.
Wisconsin.

Richard Gott, chief clerk.
f i n . J. Smith, clerk
C. G. Wilcox, clerk
C. Munroe, clerk,
W . H. Watson, clerk
J. Schwartz,messenger...

SI,COO
1,200
1,000
1,000
1,000
500

00
00
00
oo
00
00

NOTE.—The clerks and messenger have been usefully employed, and in my opinion the
services of any of them cannot be dispensed with, without detriment to the public service.
GEO.
OFFICE OF COMMISSARY G E N E R A L OF

G I B S O N , C . G.

SUBSISTENCE,

Washington, January 2,1852.

PAYMASTER GENERAL'S OFFICE,

January 1, 1852.
S r a : I have the honor to report the number, names and salaries of the
aersons employed in this office in the year 1851, with the sums paid each,
iiz:

Names.

Time paid for.

Nathaniel Frye, chief clerk.. Jan. 1 to Dec. 31
Wm. D. Bull
clerk..
do
Edmd. H. Brooke
do...
do
Richard S. Cox
do...
do
Thomas Cromwell
do...
..do
Norman B. Smith
do...
do
Henry Robinson
do...
Wm. W . Young
do...
Eobt. O. Knowles, messenger

Regular Amount Places of rcsidcnce at
salaries. paid.
time of appointment.

$1,700
1,400
1,160
1,160
1,000
1,000
1,000
800
700

Maine.
District of ColumbiaMaryland.
District of Columbia*
Maryland.
New York.
District of Columbia.
South Carolina. #
District of Columbia-

The above-mentioned persons have, all been usefully employed, and their
services cannot be dispensed with without detriment to the public service;
nor is the removal of any, and the appointment of others in their stead- required for the despatch of business.
I am, very respectfully, sir, your most obedient servant,
BENJ. F. LARNED,
^ „ _
Acting Paymaster General
H O N . C . M . CONRAD, Secretary of War.

[ 1 6 ]

JList of clerks and messenger employed in the office of Army Clothing and
Equipage during the year commencing January 1, and ending December 81, 1851.

Name and offico.

Amount of
compensation.

James Warrin, chief clerk...
Edwin North, clerk
George W. North, clerk
Win. P. Fox, messenger

$1,550
1,000
950
540

00
00
00
00

Time employed.

Residence when Amount,
appointed.
paid.

The whole v e a r . . . Pennsvlvania.
do
do./.
do
do
do
do

i
$1,550
1,000
950
540

The persons named in this list have been actively and usefully employed. None can be
dispensed with without detriment to the service; and it is not considered that the removal
of any of them, and the appointment of others in their stead, is required for the better despatch of the business of this office.
GR. H .

CROSMAN,

Major and Quartermaster.
O F F I C E OF A R M Y CLOTHING A N O

EQUIPAGE,

Philadelphia, January 3, 1852.
Major General T. S. J E S U P ,
Qitarterjnaster General, Washington -

List of persons employed in the office of the Surgeon General during the year 1851, their occupation, time employed and
compensation, and State or Territory of their residence at the time of their appointment.
Occupation.

Names.

R. Johnson
A . Balmain
P . M . Henry
J . II. Collins

Chief clerk.
Cleric
Do
Messenger..

detriment 1
their stead."
SURGEON G E N E R A L ' S O I T I C E ,

Time employed.

January 1 to Dccembcr 31,1851.
Do
.do
Do
..do
.
Do
do

Amount of salary.

$1,150 per annum
1,000... do
1,000...do
6 0 0 . . . do

Stato or Territory of their residence at tho timo of their appointment.

City of Washington, D. C.
I
Do.
I North Carolina.
f
City of Washington, D. C.

TIL LAWSON, Surgeon General.

January

1852.

^
&

[20.]

5
List

of clerics and messenger employed in the Quartermaster
office in the year ending December 81, 1851.
' Annual
icompens'n.

Names.

Wm. A. Gordon, chief clerk.
James Goszler...
. .clerk.
Wm. L. Bailey ..
...do..
Thos. J. Abbott .
...do..
J. D. Ward
-...do..
M. Markland . . . .
...do..
J. C. Goolrick
,..do..
John S. Moore...
...do..
S. D. Finckel....
Chas. Wirgman..
...do..;
Thos. C. K i n g . . .
, .do..
M. Schermerhorn
...do..
R. W. M. Jolmsto . . . d o . .
George Phelps, messenger ..

$1,600
1,200

1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000
1,000

1,000

1,000
1,000

1,000

1,000
'•500

G-eneraVs

Period of service.

Residence when Amount.
appointed.

The whole year . . . .
do
do
do
Jan. 1 to Nov. 23 . .
The whole year
do
do
I
do
| Jan. 1 to March 31.
• The whole y e a r . . . .
April 11 to Dec. 31.
Dec. G to Dec. 31 . .
The whole year
!

Maryland
SI, 600
Dist. Columbia 1,200
....do...
1,000
Alabama
1,000
North Carolina
896
Kentucky
1,000
Virginia ..
1,000
Dist. Columbia 1,000
1,000
....do
250
Maryland . . . .
1,000
New York
721
....do
North Carolina*
70
Dist. Columbia(
500
I

00
00
00
00
73
00
00
00
00
00
00
04
65
00

The persons named on this list have been actively and usefully employed. It is not
thou glit that any of them can be dispensed with, without detriment to the public service, or
that the removal of any of them, and the appointment of others in their stead, is required
for the better transaction of the business of the office.
TH. S. JESUP,
Quartermaster General.
QUARTERMASTER

GENERAL'S

OFFICE,

Washington City, January 5, 1852.

List of persons employed in the office of the Commanding General of the
Army for the year 1851.
Where employed.

Names.

John Walker, clerk
John' Walters, messenger

' Washington, D. C.
;
do

Compensa- Residence when
tion.
appointed.
SI,000 00
500 00

Army.
Do.

The above-named persons have been usefully employed during the period specified. The
services of none of those now employed could be dispensed with, without detriment to the
public service; nor is the removal of any, and the appointment of others in their stead,
required for the better despatch of public business.
Respectfully submitted:
W I N F I E L D SCOTT.
H E A D Q U A R T E R S OF THE

ARMY,

Washington) D. C., January 15, 1852.
Hon. C . M . C O N R A D , Secretary of War.

[18]

List of clerks and other persons employed in the office of the Secretary of
War during the year 1851, with the time each was actually employed>
the sum paid to each, and the place of his residence at the time of his
appointment.
Name and office.

Time employed.

T. M. Davis.. .chief clerk
John Potts
do...
A . Campbell
.clerk..
N.Rice
do...
Charles Calvert
.do...
John D. McPherson..do...
John Potts
do...
C. Lanman
do...
James D. Kerr
do...
¥ m , B. Lee
do...
J. D. Newcomb
do...
H . H. "Widdecomb, messenger
P. Datcher

January 1 to March 4.
Mar. 5 to December 31
The whole y e a r . . .
do
do
do
January 1 to March 4
January 1 to Sept. 30
The whole year
Mar. 15 to December 31
Nov. 4 to December 31
The whole year
do

Compensation.

$350
1,050

00
00

1,600 00
1,400
1,400
1,400
175
750

00
00
00
00
00

1,000 00
707
157
050
400

22
60
00
00

Residence when
appointed.
District Columbia.
Do.
Pennsylvania.
Massachusetts.
Army.
District Columbia.
Do.
Do.
Virginia.
Boston, Mass.
Springfield, Mass.
District Columbia.
Do.

The above-named persons have been usefully employed during the periods specified.
The services of none of those now engaged could bo dispensed with, without detriment to
the publio service; nor is the removal of any, and the appointment of others in their stead,
required for the better despatch of public business.
WAR

DEPARTMENT,

January

14,

1852.

List of clerks and messenger employed in the Adjutant
General*& office during the year ending December 31, 1851, submitted in conformity to the 11th section of the act of August 26, 1842, and the resolution of the Houst of Representatives,
January 13, 1846.
Names of clerks.

Whence appointed.

James L. Addison
Do
John G. Law
Do
James II. Lowry
Do
A. F. Wilcox
L. R. Hamersly
Joseph S. Brown
S. Brintnall
It . M. Hanson
Charles II. Lee
Do
Samuel S. Randall
Levi Davis
Charles Baker, messenger.

Maryland
....do
Armv
....do
District of Columbia.
....do
Connecticut
Pennsylvania
Indiana
,
New York
District of Columbia.
Virginia
....do
N w York
District of Columbia.
Massachusetts

Amount paid to
each.
$1,200
1,400
1,150
1,200
1,000
1,150
1,000
1,000
1,400
1,400
1,000
800
1,000
1,000
800
500

$000
301
802
302
750
295
1,000
375
1,400
1,022
1,000
300
025
104
500
500

00
11
50
78
00
83
00
00
00
22
00
00
00
77
00
00

Time employed.

The whole year—from January 1 to September 10.
from September 11 to December 31.
The whole year—from Janiinry 1 to September 10.
from September 11 to December 31.
The whole year—from January 1 to September 10.
from September 11 to December 31.
The whole year.
From January 1 to May 16.
The whole year.
From January 1 to September 10.
The whole year.
The whole year—from January 1 to May 15.
from May 16 to December 31.
From Octobcr 21 to December 31.
From May 10 to December 31.
The whole year.

The current business of this office, stated and incidental, will not justify a reduction of the number of clerks at this time, as now authorized by law;
nor is the removal of any of them, and the appointment of others in their stead, necessary for the better despatch of business. The gentlemen have been
properly and efficiently employed.
Respectfully submitted ,
R . J O N E S , Adjutant
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington,

January

H o n . C . M . CONRAD, Secretary

of War,

General.

12, 1852.

[19]

List of clerks and messenger employed in the office of the Chief
during the year 1851*

Residence when
appointed.

Names.

Francis N . Barbarin
clerk.
James C. Wilson
do..
James Eveleth
do..
Richard Cruikshanki
do..
Robert B. Fowler
do..
O. B. Denham, messenger

Engineer

Time employed. Salary per j Amount
paid.
annum.

All the year..
.New Jersey
do
Dist. Columbia. .
do
Virginia
do
Dist. Columbia..
do
do
do
do

SI,200
1,150
1,250
1.000
'800

500

SI,200
1,150
1,250
1,000
800
500
5,000

The above persons have all been usefully employed during the year 1851; the services of
none of them can be dispensed w ith without detriment to the public service; and the better
despatch of public business does not require the removal of any and the appointment of others in their stead.
J O S . G. TOTTEN,
Bt. Brig. Gen., Chi'f
Unqivetr.
EXGIJJEER D E P A R T 3 I E S T ,

Washington,

December 31, 1851.

List of clerks and messenger employed in the Ordnance Office during the
year 1851.

Residence when appointed. Time employed. Amount paid.

Nataes.

George Bender..... chief clerk.. Washington, D. C
Morris Adler
. . . .clerk.. Georgetown, D. C
Samuel R a i n e y . . . .
do...
do
Wm. McDermott...
d o . . . Washington, D. C
J. P . Keller
do...
do
A. Herbert........
d o . . . M aryland
Chas. Slemmer.....
d o . . . Pennsylvania
N . W . Fales.
d o . . . Maine
N . Mullikin, messenger.
Maryland

ORDNAHCE OFFICE,

January

1852.

1
1

I
J
•
j
!

Whole year.,
do ,
do .
do .
do .
do.
do .
do ,
do .

A . K . C R A I G , Cohnel

Ordnance.

[20.]

Statement showing the names of the persons employed in the Bureau of
Topographical Engineers during the year 1851, the time each was employedand
the amount of compensation paid them respectively.

Karnes aiid office.

Period of service. Compensate
per annum.

Geo. Thomson, chief clerk. ! Jan. 1 to Dec. 31
Chas. Tschiffely
clerk.;
do
J. R. Dorsey
do.. .
do
!
Philip Harry
do..
do
Jas. Lawrence, messenger.!
do
Geo. Thompson, laborer.. J
do

SI, 400

1,000

Amount Place of residence
paid, t when appointed.

$1,400
1,000

1,000

1,000
1,000

500
500

400
400

Georgetown, D. C.
Washington, 1). C.
do
do
do
do

All the persons embraced in this statement have been usefully employed, and their services cannot be dispensed with without detriment to the public service; nor is the removal
of any, and the appointment of others in their stead, required for the better despatch of
business.
J. J. ABERT, CoU Corps Top. Engineers.
B U B B A U T O P O G R A P H I C A L E N G I N E E R S , January 1 , 1 8 5 2 .

Ex.—2.

32D CONGRESS,

Ex. Doc.
No. 17.

[SENATE.]

1st Session.

R E P O R T
OF

THE

S E C R E T A R Y

WAR,

SHOWING

The expenses of the national armories, and the number of arms and
appendages made and repaired thereat, during the year ending SOth
June, 1851.
JANUARY 1 9 , 1 8 5 2 .

Ordered to be printed.

WAR

DEPARTMENT,

Washington, January 14, 1852,
Sm: Pursuant to an act approved April 2d, 1794, I have the honor to
submit, herewith, a statement of the expenses of the national armories, and
or the number of arms and appendages made and repaired thereat, during
the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1851.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. M .
Hon. W .

CONRAD,

Secretary of War.

KING,

President of the Senate.

Statement

of t he dtpmses

of the national armories, and of the number of arms and appendages
during the fiscal year which ended June 30, 1851.
Expenditures.

Armories.

.5 e>
-%

. S e e l£
_ £ oT °
rt C3 S

S 9

jlfj

S fco
c
I S
£?s £3

8*.s

S-2 r
»-. o v

°^ C93 C 53

te
§ «
J «3 W
tti C
fit <£©
o
y
>
£ «

2 ?
£ £

ORDNANCE

Made for altering arms
at other places from
flint-lock to percussion.

I s
©

s c
«
« o 'S .o -

•X « « w
s; .5 c
°
S J2 c

rc
~ ^ o
S o c s . c «*
5
5 "g V » aj
eT
«
•g a 5-J -- »-.Jpsf
o
~ c
s si
J cu
s
.s c
»-. s*
S'C « o

o
'C
S
5o

o
fe

2,000

2
cc

I
i o
•H

57,27241,682 119,757 14,026
'78,292
-34,508 44,829 46,832
1,1' 613,503| 6,411j2,095 195|;

s
83,427 60 8,500 359,844 05 71,625 37 523,397 0232,100, 3,050 2,000 1 , 1 7 0 1 3 , 5 6 3 8 4 , 7 0 3 2 , 0 9 5

Or P I C E ,

Washington, January 1 4 ,

thereat,

Number of arms and appendages made and altered.

DolK eta. Dolls. Dolls, ets. Dolls, cts.f Dolla. ets
21,028 lGj 8, GOO 184,202 80 57,577 37 271,308 33 21,000
Springfield
175,041 25 14,048 Oi $ 2 , 0 8 8 69 11,100 3,050
. Harper N Ferry 02,399 4 4 1 . . . .
Total

made and altered

1862.

19557,27276,190

164,58661,458

A . K. CRAIG, t \w J L / of Ordnance*

82(1 CCNIJRESS,

[ SENATE.

Ex. Doc.
No. 18.

]

1st Session.

MESSAGE
PROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
COMMUNICATING

J) report from the Secretary of State, urging an early appropriation to pay
the instalment due to Mexico under the treaty of Gaudalupe Hidalgo.

JANUARY 2 0 , 1 8 5 2 .
Rcarl, refericd to the Committee on Finance, and ordered to he printed.

WASHINGTON, January 1 9 , 1 S 5 2 .
To ike Senate and House of Representatives of the United States :
3 transmit to Congress a report from the Secretary of State, accompanied
. y a letter to him from the contractors for paying the instalment of Mexican
indemnity due on the 3 l s t of May next, and respectfully invite attention to
the subject.

MILLARD FILLMORE.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

January 19, 1852.
I lay before the President another letter from the contractors for the payment of the remaining instalment due to Mexico under the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
This affair appears to have become urgent. The contractors would seem
have had a right to expect that the proper appropriation would have
oeen made by Congress, in such season as to have given them a reasonable
to
have made arrangements for the fulfilment of their undertaking.
*or the last payment, which fell due on the 31st of May last, an appropriation was made on the 2oth day of September, 1850, which gave time
or the necessary arrangements. A bill for making an appropriation for the
instalment now to fall due in May next, passed the House of Representatives on the 26th day of February last, but failed to be considered in the
I S t e , , a s n i s understood, for want of time.
.
honor of the country requires that provision should be made to meet
j s PayHient wTith punctuality. And it is apparent that inconvenience and
5 ma
J probably ensue if the appropriation be longer delayed.
Respectfully submitted,
rp
DANL. W E B S T E R .
-^^ffPRESiDENT
of the United States.
print. •
*

[18]

2
BOSTON, January

14,

1H52.

SIR : The undersigned had the honor to address to you on the 26th ult.
a letter urging the importance of the immediate passage of the appropriation bill for the payment of the instalment of the indemnity due to Mexico
on the 31st of May next.
In the remarks made in Congress, when the hill was reported, they were
alluded to in such a manner as makes it proper that they should state their
position towards the payment in justice to themselves; anil also that the
passage of the bill, any delay in which may occasion great loss to the Government, should not be impeded by needless discussion.
T h e undersigned had ceased to regard themselves as contractors, as the
delay that had occurred was such as to render it impossible for them to go
on and make the payment, for the absence of such needful and timely appropriation as was contemplated by both parties in making the contract, nn<i
without which its execution became impracticable; awaiting, however, the
action of Congress and the intentions of the Government, and prepared to
aid in carrying them out when occasion for their services should oiler. In
this position, and knowing from their own experience the importance ot
time to make the funds in Mexico, and the great loss to which the Government misjht be subjected by prolonged delay, they addressed to you tbeir
letter of^26th ult., that t h e ' m a t t e r might have the attention of the Government.
T o show clearly the effect of this delay, and to prevent the possibility ot
any misconception of their present position, the undersigned beg to ask your
attention to the following statement of the result of the last payment made
by them.
T o make the required funds their agent proceeded to Mexico in October,
and was occupied from that time until June following in disposing of his exchange on England, France, and the United States, and was finally obliged
to borrow three hundred thousand dollars on his bills, to be negotiated afterwards, in order to complete the payment on the oJst of M a y . Thus it
took nine months to draw the hills without depressing the market so as to
make a loss.
The result of this immense exchange operation, with all its attendant
risks, was a profit of about one per cent, on the a m o u n t : and the contractors made no other profit except what resulted from loaning a portion ol
their own funds (not advanced by the United States) to the "government ot
Mexico and to merchants in Mexico at the current rates of interest. Adding the interest received for their own money to the profit in the exchange,
as stated above, the net result was a division of three and one-third
cent, among the three contracting houses. This comprises the whole ot
their profits, direct or indirect, in connexion with the business.
T h e United States Government made no payment to the contractor?, except in reimbursement of payments made by them in Mexico from their own
moneys, and on presentation of duly authenticated receipts at Washing*011;
N o r were any moneys received by the contractors from the* Government
prior to the first of M a r c h ; and the last payment, of about two millions o
dollars, was not made to them until the 27th of J u n e l a s t ; so that in t«ic£
the average of payments to them fell about 15th of M a y .
You will perceive that the accumulation of funds, which required last year
nine months for its completion, cannot now be made in the short
time that remains without loss to the Government; and Congress oughtP'>

[ 18 ]

be fully aware of the responsibility it assumes by increasing the delay which
may render compliance with the treaty stipulations a matter of great l o ^ .
These difficulties were urgently represented by the undersigned at the time
the appropriation bill was pending at the last session.
It will be perceived from the foregoing that the contractors made all the
payments in Mexico out of their own funds, and were afterwards reimbursed
in the United States, at a date averaging the l o t h May ; and the last and
largest payment by the United States to the contractors, of two millions of
dollars, was not made until the 27th of June, nearly one month after they
had paid the full instalment to Mexico.
Any statements that have been made with regard to them at variance with
the above facts, or implicating them in any way in the purchase of bonds
for the purpose of speculating on the payment, or any other indirect transaction whatever, are an entire fabrication.
No consideration would have induced them to depart from the full performance of every thing implied in the strict interpretation of their undertaking.
We have the honor to be, sir, with great respect, your obedient servants,
B A R I N G , B R O T H E R S , & CO.,
by T . W . W A R D , Attorney.
H O W L A N D & ASPINWALEI,
CORCORAN & RIGGS.
T o If OIL. D A N L . W E B S T E R ,

Secretary of State.

32D

CONGRESS,

Ex. Doc.
No. 19.

[SENATE.]

lstf Session.

MESSAGE
FROM

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES,
COMMUMCATIXG

The correspondence between the Department of State and the United States
Minister at Paris, respecting the late political occurrences in France.

JANUARY 2 1 , 1 8 5 2 .
Read, referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations, and ordered to be printed.

WASHINGTON, January 2 0 , 1 3 5 2 .
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States.
I communicate to both Houses of Congress, a report from the Department
of State, containing copies of the correspondence which lias taken place
between that Department, and the Minister of the United States in Paris,
respecting the political occurrences which have recently taken place in
France.
MILLARD FILLMORE.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington J January 19, 1852.
I have the honor to lay before the President the correspondence which
has taken place between this Department and the Minister of the United
States in Paris, respecting the important events which have occurred in
France since the first of last month, for his consideration and disposition.
DANL.

WEBSTER.

T o t h e PRESIDENT.

Mr. Rives to Mr. Webster.
[No • 115.]

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,

Paris, December 3, 1851.
SIR: The denouement towards which events have been rapidly tending
some weeks past, though no one was able to foresee the precise shape it
^ould take, burst upon Pans yesterday morning. At an early hour a -decree of the President was placarded in the streets, by which he assumes to
dissolve the National Assembly and the Council of State, declaring universal
suffrage to be re-established, convoking the people in their primary assemUes fo
r the third week of the present month, and proclaiming martial law

[ 19 ]

over the whole extent of the first military division of France, of which Paris
is the centre. The palace of the National Assembly was surrounded by
troops, so as to prevent the entry of members ; and considerable bodies of
troops were also stationed at all the principal points of communication.
T h e decree of the President was accompanied by a proclamation addressed
to the people, in which he charges the Assembly with having meditated
plots against the public peace, as well as against the authority he himself
holds directly from the nation, announcing that he had therefore dissolved
it, and now- appealed to the whole people as judge between him and it. He
lays down the basis of a new constitution, of which the fundamental points
are to be, a responsible chief elected for ten years, ministers depending
upon the executive power, a council of state to digest and propose laws, a
legislative body to discuss and vote them, and a second assembly or senate,,
composed of the most eminent men, to act as a balancing power and as
guardian of the constitution and the public liberties. Upon these principles
as the outline of a political regime, borrowed from that founded by the first
consul at the beginning of the century, he invites the people to pronounce
their suffrages, and pledges himself to abide by their decision. At the same
time he addressed a proclamation to the army, calling upon them to respect
and to cause to be respected the free exercise of the national sovereignty^
of which he declares himself to be the legitimate representative. Copies ot
these documents, and of other public acts intended to give effect to them,
will be found in the number of the Moniteur herewith enclosed.
Several of the leading members of the National Assembly were arrested
at their houses in the night between the 1st and 2d instant, and were imroe-.
diately sent to the fortress of Vincennes, in the vicinity of Paris. This
morning it is reported they have been transferred to the more distant prison
of Ham". Among them are Generals Changarnier, Cavaignac, Lamoriciere
and Bedeau, Colonel Charras, two of the Questeurs of the Assembly, Messieurs Baze and Le Flo, Monsieur Theirs, Monsieur Roger (du Nord),
&c. About two hundred of the members of the Assembly (not having been
able to meet in the usual place of holding their sessions) collected at the
mayoralty of the tenth arrondissement, and after organizing themselves under
the presidency of Monsieur Daru, one of the vice presidents of the body?
/were proceeding to adopt a decree of forfeiture against the President, when
they were arrested by a military detachment and conducted to a caserne or
barracks, where they were kept under surveillance during the night.
Paris has been almost as tranquil during the progress of these astounding
events as in its ordinary daily aspect; and if it and the country should continue so, the fact must be considered to be conclusive proof of the little attachment the nation has to its constitution, as well as of the little sympathy
which exists between it and the Assembly, whose late proceedings, it cannot
be disguised, have greatly lessened the influence and consideration of that
body with the people. Of the final result, however, of the extraordinary
measures which have been pursued here, and of the degree of acceptance
they may find with the nation, it is yet altogether too soon to form an
opinion. I hasten to communicate them to you, almost in the moment 01
their occurrence, that I may be the more sure of this despatch reaching y o t t
by the pending steamer of the 6th instant. '
I have the honor to be, with great respect, vour niost obedient servant,
W . C. RIVES.
o nFRASER
. DANIEL WEBSTER,
Digitized Hfor
Secretary of State.

[ 1 6 ]

In ihz name of the French People, tho President of the Republic decrees :
Article 1. The National Assembly is dissolved.
Article 2. Universal suffrage is re-established. The law of the 31st
of May is abrogated.
Article -3. The French people are convoked in their respective districts
from the 14th to the 21st of December.
Article 4. The state of siege is decreed in all the extent of the military
division.
Article o. The Council of State is dissolved.
Article 0. The Minister of the Interior is charged with the execution of
the present decree.
Given at the Palace of the Elysee, the 2d December. •
LOUIS N A P O L E O N B O N A P A R T E .
The Minister of the Interior, D E MORNY.
The following proclamation of the President to the people was also placarded, headed Appeal to the People/'
Frenchmen ! The present situation cannot last longer. Every day which
passes aggravates the dangers of the country. The Assembly, which ought
to be the firmest support of order, has become a centre of conspiracies. The
patriotism of three hundred of its members has not been able to check its
fatal tendencies. Instead of making laws for the general interest, it forges
arms for civil w a r ; it attacks the power which I hold directly from the
people; it encourages all bad passions ; it compromises the repose of France*
I have dissolved it, and I make the people judge between it and myself.
The Constitution, you know, was made with the view of enfeebling in
advance the power that you were about to confide to me. Six millions of
suffrages were a striking protest against it, and yet I have faithfully respected it. Provocations, calumnies,"and outrages have found me impassible.
But now that the fundamental compact is no longer respected, even by
those who incessantly invoke it, and that men who have already ruined two
monarchies wish to tie my hands in order to overthrow the Republic, my
duty is to baffle their perfidious projects, to maintain the Republic, and to
save the country by invoking the solemn judgment of the only Sovereign I
acknowledge in France—the people.
I make, then, a loyal appeal to the whole nation, and I say to you, if
you wish to continue the state of disquietude which degrades us and compromises our future, choose another in my place, for I will no longer retain
a government, which is powerless to do good, which renders me responsible
tor acts I cannot prevent, and binds me to the helm when I see the vessel
driving towards the abyss. If, on the contrary, you have confidence in me,
give me the means of accomplishing the great mission which I hold from
This mission consists in closing the era of revolutions by satisfying the
gitimate wants of the people, and protecting them against subversive
passions. It especially consists in creating institutions which shall survive
a r e tJie
plac'd ^
f ° u m ' a t i o n s on which something durable can be
le

Persuaded that the instability of the government and the preponderance
a single Assembly are permanent causes of trouble and discord, I submit

[ 19 ]

to your suffrages the following fundamental bases of a constitution, which
assemblies will develope at a later period :
1. A responsible Chief named for ten years.
2. Ministers dependent upon the Executive power alone.
3. A Council of State, composed of the most distinguished men, preparing laws, and maintaining their discussion before the legislative body.
A Legislative Body, discussing and voting the laws, named by universal suffrage, without* scrutinizing the list, which violates the electoral
principle.
5. A Second Assembly, composed of all the distinguished men of the
country—a preponderating power, guardian of the fundamental compact,
and of the public liberties. This system, created by the first consul at the
commencement of the century, has already given to France repose and prosperity ; it would still guaranty them. Such is my deep conviction. If you
share in it, declare it by your votes. If, on the contrary, you prefer a
Government without force, monarchical or republican, taken from I know
not what past, or from what chimerical future, reply in the negative.
Thus, thea, for the first time since 1804, you will vote with your eyes
open, knowing for whom and for what you are voting. If I do not obtain
the majority of your votes, I shall call for the meeting of a new Assembly,
to whom I will deliver the mandates I have received from you. But if you
believe in the cause of which my name is the symbol—that is, France
regenerated by the revolution of '89 and organized by the Emperor—if
you believe that cause fo be still yours, proclaim it by consecrating the
powers I ask of yo:i. Thus France and Europe will be preserved from anarchy ; obstacles will be removed ; all rivalries will have disappeared I f° r
all .will reflect on the decision of the people—the decree of Providence.
Given at the Palace of the Elysee, this 2d day of December.
LOUIS N A P O L E O N B O N A P A R T E .
The following is the proclamation to the army, headed "Proclamation
of the President of the Republic to the Army
Soldiers! B'; proud of your mission—you'will save the country; fori
count on you not to violate the laws, but to cause to be respected the first
law of the country—national sovereignty, of which I am the legitimate
representative.
For a long time you have suffered, like me, by the obstacles which opposed themselves both to the good I wished to do you, and to the demonstrations of your sympathy in my favor- These obstacles are b r o k e n down,
(jbriseei.) The Assembly has endeavored to attack the authority which
hold from the whole nation. It has ceased to exist. .
I make an honest appeal to the people and the army, and I say to them,
" Either give me the means of assuring your prosperity, or choose anotne
in my place."
In 1830, as in 1848, you were treated as if conquered, (en vatneus^
After having branded your heroic disinterestedness, you were not considere
worthy of having your sympathies and your wishes consulted, and yet
are the elite of the nation. To-day, in this solemn moment, I am reson
that the army shall be heard.
- ' •'
" : ,;
Vote then freely as citizens. But as soldiers do not forget that the p ^
sive for
observance
Digitized
FRASER of the orders of the chief of the Government is the ngo*
ous duty of the army, from the general down to the soldier. I t is for 10 >

[ 1 9 ]

responsible for my actions before the people and before posterity, to take
the measures which seem to me indispensable for the public good.
As to you, remain immovable within the rules of discipline and honor.
Aid, by your imposing attitude, the country to manifest its will in calm and
reflection. 33e ready to repress any attack 011 the free exercise of the
sovereignty of the people.
"Soldiers, I do not speak to you of the souvenirs which my name recalls.
They are engraved in your hearts. We are united by indissoluble ties :
your history is mine. There is between us in the past, community of glory
and misfortune; there will be in the future, community of sentiments and
of resolutions for the repose and grandeur of France.
Given at the Palace of the Ely see, this 2d December.
LOUIS N A P O L E O N BONAPARTE.
The following is the "Proclamation of the Prefect of Police to the
inhabitants of Paris : "
The President of the republic, by a courageous initiative, has just bafiied
the machinations of parties, and put an end to the agony of the country.
It is in the name of the people, for their interest, and for the maintenance
of the republic, that the event has been accomplished. It is to the judgment of the people that Louis Napoleon Bonaparte submits his conduct.—
The grandeur of the act will make you sufficiently understand with what
imposing and solemn calm the free exercise of popular sovreignty should be
manifested. To-day, then, as yesterday, let order be our flag; let all good
citizens, animated like me by the love of the country, afford me their cooperation with the firmest resolution.
* ^
Inhabitants of Paris : Have confidence in him whom six millions of
votes raised to be the first magistrate of the country. When he calls 011
the whole people to express its will, the factious alone can wish to throw
an obstacle in the way. Any attempt at disorder will therefore be promptly
and inflexibly repressed.
*
D E MAUPAS.
P A R I S , December
2 .
The following circular was addressed to the commissaries of police by
the Prefect: °
.
Monsieur le Commissiare : The more circumstances become serious,
the more important do your functions also become. Watch with courage
and unflinching energy for the purpose of supporting and maintaining the public tranquillity. Do not tolerate the slightest assemblage 011 any point of
the capital; do not permit any meeting, the object of which may appear to
you to be suspicious. Let no attempt at disturbance take place without
immediately putting a stop to it by inflexible measures of repression. I
i'-ly on your devotedness; rely on my support.
' *
DE MAUPAS.

X6] 2
Mr. Rives to Mr.
[No. liG]
1

Webster.

LEGATION o r THE UNITED STATES,

*
Paris, December 4, 1851.
SIR : I communicated to you yesterday the leading acts of the extraordinary coup d'etat by which the constitution of the country had, the day before, been overthrown. At that time no overt resistance had been manifested
by any portion of the population of Paris. In the course of yesterday,
however, some partial attempts were made under the lead of a few members
of the national assembly, belonging to the section denominated the mountain,
to organize a popular resistance. Barricades were formed in one or two of
the Faubourg Saint Antoine, which were immediately attacked and carried by
the military. One member of tlie assembly, Monsieur Baudin, was killed,
and two others, Messieurs Madier'iVIoubjau and Schoelcher, were wounded.
These, incidents have naturally created a good deal of excitement among
the people, anil may lead to further demonstrations of resistance. In the
mean time, the measures taken by the government to repress these attempts
are of the most summary character. An arrete of the minister of war is
published this morning, declaring that any person taken in the act of constructing or defending a barricade, or with arms in his hands, shall be subjected to the most rigorous laics of tear, and another appears in the name
of the perfect of police, p r o h i b i t i n g all assemblages, sedition cries, and
the reading in public or placarding of any political writings, under tlie summary procedure incident to a state of siege as proclaimed by the President s
decree of the "2d instant. The high court of Justice, whose duty it is made
by the constitution to meet for the purpose of judging the President as soon
as he shall have attempted to dissolve, prorogue or otherwise impede the
functions of the national assembly, was itself dissolved by a commissioner
of police, attended by a military escort, the moment it was constituted ; and
to-day it is said that the court of cassation, the highest tribunal of ordinary
civil and criminal jurisdiction has been prevented, by like summary means,
from holding its sessions.
T h e press is also subjected to such restraints that only seven or eight journals now appear of the large number which was before published in Pans,
and them, with the exception of the two or three which are devoted to the
support of the President, merely register the decrees and other acts of the
government, or such articles as are especially authorized by the police.
Placed as Paris thus is, under the absolute regime of a state of siege, it is
exceedingly difficult to arrive at a correct knowledge of w h a t is passing,
either here or in the departments, beyond the immediate sphere of one's own
observation. W e must, therefore, await the further progress of events to
be able to form an intelligent opinion of the chances of success the President may have in the high-handed and illegal career on which he has entered.
Registers were opened yesterday in Paris for receiving the votes of the
army on the issue which the President has presented to the country*. You
will perceive from the decree herewith enclosed that the proposition on
which the army and the people are invited to vote, affirmatively or negatively, is conceived in the following general terms. " T h e French people desire the maintenance of the authority of Louis Napoleon Bonaparte, and
delegate to him the powers necessary to make a constitution on the bases
proposed in his proclamation of the 2*d December, 3 8 5 1 . "
I t for
is said
that the votes of the army given yesterday, so far as they " r C
Digitized
FRASER

[20.]

yet known, were pronounced unanimously in favor of this formula; such a
result was naturally to be expected from the principle of passive obedience,
which has been sedulously inculcated for some time past, as the first duty of
the soldier; more particularly as the mode of voting prescribed, by which each
voter's name is to be inscribed on a register open to inspection, as being for
or against the proposition submitted, admits of no secrecy or independence
"in the exercise of his opinions. The same consideration will doubtles have
more or less influence on the votes of a numerous class of citizens.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
W . 0. RIVES.
H o n . DAMEL WEBSTER,

Secretary

of State.

Mr. Rives to Mr.
[No. 117.]

Webster.

LEGATION o r THE UNITED STATES,

Paris, December 10, 1351.
SIR: T h e partial efforts at popular resistance which I mentioned in my
last despatch as having been made in some quarters of Paris on the 3d inst.,
were renewed on the following day with somewhat more of system, and on
a more extended scale. Barricades were erected on the Boulevards, near
the Porte St. Dennis and the Porte St. Martin, and in many of the smaller
streets in the neighborhood of those points. They were ail, however, successively carried by the military in the course of the day, as the parties
which defended them were nowhere very numerous or well organized. Many
persons were killed, particularly on the side of the resistants, but in the enforced silence of the press here, at present, there are no means of ascertaining the number of the victims. I t seems to be certain, however, that the
troops which were employed on the occasion, acted in a spirit of great
ferocity, and no mercy was shown. A considerable number of persons,
.•also, who fell into the "hands of the government in the sequel of these affairs,
has since been shot in the Champ de M a r s ; but, for the reason above mentioned, the precise number of these military executions is not known, being
variously stated from fifty to one hundred and fifty.
With the irregular struggles of the 4th inst., which were so relentlessly
and decisively crushed by the preponderating numbers and force of the milia r y , all armed resistance to the coup d'etat of the President has ceased here.
The streets of Paris now present, and have for several days past presented,
with but little change, their usual appearance of a crowded and curious
population flowing through them, intent on business or pleasure. The absolute regime of the government, however, is maintained without any relaxation. Arrests of suspected individuals continue to be made from day to d a y ;
and yesterday a decree of the President (of which a copy is enclosed,) was
published in the Moniteur interdicting all persons placed under the surveillance of the haute police from residing in Paris or its banlieue, authorising
the minister of the interior to fix the place in which they shall reside, and
^vesting him at the same time with full authority, in case the conditions of
residence imposed shall be broken, to transport the individuals committing
•such breach to the penitentiary colonies of Cayenne or Algeria, where they

[18]

are to be subjected to labor, to strict military law, and be deprived of their
civil and political rights.
.
So far as we have been able to learn here, there has been no formal or
organized resistance to the Presidential coup d'etat in any of the departments. There have been, according to the accounts published by the Government, some outbreaks in the small towns of the interior, assuming the
shape of violent invasions of property and personal security by bands of
lawless men, which are studiously put forth as specimens of the socialist
devastation which was in store for the whole country if the President had
not interposed to save it. In all this I believe there is great exaggeration.
I t is, nevertheless, this fear of socialism and anarchy, diffused more or less
through all classes of society who possess any thing, which has given the
President the fatal power, for the time, of overturning the constitution and
civil and political liberties of his country, more, perhaps^ even than the
bayonets of the array. I shall not be surprised, therefore, if the result of
the appeal (so called) which the President has made to the nation, should
be the ratification of what he has done, and the prolongation and enlargement of his powers in the form proposed, by a majority of those who may
pronounce their suffrages on the occasion.
The objections to the mode of voting originally prescribed, and which
was mentioned in my last despatch, were so obvious and undeniable that
the Government has abandoned it, and a decree of the President was published a few days ago substituting for it the vote by secret ballot as more
consistent with the freedom and independence of the vote, for which a scrupulous respect is professed. A circular has been addressed by the Minister
o f t h e Interior also t o t h e p r e f e c t s o f t h e d e p a r t m e n t s , p r e s c r i b i n g numerous
regulations for the purpose, as he declares, of surrounding this process 01
collecting the will of the nation with every guarantee to secure its fairness
and integrity. Copies of both of these official acts are herewith enclosed.
However plausible these forms, the inevitable consequence of the circumstances in which the nation is now placed is, that it will vote to a greater
or less degree under duress.
In the extraordinary state of things which has arisen here, the relations
to be maintained by me with the government in the first moments of so
violent a change, have presented questions of more or less delicacy. In the
interest and for the protection of the large number of my countrymen who
are here, and who, under the absolute regime which now exists in Paris, are
exposed to constant surveillance and even the danger of arrest, I have found
it necessary to continue my communications, though informally, with th e
Department of Foreign Affairs. N o such necessity, however, existing with regard to the head of the government, I have abstained, for the present, from ap
pearing at the weekly receptions of the President. A different course has,
I learn, been pursued by the rest of the diplomatic corps, with, perhaps, one
exception only, that of the representative of Switzerland. Without presuming to judge of the considerations of policy, of interest, or of principle
which may have influenced the course of other members of the diplomatic
corps, I felt it did not become me, representing as I did a free c o n s t i t u t i o n a l
republic and a people imbued with a sacred hereditary attachment to the
, fundamental guaranties of civil and political liberty, to seem, by my Pr<f~
ence, on an occasion succeeding so soon the successful coup d'etat
. f
President, to give either a personal or official sanction to measures by whicAall those guaranties had been trodden under foot.

[ 1 9 1

I enclose you herewith the leading article of the Government journal,
(the Patrie,) from which you will see that the presence of the diplomatic corps
and of all others who attended the President's reception on the Sth instant, was
interpreted as " a n adhesion to the patriotic and courageous measures which,
(in the language of that journal,) has saved France." While bearing in
mind that it is the practice and just maxim of the United States to acknowledge and respect governments de facto, when they are accepted or acquiesced in by the nation, whose sole ri^ht it is to determine the question of
its own political organization ; and while I shall studiously avoid, by any act
or omission of mine, to compromise the good relations which it must ever
be the wish of the United States to maintain with this great country, I could
not but think that any proceeding on my part which could be interpreted
into an adhesion to what had taken place here, would be unbecoming my
position as a representative of the American republic, while the French
nation itself had not yet decided the appeal which was made to it.
I have the honor to be, with great respect, your most obedient servant,
W . C. R I V E S .
Hon.

DANL.

WEBSTER,

Secretary of State.

IN THE NAME OF THE FRENCH

The President

PEOPLE.

of the Republic upon the proposition
the Interior;

of the Minister of

Considering that France requires order, labor and security : that for too
many years society has been disturbed and convulsed by the machinations
of anarchists, as well as by the attempts at insurrection of the member^of
secret societies and fugitives from justice, always ready to become the instruments of disorder; considering that this class of men, by habitual revolt,
not only compromise the public safety and tranquillity, but also authorize
unjust attacks and odious calumnies against the honest working classes of
Lyons and Paris ; considering that the present laws are insufficient and require modifications, reconciling at the same time the duties of humanity with
the demands of public safety ; be it decreed :
ART. 1. Every individual placed under the surveillance of the secret
police, who shall be found guilty of disobeying their ban, shall be transported,
a measure of public safety, to some prison-colony—to Cayenne or Algiers.
The duration of banishment will be not less than five nor more than ten
years.
ART. 2. T h e same punishment will be applicable to persons found guilty
of belonging to secret societies.
ART. ij. " T h e effect of placing persons under the surveillance 0I the
secret police, will be, in future, to give to the Government the power to decide
on the place of banishment of those condemned. The administration will
decide upon the formalities necessary to prevent the prisoner's escape.
ART. 4. I t is forbidden to all persons under the surveillance of the secret
police to reside in the citv or suburbs of Paris.
ART.
T h e individuals designated in the preceding article must leave
" a r i s and the environs within ten davs from the promulgation of the present

[ 19 ]

decree, unless they obtain a permission from the administration to delay
their departure. There will be delivered to those who request it a map of
the route which they will be allowed to take to their domiciles, or to the
places of residence to which they are ordered.
ART.6.
I n c a s e of disobedience to the fourth and fifth articles of the
present decree, the disobedient will be transported to a prison colony, either
Algiers or Cayenne, as a measure of public safety.
ART. 7. T h e individuals transported in virtue of the present decree will
be subjected to manual labor at the prison establishment; they will be deprived of their civil and military rights; military law will be applicable to
them. I n case of an attempt to escape, the condemned will be subjected
to an imprisonment which will not last longer than the time which they
have still to be banished. They will be subjected to military discipline and
subordination towards their civil or military governors during the period of
their imprisonment.
ART. 8. The Executive will determine the organization of these prison
colonies.
» ART. 9. The Ministers of W a r and of the Interior, are charged with
the execution of the present decree.
Done at the palace Elysee, with the advice, of the Ministry.
LOUIS
A.

NAPOLEON

BONFAPARTE.

MORNEY,

The Minister

of the

Interior.

[Translation.]
In the name of the French people, the President of the Republic, considering that the mode of election promulgated by the decree of the 2d
December, had been adopted under other circumstances as guarantying the
sincerity of election; but considering that the vote by ballot, as actually
practised, appears to be a better guaranty for the real meaning of the votes,
(intelligence des suffrages;) considering that the essential object of the
decree of the 2d December is to obtain the free and sincere expression of
the will of the people;—decrees:
Articles 2, 3, and 4 of the decree of the 2d December are modified as
follows:—
Art. 2. T h e election shall take place by universal suffrage. All Frenchmen aged twenty-one years, enjoying their civil and political rights, are
called on to vote.
Art. 3 . T h e y will be required to justify either by their inscription on the
electoral lists drawn up in virtue of*the law of March 15, 1849, the conditions required by that law.
Art. 4 . T h e ballot will b«j opened during the days of the 2 0 t h and 2lst
December, in the cheflien of each commune, from eight in the morning to
four in the afternoon. The suffrage will take place by secret ballot, by y* s
or no, by means of a manuscript or printed bulletin.
LOUIS N A P O L E A N B O N A P A R T E .
Given at the palace of the Elysee, December 4 .
DE MORNY,
Minister of the Interior.

[19]

[Translation.]
Procla?nation of the President

of the Republic to the French

people.

The disturbances are appeased. Whatever may be the decision of the
people, society is saved. The first part of my task is accomplished. The
appeal to the nation to terminate the conflicts of parties, would cause, I
knew, no serious risk of public tranquillity. W h y should the people rise
against m e ? If I no longer possess your confidence, if your ideas have
changed, it is not necessary to cause precious blood to flow; it suffices to
deposite an adverse vote in the urn. I shall always respect the decree of
the people; but until the nation shall have spoken, I will not shrink from
any effort, from any sacrifices, to baffle the attacks of the factious. This
task, besides, is rendered easy to me. On the one hand, it has been seen
how insensate it is to struggle against an army united by the ties of discipline, and animated by the sentiment of military honor, and by devotedness
to the country. On the other hand, the cahn attitude of the inhabitants of
Paris, and the reprobration with which they brand emeutes, have sufficiently
testified for whom the capital has pronounced. In the populous quarters,
m which, formerly, insurrection rapidly found recruits among workmen
easily led away, anarchy this time only met with profound repugnance for
its detestable excitations. Thanks be rendered for it to the intelligent and
patriotic population of Paris. Let it persuade itself more and more, that
my sole ambition is to assure the repose and prosperity of France. Let it
continue to lend its cooperation to the government, and in a short time the
country can calmly accomplish the solemn act which is to inaugurate a new
era for the republic.
Given at the palace of the Elysec, the 8th December.
' LOUIS NAPOLEON BONAPARTE.

[Translation—from La Patrie.]
PARIS, December 9 .
The reception of last evening, Monday, at the Elysee, was the most
numerously attended of any which has yet taken place this year. T h e
saloons usually appropriated for these weekly receptions could not contain
the multitude of persons which crowded in thein; and it was found necessary to throw other saloons open all of a sudden, and to light up hastily
the old ball-rooms.
The army was represented by about a hundred generals, and a very large
number of superior officers. There was also an abundance of ex-representatives present.
The diplomatic corps, in all its completeness, surrounded the President of
the republic. In short, the greatest portion of the high functionaries, both
of the civil and judiciary order, formed part of this assemblage; and thus
evinced, by their presence, a perfect adhesion to the courageous and patria e measure which has saved France from the frightful anarchy with which
she was threatened in 1852. Enlightened as to its own true interests, and
i j ? ac *ions of demagogues, the whole of the moderate party will follow
«»s example.
AMEDEE DE LESENA.

[ 1 9 ]

Mr. Rives to Mr.
L"NO 1 1 9 1
1

Webster.

LEGATION CF THE UNITED STATES,

'J
Paris, December IS, ISoJ.
SIR: The troubles which have broken out in the departments since the
presidential coup-d'etat of the 2d instant, have, it is understood, been
almost entirely suppressed. Not less than twenty-five departments have
been successively declared in a state of siege, and put under martial law
since that event; and the whole number of departments now iiUhat condition is about thirty out of the eighty-six, into which the territory of the
republic is divided.
The public tranquillity in this city has not been disturbed in the slightest
degree, since my last despatch. T h e government has, nevertheless, as a
measure of precaution, dissolved and disarmpd two of the legions of the
national guards here; and this morning a circular of the minister of the
interior to the prefects of the departments is published, by which the prefects are authorized, at their discretion, to suspend or dissolve the national
guards within their respective jurisdictions, to disarm citizens in whose
hands the possession of arms may not be considered as a guaranty for the
preservation of order, and also to fill vacancies among the officers, by
appointments to be made by the prefect, instead of elections by the national
guards themselves, as heretofore practised. Instructions of the same minister to the prefect of the police of Paris are also published, by which that
officer is enjoined to take prompt and vigorous measures for the execution
of the decree mentioned in my last despatch, respecting persons placed
under the surveillance of the haute-police, which applies equally to all persons convicted of, belonging to, or being connected with any secret society*
Both of these classes of persons are required to be immediately expelled,
not only from Paris, but if need be, from F r a n c e ; and it is announced in
connexion with those orders, that the government will have ready in fifteen
or twenty days, five vessels-of-war, capable of transporting to the penitentiary colony of Cayenne more than two thousand persons.
These measures sufficiently mark the unrelenting spirit in which the government pursues its system of repression. Since the 2d of December,
Presidential decrees have taken the place of laws; and the legislation, as
well as the administration of the country, has been by the sole authority ot
the President. T o palliate, in some degree, this appearance of autocratic
government, what is called a commission consultative, consisting, as it is
definitively constituted, cf one hundred and seventy-eight p e r s o n s named by
the President, has been organized under the vice-presidency of Monsieur
Baroche, the former minister of foreign affairs. T h i s commission, as i*s
functions are defined by the decree establishing it, is to give its opinion on
such pro jets of decrees in matters of legislation, as may be submitted to it
by the President, and is also to perform, in general, the functions of the
council of state, as that body was organized previous to the revolution oi
1848. I t is specially charged to sum up and verify the votes of the people
at the polls, to be opened on the 20th and 21st inst., for the prolongation
and enlargement of the President's powers, on the returns from the departments. I send you herewith, the decree by which the consultative commission
has been definitively constituted, and which contains t h e list of all the names
which now compose it, embracing one hundred and thirty-five persons wn
were members of the late national assembly, some t w e n t y generals, seven

[ 1 9 ]

p3rso:is who have belonged to former cabinets of the President, as well as
all the members of the present, and a few names belonging to the judicial
magistracy. A former decree promulgated a composition of the commission
not so numerous, but yet comprising the names of several distinguished persons who refused to serve upon it, some of whom notified their refusal in
terras of lofty independence or proud disdain.
In my last despatch I mentioned to you that since the late extraordinary
events here, I had abstained from appearing at the usual weekly receptions
of the President, while the rest of the diplomatic corps, with the exception
at that time, of the representative of Switzerland, had pursued a different
course. Since the date of that despatch, the representative of Switzerland,
under instructions from his government, has foliowetl the example of the
rest of the diplomatic corps, and I am now the only foreign diplomatic
agent of any grade, who has not attended the President's receptions, since
the revolutionary coup d'eiaf by which the constitution was overthrown.
In pursuing this course, I have taken counsel, not merely of the feelings
and sentiments natural to the bosom of an American citizen under such circumstances, but also of those higher considerations of principle and duty
which should control the conduct of a public agent. Representing as the
United States do before the world, the great cause of free popular and republican institutions, it seemed to me that it would be in some measure to
betray that course, if a person entrusted to act or to speak in their name,
should go forward, with any appearance of indecent haste, to salute a dictatorial power which had risen by violence on the ruins of a written republican constitution, however defective, here. On the other hand, the President, having appealed to the nation to ratify his illegal acts, and pledged
himself, in the event of an unfavorable decision, to surrender at once the
position he now holds by no tenure but .that of force, he can have no just
cause of complaint, if the representative of a foreign power thinks proper
to await the decision of the only rightful tribunal in questions of interior
political organization, whose judgment has been formally invoked.
These are the principles which, in the absence of instructions from my
Government, I have assumed as the proper guides of my conduct, in a novel
and delicate situation, rendered the more responsible by the opposite course
taken by all the rest of the diplomatic corps. I trust they may meet the
approbation of those to whom alone I am accountable.
I have the honor to be, with jrreat respect, your most obedient servant, v
YV. C. R I V E S .

[Translation.]
FRENCH

REPUBLIC.

In the name of the French people, on the proposition of the keeper of
the seals, Minister of Justice, the President of the Republic Decrees:
ART. 1. The consultative commission is definitively composed as follows :—.
Messrs. Abbntueir, formerly a counsellor of the Court of Appeals, (Court
de Cassation) Loiret.
Achard (General) Moselle.
Andre (Ernest) Seine.

[ 1 9 ]

Andre (Charante.)
D ' A r g o u t , Governor of the Bank of France, a late Minister.
Arrighi de Padone, (General) Corsica.
D'Audiffret, President of the Court of Accounts.
De Bar (General) Seine.
Baraguez d'Hilliers (General) Doubs.
Barbaroux, late Attorney General, Reunion.
Baroche, late Minister of the Interior, and of Foreign Affairs, Vice President of the Commission, Charente Inferieure.
Barrot (Ferdinand) E x Minister, Seine.
Barthe, Ex-Minister, first President of the Court of Accounts.
Batailli (Haute Vienne.)
Bavoux (Evariste) Seine et Marne.
De Beaumont (Somme.)
Berard (Lot-et-Garonne.)
Berger, Prefet de la Seine, Puy-de-dome.
Bertrand (Yonne.)
Bidoult (Cher.)
Bigret (C6tes-du-Nord.)
Billiault, Lawyer.
Bineau, Ex-Minister, (Maine-et-Loirc.)
Boinvilliers, Ex-staff bearer of the order of Advocates, Seine.
Bonjean, Advocate General at the Court of Cassation, (Drome.)
Bonlatigner.
Bourbousson (Vauchcse.)
Brehier (Manche.)
De Cambaceres (Hubert.)
De Cambaceres (Aisne.)
Carlier, Ex-Prefect of Police.
De Casabianca, Ex-Minister, Corsica.
De Castellane (General) principal Commandant at Lyon.
De Caulaincourt (Calvados.)
Cecile (Vice-admiral) Seine-Inferieure.
Chadenet (Meuse.)
Charlemagne (Indre.)
Chassaigne-Goyon (Puy-de-dome.)
De Chasseloup Laubat (General) Seine-Inferieure.
De Chasseloup Laubat (Prosper) Charente-Inferieure.
Chaix d'Est-Ange, avocate in Paris, Marne.
De Chazelles, Mayor of Clermont Ferrand, Puv-de-dome. J
Collas (Gironde.)
De Crouseilhes, Ex-Counsellor of the Court of Cassation, Ex-Minister
Basses Pyrenees.
Curial (Orne.)
De Caverville (Cotes du Nord.)
Dabeaux (Haute Geronne.)
Dariste (Basses Pyrenees.)
Daviet, Ex-Minister.
Delacosta, Ex-Commissary General of the Rhone.
Delajus (Charente-Inferieure.)
Delavau (Indre.)
Delheit (Lot.)

[19

]

Denjoy (Gironde.)
Desjobert (Seine-Inferieure.)
Desrnaroux (Allier.)
Drouyn-de-Lhuys (Seine-et-Maniu) Ex-Minister.
Ducos (Theodore) Seine, Minister of the Navy and of the Colonies.
Dumas (of the Institute) Nord, Ex-Minister.
Dupin (Charles) of the Institute, Seine-Inferieure.
Durrieu (General) Landes.
Duval (Maurice) Ex-prefect.
Eschasseriaux (Charente-Inferieure.)
Exelmans (Marshal) Grand Chancellor of the Legion of honor.
Favre (Ferdinand) Loire-Inferieure.
De Flahault (General) Ex-Embassador.
Fortout, Minister of public instruction (Basses Alpes.)
Fould (Achille) 'Minister of Finances, Seine.
De Fourment (Somme.)
Fonquier d ^ e r o u e t (Aisne.)
Fremy (Yonne.)
Furtado (Seine.)
Gase (Haute Garonne.)
Gaslond (Manche.)
De Gasparin, Ex-Minister.
De Girardin (Ernest) Charente.
Giraud (Augustin) Maine et Loire.
Giraud (Charles) of the institute, member of the board cf public instruction, Ex-Minister.
Godelle (Aisne.)
Goulhot ae Saint Germain, Manche.
De Grammont, (General) Loire.
De Grammont, Haute Saone.
De Greslau, Reunion.
De Grouchy (General) Gironde.
Hallez-Claparede, Bas Rhin.
D'Hautpout (General) Ex-Minister, Aude.
Hebert (Aisne.)
De Heerkeren, Haut Rhin.
D'Herambault, Pas-de-Calais.
Hermann.
Heurtier, Loire.
Husson (General) Aube.
Janvier, Tarnet Garonne.
Lalazc, Hautes-Pyrenees.
Lacrosse, Ex-minister, Finistere.
Ladourette, Moselle.
De Lagrange (Frederick) Gers.
De Lagrange, Gironde.
^ e La Hitte (General) Ex-minister.
Delangle, Ex-attorney General.
Languetin, President of the municipal commission.
De Lariboisiere, Ille-et-Vellaine.
Lawccstine (General.)
^ebeuf, Seinc-et-Marne.

[ 1 9 ]

Lebreton (General) Eure-et-Loire
L e Comte, Yonne.
Le Conte, Cotes-du-Nord.
Lefebvre-Lurufle, Minister of Commerce, Eure.
Lelut, Haute-Saune.
Lemarois, Manche.
Lemerier, Charente.
Leguien, Pas-de-Calais.
Lestiboudois, Nord.
Levasseur, Seine-Inferieure.
L e Verrier, Manche.
Lezay de Marnesia, Lois-et-cher.
Magnau (General) Commander-in-chief of the army in Paris.
Magne, minister of public works, Dordogne.
Maigne, (Edmond) Dordogne.
March a ut, Nord.
Matthieu Bodet, advocate in the court of Cassation, Charente.
De Maupas, Prefect of police.
De Merode, Nord.
Mesnard, President of the Court of Cassation.
Meynadier,, Ex-Prefect, Lozere.
Mimerel, Nord.
Monin, senior mayor of Paris.
De Montalembert, Doubs.
De Morny, minister of the Interior, Puy-de-Dome.
D e Mortemart, (Henry) Seine-Inferieure.
De la Moskowa (Colonel) Moselle.
De Mouchy, Oise.
De Moustier, Doubs.
M u r a t (Lucien) Lot.
Odier (Antoine) Proctor of the Bank of France.
D'Ornano, (General) Indre-et-Loire.
De Parien, Ex-Minister, Cantas.
Pascalis, counsellor in the Court of Appeals.
Petet, (General) Aricege
Pepin Lehalleur, Seine-et-Morne.
De Persigny, Nord.
De Pianey,Oise.
, Plichon, Mayor of Arras, Pas-de-Calais.
Portalis, First President of the Court of Appeals.
Pongerard, Mayor of Rennes, Ille-et-Vilaine.
De Preval (General.)
De Ranee, (Algerie.
Randon (General) Ex-minister, Governor General of Algeria.
Eej;naud de Saint Jean d'Angely, (General,) ex-minister, Charente lnte~
rieure.
Jtenouard de Bussieres, Bas Rhin.
Renouard, Lozere.
Roge (General.)
Rouher, keeper of the seals, Minister of Justice, Puy-de-domc.
.
#
D e Rozer, Ex-minister Attorney-General at the Court of Appeals in raris*
De Saint Arnaud, (General) Minister of W a r .
,
; ,

De Saint
Arnaud, Advocate at the Court of Appeals in Paris.

[20.]

2)e Salis, Moselle.
Sapers, Tiere.
Schneider, Ex-minister.
Be Legur D'Aguessean, Hautes-Pymines.
Seydoux, Norn.
Thayer, Amedee.
'Theulen, Cotes-du-Nord.
De Thorigny, Ex-minister.
Toupot de Beveaux, Haute Marne.
Tourangin, Ex-prefect.
Troplong, First President of the Court of Appeals in Paris.
De Turgot, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Vaillant, Marshal of France.
Yaisse, ex-Minister, Nord.
De Vandeul, Haute Marne.
Vast-Vimeux (General) Charente-lnferieure.
Yauchelle, mayor of Versailles.
Viard, Meurthe.
Vieillard, Manche.
Vuillefroy.
Vuitry, Ijnder Secretary of State, in the Department of Finance.
De Wagram.
ART. 2. The deliberative commissions will assemble from the 23d of next
December, for the purpose of proceeding to count the votes which have
been polled, in pursuance of the decress of the 2d and 4th of the present
month.
ART. O. M. Prosper Hochet, secretary-general of the late council of
State, is appointed secretary-general of the consultative commission.
ART. 4. M. Denis Lagarde, ex-recording secretary of the legislative
assembly, is appointed recording secretary and principal recorder of the
minutes of the consultative commission.
Given at the palace of the national Elysee, with the approval of the
council of ministers, this December 13, 1851.
LOUIS NAPOLEON
E . RONHER,

Keeper of the Sea1.s Miu.ter

BONAPARTE.
*

.hstice.

Mr. Rives to Mr. Webster.
[No. 120.]

LEGATION OP THK UNITED STATES,

Paris, Decern her 2 4 , 1 8 5 1 .
f ™ 1 The election to obtain the sense of the nation on the formula (here
called plebiscite,) for prolonging the authority of the President for ten years
P i ^nvest!ng
with the power to establish a constitution on the basis
;
i n ijj s proclamation of the 2d inst., was held throughout France
n th
f f0th
-1st instant. The result in the capital is already precisely
ascertained, being 135,238 affirmative votes to 79,768 negative/the whole
^umber of persons entitled to vote in Paris, being 291,034, of whom, con^qu«ntly 5 somewhat less than eighty thousand abstained from voting. It
too soon to have received authentic returns from all the departments.

[19 ]

Information, however, has reached here from fifty odd out of the eightysix into which the territory of France is divided, showing that m those
departments alone about five millions of affirmative votes have been given,
&c.; about half a million of negative. There can be no doubt, therefore,,
that the plebiscite, as it is called, conferring a virtual sovereign authority
on the President, has been voted, not only by a large majority of those who.
have participated in this show of popular election, but by a decided majority also of the whole number of voters in the nation, which isjmlinanly
estimated at from ten to eleven millions.
I have the honor to be. with great respect, your most obedieirt servant,

.Mr. Rives to Mr. Webster.
NO. 1 2 1 .

LEGATION OF THE UMTED STATES,

Paris, January 1, 1852.
SIR : The commission consultative, charged with the duty of summing
up and verifying the votes of the French people on the question submitted
to the nation by the President, completed their examination and made their
report yesterday ; from which it appears that 7,439,210 votes were given in
favor of the plebiscite for prolonging and enlarging his powers in the manner proposed, and 640,737 against it. This unprecedented majority is two
millions more than that by which the President was originally elected, and
constitutes about three-fourths of the whole number of voters in France.
The commission repaired yesterday evening to the Elysee in a body for
the purpose of laying their report before the President. 1 enclose you herewith the address made on the occasion by Monsieur Baroche as the organ of
the commission, and the answer of the President, both indicating the spirit
in which the new institutions of the country are likely to be framed.
After the presentation of the report of the commission consultative the
diplomatic corps was received by the President, as is usual on the occasion
of the new year, ami most generally, as in the present instance, on the eve
of new year's day. The French nation, with which alone the authority resides to determine the nature and form of its own institutions, having solemnly decided, and by so imposing a majority, in favor of the new order of
things, I felt I should be no longer justified in absenting nnself from the
usual official'receptions of the President, especially, as on this occasion, a
formal invitation to attend was addressed to me, in common with the other
members of the diplomatic corps, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The
President, in passing along the line of the diplomatic corps, when he came
to me, addressed me in his usual civil and courteous manner, and asked me
if I had heard from my Government since the late events here. On my telling him that I had not, he added, with apparent cordiality, that he hoped
the changes which had taken place here would in no manner interrupt the
friendly relations between the two countries.
I send you herewith several decrees of the President providing for a
national commemoration of the result of the late expression of the p o p u ' a r

[20.]

will, and also for the restoring the imperial emblem of the eagle to the
French colors.
I have the honor to bey with great respect, vour most obedient servant,
W . C. R1YES.
Hon.

DANIEL

WEBSTER,

Secretary of

State.

Mr. Webster to Mr.
No. 38.

Rives.

D E P A R T M E N T OF S T A T E ,

Washington J Jan uary 12, 1852.
SIR: Your despatches have been regularly received up to the 24th of
last month.
The movement made by the President of the republic of France, on the
2d ultimo, created surprise here as well as with you, not only by the boldness and extent of its purpose, but also by the secrecy with which preparation for it had been made, the suddenness of its execution, and the success
which appeared to have attended it.
It is quite natural that you should be in no haste to appear at the public
receptions of the President after the overthrow of the written republican
constitution of France. You sympathize in this respect with the great body
of your countrymen. If that overthrow had become necessary, its necessity
is deeply to be deplored ; because, however imperfect its structure, it was
the only great republican government existing in Europe, and all Americans wished it success. W e feel as if the catastrophe which has befallen it
may weaken the faith of mankind in the permanency and solidity of popular
institutions. Nevertheless, and although our own Government is now the
only republic ranking among countries of the first class, we cling to its
principles with increased affection. Long experience has convinced us of
practicability to do good, and its power to maintain liberty and order.
We know that it has conferred the greatest blessings on the country, and
Raised her to eminence and distinction among the nations ; and if we are
destined to stand, the only great republican nation, so we shall still stand.
iielore this reaches you the election will be over; and if, as is probable,
a decided majority of the people should be found to support the President,
tne^course of duty for you will become plain. From President Washing°n s time down to the present day it has been a principle, always acknowedged by the United States, that every nation possesses a right to govern
1
self according to its own will, to change institutions at discretion, and to
fansact its business through whatever agents it may think proper to em• . s o r d i n a l point^in our policy has been strongly illustrated by
ecog m z j n g t | i e m a n y f o r m s 0 f political power which have been successively
i ' ° P t e « b y France in the series of revolutions with which that country has
Stat V l f t e d * Throughout all these changes the Government of the United
ado + i1lS c o r u , u c t e c l i l s elf ™ strict conformity to the original principles
Wash5n
awd +
g t o n , and made known to our diplomatic agents abroad,
<| to the nations of the world, by Mr. Jefferson's letter to Governeur
rr ls o f
. f
the 12th March, 1793; and if the French people have now, subthat 1 m a t , e a n o t i i e r change, we have no choice but to acknowledge
also; and as the Diplomatic Representative of your country inErance,

[19]

you will act as your predecessors have^acted, and conform to what appeam
to be settled national authority. And while we deeply regret*the overthrow of popular institutions, yet our ancient ally has still our good wishes
for her prosperity and happiness, and we are bound to leave, to her the.
choice of means for the promotion of those ends.
. . - T am, sir, very respectfully, your.obedient servant,
DANL. W E B S T E R .

32<3 CONGRESS,

tSENATfi;]

Ex. Dor.

1st Session.

•2o

it e i3 6 it t
OP

TtJE S E C R E T A R Y

WAR,

COMMUNtCATlNT.

Reports in reference to the inundations of the Mississippi

river*

JANUARY 2 1 , 1 8 5 2 .
and ordered to bo printed.
JANUARY 2 2 , 1 8 5 2 .
Ordered that three thousand additional copies be printed, threes hundred of which for the
Topographical Bureau.

W A R DEPARTMENT,

Washington f January 20, 1852.
Sir : In compliance with the resolution of the Senate dated December 0,
1851, " that the Secretary of the Department of War communicate to the
Senate any reports which have been received in reference to the inundations of thr Mississippi, and to state whether any further appropriation is
required to complete the surveys and investigations heretofore directed,''
I have the honor to transmit herewith the report of the Chief Topographical
Engineer, accompanied bv the reports of Lieutenant Colonel Long, of the
typographical engineers, and Mr. Charles Ellet, jr., civil engineer, arid submitting an estimate of fifty thousand dollars for the ensuing fiscal year, for
the further prosecution olinvestigations in reference to the inundations of
the Mississippi.
I have the honor \o be, verv respectfully, your obedient servant,
* *
C. M. CONRAD,
Secretary of War.
»on. W. R.

KING,

President of the Senate.

2
X2]
BUREAU OF TOPOGRAPHICAL

ENGINEERS,

Washington, January

19, 1852.

SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge your direction to report upon a
resolution of the Senate of the Oth ult., calling for such reports as have
been received in reference to the inundations of the Mississippi; and to
state whether any further appropriations are required, in order to complete
investigations on that subject.
•
T o execute the appropriation law of September 30, 1850, two parties
were organized: one under Captain Humphreys, of the corps of topographical engineers, the other under Mr. Charles Ellet, jr., civil engineer.
At the commencement, a board of engineers was organized, consisting ol
printed i
,
^
The duties of this board were, to "decide upon the extent and character
of the surveys to be m a d e ; " after which L t . Col. Long was to resume his
former duties at Louisville, Ivy., and Captain Humphreys was to " give his
attention to the requisite surveys."
- Afterwards, on the 18th November, 18-50, a separate and additional party
was organized under Mr. Ellet.
# .
These parties went to work as soon as practicable, and pursued their investigations with great industry.
Unfortunately, the zeal of Captain Humphreys induced him to remain so
long and so late in the field during last summer, on the lower parts of the
river, as to produce the most alarming indisposition, and so protracted and
painful a debility, that, under advice of his medical attendants, he was ordered to the north, and has been relieved from the necessity of making the
required report.
On the 10th of October, 1851, Lt. Col. Long was directed to repair to
Philadelphia, and from the notes of Captain Humphreys, and such information as he should receive from him, to make the report. This order, ana
another, placed L t . Col. Long again at the head of the board to which he
had been previously assigned.
T h e result of these arrangements has been to produce two reports:
One from Lt. Col. Long, dated 26th November, 1851.
One from Mr. Ellet, dated 31st October, 1851.
.
These two reports are now submitted, in compliance with the resolution
of the Senate.
L t . Col. Long, in his report, limits himself to an exposition of what h ^
been done (by Captain Humphreys' command,) and of what is yet required
to be done. He also enters into the question ot the funds wanted for iuture operations. From this last, an estimate is now submitted of 50,0W
dollars, for the ensuing fiscal year, for the further prosecution of investigations in reference to the inundations of the Mississippi.
,
M r . Ellet, in his report, goes into a statement of these inundations, and
proposes remedies.
I n the annual report from this office of 6th November, 1845, an effort is
made to expose the pernicious consequences of what are called "cut-offs,
as applied to the Mississippi and other similar rivers. This subject is tieatea
more extensively in the report of Mr. Ellet, and the pernicious consequences of the practice more elaborately exposed. M r . Ellet n a m e s seve
ral places
on the Mississippi liable to these operations, and recommend

[ 1 6 ]

measures to protect them against such efforts by man, or by the gradual action of the stream.
Also in the annual report from this office of November 14, 1800, it is
stated, in reference to protection from inundation, " t h e r e have been suggested but two modes which offer any reasonable prospect of success: One
to make additional outlets to the river during periods of high water, adapted
to relieve thev,river when it. should rise to a given height,-and so made as U>
avoid abrasion from the action of the discharging water ; the other a system
ot judiciously arranged dikes or levees, or probably a judicious combination
ot both, according to facts and localities."
Mr. Ellet reasons with much ability upon these two ideas, pointing out
favorable positions for the outlets, and indicating the extent of the dikes,
and the dimensions which should be given to them. He considers the levees
recommended, " a v e r a g i n g ei^ht feet high and four hundred and fifty miles
long, would involve an expenditure of probably not more than £2,^60,000.
Such an expenditure would, in fact, be ample to protect the whole coast
(river coast) below Red rivei, from, the floods that are now felt.. Hut such
works would not protect the country above, and would be incompatible with
the drainage and reclamation of the delta."
He also calls to his aid a fourth accessory means of controlling these
floods; that of reservoirs in the mountain gorges, near the heads of the
principal streams. While 1 willingly admit that all the speculations of a
man of intellect are full of interest, and deserving of careful thought, yet I
cannot, agree with him that these reservoirs would have any good or preventive elfects upon the pernicious inundations of this river, and even doubt
d the waters so proposed to be collected have any appreciable,and certainlv not an injurious effect, upon the inundated region. These reservoirs can
of course collect only the waters which shall drain into them, and can have
»o possible influence* upon other water below the reservoir draining space ;
or, iit other words, from the immense plateau of country which lies between
the headwaters of these rivers, or below points where gorges for reservoirs
^ould probably be found.
My impressions are. that the pernicious inundations of these rivers are
consequent only upon a general rain, or a general'and rapid thaw of the
•snow, over this immense plateau. T h e calculation of downfall water has
direct, reference to this extensive plateau; and unless it can be shown that
J-he vast supply of water from this plateau, or a large portion of it, would
he collected and restrained by these reservoirs, I do not perceive their adv
«njag«j t 0 t | | ( , ^ystein proposed to be adopted.
there is a reasoning of Mr. Ellet, referable to any system, which deserves
,n
|jch consideration. 'It cannot be doubted by any one who has studied, that
{,
hectual remedies to the evil complained of force considerations of anysyst< 'u beyond tin: limits of any one of the affected States, and, in reference to
l
j»ity of plan, the success of any plan, efficiency and economy, require the
''Algetic action of some general supervising power. This idea involves
considerations beyond mv province to discuss. The result, however, to my
Judgment is very clear, either but little can be done.'or the work must be
0
the general government.

Respect flttllv, sir. your obedient servant,
J. J. ABERT,
Colonel Corps Topographical
Engineer*.

< * - C . M . CONRAD.
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Secretary o f War,
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[18] ,
REPORT

THE

NATURE

A N D

THE

Br S. 11.

PROGRESS

LOWER

LONO, L T . COL.

T. K.,

THE

DELTA

SURVEYS

MISSISSIPPI.
PKKS'T

ToroiinApnieAL

UUAKD.

OFFICE WESTERN RIVER IMPROVEMENTS,
Louisville^ November 2 0 , I S O I /

SIR : In obedience to your instructions of the 10th ultimo, rrquiriii£C A
report on the nature, progress, anil cost of the operations performed under
. the direction of Captain "A. A. Humphreys, of the corps of topographical
engineers, for the purpose of ascertaining "the most effectual method of^ proj e c t i n g the alluvial grounds of the lower Mississippi against inundations;
also, on the nature and probable cost of the operations remaining to he
performed for the same purpose; I have the honor to submit the following,
as the summary result of .my inquiries and investigations in relation to
these premises.
The.impaired health of Captain Humphreys has been assigned as the occasion of my interference in this arduous and complicated duty, for which
no other oould be so wTell qualified as the officer under whose directions the
operations were performed. But from recent personal interviews with
Captain JI., and from the representations of his physician, 1 am persuaded
that the continual illness of that oflicer renders him unfit for the laborious
task of collating and reporting on the proceedings had, under his direction*
in relation to the required surveys of the Mississippi delta, and I shall accordingly endeavor to perform the task, in a manner as brief as practicable, and in conformity to the best lights that can bo obtained in relation
to the same.
T h e system of surveys and investigations deemed most conducive to an
adequate development of the facts and circumstances affecting the inundations ot the lower Mississippi and the means of " p r o t e c t i n g the adjacent
country from their injurious effects," has been fully set forth and explained
in the report of the board of topographical engineers, dated Napoleon,
December 1.8, 1800, to which f beg leave to refer for any information that
may be wanted in relation to the £* required surveys." T h e surveys,
that have been made, and that are to be treated of in this report, are to he
regarded as items embraced by that general system, and constituting merely
a portion of tlie same. T h e items alluded to have been gleaned from the
copious lield-notes kept by sundry indi\iduajs employed on different departments of the field-work, and especially from the summary statements ot
L t . Warren, G . C . Smith, J . K . Ford. J . Bennet,and others, serving in THTJ
several depaitments of the surveys. The surveys and observations ;:t an«
near New Orleans, having for their objects the establishment of transversa
sections of the river bed"; the transit speed of the river currents acrtf*
those sections, a t different stages of the w a t e r ; the proportional quantity
of alluvial matter held in suspension by the river at each stage : the qua»*
tity of water and floating matter conveyed downward, in all'stagrs, during
a period of one y e a r ; the per-eentage to he deducted from this q u a n t i t y on
account of the floating sedimentary materials, or the sum total of scdnnci^
tary matter annually passing the sections; the maximum quantity of v;a"
ter, &c., that can How between the river banks at N e w Orleans, vitho^
producing
overflows, &c.,
wete confided to the direction and suptrrM

[ 2 0 ]
sion of Professor Forshey, who is still employed on this service, and is expected to persevere in it* during the lapse of one entire year, at least. Of
the progress made in these operations, I have as yet failed to obtain any
definite knowledge, except that the services of'Professor F . have been
performed with the most assiduous and careful attention on his part, and in
a manner conformable to the instructions of Captain Humphreys, and satisfactory to that officer.
*
Epitome from

the report of Lieut. Warren, official and personal
of Captain
Humphreys.

assistant

The reporL of Lieut. "Warren relates principally to operations under the
personal direction and supervision of Captain Humphreys, and embraces the
following items, unaccompanied by any specific results, or statistics, except
by reference to copious field-notes, not yet in my possession.
3. On the completion of the investigations and report of the board of
topographical engineers, in the latter part of December, I80U, arrangements
were made by Captain Humphreys for the commencement and prosecution of
the surveys and other observations therein proposed.
The preliminary outfit for these purposes consisted of two quarterhout.s, three row-boats or yawls, together with the requisite cooking apparatus, provisions, and various implements necessary to the prosecution of geodetic and hydrographic surveys.
•Surveying instruments, consisting of theodolites, compasses, chains, levels,
&ci,
were also procured and distributed among the surveying parties,
in a manner adapted to the nature of the services required of each party.
Printed memoirs, books, maps, charts and other public document:?,
descriptive of the aspect, character and changeable features of the vast alluvial district, constituting the spacious delta of the lower Mississippi, were
procured, for tho purpose of obtaining an adequate and authentic knowledge
ol the present and former condition of the great delta district.
^ NOTE.—Inventories of the books, instruments and other public property,
alluded to. have been prepared by Lieut. Warren, and are herewith presented.

(See doc.

A.)

Organization

of field

parties.

The force deemed needful to the prosecution of the contemplated surd ' s , was distributed into three distinct parties, in the following order,
to wit;
topographical party, consisting of two principal assistants, three sub^'stant:i, ;ind twenty-nine laborers, iucludiwrclminmcn, axemen, boat keeper,
-teward, cook, & c . / u i i d - ^ the direction of L K . Ford, esq., assistant civil
H

engineer.

4 ' O l o g r a p h i c partv. consisting of one principal assistant, two suby p « n t s , o n e pilot, seven boatmen, a steward and cook, under the direction
}
a*
esq., assistant engineer.
And a hydroinetric party, consisting of one principal assistant, two sub^sistants, two carpenters, two principal boatmen, one clerk, one messenger,
•"^ sixteen extra laborers and gauge observers, occasionally employed in
naknig observations and performing sundry other services, under the direcDigitized for
ot Prof. C. U, Forshev, assistant civil engineer.
™ FRASER

[ 1 9 ]

N O T E . — A statement exhibiting the names, capacities, rates of pay, commencement and termination of service, &c.,&c., has been prepared by Lieut.
Warren, and is herewith presented. (See doc. B.)
5. From a report of Lieut. Warren, (see doc. C,) tlie following summary
of expenditures incurred in the prosecution of surveys, &c , under the direction of Captain Humphreys, and within the period of his personal command, commcncing on the 1st November, 1800, and ending on the dOth
November, 1851, exhibits the proximate cost of the. work, and, of course,
the amount drawn from the treasury on account of the same. The summary is as follows:

Expenditures on account of de!to svrveys un 1800 and 1851.
Expenditures for the 4th quiirter of
do.
do. Jst
Do.
do.
Do.
do. 2d
do.
do. ild
Do.
do. 4 th do.
' Do.
Amounting to

J850 185 L ISO I ISoJ (about)
1851.
_

* 1 , 6 6 2 52

10,131

10,487

9.902 47
4,816 59
-

NOTE.—The last two items of the summary have been given as a near
approximation of the , amounts likely to be expended for the third and
fourth quarters of the current year, the amounts remaining to be verified
by sundry vouchers, not yet received. The d e t a i l s of expenditures havf
been exhibited in a multiplicity of vouchers, accompanying the quarterly
-returns, already made to the Topographical Bureau, by direction of Captain
Humphreys.
6. Agreeably to the document above cited, (doc. € , ) t h e e x p e n d i t u r e s on
account of the hydrometric party, under the direction of Professor Forshej >
are to be-restricted to an amount not exceeding £ 5 0 0 per month, from and
after the end of the current November. No returns or reports, relating
the progress of the investigations committed to the charge of Prolessoi
Forshey, have yet been received from that gentleman.
7. In addition to the assistance rendered Captain Humphreys by LieutWarren, in the transaction of office business* Lieut. W . was employed,
ftom time to time, in setting and adjusting riv^r gauges at D o n a l d s o n v i lc»
Baton Rouge, New Carthage, Natchez, L a k e . ' P r o v i d e n c e , and various other
points; and in directing topographical surveys in the vicinities of Bonnet
Carre and Carrolton; also, in aiding the several parties above designated*,
in the performance of their appropriate duties. Early in June he r,eased to
participate in the field operations, and resumed oflice duties, in aid of Cap*
tain Humphreys, who, about this time, experienced a violent attack o
a sort of cephalic neuralgia, which suddenly and effectually d i s q u a l i f i e d
for duty, and still continues to frustrate all his efforts to transact the business of his station. In the mean time, Lieut. W . has been employed m tft
settlement of accounts, and the preparation of drawings, and o t h e r papery
relating to the delta surveys. For an account of th* services performed »)
him, reference is had to his report, herewith presented, in the papers bcto
cited. (See doc. D.)

[19]

8. Epitome of the operations of the topographical parly, from the report
of J. K. Ford,* esq., assistant civil engineer.
The field or district comprising these operations is situated on the
westerly side of the Mississippi river, commencing at a point above and in
the vicinity of Routh's landing, near the upper mouth of Red river, and extending downward to Baton Rouge, and thence on both sides of the river,
and extending still farther to the city of New Orleans. The more considerable localities of the district are the following:
The Red river cut-off, mouths of Red river, head of Bayou Atchafalaya,
Raccourci island antl cut-off, Tunica bend, Point Coupee, Morganza, Bayou
Sara, Port Hudson. Baton Rouge, Bayou Manchac, Plaquemine, Donaldsonville, Bonnet Carre, Red church, Carrolton, and New Orleans. Surveys
by compass and level were made on the right bank of the Mississippi,
through the entire district, from a point five miles above Routh's landing to
New Orleans ; and on the left bank, from the Red river cut-off to the Raccourci cut-off, and from Baton Rouge to Carrolton. Offsets on the right and
left of the river, together withtriangulations, to determine the width of channels, bayous, &c., and numerous observations, for determining the relations of
surveyed lines to extreme high-water marks, of the present and former years,
were made at most of the points atiove indicated, and in various other localities.
Agreeably to the report of Mr. Ford, herewith submitted, (see doc. E , )
the lines surveyed in various subdivisions of the district embrace the I O C E H ties, distances, &c., exhibited in the following table:

Designation and definition of localities.

Nature of
survey.

Length of j Total
lines.! distance
distances.
surveyed lines.'

Miles.
From Routh's landing to Raccourci cut-off,]

Mainlines

Miles.

including Red river island, Raccourci island, S Offset lines...
&c., on both sides of the river.

39.48

Triangnlations

188.45
64.99
52.47
From Bonnet Carre crevasse to Carrolton and] j Main lines
the vicinity of Xew Orleans, on both sides ^ Offset lines...;

306.91

67.50
C.W)
CO.16

Aggregate length or lines surveyed on both sides
of river

480.SO

4&6.80

[19]

9. The drawings in plan, profile and section, showing the extent and position of the lines surveyed, and the. topography of the country traversed
by them, are numbered in sheets from one to sixteen. They are still in an
unfinished state, having been sketched merely in pencil delineations; but
arc of a character to illustrate, with great precision, the topography of
country in the immediate vicinity of the lines surveyed.
NOTE.—The reports of J . K. Ford and Joseph Bennet, esqs., herewith
presented, (see docs. E and F) and the field-notes therein referred to, explain in detail the developments brought to light by the surveys; although
these developments are not yet sufficiently copious and extensive to reach
the objects and answer the ends for which the surveys were instituted. The
field operations of the topographical party were terminated on or about the
first of July ; subsequently to which, Messrs. Ford, Bennet and Fuller have
been employed in sketching the lines surveyed, and reporting the work done
by the party.
10, Epitome of the operations of the hydrographic party, from the report of G. C. Smith7 esq,, assistant civil engineer• {Sec doc. G.)
The operations of this party were commenced at a point about ten miles
below New Orleans, by running a compass and level line from lhc shore of
the Mississippi, eastward to Lake Borgne, about six miles. By this survey
it appears that extreme high water of the Mississippi at the point in question, in 1850, rose to an elevation of eleven,and a half feet above the low
tide surface of the lake. This result having been determined, the hydrographic party proceeded to sundry points within the district traversed by
the topographical party, as before designated ; and established a multiplicity of sectional lines, stretching across the Mississippi, Red river, and
numerous outlets and bayous of the former. The points at which they
operated were as follows, viz : Carrolton, Routh's landing, Red River island
and cut-off, mouth of Red river, head of Atchafalaya, old channel surrounding Red River island, Raccourci cut-off and island, Towers' landing,
Morganza, Bayou Sara, Faussi riviere, Wintersville, Baton Rouge, Bayou
Manchac, Plaquemine, Bayou La Fourche, Bonnet Carre, &c. From the
report of Mr. Smith, above citcd, it appears that inorethan e i g h t y sectional
lines and soundings thereon have been established by the party, but the
areas of the transverse sections, except in two or three instances, and the
average velocities of the currents thereat, have not yet been computed or
communicated, except merely by reference to copious field-notes, not yet
received.
11. In the prosecution of their work, the hydrographic party f o u n d it
impracticable to take the transverse sectional soundings, with the requisite
precision, by the use of row-boats; the current being too strong, and the
maximum velocity too great, in very many instances, to admit of soundings
across the river m right lines. For example, at Routh's l a n d i n g , after a
multiplicity of attempts, the party succeeded in ascertaining the proximate
velocity of the river in the most rapid channel, and found it to be seven and
one-fifth miles per hour; a current too rapid for row-boats to ascend, or
even to traverse in, a right line. The same was true, also, in relation to
numerous other rapid passes in the river.
*
In order to obviate this inconvenience and difficulty, a small steamer, the
Byrona,
with one engineer and two firemen, was chartered for one laontn

[20.]

at six hundred dollars, by the use of which, the soundings could be effected
with far greater accuracy than, by the use of row-boats.
Thus equipped, the party were enabled to accomplish with the requisite
precision a multiplicity of soundings on twenty sectional lines at and near
Carrolton, and eight in the vicinity of Bonnet Carre ? copies of the notes
taken on the former were furnished to Professor Forshey, to enable him to
make his observations at Carrolton with the certainty of obtaining reliable
results. As yet, no communications covering the results obtained from
these soundings, &c., have been received.
; 12. Since the close of the field operations of the party, Mr. Smith, assisted by Lieutenant Warren and O. Sackersdorf, esq., has been employed
in plotting the lines, &c., surveyed under his direction, and in preparing
profiles or sections, together with the soundings, &c., showing the form and
capacity of the river channels at those lines.
Operations of the hydrometric

parly.

13. The operations of this party have been carried on, for the most part,
at Carrolton, a few miles above New Orleans, under the direction of Professor Forshey, the objects of which, as specified in the report of the topographical board, are : 1st, u T h e determination of a transverse section of the
Mississippi near New Orleans, with the utmost care and precision ; including
all subordinate sections at the same point, from the lowest to the highest
water surface of the river, not exceeding the height of the natural banks
of the river; and in such a manner as to exhibit with-accuracy all the
subordinate sections corresponding to every rise of one foot, from the lowest
to the highest stage contemplated, as above."
2d. " T h e average velocity of the river currents, corresponding to each of
the different stages above designated, should be determined with the utmost
precision; and the duration of each stage, for at least one entire year,
should be carefully observed and noted in months, days and hours, for the
purpose cf determining, as nearly as practicable, the aggregate annual duration of each stajjc, the amount of water conveyed annually through the
river channel from New Orleans to the gulf; and more especially the magnitude of the largest volume that can pass in the channel from New Organs to the gulf, without overflowing the banks of the river f and, 3d, " a
small quantity of water should be taken from the main channel ot the river
at each and every stage designated in the preceding item, for the purpose
oi having the water carefully analyzed, or of separating the earthy matter
h
*dd in suspension by the water in each stage. The separation should be
^refully and skilfully made, for the purpose of determining the quantity
sedimentary matter conveyed downward in each stage, and the annual
amount conveyed by the river from New Orleans to the gulf."
,
. i'l. The known ability and fidelity of the gentleman to whom these dela t e operations have been confided, etfve assurance that they will m due
"mo be faithfully executed. The skill, care, patience and perseverance of
Professor Forshey, are sufficient guarantees for their effectual accomplishment. The progress made therein has not as yet been reported : nor can
aj
>y final results be expected prior to the lapse of one entire year from the
commencement of the observations.
l0
* Of th^ various operations contemplated in the report of the topo

[ 20 ]

graphical board, and still remaining to be performed, the following constitute the principal items, to w i t :
#
16. The completion of the observations, &c., intrusted to the direction
of Professor Forshey.
17. T h e rectification of the level notes in a manner to show their rel tions to a plane of common reference, viz : to the level of low tide in the
gulf.
18. The completion of the drawings, in plan and section, explanatory of
the surveys already made, and affording the requisite facilities for connecting them V i t h delineations hereafter to be made.
19. T h e compass and level lines on one or both sides of the Mississippi
should be extended downward from Carrolton to the Balize, with suitable
offsets to the right and left, extending outward from the river shores to the
level of tide-water, on. both sides of the river.
20. The sectional surveys and observations proposed to be made across
the Mississippi at some suitable point below the mouth of Red river
(probably in the vicinity of Bayou Sara,) for the purpose of ascertaining
the entire quantity or volume of the river that must pass that point in extreme flood;—with the view, also, of ascertaining the maximum volume
that can flow past this point, compared with the maximum volume that can
flow past the Carrolton section, without overflowing the natural banks ot
the river—remain to be made.
NOTK. As stated in the,report above cited, the difference in magnitudes
of the two volumes in question is to be regarded as surplus water, which
must be conveyed to the right and left from the Mississippi, through outlets
or waste-weirs, at several points between the mouth of Red river and New
Orleans, in order to exempt that city and the country below it from overflow.
21. T h e individual capacities of the several outlets or waste-weirs, Bayou
Atchafalaya, &c. included, required to convey away the surplus water of
the most excessive flood, and prevent overflows at and below New Orleans,
remain to be determined.
22* The transverse compass and level line, or lines, extending eastwaio
and westward entirely across the delta region, above and below the mouth
of Red river, together with numerous offsets, extending from the same to
the gulf coast, &c., as contemplated in the report of the topographical
board, was designed for the purpose of ascertaining the direction and positions of outlet channels proper for conveying the surplus water, &c., of lh<?
Mississippi, by the nearest and most favorable routes, into the open gunThese lines remain to be surveyed.
2:j. T h e number and positions of the outlets, and the directions and extent of the channels by which the surplus water should be conveyed to tidewater of the gulf; also, the magnitudes of the channels through which
the water is to be conveyed, with the least possible danger of producing inundations on the less elevated portions of the delta region, remain also to
be determined by the surveys mentioned in the preceding paragraph.
2 4 . T h e surveys first considered have also for their object a d e v e l o p m e n t
of the approximate capacity of all sub-marine cavities below the surface
of the gulf tides, with the view of ascertaining with some degree of precision the length of the period required t o replenish those cavities
sedimentary matter deposited from the surplus water of the Mississippi anu
R e dforrivers.
Digitized
FRASER

[20.]

25. In tho report of the topographical board the survey of sectional
lines across lied river, at a point below the mouth of Black river, together
with soundings and other observations, similar to those required at Carrolton, near New Orleans, was accidentally omitted. Surveys and observations for purposes .similar to those required at Carrolton, viz: for ascertaining the quantities of water and silt actually conveyed downward through
the channel of Red river and deposited within the Mississippi delta, should
be made.
26. The other surveys on the Mississippi, above the mouth of Rel river,
as contemplated in the report above cited, yet remain to be made.
MeaJis of accomplishing

the surveys.

27. I am credibly informed that the orignal estimate for this work was
prepared agreeably to the direction of the Superintendent of the Coast Survey, and contemplated merely a hydrographical and topographical survey
of the delta region of the lower Mississippi, below the mouth of Red river.
The survey of lines of level was not then regarded as an essential part of
the work. The probable cost of the surveys, including soundings in all the
water-fields to be surveyed, but exclusive of the running of lines of level,
was one hundred and twenty thousand dollars, ($120,0()0.) To this should
he added, on account of lines requiring the use of the levelling instrument,
at least thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) more, making the aggregate
amount one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, ($150,000;) which, in view
of the unavoidable hardships, exposures, and dangers to be encountered,
and the consequent limited portion of each year during which the surveys
can he kept in progress, as also the high prices demanded for services under
circumstances so unpropitious, may be regarded as a moderate estimate.^
28. With respect to the probable cost of prosecuting the surveys during
the ensuing year, it may be estimated as follows, viz:
Services and subsistence of assistant civil engineer in charge of
hydrometric surveys near New Orleans, at"67 per day for one
year, say
"
Services of three assistant engineers in charge of topographical
and hydrographical parties, at $() per day each, for one y e a r Services of eight sub-assistants on various'duties, at $-3 per day
each, for one year, say
Services of one pilot and" one steam engineer, at $100 per month
each, for eight months
;
'Services of leadsman, steward, cook, and six boatmen, nine persons, at $30 each per month, for eight months
Services ol axemen, chainmen, gauge-tenders, &c., &c., thirty
persons, for eight months of the year, at $ 3 0 each
Subsistence of field parties eight months, say fifty individuals, at
thirty cents per day for each
*
10
small steamer of light draught for soundings and hydrographjc surveys, including outfit, say
Contingencies, including"Yuel, stationery, &c., say

Amounting to

$2,500
0,570

14,000
1,000
2,1 GO
7,200
3, GOO

10,000
2,370
50,000

184

[ 20 ]

29. In the foregoing estimate I have included the probable cost of a light
draught steamer, the utility and necessity of which have been forcibly
demonstrated during the progress of the surveys and other operations
already performed.
1 have the honor to be, sir, verv respectfully, vour obedient servant,
8. H. LONG, Lieut. Cot. T. E.,
President Topographical Board.
Col. J. J.

ABCKT,

Chief 'of Topographical'Engineers,

Washington, J). C.

[ S O ]

REPORT ON THE OVERFLOWS OF THE DELTA OF THE MISSISSIPPI.
PREPARED

UNDER

INSTRUCTIONS

FROM T H E WAR

DEPARTMENT*

r.Y CIURLKS ELLfcT, JR., CIVIL KKOlXEF.it.

Introduction.
Jn this report, the causes of the more frequent and fnore extensive overflows ot' the delta of the Mississippi, in recent than in fortaer times, are
considered, and plans suggested for the mitigation of the evil*
The greater frequency and more alarming character of the floods are
attributed—
Primarily, to the extension of cultivation, throughout the Mississippi
valley, by which the evaporation is thought to be, in the aggregate, diminished, the drainage obviously increased, aud the floods hurried forward more
rapidly into the country beiow.
Secondly, to the extension of the levees along the borders of the Mississippi, and of its tributaries and outlets, by means of which the water that
was formerly allowed to spread over many thousand square miles of low
lands, is becoming more and more confined to the immediate channel of
the river, and is, therefore, compelled to rise higher and flow faster,
until, under the increased power of the current, it may have time to
excavate a wider and deeper trench to give vent to the increased volumewhich it COMMAS.
'
Thirdly, to' cut-ojfs, natural and artificial, by which the distance
traversed by the stream is shortened, its slope and velocity increased, and
the water consequently brought down more rapidly from the country above,
and precipitated more rapidly upon the country below.
Fourthly, to the gradual progress of the'delta into the sea, by which
the course of the river, at i u tmhcuchurc, is lengthened, the slope and
velocity there are diminished, and the water consequently thiown back upon
the lands above."
It is shown that each o! these causes is likely to be progressive, and that
the future floods throughout the length and breadth of the delta, and
along the great streams'tributaiy tu the Mississippi, are destined to rise
higher and" higher, as society spreads over the upper States, as population
adjacent to the river increases, and the inundated low lauds appreciate in
value.
the prevention of the increasing dangers growing out of these several .
'°-operati\e causes, six distinct plans are discussed and advocated :
First—Better, higher and stronger levees in Lower Louisiana, and more
Ancient surveillance—a local measure, but one requiring State legislation,
a
»d official execution and discipline.
Second—The prevention o'f additional cut-offs: a restraint which may
r
jtll for national legislation, or possibly judicial interference, to prohibit
rm<1
individuals above from deluging the country below.
Third-—The formation of an outlet of the greatest attainable capacity,
rom the Mississippi to the head of Lake Borgne, with a view, if possible,
0
convert it ultimately into the main channel of the river.
fourthly—The
enlargement of the Bayou Plaqueminc, for the purpose
c

[19]

of giving prompt relief to that part of the coa:>t which now suffers rarst
from the floods, v i z : to the borders of the Mississippi from above Baton
Rouge to New Orleans.
Fifth—The
enlargement of the channel of the Atchafalayn, for the
purpose of extending relief higher up the coast, and conveying to the sea,
by an independent passage, the discharge from Red river and the Washita.
Sixth—The creation of great artificial reservoirs, and the increase of
the capacity of the lakes on the distant tributaries, by placing dams across
their outlets with apertures sufficient for their uniform d i s c h a r g e — a s to
retain a portion of the water above until the floods have subsided below.
It is proposed by this process to compensate, in some degree, for the loss
of those natural reservoirs which have been and are vet to be ilest roved by
the levees; and at the same time, and by the snme expedient, improve the
navigation of all the great tributaries of the Mississippi, while affording
relief to the suffering and injured population of the delta.
I t will be seen that these several plans harmonize with each other, and
may be carried on simultaneously.
I t will be shown, moreover, that they will all be needed, and that they
must be adopted 3Promptly and prosecuted vigorously, to afford efficient
and timely protection; and that, if adopted, and pressed forward boldly,
they will ultimately secure the immediate object of Congress—the protection of the coasts of the Mississippi from overflow, and simultaneously the
perfection of twenty thousand miles of precarious navigation, and the ultimate drainage and cultivation of fifteen or twenty milfions of acres of uninhabitable swamps.
Nothing will more forcibly impress the mini! of the practical man with
the inestimable value of the Mississippi and its tributaries, as u social,
commercial, and political bond of this happy country, than the comprehensive study of the grand and beautiful problem of controlling their
waters.
T h e writer is fully aware of the distrust with which some of his views
011 this subject have been, and may yet be for a season, regaided. But he
submits his plans to the calm consideration of an enlightened public, m
the confident belief that every year, and each succeeding flood, will secure
for them closer attention and additional strength.

Report on the means of protecting the Delta of the Mississippi
.-it ndations.

fton 1

P A R T I.
or

Till!

P H Y S I C A L C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S OV T H E D E L T A < V T i l l :

MISSISSIPPI-

T h e delta of the Mississippi is usually assumed to extend from the (Jul*
Mexico t o the point at which rock ui situ is first e n c o u n t e r e d on both
sides ot u s channel, and supposed to be found in the bed. This p o i n t is
near the village of Commerce, about twenty-eight miles above the m o u t h
of the Ohio. But if we mean t o designate bv THE DELTA that f o r m a t i o n
gt alluvial soi) {hrough which the Mississippi now flows, and which h a i
of

[20.]

been raised above the sea by the earthy matter brought by the river from
the highlands, it will be difficult to assign its true northern"limit. There is
no evidence that the Gulf of Mexico, in the present order of things, and
under the present adjustment of land and water, ever washed the base of
the hills north of the Ohio.
Tf that fact be assumed, it involves the further assumption that there
existed at some remote period a cataract or rapids, having a descent greater
than the pitch of Niagara, somewhere above the mouth of the Ohio.
The elevation of the low water surface of the Mississippi between Commerce and Cape Girardeau is two hundred and eighty-five feet above the
level of the ocean; and if the present level of the sea ever extended up to
that point, the Mississippi must then and there have precipitated its waters
over a ledge two hundred and eighty-five feet high.
Without intending to maintain this assumption, which has never been
supported by facts or demonstration, for the present purposes we may adopt
the mouth of the Ohio as the head of the delta, though only for the convenience of assigning some limit, to the field of investigation. '
To bo able to form a just conception of the present physical constitution
of the delta, and the causcs of its overflow, we must imagine a great
plane sloping uniformly from the mouth of the Ohio, in a direction deviating but little from a due southerly course, to the Gulf of Mexico. The
length of this plane, from the mouth of the river to the waters of the gulf,
is five hundred miles. Its northern extremity is elevated two hundred and
seventy-five feet above the surface of the sea, and is there and everywhere
neaHy level with low water in the Mississippi river, its total descent,
following the highest surface of the soil, is about three hundred and twenty
feet, or at the rate of eight inches per mile.
The breadth of this plane near the month of the Ohio, in an cast and _
west direction, is from thirty to forty miles, and at the Gulf of Mexico it
spreads out to a width of about one hundred and fifty miles. It is enclosed
?n the east and west by a line of blufls of irregular height and extremely'
1
regular direction.
This plane, containing about 40,000 square miles, has been formed in the
course of ages from the material brought down from the uplands by the Mississippi and its tributaries. The river has therefore raised from the sea the
soil which constitutes its own bed. It flows down this plane of its own
ereation, in a serpentine course, frequently crowding on the hills to the left,
and once passing to the opposite side anil washing the base of the blulf
which makes its"appearance on the west at Helena.
, The actual distance from the mouth of the Ohio to the coast of the gulf
as stated, in round numbers, five hundred miles. The computed length
ot
the Mississippi river from its confluence with the Ohio to the mouth of
l
|ie Southwest Pass is 1 , 1 / 8 miles, and the average descent at high water
u>« of a foot, or 3 j inches per mile.
f h e course of the river is therefore lengthened out nearly seven hundred
miles, or is more than doubled by the remarkable flexuies of its channel ;
<>nd the rate of its descent is reduced by these flexures to less than one-half
that of the plane down which it flows.
In the summer and autumn, when the river is low and water is scantily
^pplied by its tributaries, the surface of the Mississippi is depressed at the
nead of the delta about forty feet, and as we approach New Orleans,
nvejity
below the t
flows along sluggishly m
q { jj s b a n k S j
It then

a trench about 3,000 feet wide, 75 feet deep at the head, and 120 feet at
the foot, and enclosed by alluvial and often caving banks, which rise, as
stated, from, twenty to forty feet above the water.
.
.
But when the autumnal rains set in, the river usually rises until the month
of May, when it fills up its channel, overflows its banks and Spreads many
itiiles over the low lands to the right and left of its trace: This leads to
another important feature in the characteristics of this stream.
T h e Mississippi bears along at all times, but especially in the periods of
flood, a vast amount of earthy matter suspended in its waters, which the
current is able to carry forward so long as the river is confined to its channel* * But when the water overflows its banks, its velocity is checked, and
it immediately deposites the heaviest particles which it transports, and leaves
them upon its borders ; and as the water continues to spread further from
j the banks, it continues to let down more and more of this suspended ma' terial, the heaviest particles being deposited on the banks, and the finest
clay being conveyed to positions most remote from the banks.
T h e consequence is, that the borders of the river which received the first
and heaviest deposite are raised higher above the general level of the plane
than the soil which is more remote; and that, while the plane of the delta
dips towards the sea at the rate of eight inches per mile, the soil adjacent
to the banks slopes off at right-angles to the course of the river into the
interior, for five or six miles, at the rate of three or four feet per mile.
These lateral slopes, with the high water and low water levels of the
Mississippi and the artificial levees, are exhibited in the annexed section,
(fig. J,) which is a fair average obtained from a number of surveys made
at various points between Donaldsonville and Baton Rouge, by Messrs. H
and William G. Waller, civil engineers. It will be perceived from this section and description, that in times o*
flood, the surface of the Mississippi is eighteen or twenty feet higher than
the level of a great part of the actual delta; and that* at low water, ils
surface is found in the very lowest depression of the delta ; so that all the
lateral streams and adjacent low grounds have then a natural drainage towards its channel.
T h e lands immediately on the borders of the river are extremely fertile,
and often highly cultivated. But as they are all subject to inundations by
the high floods of the river, they are guarded by artificial embankments,
which have been thrown up in front of each plantation by the individual
proprietors. T h e water presses upon these embankments, and often produces breaches through them ; when, as may be readily appreciated f r o m the
representation above,'it rushes in a deep column into'the low g r o u n d s , from
which it had been previously excluded by the levees, and sweeps over any
improvements that may have obtained a foot-hold there. I t is to find means
to prevent the disasters incident to these crevasses, and to prevent, the overflow of these low grounds, or swamp lands generally—covering, it is supposed, nearly 40,000 square miles—that the reconnoissance, of which the
results are now given, has been instituted.
r r
W h a t is here said of the Mississippi applies equally, though with modincations due to the difference in the magnitude of the streams, to all the tributaries, great and small, which flow into it, from the mouth of the Ohi© to
the sea. E a c h tributary is enclosed, at low water, by banks twenty or
thirty fret high, which it overflows at periods of flood, mingling

of overflow
in the lateral low grounds with those ofvthe Mississippi

[ 2 0 ]

immediate borders of each tributary likewise exhibit deposites, made by the
tributary, highest at the edge of the channel, and sloping off laterally to
the adjacent lowlands, presenting a narrow strip of cultivated or arable
soil, near the winding channel, and great unbroken swamps beyond.
The delta of the Mississippi was, therefore, in its natural condition, at
high water, a vast inundated tract, through the lowest depression of which
might be traced the channel of the river, absorbing numerous tributaries in
its course, each of which found its way to the common recipient along the
most depressed portions of the adjacent lowlands.
In times of great floods, there was then but an inconsiderable area of
land elevated above the water; but as the river fell, the course of its channel might be defined by two narrow strips of soil, rising in parallel belts
above the surface; from which, as the water continued to recede, there
would become gradually visible the parallel borders of the tributaries, and
their countless bayous, forming a double net-work of natural embankments,
with rivers of various dimensions enclosed between them, over the whole
area of the delta.
It is in the highest degree important that this description should be made
clear ; for it will presently be shown that it is essentially the exclusion of this
water of overflow from the swamps, that is now creating so much distress
in lower Louisiana; while to remove the water and reclaim these swamps,
has become a prominent object of national and State legislation.
The subject is of vast interest, highly complicated and full of difficulty.
But the lands which are now annually overflowed, may certainly be estimated at fully 16,000,000 of acres, which, if relieved by any effectual process, would be worth, at the government price, 820,000,000; but converted,
as they may be, into sugar and cotton fields, would possess a value that it
might seem extravagant to state; while the annual loss and distress of the
present population caused by the inundations of the river can scarcely find
a parallel, excepting in the effects of national hostilities.
WIDTH OF THE MISSISSIPPI.

The Mississippi is usually described as remarkable for the uniformity of its
surface width. And if we*take great sections, and compare the average
breadth in consecutive reaches extending from one great tributary to another,
we shall certainly be struck with the uniformity of these averages, and the
^ r y small impression produced upon the apparent magnitude of the stream
jjy the immense volumes of water poured into it by its greatest arms. This
fact has, indeed, an important bearing upon the subject of overflows; for
we shall find that, notwithstanding the vast contributions received from the
Ohio, the Arkansas, White, St. Francis, Red and other rivers, the RJissisS1
ppi, in flood, actually conveys less water into the Gulf of Mexico in a
unit of time, through its channel, than it carries past Cape Girardeau, or
other points, twelve hundred miles above its mouth.
But notwithstanding this general truth, this great river presents as frequent and as sudden changes of width, depth and velocity, as are exhibited
b
,V
streams. Let u7; take, for example, three measurements of the
width of the entire river between banks, in the neighborhood of St. Louis.
Ex.—2

[20]

18
Width of the Mississipp i river at St.

Louis.

W i d t h opposite Market street, (taken at low water in 18-J9,
by Charles Ellet, jr.)
W i d t h above Bloody island, (taken in 1S37, by Captain 11.
E . Lee)
W i d t h at Narrows, three miles above St, Louis, (taken in
1837, by Captain R . E . Lee)

;j,444 feet.
4,:314 "
1,835

These measurements show variations in the width at the surface, of nearly
one hundred and forty per cent, in the space of three m i l e s ; yet the average
width ^ t or near St. Louis does not differ materially from the average at
VickstSurg or at Donaldsonville. In fact, it will be seen, in comparing the
following widths at surface, measured at various points, from Cape Girardeau to the mouth of the river, that there is no general increase of the
breadth of the Mississippi, in passing from what is supposed to be its ancient
channel to that alluvial bed winch it has raised for itself from the sea.
T A B L E I.
Of the width

of tin Mississippi

between

banks.

Points.

Feet.

Cape Girardeau, ibout } mile above,
.
.
.
Above mouth of Ohio, about 2 miles,
.
Below mouth of Ohio, about 1 mile,
Below Memphis, half a mile,
. . .
At the Horse-Shoe cut-oft;
- '
Above moutli of Arkansas river, three quarters of a mile,
Below mouth of Arkansas river, three quarters of a mile,
At America!! bend, upper side, below Columbia,
At American bend, lower .side,
Terrapin Keck, Fig. 3, letter P,
Terrapin Keck, lower side, at letter P',
.
.
.
Above Yicksburg, about 7 mileb, Above Vjcjtsburg lauding, half a mile,
Below Vicksburg, about 3 miles, Above Palmyra Island bend,
Below Palmyra Island bead,
Above Grand Gulf, about 4 miles, .
Below Grand Gulf, about miles, Above the mouth of Ked river, aboui halt* a mile,
Below the mouth of Ked river, about 1 mile,
Raccourci cut-off, (rivyr still becoming wider tyrr,)
Tunica bend,

tfaton Rouge, (from the report of Senate committee of Louisiana.)
Above Plaquemine, one and a half miic, . . .
Below Plaquemine, one and a half mile, Above Donaldsonville, about 1 mile,
" .
Below Donaldsonville. about half a mile, Bonnet Carre bend, above crevasse,
Bonnet Carre bend, Mow crevasse,
.
Sauve'a plantation, above crevasse,
, , .
At McMaster's plantation, about 11 |uiles below Sew Orleans,
Average width of the MfcsisMppi,

19
From those measurements—for which the points of observation were not
particularly selected, but taken with a view to obtain other information incident fo this in vesication—the width of the Mississippi may be said to
vary, in the course of the river through the delta, from 2,200 to o,000 feet,
though there are occasionally encountered places where these limits are materially exceeded. In the succeeding investigations, when it may become
necessary to use a mean expression for the value of the width, .3,300 feet
will be assumed for that average.
There is one fact having a most important practical bearing, which it
will he expedient to notice here, as resulting from these measurements. The
width of the Mississippi, in the Raccourci cut-off, is, at this time, but 1,761
feet, or only half the measured width at points a few miles above and
below the cut-off. This passage has now* been open more than three
years, yet the power of the whole river rushing through it has not been
found sufficient to cut out that narrow neck much beyond the half of the
average width of the stream. As the pass becomes enlarged from year to
year, the force of the river through it will be correspoadingly diminished,
and centuries may therefore roll by before that part of the Mississippi is
opened as wide as the average dimensions of the channel.
This ftict will be again adverted to when we come to consider the merits
of that theory which treats with indifference the constantly increasing volume poured down by the river ; confiding in the hope that the abrasive
power of the current will increase as the volume of water discharged increases, and that this increasing power will always secure an adequate passage for the surplus water. J The writer may, therefore, assert now, as he
will he forced to maintain hereafter, that this is a delusive hope, and most
dangerous to indulge, because it encourages a false security.
o r T i n : DUPTH o r T i n : MISSISSIPPI.

The depth of the Mississippi, from above the entrance of the Missouri
to a point below the mouth of the Arkansas, exhibits a decided increase
with each additional tributary it receives. But below tlie Arkansas, and especially below the mouth of the Yazoo, though the extreme depths, in midehanneK may vary materially,—sometimes diminishing down to less than
ninety iVet and sometimes rising to more than one hundred and eighty feet,—
they exhibit no general or progressive increase.

[ 2 0 ]

r T h e following table shows the maximum depths found at high water in
sounding across°froin shore to shore at the several points for which the foregoing widths are given:
TABLE II.
Of the extreme depths of the Mississippi

at high water of 1S30

Points.
Cape Girardeau, about H mile above,
Cape Girardeau, (to high water of 1844,) Above mouth of Ohio, about 2 miles,
Below mouth of Ohio, about 1 mile,
Below Memphis, half a mile,
At the Horse-Shoe cut-off,
Above mouth of Arkansas river, three-fourths of a mile, Below mouth of Arkansas river, throe-fourths of a mile, At American bend, upper side,
At American bend, lower side,
Terrapin Neck, Fig. 8, letter P,
Terrapin [Neck, lower side, at letter P%
Above Vicksburg, about 7 miles, -Above Vicksburg landing, half a mile,
TJelow Vicksburg, about :> miles, Above Palmyra Island bend,
Below Palmyra Island bend,
Above Grand Gulf, about 4 miles, Below Grand Gulf, about ?» miles, Above the mouth of Bed river, ahour half a mile,
Below the mouth of Bed river, about 1 mile,
In Baceourci cnt-ott*,
Tunica bend,
Above Plaquemine, one and a half mih\ Below Plaquemine, one and a half mile, Above Donaldsonville, about 1 mile.
Below Honaldsonville, about half a mile, Bonnet Carre bend, above the crevas.se,
Bonnet; Carre bend, below the crevasse,
Sauve s plantation, above the crevasse,
At McMaater's plantation, about 11 miles below New Orleans,

Fret.
6G.5
7G.5
77.5
71.3
102.5
72.8

81A

81.0

103.0
70.1

87.fi
102.1

120.0
120.5
84.0

%.?>
01.3
105.5
70.5

118.0

128.0
107.0
87.7
123.5

128.0
117.5
103.2
107.0
76.4
135-3

100.0

From Vicksburg dowTn to N e w Orleans, we may fairly assume the average depth, in mid-channel way, at high water, to be one hundred and fifteen
feet, though there are many points where the depth exceeds one hundred
and eighty feet, and others where the extreme does not exceed seventy feet.
I t is liable also to frequent variations in the same points; light deposites being
left on the bottom when the river is low, and swept out again when its
force is increased by the flood. T h e greatest depth found iiTthe course ot
this investigation was under the bluffs'at Grand Gulf, where the lead once
reached two hundred feet. A depth of one hundred and eighty-four feet
w a s obtained above Donaldsonville, and one hundred and eighty fret i»
several other places.
I t is worthy of note that the maximum depth of the section taken in the
Raeeourci cut-off, as well as the width of surface, after having been three
years exposed to the action of the river—here greatly increased in power
by the contraction of the water-way—is still decidedly below the average*

1 2 0 ]

TABLE III.
Of the xcction of the JWijji^ippi

between banks, in the high water of 1850.

Points.

Sq. feet.

At Cape Girardeau, about 1 £ mile above,
At Cape Girardeau, about 11 mile abovei (flood of 1844,)
Below mouth of the Ohio, about 1 mile, Below Memphis, half a mile,
.
.
At the Horse-Shoe cut-off,
Above mouth of the Arkansas river, three-fourths of a mile,
Below mouth of the Arkansas river, three-fourths of a mile,
At American Itend, upper side,
.
.
.
.
At American bend, lower side, Terrapin Neck, upper side,
.
.
.
.
Terrapin Neck, lower side,
Above A'ick'sburjr, about 7 miles. Above Vicksburg landing, half a mile, Below Vicksburg, about 3 miles
Above Palmyra-Island bend,
Below Palmyra Island bend,
.
.
.
.

105,544
130,624
235,333
143,212
161,221
171,190
190,390
170,160
187,170
178,220
168,130
160,164
177,200
207,800
187,220
256,292
17o,773
264,797
194,530
268,646

Above Grand Gulf, about 4 mih.s

Below Grand Gulf, aboutftmiles,
Above the mouth of lied river, about half n mile.
Below the mouth of Ked river, nbout 1 mile,
Raccourci cut-off,
Tunica bend.
Baton Kongo, (from the report of engineers of Senate committee,)
Above Plaquemiue, one and a half mile, Below Plaquemine, "lie and a half mile.
Above Donaldsonville, about 1 mile,
Below Donaldsonville, about half a mile,
Bonnet Carre bend, above creva>se, (high water of 1849,)
Bonnet Carre bend, below crevasse, (high water of 1849,)
Smive's plantation, above creva^e, (hitrh water of 1849,)
At McMaster.s plantation, about 11 miles below New Orleans, -

348,790
1133,892
212,500

The average area of the high water scction of the Mississippi, fiom Vicksburg to
ftonald.sonville, inclusive', is
Hie average of the whole, from ihe mouth of the Ohio to New Orleans, is

181,000
199,280
200,250
214,580
198*734
152,443
182,031
160,172

215,200
200,000

ft will be again observed, on inspecting this table, that the area of the
Section of the Mississippi in high water, through the Raccourci cut-oft, is
little more than two-thirds of the average area from Vicskburg to
Bonnet Carre. T h e average velocity of the current through that contracted pass, is, therefore, at least forty per cent, greater than the average veiocity in other parts of the river below the mouth of the Arkansas. Yet,
notwithstanding the fart that the water is so crowded in this gorge, and
™at its velocity is so much accelerated by the contraction of the channel,
»t makes exceedingly slow progress in opening the way and regaining its
ft
verage normal dimensions.
"
, c ;
The conclusions which will be drawn from this fact will be found oi the
highest importance in treating of the effect of cultivation, of cut-offs, ami
th
* extension of the levees—in lact in all measures tending to throw more
*ater into any part of the channel in a given time. It will be seen that we
"iust seek to determine the effect of every such increase of supply, without
venturing to make allowances for any hypothetical augmentation of the

[

20 ]

194

water-way to be ultimately gained by tbe increase of the abrasive power of
t h e current.
;

OF TIII: VELOCITY o r NU; MI^MSSUTI.

Numerous observations were made iu the course of these investigations,
for the purpose of determining the velocity of the Mississippi. T h e result
of these measurements shows an average surface velocity in the centre oi
the river, at high water, of about seven feet per second, or nearly five miles
per hour; and occasionly places where the speed at the surface is ten or eleven
feet per second, or fully seven miles per hour.
" But for the purpose of computing the discharge of the river, it is necessary
to be able to deduce approximately the velocity of all the currents beneath
the surface, or the mean velocity, from observations made at the surface*
This problem has occupied the attention of several eminent writers, among
whom stand conspicuously the names of Du Buat and I)e Prony. The formulas published by these writers, respectively, have received the sanction of
practical men, and are now almost universally adopted. Vet the experiments made during this inquiry have exhibited results which do not sustain
the received rules, when applied to deep and rapid rivers, and which, in fact,
are in some respects at variance with all the popular theories.
A primary object of the writer was to ascertain what deduction ought to
be made from the observed velocities at the surface of the Mississippi, m
order to represent fairly the mean velocity of the whole mass of the river.
For this puipose, lines of different lengths were prepared and so loaded
t h a t the lower end would sink while the upper end, and the load at the lower,
would be supported by a float on the surface. A line thus prepared was
thrown into the river where the depth had been previously ascertained,
and when straightened out by the weight below*, a surface flout was placet
alongside of the one which supported the line, and allowed to start from a
drifting boat, with the same voiocity. These floats were !:q>t together until
they were carefully timed ha they passed the range previously established on
the shores. They were then successively timed again as they passed a second parallel range, established five hundred feet lower down the river. B
results from numerous trial:;, made in this manner, in different parts ot the
river, in depths varying from fifty-four feet to one hundred feet, and in currents varying from three miles "to seven miles per hour, that the speed of
the float supporting a line f i f t y feet long is aim nM, a! way.? greater than thnt
of the surface float. T h e average increase of velocity over the surface velocity with a line of fifty feet, obtained from nineteen observations, is two per cent.
F o u r observations in nineteen trials with the fifty-feet line, exhibited unrlervelocities less than the surface velocities. W i t h a line twenty-five feet
long the results were nearly the same in five observations: four of the results
with the line being greater than the speed of the surface, float. A line seventy-five feet long in ninety-three feet water showed a velocity a little over
t w o per cent, greater than that of the surface float.
»
A line seventy-five feet long where the depth was eighty-two feet, showed
a velocity 2 . 6 per cent, less than that obtained at the surface. But experiments made on the speed so near the bottom must always be received witn
distrust, as the lower end of the line is liable to come in contact with the
soil, or other fixed obstructions. (See note A.)
Sofor
farFRASER
as these experiments go, they lead to the conclusion that the mean
Digitized

[ 20

]

velocity of the Mississippi, instead of being less, is in fact about two per cent,
greater than the mean surface velocity.
But it has not been deemed proper
to make any additions to the volumes deduced from observations on the speed
at the surface, in computing the total discharge ol the liver. I t is the
opinion of the writer, founded cn these experiments and legitimate deductions from them, that the velocity of the water near the surface is retarded
by its contact with the atmosphere.
As we descend below the surface the
effect of this retardation disappears, and at some point about midway between
the surface and tho bottom the velocity would be a maximum. But at the
bottom, a further retardation of course has place, which the time of the
writer and the ine.\ns at his disposal, did net permit him to study. But as
such a retardation must occur, it has been deemed proper to assume that
it will diminish, if it do not altogether neutralize, t he increase of two per ccnt.
observed in the ve'ncities, with a lifty-feet iine, over those obtained at the
surface.
It is probable that the mean velocity of the Mississippi is a very small fraction greater than the mean velocity ot its surface; but as the excess must be
very small, certainly less than two per cent., it has been thought proper to
compute the discharge in all cases from the surface velocity only.
In deducing the average increase of velocity beneath the surface, no account has been taken of those observations which show remaikable undercurrents produced by eddies and local irregularities.
On one occasion, in
testing the velocity a few hundred feet from the shore, where the soundings
showed a depth of thirty-nine feet, the velocity of a twenty-five feet line
was found to bo 20J per cent, greater than that*of the surface float; and the
speed of a buoy hearing a thirtv-five feet line—sweeping within four or five
feet of the bottom—was seventeen per cent, greater than that of the surface.
These under-eurrcnts are very frequent below the salient angles of the
shores, where eddies occur, and great disturbance of the water is produced.
Ijut the foregoing results arc obtained from observations made in straight
channels where no such disturbing causes were observable.
A study of these observations will enable us, moreover, to account for an
anomaly sometimes noticed in tcstintr the surface velocities at different (lis^lees from the shore in the same part of the river. It occasionally hapPens that the s p e d at the 5iir face diminishes as the depth of the sounding increases; contrary to the received hypothesis which assumes that, aetcris pari, > the velocity of the surface current increases in some proportion with the
? e pth of the channel. Still, these anomalous results are, in this case, only
hl
f appearance in conflict with tho popular law. T h e depth of the river is due,
jlot hMhe surface velocity, but to the velocity of the water which is in con, act with the bottom, ami which produces the depth. The deeper soundings
° Uml where the surface velocities are diminished, are the result of underur
rents of greater force than those at the surface.
u
is proper to remark, that it was only in the Mississippi, and its deep
"Wanes and outlets, t h a t the under-velocities were found to exceed those
kilned from the surface floats. On repeating tho same experiments m
_ Wlo\r mountain s t r e a m s of quick dcsccnt, the law commonly recognised
J1?
to prevail, and the surface floats passed quickly ahead of those
1,10,1 w
erc attached to iines suspended at anv depth beneath the surface.

[ 2 0 ]

OP THE VOLUME OF WATER DISCHARGED BY THE MISSISSIPPI.

I t was an object of solicitude, on the part of the writer, to ascertain from
actual measurement the volume of water discharged by the Mississippi at
the height of the flood of April, 1851. But, at the moment when the river
was thought to have reached its highest mark, the weather proved to be unfavorable for such experiments, which can only be correctly made at times
of perfect calm. The least motion of the wind affects the velocity of the
float and vitiates the result. Before suitable weather again occurred the
water had receded below New Orleans, where the measurement was made,
about six inches.
In that condition of t he river, when the surface had fallen six inches, the
volume discharged at a point eleven miles below the city, and below all the
crevasses then running, wvas found to be 979,240 cubic feet per second. This
measurement was made the 16th -April, 1851.
Ten days after this gauging was completed, the weather proved again to
be perfectly calm, and the opportunity was seized to ascertain the discharge
a short distance below the mouth of Red river. The water had then receded at that place 2 fa feet from the highest point attained during that
flood. The result, in this condition of the surface, exhibited a total discharge immediately below Red river, of .1,054,000 cubic feet per second.
W e have, then, the following important results derived from these experiments:
1,05-1,000 c. ft. per. sec.
The discharge below Red river was
The discharge below New O r l e a n s - - - 979,240
do.
do.
Lost between Red river and New Orleans

74,700 cubic feet.

Even in this state of the facts, after the river had fallen 2 fa feet at the
mouth of Red river, and only half a foot at New Orleans, the discharge
below Red river exceeded the discharge at New Orleans, by 74,760 cubic
feet per second.
This fact will be hereafter found worthy of special note, when we come
to discuss the practicability of defending the country below Red river, as
has been often proposed, by simply strengthening the levees. When the water had fallen 2 fa feet, the breaches in the guard-banks of the coast were
still venting more water than would have sufficed, as we shall find, to raise
the surface twelve inches when the flood was at its extreme height.
But before attempting to discuss this question, it is important to ascertain
what volume of water escaped through all the crevasses below Red river
at the top of the flood of 1851; and also, approximately, some method
to determine the volume of water that will be needed to raise the s u r f a c e of
the river, when in flood, any given height. These questions involve the unk n o w n r e l a t i o n s o f d e p t h s , s l o p e , a n d v e l o c i t y o f r i v e r s ; q u e s t i o n s which

have been discussed by several able and distinguished writers, but which
nevertheless must receive a further examination here.
But it will bo useful first to record the actual discharge of the Mississippi in the extreme high water of 1851.
Below the mouth of the Red river, when the surface had rcccdcd
feet from its highest mark, the discharge per second was found, by measure

25
ments made Apiil 2 6 t h , 1851. as already stated,
to be
1,054,000 cub. ft. p; see;
Tu this add lor the diminution of the disehamc
due to the reduction of the surface, 2*$ feet,
by a formula to be hereafter presented
80,500
And we obtain for total discharge of the high water of 1851*- 1 ,134.50Dc.ft;
This sum, however, expresses only the discharge
through the channel. T o obtain the total discharge we must include the volume vented by
the Atchafalaya. T h e discharge of the Atcltafalaya, below the mouth of the Bayou de
Glaise, April 26th, 1851, was
122,700 cub. ft. p. sec.
Add for the diminution of the disch arge due to
the reduction of the surface there, 2 V;V, feet, at
that date
12,800
Total discharge per second of the Atchafalaya during the
high water of 185J
-

135,500 c. ft

Aggregate discharge per second of the Mississippi and Atchafalaya together, at high water of 1851
1,270,000c.ft.
•But the flood of 1851 was three inches lower than
that of 1850, immediately below the mouth of
Ked river. W e ran not", therefore, estimate
the high water discharge of the Mississippi
and Atchafalaya together, at the top of the
flood of 1850, at less than
- - - 1,280,000 cub. ft. p. sec.
These results apply to observations made on the Mississippi above the
Koccourci cut-off, and on the Atchafalava just below the mouth of Bayou
(le
Glaise.
There is a fact elicited by these investigations, and others conducted^ at
Jugner points on the river, of great importance in this inquiry, and which
^ a p p a r e n t l y heretofore escaped observation. I t is the curious circumnCe
that the actual channel of the Mississippi—or what may be designated
as
the Mississippi bet term banks—carries more water, in times of flood, towards the head of the delta, than near tho mouth of Red river, or thence
the sea. In other words, more water is discharged by the actual channel of the river immediately below the mouth of the Ohio, or even above
^ mouth, as high up as Cape Girardeau, than passes by Natchez or New
1 urn- intermediate
noint.
Th[leans,
r S ' 0or
* n t < ? ™ediate point.
ne
discharge of the Mississippi per second below New Ore n
* S at the top of the flood of 1851, (from measurements
a
ken.lune 16th, and corrected for extreme high water,)
-995,000 c. ft.
IS i l i s . o l l n r ^ thrnuch the channel below the mouth of
river when the ^surface was highest, June, 1S51, was 1,134,o00r.ft.

L 2 0 ]

T h e discharge of the channel at Memphis, nt the top of the
flood of May, 1850, as deduced from tlic report of M r .
llobert A. Marr, United States navy, (sec note B,) w a s - - 958,'JOO c. ft.
T h e discharge, one mile below the mouth of the Ohio, .June
10, 1851, while the water was yet seven feet ten inches below the high water of 1850, and time feet below that of
1849, and rising about one foot per diem, was
1,223,000c.ft.
The discharge about one mile above Cape Girardeau, June
17, 1851, when the water was 4 ^ feet below the high
water of 1844, was- - 1,025,000c.ft.
The discharge at this point, above the mouth of
the Ohio, during the high water of 1844,
must have been at least
1,200,000 cub. ft. p. sec.
These quantities, it will be observed, are in all eases the volumes which
flowed down between the banks of the river, and are exclusive of the waters
of overflow which enter the swamps above and feed and maintain the floods
b?lowr.
If we compare the volume discharged in 1851 below the mouth of the
Ohio, while the flood was yet nearly eight feet below the high water of
1850, with that known to have passed Memphis at the top of the flood of
1850, we will have data fully to justify the conclusion that more than forty
per centum of the volume discharged by the channel immediately below the
mouth of the Ohio, passes over into the swamps of the southern counties of
Missouri, and escapes the measurements at Memphis. And, in order to
form a correct judgment of the masses of water to be de alt with, in the attempt to control the floods of this river, it must be f u r t h e r observed that a
great volume also leaves the channel of the Mississippi above the Ohio, and
passes around through the swamps of Missouri, and consequently escapes
even from the measurements below Cairo.
N o effort has yet been made to ascertain by direct measurement the volume of water which in times of flood finds its way through the swamps
on either side of the river ; though this is indeed a very important element
in the present inquiry. I t was too late in the season for the writer to undertake that work, after he had ascertained its true bearing upon the subject
on which it was his duty to report. T o do it properly, preparatory surveys
should be made across the swamps before the flood comes down, so that the
wave might be traced and the volume of overflow determined from point
t o point, as it advances.
T h e quantities which are here stated, differ widely from the current estimates of the high-water burden of the Mississippi*
Hut as they result
from careful soundings, and simultaneous observations upon the velocity at
each point where the depth was taken, so as to divide the section of the
river into numerous portions of which the area and velocity were known,
they cannot possibly deviate materially from the precise t r u t h .
LAWS OF DRAINAGE,

Several foreign writers on hydrauliques have published formula1, derived
from experiments, to exhibit tfie relations between the depths, slopes an
velocities of running streams. B u t their v a n o u s e q u a t i o n s a r e almost an
derived from each other, or built upon the same observations; while these

observations, limited in number, have been made on streams of very sroau

T 20 ]

dimensions. Where they arc applied to great rivers, Jike the Mississippi or
Ohio, they fail to give results in close agreement with the recognised facts.
It has therefore been deemed ad\isalde, indeed necessary, to derive new and
better formula? from a wider range of experiments—embracing great rivers of
gentle slope in full Hood, and passing from those to smaller streams of abrupt
descent, and in various conditions of their channels. Jiut great difficulties
were encountered in the attempt to frame such a formula from observations
on the flow of the Mississippi. The movements of this great river are
remarkable, and need to he carefully studied before the resulting law can
bo confidently applied. The liver descends on an average slope of about
three and a quarter inches per mile, and the mean velocity of its current is,
of course, due to that slope. Yet it not unfrequently happens, that while
the mass of the water which its channel bears is sweeping to the south at a
speed of four or five miles j er hour, the water next the store is running to
the north at a speed of one or two miles per hour.
U is no unusual thing to faid a swift current and a corresponding fall on
oiie shore towards the south, and on the opposite shore, a visible current and
m\ appreciable sloj e towards the north. In other words, the water is often
running rapidly up stream on one side of the river, while" sweeping with
equal ormuch g n a i e r rapidity down .stream on the opposite side.
It is obvious, therefore. That no single or merely local observation on the
rate of descent ol the strerin can be depended on for the determination of
that elenvnt of an equation. The apparent slope is at every point affected
by the bends of the river, ai.d the cuitrihural force acquired by the water
in sweeping round the eunvs. and bv the eddies which form on the opposite
Mfle, under the salient angles.
The surface of the river is
therefore, a plane, but a peculiarly complicated warped surface* varying from point to point, and inclining alternately
hom side to side.
To neutralize in some device the effect of such variations en the littoral
measurements of ihe slope,' levels and soundings were taken at different
points along the Hiore not very remote from each other, and mean slopes,
depths and velocities derived from many observations. As a check to the
results, and a guaid against mateiiai error, the average slope, depth and
velocity was obtained for considerable distances, embracing many bends of
die river. And as a further check, the slop* s\ depths, areas and velocities
ot
the tributary s and outlet* of the Mississippi, and of various small
mountain streams, were collected and compared. A formula was then
sought which should express the maxima or central velocities, in terms
ut
the slope and maxima'depths of each of these various streams.
I'lie equation produced bv these investigations is here submitted, with
«»e observations from which it was derived, and its application to each set ot
observations.
^ ' t d represent the maximum depth of the river, in feet, at the place of
observation : / ; the slope of the surface, in feet per mile ; v, the velocity oi
central surface current, in feet per second : then the formula proposed u
8

VdH-V.
!
10
'JO
application of this formula to man) of the observations, with the
a|
nount of discrepancy in rach case, will be found in note C.
,y Y V a , s ^irther ascertained, from r.u:,, reus observations conducted with
Iaucil
fare, that the mtan velocity of a --eat river, in a straight channel, is

[ 20 ]

about eighty per cent, of its maximum velocity, as has been obtained by
De Prony and others, for smaller streams.* This proportion is close enough
for any practical application needed in this paper; it is, probably, as close
a general approximation as can be made in the premises.
* There is no necessity of any formula to determine the actual discharge of
the Mississippi for any given height ot Hood or position; that has been
done, as far as is necessary for any practical purpose, by direct measurement
But it is necessary to have some means of determining approximately
what will be the increased height of a flood, due to any given increase m
the volume discharged, when the general dimensions and slope of the river
are given.
The formula above will be applicable to this object, ami will be frequently referred to in the course of this report. That formula expresses the value
in feet per second, of the central surface velocity. Ei^ht-tenths of that
value is the approximate mean velocity of the whole section ; which being
multiplied into the area of the section, in feet, will show the discharge 111
cubic feet.
It will be expedient here to make two applications of this formula, assuming for the constants, dimensions corresponding with the general features of
the Mississippi from Donaldsonville to Ked river. We w ill find, bv referring to the two preceding tables, that the general mid-channel depth, or the
value of d, may be fairly assumed at one hundred and fifteen feet; the general width of surface at about 3,<100 feet: the general slope, at high water,
at
of a foot per mile; and the average area ol* water-way, at 215,000
square feet.
By substituting these quantities in the formula, we shall have for the usual
mid-channel velocity at high water,
-!- I " * * - 3.73 feet per sccond.
The mean velocity should be eight-tenths of this sum, or
v
4.584 feet per second.
The discharge per second will then become
D - 215,000 x 4.584 = 985,560 cubic feet per second.
But, if the surface should now rise 12 inches higher, in consequence
an increased supply of water, the value of d will become one hundred and
sixteen feet; the slope, or value o f / , will he
feet,
and the area of the
average section will be increased to 218/300 square feet.
By substituting these quantities in the formula, we obtain for the velocity
in mid-channel way,
v

, 5.8150 feet per second.

The mean velocity is therefore, in this case,
v -- 4.0525 feet per second.
The area of the channel, when the depth is increased one foot by the elevation of the surface, is also increased, and becomes
A - 215,000 - r 3,300 - 21*,300 square feet.
The discharge per second will bp, in this case,
218,300 x 4.0525
1,015,010 ruhic. feet per serond.,
* The precise figures given by De Prony arc, v ' = . W m m ; but the writer pretends to 110

such accuracy.

j
1

[ 20

]

Comparing these results, we perceive that when the
river is at its usual high-water stage, under the circumstances assumed for the example, the discharge per
second is- ^
085,560 c. faet.
And when raised twelve inches higher, by any accidental
increase of supply, the discharge must h e - - - 1,015,640 c. feet.
I rom which we deduce for the volume which must be supplied to t In* channel when in fullflood, in order to raise the •
surface one foot from Red river to Plaijuemine, per second
30,030 c. feet.
In applying this formula, however, it is proper to observe that there are
two considerations which operate to increase the volume that would be required to produce this increased elevation. When the river is at or near its
highest imirk, it overflows lung strips of level ground between the natural
hank and the levee, where there is a sensible, though inconsiderable, motion*
ihis increased area will assist 111 venting a part of the increased supply.
Again, when the river is rising* the slope of the surface at the point where
the rise is progressing, is materially greater than the slope of the surface when
at its highest "limit, and still greater than the slope which has place after the
^ater has begun to recede. T h e effect ot this consideration upon the velocity
and discharge of a river, in cases of rapid rise, is frequently very great, f t
(,
itun happens, at the beginning of a llood in the upper part of the Mississippi, that the water rises at ilie rule of three or even four feet in twentylour hours. T h e average velocitv before the rise may be assumed at two
a half miles an houi\ T h e water, therefore, travels at the rate of sixty
mi
'es a day. Consequently, when the first signs of the flood are visible at
a point sixty miles below the mouth of the Ohio, it may have risen three or
Ur
fret at the mouth ; and the average slope must have experienced an in*
urease, in that space of sixty miles, of,.1,, of a foot per mile—which is about
«ne-fifth 0 f t } u , > s | 0 | ) e q { ( { u ; r i v e r \ ) c f m i > y\}v jloocl commenced. It is true
fhat, m the lower pari of the river, and when the wave has nearly reached
^ highest mark, the water rises much more slowly, and the increase attrib"table to this cause is far less serious, than in this example. But even 111
';astMhe effect will be perceptibly; and it will not therefore be prudent,
m the
,
judgment of the writer, to estimate the increased volume needed to
the surface one foot in extreme hiirh water, at a less average than
J
& ? ^ h i c feet per second.
, l h u i s submitted as a mean r e s u l t , applicable only to the general or
dimensions of the lower Mississippi. No rule can be given which
, 111 il pply to every position: for the width, depth and area of the stream
most variable; and as the same volume ot water must pass through diff ^ n t sections, its velocitv, both surface and mean, must be subject to com
change.
OF THE CREVASSKS,

* rom (lis description whivh has been uiven of the delta, it will be easy
those not familiar with the formation of the valley of the Mississippi, to
appreciate the d a r n e r to which the population there is continually exposed
!
of Hood, from the inundations of the river, consequenton the giving
; U L n f the jir sjt" tinT levee,. T h e condition of things in high water is
^ " v ^ > U n T H "in V
diagram, fi«. I- The surface of the river is

30
there shown to be from five to seven feet above thesurface of the cultivated
fields on its borders; and the water is prevented from sweeping over these
fields by artificial embankments, which now* extend in continuous lines on
both.sides of the river, from below New Orleans to the mouth of the Arkansas—a distance of about 600 miles. These embankments, in most cases,
are maintained by the individual proprietors; so that the security of the
property of every "planter depends both upon his own vigilance ami experience and those of his neighbors. This vigilance is not always sufficient tor
the protection of the country : and it wil Thereafter be shown that no care
can ever be sufficient to guard against the occurrence of overflows; that
breaches through the present levees are.unavoidable; and that, indeed, such
breaches are the necessary safety-valves for the escape of the surplus water,
and must continue to have place until other and less costly provision is made.
The water of the Mississippi now usually rises to a level not more than
twelve inches below the tops of the levees, and four or five feel above the general surface of the ground immediately behind the levees. This ground slopes
off at the rate of three or*four feet per mile from the levee to the swamps,
or until it reaches a level from fifteen to twent\-five feet below the high water
surface of the river. This is shown in the wood-cut below, which is a correct
representation of the four an! a half miles extending from the Mississippi at
Bonnet Cane, about forty miles above New Orleans, to Lake Pontchartrain.
If the levee should here give way, as has already happened, the water
would, of course, rush through the breach with the velocity due to t k
depth of the column and the slope of the piano in the rear of the embankment. With a depth of six feet and a slope of three feet per mile—numbers corresponding with the circumstances of the Bonnet Carre crevasse, as
near as any that can now be obtained—the velocity of the current passing
from the river into the fields will be at the surface*, by the formula,
v — ^ f o x 6 -f

'' _ \t\]Q

p C r S econd.

The area of the Bonnet Carre crevasse, when running, appears bv measurement to have been—if we take the entire width of t he levee w h i c h was
destroyed,,and the high-water line of the surface while the cre.va^e was in
full activity—about 43,000 square feet. The volume discharged would
appear from these elements to be,
D - 4 3 , 0 0 0 > 4.3 x ^ - 149,600 cubic feet per second.
This is the discharge which we obtain for that great crevasse by using
those visible evidences which yet remain. But there is one circumstance
which will lead to the conclusion that this crevasse, at no period of its
running, gave vent to so great a volume as is deduced from these elements.
A portion of the present gap must have been created after the water began to recede, as the current could not have failed to continue to cut aw.)'
the levee as long as water continued to pass through the opening with sufficient velocity for that put pose. We have no means to determine what deduction should be made on account of the enlargement of the ope»i»»S
during the fail of the water; but it is quite probable that 100,000 cubic
feet per second is the extreme estimate to be admitted for the discharge ot
this crevasse when at its maximum.
Many other crevasses were discharging simultaneously with that of Bonnet C(<rre during the winter and spring of 1800: but there are no means oi
ascertaining the total discharge through all the breaches for any portion ot

[20]

that period. It has been estimated by a distinguished engineer of New
Orleans, M. Buisson. on the best data that he could obtain, that at one
period 110 less than OHO,??* cubic feet per second was drawn ofl' laterally
oy the crevasses of that year. But as this estimate seems to have been
made by using the actual breadth of the opening, as it was measured after
the flood had subsided, it is probably in excess, a part of the breach having
doubtless been created during the fall of the water.
But, if we make the most liberal allowance for that consideration, and
assume that one-half of the total width of opening was produced during
the subsidence of the waters, we shall still have a discharge of nearly 300,000 cubic feet per second for the crevasses of J850, resulting from the facts
exhibited by M. Buisson.
It is, however, quite impossible now to ascertain the discharge of the
crevasses of past years with any approach to certainty. But in 1851, when
there was 110 remarkable flood in the Mississippi, the writer had the means
of making an approximate estimate of the volume discharged by all the
crevasses then in activity below the mouth of Red river.
To arrive at this volume, an attempt was made to measure the discharge
of the Mississippi river below the mouth of lied river, the lowest of its
tributaries, and again below all the crevasses at the time of extreme high
water. Then by taking ihe difference between the results, it was hoped
to obtain an expression for the volume lost by the way. But impediments
to the perfect execution of this plan occurred, and the water had receded
somewhat, at both points from its highest mark, before the measurements
couhl be completed. We are obliged, therefore, to make some allowance
for this fall, in order to obtain the true discharge at either point.
The following are the results deduced from the measurements:
The discharge of the Mississippi below the mouth of Red
river, per second, at the top of the flood of 1851,
1,134,500 c. feet
r Was
fhe discharge below New Orleans during the high water
of 1851
995,000
Lost between Red river and the place of observation,
eleven miles below New Orleans
-

139.500 c. feet.

This loss is attributable partly to the discharge of the crevasses below
<l river, and partly to that of'thc two natural outlets, the bayous PlaIjljeraine and La Tourche, which are still in activity.
the high water discharge of the Plaqucmine was found by measurement
to be"
28,500 cubic feet per second.
That of the La Foirche
10,200 "
"
"
"
Re

Total discharge of the two natural outlets 38,700 ctibic feet per second.
Xow, by deducting the tfocharge of these two natural outlets from the
tal loss of water between the mouth of Red river and a point eleven
JJ"es below New Orleans, we obtain the discharge of all the creviases at
th
« time of the extreme h M i water of 1851. Tins discharge was 100,800
^ i c feet
Neglecting the fraction, we may assume that in
<secon(L
a volume equal to 100,000 cubic feet \*r second, or about ten per
to

[20]

cent, of the total discharge of the Mississippi at New Orleans, escaped from
, the channel, and passed through the vents in the artificial levees below
Red
river.
.
These measurements were made in the best possible conditions of wind
and weather; and though all such computations and measurements are
liable to some error, it is believed that these may be relied on as accurate
enough for any practical deductions which it may be desirable to draw from
them.
But, we have already seen that if the volume discharged by the river
at high water were increased 35,000 cubic feet per second, the surface would
be raised below Red river about one foot. W e cannot, however, thence
conclude, that if the crevasses which, as we have seen, discharged 100,000
cubic feet per second, had been all closed up, the water would have risen,
at any point, within a fraction of three feet. These crevasses were distributed all along the coast, and many of them were too far below Red river
to, affect .the height of the floods materially there; while an increase of
more than 35,000 cubic feet per second would be required to raise the surface twelve inches at New Orleans. I t is, indeed, impossible to say with
certainty what would have been precisely the increased height of the flood
of 1851, at any point, if the levees below Red river had been high enough
and strong enough to support the weight of the water which was upon
them. The writer can only express the opinion, the correctness of which
he cannot fdlly demonstrate, that if the levees had withstood the pressure,
the flood of this year would have been about two feet higher at and near
Baton Rouge, than the line which it actually attained ; and, consequently,
if the crevasses had not occurred to vent the water, the levees of lower
Louisiana, which were only ten or twelve inches above the flood, must have
been generally overflowed. I t follows, therefore, that if it be determined
hereafter to rely exclusively on levees, and prevent the occurrence of crevasses altogether, these levees, to sustain a flood like that of 1851, must
be made, from Red river to New Orleans, competent to resist an increase of
ten per cent, in the volume discharged by the river; or, in the view of the
writer, at least two feet higher than the present banks. This condition, it
is apparent,-yrould involve the entire re-construction of the e m b a n k m e n t s
on both sides of the river; and hence, in order to retain merely the crevasse
water of this year, the levees must be entirely re-constructed, and made
two feet higher; or new outlets must be opened competent to vent 100,000
cubic feet per second—which is more than the volume now drawn from the
Mississippi, at high water, by the Atchafalaya itself.
LOCAL CHANGES AND IRRKGULALLITIES.

Close observers of the Mississippi sometimes remark singular and often
inexplicable phenomena attending its floods and movements ; and, in consequence of the insufficiency of the facts which are known, to account for
the irregularities, it is customary to regard this river as a river snigeneris :
which sets at defiance the Acknowledged laws of hydrodynamics, and disappoints calculations based on recognised principles. But these irregU'
larities are always traceable to some sufficient cause, when carefully investigated and all the attendant facts are elicited.
A crevasse will frequently produce a material depression at the poto*
Where it occurs, and also both above and below that point. If this crevasse

[ 2 0 ]

happen to he closed up before the next flood approaches, there will, of
course, be an a p p a i u i t rise in the water where the previous depression had
been observed.
A new levee, which excludes the water fioin a large area of swamp previously filled by the overflows, will cause an engorgement of the stream at
that point, and a consequent ri^c, which will extend over a considerable
space above and below the new work.
^ The bends of the river, as has been shown, cause its surface to assume a
distorted shape. W h e r e the water impinges against the concave shore of
a bend, its surface rises a certain amount—the height due to.the velocity of
impact.- But the tendency of the stream is forever to elongate its channel,
and make compensating deposites on the salient angles. These points
sometimes undergo material changes of position. Sand-bars are washed
away from the jutting angles in some cases, and new deposites are formed
in other positions. T h e current, consequently, impinges afterwards against
a bank where there was formerly an eddy, and the slope of the surface was
upstream. T h e direction of the current being thus reversed, there will
necessarily be a change in the high-water mark produced by an equal flood,
which may. in extreme cases, under like circumstances in other respects,
he almost equal to the sums of the heights due to the reversed velocities.
From this cause alone, having its origin in the tortuous course of the stream,
there must occasionally occur l o c a r c h a n g e s of more than twelve inches in
the heights of equal floods, or floods produced by equal volumes of water.
The wind is another fruitful source of local irregularities. A prevailing
breeze in a given direction miixht produce results which would defy speculation, unless its effects were investigated as a distinct study, with the aid
of correct rnaps of the river.
The writer once had an opportunity, in running a test level along both
shores of Chautauque lake, a narrow sheet of water, to detect a variation
!n
surface of more than eight inches in twenty miles, produced entirely
h
Y ? continued but moderate breeze. Indeed, such* effects are of daily obseryation on all lakes and tide-wafer streams. But in the channel of a windl
ngriver, like the Mississippi, they are much greater than in ordinary cases,
j*nd much more difficult of detection. T h e same wind that increases the
he
»ght of a flood in one l»-nd will reduce its height in the n e x t ; so that
}vhile the flood at a <rivcn point is even with the flood of a previous year,
umay
found at some place a few miles distant, under circumstances pre(
f ' h similar in other respects, many indies higher or lower than the mark
«f the previous Hood.
«ns in ay bo readily explained by a diagram (fig. ") which is taken
JromLaTouretle's map of Mil/ikiii's
html, above the month of the Yazoo.
Hor
<' the course of the Mississippi is descending from A to F. The
"rows W W , represent the direction ot the wind. The effect of this breeze,
•™tmg up 0 n
s u r f , u v o( - l i l ( , w a t ( . r along: the reach from E to D, will he
10
retard its flow and cause an accumulation in the bend at D ; while at the
same timr the eflcrt of the .same breeze, acting along the reach from C to
Wl
'l he to hasten the surface forward anil increase the accumulation at
same p o i n t - i n thr bend D.
'
,
ut
> "> the mean time, this .same current of air, driving the surface water
f*
onvard from V to D, pushes it also hack from C, in the reach BC, and
«ids to retain it v at ]). The water is thus driven away from C, along both
Digitized for eFRASER
° c®aWiels CB and CD, while it is driven forward by the same wind to D,

34
along both the channels CD and E D . T h e consequence will be that while
this wind prevails, there will be a decided accumulation of water at D, and
a material reduction of the surface at C. T h e floods at these points will
not correspond in height with a previous flood when the direction of the
wind was different* and much less if its direction in the previous flood were
reversed i
In a river as tortuous as the Mississippi, every wind t h a t blows, no mat*
ter what iriay be its direction, must produce such discrepancies in some
parts of its course. And in constructing a profile of two consecutive floods,
las has been attempted for the floods of 1850 and 1851, in this report, we
must not be surprised if we sometimes encounter, in close investigations,
singular discrepancies.
The smaller tributaries tire also, frequently, the cause of such irregularities as are here under consideration. A very inconsiderable stream discharging suddenly for a few days, or hours even, a large volume into a full
river, will produce a material elevation as well above as below the mouth
of the tributary. Consequently, before attempting to explain the cause of
a local variation in consecutive floods, we must know the condition of the
nearest tributaries at the respective periods.
It is not the intention here, however, to enter into a minute discussion of
the uninteresting and useless details of the recent floods in the lower Mississippi. T h e great object before us—to contrive measures for the protection of the delta from overflow—is not to be attained by- a microscopic examination of such local phenomena. T h e solution of this problem turns
upon other and greater elements, which we are now in a position to discuss
with profit. T h e first step in seeking a practical result is to determine with
certainty the prominent causes of the increasing inundations, and to obtain
the means of estimating correctly the respective values of such causes.

PA11T II.
CAUSES o r

ran

INCREASING

OVERFLOWS o r

T i n : MISSISSIPPI.

}

T h e object of the investigations which have been ordered* of the condition of the delta, is to decide upon some appropriate mode of protecting the
country against the annual inundations of tlie river. T o be able to provide
a remedy for this great evil, it is necessary in advance to satisfy the mmd
of the causes which produce the evil. These causes, if will now be shown,
are essentially artificial.
T h e floods are increased in frequency and m
height by artificial means, and it is not unreasonable, therefore, to look for
relief to artificial appliances.
Of the various influences to which the increasing elevation of the recent
floods of the Mississippi is to be referred, there is but one that can be
regarded as belonging to the class of natural catises. This exception tnll
be considered first.
OF THE PROLONGATION OF THE

DELTA,

It is a popular belief that the bed of the Mississippi is gradually rising*
and to that assumed cause is not unfrequently attributed the constant I)

35
increasing height required for the protecting levees. But .this belief can be
traced to no better evidence than the tacC that certain points, which formerly exhibited deep soundings, have subsequently become shallower-r-a
circumstance which is attributable altogether to the shifting character of
the shores, ami bottom of the l iver. As consequences of the changing and'
movable character of the soil through which the Mississippi flows', points,
which are at one period curved,-.subsequently become salient; shores tlmt;at
one time wash and cave in, at a later date till up; places which, during one
period, arc gradually growing deeper, at another become less deep, and to
the sounding^line indicate an elevation of the bed. Then? is, in fact, no
evidence of any change in the general level of the river's bed, beyond what
may be inferred from the evident prolongation, of the delta, the lengthening
out of the course of the stream, and the consequent diminution of the plane
of descent. But this elevation of the bed is not, indicated'by any increased
depth of water, though it must of necessity occasion a corresponding ejeya- /
tion of the surface. Any increase in the height of the floods, produced^by
a given body of water discharged in a given time, beyond what may be
justly attributed to this ex tension of the delta, must therefore be sought in
other adequate causes.
*
;
It is important, then, to ascertain what influence the progress of the land
into the gulf may have upon this question, in order to be able to judge of
the ability of society to contend permanently against this, the only visible
natural cause of increasing Hoods. This, is a subject upon which we are
compelled to reason without the aid of precise, and satisfactory data. The
writer is unwilling to admit a mere speculation in Jiis report, but in this
case it cannot well be avoided.
*
At whatever point we place the original head of the delta, at the time
when the sea flowed up to that point, there must have been a fall in the
Mississippi there, or in that vicinity, equal to the whole dcscent from,the
present level of the river at that place to the level of the ocean. N o w , the
hvst chain of rock which is supposed to form the lied of the Mississippi, is
lound at the village of Commerce, about thirty miles above the mouth of
tpe Ohio, where tli» rocky hills approach the shore 011 both sides of'Jhe
nver
5 mid are possibly connected by a bed of rock in the bottom of the
channel. The low-water surface of the river at this'"'Chain " is about two
hundred and eightv-five feet above the Gulf of Mexico. It follows„therelo
'e, that if, at the period when the formation of the delta may be supposed
to have commenced, the level of these rocky hills and the level of the.ocean
*ere the same as they are now, there must have been, as before stated, a
cataract
the mouth of the Ohio, with a fall of two hundred, and
cighty-five feet at low water, .or nearly double the actual perpendicular
tecent of the Falls of Niagara. The water of the Mississippi m i s t have
plunged over this cataract, or over great'rapids, directly into {he.sea;
^'hieh, by the.supposition, then /lowed up beyond the mouth of the .Ohio.
n
^ c o u r s e of time, the sea must have been filial up by the sediment
i ' j ^ i t down by the Mississippi river, and the Mississippi has tlius gradu*
{
upon the bed formed by its own deposites.
.
r ¥ Ww? deposite has been pushed out into the sea, the s l o p e of the nver
Progressively diminished ; and as t h e s l o j ^ e o f the plane hu^ dinuni5die<l,
suriace of the. river has risen* and the 'hoUora*, of course, M s also been
w like manner elevated.
,
.
. ,
, 1T
V
^
m
contended
lierc
that
the
true
head
of
tii^deHa^
idemonstrabiy

[ 20 ]

to be found above the mouth of the Ohio. It is quite possible that there
were great rapids only here, and other rapids nearer tlie sea, at one or more
points lower down the stream. T h e force of the argument which is made
will not be in the least impaired by an erroneous location of tin: original
head of the delta, and it is no part of the present purpose to engage in irrelevant geological speculations.
It will be assumed, therefore, that the head of the delta was once above
the mouth of the Ohio, and two hundred and eighty-five feet above the
level of the s e a ; and that the depth of the sea was then about the same
where the delta now is, as the present depth ol the Gulf of Mexico within
a few miles of the Balize. That since that period the delta has been formed
by the annual accumulation of sediment brought down by the stream and
deposited in the sea. The inevitable conclusion must then be, f r o m this
hypothesis, that the slope of the plane must have been, at various periods,
as represented in the annexed diagram, fig. 4.
Originally, or at some period anterior "to the formation of the delta, the
river sloped off abruptly, forming a cataract or rapids, from the hills at
Commerce to the point A ; subsequently, the whole space embraced in the
triangle H A B, became filled up by sedimentary accretions, and the river
.sloped olf from 11 to the mouth of the Arkansas'with a descent represented
by H B, more than twice as great as its present rate of descent. 15y
degrees, and in the course of ages, these accumulations reached the mouth
of Bed river, at C : and in more modern periods were extended on to the
present shores of the gulf, at 1).
l t is manifest, therefore, that while this process is going f o r w a r d , the
surface of the river must be rising, and that, as the surface is elevated, the
bottom must also simultaneously rise. In fact, it is the elevation of the bed
which causes the rise of the surface.
Nothing can be more palpable than the jrradinl elevation of the surface
of the Mississippi, in so far as it is attributable to this cause ; and it is therefore most manifest, that while the river is thus rising above the sea, and the
levees, so confine the water to the channel as to prevent s i m u l t a n e o u s deposites upon its banks, the floods will gain upon the embankments, and ultimately overtop them.
T o this extent, it must he admitted that the rise of the bed of the river
will forever be a cause of increasing inundations. But it remains for us to
ascertain whether this cause can be sufficient to account for any portion of
the present sufferings of the population of the delta, or whether its operation
has not been too slow even for detection within historical periods.
T h e area of the delta i s not accurately known, but it will be e s t i m a t e d
in this report, in the absence of data from which to make a more a c c u r a t e ,
approximation, at forty thousand square miles.
It is known from actual survey, that the mouth of the Ohio, at low water,
is two hundred and seventy-five feet above the level of the sea : and it has
been ascertained by the levels taken under the direction of the writer, that
the slope of the Mississippi near the mouth of the Ohio is about five inches
per mile, (see note D.) The total elevation then, at Commerce, is, as stated,
very nearly two hundred and eighty-five feet above the sea. A d d i n g for
the average height of the hanks thirty-live feet, we have three hundred and
twenty fWt for the level of the Mississippi bottoms near Commerce, above
that of the Gulf of Mexico. But, as the plane of the delta slopes oft
gradually
and uniformly from thi* village to the gulf, the average leve. ot

[20

]

the whole area will be but about one-half of this height, or one hundred and
sixty feet above the sea ; and if we should make a reasonable allowance for
the greater breadth of the plane near the sea, than nearer its head, it is
probable that one hundred and forty feet would be found to be a very fair
estimate of the average depth of the whole deposite above the level of
the tide.
Now, it has been found by the experiments of Professor Riddell at New
Orleans, conducted with great care and often repeated, that the mean bulk
of sedimentary matter transported by the river, when solidified into coherent
earth, is about .. 0!(M, part of the volume of the water in which it is suspended.
If now, superadded to these data, we could obtain the total annual discharge
ot the Mississippi and its tributaries, we would command all the facts necessary to compute approximately the amount of the annual deposites brought
down by the current. But there are no sufficient observations to enable us
to estimate the total discharge of the Mississippi and its outlets for any
one year. This volume has been estimated by Professor Forsliey, from
numerous observations of his own, made through a long series of years, at
an average of 12,2o0,000,000,000 cubic feet ; and for the y e a r ' 1 8 4 9 at
1 3 , 3 3 8 , 0 1 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 0 cubic f e e t : and these estimates have been adopted by
numerous engineers who have discussed the great problem of controlling the
Mississippi. But though the period embraced'by the investigations upon which
this report is founded, did not permit an attempt to estimate the aggregate annual drainage of the Mississippi valley, with any approach to accuracy, the
observations which were made are, nevertheless sufficient to justify the conclusion that the annual discharge of the Mississippi and its natural outlets,
when fully ascertained, will h e l o u n d to average at least fifty percent, more
than the received estimate, or probablv not less than 21,000,000,000,000
cubic feet per annum. This volume, though by no means regarded as accurate, will be assumed as the basis of the conclusions to be drawn in the
matter before us, whore n;rcat precision is nof. at all needed.
Now, it has already "been stated on the authority of an accomplished
manipulator, (Professor Uiddell,) that the J . ^ t h part of the total annual
discharge of the river consists of sedimentary matter. Whence we hnd for
the annual deposite of sediment, or the volume annually left in the gulf at or
near^the mouth of the Mississippi, 7,000,000,000 cubic feet.
. i h i s m a s s of material would be sufficient to raise to the height of one
hundred and forty feet a portion of the delta equal to 1* 0 square miles.
AO form thft whole delta, or that portion thereof which is now above l ie
^a—covering, as estimated, 40,000 square miles—would have required a
Period of JLiiVo^ 22,222 years.
This resuHis, of course," based upon the supposition that this vast formais the product of the forces now at work—the visible causes now m
action.

tin* c "t"
IHMU na'M occupieu
.the delta which is now above the plane, of the sea.
is
J r
known that when we proceed a frw leagues out into the gull,
J «n!» s o u n d i n g of more than fifty fathoms, and over ^ t e n s i v e portions
J > gulf, of more than
thousand feet. Though we cannot prove that
or a n y o l J i ( T .
, was
maintained up to the assumed
([
Digitized for^ FRASER

[ 20 J

head of the delta, it is, nevertheless, not an unreasonable supposition, that,
at periods anterior to the commencement of the deposite, the bed of the
gulf sloped up uniformly from its present depth near the Balizc tot the
shores then found above the mouth of the Ohio. This under-water deposite
must therefore have required a mass of matter more than equal in volume
to that now found above the surface of the ocean, llene*1 we are authorized to conclude that the total formation known as the delta of the Mississippi, if it be, as is scarcely deniable, the result of .sedimentary deposites,
has required a period for its formation by the river, of something like
45,000 years.
Now the average length of the delta, from north to south, is about five
hundred miles; and if its total formation has required a period of 15,000
years, each mile of the progress of its shore into the sea has consumed an
average period of ^JJIJJ- — 00 years.
This is to be regarded as a maximum or an extreme estimate of the average march of the whole coast, southwardly from the beginning of the deposite; but it is certain that the progress of the entire front, in later periods,
must have been much less rapid, both in consequence of the increase of the
depth of the gulf as we proceed towards its centre, and the greater longitude of the coast, which has, in modem days, been advancing seaward.
It will be observed that this result applies to the extension of the whole
gulf shore, from the mouth of Pearl river to Vermillion bay,, in a southwardly direction. But. immediately at the point where the Mississippi enters tlie gulf, it pushes out a narrow peninsula, with numerous mouths, and
for a period makes its deposites opposite to the.se mouths, and laterally* therefrom, to only a very limited distance on either side. While it occupies this
position, as at the present period of its history, and while all the material
which it bears is used in forming this narrow* peninsula, the a p p a r e n t progress of the land upon the sen is much greater than the actual average advancement of the whole front of the delta—which can only be set forward
by the shifting of the immediate mouths of the river.
There appears to be plausible evidence of a present local progress of the
immediate embouchure of the Mississippi, of not less than one mile in
twenty years, showing a local or limited march four or five times as great as
the average progress deduced above for the whole front from remote
periods.
Now it is this local progress which marks the present rate of elevation
of the bed of the river.
The level of the liver at New Orleans, in times of flood, may be s t a t e d
to be 13.5 feet above mean tide, and the distance from the citv to the gulf
at 105 miles.
The average slope of the river from New Orleans to the; mouth, at high
water, is, therefore,
=
of a foot, or U inch per mile.
If that same average slope be maintained as the mouth of the river
moves forward—which it will be, very nearly—each mile that the land
gains from the sea will involve an elevation o f ' l J inch in the high-WjW
surface, and consequently in the bed of the river at New Orleans,
^
will produce an elevation—while the Mississippi continues to discharge at
its present embouchure—of ahout. 7J inches in the course of a century;
which is certainly an extreme estimate.
It is sometimes conjectured that the citv of New Orleans is destined W
ultimate destruction from the gradual, and,"as it is supposed, the visible risj

[20

]

of the bottom of tlie riven But it is not easy to detect the danger in any
agency to which the assumed catastrophe has ever yet been attributed.
There is, in fact, no presumable rise of the bed of the river, but that which
is referable to this one cause—the gradual extension of the delta.
The idea which has acquired a certain hold upon public opinion, that an
appreciable elevation of the bed of the Mississippi has been produced, and
is still going forward, in consequence of the extension of the levees, has nofoundation in experience or philosophic deduction* The extension of the
levees, it will be hereafter shown, exercises great influence upon the height
of the floods; but not, as is supposed, by raising the bed of the river. I t
is true that by the increased transporting power which the levees give to
the river, the Mississippi is enabled to convey greater deposites into the
gulf; and thus, in some slight degree, accelerate the formation of land op*
posite its mouths. T o this amount, and no further, the extension of the
levees may promote the elevation of the bed; but this is not an appreciable quantity.
It is customary to point to the Po, in evidence of the effect of embanking
the coasts of streams in producing an elevation of the bed of the river.
And it is assumed that because the bottom of that stream has been greatly
elevated since levees were there commenced, the obvious rise of its bed is
directly attributable to the levees. But the true cause of the rapid elevation of the bottom of the Po, and of all the rivers that empty into the
Adriatic, is to be found in the great quantity of earthy matter which they
transport to the sea, and the shallowness of the gulf into^ which this
material is conveyed. This deposite, in the course of twenty centuries, has
produced a prolongation of the delta of the Po, estimated at about twentyfive miles, and has converted cities which at the commencement of the
Christian era were respectable seaports, into inland towns, at this day
1
twenty miles from the sea-shore.
If we now assume that the town of Ferrara is about fifty miles from the
coast, and that the slope of the Po in high water, from Ferrara to the gulf;
is seven inches per mile,-we will perceive how an extension of the delta
twenty miles into the gulf will have brought the tops of the levees above
the roofs of the houses in that city.
" .
In the annexed wood-cut, (fig. 5,) F represents the position of Ferrara on
the Po as it was twenty centuries a c o ; M the mouth of the river or the shore
Jf the Adriatic at that period; and M ' the position of the shore at this time—
MM' representing the progress of the delta in the course of two thousand years.
It is obvious from the figure that M n will represent the elevation of the
"ed, or the present height of the bottom of the river, above the level of the
Sea
at the ancient shore of the Adriatic. And if the descent of the Po is
Jjow about seven inches per mile, this elevation must be twelve or fourteen
feet, and very nearly the same at Ferrara.
:
#
« we now add twelve feet to the height of the embankment originally
required to protect the ancient town from the floods, we will perceive that
present levees must necessarily be level with, or above, the roofs of the
Waller class of houses in the modern city.
c
. I n the course of twenty centuries, in consequence of the prolongation of
c
'elta of the Mississippi, no doubt the levers required to protect the
c
% of New Orleans will have risen to a great height also—probably to
* height of ten or twelve feet above the actual plane of the streets—unles
* the river, deserting its present bed below the city, form a new outlet

40
into Lake Borgne, and transfer its sedimentary deposites into the deep
water of the gulf south and east of Ship island. This is a consummation,
as we shall see, much to be desired. But it is not. those effects that may
be witnessed in the course of centuries which it is the intention now to discuss. The present rate of progress of the delta will soon be solved approximately by the coast survey, when we shall have all the material for specu* lation upon the future geological changes liable to have place in consequent
of the prolongation of the peninsula at the mouths of the Mississippi. The
present inquiry will be limited entirely to those evils which at this moment
threaten the prosperity and existence of lower Louisiana, and the worst
effects of which are likely to be witnessed by men now living. The elevation of the bed of the river, consequent on the progress of the delta, is
clearly not one of these. That is too slow to concern the present generation.
I t is not to the gradual but certain work of nature, in filling up the sen
by the deposites brought down from the plains and mountains, that the increasing height of the floods now felt is to be attributed. These, we shall
find, are traceable directly to the labors of men, long and still vigorously
engaged in draining the waters, by various processes, more rapidly from
the country above, and destroying those natural reservoirs which originally
protected the country below.
OF THE CUT-OFFS.

Among the causes of the inundations that have recently produced so
much loss and distress on the lower Mississippi, in the opinion of the writer,
must be enumerated the cut-offs which have been made at and below the
mouth of Red river. It is true that men of science have denied, and do
still contest this point. But the opinion here entertained rests on what are
deemed to be the natural laws of the flow of the river, and, moreover, on
indisputable results. The theory which is entertained by many intelligent
persons, that by shortening the* channel and cutting oft" the bends of the
river, the velocity of the curient will be increased, the channel scoured out
wider and deeper, the floods conveyed more rapidly to the sea, and the
surface therefore reduced, is all perfectly true, excepting the practical
conclusion.
It is true, that by cutting off a given bend the flood will be hastened
forward, and a greater volume will therefore be discharged through the
channel in a given time. But it will not be discharged directly into the
sea, and thus relieve the river of its burden. On the contrary, the waterwill be drawn more rapidly from the river above the bend, and the level
of the surface there will be reduced ; but it will be precipitated mote rapidly into the river below the bend9 and the surface there will be necessarily
raised. This is precisely the error which led the State of Louisiana, m
face of the sound advice of several eminent engineers, into the unfortunate
experiment of cutting off the Raccourci bend,In 1S4S.* T h e velocity w
the river, it was contended, would be increased and the height of the floods
I hey were reduced above the bend, from whence tne
M t U due to Colonel William S. Camp1>ell, rivil engineer, to say that be constantly tern* ted this work before the legislature; ami to Colonel 1\ A. Hebcrt, at that time the chit*
engineer of Louisiana, to record that he also opposed It as long and as warmly as an ofbctr
of the State government conld oppose the will of the legislature.

[20 ]

water was more rapidly drawn ; but they were increased below the bend,
where it w;as more rapidly thrown.
The reason in favor of shortening the ehannnel would have been sound if
it had been proposed to cut off a part of the lower portions of the river,
as will be proposed hereafter in this paper, and admit the water into the
gulf at some point further from the sea than its present mouths. The
effect of such a course may be appreciated by a diagram. (See fig. 6.)
Let M ' be the present mouth of the river, near the Balize, and S ' M ' the
present slope of the surface of the stream at high water.
If we cut through the natural levee which now confines the water, and
let the river into the <rulf at "M, fifty miles higher up, we shall obviously reduce the surface at M an amount equal to M m — t h e whole of the descent
in the lower fifty miles of the river, or about six feet. The surface of
the river will then be found in the new line »? M , below that which marks
its present slope.
But a very different state of facts results from cutting off a bend of the
river in the upper portions of its course. The Mississippi descends from
the head of the delta to the head of tide in obedience to what may be
designated as lite law of uniform descent. The plane upon which it rests
slopes down to the ocean, as already shown, at the average of eight
inches per mile. But the Mississippi flows on tranquilly and smoothly, in
whatever direction it chances to take, seeking every point of the compass—
sometimes parallel with, arid sometimes at right-angles to the plane which
supports i t ; sometimes directly down that plane, and sometimes in a direction directly opposed to that of its descent; but always with the
same almost uniform and unbroken slope. That slope averages at high
water a little over
inches per mile, irom the mouth of the Ohio to the
vicinity of the tidal influence.* There are of course local irregularities
caused by the great flexures of the river, and by sand bars, which produce
occasional acceleration, and even littoral inversions of the current; but
these are local and limited influences, and can scarcely be regarded as exceptions to the general law of the river's motion.
^ow, when a great bend is* cut off, as at Baccourci, below Red river, the
total descent around the bend—which was in this case 4J feet at high
water—-is suddenly concentrated in the narrow neck, of less than one mile,
a Cross
.
the b e n d / T h e moment when the cut-off is made, therefore, the
Pe of the river will assume the form represented in the diagram below.
Here the fall from a to 6, a distance of one mile across the neck of the
be
nd, is four and a half feet, and consequcntlv the water rushes through the
artificial opening, with a speed due to that descent, and to the depth of the
ne
w channel. (See fig. 7.)
.
r
A
few days suffices to wear away the soft material which confines the
Wa
*er, and the reach of the river above is rapidly drained off in some de*
by the increased de-cent of the sutface, and discharged into the reach
oelow. The new surface, therefore, speedily assumes the slope of the line
*
the excess drawn from above being deposited below. The increased
ra
nght through the cut-off thus draining the river above more rapidly than
" Was accustomed to discharge itself around the curve, the surplus water M
r c l l s
*dl o i l i e r c o m p u t e s , the writer in compelled, to adopt the distances us
t-Uoinjtf by the river pilots*

[ 2 0 ]

necessarily thrown into the river below more rapidiv than the channel there
had been accustomed to receive and discharge it. The consequence of this
increase of supply must, obviously, be a sufficient accumulation below the cut
to produce that increase of depth and speed which is necessary toenaWe the
channel there to vent the additional supply sent down, as fast as it is received.
The writer is aware that there is, along the Mississippi, a prevailing
opinion in favor of cutting olFthe great bends and shortening the channel.
The interests of the navigation, and of those who depend on the navigation,
seem to be promoted by it. But it is an improvement of the most dangerous description—one of those tilings which can be accomplished easily,
, and without skill, and therefore always liable to be attempted. Besides,
experience has shown conclusively that after a cut-off has been made, the
lands above are rendered less subject to inundation than they were before,
and theie is consequently a strong interest always ready to encourage an
enterprise that will bring certain relief to a few, even though it may be contended that this relief to" them will be disastrous to their neighbors. They
contest this fact on the authority of scientific writers ; and the minds of men
are easily convinced of the soundness of arguments which it is their interest
to believe.
We cannot hope to relieve ourselves of the sail eifects of these violent
changes of the course of the river, by the method proposed in a late report
to the Commissioner of the Land Office,* v i z : to commence at the Gulf of
Mexico, and straighten the river from the sea towards its source; nor by the
popular suggestion of compensating for the increased volume poured down
through the cut-off above, by making additional cut-offs below, and thus
hasten the drainage of the reach below the upper cut-off. There is no opportunity offered by the bends of the Mississippi for any such compensation.
The only cut-offs that can hereafter be made with any show of caution are
above Red river, and all that are made there will tend to precipitate the
water more rapidly upon the beautiful estates from Natchez to the sea.
The increase of the velocity of the current below the cut-offs, in virtue
/
of the reduction of the length of the channel, cannot prevent the increase of
the floods, by giving more rapid vent to the water—for this acceleration is
itself only a consequence of the increased elevation of the surface produced
by the additional supply.
For these reasons the writer deemed it expedient to examine those bends
of the river which seem to offer the greatest facilities for the making of cut;
oils, either natural or artificial, with a view to ascertain what measures, »
any, were needed to prevent their occurrence by the direct working of the
river, or by design.
The points to which attention was specially directed, and the general results of the examinations instituted, will be exhibited in this paper, and m
still greater detail in a supplemental report. I t may he well to state here,
however, that one of these points, the Terrapin Neck bend, above Vi<*sburg, requires immediate attention, to prevent the occurrence of a sudden
cut-off, and the overflow of many valuable estates below i t . ,
• E x . Doc. No. 08, Senate, SHi Cmzrw*

1staaseioiv

43
o r TIIR. RRPECTS o r CULTIVATION.

Among the causes contributing to the increase of floods'in the rivers of
the United Stales in recent years, it is necessary to include an increased
discharge of water due to the destruction of the timber, and the cultivation
of territory which was formerly untilled. It is reasonable to suppose that
the removal of the forest growth, and the rank vegetation of the virgin
soil, will cause the slopes to shed the rain more rapidly into the valleys,
and thus produce more sudden and more violent floods than were observed
of old.
Indeed, it cannot well he denied that this result must spring from this cause.
But, it is not to be overlooked that, at the same time, the removal of the
timber gives the sun's rays more direct access to the earth, and thus promotes an increase of evaporation. This increase of evaporation is, of course,
at the expense of the drainage; for, as the evaporation increases, the volume of water that finds its way into the streams is necessarily diminished.
The effect of clearing the soil of its . original growth is thus, at once, to
develop two opposite and compensating influences. Dut.it can scarcely be
doubted that, as a rule of almost general application, the resultant of these
influences will, in the aggregate, be in favor of a great increase-of the discharge of the streams, and a material reduction of the evaporation.
But, be this as it may, it is very obvious that the height of the floods is
increased by the extension of cultivation and improvement. The increase
of evaporation consequent on the exposure of the surface of the earth to
the rays of the sun, has place mainly when the sun possesses the 'greatest
power--*in the summer season. The etfcct of clearing the soil of vegetation will, therefore, be to diminish the summer volume, and consequently
farther to impair the low-water navigation of the streams. But, in winter,
when the power of the sun ami the resulting evaporation are small, and the
r
jdn and snow rest loner on the prairies, the necessary effect of removing
the timber will be to increase the drainage.
. It may therefore be asserted generally,' that the effect of cultivation is to
mcrease the evaporation in the summer months, and thus reduce the summer
drainage; and to hasten and augment the drainage in the winter months,
and consequently increase the height and power of the floods. In short,
l
he clearing of the soil tends constantly to make the water lower in the
summer and fall, and the floods higher in* the winter and spring.
Ihe area of the Mississippi vallcv is composed, in the main, of wide
extended plains and level prairies, on which, in the original condition, of
the country, there was iitile or no timber. Over these plains, the water
whlch
falls on the untilled soil is obstructed by the wild grass and bushes,
a
ud consequently retained upon the rlat surface until it is either evaporated,
slowly passes off into the natural depressions, which convey it through
Sl
milar impediments to the greater channels of discharge.
as population takes possession of the ground, the wild grass is
removed and the plough is applied to the drainage. The primitive Jurrows
* r e s o directed as to' let oft' the surface water; and the imperfect drams
opened by the plough, are subsequently enlarged and made the chant s into which the lateral ditches are led. The success of the crop depends on the perfection of the drainage; and, consequently, one of the first
Pvery provident farmer, outbreaking up the sod, is to relieve the
s
^face of his fields of l a n d i n g water. But the water rapidly discharged

[ 2 0 ]

from these incipient drains meets with impediments in the choked up streams,
is held back by fallen timber, and spreads over the bottom land. To save
these narrow strips of bottom land, which geneially afford the finest pastures, the industrious farmer promptly removes these obstructions from the
channel and lets the water off into the country below.
This process, though in reality hardly well commenced, is yet progressing over the valley of the Mississippi at the rate, of many millions of
acres annually. T h e aim of every proprietor is to drain his own fields,
and let the water pass as rapidly as possible into the creeks and rivulets
which are provided by nature to*convey it away. Hut the land upon the
great tributaries into which this water passes, is equally valuable ; and each
proprietor there fortifies himself in like manner against the annual and increasing flood. l i e also drains his fields with a view to the more rapid
discharge of the surface w a t e r ; throws up embankments across the low
places to shut out the Hood ; and if the circumstances of his situation will
justify it, levees in his front and confines the swollen water to the actual
channel of the stream.
The imraediate.consequence of all this is, that the water w h i c h , i n the
original condition of the country, remained upon the surface of the prairies
until a portion was evaporated, and a portion absorbed by the earth, to be
subsequently given out slowly by the springs, is now hurried along hundreds of thousands of artificial drains into the great rivers w h i c h s u p p l y the
Mississippi.
T h e effect of cultivation is, therefore, to cause a necessary increase of
drainage from all the unwooded prairies of the west. T o what extent the
floods may be increased by this cause, we have no data to estimate.
it is important to be able to form some idea of the consequence which would
result from any supposable increase of the general drainage of the country.
F o r this purpose an attempt has been made to estimate, on the authority of
popular maps, the actual area of the Valley of the Mississippi, from the
source of the distant tributaries down to the mouth of Red river.
T h e result of this computation is given below, with the remark, merely,
that though the areas are expressed as they resulted from the m e a s u r e m e n t s ,
to the nearest hundred square miles, yet the data from which they are obtained are somewhat uncertain, and the quantities can only be r e g a r d e d as,
at present, the best attainable approximation.

[20

]

TABLE IV.
Of the areas drained by the tributaries

of the Mississippi

river.
jsq. miles.

T. Titr MISSOURI IUVKR.—The area drained bv the Missouri and its tribn- \
• tarics, is
j
II. T H E OHIO I U V E R — T h e urea drained bv the Ohio and its tributaries, is j
III. Tun U P P K R MISSISSIPPI RIVER.—The area drained by the Upper Missis- i
sippi, including all the tributaries which come in on the east side above i
the mouth oi the Ohio, and on the west above the mouth of the Mis- i
souri, is
j
I V . Tin: AKICAN-SAJJ A N D W H I T S KIVKRS—The area drained by the Arkansas I
and its tributaries, including White river, is
V. Tun lltn RIVER.—The area drained by Red river and its triburaries, is
V I. Tin; Y A Z O O , Omo.v, B L A C : : RIVERS,
The area drained by the Yazoo,
and all other tribuiories coming into the Mississippi on the east side,
lietween the mouth of the Ohio and the mouth of Ked liver, is
VII. Tur Sr. FRANCIS.—The area drained by the St. Francis, embracing the
territory lying between its waters and the Mississippi, is
*
-

f>19,400
202,400
I8t,o00
170,700
102,200
29,300
12,100

Total area drained by the Mississippi river above the month of Red river, 1,220,600

t» in if rivers.
Ohio is the greatest of nil the tributaries o f t h e Missouri; the upper
Mississippi is the ne.vt in importance ; the Arkansas the third, and the Red
r Ver
J
is the fourth in the scale. The Ohio comes in at, or extremely near,
the assumed head of the d e l t a ; and therefore, when the channel immediately below its mouth has been already filled by the discharge from the
"vers above, a flood in the Ohio must "always produce wide-spread overflow. Yet it is not the Ohio, nor the upper Mississippi, nor even the
juissouri, to which the inundations of lower Louisiana are mainly attributable. T h 0 w a f P r w h j r h these upper streams send down is generally
absorbed hy the swamps or accommodated by the channel of the river.
J
*ut when this channel is full, or nearly full, and lied river—(the fourth m
^ g n i t u d e of the tributaries)—pours out a flood, the effect is disastrous to
al
{ the country below. In other words, it is almost invariably the tributary
}vhich discharges nearest to the point where the overflow occurs, that is the
^mediate cause of ruin. Every observing planter, at or above " the R a f t "
<» Red river, remarks, that the floods-of the upper Red river itself are
j«*ny always harmless; and that when the country there suffers, it is not
jr?m the waters which have come from the Rocky mountains, but from
r,Vrr
and the t w o Cypresses—streams scarcely known to geography.
Ihese facts are important, because they show that the channels, of the
^eat rivers are lar^e enough t o vent, the floods which-come from their dis' T ^ r c e s ^ t h e wave of which is spread out and reduced on the way—
J J ftat the overflows are occasioned bv the simultaneous outpmmng of
6 Sma
ller,tributaries discharging into a channel already nearly full, i h e y

[ 20 ]

are further important, because they teach us that to afford the most prompt
relief we should seek to restrain the Ohio, which enters at the head of the
delta, and the Washita and Red rivers, of which the discharge is to often
disastrous to lower Louisiana. We .shall hereafter see that those great
navigable rivers m a y b e controlled' by simply adopting a cheap and easy
method of improving their low-water navigation.
Now, we have seen that the area drained by the Mississippi is 1,226,600
square miles. Reducing this to feet, we find for the total area of the
Mississippi valley, 34, i9-3,645,440,100 square feet. W e have not sufficient
data for determining the average annual downfall of rain over all this
immense a r e a ; but it seems probable, judging from known results, that
fortv inches will be extremely near to its true value.
Assuming that
this" is the fact—and it can scarcely vary more than two or three inches
from the truth—we shall have, for the total annual downfall of water on the
whole surface of the Mississippi valley—a downfall which is either carried
off by the drainage of the streams or by evaporation—1 l-J,US5,484,SOO,000
cubic feet. W e have n.»t sufficient well-ascertained data to enable us to
compare this, the total fall of water in the valley of the Mississippi, with
the actual annual discharge of the river. But we have facts enough*
obtained in the present investigation, to show that the discharge below Red
river, by the Mississippi and its great natural outlet, the "Atchafalaya,
during sixty days of the high water in the spring of I S o l , was
0,225,000,000,000 cubic f e e t : or at the average rate of 103,700,000,000
cubic feet per diem.
T h e actual drainage below lied river, during sixty days of the high
water of 1851, was therefore very nearly the eighteenth pari of the total
annual downfall over the whole area of the Mississippi valley. (See note E.)
If we now divide the volume discharged during the two months of high
water in 1851, in cubic feet, by the total area of the valley, in square feet,
we shall find for the value of the drainage, during these sixty days, reduced
to inches, 2
inches.
N o w ht us suppose, from any cause—as the tillage of the prairies, the
destruction of the vegetable growth, or the better drainage of the fields—
that out of the forty inches of rain which falls, iw^jljihs
of an inch, or
nearly one per cent, of the whole, should be discharged into the Mississippi
in the course of these sixty days of Hood, over and above the present average
discharge. If this slight increase of the total discharge were distribute*
uniformly over the whole period of sixty days of hmh water, it vrouM
require that the channel of the river should be competent to give vent to an
increased volume equal to 220,000 cubic feet per second. If this increased
volume be retained within the channel by levees, these levees must be raised
about six feet higher than the tops of the present levees.
The object of this computation is to show how sensitive is the discharge
of the river to every variation, however inconsiderable, of the d r a i n a g e ot
the country. If the evaporation be slightly reduced, or the drainage
slightly hastened or increased, by the causes which are progressing,
which most obviously must produce that effect, then for every jijth pw V
an inch by which the total drainage is increased in the period of sixty
of usual high water, there must be experienced an average increase of ab°u
three feet in the height of the floods, unless the water can find its accustomed vent into the swamps. T h i s result may assist the mind in iormHj®
some estimate of the consequences which are to result from the e x t e n s i o n

[ 20 ]

society over the yet unpeopled West, and the cultivation of the vast territory which is drained by the Missouri and its tributaries.
j
OF T H E EXTENSION OF THE LEVEES.

It lias already been stated that the recent increase of the height of floods
in the lower Mississippi is a result, not of natural, but of artificial changes.
It is true that in tracing the present or ancient channels of the r i v e r / w e
find deposites in different parts of the delta higher than the present highwater marks, and which stand as incontestable proof that the river in former ages was higher, when it left those marks, than the level of the floods
which are now witnessed at the same points. These ancient floods may
have resulted from an unusual downfall of water, cither general or local;
or they may have proceeded from an accidental diminution of evaporation,
and a corresponding increase of the total drainage. But it is not always
necessary to assume that the actual discharge of the river was greater than
it is now, to account for the existence of those elevated spots. On the
contrary, these places are limited in area, and attributable rather to local
than general causes. T h e whole coast ot the Mississippi, from the head of
the delta to the gulf, exhibits indubitable evidences of former changes of
its bed. Its old channels are to be found on both sides of the l iver, and in
all parts of its course, and enables us often to trace the occurrence, or to
infer the existence of some ancient cut-off, which must, in its day, have
produced an elevation of the waters below, equal, as has been shown, to
about half the descent of the stream around the bed. An ancient cut-off
of fifty miles would have produced an elevation of the high-water surface,
and consequent deposites below the bend, of more than six f e e t ; and, in
process of time, as the river gradually elongated its channel, and approached
at that point its former condition, its hanks, resulting from later deposites,
would be found to be live or six feet lower than those ancient traces.
Moreover, it is not contended here that the Mississippi may not, in ancient
periods, have occasionally poured laiger floods into the ocean than have
. een witnessed within historical times. A great flood is the result of a
simultaneous discharge of the great tributaries, which usually run off sucfhe high water produced bv the Red and Arkansas rivers, in the ordinary
wurse of things, lias begun to subside before that of the Ohio, Cumber?nd an,l Tennessee comes down; and these, again, begin to recede.before
J e Mississippi discharges i u volume ; and this, in its turn, subsides before
e
» ! i of the Rocky mountains, which swell the northern tributaries of
ne
Missouri, nre melted by the tardy sun in those high latitudes, and the
has time to flow through the t i m e thousand miles of channel intervening between the j-omces of those distant streams and the head ot the
T n ' r U i s " l w r t n a t u r a l order of events, that these great rivers
" U discharge successively. But there were doubtless in former ages, as
exceptions to this natural rule; an.! a meeting of the flood-waters of
J ;'"' '"iliutaries may have occurred many times in the course of the tens
thousands of years which h a \ e witnessed the formation of tlie delta,
,na
s^vn i
>" occur hereafter, and greater floods than have yet been
y
t>a m
tW - '"
a y be felt along the banks of the Mississippi. But it w not
for i! s . , t a t i °n- of Providence which w e have here to discuss and provide
•
8 only those most disastrous floods which now almost annually OQ-.

[ 2 0 ]

cur, sweeping over the works of industry from year to year, devastating
extensive regions, and which are referable to causes that society has created,
and is still creating, and which it is therefore in the power of society to
prevent, that we are here to investigate.
The floods which now carry annual distress and destruction into the lower
Mississippi, it is maintained, are essentially the result of artificial causes.
The water is supplied by nature, but its height is increased by man.
The subordinate causes to which this increase of elevation is attributable,
have been sufficiently discussed. The remaining and the prominent cause,
it is proposed now to consider. This cause is the extension of the levees.
The Mississippi has been, and is still, accustomed to find vent for its surplus waters in the vast swamps which are to be found along the valleys of
Red river, the Arkansas, White river, the Yazoo and the St. F r a u d s ; and
to the right and left of its proper course, almost the entire distance from
Cape Girardeau to the Balize. In the original condition of the river, as it
still exists above the mouth of the St. Francis, when the surface rises so as
to overtop the banks ever-so-little, the water flows in through the bayous,
and down the lateral slopes, and gradually fills up the immense swamps
through which the channel winds, and from which it is only separated by
the deposite left by preceding overflows. But each overflow leaves an additional deposite of sediment on the borders of the stream, and r a i s e s these
belts of elevated soil still higher; and makes also a f u r t h e r deposite ot
lighter material in the swamps, and consequently raises the surfacc of the
swamps in some corresponding degree. The height of the borders of the
stream is, therefore, a close guide to the height of the floods to which the
deposite is due.
This is now the actual condition of the upper portions of the delta, as
it was that of its whole extent when the valley was first occupied by the
Europeans. The early emigrants found these narrow and elevated borders
extremely fertile, and capable of being made immensely productive, by
shutting out the floods, which, passing in a thin sheet over the banks, filled
up the swamps in the rear of their plantations, and destroyed their crops.
With here and there an elevated spot, which w*as not ordinarily reached by
the floods, the whole delta, on both shores, was frequently, if not annually,
inundated. A thin column of water passed over the banks along a space of
more than a thousand miles on each side of the river, and was received in
the vast adjacent low grounds, which served as great reservoirs for the discharge.
In this state of things, each individual planter found it easy to p r o t e c t his
crop, by throwing up a frail embankment along the edge of the river m
front of his estate, with wings or lateral banks running back into the swampThe rise of the river rarely exceeding the height of its banks more than
a few inches, this slight levee was an efficient protection. But by d e g r e e s ,
and pari passu with the progress of society, these levees were e x t e n d e d from
the lowest points of tillable land, near the gulf, up both shores of the river,
until they now reach, in an almost unbroken line, beyond the mouth of the
Arkansas; and are to be found at intervals as high up as Memphis. Tw*^
works were originally commenced for local purposes and private protection;
but, more recently, they have been planned with the intention to shut the
waiter out from the swamps, on both sides of the river, for a great portion
of seven hundred miles of its course, or, estimating both shores, for at least
fourteen hundred miles of river coast. *

[20

]

In the progress of the levees no regard has been paid to those " b a y o u s / '
or natural outlets, through which the Mississippi, in its unrestrained condition, vented, as it rose, a large portion of that surplus water which, if
these openings had not existed, would have been shed over the borders of
the stream, and have raised the strata of overflow still higher.
The numerous channels through which the rising floods were 'safely discharged into the swamps, with few exceptions, have been all stopped up by
the extension of the levees across their mouths. Consequently, that portion of the flood which these openings allowed to pass into the great reservoirs of the delta has been excluded from them, and is now forced, when
the levees stand firm, to flow between the artificial banks down the main >
channel of the river.
.
It will be readily perceived how this compression of that surplus w-ateir
which, in the original condition of the stream, spread over a width of fifty
or one hundred miles of inundated country, within a channel only half a
mile in breadth, will cause the flood to rise higher and flow faster, until the
additional volume discharged by the channel becomes equal to that which
was before discharged by the bayous into the swamps.
, The natural suggestion will, therefore, be, that to relieve the river we
must restore its original condition by re-opening these closed up outlets, and
again allowing the water to pass out through its natural vents., • . ^
.
•But this is now wholly impracticable. These bayous are all types of the
Mississippi itself. They originally received their supply of water altogether
from the river; and in extreme floods were subject, like the river, to overflow their borders. These overflows left a deposite, of narrow breadth, parallel with the channels of the bayous, and limited in the rear by the swamps.
These narrow strips of elevated soil were arable, and offered attractions to,
industry second only to the beautiful borders of the parent stream; and they,
have consequently all been occupied, subdued, and are now often highly im- ,
proved. The levees which have been.thrown across the mouths of these
bayous, now serve to protect the plantations on their ancient borders from^
he inroads of the Mississippi. To open them again would lead to the cer- ,
and immediate destruction of great interests, which have grown up
won^the outlets; and, at the same time, would prevent the possibility of
reclaiming the swamps themselves, which it has become an object of national
state legislation to redeem.
. At wdl now be perceived why it is that the floods are constantly mcreasm
| . m h e i ght on the lower Mississippi, and why it is so difficult to afford
««iaent protection to the country. The water which formerly escaped
trough these lateral vents, filling up the swamps slowly, or, as the flood
greased, flowed over the 'borders of the great river and its tributaries,
"
reservoirs there provided still more rapidly, is now confined by
^incial breastworks within the too contracted channel of the river. Conitly, as the levees are extended higher up, more water is excluded from
^swamps,
and the flood is therefore increased, and forced more rapidly,
a
dee er
P column, on the country below; thus compelling the lower
S l j } 0 raise higher and make stronger the frail levees which originally
ft,7for the protection of their isolated estates.
~.
h t u - s e embankments have at length acquired such great breadth and
e \ 2 ? V n t h e ^ t h e m parishes, that their secure maintenance has become
Q f i t

cxpensivc

>ami

Es-W

thcir ru iture t h c

causc o f s r e a t

andfrec

?ueri

[20]

- This i^ the leading cause to which the recent overflows of the Mississippi,
along the coast of Louisiana, are attributable.
. I t will presently be seen that the evil is rapidly increasing, and destined,
if not speedily arrested by the strength of the nation, to devastate one of
the fairest portions of this prosperous country.
- The embankments which have been raised in past years to protect the
borders of the stream from inundations have been altogether the work of
individual enterprise, carried on without system, under slight official control, and almost without concert. But it is not at all probable that the continuation of the system will hereafter depend on private means. Some of
the parishes in upper Louisiana have already engaged in the work, and
State legislation will soon be invoked there as the only power adequate to
contend with the difficulty.
In the mean time the national legislature has taken the lead, and by a general grant of all the inundated-lands to the States in which they lie, for the
express purpose of making " the necessary levees and drains to reclaim the
swamp and overflowed lands,'* Congress has offered inducements to the
States, and through the States to individual enterprise, to commence avast
system of drainage with a view to the ultimate exclusion of the water of the
Mississippi and its great tributaries from all the overflowed lands upon their
borders. #
I t is not for one acting for the moment as an officer of the g o v e r n m e n t to
criticise the past, or to dictate the future, legislation of Congress; yet it
may not be inappropriate to say, that if the vast bonus granted for the purpose of excluding the water from the swamps a b o v e , a n d s e n d i n g it down
upon the States below, had been accompanied by an adequate a p p r o p r i a t i o n
to enable those States below to give vent to that water, or to p r o t e c t their
borders from the deluge which it will bring, the good which was i n t e n d e d
by the'grant would have been accompanied by less destruction than is now
certain, without additional legislation, to follow the donation. .
As things now are, extensive works are in progress to exclude the water
from the swamps and swell the floods of the river ; while no step has yet
been commenced to reduce those floods, or to guard the lower coasts from
their consequences.
Legislation in Missouri has already responded to the C o n g r e s s i o n a l grant,
by an appropriation of $o0,00() to begin the work of reclamation at the
head of the delta, where many hundred square miles of inundated territorj
may be reclaimed by art, and the land subdued, drained, and brought
speedily into tillage.
T h e legislature of Arkansas, with equal promptness, has p a s s e d an act
granting to all proprietors who may construct front levees, the right to
enter the donated lands where they may choose to select them, in p a y i n g
for the cost of the levees which they mav rear. T h e details of the act it is
unnecessary to repeat; but it seems to offer the most ample guarantee tor
the ultimate leveeing in of the whole front of that State on the Mississippi
and the borders of the Arkansas river, from the high lands below Pine * m i
to Napoleon, on one side, and to the mouth of W h i t e r i v t r on the other.
* T h e legislature of Mississippi, prior to, the passage of the act ot
gress ceding the swamp lands to the States for the purpose of encouraging
their reclamation, gave authority to the five northern coast counties ot tn<

•Act of Congress approved September 28,1850

[20

]

State to levy a tax ot 10 cents per acre on all the lands in each of those
counties, for the purpose of constructing front levees, and shutting out the
water of the Mississippi from the great swamps extending back to the Yazoo. Under the authority of this law, the county of BoTivar alone, since
the last session of the legislature, has expended about $o(),000 on the
levees.of that county—making therewith embankments which, combined
with private levees, have closed up a continuous front of about thirty miles'
along the river Mississippi.'
..
.
*
The other counties extending down the const, from the Yazoo pass to the
month of the V a zoo river, have "been making similar, but less rapid, progress. The effects of these works will be noticed hereafter. It is merely
necessary here to remark that they have already been most sensibly felt,
x
although the line is still incomplete.
This action of the counties, under the. authority of the State of Mississippi, it will be observed, prcccdcd the Congressional donation of the swamp
lands to the States for the purpose of stimulating such efforts. We have
yet to witness the effect of that grant when the legislature of Mississippi
snail have convened again, and followed up the example set by the States
of Missouri and Arkansas, by additional legislation based upon that grant.
iielow Red river, the line of levees has been extended around Old river
to the Atchafalaya, and is now* in course of continuation down this, the
greatest of the natural vents o f the Mississippi; where all the lateral bayous, or secondary outlets, for a space'of thirty miles, have been recently
nosed up by the proprietors, and the water always hitherto accustomed to
pass through them has consequently been excluded from several hundred
square miles of swamp.
Without going into the minute details of this subject, it may be said that,
*j)' the inevitable progress of causes now at work, the Mississippi water is
(
^tnied ultimately to be excluded from the whole of that vast area of the
Ilta
tending from the mouth of Red river to Cape Girardeau, as it haa
already been nearly excluded from the area between lied river and the Gulf
ot
Mexico.
It is a curious problem now to determine what is io be the effect of all
us. While population is taking possession of the plains of Missouri and
prairies of the Mississippi, there increasing the discharge of the streams,
a ntl
opening
hew
pi, ^ .r n n go the floods
nuYMin forward,
tttuw, bv
M> wj«.
uiiii^ in
»» drains and- removingo ohructions from tltt- natural channels; States, counties, nnd'individual proirm' ' f l l r t ) l e r south, are projecting and executing schemes for the redaction of the swamps, of which the direct tendency is to cut off" all the
atur.il outlets for the surplus water, and confine the volume now spread
tl »r-Se °«tlets over vast areas of territory, within the narrow channel of
Mississippi.
.
. J i v i n g together the two great causes of increasing floods—the actlrainn c
ext
g of the surface water from the cultivated plains, and the
ension of the levees and systematic reclamation! of the swamps along the
ili r f l p , p l a n < 1 i t s tributaries—we must perceive, without the necessity of
of tK C, u l a t i o n i t h e inevitable fate of lower Louisiana, unless the progress
ewl , , s t e n i n g events he by some means arrested. The levees are being
T w t r a p i d l y t 0 t h e keiid of the delta on both sides of the Mississippi.
Sail,*} T . b e e n r a i s e ( l
low places along the American bottom above,
the Mi - m s ' t h e r are found everiontlie smallest tributaries of the Ohio and
lu
«sssppi: are rapidly stretching along the entire coast" of the Arkan

i m

sas; and have been attempted, and may yet be successfully introduced, on
Red .river. The drainage of the swamps is progressing with a step as
, steady and as,fatal. W i t h o u t Congressional encouragement, the ingenuity
and skill of every planter lias long been directed to the extension of his
estate by the reclamation of the adjacent inundated lands. But now a
fresh impetus has been given to these efforts in the form of a magnificent
donation to invite the States to undertake the work. T h e bounty offered
must sooner or later insure the drainage of all the swamps of Missouri,
Arkansas and Mississippi. But the water that is excluded from them must
sooner or later be poured down upon Louisiana. T h e swamps above will
be redeemed; but unless adequate preventives be immediately applied, the
sugar fields below will be replaced by a swamp.
Let it not be supposed that these events, though all steadily progressing,
are too remote to demand present concern. Those changes which may be
witnessed by persons now living, should be considered, for all the purposes
of wise legislation, as things immediate. It is not assuming more than the
actual progress of this country will justify, or more than is fully warranted
by the history of the last thirty years, to conclude that at the close of the
current century, or fifty years hence, the population within the present
boundaries of this country \vill reach 100,000,000 of persons; and that of
this number not less than fifty millions will be found within the region
drained by the Mississippi and its tributaries. (See note F . )
Taking the area of this region at 1,226,600 square miles, its population
in the course of half a century will average more than forty persons for
each sqare mile. But a large portion of "the territory lying between the
western boundary of Missouri anil the Rocky mountains will yield but a
stinted reward to the labor of the farmer, anil offer few incentives to stimulate to emigration. The richest tracts will be the most speedily and most.
densely peopled. T h e government will have been relieved of its surplus
lands.' -The enterprising emigrant will no longer be able to purchase a
farm of eighty acres of unsurpassed fertility for a hundred dollars, and must
choose between the alternatives of a solitary home in the parched plains of
the far west, or in the fertile but inundated 'lands of the delta.
I t is our duty to look forward to these things. W e see the work of redeeming these swamps advancing now ; new levees being extended ;
drains being opened; old outlets being shut off, and even the drainage pump
applied, in numerous places, to keep out the water. W e now see an almost unbroken line of levees stretching along the coast from New Orleans
nearly to the Arkansas, on the west side of the river, and above the mouth
of W h i t e river on the e a s t : and new ones rising, from point to point, almost
to the mouth of the Ohio.
I t is for reflecting citizens and wise statesmen to judge what, under these
circumstances, is to be the immediate effect of state^ legislation and tfce
national grant on the safety of Louisiana ; or what m a y be the condition
of things when a dense population, si scarcity of land, and the exclusion 01
the water of overflow, shall cooperate to give value to all the inundatec
region which may be reclaimed by labor, and pour the w a t e r s now retaineu
m t h e swamps of the upper country upon the doomed parishes below.
must look at these things and appreciate the progress of society, and u
probable effects, before attempting to devise plans t o retard or resist tn
approaching event. T h e expedient that will be adequate to

present
suffering will have no appreciable influence on the floods tn

53
are yet to come. That population will spread over the entire region
drained hy the Mississippi; and that the levees will be extended in defiance
of the natural difficulties and the probabilities of crevasses, until both
shores are completely guarded,.must be received ascertain and inevitable
results. That the water which is to be excluded from these reservoirs must
be accommodattd by the channel, is also apparent. It is not merely the
present floods, therefore, but the etfeet of these progressing changes in- the
natural order of things, which it is our province to consider and our duty
to provide fur.
"
.
•
But, in pointing out the direct consequences of the system which now
prevails to an extent so alarming—of excluding the water from its ancient
reservoirs, and forcing the increased burden down the proper channel of
the Mississippi—it is not the design to contend against that policy. It
would, indeed, be a hopeless opposition that would array itself against the
countless interests, private and public, which urge these measures forward.
The progress of this work is irresistible. It has become the adopted policy
of Congress, as well a^ of individual States, and is progressing fearfully
through the whole area of the delta. It is impossible to restrain the States
in their career of reclamation'; and no hardship or discouragement can deter or daunt those resolute pioneers who are establishing their Jiuts Upon
every dry patch where they can efleet a (dealing for a field, or sell a few
cords of wood to a steamboat.
In fact, the interest of the whole country, as well as that of the States
in which these inundations occur, does demand the speedy reclamation of
the swamps. But the work can only be promptly accomplished by the construction. of levees: while the levees which are thus constructed for the
public good, and private benefit, are most unfortunately productive: of extensive local distress.
'
The process by which the countrv above is relieved, is that by which the
country below is ruined.
<'
The true difficulties of this problem, will now be appreciated. We. can
protect Louisiana, by simple means, from all ordinary natural floods. But
*ne great problem with which we have to cope is, to ascertain how to protect her from the deluge created by the artificial improvements which are
accelerating the drainage of the prairies, and diverting the collected waters
from thei r nntunil course through the low lands.
t
" will thus be seen that it is the pursuit of individual and public intents, through all the northern States of the Mississippi valley, that pours
; . excess of water down. It m a y possibly be considered, therefore, that
11
>s the common dutv of the States to guard the land which these improvements now endanger."
•
" will be useful here to reduce some of these facts tofigures,that w e
ma
y have a more definite idea of the consequences that will result from the
^elusion
of the water from a fiven portion of the swamps, and conhmng
he v
! °lume so excluded to thc°channel of the river, when the Mississippi
«as already overflowed its banks and is pressing upon the levees. It l»s
<*en stated that the s w a m p lands of the delta are.s.upposed to coyer about
square miles. D m if w e confine our attention at present to that
of this area which is found ahove4he mouth of Red river, we m a y
estimate
its length, northwardly, at four hundred. miles, and its average
e
J ?<lth a t about sixty-fiverfules-dimensionswhich give for the total area

^undated lands, north of Red river, 26,000 square miles.

[ 2 0 ]

If we assume that the water over the whole of this area is excluded from >
the swamps to a sufficient extent to reduce the depth of overflow only
twelve inches, we shall have for the additional volume which, by that process, will be forced into the river, and which must therefore be carried otr .
by the.channel, 2 6 , 0 0 0 x 5280 • = 7 2 4 , 8 3 8 , 4 0 0 , 0 0 0 cubic feet.
This additional volume must be discharged t h r o u g l r t h e channel of the
river "in the ordinary period of high water—which, for the purpose of an
example, we will here again assume to be sixty days.
The increased discharge through the channel due to this cause will then be
12,080,640,000 cubic feet per diem : and consequently 139,823 cubic feet
per second.
This is about the one-seventh part of the actual high-water discharge of
rthe Mississippi below Red river, and more than that portion of its total average discharge there at periods anterior to the erection of the existing levees.
But wTe have already seen that if only 35,000 cubic feet per second be
^dded to the present hijjh-water discharge of the river, its surface would be
raised at or above JPlaquemine, in the present condition of things, not less
thaii twelve inches. It follows, then, that by reducing the depth of overflow
throughout the swamps which are here supposed to lie subject to inundation
in high water, above Red river, only one foot, we shall raise the surface at
high wateT below Red river nearly four feet for a period of sixty days. In this calculation it has been assumed that the depth of overflow prevented by t h e Jevees averages but twelve inches, over the whole of the inundated area um?er consideration. But this immense area is really flooded
almost annually tCT ft much greater depth. AVe have no means of making
any correct average on this head. In every part of the swamps which have
been visited by the w f i t e r , the depth is extremely irregular—varying from
a few inches to more th^n twenty feet.
F o r the purpose of obtaining better data for an approximate estimate of
the average depth of overflow, a cross-section of the delta was taken from
the west bank of the Mississippi opposite Memphis, to the bluffs on the west
bank of the St. Francis; the point, probably, where the opposite hi^h lands
approach most closely, in the wiiole region from the mouth of the Ohio to
t h e Gulf, of Mexico.
T h e results of this survey exhibited, for the actual distance from hill to h i l l - - - - - - 35J miles.
F o r the maximum depth of overflow, at hi^h water, in
4 2 feet
the Black, Fish l a k e —
'
F o r the depth at high water, in the St. Francis r i v e r - - fret*
;
F o r t h e average depth of the whole overflowed a r e a - - - *iVu
F o r the area of the section of overflow
518,600 sq.
F o r the breadth of overflow, from bluff to bin AT, in a
. ..
straight l i n e - - - - --19 miteF r o m these results it appears, that, at the point where the delta is probably the narrowest, and one of the points where the width of overflow *
the least—if not the point where it is the least of all—the width of mandated low ground is nineteen miles, or thirty times as great as the average
width of the Mississippi; and the area of overflow tiro and a half tun** a*
great as that of the average high-water section of the Mississippi. ,
I t is probable that five feet is about a fair average for the depth ot ^

[20

]

inundation, distributed over the total area north of Red driver which is subject to overflow.
Assuming this to be correct, and the area, which has never been surveyed,
to be correctly stated at 26,000 square miles, it follows, that, whenever thelev ees are made to stand firm and exclude all the water from the swamps^ *
the quantity so excluded will be equal to five times that above obtained, or
sufficient to require an increase of discharge through the channel, of 699,110
cubic feet per second, kept up for a period of sixty consecutive days.
It has been shown that the actual discharge of the Mississippi in extreme
high water in 1801, below Ked river, was 1,134,000 cubic feet per second.
It follows, therefore, that to fill up the computed area of the swamps which,
are found above the mouth of Red river, to an average depth of five feet,
will require a supply from the overflows of the river equal to 700,000 cubic
feet per second for a period of sixty days, or equal to the present total highwater discharge of the Mississippi for a period of thirty-seven days.
In other words, if all the water which passes through the channel of the,
Mississippi below the mouth of Red river, when at its highest point, were
discharged into the swamps above Red river, it would require a period^ of
about thirty-seven days to fill up all those swamps to an average depth of
five feet. Now, on the other hand, if that portion of the Mississippi floods
which is absorbed, in filling up the swamps were entirely excluded from
the swamps by a system of substantial levees, and forced into the channel—
where an increase "of 33,000 cubic feet per second will cause an increased
elevation of surface of about one foot—the 700,000 cubic feet per second so
excluded would raise the surface, by the formula, about fifteen feet above
Ihe present high-water marks.*
•
,
It will be observed that, to arrive at this approximation, it has been
necessary to assume the two leading elements of the problem, viz: the area
of the region subject to inundation, which cannot be correctly ascertained
jrom any data in the land ofliccs; and the average depth of overflow, which
nas been estimated by mere local observation, and'by inquiry of the best inlormed persons whom the writer has encountered in the course of his investigations.
,
If these facts be not underestimated, we may conclude that to levee-in
the whole district, and reclaim all the inundated lands, will require levees
the usual height at the mouth of the Ohio, and gradually rising to about
ei
ghteen feet as they approach the mouth of Red river; unless, indeed, wc
* re prepared to proceed in the work upon the theoretical hypothesis, tliat
^ river will find means to enlarge its channel, in some appreciable proW011' a s t h e v °hnne which it is required to carry down is increased.
, VVe shall defer the consideration of this theory for the present, and ene
*vor to trace the progress of that system which is now in vogue, and the
-jWmuation of which, it has been shown, is to be regarded as the certain
^"sequence of the increase of population and diminution of vacant land in
thl s
1
, country.
^ he Mississippi river, from Cape Girardeau to Memphis, inclines towards
on f t a S t e r n s i d o o f if* valley, and leaves the £reat body of its swamp lands
oft, A v e s t ' w h e r e they arc drained off by the St. Francis and a net-work
^ ,a )ous, having frequent connexion with the channel. .
Atewa°u a n c c h niddr made, in this'computation, for the increased gfeglwgc of the
5 a tlj
> c incix'a&cd slupe, and increased breadth of surface

r 20 ]

Below Memphis, the.river, bearing to the west, crosses i t s valley, and approaches the hills below the mouth of the St. Francis, leaving a great
body of swamp land to the east, which there receives the waters of overflow,
and drains them off through the1 channels of the Yazoo, the Sun-Flower and
some smaller bayous. •
Below the mouth of the Arkansas, the river takes a nearly southerly
course, through the middle of its valley, leaving the swamps of the Yazoo,
some fifty miles . wide, pn the east, and those of Mason, Bartholomew and
Washita, of about equal width, on the w e s t ; so that between the mouth of
the Arkansas arid the mouth of the Yazoo, the swamp lands of the Mississippi—the great reservoir of its waters of overflow—spread over a width of
about one hundred miles.
Below the mouth of the Yazoo the principal portion of the swamps is on
the west, where they have a natural drainage through various bayous into
the Washita and Black and Red rivers.
Now, the flood that come? from the Missouri and upper M i s s i s s i p p i , first
begins to overflow the banks of the river above the mouth of the Ohio,
where a large volume of water flows through the pass between Cape Girardeau and the insulated high; lands south of that place, and, spreading
over a considerable area of swamp, discharges itself into the St. Francis.
Below this insulated mass the thin column of overflow is received into the
lakes, bayous and swamps of the southeastern counties of Missouri, lying
between the St. Francis and the Mississippi; while the main channel of the
river conveys the swelling wave further forward. T h e water continuing to
rise in the river above, the column of overflow becomes deeper, and gradually extends along the whole front of Arkansas, above the mouth of the St.
Francis, sweeping over all the lower portions of the western coast, and
gradually filling up the great basin of swamps extending nearly from White
river to the Mississippi, and supposed to cover an area of';>,()()() squnn* miles.
Assuming that this area is an approximation to the truth, arid that these
swamps are overflowed at high water an average depth of 5 feet, tkis reservoir alone must draw off, and hold in reserve, while the Hood is passing,
through the channel, about GSm,0H0.<M)0,00<) cubic feet.
But we have ascertained approximated, bv actual measurement made
when the water was within a lew inches of its extreme height, that the whole
discharge of the Mississippi river, above the mouth ot the Ohio, during the
flood of June, 1851, was L 0 2 o , 0 0 0 cubic feet p*r second, or 88,560,000,000 cubic feet .per diem.
Consequently, the swamps on the weMern side, from Cape G i r a r d e a u to
the mouth of the St. Francis, must draw off and hold back a v o l u m e ot
water, during a great Jlood, equal tn the total discharge of the Mississippi
itself, at Cape Girardeau, for a period ol verv nearly eight days.
.
# The levee which the State of-Missouri is about to build across the wule
inlet below Cape Girardeau, will e v l u d c the water nf the Mississippi from
a part oi these swamps, and destrov them, as r e ^ - v o i r s , for that p o r t i o n oi
the floods which they now absorb through this pass. But the further polic)
V f S t * t e , of Missouri, as well as that of Arkansas, for the drainage of W
residue of the inundated district above the mouth of the St. Francis, has not
yet been fully developed. It is. however, certain that neither of t h e *
Mates can accomplish their object, nr make' the lands donated to them
the act of Congress extensiveh* available, with their own r e s o u r c e s , v r m

put constructing a line of levees along the whole front on the Mi^ssippb

[20 ]

and excluding tlie water of overflow entirely. It may therefore be assumed that they will he compelled ultimately to resolve cn this course, if
they have not already decided on its adoption.
We are not prepared to estimate what must he precisely the increased
elevation of surface, to enable the river to discharge the additional volume
which is now poured into any portion of the swamps, in a given period, of
time. .But if we estimate the mass needed to raise the river twelve inches
to be the same at the mouth of the St. Francis as^it has, been computed to
be below lied river—from which it cannot very materially differ—we shall
have for the.increased daily discharge which will be occasioned by, an increased elevation of four feet, SO,400 seconds x 35,00(1. cubic feet X - 4 =
' L2,090,000,000 cubic feet: from which we will deduce for the time, required
to vent through the channel of the river the volume which now passes, or
js here supposed to pass, into the swamps above.the mouth of the St.
Francis, without increasing the floods more than four feet,
oiv.wn.nuo.ooo
1 ^UM,lMiUsOOO
We may conclude from this course of calculation that, by constructing
levees four feet higher than would be necessary to protect the borders of the
Mississippi from overflow, in tlie present condition of things, at the mouth
of the St. Francis, and gradually diminishing their Jieight to that actually
required by the present flood,-as we proceed upwards towards Cape Girardeau, we shall he able to exclude the Mississippi water,and drain all the
swamps on.the west side of the liver, north of Helena. In this computation, however, it is assumed that the water is confined to>the channel by
levees on both sides of the river. If that be neglected, then the Kentucky
nnd Tennessee low grounds will be inundated, hack to the hilkpnjthe east,
and levees of lmiolunore moderate height will suffice to protect the coasts
of Missouri and Arkansas.
"
'
.
Now let us proceed to a lower point along the Mississippi, and ascertain
the probable condition of things there. The water which will be shut out
° f t h e great basin now drained by the St. Francis, will be hurried down
upon the State of Mississippi—first upon the coast which bounds the
swamps of the Yazoo : and upon the opposite coast of Arkansas, from the
mouth of the St. Francis to the mouth of the Arkansas river. But here
"gain, as has been stated, works are in progress to ward oft* the waters and
reclaim the inundated low lands. The northern counties on the west border of Mississippi have been for the last vear, and are still, at work, raising
embankments along their respective f r o n t s to keep the river out. Extensive private levees on the opposite shore have been commenced below
Helena, and the State of Arkansas is just embarking in a systematic
Sterne for the reclamation of her inundated;territory. There, is, in tact,
ground enough to justify the assumption that an unbroken line of levees
vv
*ll be made", nr .itin.rm*™l tn I,., mnde. in the course of a very bnet period,

20 ]

be 8,000 square miles—now supplied by tbe overflow^ conveyed through
the Yazoo pass and,numerous bayous leading into the Sun-Flower and Yazoo rivers—together with that excluded volume which will be sent down
from Missouri and the Upper portions of Arkansas, will be hurried on to
the mouth of the Arkansas river, there to join the increased flood which
the State levees how in course of preparation on that river, are about to
send forward to the same point.
It must be concluded, therefore, that the region embracing the mouth of
the Arkansas, White river, and Lake Bolivar, is shortly to become the scene
of extensive overflows, unless protected by the weakness of the works
which are in preparation above.
It is important to take note of the condition of things here, for we may
consider the mouth of the Arkansas river as in some degree the commencement of serious dangers, as it is in a great degree the commencement of
most valuable improvements, which are threatened with destruction from
the anticipated accumulations of water at this point. It is a point which
will be found important in another aspect, viz : as requiring a special examination with a view to ascertain whether it may not be practicable and
advisable to leave a vent somewhere in this region, through tlie contemplated levees, for the purpose of forming a great outlet to convey a portion
of this artificial flood into Red river, and thence, by a corresponding outlet
through the Atchafalaya, into the Gulf of Mexico.*
The effect of all these contemplated works, from Missouri down, is obviously to concentrate the present waters of overflow, and hurry them on
to the mouth of the Arkansas. But the plans which have been resolved
on, and in a considerable degree executed, by the local authorities, leave
no vent for them here. On the contrary, the counties of Mississippi from
Lake Bolivar to the mouth of the Yazoo, as has been shown, have already
nearly perfected, according to their own views of what is necessary, a,line of
embankment along their entire coast ; while it has been seen that the commissioners of Arkansas are preparing to carry on the line upon the Arkansas side, until it meets that of Louisiana at the boundary of the two
States.
If these immense lines of earth work could really he d e p e n d e d on to
control the Mississippi, and Exclude the water from the swamps, we might
perhaps be able to approximate .roughly to the increased height of the
floods which will be produced in the river from the mouth of the Arkansas to the mouth of the Yazoo.
But a most important feature in the elements of this problem, is the fact,
that none of the States or counties have yet planned their levees with an)
reference to the increase of the floods which their own levees, or those in
course of construction above or below them, will produce. In all cases
they seem to be guided by the lines which mark the level of former high
4
water.
This fact leads us 'to the discussion of two considerations that merit
attention, in estimating the effect of completing the levees now in course
of construction, which hold out a prospect of some relief, and indeed,'
properly improved, certain protection for a season, to the country below.
The most important of these considerations is the great difficulty tna
will be experienced in the first attempts to close up the works now m progress, so as to make the embankments continuous along the whole coas •
Digitized
forthe
FRASER
Up to
present time this difficulty has not been so seriously felt, becau

[20

]

the water has found vent through unleveed districts above, and crevassesbelow. But each mile of levees that is reared and made secure will increase the labor of constructing new ones, and the cost of maintaining the
old ones. Those that are now in course of construction, like all those'that
have been built in past years, are made with a view to resist the pressure
of that depth of water which is anticipated on the basis of past experience.
But past experience does not include the new elements—the effects which
the levees themselves produce on the height of the floods—and the first
levees are therefore made too feeble, and will give way and be thrown
back, and rebuilt, perhaps many times,—as the old ones have been,—each
successive levee rising higher and being made stronger'than that which
preceded it.
, ^
The water will thus be permitted to diffuse its force by spreading again
over the swamps of the Tensas, the Yazoo, and the St. Francis.
This is a practical and certain guarantee for temporary reprieve to
lower Louisiana. Hut it is, nevertheless, not one on which prudent men
may permanently rely. Experience is acquired quickly in this country. :
The property which will be invested in these new levees, however slightly
they may be constructed, and the lands which will be. reclaimed by them,
however difficult to protect, will he,. additional-pledges that the embankments will ultimately be made to resist the floods. Consequently, this
difficulty of maintaining the levees above, though real, can only be regarded
as in some degree an assurance that the whole effect of the works now in
progress will not be immediately felt. - But this is no substantial ground
of hope for the future. The waters must ultimately be excluded from all
the swamps, and pressed down upon Louisiana.
This State must, therefore, it is repeated, prepare either to give them
additional vent, or to resist than, or consent to be deluged. ,
\
Moreover, it is to be recollected that while these frail works will fail of
their present object, and be burst in numerous places by the floods which
they will lie the means of producing,. thev will, nevertheless, generally
stand firm until the water rises nearly to.their summit, and when they give
way, only fail in places of limited extent : so that, although the swamps
will not at first hv effectually drained, the water will be kept out of them,
even by these inadequate levees, for a longer period J and the floods from
the upper streams—which, by the wise ordination of Providence, usually
send forward their spring waters after those of the .lower tributaries have
subsided—will be hastened on to meet those which come from the rivers
helow.
In short, the embankments which are now in course of construction in
Arkansas and Mississippi will not be found sufficient to resist the higher
haters which thev will ultimately produce; but they will serve, nevertheto increase materially the height of the floods belpw, to -hurry the
wave forward, and add disastrously to the prtsent distress of the people
Louisiana.
*
'
.
t This State may look, therefore, for a temporary and partial reprieve
to t| i e insufficiency of the works which are in preparation to inundate
^ coast. And it is to be hoped.that this precious time Mill be given to
Prompt and enlightened efforts to prepare for the approaching trouble, and
^ it will not then be supposed, if it should chance for<1 year-or two that
flood of Red river y L s off
^tncs down, or that both of these have discharged before the Ohio poufb

[ 2 0 ]

out its volume—because there may happen for one or two seasons to be no
' coincidence of the freshets of the great tributaries—that the views here
presented are mere speculations, or that the Mississippi is too great to be
influenced by the works of men. They are, unfortunately, no speculations;:
and, if a year of low water should be permitted to intervene, it will be the
part of wisdom for Louisiana to profit by the delay, and push forward her
defensive works.
The other argument which has been urged as a ground of hope, is the
probability t h a £ as the depth and mass of water forced through the channel
are increased, the size of ' the channel itself will be proportionally
enlarged. \
I t is certain that this is one of the laws to which all streams flowing over
alluvial beds are obedient; that, enter is paribus* their abrasive force increases with the volume of water transported, and that the channel is enlarged as the abrasive power is augmented. But, before this can be made a
ground of encouragement, it is to be observed that the s c o u r i n g force of
the river cannot be increased until after the surface has been raised ; and,
therefore, after the damage has been done.
This law is only available as an argument to prove -that, though the
people of to-day may bo deluged, their descendants, if they continue the
contest, and set back, rebuild, and strengthen their levees, will ultimately
obtain relief.. But v:/irn that relief will" come: v.'irn the bottom will bo
washed out deep enough, and the hanks will have caved" in far enough, to
accommodate the increased volume, it is -beyond the prescience of science,
or the light of experience, to foreshow. Indeed, all our observations upon
the Mississippi go to establish the presumption th;.t, although the river,
while depositing its bed, and forming its channel in the material which it
transports, readily adapts its section io the volume which it bears; yet,
after that" work-is accomplished, its bed is formed and its d i m e n s i o n s arc
determined, it is extremely slow in its efforts to readjust its a r r a n g e m e n t s .
The cut-off* at Raceourci, made three years ago, is not yet washed out, by
one-third, to the usual dimensions of the channel; though, by reason ot the
contraction of the water-way, the velocity of the current at that point is
greatly accelerated. T h e Horse-shoe cut-off was made m a n y y e a r s ago ;
a n d up t o this time the river at that p h i c < — n o t w i t h s t a n d i n g the s p e e d of
t h e water is very much increased flier? in all stages of the r i v e r — p r e s e n t s
a water-way of about twenty per cent, le*s than the average a r e a o f the
river's section.
*
'
.
In fact, this principle of compensation, so often alluded,to by scientific
writers, oilers no substantial ground of hope. It has \ a l u e . perhaps,'as a
geological truth, but it affords no solid rnmfort to pivsent society. When
we increase the volume discharged by the river, the channel will no doubt
undergo a gradual enlargement ; hut* more t!mn'a thousand miles of material must be excavated and IransTvuicd-^re-depnsited, re-excavated,
again transported many hundred 'times: and we have no reason to doubt
that hundreds, and perhaps thousands o f ' y e a r s will be required to do thtwork, and restore the ancient condition of tilings.
But it is contended by persons of i n t e l l i g e n t and observation, that tlie
construction of levees in the upner parts of the river cannot increase tn«
floods essentially below ; for the'reason th:it the rhrmnei below is l« r S°[
than that above, and can therefore vent between levees all the water that
can be
Digitized
for brought
FRASER do*fvn between any new l e v * * which may be built above*

[20 ]

The assumption on which this hope is founded is erroneous nTfact. The
Mississippi river may b?, and is, generally larger near. Red river than it is
in the neighborhood of Memphis. Yet there are portions in its upper division, towards the Ohio, which «ire much larger than other portions below
, the Yazoo. And it may be added here, as a curious fact, in itself a perfect
refutation of this view, on which hope has been promised, and" a truth
pregnant with other important consequences, that "the Mississippi, when in
flood, discharges more icatcr immediately below the mouth of the Ohio than
it does, at any point in the neighborhood of Red river.
The maximum discharge of the channel below
the mouth ot Red river at the top of the flood
of April, 185L, was--*
1,134,500 c. feet per see.
The discharge below the mouth of the Ohio June
10, 1350, when the water was there nine feet
below the top of the flood of 1349, was--.---- 1,223,000 " " " "
At the same point, at the top of rhe flood of 1849,
by estimation, the discharge was liot less than 1,700,000 " " " "
Apart from the inaccuracy of the. facts, and the insufficiency of the elements upon which this view is based, it is at best a specious argument, and
"holds out but a fallacious hope.
'
.t \
It in reality assumes that the water which is now discharged into the
swamps above, passes through those swamps and re-appears at their outlets,
and aids in swelling the flood in the river below. But this is all at war
with the facts. The flood in the river travels faster than, the flood in the
swamps; and the highest rise at the mouth of the St. Francis is not produced by the water of oveifiow which entered those swamps above and is
drained off by the St. Francis: .nor that at the mouth of the Yazoo by,the
water which 'is drawn through'this swamps of the Yazoo ; nor that, at the
mouth of Red. river by that which is discharged by the Cocodrie and the
Tensas. The floods of the". Mississippi are produced by water-which does
not go into the swamps at all, but which descends through the main channel of the river; aided by the discharge received from the tributaries on
the way. The height of 'the flood at any point depends on the volume that
•s brought down bv the river and its tributaries, and not by the discharge
from the swamjfe. " But, after the river has attained its height, the supply
Mjkept up, and the duration of the flood prolonged, by the subsequent discharge from the swamps. „
' ' , i
i
If, therefore, the levees be so raised at the mouth ot the Arkansas, and
u»e water so far excluded from the low grounds, as to produce an increase
0[
the height of the floods t h e r e - s a y three feet—the height pi the. levees,
near the mouth of Ret! river must also be increased about three ieet; the
precise amount depending on local circumstances,
h fact, the effect of extending the levees, which is here contended tor,
clearJy demonstrated by the spring flood of 1851. As has been dated;
coast counties of Mississippi, during the previous autumn, had exfemipq
ai
}d closed up their detached levees over a continuous line of filty or $ixty
miles,—partly above and partly below the mouth of the Arkansas. But the
W s were not materially extended on the opposite or Arl^nsas side
Consequently the water was only excluded from the swamps of the \azoo
-•or tliis distance, and' still had vent into those of Arkansas.
7
^oir, the flood of 1*31 was not a great flood, M
hfty miles above;

[ 20 ]

the mouth of the Arkansas it was ten indies helow the flood of 1850 in the
Mississippi; and an equal distance beyond the back water from the Mississippi, the Arkansas itself, in ISoJ, was nearly three feet /oircrthan it was
in 1850.
The height of the flood of April, 1S31, at the mouth of the Arkansas,
ought, therefore, to have been expected to be at least one foot lower than it
was in 1850. But in consequence of the levees constructed above, on the
Mississippi side, by Bolivar county, the water was excluded from the swamps
on that side immediately above the mouth of the Arkansas : and we accordingly find that the flood of 18-31, at and below Napoleon, was within
four inches as high as that of 3850. Here was a visible effect of eight
inches due to the new levees above. (See fig. ft.)
But the levees in Mississippi, as we have seen, between the dates of these
two floods, were perfected many miles further down. Following the coast
about SO miles, to the lower end of Bundle's bend, we find that the flood
of 1851 was 2b inches higher than that of 1*50, instead of being, as it
ought to have been, according to the volume sent down, about 1'J inches,
lower. Here, then, was an effect of J.U inches apparently due to the new
levees raised in Bolivar and Washington counties in the summer and fall
of 1850.
. Proceeding some JO miles lower, we find the flood of 1851 about eight
inches higher than that of 1850, instead of being 12 inches lower ; showing
an effect of 20 inches near Lake Providence, produced by the new levees
formed above that place during the preceding season.
This effect was, however, of very brief duration. The levees were not
prepared for this pressure, and gave way. A great crevasse occurred at
Point Lookout, on the Louisiana side, below Providence, and numerous
breaches had taken place on the Mississippi side, through which the water
poured into the swamps of the Tensas and the Yazoo; and the f l o o d below
was accordingly reduced, and the levees .saved.
Such results will be witnessed again and again. The country along ihe
coast below will be saved by the feebleness of the works above.* But each
time the embankments break, they will be rebuilt and made hifher
stronger; and each victory gained over the waters in the north, will consequently add to the distress of I he south .
I t is not to be supposed that Louisiana can afford to raise her levees as
fast as the new levees above will make such a course necessary tor her
safety. The levees near the head of the delta will be but five or six feet
high, and be capable of sustaining a pressure of three or four feet of water*
But if we add a pressure of three or four feet to the height of a flood
threatening an old levee,'we must sacrifice the original b a n k altogether,
and build a new one three or four feet higher. To resist a flood increased
four feet in Louisiana, will require an expenditure more than three time*
as great as to build a levee adequate to resist a pressure of four feet in Mj s '
sonri, besides involving the sacrifice of the old work.. To maintain the
new levee, apirt from the increased risk, involves an o u t l a y equally disproportionate.
It will be perceived that, in the view of the writer, the levees -are destined to be extended the whole length of the delta, wherever there is inundated land to reclaim, of which the value, when redeemed, will justily tn
cost; and also, that; as the water is excluded from the s w a m p s , a n d conDigitized
FRASERthe levees, it must continue to rise until it obtains depth an
finedforbetween

63
velocity sufficient for its discharge through the channel, or until the levees
break; that, practically, society can hope for no relief from the unassisted
enlaigement of the channel, or from any thing but immediate efforts to give
lateral vent to the watei, or to restrain it by appropriate works*
»So long as levees arc raised and lengthened above, we must therefore expect the country below to be assailed by increasing floods. _
In this state of affairs it is difficult to conceive of a case more deserving
of the generous sympathy of the country, than that of the people of Louisiana. It should never he forgotten that it is precisely those efforts which
are resulting in prosperity and gain to their northern neighbors, that are
pouring ruin upon them. It is not the place of the writer to point out what
measure of protection justice demands for the, injury inflicted by these
works, or to say what, if the States of this Union were to be regarded in
their reciprocal relations as individuals, would be the legal claims for redress of the one that is injured by a diversion of the waters from their natural course, upon the parties who, in the pursuit of their own interest,
cause the injury. It is his study simply to point out the.facts, and the physical remedies which may be applied, leaving the question upon whom the
weight shall fall to repair the evil, to the wisdom of Congress.

PART III.
OF T H E MEANS OF PREVENTING

INUNDATIONS.

To persons unacquainted with the peculiar formation of the delta of the
Mississippi, and especially to those who are unused to the measurement
and contemplation of forces, the question of absolute practicability will
naturally occur, when it is proposed to control and regulate the flow of a
vast river, which is known to drain seven hundred and eighty-five millions
of acres, and discharge through its channel the floods produced by the
melted snows of the Kocky mountains and those of the Alleghany, together
with the surplus water ot hundreds of tributaries in the intervening valleys.
It will be advisable, therefore, to glance at this question first, and attempt
to compare the weight of water discharged by the river, with those ordi,iar
y powers which "are directed by men.
^
If our object were only to relieve the country from the floods which are
now felt, tins problem, in the opinion of the'writer, would involve no serious difficulty. Outlets could lie made in lower Louisiana, and the levees
rould be strengthened along the coast, in the upper part of the State, to an
extent sufficient to afford the most ample protection. But we have seen
that each year is destined to add to the power of the floods; that every
mde of levee which is built increases the height and speed of the water;
and that each new farm that is opened on the p r a i r i e s , increases the volume
™ t is poured into the streams. Ill short, it has been s h o w n that the great
difficulty of protecting the delta f r o m overflow is produced by the extension of the artificial e m b a n k m e n t s along the borders of the stream, and the
r
nlhvation of the prairies of the upper States.
.
/
The real problem, therefore, is to decide how to guard against ; these artificial
floods, which are annually increasing, by some counteracting artihCia
l expedients.

[20]

I t is not unreasonable to assume that if it be in the power of individuals
so to control the waters as to add to the height and violence of the river, it
will be equally within the power of this Government to reduce its force
and moderate its velocity. Indeed it might be shown that force enough
has been assembled in arms to protect the nations of Europe from the ambition of a single mind, to be able, if applied to such an object, to pump
the Mississippi d r y ; that the standing armies of Europe are at tliis day
sufficient, without the aid of science, and almost without the use of machinery, to bail out the floods of this river, and, pouring them into the sea
through artificial conduits, maintain the water in the channel at any level
that might be prescribed.
- I t is known, from measurements recorded in'this paper, that the total
discharge of the Mississippi and its natural outlets in extreme high water,
is about 1,270,000 cubic feet per second; and that to raise the surface
twelve inches, when at its extreme high-water mark, will require, in the
average, an addition to its usual supply of about 35,000 cubic, feet per
second.
Now, the power of a horse is conventionally estimated to be equivalent
to the raising of one cubic foot of water to a "height of nine feet in each
second of time; or, reciprocally, to lifting nine cubic feet of water to a
height of one foot in each second.
The Mississippi and its tributaries are now navigated by about fifteen
hundred steamboats, of which the average power may be safely estimated
at about four hundred horses. Consequently, the total horse-power engaged in transporting the products of industry through this valley—those
products which it is the object of this investigation to protect from the effect of.floods—is about equal to six hundred thousand horses. From which
it follows, that the steam power actually engaged in navigating the Mississippi and its tributary waters is adequate to the lifting of all the water
discharged by the river and its outlets, at the moment when their discharge is greatest, as fast as it comes down, to a height of about
cooooo xfl — | n f
1270000

But, to reduce the surface of the Mississippi and its outlets below the
mouth of Red river two feet, will only involve the discharge of about 75,000
cubic feet per second.
To lift 75,000 cubic feet per second to a height of two feet, will require
a force of *
<o000X- = 16,666 horses:
1
9
^
which is equivalent to the power of the engines of about forty-two steamboats of the average size of those engaged in the navigation of the western
rivers.
I t is useful thus to compare the power of the river with those forces
which men are accustomed to employ, for the purpose of showing that the
Quantities to he dpnlt w'.tli
•er of ti
practic
,,,1UC

' iuey will serve o m y to snow that, m order actually io
surplus water out of the channel of the Mississippi, and convey it through

independent
outlets to the

tea, would not be too great an undertaking J*

[20 ]

this age ; or, perhaps, greater than would be justified by the value of the
vast area of overflowed lands which it is the object and interest of the
whole country to reclaim..
^
It is, in fact, within the ability of society to restrain these floods by
mere-muscular strength—by steam-power—or by a dead lift, and without
the aid of any of those resources which are supplied by art and experience.
But, while it is useful, in contemplating subjects so large to bring into comparison things which are unknown, with others that we are capable, from
daily experience, of readily appreciating, it is not necessary to pursue such
a line of inquiry. We shall presently find that great volumes of the Mississippi floods may bo discharged directly into the sea, by merely removing
a portion of the artificial embankments which now confine it to the river ;
or, that the floods may be, controlled by retaining a portion of the water
in the valleys above, until it may pass tranquilly to the ocean without injury
to the country below. While we have the means of causing the river to
regulate itself—to apply its own power to producing its own discharge—it
woiild be unwise and unnecessary to seek extravagant modes of accomplishing our purpose.
It is proposed now to discuss these simple processes.
OK THE -PLAX OF OUTLETS.

The mode almost universally recommended for obtaining relief from the
overflows of the Mississippi, is that of creating artificial outlets to draw
the surplus water, from the river and discharge" it, through new channels,
into the Gulf of Mexico. The earliest suggestion of this plan which has
been seen by the writer, is to be found in d a r b y ' s account of Louisiana,
published in 1816, where its essential features, as they are at this day presented, are fully chalked out. .
"
^
.
But, it is very certain that the preference given to this method is attributable to the tempting facility of execution which it offers for the relief of
the estates below Red river," and along the immediate borders of the Mississippi. The least knowledge of the physical formation of the lower
portions of the delta, is sufficient to satisfy every mind that this,plan is
perfectly feasible, and may he executed there with great promptness and
efficiency. Indeed, along this portion of the river, the pressing difficulty
>s not to give vent to the surplus water, or send it to the sea by artificial
channels : the precise difficulty is to prevent the flood from bursting through
its artificial barriers and venting itself.
• .
Ihe Mississippi, as has been alreadv shown, is actually elevated'during
™gn water, from fifteen to twentv-five'feet above the soil a few miles distant on either side of its course f a n d is only prevented from breaking out
and deluging the interior bv tlie artificial embankments which have been
**red along its coasts. This embankment usually gives way during high
floods, in some weak points: and the crevasses thus tormed act as vents to
W ^ ^ " r d e n e d channel.' The proposition to create artificial outlets is
**** intended to supersede these spontaneous breaches ; and for ttat purP°se> and to that extent, they will be recommended in this paper tor the
protection of lower Louisiana*
. . \
r v
•But this plan, simple, easy of execution, and c e r t a i n a s it is when applied
t0
» limited extent on the lower portions of the river, is obnoxious to some

[20]

well-founded objections, and 3ms encountered much opposition from unfounded apprehensions.
First, among the legitimate objections is the difficulty of giving vent to
the surplus water which now comes down, and a fortiori to that which, in
the view of the writer, is destined hereafter to eomc, in sufficient volume
to protect the coast without deluging other portions of the adjacent country,
already suffering from the very excess that now prevails on the Mississippi
itself. This is a solid objection to a plan in other respects highly useful
and applicable, within reasonable limits. But it involves the necessity of
sacrificing one interest for the protection of another which is assumed to
be greater—an alternative which cannot fail to render it odious to all
whose interests are threatened.
Another objection to this plan, which is also founded in reason, is the
certainty that great deposites will be left in the lakes into which the waters
withdrawn from the Mississippi will be discharged before they can reach the
gulf; deposites which will not only impair the navigation of t h e s e lakes, but
ultimately convert them into swamps, like those which it has become one
of the great objects of the whole population of the delta to reclaim and
bring under cultivation.
' Then, there stands in the way the apprehensions seriously entertained,
and forcibly expressed, by engineers of great intelligence and respectability,
that the abstraction of a portion of the water by lateral channels will cause
a diminution of the velocity of the current, and a consequent filling up and
contraction of the present channel of the Mississippi below the points at
which the water is withdrawn. Whence it is concluded that, as the channel of the river will become smaller than it now is below the new outlet,
and the speed of the current will be diminished there, the discharge of that
channel must become less in proportion as the outlet is greater; and that,
consequently, there will be really in the end no a p p r e c i a b l e reduction of
the height of the floods effected. *
Finally, there is the opinion, thrown out and vigorously m a i n t a i n e d by
others, that these new outlets having shorter routes and a greater descent
than the river itself, they will be rapidly abraded by the escaping water,
and ultimately so much enlarged as to become the main outlets or true
channels of the river, and thus lead to the eventual destruction of the present channel and its invaluable navigation, ami c o n s e q u e n t l y involve the
ultimate decay of the city of New Orleans.
As the plan of artificial vents, or high-wafer wastes, is here recommended
as a prompt, efficient and available means of relief for the coast below Red
river, it will lie proper to discuss these several objections at the outset.
ENPECT OF OUTLETS ON THE AREA OF THE CHANNEL.

The writer does not participate in the apprehension of those who look forward to a diminution of the present width, depth or velocity of the M ^
sippi, from deposites consequent on the discharge of its waters of overfly
through independent outlets. This apprehension is not at all shared, thoufej
the principle which looks for the accommodation of the size of a nver*
channel to the volume of water which passes through it, along a given slop*
1
fo
is fully admitted.
.
•
Certainly there are, in a channel formed in an alluvial soil, reciprocal relations
between the depth, breadth, slope, velocity and discharge. In pt*

[20

]

words, these quantities are each functions of the others. But we are not
thence hastily-to conclude that a certain portion of the high-water discharge
of tlie stream may not be withdrawn without producing a proportional contraction or diminution of the breadth or depth of the channel. There are
several impediments to this conclusion.
To excavate a channel through a soil of given texture, and to keep the
same channel open when so excavated, are two very-distinct things, imply- v
ing very dilferent applications of force.
To wash out a channel, requires a velocity and power not merely sufficient
to carry off the material, but to overcome its cohesion and inertia, and transport it in addition.
We find, consequently, that it is no easy thing, even with a great fall ant}
a great volume, to open a new channel bv the mere action of. the running
water of the Mississippi. The first attempts to make the cut-off at Raccourci, where the fall was at the rate of six feet per mile,* were unsuccesslul, although a considerable volume of wHter was let through an artificial
trench leading from the river above to the river below the bend.
#
Various other a t t e m p t s to create cut-offs across the bends in the upper
portions of the river h a v e l i k e w i s e been unsuccessful, although sometimes
aided by a d e s c e n t across the bend of seven or eight feet per mile."

The Ate ha fa lay a and the Plaquemine have probably been open for ages—
certainly from periods far beyond the reach of history or tradition—the first
having a fall more than twice as great, and the other a fall ten times as
great, as the Mississippi itself; ami yet, unaided by art, they have been foqrid
unequal to the task of increasing the depths of their channels, or enlarging
their respective water-ways. On the contrary, the Atchafalaya, in the view,
of the writer, seems to have been contracting its original width lor a great
many years. '
The crevasse at.Bonnet Carre, discharged into Lake Pontchartrain about
the one-tenth part of the high-water b u r d e n o f the Mississippi, for many
consecutive days, during the "great flood of 1850, when the water of overflow rushed down a plane descending about fifteen feet in
milts; and yet
«ie velocity and force of t he torrent were not sufficient to tear up the natural soil to any considerable extent. No channel was excavated. The for-'
jovs left by {he plough and the roots of the crop remained on the field where
H had been swept by'the water, after the flood had subsided.Without m u l t i p l y i n g e x a m p l e s , it is admissible to s a y that the power required to e x c a v a t e a n e w channel, or to enlarge an old one, is much greater
Ul
an is needed to maintain s u c h a channel after it is once opened.

R does not follow, therefore, that the capacity of the Mississippi will be
jhroimshed by high-water outlets, even if a part of the water which originally
wrined the channel should he withdrawn, for the reason that it requires more
f
orce to create, than is required to maintain the channel after its formation.
-But ther e is another reason for the practical conclusion, that e x t e n s i v e
0
| r t l e t s may he formed without a shadow of fear for the preservation of the
pnmiel below. T h e Mississippi and its natural outlets are now greatly overP'Wened in times of hi"h water, and are unable to vent the volume which
« poured into them by The distant tributaries as fast as it is brought down.
^
excess of water finds new outlets by overflowing the banks, or through
M a s s e s in the artificial levees. Outlets, then, acting only as high-water

* It was just 4 J feet in three-fourths of a mile.

[ 2 0 ]

vents, through which this surplus may he let off, cannot possibly di ninish
the actual area cf the river's section below; for such cutlefs will discharge
water which does not pass through the channel at all. The water which
injures the country is not that which descends between the natural banks—
or even that larger quantity which now descends between the levees of the
Mississippi—but is precisely that which, after the levee> have given way,
leaves the channel and spreads over the cultivated fields. W c may surely
discharge this portion through artificial openings leading to the sea, without
effecting the area of the channel below; for it does not now, and never did,
flow through the channel, and has, therefore, no influence whatever on its
condition.
Again: it has been seen that the height of the floods of the lower Mississippi is annually increasing, in consequence of the extension of the levees
above. In opening outlets below Red river sufficient to give passage to
this increased supply, as it comes, we cannot possibly impair the efficiency
of the present channel, for this increased discharge has had no part in the
•creation or maintenance of the present channel.
To the extent, then, in the first place, of discharging the waters of overflow. or the crevasse water; and to the further extent of providing for the
increased discharge which the new levees will occasion, we may employ artificial outlets without the least apprehension that the present area of the river
will he diminished by success And still beyond this we may c a r r y that
expedient, until we approach the unknown limit which represents the difference between the volume needed to create, and that needed to maintain the
channel.
These limits allow us margin to open outlets far beyond our means of
producing, with proper regard to the safety of those upon whom the surplus
is to be turned.
• A word may be added in allusion to the fear often expressed, that the
new outlets which it is proposed to open at points where the route which
the waters will follow to the sea will be shortened, will ultimately become
so enlarged as to absorb the Mississippi itself, and thus leave the city ol
New Orleans on some secondary bayou.
The reply to this apprehension is'the fact already stated, that the water
passing through such vents is never known to cut out or deepen t h e i r channels without assistance. The bayous which still lead from the Mississippi
into the adjoining lakes and swamps, have beeji in activity d u r i n g thousands of years, and do not seem to have gained the least o:i'the Mississippi
while the whole delta shows evidence of ancient outlets, which have been
filled up bydeposites, and no longer act in relieving the discharge of the
river.
The Bayou Plaquemine descends from its sourcc to the Indian village,
eight and a half miles, at an average rate nf 2 t feet per mile, and in one place
no le^s than three feet ina single mile, having a depth of mote than t h i r t y feet,
and a current which can only be stemmed l»v n powerful steamer; and je
ir does not appear to gain upon the soil or to* enlarge its area. I n d e e d , 1
writer is not in possession of any fact which g o e s t o show that an}' onu
can be made from the Mississippi above New Orient..??, which, left to itself
will become larger and ultimately exr.a\nte a new channel into the p •
If we could calculate with confidence on surh a result, the problem W
tcctmg the country below Red river would be relieved of all its d«» r U i r . e
fit for
once,
for we might then open an outM into Lake liprgne. and, turning
Digitized
FRASER

[20

]

Mississippi into thai arm of the gulf, transfer its embouchure to the deep
water south of iShip island, and reduce its high-water surface some six feet
at New Orleans. Hut, unfortunately, the water cannot open the way without assistance, and the new channel will not be produced without.other aid.
The clanger anticipated does not, therefore, exist. The channel will only
be enlarged as we seek to enlarge it; and it will of course be the, duty and
the care of the engineer to keep it always under control. For those, however, who. apprehend that the tendency V things might he* different, it may.
be said that these outlets can be completely controlled; that, nothing is
easier than to limit their discharge to the precise amount which we wish' to
pass through them. T o increase their draught involves some/.difficulty.
To stop them up entirely, requires no skiii and but little labor.
The outlets which it is proposed to open, like,the ancient natural outletsof the river, will only act in times of high water;- and as the bottom of
their channels will be eighty or ninety leet higher than the bottom of the
Mississippi, and at the same time higher than the surface of the sea, to assume that they will be capable of cutting a trench to the gulOsixty or
eighty miles distant, competent to drain the Mississippi, we must assume a
power adequate to the excavation and transportation of that mass of material,
or a prism eight v feet deep, three thousand feet wide, and sixty or eighty
miles long. v '
'
.
'
•
There is nothing known in the past historv of the Mississippi, and nothing
that can be inferied from its present habits, to warrant such an assumption.
The cut-offs, whether natural or artificial, to .which so many former-changes
of the river's bed are referable, arc not in opposition to this conclusion. To
produce a cut-off requires the excavation of a trench-through a narrow neck
of land dividing one channel one hundred and twenty feet d e e p , from

pOV.v. .v,

w..

•lnto» ™d the power then to remove it as it comes., In the case of the new
outlet, the material to be removed must be conveyed many m i l e s through .
Jkes and swamps, where the current is resisted bv stagnant water, where
™ power of the river is exhausted: and must finally be deposited in a
r p i * J m n °f the sea, which it has not the force to repel.
T f hese objections to the use of outlets to a limited extent, are not tenable.
« is therefore propo.sed to resort to high-water vents, so far as is necessary
0
obtain prompt though limited relief from pressing distress and impendV-aliunity: but not'to rely on this expedient exclusively, or even to
°ok to it for full relief or permanent securitv.
^
tbe object of this examination is not considered to be merely tne proWionot the couutrv below Red r i v e r from the difficulties against which
Puliation there is now struggling, but to embrace the w h o l e a r e a ot
T <Wta, and lo do the work bv some plan that will not be ' i n c o m p a t i b l e
. l h Jbe intention of Congress, as it is manifested in recent legis a ion,
S ^ a i m a l l the lands in that vast area which are subject to inundation.
great purposes will be aided, hut not a c c o m p l i s h e d , by outlets; which,
W o r e , are now only recommended for local relief and limited application,

[ 2 0 ]

70
OUTLET BELOW NEW

ORLEANS,

About eleven miles below the city of New Orleans, and one hundred
above its mouth, the Mississippi approaches within five miles of the Gulf of
Mexico. The ground between the liver and the gulf, here known as Lake
Borgne, is a plane sloping from the river back to the sea. The first three
thousand feet from the river is cleared and highly cultivated land; but the
residue of the distance is swamp, always wet, and sometimes completely
overflowed by the high water of the gulf.
When the Mississippi is in flood, its surface stands six feet above the level
of the adjacent soil, and the water is prevented from inundating the sugar
fields by artificial levees about six feet high.
At the distance of half a mile back from the levee, the surface of the
ground is 9J feet below the high-water surface of the river. At the distance
of a mile, it is 10\ feet, and so continues, almost a perfect level, from
that point back to the borders of the lake, where the surface of the swamp
or prairie is 10; feet below the high water of the Mississippi, as it stood
in April, 1S31.
The level of the gulf at the time of the survey was just eleven feet below
high water in the Mississippi; but marks weie exhibited which showed that
in 1848 the lake had risen to within seven feet of hi«*h water in the Mississippi; and a low-water mark was pointed out Which showed that the surface had at times receded to KJ,^ feet below high water in the river. If
we assume that the mean surface of the lake is eleven feet below high-water,
and the distance from the river to the lake in a right line, five m i l e s , we
-shall have data near enough to the precise facts for all practical purposes.
The following section, (fig.
is a eorrect profile of the ground from
the Mississippi to the gulf, showing the level of both as the water stood on
the 7th day.of April last.
l t will be perceived from this profile and description, that if the levee
that now confines the water to the channel of the river were remnved, the
water would rush from the river towards the gulf in a column six feet deep.
Hut if the earth haek of the levee were excavated to the l e v e l ofthe
swamp, or cut down to a level 10', feet below the high-water surface of the
river, the flood would pour through this opening in a column 104 fret «ceP'
The average fall of the surface, from the river back to the, l e v e l of the
gulf, before tlie water of the Mississippi had suffered any reduction, (» m
opening were made suddenly) would he
feet per mile. The velocity ol
the surface current would" he,- before this reduction would have p l ^
- ^ X H - I - r r X low ^ - f c c t p c r s v c o m l
• If the levee were removed over a'spare of 5.000 lineal feet, the area o
the outflowing column would be o 2 / m square feet, and the discharge,co
sequently, about 210,000 cubic feel pcr second. But the actual (hscha g >
while the length of the opening continued to be Xfi00 fcct, would be ma
rial y less than this amount; for the surface of the Mississippi would &
be depressed, and the depth and veloritv of the column, of course, wouiu
simultaneously reduced.
*
,, ^
Tt is not at all probable, however, that the surface of the river co«i .
reductd by this process more than 2'. nr 3 feet, unless the torrenj sboui ^
ound to tear up the soil and cut a deeper outlet into the gulf.
flot
Digitizedlikely
for FRASER
to occur to any considerable extent if the force of the stream ™
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
aided by artificial appliances. But a deepening can be effected bv cm *
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[20

]

trendies from tho river to the bayous which run through the swamps; clearing off the timber and loosening up the surface soil; confining the water
between lateral levees extending from the Mississippi to the gulf shore ; and
so placing movable obstructions in the outlet, that the water, in undermining them, might tear up the bottom.
It is the opinion of the writer that it will be practicable, for an outlay
which will not be unreasonable, to form a vent at this point which will obtain a depth nearly or quite equal to the difference between the high-water
level of the river and the bottom of Lake Borgne near the shore, or about
fourteen feet; and that such an outlet, thus increased in depth, will effect
a reduction of the surface of the Mississippi, at high water, of not less than
four and possibly five feet—an effect sufficient to secure the safety of New
Orleans and the whole coast below the city, iuid some considerable distance
above, for a verv long period.
But it is not the purpose to recommend assigning any limit to the discharge that is to be poured through this outlet into Lake Borgne. It .is
proposed to cut boldly here : to encourage the action of the water by every
effectual expedient, so as to reduce the surface of the river down as nearly
as possible to the level of the gulf. All the water that is vented at this
point, all the reduction of surface that is effected by this vent, will be productive of good. There is here no interest to be injured but that of the
few individual proprietors whose estates will be appropriated, and to
vh®m, of course, compensation must be made.
An apprehension is often' expressed that the withdrawal of a large volume
of water from any part of the channel will cause an increase of the ban? at
the mouths of the Mississippi, and therefore prove injurious to the navigation.
But it has been shown by the writer, in another report, that these bars
are not prodneed by the destruction of the velocity of the river, where the
fresh water meets the sen, but by the reiluent under-current which is set in
ration by the out-pouring floods of the Mississippi. It has, in fact, been
shown that the bars at the embouchures of the passes cannot be reduced m
hei
gId by increasing the velocity of the river over them, and will not be inc a s e d in height hv reducing the velocity.* On the contrary, if the river
c l]
« ld he made to'discharge a large portion of its burden by some other
channel, the depth upon the bars would be increased by. the action of the
which would then set higher u p : and if the river could be turned ott
^ r d y and let into Lake B o r c m e , the bars which a r e t h r o w n out by the
Mississippi, and maintained i . A h e deep water of the gulf by its power,
w
<>«ld he swept off by the waves, when a heavy sea would set into the
,n
°uth of the river, u n r e s i s t e d by the descending
flood.
.
, l ^ r e is another point worthy of attention in discussing this subject, and
* ^ h has b e e n dul v considered*. The depth of Lake Borgne is very inconH h a h h ^ v a r y i n o - V m „ i six to twelve or thirteen f e e t ; and it would, there* made "the recipient of the mass of water which it is proposed to
' sJarge i n t u
Jon
w i t h the deposites from the fresh water
f he „ v , r . This is an inevitable r e s u l t , and the: effect of the. outle
cause, would be gradually diminished. As the l a k e w o u h ^

£lWth*

*iiissippi river."—Kx. Due. Xo. L , 31st Congre^,

«> Charles Ellct, jr., civil engineer.

besjon*

[ 20 ]

up, the water discharged would flow through a channel of its own, between the natural levees which would be formed—as the banks of the
Mississippi and those of all of its bayous have been formed—from the dcposites of the water flowing off laterally from the course of the outlet. This
channel would gradually' extend through the whole length of the lake,
carrying w ith- i t a delta like that which characterizes the embouchure of
the "Mississippi, until it would ultimately, and indeed at no distant day,
reacli the deep w a t e r south and east of Ship island.
I t is the belief of the writer that it will he found practicable, by dint of
labor, and cutting boldly at the borders of the Mississippi, to make an outlet
into L a k e Borgne, which may be encouraged to increase until it eventually
becomes one; if not the greatest, of the navigable passes to the gulf. This
indeed should tie the a i m ; and we should be encouraged to proceed with
the plan from the consideration that it is really the only great outlet that
can be made from the Mississippi that will he extensively beneficial to the
city of N e w Orleans and the adjacent coast, and yet" injure no e x i s t i n g interest, which we may work upon without c e s s a t i o n , d o i n g some good all
the time and endangering nothing. W e shall presently see that those other
outlets which it is the duty of the writer to propose, have not this recommendation.
<
„ •
OF T H E E X L A l l ^ E M E X T OF T H E

PLAQUEMINE.

N e x t in value to the outlet which is recommended below New Orleans,
in the estimation of the writer, will be found an enlargement of the area,
and consequent increase of the present discharge, of the Bayou Plaquemine—one of those* high-water vents left open in the original c o n d i t i o n or
the delta, and which have not yet been.closed for local purposes.
I t was a part of the natural adjustment of this great stream, to exhibit
numerous openings through the elevated .banks which form its coasts; where,
in times of flood, as the water rose, it obtained exit by lateral channels
which 'discharged into swamps, bays, or arms of the gulf. T h e s e openings,
fifty years ago, were very numerous, and were to he found on both sides ot
the Mississippi, from the' mouth of Kcd river to the Balize/' But, in the
progress of society, the population which, allured by the productions o
the sugar lands, took possession of the batiks of the Mississippi* closed up
these outlets, by extending levees across them ; so that, out of forty o
fifty, or more bayous, which formerly served to relieve the overcharge
channel, there arc now left but M m ' w h i c h still act in high water for tn
depletion of the river. Of these three, it is here recommended to select th^
Bayou Plaquemine as the one most suitable, for divers reasons, to be increased in capacity, and made to replace a portion of those i n a c t i v e outie
which have been destroyed by the levees.
. .
T h e ruling motive for the preference here given to the Plaquemine is t_
peculiar facility which its channel offers for prompt and e c o n o m i c a l eniarg
ment. I t has a more rapid fall than either of the other open bayous.
* The late John McDonough, hi rrj.lv to the amotions proposal by the
of the legislature of Louisiana, sava: When he fust travelled the talks of t he
_ or
fifty years since, on horseback, he was forcwl to fnvhn his hor.se across nt l e y " " f t he
thirty different bavon*—some of them tifiv to rixtvfcct in width—which crossed inw- a
travelled and entered the river.- Tlu scluvou* were on the v.es: hank, hetwoeinitut /
and Red river, and have ail been stopped up in the progress of imp""
DigitizedPlaquemine
for FRASER

[ 20 ]

has a shorter route to tlie sea-level than that traversed by either of the
other existing outlets. It passes through a district : less highly improved
than would be encountered on any of the other open or abandoned bayous.The volume of water which it discharges'can, therefore, be more cheaply
augmented than that discharged by any of the other natural vents. '
The descent; of the Plaquemine, from its source; at the town of Plaquemine, on the Mississippi, to the Indian village, is, at high water, nineteen
feet.
...
The distance between the saine points,' by a survey following the course
of.the stream, is eight and one-half miles. The descent in that distance
is, therefore, at the average rate of 2.2-5 feet per mile ; which is about ten
times as great as the average slope of the Mississippi, in this part of its
course.
' ,
^
This rapid descent of thePlaquemine renders the enlargement of its channel
a work of singularly eas> execution. The velocity of the current is now,
m high water, from six to eight feet per secondhand in places considerably
greater. Its depth varies from twenty-five to forty feet.
.
To enlarge this channel, nothing is necessary to be done,but to cut off
two or three short bends, and then promote the attrition of the 4current*
a
gainst the salient points which it is proposed to remove.
t The material which rnav lie excavated should be taken from the north
side of the bayou, where there are jew improvements to be injured ; and
should be deposited in an ample levee, on the south side, so as to protect
the country there from overflow.
The water may he. forced to assail the banks, either by cutting them
down perpendicularly, during low water, so that they may be undermined
fall in as the stream rises: or the object mav be effected at high water,
b
y anchoring stout barges against the p o i n t s ; t o V removed, provided with
wheels to be turned bv the stream, and armed with appropriate scrapers to
cut away the soil as they revolve and the current rushes by. The velocity
? now> at surface, in some places, seven or eight miles an hour, and it can
pe speedily increased to an average of seven miles by removing the projecting points, cutting off the short bends, and slightly increasing the depth
across the bar at tlie source of the outlet. ' .
% the exercise of ordinary prudence,
there need be no apprehension that
1
tnp
w..^ will
MI scour out its
. own
.
* faster
^ , than
ii
* desirable,.
•
« On
n^ the
the water
channel
is
contrary, it w ill require vigor and skill to increase the discharge at this
Point fast enough for the relief of the coast. The work of enlargement
Jul, however, be arrested by other considerations than any fear that may
wise lest the Mississippi should turn its channel down this bayou, and find
d
perinaTimif
t
it
u
lt,L**> intn thp Atclmfalava

[ 2 0 ]

lieved, and a smaller interest will probably be entitled to compensation for
damage.sustained, here than elsewhere.
I t is this consideration, and none other, that will arrest the discharge which
ought to be poured through the Plaquemine into Grand river. But this consideration—the damage to property on the Teche, and other bayous tributary to Grand lake, Berwick's bay and the Atchafalaya river—will be sufficient to compel us to arrest the discharge before the volume and speed of
the current can lead to any serious apprehension of other dangers.
I t will be observed that the water which is discharged by the Plaquemine
is first received by Grand river, from which it is conveyed by numerous
bayous into Lake*Chicot and Grand lake. These bayous find their way
through great tracts of swamp, or inundated lands, into numerous shallow
lakes, -which are destined at no distant day to be themselves transformed,
by the deposites which are left in them by the water of overflow, into similar swamps.
But it will be proposed, presently, to enlarge the Atchafalaya, another
of the three existing outlets of the Mississippi, which also empties into
Grand river, and through the bayous leading thence into Lake Chicot and
Grand lake. It will be seen, therefore, that Grand river is to become the
recipient of all the waters of overflow which can be discharged by artificial
or natural vents above New Orleans.
I t is neither the intention nor the hope to obtain much more relief by
means of an enlarged outlet at Plaquemine than that which is now rendered
by the crevasses I but it is deemed advisable so to enlarge the capacity ot
this vent, that it may be relied on to discharge at least as much water as
npw ordinarily finds its way to the swamps through breaches in the levees.
This will be effected when the capacity of the Plaquemine is m a d e about
four times as great as it now is, or when its present extreme high-water
discharge is increased from about 30,000 cubic feet to about .120,000 cubic
feet per second. It may, indeed, eventually become advisable to draw oft
a still greater volume at this point, if, after"the amount of injury that may
. b e anticipated by a given augmentation of the discharge has been accurately
ascertained, it be deemed prudent to make remuneration for t h a t i n j u r y , and
push the enlargement of the outlet still further.
,
This, however, may be left for future consideration, after the first • rebel
has been obtained, the immediate wants of the coast have been met, and
the adjacent levees hfcve been rendered s e c u r e a f t e r the Atchafalaya has
been enlarged as far as may be found expedient: and experience, under the
new order of things, shall have indicated the measure of further enlargement that would be proper.
There can, however, be no reasonable objection offered to increasing
the draught through the Plaquemine until this*bayou discharges into Oram1
lake a column equal to that which is ordinari !v received by that basin n °
the crevasses in the levees. And this is w h a t it is here proposed to<lo :
to increase the area and discharge of the Plaquemine until it can be regarded as a reliable substitute for those disastrous crevasses by which the channel of the river is now annually relieved. T h i s condition will exact a
breadth at surface of six hundred feet, and an average central.deptu w
forty feet, or that the area of the section of the Plaquemine be made very
nearly equal to the present area of the Atchafalaya.

[20

]

OF THE F.\LATUJIIMEXT 01* TI1E ATCHAFALAYA.

The Atchafalaya is by far the largest of the existing or former outlets of
the Mississippi; and it has been often proposed to resort lu its channel as
the best and most efficient drain for the floods .which now threaten the
country below its source.
In concurring with this popular.idea, so far as to advise a commencement
of the gradual and progressive enlargement of this great-stream, it is not
intended to represent the work as easy to accomplish, or in itself an effectual remedy for the tioods of lower Louisiana.
•It will, in fact, be found to be an exceedingly difficult and costly,undertaking, ami one which will need to be conducted cautiously,'and not too
rapidly, if it is to be effected without serious injury to the region through
which the water is to be conveyed.
;
The Atchafala va leaves th° old channel of the Mississippi about two,
miles below the mouth of Red river, and 310 miles, by the windings of the
rnannel, above the Gulf of Mexico. It flows nearly iir a southwardly
direction; and when the Mississippi is swollen by tioods, it serves as a n a t - ,
ural vent for a portion of the present excess of water, of which it bears off
a large volume to the sea. At its source, its average surface width in extreme high water is about 600 feet: its depth 0-3 feet; its slope six inches
Per mile, and its discharge not less than 83,000 cubic feet per second. It is
a
bout equal, measured by the area of its channel and the volume of water
Wuchit conveys, to one-twelfth part of the capacity of the Mississippi
above New Orleans.
,
'
.
It has been long supposed that the Atchafalaya was. the ancient bed of
jted river, when that stream had no connexion with the Mississippi, but
J
°und Us way to the Gulf of Mexico by an independent, channel. The
?monof the two streams—tin? Mississippi and Red river—is accounted for
ln
. s theory, by the supposition that, at the point where their waters now
1U1
W their channels then exhibited opposing flexures, and the current
6 uaiiy cutting away the intervening soil, hi ought the streams t ^
1

MII"?' their witters" c o m m o n .
, s "as become of late years a very popular theory, and is supported
several plausible arguments. The position of the mouth of Red liver
»n the one hand, and'that of the source of the Atchafalaya on the other;
'direction
by which Red river enters, and that by which the Atchafalaya
e s
T 1 the
old channel of the Mississippi, correspond perfectly with the
0
a
T n T " ' that t he curves of the two adjacent streams gradually approached,
! ' , «?y
cut into each other. Besides, the. color of the soil comg
h finally
w e s t
riv! i ?
h'Uik of the Atchafalaya at its source, indicates clearly a Red
Jfongin. But, notwithstanding the plausibility and force ot these facts,
, 2 "Ff.'iot at all conclusive, but apply with equal directness to another view
'Will
be here suggested.
. „ ,. 1 1 ,
a ct
fal". ( > tthe
hypothesis which at tributes the original formation of the Atchahc
Whnu ° discharge of-Red river, is found, on a careful examination, to be
7 % euntenable.
.
S
lts fr
h, .! L ." »'n actual measurements of the channels of these two rivers,
lh|

t 20 ]

its surface, in high water, the width of Red river between banks a mile above
its mouth is more than 1,100 f e e t : and that while the descent of the Atchafalaya at or near its mouth is six inches per mile, that of Red river, where it
enters Old river, is, at low water, less than one inch per mile.
The hypothesis of a former continuous channel, common to these two
streams, so different in all their features, must therefore concede a sudden and
remarkable change in the character of the supposed ancient Reel river, at the
precise point of the present junction of that stream with the Mississippi.
Such a change, and the exact coincidence of that change with the point of
accidental contact of the two shifting channels, is, indeed, not impossible;
but it is, at least, quite improbable, A less violent and much more satisfactory theory for the existence of the Atchafalaya—one of the most remarkable features of the Mississippi—may be suggested, though the writer has not
had full opportunities to submit it to a very rigid inspection.
Black- river, the proper continuation of the Washita, corresponds much
more closely in the dimensions of its channel with t h o s e of t h e Atchafalaya,
than Red river. T h e general direction of the Washita is from north to south
—corresponding well with the general course of the Atchafalaya.
The idea has impressed itself upon the mind of the writer that, in the
original condition of the delta, the Washita, as well as Red river, descended
by an independent channel to the gulf, which then perhaps set up through
a bay as far as the head of Lake Chicot.
The Mississippi pursued its present general direction. Red river had
also its own independent channel to the gulf, in the present valley of Teche,
where it has left abundant traces of its course in the composition of the soil,
from above the rapids at Alexandria down to Berwick's hay. T h e Washita
was thus an independent stream, descending to the sea between Red river
and the Mississippi.
According to this hypothesis, the Washita and the M i s s i s s i p p i , ' b y the
gradual approach of opposite bends, ultimately united their waters, and the
Washita was, so to speak, cut in two—the northern part afterwards serving
as a feeder to the Mississippi, and the southern end acting as an outlet for
its surplus water in times of ilood.
T h e Washita having been a stream of smaller class than Red liver, maV
be adduced as a reason why the present channel of the A t c h a f a l a y a , which
was formed to accommodate the volume which that r i v e r , and not Re(1
river, brought down, is insufficient for the discharge of the present volume
of Red river. T h e Washita flowing directly down the plane of the delta,
which it has been shown descends at the rate of eight inches per mile, accounts for the greater fall of the Atchafalaya, which takes the same direction parallel with the dip of the same plane.
D ,
Subsequently to the junction of the Washita and ihe Mississippi, B ed
river then continuing on below Alexandria, in the same southeasterly a i r e C '
tion which it still pursues above that point—flowed over its natural levee,
and, taking an eastwardly direction through the s w a m p s , united
testers
with those of the Washita at the present mouth of Black river. Under tws
hypothesis, the increased volume below the confluence of these stream* produced the larger channel known as Red river, which even now is scarcei)
sufficient to accommodate their collected waters.
L
According to this view, which is suggested as the most plausible explanation of the existence of the Atchafalaya, that stream was the ancicn

channel
of Black r i v e r ; and the present channel of Red river, belotf

[20

]

mouth of Black, was subsequently enlarged hy the union of the waters of
v
the Red and Black.
*
These considerations are r o t without a practical value in the present discussion. If it be true that the Washita had an ancient independent.outlet
througlv the Atchnfalaya, the fact that this outlet has not increased in ca- 1
parity since its function has been to give passage to the waters of the Mississippi, which it conveys to the sea-level by a slope twice as great as that
of the Mississippi itself, is further evidence that the apprehension so often
expressed, that it may ultimately absorb the Mississippi, is without stable
foundation.
In fact, it is not yet demonstrated that this outlet may not have been one
of those original vents which, like the Plaquemine, Manchac and La
Fourche, and numerous other bayous, were formed as the outlets near the
mouth of the river are now formed, during the deposition of the soil, and
for the purpose of relieving the channel of its high-water load. Be that as
it may, the Atchafalaya' has existed for ages, and now exhibits signs rather
of a progressive contraction than an enlargement of its area. There is, in
fact, not only no reason to believe that "it will ever open its own channel
wider anil deeper, but scarcely even substantial ground to hope that this
result can be materially promoted by any moderate amount of cost or labor.
The Atchafalaya, at its source, draws from the Mississippi, in very high'
"oods, about 85.000 cubic feet of water per second, or about 8 per cent, of
tne actual discharge of the main channel of the river. But the right or
*est hank of the bavou is overflowed in high floods by.the backwater of
tne Mississippi, or by that of the Red river; and below the mouth of Bayou.
" e Glaise, five miles from its source, the extreme high-water discharge is
consequently increased, by accessions from Red river, to about 140,000 cubic feet per second, or 13 per cent, of the total discharge of the main chanof. the river.*
It is by observing these accessions from Red river, when the Mississippi
has
begun to fall, und the confined water of Red river obtains vent, that
ve are enabled to account for that red deposite on the west bank,of the
ba
J'0u, which has been so lone regarded as conclusive evidence that this was
?fce the proper channel of Red river itself. While the bayou is drawing
* the water of the Mississippi at its source, the water of Red river, charged
ds characteristic deposite, and deeply colored, flows rapidly through
He swamps, and pours over the whole west bank of the Atchafalaya for a
of four or five miles, from Old river down to Simrasport, and slowly
J®gles with that of the Mississippi. It is from this Red river overflow
JW the west bank of the Atchafalaya receives the red stain. But the
overflow f r o m t h a t
l r r f jj m ini s hes"as we descend, and the red deposite
comes also less and less clearly defined.
'
L
the upper part of its course, the Atchafalaya may be east y and
VC
£ p l y enlarged. T h e purpose may be effected by first cultivating itsborPoint!!
off all vegetable growth, and then cutting down the|sa tent
: nnd encouraging tlfe action of the water upon them. But the d fl ^ ^ ^ o n v e r t i n g the^trcam into an efficient outlet is noHound here at its
*

ft A t c ^ l ^ B T ^ e d , (April 26, 1850,) the uater bad fallen * ^ .source
ihe
,
4 actual dlscharffc was then foundto be—
Atitrsourcc,
77,100 cuWc feet per second.

So'gw*
Bayou dcGlaiso,
.122,700 << «

' e n at ion was obtained at the time of extreme high wafer.

, "

[ 2 1 ]250I
source, but increases from mile to mile as it descends, until it discharges
itself, by numerous mouths, into Grand river, and again, through numerous
bayous leading fiom that river, into the lakes which intervene, between it
and the gulf.
The real difficulty consis's in the fact, that the Atchafalaya loses its importance and its power as it advances below the Bayou de Glaise. l t yields
the water which itdiad drawn from the Mississippi and Red river, to numerous outlets, which diverge from it to the right and left: and as it received
accessions froiA Red river, which were discharged into it from the swamps
above, so it discharges them again over its banks into the swamps of the
interior below.
In passing down this stream in the latter part of April, 1801, when its
surface had fallen 2.2 feet from its extreme high-water mark of that year,
at Old river, and one foot at the head of Grand river, and gauging its volume from point to point, the following results were obtained :
The Atchafalaya drew from the Mississippi, at
its source, in Old river
- ---77,11)1) cubic feet per sec.
It received accessions from Red river in the first
five miles, which increased the discharge to- - 122,700 "
"
" "
At a point one mile above the Haft, the losses
caused by lateral drains had reduced the discharge to
8S,f>09 " . "
" "
At Picket's, one mile below Bayou Rouge and
Bayou Latinache, its .volume had been reduced
down to
07,900 «
"
" "
At a point just below the source of Alabama
bayou, it was found to be only
11,870 "
"
" "
Nine miles below the mouth of Bayou Little
Devil, and half a mile below the re-entrance
of Bayou Alabama, the discharge of this great
stream had dwindled down to-19,400 "
"
" "
In addition to the effect of these continual losses, by which its volume is
reduced to less than the sixth part of that which its channel d i s c h a r g e d at
Simmsport, the power of the current h still further reduced by a corresponding change in its rate of descent*
The actual descent in the lower part of the course of the stream was not
measured, but the velocity was frequently tested; and, c o m p a r e d with the
observations taken in the'first twenty miles below Old river, they showed a
falling off, in the speed of the current, of nearly one-hall*.
To make the main channel of the Atchafalaya capable o f a c c o m m o d a t i n g
the volume of water which even now enters from above, the remaining obstructions at the " R a f f must first be removed, and the c a p a c i t y ot the
stream must be increased an average of fully threefold its present vahu1,
for a distance of forty miles. If, therefore, it should be attempted, as has
been suggested, to produce the enlargement by pouring in m o r e water at tne
source of this outlet, at Old river, without first preparing the channels below to give it vent, we shall overflow a great extent of country, and retai«
for years, if not permanently, its proper and necessary drainage.
,
I b i s is one of those cases in which every consideration of prudence an
economy urges the prosecution of the works of reclamation and enlarg^
inent below. The Atchafalaya
and the
the PI
Plaquemine discharge their watery
Ltchafalaya and

at the
opposite extremities, and through
brough various bayous, at mtermem

[20-].

points along the course of Grand river. This river is now, .in fact, the recipient of all the water of overflow, and the crevasse water, together with
that of the natural outlets of the Mississippi and Red river, from the source
of the Plaquemine to the Red River rapids. The water thus received by
Grand river from so many sources, is discharged from it, through numerous
bayous and small lakes,'info Lake Chicot and Grand lake. These bayous
are very crooked, and frequently obstructed. Their descent is small, and
the current passing through them is, in many places, extremely sluggish. >
If the enlargement of the Atchafalaya be undertaken, these bayous must;
be simultaneously relieved of obstructions to the passage of water through
them, straightened and enlarged; so that the additional volume of water received by Grand river may flow more readily into the lakes, and not spread
over, ami forever destroy, the great area of swamps, yet reclaimable, by
Vfhich these hikes are surrounded. The work of enlargement may then
proceed upwards, along all the bayous which now drain the Atchafalaya,'
Jnd which will still be required to vent the increased volume which it is to
be made to carry.
,
It is not to be supposed that this work can be accomplished ^speedily, at
trifling cost, or without involving much local damage. The accomplishm
*nt of the labor, so as to produce appreciable effects, will require several
Fars, however ample the means may be, or with whatever vigor the,work
** pressed; anil a portion of the country will inevitably be flooded,-howl e r prudently its execution may proceed.
" was no part of the duty of the writer to investigate in detail the damages
h a t ma
V accrue from the accomplishment of this plan. It was sufficient to
st
* and to know that the preservation of great interests from destruction
ultimately compel a resort to this measure. . And as it is clearly in the
power of those who control the progress of the work to arrest it whenever
he
damage threatened exceeds the value of the results produced, it seems
^necessary to delay it for minute and doubtful estimates.
.
as already "intimated, the enlargement of the Atchafalaya by any
justifiable process*, will prove to be a slow and expensive. undertaking, involving great labor and loss of life. The work, therefore, though necessary
^ Proper to be commenced, will not afford that prompt relief which is
^nanded by the present emergency. The country needs immediate proCll
°n against present distress, and effectual guarantees a g a i n s t approaching
"«ngers. For these we must look to the Plaquemine as the only pom*
"^gers.
point,
J
?
west side of the river, at which we can relieve the lower coast W
with
J® necessary
necessary despatch.
despatch. Another
Another outlet
outlet will
will be
be presently
presently suggested,
suggested, m
m c*
case
m oo rr g ee nn cc V , as a temporary expedient; but the Plaquemine is, be
v n f r aa n ee m
be1
i2T all comparison, the eh;mnel
channel bv
by which we can most conhdenUy
confidently underunder* e to produce visible and valuable results for moderate cost and with the
rapidity.
^
tk* A t c , m ^ ' H y a , when enlarged, will be much the most important outlet
£ C a n , ; e G a i n e d ; because it'draws off the water at the highest accesiP°,nt
river. It is, therefore, not to be neglected; but is earlm
* > ^ ar lm
e n d e d here as a point at wliicli
whirl, tne
the worKsnom.
w o r k should
h* . - " *— ^
trittm
>™ded
in t t r d e I a > %
^ l o r merit of the Bayou P i a q u e m m e consis ssimply
Jhf/ap^
bv its enlargement the lower c o a s t can be more expert)' relieved than by any other possible outlet..
nor bio V 1 h e o h s * ™ « that neither the Plaquemine nor the
Digitized for FFRASER
bot
t together, can be relied on to give v e n t t o .the volume of water

[ 2 0 ]

which must B6 drawn from the channel of the Mississippi, when the system
of levees now in course of construction along the upper coasts is carried out,
and the floods are increased, as they are destined to be increased, by the
destruction of all the great natural reservoirs of the delta.
If we allow for the increased duty of the Atchafalaya, 150,000 cubic feet
per second, we must assume that the capacity of the. channel of that bayou
will be made thrice as great as it is now. It is extremely doubtful whether
the current can be made essentially to increase the depth of the channel; 9nd
if not, then the increased area must be obtained exclusively by an increase of
the width ; and the breadth of the surface of this great river must consequently,
become about sixteen hundred or one thousand feet greater than it now is.
This implies the excavation of a new channel one thousand feet wide and
about fifty feet deep, and seventy or eighty miles long. If the w ater can be
made to do the chief part of this labor, with the needful rapidity—which is
the confident belief of others, and the hope of the writer—it will be cheaper
and better to resort to this plan, to obtain extensive and adequate security,
than to any other which has yet been proposed. But, if this hope should
be disappointed, and the labor of making the water act with adequate rapidity in the lower part of the stream should prove much greater than is
expected, or greater than can be endured, it may result that after completing
the outlet into Lake Borgne and enlarging thePlaquemine, and commencing
a,guard Jevee of ample dimensions, reservoirs will then be the cheaper, as
they will assuredly be the more certain, reliance for further protection.
W e shall again recur to this question under another division of the
subject.
OUTLET INTO LAKE PONTCHARTRAIX.

Next to the enlargement of the Plaquetnine, by far the most efficient outlet that can be made, at reasonable cost and in a reasonable time, for the
discharge of a portion of the surplus water of the Mississippi, will be a
high-water opening from the bend at Bonnet Carre into Lake Pontchartrain.
This expedient has been frequently proposed and elaborately discussed by
others, but without the aid of preVious instrumental examination.
The leading and true argument m favor of this plan is, unquestionably*
the great rapidity and ease with which it can be accomplished. The prominent objections to it, in the view of the writer, are—
1st. That the point where the outlet is proposed to be made, is too near
the gulf to afford relief to any great extent of river coast.
2d. That the deposites which will be discharged by the Mississippi in t 0
Lake Pontchartrain, will at first impair, and ultimately destroy, the navigation of the lake, which must always he of great value to New Orleans.
3d. That the water withdrawn from the river will so raise the surface of
the lake as to inundate the swamps on its coast, and in the rear of New
Orleans; rendering it neccssary to enclose the city on all sides within a levee^,
and rely altogether on the draining pump to relieve it from the surface and
sewerage water.
The distance from the Mississippi, at Bonnet Carre, to Lake PontchartT
?™> ™ f ? u r a n d a half miles. The descent from the level of the high water
of l h 4 9 , in the river, to the surface of the lake, r.t the date of the survey,
was
feet. The fall per mile from the high-water surface of the,river
to
that
of
the
lake is, therefore, a
feet.

[ 2 0 ]

The lake, when this level was taken, was considered to be about two
'feet above its usual low-water stage.
When the Mississippi is in full Hood, its Surface is about six feet above
the natural bank at the proposed outlet at Bonnet 'Carre; and th? Natural
bank, or immediate coast of the river, is here the highest part tif the ^ia^ie
*hich slopes back from An edge of the river to the lake. The/water of the
Mississippi is, therefore, only prevented from pouring over its borders in a
column six feet deep, and discharging itself at the leVel of tide-water in
Lake Pontehartrain, by the line of embankment which the planters have
raised for the purpose of protecting their fields from inundation. The
floods of the river might be easily discharged in part at this, point;
^vhere they would reach the level of the sea in four and a half miles, instead
of following the windings of the river for a distance computed at one hundred and fifty miles*
The profile shown in fig. 2 will vxhibit a correct Section from th'e
Mississippi to Lake Pontehartrain, at tlfe point where the crevasse of 1B50
f u r r e d , and where a permanent outlet is so often proposed.
AH that is necessary to be done to relieve the Mississippi at this point of
^portion of its surplus water, is to cut two trenches from the river to the
tow, and use the material taken from them to form 'two parallel levees, at
distance of four thousand or five thousand feet asunder* and then r'einovc the artificial embankments on the borders of the river, and let the
Mississippi fl0Mr ( | o w n
i n t e r v e l l i n g plane into the lake.
truth, nothing would be easier than to protect the country many foriles
»»ove and below Bonnet Carre, or, in some degree, from the mouth "of Red
"ver to the sea, by opening a vent in the mode here described,—for this
°penmg may be encouraged to increase to any desirable extent*
the objections already enumerated are so serious that a movt to this
measure, so simple and so certain to produce prompt but limited results,
^nnot be recommended here. At least, it cannot be recommended as a per®,anenl improvement and a reliable plan, though it may ultimately be
! °Pted, should events arise to justify it, as a temporary expedient. Should
p found, after the Plaquemine has been enlarged to the greatest adfert I 1 , m i f *
the outlet proposed below New Orleans has been eflhc othtT
ttrri i
P l a l , s ^hicb will be presently discussed have been
.jned to their utmost limit, that the section of the Atchafalaya cannot be
and *3 i f a s t
to give proper vent to the increasing tioods, then,
at event
the
w l l it be advisable, in the view of the writer, to tap
. nver at Bonnet Carre, and turn a portion of the remaining surplus water

it^^chartrain.

will A 0 u t l e t proposed to be made bv the enlargement of the Plaquemine,
siJrw
the water at a point seVentv-five miles higher up the Missis*
that at
Clu
Bonnet Carre, and it will therefore afford relief to seven yO ? i t n o r e of
coast. The cost of the work will not be greater
n n n e t C a r r & » f o r we have the present channel, and the force ot the
^ now running through the Plaquemine, to aid the umlertakrog.
P N u c t i o f
lake and backing the water up the leche wil be
to property, and will impair a navigation of less
lha its
uientof
»
admission into Lake Pontehartrain The eidargePlaquemine to the utmost admissible limit, should thereiore

The a h P P ^ g of any outlet at Bonnet Carre.
_
• '
ute rate at 4luch Lake Pontehartrain will be filled tip by

[ S O ]
deposites, in case a portion of the increasing floods should he discharged inter
it, is not deemed of primary importance. It is enough for us to know that
very great deposites will he made, and that they will not he left in regular
strata oxer the whole bed of the lake, but in the form of bars and islands,
which will speedily obstruct the navigation and render it always uncertain.
The quantities of earthy matter contained in the water of the Mississippi, in different conditions of its surface, have been investigated by several
scientific gentlemen, whose results are not widely different. Preference is
here given, however, to those published by Professor Riddel L of New
Orleans, who, to his scientific reputation and skill as a manipulator, has
superadded the claim to confidence which is due to great zeal in this subject.
The experiments of Professor Riddell have led to the conclusion, that the
proportion of'sedimentary matter to the weight of Mississippi water containing it, is as follows:
Water 1, maximum weight of sediment
Water 1, mean weight of sediment , j1*-.
Water 1, maximum weight of sediment
When solidified into coherent earth, at a mean, it was found that the
bulk of the sediment was equal to
part of that of the water in which
it was suspended.
But the greatest Amount of sediment is found when the river is in flood;
and it is when in that condition that the discharge into the lake would take
place. We may assume, therefore, from these experiments, that when the
river is in flood, the bulk of sediment would be to that of the water containing it, about as I to L800.
We will assume, that if it should ever become advisable to draw off ajij*
portion of the surplus water of the Mississippi t h r o u g h L a k e Pontchartrain,
it will be necessary, in order to obtain any essential relief, to give vent
to at least 100,000 cubic feet per second at that place. An o u t l e t discharging less than that would produce but little impression upon the
future floods.
There are 86,400 seconds in a dav. T h e daily discharge of the outlet
will then be 8,040,000,000 cubic feet.
Of this volume, the
part will be coherent earth ; or ^ f S S S ^ T 6
4,800,000 cubic feet, of sedimentary matter, will be deposited i" t i i e 'jr®
each day that the outlet is discharging at the rate of 100,000 cubic feet
per second. If the annual discharge of the outlet average this amount l°r
sixty days, the total deposite for the vear will be 2tW,0U0,000 cubic fc^
Now, the average depth of Lake Pontchartrain is thought to be ten ft*1'
Its area, according to La Tourctte's map, is about
square miles.
A square milt: contains 27,878,400 square feet.
_
The annual deposite produced by this outlet would then be sufficient: t
raise up an island one mile square and ten feet high, from the bottom totmsurface of the lake.
These deposites would be irregular. In the course of a hundred
there might be more than a hundred islands and shoals scattered over tn
lake, of which the height, and sometimes the position, would be change^»
and the channels therefore shallow and uncertain. Without entering w
any mumte computations, it is clear that an efficient outlet at Bonnet u»
is incompatible with the permanent maintenance of the navigation oi ^

Pontchartrain.

§3

[20 3

The ultimate loss of this navigation is, then, one of the'sacrifices which
must he encountered, when we resort to this unnecessary aiid apparently
superfluous expedient.
,
*
The increased elevation of the surface of the lake whi&i will be produced by this increased discharge, has already been alluded to;
LakePontchartrain is connected, with the Gulf of Mexico by two ndrfow.
ps^es; known as the Higolets and Chef Menteur: The. tides of life gulf
set up through thcs'e passes, and prodtice corresponding tides in the lake:
Thp volunle that is' adniitled into the lake by a high-^ater oiitlet froni
the Mississippi, must llow into the gulf through these pasSes;" aiid cbtiSetjuently, the surface of the lake must rise; Until a sufficient head is obtained
to produce a veloriiv through the passesi adequate for tlie dischargefc»fthfc
additional volume m'lmiftedi
;
;
Now, it has been shown bv Professor Kiddell* who has investigated onb
"ranch of this subject very "beautifully, that by the best data attainable,
without an actual survey of the passes, the elevation or head necessary to
produce the velocity requisite for the discharge of one hundred thousand
cubit feet per second, would be, by the formula of Wieshaeh. but about one
tochand a half.
.
'
.
But, admitting the fact, that if the two surfaces—that of the lake and
that of the gulf—were permanent and steady, as is assumed in this computation, this would be the whole effect flue to the admission of this volume
water, we are not thence hastily to conclude that such will be the
practical result. This problem is a much more complicated one, and
[quires for its solution a study of the tides of the tr«lf and those of the
hike.
•
tftht! surface of the tnilf were not affected by the tides nor by the winds,,
^elevation of the surface of LakePontchartrain, due to an outlet frotij
^Mississippi discharging one hundred thousand cubic feet per second,
ywd not, perhaps, be increased more than two inches. Hut the increased
watmn due to tlil^ discharge is made much greater by the tides and
mas. It is n o t intended here to say that the increased elevation of about
"o inches, which the assurqed supply from the Mississippi would produce,
| |o hi» added to the. elevation caused bv the tides arid winds, m order tp
'Dla"> the total elevation. T h a t is not the point. But it is the intention
. ^v, that the tides and the winds MveMly increase the elevation due to
J ' h s c h a r g e t h r m H , the inlet— - w a t l v ' i n c r e a s e the plfvct ol a gtven
J 1 1 * *lnf«ttcil fn,„, the Mississippi. The problem here is ??ot to coinr
lulfi • e ' e V i | t i n u of t h c lake, or the" hnd that is necessary to produce a
; v e h i e j t \ through the passes to d U e h a w the volume that it |s prnr
th roii yh the artificial inlet/but the her eased ehvntion
tiJni
to produce tho irniremd vntociti/over and <fiyvc Ihe

tvc,ocffy>

tu reduce the surface irf the lake twelve inched, there must be dr|thv
hv the refluent tides, or by the wjntls avoiiinco
v o & ^ t o
2 7 ^ . 4 : W - 1 4 , 7 7 3 , 3 ^ , 0 0 0 cubic feet. I | th»
by * ! < w out ot the lake through the passes in eight hours,
2 ^ 8 3 0 , (the number of seconds in eight ho u j )
^
c u t i c feet, for the volume w h i c h must be discharged
NiJS
i« each second of time. Now, a variation o. U c b t
give u 1 ^ ^ hours, in the height of the lake, is no unusual thing- j
the

^ l o c i t y necessary t o produce this discharge, Lake Pontebartrain

)

must be elevated above the level of the gulf, according to the table, of
Professor Riddel, which is here adopted as a sufficient approximation, no
lesslhan 3
feet.
If now we? superadd to the volume pouring through the passes under the
action of; tide and wind, a Volume of 93,500 cubic feet per second, due to a
crevasse or an outlet, we. shall have* by; the same table, a further increase
of elevation amounting to sixteen inches. (.See note G.)
In fact, a discharge of one hundred thousand cubic fret per second will
effect the elevation of the high tides of the lake, by the best data that can
be obtained withoui a thorough survey of the passes, not less than eighteen
"inches. And even this limit will" be occasionally exceeded ; as when a
coincidence occurs between the maximum discharge from the artificial inlet
i n t o t h e Jake, high tides in the gulf, and Jloods in the natural feeders of the
,l;ike—which are quite too important to be entirely overlooked.
I t will be exceeded also for another reason: the water that will be
received from the Mississippi will enter near the head of the lake; 'and;to
obtain a passage through the lake, it must communicate a c e r t a i n velocity
to the whole body of water in the lake. T o produce this velocity Avill
require a corresponding elevation of the surface \it the head of the lake.
In estimating this elevation, we cannot regard t h e entire section of the lake
as a mere conduit, haying a given uniform velocity seaward.
There will be,an outward current passing somewhere through tlie laws
with eddies, or counter-currents, near its border*. T h e elevation will be
again 'materially increased from this cause. T h e writer hesitates, in anticipation of precise, surveys, to assign'a definite limit to t h e i n c r e a s e d elevation of Lake Pontchartrain, which must be o c c a s i o n a l l y anticipated from
the discharge--of one hundred thousand cubic feet per second into iVbvaii
outlet from the Mississippi at Bonnet Carre. R u t , f r o m t h e best data
now attainable, it cannot be set down at less tbah two feet.
In view, then, of the facts, that such an outlet us is Jiere discussed must
inevitably involve a destruction of the navigation nf L a k e P o n t c h a r t r a i n .
ultimately convert it into a s w a m p : must "greatly increase the ordinal j
height <)fits surface when the outlet is active; c a u s e the entire shore
be leveed, and the cost of mechanical drainage-to be.greatly increase* ?
without affording as effectual relief as can be obtained a t ^ l a q u e m m e win *
out either of these sacrifices,—the opinion is confidently expressed, tn»J l .
expedient should be postponed - until it is found to be* necessary and in ^
pensable. This necessity, there is every reason to believe, tnav l i e
occur.
OUTLET A T THK MOUTH OF THFC A K K A X S A S .

Before dismissing the subject of outlets, it is proper to say, that
examinations- have onlv been made with a view to the adoption oi
remedy at and below tlie source of the Atchafalaya, it is by.no t n e a ^ (
Jam that the safety and the proper drainage of the c o u n t r y above| W u t h
comnel a ri-snit tr» ttiic
tiear the
.
*m/uiu c^tr wr uuue, u ougnt to tie alter the wtorK oi eni«i$y»&
ftlaya shall have progressed, far eiicUBb rto givcftf-certelP v e B l

http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
This idea sogg«st«d I t ^ f wHli sonie force t a ^lie rainil of t h e
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

at*

[ 2 0 ]

late period, am] after becoming satisfied that the Mouth of the Arkansas is
at no distant day to heroine tlie scene of a vast collection of water, which
must either lie discharged hy an appropriate permanent vent, or through
crevasses, whence it will inundate the estates on the Bartholomew, Mason,
Tensas, and other streams between the Arkansas and Red rivers. No
investigation of this subject has, however, been attempted. To be made
properly, special sur\«*\s. and a thorough reconnoissance of the parishes
which the proposed n u l h t will traverse, will be needed.
or

mi:

OPKNIN*; o r

TIIK BAYOU MANCHAC.

It has often" been proposed to relieve the Mississippi by re-opening the
bayou Manchac, one of those natural outlets which formerly drew olf a
small volume of water, and discharged It into Lake Maurepas by the
channel of Amite r i \ e r . It was not found to be necessary to make any
extensive examination of this bayou, which was originally very insignificant, and i s , l O W entiielv unfit for any useful application to the relief of the
Mississippi. T h e «>utvc of this ha)cm, which was dosed up to assist the
military defences in the last war with Great Britain, by extending the line
levees across it, is only about six miles above Plaquemine, a point where,
As has been shown. L(reat relief can he obtained at little cost, ami without
Prions damage to propertv. T h e wafer which would be drawn through
Manehac would be discharged into Lake Maurepas, and ultimately
into Lake Poutchartrain. T h e use of this channel involves, therefore, all
objections standing a<'aiiiM an outlet at Bonnet Carre, and many others
Khichdoiiot appettain to that expedient. Indeed, the suggestion of on
°jWet at this place is entirely without practical value, and scarcely worthy
"detailed diseussion. T h e "channel of the Manchac is long.and narrow,
a ntl
, "tcapablc of bearing a volume of water which could produce any apprc' e effect on the floods of the Mississippi; and, if enlarged ior that purpose, the cost of the, work would be great, and the damage resulting from
u
excessive,
»V THE I. A FOUFTCIIE.

" Iwyou La Kourche is bv far the least important of
«* a ventYor the surplus or flood water «
This bayou gives passage, in extrime high water, to 10,200 cubic
f l ^ r second/or less t h i n the one-hundredth part of ^ ^ f 1 1 ^ ^
1
ft^ of the tiver. Its dcscent near its source is only
^
^
^
J* 1 inches per mile, which is but about the one-ei»hth par of t h e ^ e r
Z Sl°iH'
Plaquemine as for as the Indian jiffage.
V ' , l r r ^ * - . e c e J r i l v small, and it would not be practicable t h ^ ^ o r
capacity* of the ciiannel by the mere action oi the y t t r ,
^ ^ i d c r a t i o u s would iustifv the work.
, Affpr n
J « Ae extensive s e t t l e . i U A n the bank, of tl.e U Fou
S ' / ' ^ l g r o . a impediment to the enlargement ot it.
® Groat
is ft!

ou,1:,

also in c

?,l,l)ei,sa

or this stream shows that the

n for ,lam

, ..

f ^ . ^ ^ u ^ b S
^experience

" a , 0 » g its highly cultivated borders, as has

[ 2 0 ]

86.

distressing a manner along the Mississippi itself. The bayou overflows its
banks when tlie Mississippi is full, excepting as the water is confined by
the artificial levees, iiut these levees have been very carelessly and slightly
built; and are almost without exception of inadequate height and strength.
When the Mississippi is in flood, the water along the bayou, for a great
part of its course, stands within two or three inches of the level of the tops
of the embankments. In many places, indeed, it is only retained within
ilie levees by constant vigilance and labor. The embankments 011 which
the planters here depend, are not as substantial as it is usual elsewhere to
provide for a private mill-race : though the bayou is daily traversed by
steamboats of five hundred or six hundred tons burden, which frequently
push the water in a succession of waves over the levees into the adjacent
fields.
These levees are generally liom ten to twent\ inches wide on t o p : from
three to five feet high, and ot very irregular slope,—each planter adopting
that which his own judgment or fancy prescribes. When tin1 water rises to
the top of the levee, the proprietor commences driving pickets down into
the face of the bank, behind which a board is planted edgeways, and kept
steady and in its place by a few shovels-full of earth.
This frail bulwark, by constant attention, generally prevents the overflow ; but when the river falls, these temporary fixtures tumble down, and
are replaced again at the next high water.
To secure the property on this outlet from overflow in the present condition of tilings, requires a good guard levee, not less than six feet wide at
top, with slopes of three to one or more ; and .set so far back that there
may be ample space between the new and old banks to Jill up with sediment. and thus strengthen the protection with aire.
But it has been shown that the floods of fhe~Mississippi are soon to he
greatly increased, so that a much deeper column of water will e n t e r the
La Fourehe at its source, and pass through i t with a s o m e w h a t a c c e l e r a t e d
velocity. The present levees along the bayou are in very few p l a c e s * adequate to secure the plantations against the present floods,- and they must
disappear entirely before the wave that is to come.
It is recommended, therefore, to construct the guard levees, which it ^
here proposed to build, at least three feet higher than those now relied on*
from Donaldsonville down to Napoleon ; at or near this place to open an
outlet into Lake Verret, to carry otf the surplus there, and discharge it
into Grand lake : and from Napoleonville to Thihodeaux, to bring the
levee down to within a foot of its present height, by a gradual slope.
The fall from the lop of the levee at Napoleon to Lake Verret, according to the survey of tin- State engineer in bS30, is twenty-two feet. The
distance is seven miles and fifteen hundred and eighteen yards. In the first
mile and a half the fall is seventeen feet, or at the rate of eleven and onethird feet per mile.
It would be extremely easy to create an outlet at thi* point of sufficient
capacity to afford entire relief in high water to the whole country a l o n g the
bayou. And, by "cutting a canal from the lake up to a point within a mil*?
of the La Fourehe, and there constructing a lock, and an ample waste-wejr,
the same canal would serve to open a navigable steamboat passage from tn
Mississippi, by way of the La F o u r c h e / t t f Lake Verret, and thence to
Grand
river, Grand lake and theTechc.
J

An effective outlet may also be made at Field's mill, by putting a new

[ 2 0 ]

*eanal about one mile in length, or enlarging the old one leading.into Field's
lake, and thence through the bayous from Lake Long to ihe gulf.
Either of these outlets will afford abundant protection against the present floods, and greatly diminish the cost of the levees. But they cannot
be made to produce any sensible effect on the hright of the floods in the
Mississippi.
The writer is aware that the construction of a guard levee along the La
iFourche, to resist the weight of the increased future floods, will be regarded
as at least premature, and perhaps entirely superfluous. He makes the
1
suggestion, however, after sufficient reflection, and in the fullest confidence
:that these guard levees will he found necessary, without assuming any increase in the ajrgregate volume of water discharged by the Mississippi,
•whenever the embankments along the coast of Point .fcoupee and West
Baton Rouge are made high enough and strong enough to bear the weight
which now presses *;pon them, without giving the water vent through crel'??s<-s\ V"crevasses were prevented from relieving the channel of the
Mississippi above iponaldsonville, there are no levees on the La Fourcho
• that would wfi lie at once overtopped by the present floods.
or

T i n : PREVENTION OF CUT-OFFS.

^ P It haf -linen shown that the consequence ol cutting off tne bends oif the
?
nver,
has been effected on several occasions by design, : and often in the
past history of the Mississippi, bv the unassisted action of the current, is
, °-increase the height of the floods below, and tb reduce them above the
It is therefore recommended that 4rfrbnipt measures be taken to
ftrnhik.* _ti , .
.
*
• -it*. •
««
•. —... r.u .iiicinpis 10 eneci or encourage such tui-uua ut
»» •••—
• as to guard against their or.currencc from accidental causes. Such a course
indeed, afford no relief from present suffering, but it will , serve to
Protect the river coast, against one prominent cause to which we may look
n?,11 '"crease of future local inundations.
lf
ifTr are many points on the river where the water is gradually en? * > ! ! " p o n t i c soil, and reducing the width of the narrow necks oi
»!'«'which now separate the channel above from that below the great bends
0
the river. J t W t S not the province of the writer to engage m minute
surveys of the*/; places; hut it was necessary to this report that lie should
««*rtam wbeiher the progress of th? water unon the land at any of these
mtS
r e n d ^ d imiuediuttt'attention proper. \Vith that view, levels were
In i'i Cross t h ( ' « » n w isthmuses, and other observations made, suthnent o
Lniahle, « « to judge of the probabilities of cut-offs having place at the
where thev » J thought to be most imminent. Therc. e e
« W^endsS Uwhi.,1,
examined, though now dee.ned equa ly ^ o hj
W ere'not
rvc
>l w i » , s , 0 w h i c h B t t e n t i o n ^particularlydirected
*LThe

'^crkan
bend, which commences about ninety miles below the
the Arkansas.
,he»eck
J : ,S V " ' 1
««">ined May; 15, 1831. The distance aero
t h M ,
f0 ,he
The r
^ater on each side, was five thousand and s.x -n,ne eet
f ^ t n u . - e around the bend is c o m p e l to ^ f ^ ^ ^ ^ r j ^ e e n
4 , 1 1 0 1
<»'-'»sured. The fall of the water, or
a ^ beS

hs found h y k v c I l i D S f r o m shorc t0 shore

[ 20 ]

T h e evidence is conclusive, that the narrow neck in this hend is wearing*
away very rapidly. About twenty or twenty-five years ago, the distance
across, which is now less than one mile, was fully three miles. I t Is thought
by the resident proprietors that a width of four hundred yards, or more,
has been cut away on the upper side in the last two years. T h e river is
still obviously wearing away the soil, and threatens to abrade it more
rapidly hereafter, in consequence of a change in the shore above, which
causes the water to impinge more violently upon the bank at the narrowest
part of the bend.
T h e land is cleared entirely across the narrow neck ; and in high floods
the current sweeps over it, and the water is consequently discharged o\er
the loose bank into the reach below, with a pitch of about two feet.
A cut-off is very likely to have place in this bend, at some early day,
unless proper measures be taken to arrest the progress of the current, which
is now acting steadily upon the yielding soil. Should this be the result,
there will be a local increase of eighteen or twenty inches in the height of
the floods below the bend, at Worthington's landing, and thence down to
Princeton, and not a great deal less at Lake Providence. Indeed, the efleci
will be sensibly felt as far as Vicksburg; and it will be found impracticable
to protect the coast in all that space—from the foot of the American bend
to Vicksburg—by the present levees. T h e consequences of a cut-off at
this point will, in fact, be most disastrous. Some of the finest estates in
upper Louisiana and in Mississippi will be inundated, or only preserved
by the construction of an entirely new and costly line of levees.
In view of the serious consequences which must result from a breach
through this narrow neck, it is the duty of the writer to recommend that
an accurate survey be made promptly of the entire bend, and of the bend
above, with a view so to change the course of the impinging current as
to prevent the further progress of this abrasion, or to arrest it by works
which shall be adequate to resist the river.
Provision should also be made to enter upon the undertaking as soon as
these details are obtained, and the plan is decided on.
2 d . The Terrapin Keck bend is at a point about thirty miles above Vicksburg. T h e distance across the bend was found by measurement to be only
one thousand five hundred and eighty feet. T h e distance around is variously estimated at from twelve to twenty miles. T h e fall, from the surface
above to the surface below the bend, is two feet.*
T h e river is constantly cutting this narrow neck away on both sides* 1*
was not practicable, during the high water that prevailed at the time of u\c
examination, to ascertain the character of the soil. B u t it was apparent that
the caving now going on is very considerable on the upper side, for a spa<*
of more than two miles, and quite obvious also on the lower side.
A cut-otT will be produced here, by the current itself, at an early day*
even if the result should not be hastened bv that portion of the public interested in its effects. But the river will not be permitted to work its own
w a y . D.iring the last winter a ditch about fifteen feet M*ide, and three tec
deep, was cut across the neck, into which the w a t e r was admitted as tfi
river rose. T h e current was strong, and the danger of an immediate cut-on
was sufficient to attract the attention of the planters on the river below,
•As Shown by the level, 1.96 foot; but allowing for the subsidence of the 6ood»> it * o u l 4

be properly
two feet.

[ 2 0 ]

who repaired to the spot with their forces, and arrested the water by throwing levees hastily across the ditch, and afterwards filling it up with trees and
brushwood.
It would be charitable to suppose that the persons engaged in this work
were ignorant of the mischief which it was likely to produce. It is scarcely
to he assumed that any one who has witnessed the distress occasioned by the
floods upon this river, would willingly inundntethose beautiful plantations
which are now only preserved by the slender protection afforded by the feeble
harriers of the individual proprietors. This effort was probably prompted.
by ignorance; but ignorance may prompt it again, and there will be nothing
to prevent a dozen misguided persons from inundating the whole coast for
thirty miles above and' forty or fifty miles below Vicksburg, by cutting a
<litch hea*, which can be accomplished in a week.
It is important that this bend also should be promptly surveyed, and the
most effectual measures taken to prevent the abrasion of the shores on both
sides of the neck. It is not necessary, and it would scarcely be prudent, to
make the survey one season and do the work the next. There should be no
delay here. T h e survey will occupy but a month or six weeks in the fall;
and the work, which is not difficult", should proceed immediately after that
has been accomplished.
If a cut*off IK? permitted to take place at this point, the whole coast, on
*ach side of the river, will be swept, as Point Coupee has already been,
[rom Milliken's bend down to Grand Gulf. The effects will be less obvious
Wow, but the difficulty of maintaining the levees will be sensibly increased
ils
for as Xiitchez.
"
. ^
3. The Vtcksbitrg bend is the next point, in descending the river, at
*bich a cut-off seems likelv to have place. The distance across the bend
found to be, from water to water, 7,712 feet. The distance around is
Uitimatcd at ten miles. T h e fall, from the surface above to the surface
Wow the bend, as the river stood at the time of the e x a m i n a t i o n — a b o u t
feet below the high water of 1850—was 2.25 feet.
.
Though the current here Wars with great force against the bank on tiie
u
PI*r side ol the bend, it docs not appear to be encroaching rapidly. fi>ome
J ^ h a s been done on the neck, of which the object was represented to
** * Promote a cut-off; but it did not seem, as far as it had been carried
; J t ^ t such was the actual purpose. Ditches have been commenced bu
E x t e n d e d entirely across iL ilcck, and the limber that has been ielled
'eft lyiji

, H

^ n t town upon an inland laice, i n * mu
^ p b s b 4 by design, without meeting stern resistance from b n t p l a c .
W apjrcar to he any immediate danger of a
K V * s , u ' h ««
may occur in course of time and t ^ u l d h e ^
t0
S I X
efficient measures at some early
i J j J ^ W y . w d to guard against the future chance by appropriate
ac

Palmyra bend is a point at which a c u t ^ f f ^
at the bend op h i t e Vicksburg. The
V1^
feet, while t h e ^ i f n c e ^ u n d « « d to be tw

and the fall, as ascertained on the 7th Maj> when we v

[ 2 1 ]

90 I

eleven feet below the high water of 1350, from the surface above to th«
surface below the bend, 3.64 feet.
If nothing were done to promote the invasion of the river upon the banks
at this poiat, a cut-off would probably not occur here at any very early
period. But the narrow isthmus that now separates the two channels bears
indubitable marks of a fixed intention to produce this calamity.
A ditch was formerly cut across the neck, but it was not made large
enough to effect the purpose, and shrubs consequently took root and sprung
up before a sufficient flood occurred to wash it out deeper and wider.
Another, but a very clumsy effort, was again made during the last winter,
by cutting off the timber, clearing out a portion of the old ditch, and commencing a new one; but it is said that the parties engaged in this mischievous
work were deterred, for the time, by threats from below, and consequently
failed to carry out their intentions. / I t is apprehended that those who have
undertaken this labor will not wait for the slow progress of the river, but
may renew their efforts on some future and more favorable occ asion.
I t is earnestly recommended that this bend also be promptly and carefully surveyed, and such works commenced as will be found effectual in
changing the direction, or resisting the action, of the current.
It is also respectfully suggested that the great interests likely to be
swept by the perpetration of the plans of those who are engaged in this
wicked project, would justify, and seem to call for, some appropriate legislation to guard the country against such wanton injury.
If a cut-off should he made in this bend, the coast'of Concordia, on the
Louisiana side, and that of Claiborne, Jefferson, and Adams, in Mississippi*
will be assailed by floods for which their present levees are wholly unequal*
The mischief wifl be severely felt as far as N a t c h e z ; and the plantations
thence (to lied river will be deprived of much of the advantage which they
acquired from the cut-off at Raccourci—a work that was made at the cost
of many plantations on the coast of lower Louisiana.
The height of the floods will probably be increased by a cut- off at
Palmyra bend, ten or twelve inches at Natchez, and nearly "twice as much
at Grand Gulf.
5. The bend near Grand Gulf is the only other point at which instrumental examinations of probable cut-offs were made, though there is reason
to believe that there are several others which will demand early attention.
The distance across the bend, on the plantation of Colonel Coffee, when
the measurements were made, (May 5, 1S51,) was 3,907 feet. The distance around is said to be seven mifes. The fall, from the surface above lo
the surface below the bend, when the river was 9.5 feet below the highwater line of 1850, was 1.1 foot; and during the hiffh water of 18-31, as
determined from the tree marks, 1.3 foot.
The ground is gradually wearing awav on both sides, and Ihe distance
across the neck is constantly, though slowly, diminishing. If the action o\
the river be not assisted by persons residing above, or others i n t e r e s t e d ,
there seems to be no immediate danger of a cut-off. But an effort has
been made here, also, to assist the action of the river by clearing off thp
timber and cutting a very insufficient ditch. This effort may hereafter be
repeated ami more appropriate means adopted.
. H
. A cut-off at this point would increase the floods below from six to eigm
inches, and render the condition of many of the levees very precarious,

Uther details of these exapiii^tjons will b? foqnd in a supplemental re-.

[ 2 0 ]

port. Cross-sections of the river were taken on both sides of each cut-off,
which show that the Mississippi is making constant progress at every one
of the bends enumerated, and will ultimately cut its way through the intervening land, unless prevented by works adequate to change the direction
of its current.
It is not, however, the intention to urge a permanent resistance fo the
.working of the river. There are many reasons why these cut-offs should
be permitted, and even aided, if it were not that the country below them
would be deluged. . In course, of time, when the authorities in whom
the control of the Mississippi is lawfully vested, shall have adopted-adequate plans for the protection of the delta and the reduction of the floods,
and adequate means-are appropriated to carry them out, and the work has
so far progressed that an additional rise of two or three feet may be hazarded without apprehension, then, but not till then, it will'be proper to cut
off the great bends of the river, and let the water rise below' them. But
this thing ought not to he permitted before competent means are provided
to protect the property below, or to compensate the sufferers below.
Nothing can be more unjust than to inundate whole parishes, by disturbing
the natural ad justment of the stream, and leave a sparse community to contend unaided with the evils rccklessly or ignorantly poured upon them. * ,
It would seem to be proper, in view of the great destruction of property
which may be produced by cutting off the bends between Red river and the
Arkansas, to provide for such attempts by-appropriate legislation. This
might be the means of at least preventing the acceleration of the evil. To
prevent its occurrence from natural causes—by the slow and certain progress of the current—efficient wprks should be commenced forthwith, to
protect the points assailed, by sheathing the shores, so that they will not
wash away and cave in, or by changing the direction of the water, so that
d may cease to wear away the soil at the points of danger, and, instead,
deposite material that will serve as a protection.
OF PKOTKCTION BY LEVEES.

The Mississippi river, it has been stated, is now confined and retained
within its banks entirely by levees, extending along both shores for a space
of nearly seven hundred miles of its course. These levees arc private
Works, constructed and kept up almost altogether by the individual proprietors of the river front. The security of the country depends, therefore,
on the vigilance, providence, good judgment, and experience oi perhaps
bve thousand, and possibly ten thousand individuals. There are statutes,
is true, providing for the repair of these works when thought to be insecure, and supervisors, whose duty it is to inspect the embankments, ami enforce a proper care. *
In case of the occurrence of a crevasse, or breach, in tholcveo^ the,watej:
rushes' over the cultivated soil, and fills up the swamps, until it is ultimately
"rained off by outlets leading into lakes, which communicate with the sea.
* he _fj o w 0 f t j i e w a t e r is; soon checked, on the up-stream side, by the
gradual but general ascent of the country, which, it has been shown, dips
the north to south at the rate of eight inches per mile; and it is'ofteq
^rested, in its course down stream, by the elevated borders of one of those
Digitized
for bayous
FRASERwhich put out frou* the high banks of the Mississippi,, as so .
ancient

264 I
[ 2 1 ]
many ribs from the vertebral column, and officiate as/rflrrrxrv in protecting
the country from the advancing overflow.
To an engineer, accustomed to the dimensions of a common canal bank,
rand the extreme care usually bestowed on its form and in its construction,
it is a matter of some surprise to see what a slender bulwark men have ventured to place between the waters of the Mississippi and estates, of which
the fertility is a proverb. It is indeed wonderful to observe the security
with which the country trusts to the natural discipline under which this
great river is expected to perform, each year, the precise movements of preceding years, and the surprise with which its occasional deviations are observed/ The levees have, accordingly, been raised but ten or twelve inches
above the known high-water marks, and are supposed, with such a margin,
to be tolerably secure.
In the sections'below will be seen, side by side, a specimen of a Mississippi levee and that of a common canal bank; each intended to resist a
pressure of six feet of water. (See Fig. 10.)
The width of the canal bank, it will be observed, is three or four times
as great at top as that of the levee; it has a much greater margin above
the surface of the water, and it is built with a column of impervious puddle, to connee.t the bank with the best soil below. J5ut, after taking all
these precautions, and constructing the work with a degree of attention unknown on the Mississippi, the prudent engineer take* care to provide each
level of his canal with adequate wastes, over which an accidental surcharge
of water may be shed. Yet with all these safeguards, a ml the exercise of
habitual vigilance, breaches are not unfrequent ocem reinxs on the best
managed canals. On the Mississippi, the le\ee,sare redely constructed, and
generally by inexperienced persons, witljout the exen i> v oi anv of tho^e
prudent precautions which universal experience dictates. The river is nowhere provided with artificial vents, to let otf an accidental surplus of
water, and there is no general bead to organize, discipline or control the
supervision of the lines. All is left to chance, or to such superintendence
as the parish authorities may prescribe.
The consequence of this state of things is, that whenever the river rises
within one or two feet of the summit of the embankments, breaches begin
to take place, and the water rushes through with great velocity, rapidly
carrying off the light material of the levee, and widening out the open
space, until it is arrested by the planters, or by a more substantial soil.
JJut it is not to be supposed that it is only necessary to make the present
levees stronger, and guard them better, to obviate the necessity, anil entirety prevent such occurrences. No such precautions will be found to be
sufheient. The most that can be expected irom these embankments is to
preserve the country against the effects of moderate floods, which do not
reach tBeir summit. Hut they cannot be depended upon to resist those
greatep floods which now so often deluge the estates along the coasts ; for*
if crevasses should not occur for the relief of the channel, the water would
rise higher, and pour over the tops of the banks. In fact, the Mississippi
is now only prevented from obtaining relief in that way by the outlets
which its own power forces for the discharge of its surplus through the weaker
pionts. Crevasses can only be prevented by this process, with the supply
of water sent down during either of the three last years, by both greatly
strengthening and greatly raising the levees. How high it w o u l d have
been necessary to raise them, had no breaches occurred, from Lake Provi-

[ 2 0 ]

dence down to New Orleans, we have not the data to show^with certainty.
The volumes discharged through the crevasses above Red river have never
been estimated. But we are assuredly on the side of moderation when we
conclude that if all the embankments had remained perfect, they would
have needed an increased elevation, jn many places, during the flood of this
year, of more than four feet.
The protection of the coasts of the Mississippi, in lower Louisiana,
against such floods as now come down, involves no insuperable .difficulty.
A guard levee, three feet higher than, those now.in use, with an occasional
traverse or lateral levee back to the swamps, and a moderate increase of
the capacity of the Plaquemine, are, in. fact, all the expedients that need
be resorted to. To construct such a guard levee as this, from Red river to
New Orleans, on both sides of the river, and down the Atchafalaya,—say a
levee, averaging eight feet high and 450 miles long,—would involve an expenditure of-probably not more than 82,500,0(76. Such an expenditure
would, in fact, be ample to protect the whole coast below Red river .from
the floods that are now felt. But such works would not'protect the country above, and would be incompatible with the drainage and reclamation of
the delta.
But it is not the protection of the.country bordering the Mississippi
against the,present floods which constitutes the essential difficulty of this
problem. It is simply to provide adequately for the increasing artificial
floods which are about* to come, by which we are embarrassed. ,
It has been shown that the work of reclamation in upper Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and Missouri, will and ought to continue to go forward ;
and hence.the works of protection for the country below must keep even
pace with these. For this purpose it has been recommended to open extensive outlets at various points, to give vent to this water as it comes; and
to commence with the two, that leading into Lake Borgne and the enlargement of the Plaquemine, which can be most promptly brought into active
find efficient service. The great outlet upon which we hope ultimately to
place much reliance, the Atchafalaya, it has been shown, cannot be made
serviceable in time lo relieve the Mississippi of the threatening deluge. It
will be recollected that we are to provide adequately for—
1. The floods which now injure and alarm the country. To make the
coast below Red river tolerably secure against the present supply of water,
we jnust keep the surface down at least twelve inches below its present
high-water marks.
2. To effect this wc must provide vents for the water that is now discharged through crevasses. To dispose of this volume we must either
rear'levees, or "make outlets, equal to the protection of the country against
a rise of four feet above the present high-water mark. This condition,
if we rely exclusively on levees, involves the entire reconstruction of all
the embankments below Red river.
JL Wc must provide vents for, or protection against, the additional mass
of water that is to be thrown into the channel as the cultivation of the
new States above progresses.
4. W e must provide a vent for, or protection against,,the greater volume of water to be poured down in a given time, in consequence of the
extension of the levees, and the exclusion of the floods from the natural
reservoirs
of the delta.
, ,

It is not thiv intention h e r e / i n dealing with, such vast quantities, to

94
seek, or to profess to attain great accuracy. But it is the belief of the
writer, founded on the facts set forth in this paper, that to afford the
needful protection we must provide means adequate to give vent to, or to
rfcsifct, an increased discharge of at least 700,000 cubic feet per second, or
abpiit seven-tentlisi of the present high-water discharge through the chaniirf of fhe Mississippi.
In this view lie has set no limit to the volume thai shall be drawn off
by the outlet into Lake'Borgne, but has recommended that the cut thcie be
boldly made; and that the river be allowed to take the pilch of ten tVet,
and force its way through as deep and as \\u\e a channel as its power can
produce.
If it can make an entire new channel, navigable for ships, through Lake
Borgne, and tranfer its bars from the Balize to the deep water south of
Ship island, or produce a new one there, there let it go.
In this place, also, he has set no limit to the volume that shall be drawn
off by the Plaquemine, but proposes that that outlet shall be enlarged
until its enlargement be found to produce damage to the interior nearly
equal to the advantage gained on the coast.
And in this view he proposes that the work on the Atchafalaya be commenced, though confident that the capacity of that bayou cannot be increased fast enough to meet the emergency of the case.
But in addition to all this, the protection of lower Louisiana will require
other expedients. For this State, indeed, there is no alternative* She
cannot wait for Congress to discuss, doubt, survey, and appropriate. She
cannot wait for the slow machinery of legislation* She must build levers
without hesitation or delay, or see her fields annually swept by the tloods.
It is not intended here to recommend any given height of levee as sufficient in itself to protect fully any part of Louisiana. A line of guard
levees is proposed from Red river down to Plaquemine; and around Old
river, and down the east bank of the Atchafalaya, as the means of affording
the quickest protection against the floods as they are, or as they probably
will be when this levee is capable of retaining the crevasse water within the
channel. Hut for those greater floods which are yet to come, this levee
can only be regarded as an auxiliary protection, and a means of making
the enlarged outlets do a greater duty. To perform this part, and retain
within the channel the water now discharged hv crevasses. without the aid
of outlets, this guard levee should be raised at least six f e e l above the
highest known floods o;i the coast at the point when* it is proposed 10 he
built. It is indeed doubtful whether, from theb»st information that can
now be procured, a levee six feet higher than known floods would have
been more than sufficient to guard the country below Rod river securely
against the flood of February,
if noerewisse had that tear occurred for
the relief of the Mississippi* The height of six feet is further proposed as
a limit whel it will be very difficult to" exceed on the coasts above, and in
the belief that after such a levee has been completed, outlets and other
guards can be prepared soon enough to meet the increased discharge as fast,
or faster, than the works above can be made secure to send it down.
Simultaneously, therefore, with the enlargement of the Plaquemine, and
the opening of a new pass below New Orleans into Lake Borgne, it in Pr°"
posed to commence a line of guard levees at the Raccourci cut-off, thrown
entirely back of all the present private or public levees, and to be raised
in no place less than six feet above the highest floods. The present levees

S5
will sfe'rve m ^sme degree to protect the strips of tend lying between them
and the guard levee, The guard levee will prevent the extension of Over^
Hows, and aid in reclaiming the swamps.
• 1
The cost of such a levee as is here proposed would be about 812,000 a
mile. This will seem an extravagant sum, a n d ' doubtless something
eheaper will first be attempted. But to construct a proper levee on both
sides of the river, from .New Orleans to the mouth of Red river, and on
the wTest side around Old river, and a similar appropriate work down the
Atchafalaya to the raft, will involve an outlay ,of at least\§>5,000,000.
Antl in stating this, the writer wishes to express the .further opinion, that
if such a levee be now made it will not serve to protect the country below
Red river ten years hence, unless it be aided - by those other expedients
which have been, and which remain yet to be recommended.
. ,
It may be well to suggest that it might he good economy so to lay
out these guard levees that they may .'hereafter be used as the foundation
of railway tracks, to accommodate that land now inundated, which a bold
and sufficient course of improvement will-bring under tillage.
These suggestions are intended to u.eet the present state of-things in
Louisiana below Red river., This is the part of the delta which is first entitled to relief. If the work of reclamation and protection be commenced
a hove Red river, either by Louisiana or the United States government, the
^ water there excluded from the swamps will be sent down to increase the
existing distress, before the lower country is properly prepared to receive it.
If Congressional aid is to be extended to any portion of the delta, it is,
beyond all question, clear that every consideration of justice, prudence and
humanity points to its first application to the country from Red river to the
sea. When efficient guard levees and ample outlets are there commenced,
and the means for their completion provided, then, and not sooner, it will be
advisable and safe to extend the works higher up the coast.
OF THE PL AX OF H&SERVOJHS.

We have now investigated the plan of outlets, and have approximated to
the utmost effects 1 that can be anticipated in attempting to dispose of the
surplus water of the Mississippi by that devke. It has been shown that
there are great obstacles in the way of obtaining adequate relief by this process, and that the amount of relief which is possible will be limited by the
destruction that may be produced in the. districts upon which the diverted
;
flood will be thrown.
\
^ /
. W e have seen that, as the next most feasible mode of obtaining prompt
protection, we must resort to a more efficient system of levees in combination with outlets; but that, after costly levees have been built in the rear of
the present levees, and all the water that can be reasonably discharged by
outlets has been drawn off through appropriate vents, these expedients must
still be regarded as mere palliatives, limited in their application to the lower
part of the delta—and even then only warding off and postponing for a season,
results which they cannot permanently prevent.
•
It has been shown, further, that the prominent causes to which the great
floods of the Mississippi are attributable, are rapidly increasing in their
effects, and will continue to increase v ith the progress of population and
* improvement,
and the increasing value of land ; that these causes are to be
found in the artificial drainage instituted by individual proprietors wherever

[ 20 ]

the soil is turned by the plough, or may be reclaimed by removing obstructions from the natural channels, and in the exclusion of the water from
the great reservoirs provided by nature throughout the length and breadth
of the delta.
The conclusion to which the mind is brought by a comprehensive view of
this great subject is, that, after exhausting all other w a n s which art supplies, for relief, it will be necessary, in order to assure the protection of the
whole delta from overflow, compatibly with the reclamation of the swamps,
to construct new reservoirs, in the hiily country, at the sources of the Mississippi and its tributaries; there to hold back a portion of the surplus
water, and act as substitutes for those reservoirs whirh are thrown out ol
use in the low lands, by the innovations of society.
The vast importance of the subject must stand in justification of a further
attempt—at the risk of some repetition—to explain the physical character
of the delta, in reference to the applicability of this plan, * A great plane,
bounded 011 the east and west by hills several hundred feet high, slopes
down from a point above the mouth of the Ohio to the Gulf of Mexico, dip*
ping towards the gulf at the rate of eight inches pcr mile. The Mississippi
ilows down this plane in a trench averaging 100 feet deep; and pursues
a course so serpentine as to increase the length of the stream to more than
double the difference of latitude, and to reduce the slope of the surface to
Jess than half the average slope of the plane.
At low water the .surface of the river lies five or ten feet below the general
level of the plane of the delta ; at high water it attains a height of fifteen feet,
and from that to twenty-five feet above the general level of this plane. As
the river rises, it overflows its borders—which arc elevated, by the deposite
•of previous overflows, nearly to the level of* common high water—and ot
course, inundates the adjacent low lands to the depth of fifteen or twenty feet
in the places where the depression is greatest. The deposites from overflow
are greatest on the immediate borders of the stream, where the lirst precipitation occurs; and diminish gradually as we proceed from the channel into
the swarnps. A natural levee is thus* lormed by the material which is left
011 its borders by the stream when in flood. This levee is usually about
thirty feet above the low-water level of the river, and slopes back until it
meets the low level of the swamps, five or M'V miles distant.
The tributaries of the Mississippi, and those of its outlets, are formed
in the same manner ami present the saint* features as those which
characterize the Mississippi itself. In low* wnfer they all lie below the
general plane of the delta, and rise many "leet above it when the river is
high. They are all retained, excepting in times of great Hoods, between
the levees w hich have been deposited bv their own overflows.
The area lying between the Mississippi and the hills, and between the
natural levees of the lateral streams, is an uneven plane, indented by alternate
" s l u y s " and low ridges; which, with the exception of narrow belts of
higher soil, are all subject to inundation when the riser is abovi- its banks.
In the lowest depressions are found navigable lakes and bayous, and sometimes important streams, which serve to drain this watiT of overflow into the
Mississippi as the surface of the river tails.
I t will thus be perceived that the primary function of all that portion of
the delta lying between the narrow strips of elevated soil which f o l l o w the
windings of the streams, is to receive the water of overflow as the river
rises, for
andFRASER
thus mitigate the destructive etfects of the flood. The whole
Digitized

97
this region, with the exception of these elevated belts, found chiefly along
the immediate coast of the streams, is therefore to be regarded as a natural
.reservoir, formed to receive and retain for a season the surplus drainage of
the Mississippi valley.
Recognising this fact, we are able to account for the anomaly which has
already been noticed in describing this great river, and its natural regimen.
I n passing from Memphis almost to the Gulf of Mexico, we find that the
Mississippi maintains, with material local irregularities, about the same
-average wridth between its banks, -and the same average area of water-way.
I t absorbs in succession the waters of the Ohio, the St. Francis, White river,
and the Yazoo, and many othersecondary streams, and yet appears to grow
no larger, and flow no faster; it takes in the Arkansas and Red river, each
rising in the Rocky mountains and flowing through a channel of fifteen hundred, or, as many suppose, two thousand miles in length, and it is no more t
formidable after, than it was before its column was swollen by these great
contributions. The reason of this is, that the wrater of the Mississippi is drawn
-off by bayous, as the flood descends, and is discharged into the lateral reservoirs of the delta. The water that is poured into the channel, by the Ohio,
is partly drawn out by the reservoirs along the St. Francis; that which returns again'into the channel at the mouth of the St. Francis, is taken up again
by the swamps of theYazoo,; and that which is discharged by the Arkansas,
is scarcely sufficient to supply the reservoir between the Mississippi and the
Washita. The flood that comes from the Mississippi or Missouri parts with
its water in passing from bayou to bayou, and is often entirely lost before
it reaches Red river. The swamps absorb it alL A wave of fifteen or
twenty feet at Memphis will scarcely be observable below Natchez, unless
the rise continue for many days. The draught from the channel into the
reservoirs reduces the volume flowing down the river in times of flood
Jbelow Red river, to less than is found above the mouth of the Ohio.
Now we have seen how the planters who have established their homes
along the narrow strips of fertile soil forming the borders of the lower Mississippi and its tributaries, have for years contrived to protect their estates
from overflow by raising embankments near the edge of the streams,
closing up the natural vents by which , the wrater obtained . access to these
reservoirs, and confining it to its own proper channel. This water, unable
to escape laterally, it is obvious, can only be discharged by rising higher
and flowing faster. Thus it is that the portion of the floods which formerly
filled these swamps or reservoirs for several months of almost every year, and
then slowly drained off as the river fell—making a flood of more moderate
leight and greater duration—is now compressed between these levees or
artificial dams, and can only find vent by rising upon itself. Each mile
that is thus added to the length of the levees above, leads to the necessity
of increasing the height of the levees below, or compels the planter to submit to a crevasse which shall sweep his own estate, and serve in some measure as a safety-valve to his -more fortunate neighbor.
The effect of thus extending the levees has been fully discussed; and it
has been shown that by the plans adopted, this extension is ruinous to the
districts already leveed, yet necessary to the reclamation of the swamp
•lands,.where the new levees are built, and therefore inevitable.
h I t will be readily admitted that the question how to reconcile these great
objects, of protecting the cultivated fields of the States below, while redeemEx.—5

20],

ing the swamps of the States above, involves some of the most formidable
difficulties that can be encountered in the progress of useful improvementThe physical difficulties alone, are of the highest order, and, as we have
seen, must be boldly and promptly met, or the lower and most beautiful p o r tions of Louisiana must be abandoned. But it involves other questions of
serious magnitude, and covering other vast interests. It brings up gravequestions of individual rights, judicial control and the rights of States.
Viewing the immense stake at issue, or which at no distant day will be i n volved, it may be anticipated that if some adequate remedy be not provided,
this question will ultimately lead to serious conflicts of interest.
If it be a maxim of civil law that men shall so use their own as not to do
Injury to their neighbors, the right of the counties above to interrupt the
flow of water through its natural channels, and force it down upon the parishes below; or the right of Arkansas or Mississippi to reclaim their swamps*
by converting the sugar estates of Louisiana into a swamp; or the right of
Missouri to drain her lakes by overflowing the cotton-fields of Mississippi
and Arkansas—are questions which may yet become as difficult to the jurist
and the statesman as the control of this great river is now to the engineer.
The subjects involved in this problem are too vast in their consequences*
to permit men to evade their contemplation, or to shrink from the efforts
necessary to obviate the approaching events, or to mitigate the impending"
jesults.
Plans which, for ordinary purposes, it would be unsafe for a practical man
to propose, and which, for ordinary purposes, it would be in vain to suggest, for an object of this scope, may well command attention.
Now, it has been clearly shown that the prominent cause of increasing*
inundations, and that which is still threatening greater evils, is the exclusion of the water of overflow from the swamps, and the destruction of the
natural reservoirs of the Mississippi, by means of those embankments,
originally commenced near New Orleans, and gradually extended up the
coast. As the swamps are thus prevented from officiating as reservoirs,
the river itself is converted into an artificial reservoir. The water t h a t
cannot get into.the swamps must remain in the channel until it can traverseits length; and the embankments must be increased in height until the
river is capable of holding the flood, or until the column acquires speed enough
and depth enough to effect its own discharge. But the river is a reservoir
of the most ineffectual character. To make it operative or reliable, either
as a sufficient reservoir or conduit, more than 2,-500 miles of continuous embankment must be reared and maintained on a caving and treacherous soil.
More than one-half of this embankment has already been established, but
not of sufficient dimensions to fulfil the purposes intended. The industry
of individual proprietors, backed by the co-operation of counties, the liberality of States, and a vast donation by Congress, is now applied to the extension and completion of the line.
A bolder undertaking than that now contemplated has never engaged the
thoughts, or been confronted by the courage, of any other people. I t is
even to be doubted whether it would be attempted here, with all the resources of the American character, and for all the inducements that stimu-v
late the effort, if those now occupied with the work were fully aware ot
tne magnitude of the labor, and of the future costs of re-construction and
maintenance which it will involve. N o safe conclusion can be drawn of the
influence which the closing up of these open lines of levee will have upon

[ 2 0 ]

4he floods, from any past visible results. The water, hitherto, has been
but very imperfectly excluded from the swamps. It has found vent through
wide spaces where there are yet no levees; through crevasses and abandoned lines. The present effort is to close up these gaps and make the
lines continuous; but this, it will'be found, can only be done after the old
levees have been re-constructed on a broader base and raised higher.
The population—the sparse and by no means wealthy population—that
-has had the courage thus to face the Mississippi'along its double front, .and
maintain their estates by damming the waters back, it is to be supposed will
.not be deterred from examining the project now suggested, of constructing
dams upon the tributary streams which furnish this water, and substituting
larger reservoirs in hilly districts, where the soil is valueless, for those whicK
are (iestroyed in the rich , bottoms of the delta. They who have already
resisted the power of the river, where it has been necessary to construct
^darns along its whole course, on bojth shores, will assuredly be able to
appreciate how much easier it will be to erect proper dams across the gorges
-of a mountain, where the reservoir ,is already formed, and bounded by
high hills on every side, excepting the small gap to be closed up; ,
It is not the intention now, however, to discuss the proposition which
the writer ventures to suggest, in detail. That has been done in another
paper, which has failed to win the public approbation.1* But it is his duty
here to say again that it is entirely practicable, for a cost that will be fully
justified by more than one of the great objects which will be accomplished
by this plan, to hold in reservoirs surplus wrater enough to improve the
navigation of every navigable stream in the Mississippi valley, by discharging the excess so retained, into the streams when it is needed there; and t
-at the same time, and by the same process, to protect the whole delta, and
the borders of .every stream in it, primary or tributary, from overflow.
But the writer wishes not to be misunderstood; it is -far from his intention to limit exertions to the plan which he deems essential to full and permanent success. That plan will relieve* not merely the country below Red
fiver, but the wThole valley of the Mississippi, from the site of the reservoirs
in the distant mountains, to the gulf. It will ultimately reclaim the swamps
-of the entire delta, and convert the most worthless and least habitable soil
into the richest and most productive. It will render every stream that is
*ver navigable, permanently so. It will remove that great difficulty which
m e n find in deciding on what rivers are worthy of national care, by rendering
them all national. For, surely, whatever helps to protect the wThole delta,
, in any degree, from overflow, and improves the navigation of the Ohio and
Mississippi, must be considered of national importance—even though it may, .
-incidentally, improve the- navigation of the Alleghany and Illinois, so far
as those streams are used as the conduits for the w a t e r .
Still, it is not the writer's intention to advise a dependence upon this plan
•alone, which has yet to pass through the slow ordeai of public investigation.
'On the contrary, he recommends a prompt and vigorous application of the
power and resources of the proper authorities, whether national or local, to
*he preservation of the afflicted population of the delta, by all the means
•that have been discussed in this paper, and which may now be recapitulated.
1- By the immediate organization of a proper system for the construction
*See « Contributions to the Physical Geography of the United States, &c., by Charles
Jj.Uet,
published in the 2d vol. Of the Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge.
Digitized
for jr.,"
FRASER

f 20 ]

100

and maintenance of the levees of lower Louisiana, under the direct a u t h o r ity and control of the State : that a new or guard line of levee be m a d e commencing at the mouth of Red river and extending down to the vicinity
of Donaldsonville, about eighty miles above New Orleans, on both shores—
of sufficient width at top for an ample roadway or railway track, and at
least six feet above the highest flood which has been witnessed at the points,
where the levee is to be built.
2. T h a t , simultaneously with the commencement of these improved levees, there be formed a new outlet from the Mississippi into Lake Borgne,*
about ten miles below N e w Orleans, to relieve the river at that point and
reduce its level there as nearly as possible to the level of the gulf.
3. T h a t , without any delay, measures be adopted to promote the enlargement of the Bayou Plaquemine, so as to relieve the liver, in that neighborhood, of the increasing pressure of the floods which will be produced when
the water which now" escapes through the crevasses, is confined by the
stronger levees recommended to be raised.
4. T h a t , simultaneously with the formation of these safety-valves below,,
and the construction of a guard-levee, the necessary steps be taken to encourage the enlargement of the Atchafalaya, by clearing off and cultivating the borders, straightening the channel, and undermining the salient angles which it is desirable to remove.
5. But, while recommending these prompt and vigorous measures, it is
tne duty of the writer to express his conviction that, after all these means
of relief, carried as far as prudence and a proper regard to economy and
the interests upon which this excess of water will be turned, have been e x hausted, they will be found insufficient to secure even the State of Louisiana
against the floods which, at no distant day, will be poured down the Mississippi ; w^hile the great area subject to inundation, in Arkansas and Mississippi, can receive no sensible relief from any of these expedients but that
of levees. T o secure the whole delta, it will be necessary to commence
promptly and press vigorously the great work of retaining the water in the
mountains.
W e come then to the question which is to be decided by the enterprising men and reflecting minds destined hereafter to cope with this vast subject. Shall the upper States go on to construct their levees, and raise them
higher and higher as the water is found to rise in consequence of their construction—endeavoring to overcome by levees the difficulties mainly produced by levees—doing work, daily, which will inevitably lead to the immediate necessity of more work to render that work secure—or shall they
begin to adopt, in connexion with that which produces so much incidental
damage, a system of protection which, at every step, will do some gooct
service to every interest ? Shall it continue to be the policy, the favored
and exclusive policy, to make whole provinces and counties depend for their
salvation on the perfection of every part of several hundred miles of embankment ; and to force every individual to seek t o protect himself ngamst
the efforts of every interest above him ? Shall this system continue until ,
the artificial banks of the Mississippi shall vie in height with those of t h e
Po, and the population in the low lands, behind the intrenchments, shall be
in hourly dread of crevasses of which the force will then be irresistible *
In short, shall the aid of Congress continue to be invoked, and the
ture of States to be directed, to the indefinite prosecution of a scheme wbicn
adds to the present distress at every step of its progress, when the same re-

101

[ 2 0 ]

suits may be ultimately obtained by a process which harmonizes every interest and does good to all: which will, at the same time, protect the entire
coasts of the Mississippi, and the banks of its tributaries;, reclaim the
swamps of the whole delta, and improve the navigation of every river of
which the floods are received by the Mississippi ?
But it may be asked, where is this work to be commenced, and how is
it to be prosecuted, to accomplish visible results over a field so immense, in
any reasonable time ? The public mind has yet to be convinced that it is
even practicable to retain a sufficient volume of water in the mountains to
reduce the floods in the Mississippi any sensible amount. It has, it may fie
added, yet even to be persuaded to reflect upon the practicability of the
suggestion. In the view of those accustomed to advocate and conduct
difficult enterprises, it is precisely the persuasion and conviction of the pubhe mind of the feasibility of a measure, that constitutes its difficulty.
When men reflect on any thing which has a solid basis of truth, they have
arrived near the point of conviction.
It is not difficult to show that, to reduce the floods of the Mississippi one
foot, we must draw off or retain in reservoirs about 20,000,000,000 cubic
feet per week ; and that to retain this volume will require a reservoir, 110
feet deep and covering seven square miles. Consequently, it would not be
difficult to show, that, to reduce the floods twelve- inches for a space of
sixty days, would require that nine such reservoirs should be applied to that
purpose. . I t would not be difficult to show that these reservoirs would retain water enough to maintain the navigation of as many of the most valuable rivers that flow into the Mississippi from the east; but, to bring the
proof in detail, will require surveys; and; to obtain such surveys, w ill require
the confidence, leisure, and action of Congress.
Until these surveys are ordered, the further discussion of this subject will
be premature.
When the minds of men are directed to the fact, that the floods are increased by the destruction of the natural reservoirs of the delta, it wall not,
perhaps, be difficult for them to appreciate that they may also be reduced
by the creation of artificial and better reservoirs to replace those that are
destroyed.
^
Under the operation of the causes which have been explained, the course
of nature has been disturbed, and floods once regarded as exceptions to the
usual order of things, are now of almost annual occurrence.
Under the operation of human agency, and nothing else, the waters have
been, and are still being diverted from their course, and concentrated in the
great rivers ; and it is now proposed to counteract the hurtful effects of this
diversion, by works of art, calculated first to restore, and ultimately to improve, the natural regimen of the streams. It is proposed, in short, to construct new reservoirs to receive the increased drainage produced by the
plough, and to compensate for those reservoirs which have been, and are
about to be destroyed by the spade; to substitute for the swamps, which
have always received the waters of overflow, capacious lakes in the rockbound valleys of the Alleghany and Rocky mountains. It would seem to
b? useless to demonstrate that such reservoirs will be cheaper and more effitient than the reservoir which has been formed of the river itself, by the
fevees, and which can only be made secure by the maintenance of from two
to three thousand miles of embankment on a soil always liable to slip and
Digitized
FRASER by the action of the pent up water.
be for
undermined

102
I n the view of the writer, every effort should be made, while new vents
are being opened and guard levees constructed below, to retain the surplus
, water in the lakes at the sources of the Mississippi and Missouri, and along
the course of Red r i v e r ; while proper sites for reservoirs should be sought
in all the appropriate valleys of the Alleghany, and ultimately those of the
Rocky mountains. F o r this object, he respectfully recommends that surr e y s be promptly instituted at the sources of the Monongahela, Alleghany,
Kanawha, Cumberland, and Tennessee, and other tributaries of the Ohio,
for the purpose of ascertaining the most advantageous sites for great reservoirs that will discharge through their respective channels. T h a t , in the
selection of these sites, regard be had primarily to the supplying of the
Ohio and the greatest of its navigable tributaries with water in the summer
months—using the reservoirs for the double purpose of withholding the flood
water from the Mississippi, when that river is overflowing its banks, and
supplying the water so withheld, to the Ohio itself, and its navigable arms,
when their navigation is impeded by droughts.
T h a t these surveys be extended promptly to Red river and its tributaries, for the double purpose of applying the great lakes with which that
valley abounds, to keeping back the floods from its suffering population,
and relieving its summer navigation from obstruction, by allowing the surplus so retained, to pass down in the season of low water. T h e lakes in
the valley of Red river may be turned to good account in the prosecution
of this plan, and the valleys of its tributary streams are u n d e r s t o o d to afford
remarkable opportunities for the creation of great artificial reservoirs. The
flood of 1849, by the destruction of the cotton crop of Red river alone, was
productive of damages to the amount of five or six millions of. dollars,
while less than the half of this sum would probably have sufficed to create
reservoirs sufficient for the permanent protection of all its valley, and the
great relief of the Mississippi delta from the mouth of Red river to the sea.
T h a t investigations for the same object should be extended speedily to
the Illinois, the Washita, and the Arkansas.
I t is recommended that attention be first given to the control of the great
navigable tributaries which pass through the most highly cultivated portions of the valley of the Mississippi—because on these a double service
can be performed—the navigation can be improved while the floods are
arrested. B u t , it is to be recollected that while this motive prompts us to
look to the distant arms, it is those streams which, like the Washita and
the Cumberland, discharge nearest to the point of suffering, that add
most injuriously to the height of the floods of the Mississippi.
I n closing his duties, the writer will venture to add a few s u g g e s t i o n s
touching the improvement of the navigation of the western rivers, which is
necessarily embraced in this plan of restraining the floods. T o produce
useful effects, it is indispensable that the United States government, or all
the States in the valley of the Mississippi, enter at once upon a g e n e r a l system of river improvement. Snag-boats must be put at work upon portions
of the Mississippi, and all its navigable tributaries, in low water, to prepare
their channels for the reception of a permanent supply.
Reservoirs must be constructed wherever it is practicable to find appropriate sites, and the commerce justifies the cost, large enough to receive
* This flood is represented to have produced a total destruction in the valley ot Red river
alone, of fully $7,000,000.

103

[ 20

);

and retain the flood-water of such tributaries, and let it off again when the
supply is needed for the navigation. It is not at all 'necessary to keep
watch upon the reservoirs to see that they perform properly. It is perfectly
practicable so to adjust their apertures that they may discharge constantly
and almost uniformly; filling up when the flood comes down, and the supply is in excess, and falling again when the sources of the flood begin to
fail. The system, when fully carried out, will be almost self-regulating.
While the snag-boats are at work preparing the channels of the great tributaries, and the reservoirs are in progress of construction on the smaller
sources, the outlets should be in process of preparation to the gulf, and the
guard levees should be advancing below Red river. All these works will
be necessary; and it is believed that by a general, prompt, and confident
effort, directed simultaneously to the acceleration of the discharge of the
waters below, and to their retention in reservoirs above, while strengthening
the barriers on the Jower coast, the works may at least keep pace with the
progress of those causes which threaten the ultimate destruction of the
whole of lower Louisiana.
It is impressed upon the lAind of the waiter with the force of demonstration, that these several measures must be adopted, and adopted promptly,
or that causes now in operation will speedily bring great distress throughout the delta of the Mississippi, from the mouth of the Ohio to the Gulf of
Mexico.
If they are adopted, this fertile country will prosper, and add vastly to
the glory and wealth of the nation; if they are neglected, the population
of the valley of the lower Mississippi must maintain a very long, though
in the end, perhaps, a successful struggle against the increasing floods.
The position of Louisiana, in this eventful issue, is one of peculiar difficulty, and may result in inestimable distress, if she be left single-handed to
struggle with the torrent which the industry and enterprise of the people
of the upper States may pour down upon her devoted soil., - However unequal and oppressive may be the contest, she can afford to lose no time, but
must commence at once, whether aided or alone, to protect herself by outlets near the gulf, and by the most efficient levees near Red river; levees
to prevent the deluge from sweeping over her surface, and outlets to vent the
water more freely as it comes. Her fate is on this issue, and she is destined
to bloom, the garden spot of this great valley, if her skill, finances and
fortitude prevail, or to be known only as a desolate swamp if she falter and
yield to the force of the flood. The question, whether she shall be allowed
to stand alone, and protect herself unaided, from the difficulties forced upon
her by the States above, or be sustained by that government which represents the power of all the States, is one of detp interest, which must be
decided by the Justice nnd Humanity of the nation.
[The writer takes this occasion to acknowledge the valuable j e : vices rendered in this invcsilgation, by his intelligent and careiul principal assistant, m ^ l . Dickinson, who persona l took, or superintended the taking of, nearly all the soundings and other measurements
Voided in this paper.]

104

[ 2 0 ]

NOTES.
NOTE A .

It is not deemed necessary to burden this report with the details of the
observations on the relative velocities of the currents at and beneath the
surface. The results are correctly stated in the text, and show conclusively
that no error of any practical value can be committed by computing the
discharge of the Mississippi from the surface velocities; though great errors
might be made by relying on the speed of the central currents.
The details of the observations upon which the writer's conclusions are
founded, will be given in a supplemental report.
NOTE B .

The statement here given of the discharge of the Mississippi at Memphis^
as deduced from the observations of Mr. Marr, needs special explanation.
The average daily discharge, as it is given in Mr, Marr's report, for nine
days of extreme high water, was
74,530,955,174 cubic f e e t ;
or, at the rate of
862,626 cubic feet per second.
But, in the calculations from which this result is obtained, an allowance
of a fraction over ten per cent, was made for an assumed retardation of the
water beneath the surface.
The experiments of the writer not having authorized such an allowance,
the ten per cent, so deducted has been restored, in order to obtain the result
of the measurements at Memphis, when calculated in the mode adopted in
this paper;—from the surface velocities.
, .
Some of the observations of Mr. Marr show a discharge at Memphis in
1850 of 1,040,000 cubic feet per second, when no deduction is made on
account of the supposed average retardation of the mass of water beneath
the surface.
NOTE C .

I t was the intention of the writer to discuss this formula, in some detail,
in a note to the text. But being under the necessity of submitting this
report hastily, and wishing to test the formula on shallow mountain streams,
he is compelled to reserve this discussion, which will form part of a supplemental paper.
NOTE D .

The level of low water in the Ohio river, at Cincinnati, is 432 feet above
tide. The surface of Lake Erie is 5 6 5 feet above tide.
T
E
By the recent survey of the Ohio and Mississippi railroaiJ by1JMr- ^
Gest, civil engineer, the level of low water in the Mississippi at St. Louis

105

•

[ 2 0 ]

tined to be 146$ feet below Lake E r i e : Hence, low water in the
• iippii a t S t L o u L s i s 4 1 8 « f e e t * b o v e t i d e *
^TH leve'l of low water in the Mississippi at the mouth of the Ohio, as
rtained by Mr. John ChiUls, engineer of the Mobile and Ohio railroad,
feet above tide; whence the fall of the Mississippi, from St. Louis
^hetfiouth of the Ohio, is 1 4 3 i feet, or, assuming the distance to be 200
>\ < at the rate of SI inches per mile.
There is certainly no conclusive reason for questioning the correctness of
. cS ult. But the descent t of the Mississippi above the mouth of the Ohio,
fcVhU exhibits, is so much greater than appears probable, that the writer
• Iraost compelled to suspect some error in the determination of the height
J few water at St. Louis.
NOTK E .

The following passage in the report already noticed, of passed midshipRobt. A. Marr,deserves attention:
<cJt has been estimated that of the rain-water falling in the valley of the
Mississippi, only ,
P a r t c a c h e s the gulf. What proportion is lost
fteronee wetting into the clnnnel, is, I believe, not known. Between Memphis and Vuialia, there are immense tracts of overflowed land: and according
t the above hypothesis, immense quantities of water may be taken up by
vaporation and wafted by the winds, to swell the currents of far distant
e,
yers; may disappear through the fissures in the bed of the Mississippi.
^If or be absorbed and filter through the overflowed earth to fill the capac i o u s chambers of subterranean
reservoirs."
No authority is given in the report for this extraordinary estimate,
ffhich it is proper to say, is altogether erroneous. The discharge through
the channel below Red* river, in a sin<rle day, is about ten times as great
^ h e above estimate for the whole year. The fraction
should have
been about the • tii: its precise value not having yet been ascertained.
NOTK F .

The following speculations concerning the future progress of the population of this continent, are found in the Encyclopaedia Britannica—article
"
A
m
e
r
i
c
a
,
«We know with certainty that a prosperous community, possessing
abundance of unoccupied land*, will double its numbers in 25 years, without
my aid from emigration:
and as the scale ascends in geometrical ratio,
ishort time necessarily produces a wonderful change. I t is to be observed,
however, that the whites, possessing the advantage of superior industry,
order and forethought, naturally increase faster than the other classes. In
the United States this part of the population increases at the rate of three
per centum per annum."
,
.
In this article the white population of the American continent is assumed
to have been 21,000,000 in 1830, and to increase at the rate of three per
cent, per annum; from which data the following results are obtained :
N ^ o r ^ s i„ m
;;;:;;;:;:;:;:;;;;:;;;
<c

1AS0

it
«<
1905
a
ic

Ex.—0

84,000,000

168,000,000
336,000,000

106
These speculations are carried still further in the article quoted. But they
do not include the great element of all such computations when applied to
the United States—the accessions to the population of this country from
foreign emigration.
The above results, however, are sufficient to lead the reflecting mind to a
safe conclusion on the question, Whether the delta of the Mississippi is or is
not to be wholly reclaimed and brought under cultivation ?
NOTE G .

The following is the table computed by Professor Riddell, for the height
to which given volumes of water admitted into the upper end of Lake
Pontchartrain would raise the surface of the eastern part of the lake. [Report of Joint Committee on Levees.]
Cubic feet of water discharged per second.

46,7.50
$3,513
1-10,2C9
187,026
233,782
280,
M
327,295
374,052
420,808
407,564

Corresponding elevation of the lake in feet
and decimals.

0.027
0.111
0.250
0.444
0.6T>4
1.000
1.361
1.777
2.2M)
2.777

514,320

3.361

561,078
607,834

4.000
4.604

This table may he used as a numerical approximation to t h e law by which
the height of the lake, above a stationary or tideless sea, must increase, m
order to force given volumes of water through the passes; but not as any
approximation to the practical effect which a given volume, admitted into
the lake, would have in elevating its surface.

S Ejr Jut. 20," W* U Con.
Pig. 8

DIAGRAM
showing

th&
a l ' Vlood?

r e l a t i v e
irv

h e i g h t s

the

MISSISSIPPI RIVER
f o r .$cvmJycai\y

a t

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\

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\ \
~
*^ MIO afaut 7u$mO, hrljht

260

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t 15

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1849 =• 17.1 ^ !
A 1844
70 60 BO 40 30 CO JO 0
huhet
.1 6 9

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t(i
140

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1

310

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Vertical Scale
gfi
t
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14 13

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!
6

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w S S T '

SENATE.]

, Ex. Doc.
No. 21.

R E P O R T
O*

THE

S E C R E T A R Y

THE

NAVY",

The pro?e >diny3 of a OjuH of Inquiry in the case of Wm. K. Latimer, a
Captain in the navy.
'

•

DECEMBER 2 7 , 1 8 5 1 .
Read, and ordered to lie on the table.

JANUARY 1 0 , 1 8 5 2 .
Referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs.

I N SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES,

January 21, 1852.
Resolved, That the charges and specifications, and also the report and
opinion of a court of inquiry, in the case of Wm. K . Latimer, and the letter
of the Secretary of the Navy transmitting the same, and the general order
in said case dated July 1, 1851, be printed for the use of the Senate.
A S B U R Y DICKINS,
Secretary.

NAVY DEPARTMENT,

December 26, 1851.
, SIR ; I n compliance with a resolution of the Senate, adopted on 22d
JU3tant, I have the honor to transmit, herewith, the record of the proceedings of a court of inquiry, commenced November 20, 1850, on board the
United States ship Cumberland, in the Bay of Naples, by order of Commodore Charles W. Morgan, commanding the United States squadron in
the Mediterranean, for the purpose of investigating charges preferred
against Captain William K . Latimer, of the navy; together with a copy of
^.general order issued by the head of this department, on the 1st of July
last, after revising the proceedings of the said court.
As the original record of the proceedings of the court is transmitted, the
department respectfully requests that it may be returned when the Senate
shall have no further occasion for its use*
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W I L L I A M A.
H o n . WILLIAM R . K I N G ,

President of the Senate.

GRAHAM.

[ 2 1 ]

U N I T E D S T A T E ? F R I G A T E CUMIJEIU.AND.

Spczzia, September '2*2, 1851.
SIR: I regret to have the disagreeable duty of reporting to you Captain
W. K. Latimer, now commanding this ship ; upon which report. I beg the
department may take such action as it deems the ca.se to merit. 1 cite
the following, under their respective heads, as instances of gross offence
against the laws and regulations of the Navy Department:
1st. Illegal punishment.—First,
in t h i s : That Captain Latimer has
from time to time, between the 18th July, 1840, and the 22d day of September, 1850, been in the habit of illegally punishing a portion of the
crew of this ship with an instrument known as the colt, in violation of law>
viz: Jos. R . Watson, (boy,) with ninety lashes; Jno. Hamilton, (captain
maintop,) twelve lashes ; John Holland, (captain mizentop,) twelve lashes ;
Jno. Livingston, (captain foretop,) twelve lashes; Jos. Wilson, (captain
maintop,) twelve lashes—and others, to the number of more than twenty in
all, whose names are recorded on the log-book, besides others whose names
are not recorded upon it.
\
Second, in t h i s : That Captain Latimer has discharged from this ship,
in the port of Mezzina, Wm. Reed, (seaman,) Jno. Scott, (orderly seaman,)
Thos. Childs, (seaman.) ami, at Trieste, Jas. H. Travannan, (orderly seaman,) as a punishment for offences committed by them which might have
been legally punished according to the laws of the navy.
2d. JJisobedience of orders.—First, in this : That Captain Latimer has
knowingly and wilfully disobeyed the orders of the department relative to
the logging of all punishments that take place on board the United States
vassels of w a r ; he having directed Lieutenant G. G. Williamson to order
the officer of the deck not to record an instance of punishment with the
colt, which took place in the presence of, and by the order of Captain Latimer, on the 13th day of August, 1840.
Second, in this: That Captain Latimer, between the 18th day of July,
1849, and the 15th of August, 1850, has been in the habit of punishing
with the colt in private, in the cabin of this ship, Jos. R. Watson, (boy,)
and sometimes twice in one day, in violation of an order of the department,,
directing that all punishments on board the United States vessels of war
shall be in public, and in presence of the crew.
Third, in t h i s : That Captain Latimer has, in disobedience of the orders
of the Bureau of Construction, Equipment, &c., knowingly and wilfully
caused a number of alterations to be made in this ship, viz : removing the
horse-blocks from the ship's side; altering the gaffs; removing the signallockers from under the poop; removing the rail from the break of the
poop ; removing the boarding-pikes from around the masts, and making a
new rack in the main-hatch; altering and enlarging the cabin pantry;
making a new bulkhead, and blocking up another gun ; putting up a bulk*
head on the berth-deck for the forward officers; and many other alterations which are upon record.
3d. Scandalous conduct.—First, in t h i s : That Captain Latimer while
lying in the harbor of Mezzina, on or about the 25th day of January,
1 8 5 0 , after having flogged a number of men, caused the cats, or i n s t r u m e n t
of punishment, to be liung up publicly, at the mainmast, where they remained until he was prevailed upon to allow them to be taken down by
representations made lo him by the First Lieutenant, of the ill effect su ctl

[20

]

a tiling, if reported, ^yould have upon his character at home—thus bringing
the navy and our country into disrepute with foreigners constantly visiting
the ship, and degrading the crew to a level with galley-slaves.
Second, in this : That Captain Latimer did, on the 18th June, 1850, on
board this ship, while lying in the harbor of Trieste, attack, and beat with
his fists, and choke, Jas. H. Travannan, (orderly seaman,) belonging to
said ship, whilst said Jas. H. Travannan was under charge of a sentry, and
in a state of gross intoxication; and further, that Captain Latimer did
attempt to draw a cutlass upon said James H. Travannan, for the purpose^
as ho publicly declared at the gangway, of running it through the body of
said James H . Travannan ; and further, that Captain Latimer did publicly
express regret that he was prevented from running him through the body,,
by the scabbard adhering to the cutlass when he drew it from the r a c k ;
and further, that Captain Latimer did dismiss the said James H. Travannan from the United States frigate Cumberland, without bringing him to
a court-martial, or punishing him according to law, after having publicly
charged the said James H . Travannan with having laid his hands upon
him ; thereby evincing a desire to smother the affair of the 18th June, between himself and the said James H. Travannan.
Third, in this: That Captain Latimer has, by having exhibited on frequent occasions an unwillingness to promote worthy men as petty officers*
on account of their being of foreign birth, and by discharging most iguominiously several men for declaring themselves, when in a state of intoxication, to bo Englishmen, causcd a hostile spirit to exist on board the ship,
under his command, between the native and adopted citizens of the United.
States; thereby violating the spirit of the laws of our country with regard
to i t , adopted citizens, and also holding out an inducement to those who
wished to leave the ship, to simply declare themselves to be of English
birth, and thus achieve their purpose, thereby seriously impairing the discipline and efficiency of the ship.
Fourth, in t h i s : That Captain Latimer, when called upon by Surgeon
Barrington and Lieut. Stecdman, on June 27, 1850, in relation to his
having changed the ward-room dinner hour, was guilty of wilful falsehood,
in stating to them that he had not interfered with the ward-room dinner
hour, and had given no such order, when he well knew that he had but a
few days before, while lying in the harbor of Trieste, given the following
order to the first lieutenant, to w i t : " When we go to sea again the wardroom officers must dine at 2 o'clock,'' or words to that effect; and also that he*
had reiterated that order at sea, on June 24, 1850. And also, in this: that
Captain Latimer has been in the habit from time to time of making statements and assurances to officers on board this ship, in relation to affairs
^hich immediately concerned thoir comforts and interests; and subsequently
exhibited such an entire disregard for his word conveyed in those assurances as to destroy all confidence in his veracity.
4tln Neglect of duty.—First, in t h i s : That Captain W. K . Latimer did
fiot cause the crew of this ship, while un<Jer his command, to be exercised
at the great guns at firing at a target until the 24th day of *Tune, 1850,
^ o r e than eleven months after the ship was put in commission, he having
had abundant opportunity to cause the crew to be so exercised; and further,
&at the crew of said ship have not been drilled at loading and firing t h e
^uakets
or carbines, with either ball or blank cartridge, up to this date,,

http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
there having been abundant time and opportunity for so doing.
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

[ 2 1 ]

Second, in this: That Captain Latimer has been guilty of a most
neglect of duty in permitting the faU of the life-buoys of this ship to bo
obstructed by the cabin-ports; the existence of such obstruction having
been reported to him from time to time by the first lieutenant.
Third, in this : That Captain Latimer permitted the ratlines of the
.
rigging of this ship to remain in wear, after the same had been frequently
reported to him as unfit for use and dangerous to the crew : and further,
that he did not cause new ratlines to be fitted until several of the men
were hurt, one of them seriously injured by the breaking of the same.
5th. Tyrannical and oppressive conduct.—First, in this : That Captain
Latimer did cause to be drawn from the gun-deckbcams of this ship, two
hundred and fifty hammock-hooks, thereby forcing so many of the crew to
sleep upon the berth or lower deck, as to seriously endanger the health of
the ship, and to cause the remonstrance of the surgeon ; and further, that
Captain Latimer, after an interval of some weeks, ditl replace only a portion
of said hooks, thereby still most uncomfortably crowding the men below, tending to the injur}* of the health of the crew, and also of tho efficiency of the ship, in violation of the usiges of the service and his duty as
the commanding officcr.
Second, in this : That Captain Latimer has issued, from time to time, a
grca tnumber of oppressive and annoying orders, entirely unusual in the service, to w i t : t£ Order.—So iwrson shall come up the starboard side of this
ship from a shore boat, unless an officer in uniform, without permission of
the captain or commanding officer/'
" N o person will be allowed to come on board the jdiip, except persons
on official visits, tho visitors of officers, or persons having business with the
officers, without permission of the commanding officer/'
" If males or females, of respectable appearance, wish to come on board,
the officcr of the deck will inform the commanding officer."
" The officcr of the deck will pass this order : Consuls coming alongside,
in shore-boats, and shore-boats having colors flying, shall be permitted to
come on tho starboard side, bv the officer of the (leek. 1 '
"XYPLKS, May 1, 1850.—U. S. frigate C u m b e r l a n d / '
Third, in ordering, on the 2'rtli June, 1850, that the fire in the
'
galley range shall be extinguished at two hours fifteen minutca p.
daily ; thereby compelling the ward-room mess to dine at two p.
it had been the custom, since the ship was put in commission, for that mess
to dine at three p. m., putting the tv«rd-room officers to great inconvenience and annoyance by said o r d e r ; and, further, that Captain Latimer, in
giving this order, and assigning that his motive for so doing was to economize fuel, has exhibited an entire absence of consideration for the coinxor
of those under his command, as it can be fully proved that, during tltf
tnonths of December, 1849, and January, February, March, and AprU*
1850, more wood was expended for the use of the cabin daily, than vraa
used daily during the same period at the galley for the purpose of cooking
for the whole ward-room meas, then consisting of no less than fourteen
officers and their attendants.
.
" Fourth, in this: That it has been the habit of Captain Latimer during
the time he has commanded this ship, after having flogged men at the> ga?8
way, to order that they shall receive additional punishment, by
»
Digitized
FRASER
theirfornames
placed on the " black list," and compelling them to worK

[ 2 0 ]

foul-air pumps, polish the bright work, and perform other odious duties for
many days, during the working hours of the ship, thereby dispiriting the
men by an exhibition of a vindictive and relentless disposition towards
offenders, and depriving them of all hope from their amendment and future
good conduct.
Fifth, in this: That Captain Latimer, during the time He has commanded
this ship, exhibited towards many of the crew the greatest personal animosity, and, losing sight of his duty as the commander of the ship, punished offenders against himself, personally, with great severity, and entirely
overlooked or slightly punished very grave official offences. *
Sixth, in this: That Captain Latimer did, on the night of 26th September, 1849, punish with a colt, some seventeen of the'men (who had been
hauling on the main brace,) taken indiscriminately from the watch a f t ;
thereby making no distinction between offenders and others; and after
having so unjustly punished them, inflicted another and severe punishment by causing them to be kept on deck, hauling on the main brace,
until nearly two o'clock a. m., or two hours after their watch had expired; thereby .depriving them, most cruelly and unnecessarily, of their
rest,^ punishing them twicc for the same offence, and causing the better
portion of the crew to be dissatisfied with the service, from this indiscriminate
excrcise of punishment.
Seventh, in this: That Captain Latimer, during the time that he has
commanded this ship, has been in the habit of using rude, uncourteous
and overbearing language to the officers under him, and also using the
most abusive and violent language to the quartermasters; and farther, that
he has, from time to time, issued orders calculated for no other purpose
than to oppress and annoy, to wit: " An order prohibiting friends of
the officers from coming up the starboard side, except in a ship's boat,
without his permission. An order compelling the ward-room mess to dine
at two o'clock. An order prohibiting the officers from wearing overcoats
and sou'-westers, or wet-weather clothing, except when he chose to consider it bad weather. A n order for all officers to have a copy of his internal rules and regulations—a book containing fifty written pages of foolscap paper."
Oth. Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.—First,
in this: .
That Captain Latimer did, on the 18th day of June, 1850, while in the
harbor of Trieste, deliberately anil wantonly commit an assault and battery upon the person of James H . Travannan/an ordinary seaman, then
belonging to this ship, by seizing hold of him, attempting to throw him
down, choking him, and beating him in the face with his fist, although,
at the time, the said Travannan was under the charge of a sentry, and in
a gross state of intoxication, and that Captain Latimer was surrounded by
officers and men, some of whom were called upon by him to .confine the
man in a legal manner.
Second, in this: That Captain Latimer did, on or about the 4th day of
September, 1850, assault his cabin steward, " Antonio L a m b i a b y
striking him in the face with his fist, at the same time abusing him by
calling him a d
\ son of a bitch, and other opprobrious names.
Third. in this : That Captain Latimer has, during the time he has commanded this ship, been in the habit of issuing his orders to the officers of

the watch
from his " q u a r t e r gallery," or privy windows; when it is noto

1 2 1 ]

rious that he has rebuked his officers for the most trivial breaches of
etiquette towards himself; thereby shielding himself behind his official
position, for the purpose of exacting from others that treatment which he
is. not willing to accord to them.
Fourth, in this: That Captain Latimer did, while tins ship was lying at
Trieste, insult the United States consul residing there, by neglccting
or declining to treat with said consul in tho matter of making arrangements for the visit of the Arch Duke John, of Austria, to the ship, when
said consul had been requested by authority, from said Arch Duke, to make
such arrangement: thereby degrading tlie legal representative of our country, in tlie opinion of the people to whom he was accredited.
Fifth, in thi.*: That Captain Latimer did further insult said consul,
while at Trieste, by running into a boat, which had been sent to said consul
for,the purpose of bringing ladies to visit the ship; and, further, showing by
his haughty and overbearing manner towards said con mi mid flic ladies, at
the time of running his boat into thehv. that he bad no respect for said
consul, nor regard for his position.
In this: That Captain Latimer did. while in command of this fdiip,
during the early part of August, l«c'•"»,). causc her to be detained at the
port of Alexandria, in Egypt, from the 7th to the 12th of the Fame month,
although he had boon officially informed that the Asiatic cholera was then
prevalent there: and further, that Captain Latimer did, ur.ncccssarily,
expose the men and oiliccr^ under his command, by ordering this ship to
be watered from a reservoir on .shore at Alexandria, although advised by
the surgeon of this ship not to communicate with the ahore, and although
there wa.^, on the rhiy of the arrival of this ^l.ip at Alexandria, thirty-four
thousand gallons in the hold, being nearly seventy days' water for the
whole crew at full allowance; and although this ship had been partially
watered only a few weeks previously, at J>nyrout, imni and officers were
sent ashore ; tliui* showing a total disregard for the opinion of the surgeon
of this ship, in hid official capacity, the health of tho crcw, and the
efficiency and security of the ve.s b l u n d e r hi* command.
I also have to report Captain Latimer for wasteful expenditure of government property for his own personal use, and also for having frequently
had the mechanics of this ship employed for his own private purposes, to
the great neglect of the cfaciency and appearance of the ship, and when,
by his own order, the firat 'ieutennn: was prohibited from expending (M}J
thing whatever from the do re-room for the ship's me*
I am,
vcrv respecfuliy,
T?our obedient servant,
I L C.

Lieutenant
T o t h e H o n . SECRETARY OF THK N A V Y .

Navy I)emrtment,

Washington,

/A 0.

KLAGG,

Havy.

7
REPORT AND OPINION.

The court of inquiry convened by order of Commodore Charles W .
Morgan, commander-in-chief of the United States naval forces in the
Mediterranean, (and in accordance with the request of Captain William
K . Latimer, of the United States navy, commanding the United States
frigate Cumberland,) on the twentieth day of November, eighteen hundred
and fifty, on board of the United States frigate Cumberland, lying in the
bay of Naples, and subsequently removed, by order of said commanderin-chief, under date of March twenty-first, eighteen hundred and fifty-one, to
* the United States steam-frigate Mississippi, lying in the said bay of Naples,
for the purpose of inquiring into all matters connected with a certain report, bearing date September twenty-second, eighteen hundred and fifty,
addressed to the honorable Secretary of the Navy by Lieutenant Henry
C. Flagg, of the United States navy, serving on board of the said frigate
Cumberland, and containing sundry charges anil specifications of charo-es
against the said Captain William K. Latimer; further directed to inquire
into the matters of complaint set forth in a certain despatch, addressed to
the Department of State, under date of June twenty-second,* eighteen
hundred and fifty, by Henry D. Maxwell, esq., United States consul at
Trieste ; and additionally ordered, by the said commander-in-chief, under
date of January twenty-ninth, eighteen hundred and fifty-one, to inquire
into the complaints alleged against the said Captain William K. Latimer,
referred to in a second despatch, addressed by the said Henry D. Maxwell, esq., United States consul at Trieste, to the honorable Secretary of
State of the United States, under date of October twenty-third, eighteen
hundred and fifty—in reference to all of which, they have been ordered
to report " all the evidence connected with the subjects directed lo be inquired into, with their opinion thereon"-—present, after a patient and careful' inquiry into all of the subjects referred4 to, and a due consideration of
the testimony and evidence obtained in relation thereto, the following
Report and opinion.
First, with reference to the report of Lieutenant Henry C. Flagg, that,
under the first specification of the first charge, it appears in evidence
t h a t Captain Latimer has from time to time, between the 18th day of July,
1849, and the 22d day of September, 1850, punished a portion of the
crew of the United States frigate Cumberland, under his command, with an
instrument known as the colt, with which, within the said period, Joseph
R. Watson (boy) has been punished eleven times, the whole number of
lashes he has received amounting to as many as ninety ; and John HamiU
ton, (captain of the main-top,) John Holland, (captain of mizen-top,) John
Livingston, (captain of the fore-top,) and Joseph Wilson, (captain of the
main-top,) each with twelve lashes; and that others, to the number of
more than twenty in all, whose names are recorded on the log-book, and
others, to as great a number, whose names are not recorded upon it, have
also within the said period been punished with the colt. And further, that
the use of the colt has been customary in the service for many years past,
and that it has been usual to apply it over the clothing, and not, as the
cats, upon the bare back; wherefore it has been regarded as a milder form
of punishment
for minor offencei?. In reference to which the court remark,

[ 2 1 ]

that by the act of Congress for the better government of the navy, approved April 23d, 1800, a discretionary power is given to a captain to
punish certain offences, either by confinement or flogging, and that the
only article in which the instrument of punishment is named directs that
no punishment shall be inflicted gt beyond twelve lashes with a cat-ofnine-tails," and that no " wired or other than a plain cat-of-nine-tails"
shall be used, which the court conceive to be prohibitory merely with
reference t o the infliction of any punishment, or the use of any instru T
ment exceeding in severity that .designated; and inasmuch as the character of neither the punishment nor the instrument, in the instances r e ferred to in the specification, has exceeded the limit defined in the said
act of Congress, but, on the contrary, as both have been of a milder
nature, it is the opinion of the court, confirmed by the fact that the
punishment with the colt has been long sanctioned by the " usage of
the service," that Captain Latimer (although, in the omission to log a
considerable number of the punishments referred to, responsible for a
disobedience of the order of the N a v y Department on that subject) is
not, for the use of the said instrument, chargeable with a violation of
law.
T h a t under the second specification of the first charge, it appears in evidence, that Captain Latimer has discharged from the United States frigate
Cumberland, under his command, in the port of Messina, William Ried, (seaman,) John Scott, (ordinary seaman) and T h o m a s Childs, (seaman,) and at
Trieste, James H . Travannan, (ordinary seaman,) as a punishment for
offences.
Respecting which, the court remark, that they are satisfied, from documentary evidence before them, that the three men first mentioned, viz:
William Ried, (seaman,) John Scott, (ordinary seaman) and T h o m a s Childs,
(seaman,) were discharged by authority from the commander-in-chief; and
further, that James H . Travannan, (ordinary seaman,) was discharged by
Captain Latimer without such authority.
T h a t frotn a careful consideration of the testimony, they are satisfied thatJames H . Travannan had committed offences, touching which it
was practicable to reserve the case for reference to the commander-in-chief*
and a trial by court-martial, and that his punishment, under the circumstances, by discharge, was unauthorized by the act of Congress for the
better government of the navy.
T h a t under the first specification of the second charge, it appears in evidence, that Captain Latimer directed Lieutenant G . G / W i l l i a m s o n to order
t h e officer of the deck not to record an instance of punishment with the
colt, which took place in the presence and by the order of Captain Latimer on the 13th day of August, 1849.
^ I n relation to which the court are of opinion that Captain Latimer, in
giving the said order, disobeyed the general order of the N a v y Department
b
of M a y 29th, 1840.
T h a t under the second specification of the second charge, it appears m
evidence, t h a t Captain Latimer, between the 18th day of J u l y , 1849, and the ,
l o t h day of August, 1850, has upon various occasions punished with the
colt, in private, in the cabin of the United States f r i g a t e Cumberland, t i n d e r ms
command, Joseph R . W a t s o n , (boy) his servant, and in one instance twice
in one day, w h e n ' h e received six lashes each time.

80
Whereby
1S40

[ 2 0 ]
in the opinion of the court, Captain Latimer has further
^

° r d e r °f

the

NaVy

P a r t m e n t , o f May 29th,

_ T h a t under the third specification of the second charge, it appears in evidence, that Captain Latimer has caused a number of alterations to be
made in the United States frigate Cumberland, under his command, v i z :
removing the horse-blocks from the ship's side; altering the gaffs: removing the signal lockers from under the poop; removing the rail from
the break of the poop; removing the boarding-pikes from around the
masts, and making a new rack in the main batch; altering and enlarging the cabin pantry; making a n e w bulkhead, and enclosing a g u n ; '
putting up a bulkhead on the berth decks for the forward officers; and
many other alterations which are upon record.
In all of which it is the opinion of the court, that Captain Latimer has
disobeyed the order of the Bureau of Construction, Equipment, and Repairs
oA the 29th August, 1843; although they are satisfied that many of the
said alterations have tended to the improvement of the efficiency and appearance of the ship.
T h a t under the first specification of the third charge, it appears in evidence that Captain Latimer, while the Cumberland was lying in the
harbor of Messina, on or about the 2oth day of January, 1850, after
having flogged a number of men, caused the' instrument of punishment
known as the " c a t s " to be hung up publicly in its bag, at the mainmast, where it remained for twenty-four hours or more, during which
period one foreigner, who visited the ship, became acquainted with the
fact.
In reference to which the court remark, that although the " c a t s "
were thus hung up at the mainmast, inasmuch as they were in their
bag, invisible, and as but one foreigner became acquainted with the contents of the said bag, there is no evidence that our country and the
navy w e r e thereby brought into disrepute; which they do not view,
however, as in any respect relieving Captain Latimer from the responsibility of a course in their opinion well calculated to produce such av
result.
That under the second specification of the third charge, it appears in
evidence, that the facts in relation -to the difficulty which occurred between
Captain Latimer and James H. Travannan, the language subsequently addressed to him by Captain Latimer at the gangway, and his ultimate dis- v
charge from the ship, are substantially these:
T h a t James H . Travannan (ordinary seaman) returned on board of the
United States frigate Cumberland, then lying in the port of Trieste, on the
18th day of June, 1850, from liberty, in a state of intoxication. That
shortly after his return he was heard to say, oil the forecastle, that " he'd
go in the brig too." And further, that " h e was going down to the cabin;
that he intended to leave the ship." Also, thereafter, about the galley,
that " he'd go aft, and he'd drag old Lat, te-tat, tat, the damned old son
of a bitch, out of the cabin, and break his other leg." And that he' thereupon went aft towards the cabin door, at which moment Captain Latimer
came out of the cabin, ordered him in between the guns, and directed the
orderly to take charge of him. That Travannan said to Captain Latimer,
" h e ' d be God damned if he'd go^ " whereupon the captain went up to him

[ 2 1 ]

10 I

and again ordered him between the guns. Travannan again mnking the
same reply, that Captain Latimer then took hold of him to put him in between the guns, and attempted to trip him up, when Travannan, falling
back against one of the guns, caught the captain by the collar or the arm;
that Captain Latimer then choked him, Travannan falling down upon the
deck; after which, the captain tried to get a cutlass out of the rack, but
that the sheath came with it, the cutlass being in the sheath, and that the
captain then let go of him, ami stepped back near the ward-room skylight.
That Captain Latimer then ordered Travannan to keep silence, and that
Travannan.replied, " I will keep silence, Mr, Latimore." Whereupon the
captain again caught him by the throat, choked him, and struck him with
his fist in the face. That Travannan made no resistance, but said, " O h !
don't hit me, Latimer—Oh! don't hit me, Mr. Latimer." T h a t at this
period, Lieutenant Chapman asked Captain Latimer if hu wished the man
confined in irons, and Captain Latimer answered, " Y e s / ' Immediately
after which, Travannan was confined in irons, gagged, and left under charge
of the orderly at the cabin door. That while Travannan was being so
confined, he made use of language to this effect: that " he was born under
• the flag;" and he said, " to hell with the flag and Captain Latimer, and I
am an Englishman." Which language was thereafter, by Captain Latimer's order, reported to him in writing by the corporal of the guard. And
that the fact of his damning the flag and declaring himself an Englishman
•was also reported in writing, under the same date of June 18th, to Captain Latimer, by the executive officer, Lieutenant Smith.
That subsequently, Travannan was brought up to the gangway, with
other men who were to be punished, on which occasion Captain Latimer
addressed him in language to the effect, that he might thank his God that
the cutlass had hung in the sheath, as he should, otherwise, certainly have
run hiin through, as he was the first damned rascal that had ever laid
hands upon him since he had been in the service. T h a t Captain Latimer
then cursed and abused him, and further expressed regret, not " t h a t he
was prevented from running him through the body by the scabbard adhering to the cutlass when he drew it from the r a c k , " but rather using the
term " regret" in connexion with such an expression as that he should
have felt regret had he run him through.
T h a t Travannan was not then punished with the other men, but remanded into confinement, Captain Latimer stating that he had not yet determined what to do with him. T h a t he was not thereafter brought to a
court-martial, or punished otherwise than by confinement, and i h a t he was
ultimately discharged while the ship was under way, leaving the port of
Trieste, on the morning of the 22d day of June, 1850.
In reference to all of which, although the court cannot excuse Captain
Latimer for his course in the occurrences between himself and James M*
Travannan, they entertain, as to a certain extent palliative, the opinion
that from the period at which Travannan first refused to obey the order to
go in between the guns, Captain Latimer acted under the influence of very
great excitement, then produced by Travannan's insubordinate conduct and
language, and naturally continued and increased by the progress of the circumstances ; and further, that the discharge of Travannan, on the 22d day
of June, was the result of the said previous occurrences on the 18th.
As Captain Latimer, however, in reporting this discharge under date of

121}

September 7th, 1850, to the commander-in-chief, stated that he had discharged Travannan because he had declared himself an Englishman, and
abused the flag of the United States, the court further remark:
That inasmuch as, at the time of uttering the language referred to, the
said Travannan was in a state of intoxication; as it does not appear that
Captain Latimer ever before, or at any time thereafter, previous to the
period of his discharge, received any other report that he had used such
language; and as his name appears on the " description list57 furnished
from the naval rendezvous in New York, as an American citizen and a
native of that place, there appears to be no foundation for the assumption
that James II. Travannan was not a citizen of the United States ; wherefore,
had Captain Latimer possessed any authority for discharging him upon such
a ground, the evidence in the case does not establish the fact of its existence.
That under the third specification of the third charge it appears in evidence, that Captain Latimer has exhibited an unwillingness to promote foreigners to petty offices; but that many foreigners have nevertheless been
promoted. That he has discharged men who had previously declared themselves, when in a state of intoxication, to be Englishmen. That a hostile
spirit has existed to a slight extent cn board of the ship under his command, between Americans and foreigners, and that men have said they
would declare themselves to be Englishmen, when next on liberty, for the
purpose of getting out of the ship.
The court arc of opinion, however, that as many foreigners have been
promoted to petty offices by Captain Latimer, the unwillingness which he
has exhibited has merely resulted from a preference for Americans of equal
qualifications, the exercise of which, confined within a reasonable limit,
cannot be considered exceptionable. That the spirit of hostility referred
to, as having existed, to a slight extent, on board of the Cumberland, cannot be considered as traceable to the said preferences of Captain Latimer ;
and further, and that although men, in a very limited number of instances,
(but two being upon record) have been discharged, who had previously
declared themselves, when in a slate of intoxication, to be Englishmen, and
others have subsequently been heard to say that they would, when next on
liberty, pursue a similar course, for the purpose of getting out of the ship,
inasmuch as the men referred to were of general bad character, and had
committed various offences, it cannot be inferred (admitting that those
remarks may have been the result of the previous discharges') that any inducement to such declaration was thereby held out. Nor do the court perceive that either the said preferences or discbarges can have, in any respect,
impaired the discipline and efficiency of the ship.
That under the fourth specification of the third charge, it appears m evidence:
First, in relation to the charge of " wilful falsehood," that Captain
Latimer, while the United States frigate Cumberland, under his command,
vras lying in the harbor of Trieste, gave the following order to the first
lieutenant, to w i t : " When we go to sea again, the ward-room officers must
dine at two o'clock," or words to that effect; and also, that he reiterated
the said order at sea, on the 24th day of June, 1850, at which date he issued,
a written order, directing that " the fire in that part of the galley m which
the cooking is done for the officers, must be extinguished at a quarter past

two o'clock, p. m . " That on June 25th, the caterer of the ward-room

[ 2 1 ]

12 I

mess addressed a letter to Captain Latimer, stating that the foregoing order had been received from the first lieutenant; that the change in the hour
at which the officers had before dined, was extremely inconvenient; that
they were satisfied there could be no economy of fuel from the enforcement
of the order, and requesting to be allowed the use of fires as before; that
on the same day, Captain Latimer addresseda communication to the caterer
of the mess, acknowledging the receipt of the said letter, and stating that
the order referred to was given with a view to a more economical expendi. ture of the fuel on board, and that he regretted to differ in opinion with the
caterer and mess as to the economy which would result from an observance
of the order; that on June 27th, Surgeon Barrington and Lieutenant Steedman, on behalf of the mess, called upon Captain Latimer, for the purpose
- of inducing him to permit them to dine again at their usual hour, upon
which occasion he denied having given the order to dine at two o'clock,
and, referring to his written order of June 24, stated to thcin that he had
given no order to change the ward-room dinner hour ; that after Surgeon
Barrington and Lieutenant Steedman had left the cabin, Captain Latimer
sent for Surgeon Barrington, and inquired more particularly the object of
Lieutenant Steedman and himscjfin calling, and again said that he had not
given such an order; and finally, that some hours thereafter he again sent
for Surgeon Barrington, and stated that since he had left him, he had conversed with Lieutenant Smith upon the subject, who had called to his
mind some circumstances which induced hint to believe that he had given
the order; and added, that he had sent for Surgeon Barrington to make
that statement, that he might not be suspected of prevarication. And,
Secondly, in relation to the general charge, of the non-fulfilment of statements and assurances made in relation to affairs immediately concerning the
comforts and interests of the officers:
T h a t Captain Latimer has, from time to time, made statements and assurances to officers on board of the United States frigate Cumberland, under
his command, in relation to affairs immediately concerning their comforts
ami interests ; and that he has subsequently failed to fulfil them, which has
with some impaired, and with others destroyed, their confidence in his
veracity. T h a t these statements and assurances appear to have been—
first, with reference to visiting certain ports, viz : Madeira, Cadiz, Malaga, Marseilles, Leghorn, and" C o r f u ; second, in relation to returning to
certain ports, v i z : Trieste and Ancona ; and, third, respecting an allowance of time promised to the officers for having their clothing washed, upon
the expiration of the quarantine at Gibraltar. In addition to which it may
be remarked, that it also appears in evidence that Captain Latimer stated
to First Lieutenant Smith that all orders should be passed through him,
which he testified had not been done altogether; that he had also given
orders to him, which he subsequently denied having given; and that he
had made statements to Boatswain Munro, one in relation to shipping fj
man as an ordinary seaman, which he thereafter denied having made; and
a n o t h e r a f e w days before the discharge of James H . T r a v a n n a n , that he
should discharge no more men; but as these cannot legitimately be considered as partaking of the personal character set forth in the specification,
the court decline their consideration.
Additionally—that it also appears in evidence, that Captain Latimer
solicited and received from the honorable Secretary of the Navy, before
leaving the United States, permission to touch at Madeira ; and that about

[ 21

]

twelve days after the departure of the Cumberland from Alexandria, he
informed the master that he should have to give up the idea of going back
to Trieste, assigning as the reasons for such conclusions, " the lateness of
the season, and adverse winds, and being short in some articles of provisions." That about the same time he informed the purser of this change of
purpose ; that the winds had been, and continued at that period to be, adverse, and that the ship was then distant from the entrance to the Adriatic
more than three hundred miles.
In view of all of which, the court are of opinion—first, that Captain
Latimer did give an order changing the ward-room dinner hour, and that
lie subsequently denied that he had given such an order; but inasmuch as
some days elapsed between the date at which the order was given and the
denial, as the attention of Captain Latimer during the conversation with
Surgeon Earrington and Lieutenant Steedman, in making the said denial,
may have been directed only to the written order, (wThich had been the subject of correspondence between himself and the wrard-room iness,) respecting the putting out of the fire, and the economy of fuel, and which but
changed the dinner hour in effect; and as he thereafter stated that a subsequent conversation with lieutenant Smith induced him to believe that he
had given the order, the court are unwilling, whatever other imputation /
may attach to the character of Captain Latimer, in the matter, to admit
that he was thereupon chargeable writh " wilful falsehood." And,
Secondly, the court are further of opinion, that inasmuch as the captain of a ship-of-war cannot be considered responsible to the officers
under his command, for the fulfilment of intentions expressed with reference to his visit, or return to, or his stay at certain ports, particularly
when not commanding singly, and cannot be expected to explain to them
circumstances which may operate to change his purposes, whatever the facts
may be, with which they cannot become acquainted, such changes of purpose, however they may tend to impair, cannot be considered as furnishr
ing good reason for the destruction of " all confidence in his veracity."
T h a t under the first specification of the fourth charge, it appears in evidence, that Captain Latimer did not cause the crew of the United States frigate Cumberland, under his command, to be exercised at the great guns, at
firing at a target, until the 24th day of June, 1850; and that the crew of saiil
ship were not drilled at loading and firing the muskets or carbines, with
either ball or blank cartridge, up to the 22d day of September, 1850, previous to which there was time and opportunity for so doing. That the men
were regularly exercised, however, in the use of both the great guns and
small-arms, without powder; and that when the target firing with the great
guns did take place, the whole amount of powder and shot allowed by
the regulation of the department for one year was expended.
Wherefore, it is the opinion of the court, that although Captain Latimer
should have directed some practice at firing the small-arms, his course
with reference to the target firing with the great guns was not exceptionable, inasmuch as the expenditure at one time of the whole yearly allowance of ammunition was calculated to be more beneficial than an occasional
practice, which would necessarily be, in each instance, to a very limited extent.
T h a t under .the second specification of the fourth charge, it appears in
evidence, that Captain Latimer has permitted the fall of the life-buoys of

the United States frigate Cumberland, under his command, to be obstructed

[ 2 1 ]

by the cabin ports, after the existence of the said obstruction had been reported to him, from time to time, by the first lieutenant; and further, that the
said life-buoys have never, by order of Captain Latimer, been let go.
The court, however, have, by experiment, satisfied themselves that the
obstruction referred to was but partial, and that the life-buoys would ultimately fall into the water. But as the fact that their fall was at least so
far obstructed was apparent, and was from time to time reported to Cajv
tain Latimer, and as it also appears in evidence that the extent of this obstruction wTas never examined into, by letting the buoys go, the court are
of opinion that Captain Latimer was not excusable" lor permitting the
position of the cabin ports to continue.
That under the third specification of the fourth charge, it appears in evidence, that at or about the period at which the United Stdtes frigate Cumberland left the bay of Naples for the Adriatic, (which, upon reference to the
log-book, the court have.ascertained was May 20, 1800*) the ratlines of the
ship were worn out and unsafe for the men, and that they were reported
by the first lieutenant to Captain Latimer; that they were thereafter, a second
time reported, when Captain Latimer directed that some of them should
be replaced. That subsequently, one man was seriously, and two or three
slightly injured, by the breaking of the ratlines, and that the first lieutenant then made a third report to the captain, and informed him that they
were " d a n g e r o u s ; " whereupon Captain Latimer directed that those which
were defective should be replaced; and further, that after the 24th of May,
and before the 1st of June, 1800, there was an expenditure of two hundred
and ten fathoms of ratline stuff.
Respecting which, the court are of opinion, that as, upon the second report of the condition of the ratlines, by the first lieutenant, Captain Lati,mer directed him to replace some of them; and as, upon the third report, and
; the report of the injury of the men, he directed that these which were defective should be replaced, it does not appear that Captain Latimer permitted the ratlines to remain in wear after they had been "frequently reported to him as unfit for use, and dangerous to the c r c w . "
That under the first specification of the fifth charge, it appears in evidence, that on the passage of the United States frigate Cumberland from
N e w York to Gibraltar, Captain Latimer caused to be drawn from the gundeck beams of the ship a large number, which has been stated to be between
two hundred and two hundred and fifty hammock-hooks; (berthing from
one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five men.) T h a t so many of the
crew were thereby required to sleep upon the berth or lower deck, as to
crowd them very uncomfortably. That in the opinion of the surgeon, the
health of the ship was thereby affected, of which opinion he made a report
to Captain Latimer. T h a t thereafter, a few days before the arrival of the
ship in the bay of Naples, a portion of the said hooks were replaced, but.
that the men were still very much crowded upon the berth deck, which fact
was also reported by the surgeon to Captain Latimer; and that thereafter,
a portion of the said hooks were replaced upon the gun deck from time to
timtf. I t does not appear, however, that the hooks upon the berth deck were
ever placed nearer together than is usual in other ships, or that the health
of the ship was at any time seriously endangered; but nevertheless, the
court are unable to find any reasonable cause for such a disposition of the
berths, or to reconcile it with that care for the health and comfort of the
crew which was, in their opinion, incumbent upon the commanding officer.

[21 J

T h a t under the second specification of the fifth charge it appears in evi-P
dence, that Captain Latimer has issued the following orders, to wit: "Order:
No person shall come up the starboard side of this ship, from a shore boat,
unless an officer in uniform, without permission of the captain or command- '
ing officer." " N o person will be allowed to come onboard the ship except 1
persons on official visits, the visitors of officers, or persons having business
with the officers, without permission of the commanding officer." " I f
males, or females, of respectable appearance, wish to come on board, the
officer of the deck will intorm the commanding officer." "The officer of
the deck will pass this order: Consuls coming alongside in shore boats,
and shore boats having colors flying, shall be permitted to come on the:
starboard side, by the officer of the deck.—Naples, May 1, 1850, United
States frigate Cumberland;"—and that the first of the said orders was considered oppressive and annoying.
In relation to which it is the opinion of the court, that although the first
order specified was of an unusual character, and may have been in its results
annoying, it could not with propriety be pronounced "oppressive;" and
further, that there appears to be no evidence that "Captain Latimer has issued,
from time to time, a greit number of oppressive and annoying orders entirely
unusual in the service."
T h a t under the third specification of the fifth charge, it appears in
evidence, that Captain Latimer ordered, under date of June 24, 1850, that
" the fire in that part of the galley in which the cooking is done for the"
officers must be extinguished at quarter past two o'clock p. m . ; " that
the ward-room mess were thereupon required to dine at two o'clock p. m.j
when it had been the custom, since the ship was put in commission, for that
mess to dine at three o'clock p. m . ; that they dined at two o'clock p. m.
for two days, and considered that the said order put them to great inconvenience and annoyance, and that Captain Latimer assigned that his motive
for giving the order was to economize fuel; and further, that it also appears
in evidence, that during the months of January and February, 1850, more
wood was expended for the use of the cabin daily, than was used daily,
during the same period, at the galley, for the purpose of cooking for the;
ward-room mess, then consisting of fourteen officers and their attendants;
and that at the time first specified, (June 24, 1850,) there was a supply of
fuel on board of the ship sufficient for an expenditure of four months, which
fact was then reported to Captain Latimer. Wherefore, the court are unable
to perceive that any necessity existed, under the circumstances, for the exercise of an economy which tended to conflict with the comforts of a large
number of the officers.
.
.
T h a t under the fourth specification of the fifth charge, it appears in evidence, that Captain Latimer has, during the time he has commanded the'
United States frigate Cumberland/after having had men flogged at the gangway, ordered that they should receive additional punishment, by having 1
their names placed upon the " black list," and by requiring them to work
the foul-air pumps, polish the bright work, and perform other duties during
the working hours of the ship, and that men have been thereby dispirited.
Respecting which, the court remark, that although it is a custom of the
service to make use of the " black list," as a mild means of correction, and
one generally approved, they cannot hut regard its application for the pur-;
pose of inflicting additional punishmentas an abuse of the practice, r and

[ 2 1 ]

16 I

naturally productive of such results as those to which some of the witnesses
have testified.
That under the fifth specification of the fifth charge, it appears in evidence,
that Captain Latimer, during the time he has commanded the United States
frigate Cumberland, has exhibited personal animosity towards some of the
crew, and that he has punished men severely for offences against himself,
and slightly for grave official offences.
From a careful consideration, however, of the instances upon w hich this
testimony has been based, the court are satisfied that the exhibition of such
animosity has been comparatively rare, and that the offences which are
represented ttf have been committed against himself cannot be considered a strictly personal; but that, on the other hand, grave official offences have been committed, the punishment for which was comparatively
slight.
That under the sixth specification of the filth charge, it appears in evidence, that Captain Latimer did, on the night of the 20th of September,
1849, punish with the colt as many as seventeen of the men who had been
hauling on the main brace ; and after having so punished them, inflicted
another punishment, by causing them to be kept on deck hauling on the
main brace until about half an hour after twelve o'clock, (midnight.) or
about half an hour after watch had expired.
It is not apparent, therefore, that the additional punishment referred to
was protracted to the extent alleged in the specification, nor that the men
were taken indiscriminately from the watch aft, neither that there was
any such result as the dissatisfaction of the better portion of the crew* .with
the service. But the court are nevertheless of the opinion that the said
punishment evinced a severity, for the exercise of which there appears to
have been, in the circumstances, no just cause.
That under the seventh specification of the fifth charge it appears in evidence, that Captain Latimer, during the time he has commanded the United
States frigate Cumberland, has from time to time used rude, uncourteous,
afid overbearing language to the officers under him, and also abusive and
violent language to the quartermasters; that he has from time to time
issued the following orders, to w i t : " An order in effect prohibiting friends
of the officers from coming up the starboard side, except from a ship's
boat, without his permission ; " " an order requiring the w a r d - r o o m mess
to dine at two o'clock; an order prohibiting the officers from wearing
overcoats, and sou'-westers, or wet-weather clothing, except in bad
weather; and an order for all officers to have a copy of his internal rules
and r e g u l a t i o n s a n d that the first of the said orders was considered by
the officers oppressive and annoying, and the second as putting them to
great inconvenience and annoyance.
^ In reference to which the court are of opinion—first, after a careful consideration of the several instances in which the language of Captain Latimer is stated to have been rude, uncourteous and overbearing to the
officers, and abusive and violent to the quartermasters, that to the officers
it was not so much the language itself, as the manner which accompanied
it, that was thus offensive/and that to the quartermasters it was uttered m
the course of reproof and reprimand, which the court are disposed to view
as circumstances in a certain degree extenuative; and secondly, as it does
not appear that ihe first order was issued with any special reference to the

[21]

friends of the officers, or that it had such reference save in its effect:
that the second order was continued in force for more than a day or two
after the remonstrance of the ward-roorta mess, or that there was any prohibition in relation to the use of wet-weather clothing, in bad weather,
the court are of opinion that none of the orders specified (in relation to
but two of which any exception seems to have been taken by the officers,)
were of a character which could define them to be " calculated for no
other purposes than to oppress and annoy."
For the evidence under .the first specification of the sixth charge,
the court refer to their report in reference to the second specification of
charge third ; that under the second specification of the sixth charge, it
appears in evidence, that Captain Latimer did, on or about the 4th day of.
September, 1850, abuse his cabin steward, Antonio Lambias, by damning
him, and calling him a son of a bitch,'and that he at the same time struck
i i m in the face with his fist: touching which, the court are unable to find
any circumstances in extenuation.
T h a t under the third specification of the sixth charge it appears in evidence, that Captain Latimer, during the time he has commanded^ the
United States frigate Cumberland, has from time to time issued his orders
to the officers of the watch from his quarter gallery windows, and that he
has been very particular that no etiquette should be overlooked in official
intercourse with himself.
It does not appear, however, that Captain Latimer has "rebuked his
officers for the most trivial breaches of etiquette," snd it is the opinion,
of the court that no exception can with propriety be taken in reference,
to the particular part of the ship from which a commanding officer may, s
from time to time, find it convenient to issue his orders.
T h a t under the fourth specification of the sixth charge, it appears in
evidence, that Captain Latimer did decline to treat with the United States
consul residing at the port of Trieste, in the matter of making arrangements
for the visit of the Arch Duke John of Austria to the frigate Cumberland,,
although informed by the said consul that he had received notice by authority from the said Arch Duke, of his wish to make the visit.
' . -, _
Respecting which, it is the opinion 9f the court, although it does not appear that the said consul was thereby degraded in the opinion of the [
people to whom he was accredited, that Captain Latimer failed to extend
to him that courtesy which, under the circumstances, it was the privilege
of the consul to claim, and his duty to accord. -.
?
T h a t under the fifth specification of the sixth charge, it appears in^
evidence, that while the United States frigate Cumberland was lying in
the harbor of Trieste, a slight collision took place between the gig of Captain Latimer and a boat which had been sent to the shore to bring off the^
United States consul residing there, and some ladies, to visit the ship. The 4
court are of opinion, however, that the said collision was accidental, and
that there is no evidence that Captain Latimer did thereby insult the said
consul, or that his manner u p o n t h e occasion was either haughty or over1
bearing.
.- ;
' "" ( V
* "
..
•.
*.•
T h a t under the a d d i t i o n a l ' specification, relating to the visit of the
United States frigate Cumberland to Alexandria, Egypt; it appears m
evidence, that Captain Latimer did^ while in command of the United States
frigate
Cumberland, d u r i n g the early part of August, 1 8 5 0 , remain with

her a t t h e port of Alexandria, in Egypt, from the seventh to the twelfth
http://fraser.stlouisfed.org/
Ex.—
2 Louis
•
Federal Reserve Bank
of St.

18
of that month. That he had been officially informed, on his arrival there*
that the cholera was prevalent at Alexandria, and was advised by the surgeon not to communicate with the shore. That the ship was watered by
his order from a reservoir at the quarantine ground. That while there, one
man of the watering party died of cholera. That there was, on the arrival
of the ship at Alexandria, nearly thirty-four thousand gallons of water on
board, and that she had been partially watered, a few weeks previously, at
Beyrout.
Further, that the kedging or warping of the Cumberland out of the said
port of Alexandria would have been " a t t e n d e d with a good deal of difficulty and some danger," and that the ship was taken out on the twelfth
day of August by a steamer ; and additionally, from documentary evidence,,
that the said date was the earliest period at "which it was practicable to obtain such aid for facilitating her departure.
The court are therefore of opinion, that Captain Latimer is excusable for
remaining at the port of Alexandria from the seventh to the twelfth of
August; but, inasmuch as it appears that a large quantity of water wfas on
board of the ship at the period of her arrival there, and as it was practicable to fill the tanks at sea with salt water, if deemed indispensable, (a
practice not unusual in the service in long passages,) the court, although
willing to believe it an error of judgment, cannot consider Captain Latimer
excusable in neglecting the advice of the surgeon upon a subject so directly
connected with the health of the ship under his command ; and
T h a t under the concluding paragraph of the report of Lieutenant Flagg,
although it appears in the testimony of some of the witnesses that Captain
Latimer has, to a very limited extent, expended Government property for
his personal use, and frequently had the mechanics of the ship employed
for his private purposes, and that the ship has thereby suffered in appear- ,
ance, the court, from a careful examination into the particulars of these
statements, are satisfied that both the expenditures and employment referred
to have been appropriated to matters belonging to the ship, and that there
has been no result affecting injuriously her appearance; and, further,
T h a t although the First Lieutenant has testified that he was prohibited
by Captain Latimer from expending articles fiom the store-room after thfr
departure of the Cumberland from Messina, they are nevertheless of the
opinion that such prohibition was clearly within the discretion of the commanding officer.
Before passing from the consideration of this report, however, the court
would not feel that they had discharged their whole duty, were they to
Omit to notice a certain acrimony which pervades the entire document, by
no means .harmonizing with the expression of regret recorded at the commencement, in view of the necessity of its preparation ; and, in the exercise
of which, the writer has indulged in much severit) of style, and so closely
interwoven his own inferences with the various allegations, that in many
cases it is extremely difficult to separate the one from the other.
They remark, further, a deficiency of candor in several points, apparent
in the statement made in the first specification of the first c h a r g e , that
" Captain Latimer has, from time to time, between the 18th of July, 18*
and the 22d day of September, 1350, been in the habitof illegally punishing a portion of the crew of this ship with an instrument known as ihtcolh
in violation of law, v i z : James R . Watson (boy) with ninety lashes, J o t o
Hamilton (captain ot the maintop) twelve l a s h e s / ' &c. T h e first impress

•19

[ 2 1 ]

sion made by which, (from the construction of the sentence) would naturally be, that James R . W a t s o n (boy) had received one punishment of
J
ninety lashes.
^
In the first specification of the third charge, where it is stated that " C a p tain Latimer, while lyingin the harbor of Messina, on or about the 25th
day of January, 1850, after having flogged a number of men, caused the
catsy or instrument of punishment, to be hung up publicly at the mainmast,"
&c., while the facts that the instrument of punishment referred to was in a
hag, and invisible, are omitted;
And also, in the seventh specification of the fifth charge, where one of
• the orders issued by Captain Latimer is stated to have been " an order prohibiting the officers from wearing overcoats and sou'-westers, or wetweather clothing, except when he chose to consider it bad weather," which
appears, from the testimony of the officers, to have been merely an order prohibiting the use of wet-weather clothing when the weather was not bad ;
T h e court further observe, that a majority of the gravest allegations contained in the report are in relation to matters which occurred prior to the arrival of the Cumberland in the bay of Naples, in the spring of 1850, at which
period she remained in the presence of the flag-ship for about two months ;
and as they were of so public a character that all must have been perfectly
familiar with the facts in relation to them, it would seem that a conviction
of duty might then have made them subjects of representation to the commander-in-chief, particularly as at that period the order of Captain Latimer in relation to " shore-boats," which was felt to be personally oppressive and annoying to the officers, was referred to Commodore Morgan in a
complaint, to which one of the signatures was that of the author of this
report.
T h a t all of these offences, beginning at a date but a short time subsesequent to that at,which the Cumberland left New York, and extending
through a period of nine months, before she left the bay of Naples for the
Adriatic, should have remained unnoticed, and yet unforgotten, until the
catalogue was increased by the occurrences of the last cruise, cannot, it is
true, affect the responsibility of Captain Latimer; but is, nevertheless, very
intimately connected with that of his accuser.
With reference to the complaints alleged against Captain Latimer in the
t w o despatches addressed by Consul Maxwell to the honorable Secretary
of State of the United States, the court proceed to report:
First, that most of the statements contained in the copy of the affidavit
made by James H . Travannan are established by the testimony of the
officers given in relation to the second specification of the third charge of
Lieutenant Flagg's report, to which, with their opinion thereon, to avoid
repetition, they would here refer I
With the additional remarks, that it also appeared in evidence that the
sum of sixty-three dollars (being the amount due the said J a m e s H . - T r a vannan at the time of his discharge) was paid to him at the time that he
; vras put ashore ; and further, that there is no evidence either that the United
* States consul at Trieste was consulted by Captain Latimer with reference
; to the discharge of Travannan, or that any funds were placed in the hands
of the consul for his benefit.
„ J
„ .'
^ '
Second, that in relation to the various complaints of the consul fouching
the general course and conduct of (Captain Latimer, it appears— '
DigitizedTfor
h aFRASER
t every official courtesy which could be reasonably expected from

[ 20 ]

him, was extended to the authorities at Trieste; that upon the arrival of
the frigate Cumberland at that port, the Austrian flag and the flag of the
Austrian admiral were both saluted, and that the governor and the admiral
visited the ship, and were received with the salutes and attentions to which
they were respectively entitled:
That the llnited States consul also visited the ship, and was received
• with the usual consular salute:
* That there is no evidence of any want of civility on the part of Captain Latimer, in his general intercourse with the consul, or that he ,had
been in the habit of treating other consuls of the United States, or strangers, or persons in official positions, with discourtesy, or that there was
anything peculiar or extraordinary in his general conduct, calculated to
prevent the good impressions and effects which it was desirable should
result from the visit of the frigate Cumberland.
Third, that, in relation to the matters of complaint concerning the contemplated visit of his Imperial Highness, the Arch Duke John of Austria,
to the United States frigate Cumberland, it appears from Captain Latimer's
admission:
T h a t he received notice, through our consul at Trieste, " t h a t the Arch
Duke John was desirous of visiting the Cumberland
" T h a t such notice had been communicated to the consul by Count
Karoli," and that " h e , Captain Latimer, did state to the consul that he
wished that Count Karoli would address him in writing, on the subject,
and he would reply to i t a n d further, from documentary and other evi' dence,
That on Monday, June 17, 1850, Count Karoli addressed a communication to Captain Latimer, stating that he had been commanded by his Imperial Highness, the Arch Dulte John of Austria, to acquaint Captain
Latimer that the Arch Duke wished to visit his frigate, and begging that
Captain Latimer would have the kindness to let him know when it would
be most convenient to him to receive his Imperial Highness on board:
That Captain Latimer, under the same date, (Monday, June 17th,) in
reply, expressed his regret that he was not informed earlier of the wish of
his Imperial Highness, and stated that he would sail on Thursday morning,
(June 20,) and would receive his Highness on board of the Cumberland
on Wednesday, (June 19th,) at 12 o'clock, noon:
T h a t preparations were accordingly made on board of the ship, for the
said reception:
T h a t under date of Tuesday, June 18th, Count Karoli addressed a second
communication to Captain Latimer, stating that his Imperial Highness, the
Arch Duke John, would visit the Cumberland with great pleasure, but,
being unable to come on board at the hour named, had commanded him to
request Captain Latimer to postpone receiving him until one o'clock, or to
fix upon any hour after one that would be most convenient to h i m :
^ T h a t under date of Wednesday, June 19th, (the day appointed for the
visit,) Captain Latimer -wrote to Count Karoli, in reply, stating that it
would be equally convenient to him to receive his Imperial Highness, the
Arch Duke John, at one o'clock; and further, expressing his regret that
the state of the weather was so unfavorable, and a hope that it would
moderate, so as not to interfere with the v i a t :
T h a t under the same date, (Wednesday, J u n e 19th,) Count Karoli wrote
to Captain Latimer, informing him that if the weather should inoderate,

2 1

[ 2 1 ]

5
S h e f v S w ? 5 ! ^ l6n8 C3
' t ht ht eA rwceha t h?eur k seh oJ ou h n > w o u l ( l most certainly visit
nn i T l
I*
f®
"
a d ^ t of his visit taking
place that day he would not fail to take the Arch Duke's orders for making
t h e (la fol
hoL
, - rS r day -' J u n e
y 'owing, and expressing thf
hope that Captam Latimer would not put to sea as soon as he intended:
l h a t under date of Friday, June 2 l s t , at three o'clock p. m., Captain
Latimer addressed another communication to Count Karoli, expressing regret that he had not the pleasure of seeing his Imperial Highness, the Arch
JJukeJohn, on board of the Cumberland on that day, at oneo'clock, and staung tha t he was compelled,from the extent of his cruising instructions, to leave
on the following morning, (Saturday, June 22d,) having already been detained several days beyond the time appointed for his departure, by bad
weather, and which he apprehended would prevent the visit of his Highness on that day, but that he contemplated returning to Trieste in the
Cumberland, when it would afford him great pleasure to receive his Sighness, the Arch Duke John, on board: and,
T h a t , under the same date, (Friday, June 21st,) Count Karoli wrote to
Vaptain Latimer in reply, that he had just left his Imperial Highness, the'
Arch Duke John, who had ordered him to express his regrets that the bad
state of the weather had prevented him from visiting the Cumberland;
• but that he wished Captain Latimer to be informed, that if the weather
should be more favorable, he would feel great pleasure in visiting her at ten
o dock on (Saturday, June 22d) the day following. To which Count
•Karoli added, that as Captain Latimer intended sailing early the next morning, the Arch Duke would not be able to make the visit for the present;
but that he thought himself allowed to say, that his Imperial Highness
would do so with very great pleasure upon the return of the frigate to
Trieste:
That on Wednesday, June 19th, (the day appointed for the visit) it was
blowing fresh gales from the eastward, with occasional rain; that on
Thursday, June 20th, the weather was of a similar character; that on
Friday, June 21st, the weather was variable and unsettled; and that on
Saturday, June 22d, the Cumberland sailed at daylight.
There is no evidence, however, that Captain Latimer made any public
statement upon his arrival at Trieste, as to the time at which he expected
to leave. But the court find the special instructions which were given by
the commander-in-chief to Captain Latiiner, under date of May 17,1850,
'with reference to his cruise in the Adriatic, to contain the following order:
" Upon the fulfilment of the object of your cruise in the Adriatic, should
the tranquillity of the countries bordering thereon continue undisturbed, you
will sail about the last of June, or the first of July, for Beyrout, and Jappa,
in Syria, and as far south as Alexandria, in E g y p t . "
* *
I t is therefore apparent, that the necessity for the departure of the Cumberland on the 22d day of June, alleged by Captain Latimer in his note to
Count Karoli, under date of the 21st, did not exist; and it is the
opinion of the court* that the said departure of the ship evinced, under the
circumstances, a want of courtesy with reference to his Imperial Highness,
the Arch Duke John of Austria, for which there was no excuse. And,
- further, (as the court have already stated, in their opinion under the fourth
specification of the sixth charge of the report of Lieutenant Flagg,) '

that Captain
Latimer, in declining to receive the request of the Arch Duke,

22
through the United States consul at Trieste, failed in courtesy, likewise,
to the said consul; and that he cannot be considered therefor the less
culpable, because, in the opinion of the consul, his position and influence
were not thereby affected. And,
Fourth, that respecting the complaint in relation to the departure
of the frigate Cumberland from Ancona, it appears in evidence, that
Captain Latimer arrived at that port on the second day of June, eighteen
hundred and fifty, at about ten o'clock a. m., and sailed at four o'clock
a. m. on the following day : that the vessel lay in an open roadstead, and
that the weather, which upon her arrival was pleasant, changed during
the night. It further appears in evidence, in relation to this matter,
that a few stores had been purchased for the ward-room mess, which
did not reach the ship; and that some loss was consequently incurred by the contractor, which was subsequently reimbursed.
The
court are of opinion, however, that the character of the weather rendered it prudent for Captain Latimer to put to sea ; and as it appears th.it
the Roman flag was saluted upon his arrival, and there is no evidence that
he then made any statement as to the length of his stay, or that he received
any official notice from the governor of a desire to visit the vessel, that
there was nothing exceptionable in the matter of Captain Latimer's departure from Ancona.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
W.

JAMESSON,

Captain j and President of the Court.
Attest:
.. F&ANCIS D E H A E S

JANVIER,

Judge
APRIL

Advocite*

1851.

G E N E R A L ORDER.
N A V Y DEPARTMENT,

July h 1851.'
> The head of the department has examined the record and report of the
court of inquiry held by order of Commodore Charles W . Morgan, com, manding the United States squadron in the Mediterranean, on certain
charges and specifications of charges preferred against Captain William K.
Latimer, commanding the frigate Cumberland, of the said squadron, by
Lieutenant H e n r y C. Flagg, of the same ship ; and also on certain allegations contained in two official despatches addressed to the Department of
State, by Henry D . Maxwell e3q., consul of the United States at the port
of Trieste, touching the official conduct of Captain Latimer, in certain particulars therein mentioned ; together with the report and opinion of said
court, on the aforesaid several charges, specifications and allegations;
and concurs generally in the inferences and opinions expressed by the
said court, except in the following particulars, and with the following res
marks, n a m e l y :
On charge I, specification 2.
. The department agree3 with the court, that the discharge of the seaman
Travannan was against law; but under the circumstances of tho ease, toe
,Digitized
alternatives
being between a summary discharge and the confinement of a
for FRASER
f

23
drunken insubordinate man during the ship's cruise, until she should rejoin
the squadron, when only he could be brought to trial before a court-martial
for an offence which must have brought upon him exemplary, punishmenthe being paid, before his discharge, all his wages then due—the course purl
sued was not oppressive to him, and is regarded as pardonable.
Charge III, specification 2.
Nor docs the department, in any view of the conduct of Captain Latimer,
as presented by the evidence, on the occasion of the altercation with Travannan, deem it of a nature to. be visited with punishment. A seaman,
drunk or sober, who goes to the quarters of the first officer of the ship,
without provocation, uttering curses and threats of personal violence against
that officer, and, in further defiance of authority, refuses to go away when
ordered, places himself in such a state of insubordination, that the efforts
of the officer to rid himself of the nuisance, or to assert his rightful authority, will not be nicely measured, with a view to censure; but he will, in
-such case, be held amenable only for excess of force, on his part savoring
of revenge and cruelty.
. Charge IV, specification 3.
The conduct of Captain Latimfer respecting the ratlines did not amount
to gross and culpable negligence, in the exercise of discretionary authority,
for which only he is liable to punishment.
Charge V, specification 1.
The arrangement of the hammock-hooks on the berth and gun-decks,
was within his discretionary authority ; and so long as they were not
placed closer together than usual, and did not affect the health of the crew,
he was the proper judge of the number to be placed on each deck; he
being responsible, on the one hand, for the preparedness of the guns for
action in any emergency, as well as for proper arrangements for the health
and comfort of the crew on the other.
^
Specification 3* The time of dining, whether an hour sooner or later,
he had a right to regulate, and the complaint on this point is not of sufficient importance to occupy the attention of a court of any kind.
Specifications 4 and 6. After punishing to the full extent of the law, in
one form, it is not lawful to punish the same offence in another. But partial punishment in two forms is allowable, and it is only in the instances
where this rule was violated that the conduct embraced in these charges
was criminal.
Specification 7. The order herein complained of was not only lawful,
but in the opinion of the department judicious, if the commanding officer had
a proper pride for the order and appearance of his ship.
The complainant seems to have mistaken indulgence in this particular for a right.
Charge VI, specification 4.
The department does not concur in the opinion of the court that Captain
Latimer was guilty of disrespect to the consul at Trieste, or to the Arch
Duke John of Austria. After salutes had been exchanged between the
ship and the military posts on shore, and relations of intercourse had been
established between the military officers of the two countries, it was no
longer necessary that the consul should intervene, as the bearer of the
wishes of the Arch Duke John, who was a high military officer, to visit the
frigate Cumberland.
Although such messages .may be, and often are
transmitted
through the consul at the port where the request is made, even

24 I

[ 2 1 ]

after the preliminaries above stated, it is perhaps moro proper, where it can
be conveniently done, that such a communication from a military officer of
high rank should be transmitted, through one of his subordinates, directly
to the commander of the vessel. I t was, therefore, no discourtesy to the
consul, on the part of Captain Latimer, to say to him, when he made the
application, that he preferred that the Count Karoli, the military officer
who had made known the Arch Duke's desire to the consul, should address
him (Captain Latimer) on the subject. That neither the Count nor the
Arch Duke esteemed this course objectionable, there is the most irrefragable
evidence in the fact that the Count forthwith opened a correspondence
with Captain Latimer, which was conducted in the politest manner on
both sides; by means of which three several occasions were appointed for
the visit of the Arch Duke to the ship, on -all of which he was frustrated
by the unfavorable state of the weather. And although a fourth day was
proposed in a note from the Count, which Captain Latimer excused himself
from assenting to, on the^ground that it was necessary that he should proceed on his cruise, the whole affair terminated in mutual expressions of
respect and kindness, and of an expectation that the Cumberland would, at
no distant day, revisit Trieste, and be favored with a visit from his Imperial
Highness the Arch Duke.
Nor does the department concur in the opinion, that the departure of
Captain Latimer from Trieste on the 22d of June. 1850, was " w i t h o u t
excuse," or that the reason assigned for it to the Count Karoli, to w i t : tltat
his cruising instructions rendered it necessary, was uncaiidid or disreputable. His instructions required him to leave the Adriatic "about" the
last of June or first of July, allowing a large margin for his own discretion.

*?Y

• *

1 *

•

Necessities admit of comparison, and may be more or less imperative.
His own interpretation of his instructions, in other words his discretion—
" the countries bordering on the Adriatic continuing undisturbed/*—was
to determine in what part of the latter end of June, or first of July, it was
necessary to depart.
Additional specification, r e j e c t i n g the detention of the ship at Alexandria, and sending men On shore for water during the prevalence of the
cholera:
The captain of the ship is to judge of the propriety of having intercourse
with the shore, availing himself of all proper sources to enlighten his judgment. But after all, he must decide. If he erred in this instance, (of
which the department is not satisfied,) it was an error of judgment merely.
For his failure to record the punishments inflicted by his order, as stated
in the report of the 6ourt ? in contravention of the standing order of the
department; for his illegal order not to record certain punishments ; for
his punishing the boy Watson in p r i v a t e : for striking and abusing Ilia
cabin steward, and otlier abuses of his authority in punishing the men of
the ship, Captain William K . Latimer receives the censure of the depart-!
rnent, and, as a mark of its displeasure, is detached from the command of
the frigate Cumberland, and placed on furlough for the term of twelve
months.
*
The department would be disposed to view his conduct, in the particulars
just mentioned, with more severity, but for the fact, which is perfectly
evident from the minute and multifarious nature of the charges and specifixations
preferred against him, and the frivolous n a t u r e of many of them,

[ 2 1 •]

as well as tho delay to make report of the matters complained against him
on the first opportunity after their occurrence, that the authfcr of these
charges, Lieutenant Henry C. Flagg, in concert with other persons on
board the said frigate Cumberland, unconsciously to Captain Latimer, subjected his deportment, as the commander of the said vessel, to the most
rigid scrutiny, with a view to censure; and that the court, by an obvious
mistake on a question of law, denied him the opportunity of showing the
nature and extent of the combination against him, in refusing him his right
to require each of these witnesses to state what, if any thing, had passed
between him and the prosecutor, or any other witness, in the preparation
or prosecution of the charges. The question was asked of Purser Bryan,
and overruled. Such an examination is one of the most common and competent modes of testing the credibility of witnesses, by showing bias from
feeling or interest, and exposing as parties those who claim to be witnesses
merely. The denial of it to him was manifestly erroneous, and may have
been highly prejudicial to him.
Lieutenant Flagg appearing before the department as the sole author of
the charges and specifications, must be considered as solely responsible for
them. Some of them are so palpably untrue, that the most careless inquiry
would have satisfied any one of the fact. Others pertain to matters so
trivial, when tested by the evidence, as to come within the useful maxim of
tho common law, non curat de minimis.< Others, again, when stripped of
the coloring given to them in the specifications, and seen iir their true light,
appear to be quite venial. Yet they are all arrayed as accusations so grave
a3 to be unsuited to the jurisdiction of the commander of the squadron, but
are sent home for the cognizance of the department. The consequence
has been, that the cruising for which a squadron is kept in the Mediterranean has been interrupted,, for the space of more than two months, to constitute a court for the investigation of these charges, in a foreign port, to
the detriment of the American commerce in the Mediterranean, and to the
discredit and scandal of the naval service, abroad as well as at home.
F o r trifling with the department, in thus gravely preferring accusations
of the description last above mentioned, Lieutenant Henry 0 . Flagg receives its censure; and, as a further token of its displeasure, will be detached
from the frigate Cumberland, and placed on furlough for the term of twelve
months.
The department cannot close these remark * without stating its impression,
derived from the charges and specifications aforesaid, and the evidence adduced before the court, that several of the officers of the Cumberland, besides
Lieutenant Flagg, seem to have regarded their cruise in the Mediterranean
rather in the light of a voyage of personal gratification and convenience,
than a military expeditionfor the protection of the commerce and interests
of their country, and that their being thwarted in this expectation has
occasioned much of the unhappy controversy which has arisen on board
that vessel.
*
The Cumberland is therefore withdrawn from the Mediterranean squadron. H e r officers will be detached, and .the crew discharged.
W I L L . A. GRAHAM,
Secretary of the Navy.

32»] CONGRESS,

[SENATE.]

lsi Session.

Ex. Doc.
No. 22.

REPORT
*;F

THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY,
COMKCNrUATlKG

A ittdcmcnt of the .Murine Hospital Fund, for the year ending June

30,1851.

JANUARY 2 7 , 1 8 5 2 .
Ordered to lie on the table, and t>e printed.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,

January 26, 1852.
Sm: I have the honor to transmit herewith, a statement of the Marine
Hospital Fund for the fiscal year ending 30th June, 1851.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
THO. CORWIN,
Secretary of the Treasury.
H o n . W . R . KING,

President pro tempore of the Senate*

[ 2 2 ]

Recapitulation

States.

by States of the receipts and classification

expenditures

iC
9
C

••a
J£
-3

E
«s
U1
Maine
New Hampshire
Vermont
Massachusetts
Rhode Island..
Connecticut
New York
New J e r s e y . . . . . . . . .
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
District of Columbia..
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida.............
Alabama
Mississippi
Louisiana
Texas
Tennessee
Kentucky
Ohio . . .
Michigan
Illinois
Missouri
Wisconsin
California
Oregon
Total

455
67

480

3
1,020

Sol
158
217
1,607
12
40G

72
185
227
1,770
12
447

19.*
13
254

238

2-12

268

v450
407
276
516
1,115

53
141

13
274
528
440

282
527

18,080 08

141 00
7,023 84

5 00

4,410
322
2,136
2,853
6,501
3,245
3,803
6,871

01
30
82
64
81
63J
93
01

1,252
56

10,404 42

171
294

• 1,380 00

118
120
323

128

284

230

8, GOO

9,390

$5,018 02
634 15
30 20
13,554 18
2,203 14
2,003 CO

135
322

535 21*
4,377
500
646
2,385
71
27,744

06
15
76
42
00
76

136,013 22£

$1,505 63
142 00 I

6 00 !

1,270
470
278
1,468
07
430
1
10

20 i
20
00 I
0010
84
40
00

1,161
1*361
117
1,087
528
750

85
65
25
16
69
00

1,545 00
* 217 25

$151 60
71 50

$27 35
"40*66

221 05
20 14
1 85
23 10

""4*66
5 00
4072

0 50
152
430
58
560
61
413

20
00
61
34.
00
04

11 00
28
71
09
25

CO
00
75
00

1,061 3 2 ! 11*00
125 06 \t

323 65
246 40
240 80

180 00
13,445 53

23 60 I 48 55 j
4,531 73

411 37

N . SAKGKNT, UfgUur*

[ 2 2 ]

of the marine hospital fund for the fiscal year ending June SO, 1851.
te
£

• o

tal mor
lected

.-5
c

33
C

o
$2 80
41 00

M l 12

8 70

Ti OK

=-t

$100 12
9 22
37
351 82
31 34
23 04
272 54
2 42
115 85

6
45
3
G17
40
09
51
71
210

00
35
76
34
09
24 i
04
74

223 31
8 96
48
8
8
25

10
12
92
00
71
287 38

$160 00
6 00
6
36
24
192

00
00
00
00

o/
6
4
117

181 00 I 40 i
65
12
33
54
62
122
59
90

00
00
00
00
00
50
00
00

204 00
18 00
102
6
6
114

00
00
00
00

735 00

568 87 2,632 441 2,287 50

T H R A S U R T DEPAWTMKNT,

14
»»
8
8
14
31

11
22

$6,938 17
931 22
36 66
16,358 15
2,962 63
2,332 73
20,038 GO
245 37
9,226 47
6 46
4,545 51
337 05
4,121 42
4,778 97
6.879 76
5;175 63
4,610 25
8,336 69

34
904 48
1,380
4.850
'820
901
2,524
71
21 S 29,025
447

00
81
67
98
42
71
19

160 790 67

$6,872 02
192 59
204 33
14,800 04
1,108 97
2,629 63
32,316 37
3.834 97
7;380 42
868 34
5,679 84
209 01
4,143 71
1,853 50
1.279 39
'964 55
1,529 26
2,258 72
1,235 49 No return of expenditures.
8,365 57
390 41
229 40 No return of expenditures.
1,719 60
5,105 41
1,455 15
776 75
2,268 77
206 67
20,700 17
148 67 N o return of expenditures.
139,727

Raster** Qffift* January

Remarks.

24, 1852.

32d

Is/

Ex. Doc.
No. 23.

[SENATE.]

CONGRESS,

Session.

R E P O R T
OP T a l i

S E C R E T A R Y

THE

INTERIOR,

COMMUNICATING,

In compliance with a resolution of the Senate, information in relation to
the plan adopted in preparing the census returns.

JANUARY 2 9 , 1 8 5 2 .
Ordered to lie on the table, and be printed.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,

Washington, January 28,1852.
SIR: In obedience to a resolution of the Senate of the 21st instant,
directing " t h a t the Secretary of the Interior be requested to furnish the
Senate with an estimate of the number of pages which the c e n s u s returns
will contain, if the same shall be completed on t h e p l a n now pursued by t n e
Census Bureau," and "also, what part of the same will be composed ot
statistical tables, and what part of other matter, and whether .herei are any
tables accompanying the same, not designated^}- law," 1 have the honor
to enclose, herewith, a copy of the report of the superintendent of the
seventh census, to whom the resolution was referred.
I am, sir, with much respect, your obedient - v a n t , ^
^
^
Hon.

WM. R.

KING,

President of the Senate.

January 2 6 , 1 S 5 2 .
I have the honor to acknowledge vour letter, conveying a resolutbn of
the Senate of the United States of the 21st January, 18o2 n t h e f o l o ^ n g
words, v i z : " T h a t the Secretary of the Interior be r e q u e s t e d t t h e
Senate with an estimate of the number of pages which the census re urns
will contain, if the same shall be completed on the plan now P ™ d by he
Census Bureau. Also, what part of the same will be composedofstatistical tables, and what part of other matter and whether there are any
tables accompanying the same, not designated by law.
,
.
I have the honor ° o state, with reference to the
firstproposUior.thait
s
is impossible to determine in advance, with accuracy, the
)
pace
which tabular manuscripts will occupy when thrown
J
F
™
If the
statistical matter authorized by the act 9 f Congress to be collected!

to be arranged as the returns bf the last census were classified, it is believed

CENSUS OFFICE,

[21] 2 3 I
it would comprise at least eight folio volumes of two thousand pages cach^
It is confidently believed, however, that all the statistical information
obtained will be included in one folio volume, of less than one thousand
pages, or within the limits of one volume of the American Archives, " o n
the plan now pursued by the Census Bureau," for the compilation of the
entire work.
If the plan proposed in the work I have prepared to report to you for the
examination of Congress, and which is carried out for the State of Maryland
alone, and deemed worthy of imitation for our entire country, should be
adopted, the work will be extended proportionately, as the quantity of
what might be deemed extrinsic matter in that volume shall be found to
compare with the purely statistical portion—say, within the dimensions of
two volumes, of one-quarter less size than those of the Archives.
Each
volume, however, to be perfect in itself, (unless Congress should recommcnd
otherwise,) and no delay occur in the preparation ot the statistical volume.
As the law has " d e s i g n a t e d " no tables for publication, it follows, as a
matter of course, that not one of the statistical tables in the work is "design a t e d " by law. The only tables designated in the law are those prepared
under the direction of the census board, to print which, with their contents,
would occupy more than one million of pages.
To condense facts and arrange them for use in properly combined groups,
requires much experience, and the exercise of great discrimination. To
prescribe, in advance, particular rules, would be attended with difficulty;
for, unless considerable discretion is granted, there is great danger of unnecessarily enlarging, or injuriously limiting, the publications. A single written line will sometimes express more than if the facts were thrown into a
page of tabular matter; whereas, under other circumstances, a tabular page
will express more than if the substance were stated in a volume.
The statistical matter contemplated in the act of Congress need not necessarily be all tabular m a t t e r ; and where tables of figures can advantageously be interspersed or expressed with statistical details, in an equally
simple, but more agreeable and popular form, such as is now generally
adopted in Europe, it seems to me advisable to pursue such an arrangement.
It is to be presumed, however, that Congress will most carefully analyze
the Maryland work, which will be printed during the present week, and be
able readily to determine how far the model therein presented shall be followed for the general work.
The arrangement of the tables seems most perfect and condensed ; and it
is for Congress to judge how far the commentary harmonizes with the
tables, and how far the one may be ahidged without injuring the value of
the other.
I have the honor to be. sir. vour obedient servant,
J O S . C. G. K E N N E D Y ,
Superintendent of the Seventh Census.

32:1 CONGRESS,

[SENATE.]

1st Session.

Ex. Doc.
No. 24.

REPORT
OP

THE

S E C R E T A R Y
M

WAR,

RELATION TO

The claims of the Territory of Iowa, for the expenses of a portion of the
militia of thit Territory called into service during the autumn of1839.

JANUARY 2 1 , 1 8 5 2 .
Refe rrc.l to the Committee on Military Affairs, and ordered to be printed.

W A R DEPARTMENT,

February 10,1841.
SIR : In compliance with the resolution of the House of. Representatives,
annexed to a report of the Committee on Military Affairs, dated the 25th,
flay of May, 1840, directing the Secretary of War to receive and cause to"
he examined the muster-rolls, and other evidences of the claims of the
Territory of Iowa, for the expenses of a portion of the militia of said Territory called into service during the autumn of 1839, and to report the same
to Congress, I have the honor to transmit herewith, the reports o; the
Paymaster General, Adjutant General, Commissary General of Subsistence,
and .the Quartermaster General, together with the documents they refer to.
I think it my duty to express the hope that the irregularities in the muster of the militia of Wisconsin and Iowa, noticed in the report of the Adjutant General, will not be sanctioned by Congress. The governors of these
Territories were informed that the appointments of brigadier generals would
not be authorized until their militia was organized, in order to ascertain
what number of brigadiers were required for their command, and those of
major generals were not known in the Territories of the United States.* The
expediency of such a decision is rendered apparent; for, upon the first call
made for the militia, two major generals, two brigadier generals, and nine
general staff officers, are brought into the field to command eleven hundred
6
men.
This force ought, in the opinion of the department, to be organized in
conformity with the laws of the United States, and be paid accordinglvJ. R. POINSETT,
Secretary of War*
Hon. R. M.

HUNTER,

Speaker of the House of

Representatives.

[ 2 1 ]

2I
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington^ January 2 5 , 1 8 4 1 .

SIR : Pursuant to your instructions endorsed on the resolution of the
House of Representatives, of May 23, 1840, relative to the mustering of
certain militia of the Territory of Iowa, said to have been called out in
the autumn of 1839, orders and instructions were despatched on the 22d of
June (see enclosure marked A) to Brevet Brig. Gen. Brooke, commanding at Fort Crawford, to detail an experienced officer from his command,
with instructions to muster the militia referred to in the report and resolution of the 23d of May above mentioned, and to wait on the governor of
the Territory for his authority and aid in executing the duty with which
he was charged.
The report of the officer assigned to this duty (Lieut. I). Ruggles, 5th infantry,) dated the 30th December, 1840, with the muster-rolls ot the militia
mustered by him, and the claims for the expenses of this militia force, were
received the 23d inst., and are herewith respectfully submitted.
According to the rolls, three skeleton divisions of militia were mustered, consisting of 4 general officers, 9 general staff officers, 40 fieldofficers, 83 company officers, and only 1,100 non-commissioned officers,
musicians and privates, the number of companies being 32. I t will be
seen, therefore, that the rank and file does not much exceed the organization of a single regiment.
These troops were called out, it appears, in 1839, (not by the authority
of the United States,) and under the then existing law, if mustered into
the service of the United States, they must take the organization of the
regular army, in conformity with the Sth section of the act entitled " A n
act giving to the President of the United States additional powers for the
defence of the United States, in certain cases, against invasion, and for
other purposes," approved March 3, 1839.
T h e instructions to Gen. Brooke, H copy of which, it appears, was furnished to Lieut. Ruggles, specially direct that the mustering of these
troops (with a view to payment by the United States) must be executed
agreeably to the act of 1839, which instructions were not regarded; but, on
tbe contrary, the officer has, as he states, mustered the militia according to
the territorial law of Wisconsin of January 17, 1838, and that of Iowa
of January 4, 1839. Had the muster been made according to the law of
the United States which was in force at the time, this militia force could
not have exceeded thirteen companies, and would have furnished an organization of one regiment, and a small battalion.
Two major generals, two brigadier generals, and nine general staff officers, are reported on the return forwarded by Lieut. Ruggles; but the records of this office do not show that any description of general officers have
been appointed by the President of the United States, for the Territory of
Iowa, with whom, it is believed, the power ot making such militia appointments in the Territorv rests. T h e record of all appointments made
* hy the President has been kept in this office.
I respectfully refer you to the 7th section of the act entitled " An act
establishing the Territorial Government of Wisconsin," approved the 20th
April, 1836, and the 7th section of the act entitled " An act to divide the
Territory of Wisconsin, and to establish the Territorial Government ot
I o wfor
a , "FRASER
approved June 1 2 , 1 8 3 8 , which excludes the a p p o i n t m e n t of officers
Digitized
o f the staff by the governor and Legislative Council.

[20

]

In 1838, Governor Dodge recommended the commissioning of one major
general and two brigadier generals for the militia of the Territory of
Wisconsin ; but the President did not concur, probably for the reasons set
forth in my report to you of June 19, 1838; and that the grade of major
general had never been made in the Territorial militia.
I know of no application having been received for the appointment of
general officers for the Territory of I o w a ; and the records show that the
annual returns of the militia required to be furnished for Congress by the
act of March 2, 1803, have never been received from Iowa, while the
archives of the War Department furnish no evidence now of the organization of a single regiment or company, except the rolls just forwarded by
Lieut. Ruggles.
Respectfully submitted:
R. JONES,
Adjutant General.
T h e Hon. J. R.

POINSETT,

Secretary

War.

CONGRESS,

[SENATE.]

ls£ Session.

Ex. D o C .
No. 25.

R E P O R T
OP

THE

S E C R E T A R Y

WAR,

WITH

Jin abstract of the returns of the militia of the United States, and of their
arms, accoutrements, and ammunition•

FEBRUARY 3 , 1 8 5 2 .
Referred to the Committee on the Militia, and ordered to be printed.

WAR

DEPARTMENT,

Washington, February 2, 1852.
SIR: In compliance with an act more effectually to provide for the
national defence, by establishing a uniform militia throughout the United
States, approved March 2, 1803, I have the honor to lay before Congress
a report of the Adjutant General, with an "abstract of the returns of the
militia of all the States and Territories, with their arms, accoutrements,
and ammunition," taken from the latest returns received by this department.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. M. CONRAD,
Secretary of War.
Hon.

WM.

KING,

President of the Senate.

ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,

Washington, January 31, 1852.
S i r : I respectfully submit herewith the annual general return of the
militia of the United'States, and of arms, accoutrements, and ammunition,
in duplicate, for the year 1851, required to be laid before Congress the first
Monday in February, by the act of March 2,1803, " to provide for the
national defence, by establishing a uniform militia."
T h e general return is compiled from the several returns of the latest date
received at the Adjutant General's office.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. JONES,
Adjutant General.
H o n . C . M . CONRAD,

Secretary of War.

Abstract

of the general annual return of the militia of the United States, by States and Territories
Marchy 1803, for the year 1851.

a ho
o'C

Hhode Iflland
Connecticut.
New York
New Jersey

rcnnsytauilft

Jan.

j
!
I
!
!
'

Jan.
Dec.
Dec.
Jan.

.
.

Delaware
Maryland
Virginia *
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia.
Florida
Alabama..

Louisiana.

Mississippi

1813
1851
1851
1851
18110
1817
j
1827
1838
1
1851
| 1815
1848
1839
1845
1851
1847
1838

l)cc.

Nov.
Jan.
Oct.
Feb.
Feb.
Feb.

Oct.
Nov.
Jan.
Juno

££

3
a

0
1
3
3
1
1
8
1
17
1

18
8
B
9

6
3

io *
O

1 :.
41 i.
10

32
13
39
o»*

r>9 •
49
174

1
05
393

15,' ih.VV

31, 1851
13, 184ft
3, 1819
15, 1810
10,1815
4, 1851
21,1848
6,1838

27
19

50
185 .
95
46 '

22,
30,
1,
2,
211,

1851
1851
1852
1829
1817

9i
5 [
12 !

10 !

E
£

28 .
2

1. IBM

§ *

JS
Sr.

1, 1852
22,1851
21, 1851

a
c*
B

*S
to

Vermont

States and Territories.

! 1851 July
: 1851 Nov.

o o
©*

i 1851

ISrAUTRY.

RETUKHS.

Maine
New Hampshire
Massachusetts

according to the act of

10 .

96;
13 \

100
47 |
66 1

93
210

2f>

200
58

112

4
892
59
201
7
13
578
137
1,638
*480
1,301
812
117
987
104

GOO
444

65
1,348
379
885
49
252
6,217
1,681
6,378
371
1,915
5,823
4,080

2,116

3,036
528
2,749
1,262

810

IB
(i0,378
27,751
117,628
19,269
13,988
19,839
233,684
31,983
248,734
7,861
40,037
109,818
72,863
47,371
53,390
10,349
72,600
39,572

il
o
tr*
60,433
29,099
118,007
20,154
11,037
50,091
239,901
33,661
255,112
8,232
41,952
115,611
76,943
49,487
56,426
10,877
75,349
40,834
810

Tennessee
Kentucky....;
Ohio..,.
Michigan
Indiana..
Illinois f
Wisconsin... . r
lowaf
Missouri.
Arkansas
Texas
California J
Minnesota Territory
Oregon Territory J
Territory of Utah
Territory of New Mexico J.
District of Columbia . . . . . .

1840
1861
1816
1851

13,1841
24, 1861
26, 1846
31,1851
4, 1833
20, 1851
13, 1840

4 f
14
23

1851
1848

Feb.
Dec.
Jan.
Dec.
Jan.
Dec.
Feb.

1844
1843
1847

Jan.
Jan.
Nov.

1851
1851

was

0
6
3

22
29
70
21
22
24
6

152
143
7
48
70
100
25

286
10
3
168
266

1,109
101
620
734 !
1,064 |!
496

3,607
4,673
707
2,659
2,673
4,618
1,794

67,646
74,680
153,416
69,298
46,159
165,741
30,312

71.252
79.253
164,123
61,857
48,732
170,369
32,106

7,1845
16, 1844
22, 1847

16
o
0

30
8
10

100
45
40

200
90
92

960 •
250 !
812 !

3,819
1,097
1,244

55,181
15,922
18,452

69,000
17,019
19,696

Aug.

16, 1851

1,996

2,003

Oct.*

ao/isii

619

677

622

1,724

14,209

66,780

1,917,434

2,014,214

1832 Nov.'

Grand aggregate.

Riflemen included in the infantry.

107

i '

2,666

t Separate arms of service not reported.

CO
t N o returns.

ABSTRACT—Continued. "C"!
RETURNS.

CAVALRY.

oo
o ~
States and Territories.

£>>

£a

*
o
fr*

Maine
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Vermont.
Rhode Island
Connecticut.

Now York

New Jersey
Pennsylvania

Delaware

Maryland
Virginia •

North Carolina
South C a r o l i n a . . . . . . . .
Georgia
Florida
Alabama
Louisiana
Mississippi

1851
1851
1851
1843
1851
1851
1851
1829
1817
1827
1838
1851
1845
IH18
1839
1845
1851
1847
1838

3
£
j Jan.
i Jnlv
. Nov.
| Jan.
; Dec.
t Dec.
I Jan.
. Dee.
t Nov.
J
; Jan.
i Oct.
[ Feb.
I Feb.
Feb.
Oct.
Nor.
Jan.
f Jnne

•e
J3
C.
o
b
JS

15, 1830
31, 1851
13, 1840
3, 1849
15, 1840
10, 1845
4,1851
24,1848
6,1838

.
.
.
!.
i.

.
.

oCt ~(X
vj 2
a

V
is

O
a
£

ST;

1, 1852
22, 1851
21, 1851
1,184-1 .
22, 1851 L
30, 1851 j.
1, 1852 L
2, 1820 i .
26, 1817 !.

Cj
B

'5b
£

.a
a

45 I

...L
41

"4*
li
10
38

3©

1*
O
fc

5
28
470 1
137
351
32
328
435
63
200
50
40
80
18
15

267
146
515
86
211
6,357
1,617
4,039
231
2,266

t;
;

:
!
j

6,010 i

748 I
2,656 f
830 l
600 ;
1,120 ;
511 i

267
156
500
91
239
6,833
1,754
4,300
266
2,501
6,375
811
2,955
886
540

1,200

629
15

Tennessee
Kentucky. . „ . . , . „ .
Ohio . . . . . .
Michigan......

........
.,,....„„.....

Indiana
Ulinoisf

..... . . .

Wisconsin.....
lowaf
......
Missonri
..........
Arkansas
Texas
..
California j . . , , .
Minnesota T e r r i t o r y . . . . . . . . . . .
Oregon Territory } . . . ' .
Territory of Utah
........
Territory of New Mexico J . . . . . . ,
District of C o l u m b i a . . . . . .

1840
1851
1845
1851
1832
1851
1818
1843
1847

Feb.
Dcc.
Jan.
Dcc.
Jan.
Dec.
Feb.
Jan.
Nov.

1851* Aug.

1832 ~ Nov.

Grand aggregate.

* Riflemen included in the infantry.

13,
26,
31,
4,
29,
13,

1816
1851 «
1833 |
1851 •
1819 i,

3 t

11
86

41
441
68
100

814
4,386
697
1,681

3,420
49
66

1,500

80
9
4

107

1,149

1,266

611

3,277

88,422

41,G99

15, 1811 f.
22, 1847

858
4,827
755
1,787

68
70

"16, 'iesi'i

20, 1833
19

t Separate arms of service not reported.

J N o returns.

ABSTRACT—Continued. "C"!

Maine
New Hampshire

Massachusetts
Vermont
Rhode I si ami
Connecticut
Now York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
Maryland
Virginia *
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Florida
Alabama
Louisiana

Mississippi

Tennessee
Kentucky

Ohio
Michigan

......

Indiana.
Illinois f

Wisconsin......
Iowa J
Missouri
Arkansas .
Texas

1840
1851
1815
1851
1832
1851
1848

Feb.
Dec.
Jan.
Dec.
Jan.
Dcc,
Feb.

13,1841
24, 1851
26, 1840
31, 1851
4, 1833
29, 1851
13,1849

1844
1843
1847

Jan.
Jan.
Nov.

7,1845
16, 1814
22,1847

1851
J
I 1851
*
' 1832

Aug.

16,1851

Oct*/

"so/iesi 1

Nov*

20,' 1833

327
13 f
38 1
11

62
121
44
60

975
1,946
650
620

1,027
2,067
694
680

480

600

'is'

34,001

36,149

...

California!

Minnesota Territory. „..
Oregon Territoryt..
Territory of Utah
Territory of New Mexico \
District of Columbia
Grand aggregate.

f
* Riflemen included in the infantry.

f Separate arms of service not reported.

322

2,148

J N o returns.

ABSTRACT—Continued. "C"!
cm
RIFLEMEN.

States ond Territories,

o
Maine.

•»

N e w Hampshire

Massachusetts.....
Vermont..,
R h o d e Island
Connecticut

New York....
N e w Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware,
Maryland.....

Virginia*
North Carolina.....
S o u t h Carolina

Georgia
Florida
Alabama
Louisiana

Mississippi..

1851
1851
1851

Jan.
July

1843

Jan.
Dec.
Dec.
Jan.
Dec,
Nov.

1851
1851
1851

) 1820
1817
1827

1838
1851
1845
1848
1839
1845
1851
1817
1838

Nov.

Jan.
Oct.
Feb
Feb.
Feb.
Oct.
Nov.
Jan.
Jnne

1, 1852
22, 1851
24, 1851
.
1, 1841 (.
2 2 , 1 8 5 1
.
3 0 , 1 8 5 1
.
1, 1852
2, 1829
20, 18-17
.........L
1 5 . 1 8 3 9 !.
3 1 , 1 8 5 1 ! .
1 3 , 1 8 4 6
.
3, 1849 <.
1 5 . 1 8 4 0 U
10, 1845
4 , 1 8 5 1
2 4 , 1 8 4 8
0, 1838
.

JS
sn

J8
aS3

ts
'A

on
o
ts
>

IU
la"
tn

a
a

o
'A

O
2 3

81
105

198

31
2 5

100

1,082

22H
2 , 3 1 5
170
5 9 5
5,182
I
1,828 1
1 3 , 0 3 1 !
513
6 7 8

170
5 0 9
4 , 9 5 0
1,717
1 2 , 4 3 7
511
628

232
81 i
591
32 l

50 !
f.
iii

1 , 4 7 8

2,210

86*!

o
£-»

1 , 3 9 7
1,082
210

&
<tu

1,570
1 ,600

4 0

600 |

"1^025*

"iicw"
"

1,700
610
1 , 7 1 2

6 2 , 6 3 3
3 2 , 1 5 1
1 1 9 , 6 9 0
2 3 , 9 1 5
1 4 , 4 4 3
6 1 , 6 4 9
2 6 5 , 2 9 3
39,171
2 7 6 , 0 7 0
9 , 2 2 9
4 0 , 8 6 $
1 2 5 , 1 2 8
7 9 , 4 4 8
6 5 , 2 0 9
5 7 , 3 1 2
12,122
7 6 , 6 6 2
4 3 , 8 2 3
3 6 , 0 8 4

Tennessee

1040
1861
1845
1861
1832
1851
1848

Kentucky
Ohio....
Michigan
Indiana..
Illinois^..
Wisconsin
•IOWA! . . .

ftJMissoiiti.
* Arkansas
1 Texas . . .

Feb.
Dec.
Jan.
Dec.
Jan.
Dec.
Feb.

13,
24,
26,
31,
4,
29,
13,

1841 |
1861 j
1846 !
1851 j
1833
1851 1
1849 !

9
15

213
18

1844* Jan. " v ; m V
1848 Jan.
15, 1844
1847 Nov. 00 1847

iSpCalifomiat
Minnesota Territory
Oregon Territory}.
Territory of Utah.
Territory of New Mexico!
District of Columbia.

"3*

1851* Aug. "id, \m

mi'

Oct. "SO,' i 851 *

1832* Nov!

26; 1833

• Riflemen included in the infantry.

23
•

095

Separate arms of service not reported.

Adjutant Gtneral's O^ice, Washington^ January

81,

666
14,656
900
2,692

;

702
15,438 •
972 [
2,714

00 I
*i

im[[\

2,G97

629*

677

32*

"bq

60,718

71,252
81,840
176,465
64,178
68,913
170,359
32,203

"H',000
17,137
19,776

"2,668

"I!!1

Grand aggregate.

W ^ K DEPARTMENT,

36
782
72
122

63,415 j

* 2>676
1,249
2,180,736

t No returns,

1852.

R. JONES, Adjutant General United States
A r?ny.

Abstract

of the annual

returns of armst accoutrements,

and ammunition

of the militia of the United States, for the year 1851.

ORDNANCE.

Brass.

Iron.

State* and Territories.

*S
3
©

o f i * H
6
•to
20

Maine.
New Hampshire...

Massachusetts
Vermont
Rhode Ishtmt
Connecticut......
New Y o r k . . . . . . . .
New Jersey

Pennsylvania , t ..«
Delaware..
'Maryland*
,
Virginia . .
North Carolina....
Smith Carolina*...

1
40
10

=!
o

S
•»

C* ! l

103

.....

O
13

tl2

H
o

1
6

21
23
35

21
I

Georgia
Florida*..
Alabama
Louisiana*
Mississippi*
Tennessee
Kentucky

3
21

X
o
~

: B
OJ
•a

3 r.

3(i
6

139

Ml..

Ohio
Michigan..,

14
23

Indiana
Illinois*
Wisconsin....

Iowa*
..
Missouri................
Arkansas.
Texas*
California* . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Minnesota Territory*
Oregon Territory*
Territory of Utah
Territory of New Mexico*
District of Columbia
Aggregate

2 I 12

337

152

10 j 58

N o returns of arms, &c., from these States and Territories

r—»
Vx
U-J

A B S T R A C T — C o n t i n u e d . "C"!
K)
Ox
OKDXAKCE STORES.

T5
*
States Md Territories.

Maine
New Hampshire.
Massachusetts.,.
Vermont.
Bhodo Island
Connecticut
N e w York . . . . . .
New Jersey
Pennsylvania,..,
Delaware.
Maryland*
Virginia
North Carolina.
South Carolina*.
Georgia.
Florida* A
Alabama
Louisiana*
Mississippi*....
Tennessee . . . . .
Kentucky,

2
TS

a
CO

M
•3

o
bo
2
§

c.
•9
a

ft
H

248 ; 172 !
50 i
56
37 f
65 1
13
13
20 1
10 :
43 ,
57
29
182
83

a
o
a
a
*
o

M
O

462
m
m
6
47
41
158
59

125
49
79 1
14 i
21 ;
78 ,
321 I
22

o
a*
35
82
35
20
15

15
20

32
62
62
7
10
16
537

3
O

•3
C
o
&4

5
M
a

j:
SJ

I
a

E-1

15,246

40
7,367
10,002

21
21

r
30 i
9 .

679 !

18 i

Obio m*,*
Michigan .
Indiana. • *
Illinois**
Wisconsin.
Iowa?
Missouri *.
Arkansas.
Texas* ^
California*
Minnesota Territory
Oregon Territory* .
Territory of U t a h . .
Territory of New Mexico
District of Columbia
Aggregate.

80
46

820
f

69
23

437

679

1,205

51 |
46 !
10

868

3 \

32
2#

227

305

71 | 807

32,655

N o returns of arms, &c., from these States and Territories.

r—I
lO
U-J

ABSTRACT—Continued. "C"!
crt

Stttoa «id Territories.

3
1
W
10,888

Maine....*........ . . . . . . .
New Hampshire,....
Massachusetts
Vermont.. •
.......
Bhodoldifldtt . . . . . . . . . . . .
Connecticut
—.*
J?cwJersey
. ~ *. •
PennsylTanla • . . . .
Delaware.....
.... **
Maryland*
Virginia
Korth Carolina.
Sooth Carolina**......
Georgia.
.......<

.......

Iiouiftana*..,.......
Mississippi*.........
Tennessee..........
Kentucky. . . . . .

9,826
4,500

f
* »...«..I

,9,653

1
r ,10,801

-i i 2 , 0 7 *

3,998
33,010

1,000

827
11,371
2,932
12,423

1,297
3,100

6,403.
6,<M5

2,104
3,700

429
2,151

240

2 JO

211

4,600

017
6,702
40,629
12,980
17,739

.00,395
9,902

00,319 I
0,892 j

818

240

1,764
4,050
2,790
8,794

2,804
2,391
6,401
9,138

9,407

9,882
017
6,702
40,059
2,932
16,185

. 840

Ot
W

072

13,200
384

2,887
4,248
8,972

601

655

12,271
6,803
.*...*•«
.16,889
745
8,300
61,900

200

8,421

8,081
214
•171

19,854

2,348
3,780
247,878

1*488
2,788
. 704
0,832
79
744

6,217
10,072

20,000

30,000
9.822
4,760

1,022
4,766

* 1*091
\4,750*

1,712
4,750

1,900

6,000
2,221

|35

118,905
2,077

Ohio . . . . .
Michigan .
Indiana
Illinois*...
"Wisconsin.

r,,8.'>i
2,011)
577

Missouri. *.
Arkansas .
Tc xasr

Iowa* .

6,462 i
oia I
232

4,467
1,715 |
m

167

965

965*

114

144

3,882
1,414
15

6£2

2S0

1,054

30,260
10,000

4,010
290
8,200

5,025
500

California*-......
Minnesota Territory*-.
Oregon Territory •
Territory of U t a h . . . .
Territory of New Me>
District of Columbia.
Aggregate.:.

237,503 j 182,037 j

144
96,939 j

f No returns of arms, &c., frtm these States and Territories..

66
65,595

30,655
I Kegs.

143,609

274,130

744

t Fusees included.

98,746

ABSTRACT—Continued. "C"!
s^CO

fi
£

States and Territories.

-3

%©
Maine...........
Hew Hampshire*.
Massachusetts*.;.
Vermont •• *...«.
Rhode Island.. . .
ConnectlcnV;...,
Hew York* * i * « . • « * ' « *
HewJersey
Pennsylvania..
Delaware.*. .v.
Maryland*.,..
Virginia..
North Carolina.
South Carolina*
Gjeorgia^
Florida**.
Louisiana
MissUsippi'.v...
Tennessee......
DigitizedKentucky
for FRASER

*3
0
14>

•s
§

2,600
1,768

•3

P
g
Hi

04
1,616
• • *801
•. *«

1
o
•Q

a
2
•e

CsO
1,012
1,186
64

1,596

802,060
*

' 117

2,618

2,201
497

607

•a

91,800

7,884

932
771
75
1,916
».«...<
2,839
1,319
374

1
b
71

OT
1,197
932
771
136
1,910

••

• .

• • • i

1,786 j.

0,058

1208
237

2, W0

1,700
2,600

*950

960

1*731
788

O*
60
2,607

2,389
12,428

"*ioo
14,716
1,727

1,268

1,783
783

4,460

Ohio
Michigan.
I ml i una..
Illinois*
Wisconsin.
Iowa*.....
Missouri
Arkansas .
fctfTexas*
* California*
| Minnesota Territory*
^Oregon Territory*
Territory of Utah
Territory of New Mexico*.
District of Columbia
Aggregate.

1,-181
200
6,500

3,561
-100

1,381
290

2,719
.j

48,000 j

2,698 f
40 I
780

1,200

8,561

2,275
838
780

510

222
60

60 !

891

18
36,381

12,794

497

7,384

* N o returns of arms, &c.,frora these States and Territories.

454,027

1,650

20,658

f Flasks.

32,967

7,984

I—i
Ol
W-al

"C"!

States ami Territories.

Maine . . . . . . .
New Hampshire
Massachusetts

..........

6
' IO
l-S

RhodeIriand..!....,.......,;..............

O.
C

830
210
820 . i'. ... . A *
447
169

.>...»...*...*

» *
1

8,039
1,268
8,877

. . . . i t % • 41

ao
iS

I
O

i
:

015

2,291
1,808
6,156
164

vifjSoi&i*»».*«»..»•* * . . . * . . « * * « * . . » . « . * . • •
Worth Carolina

709*
1,703
2,751 . . * « * « . . *. . . * « • * . . . .

I<y
61

«
• 104,
21
•887
861-

30
482
44

2
41
119
849
500

1
6
80
61
•71

f
*

. . . . . . . . « • . . . . . . . . . . at.**...*

•

..... .*.'•}
*. • •*»•••. *
.........

...... .*».*•«»....»«
........

1,008
1,428

E
84
470
74

8
*tb
Ptt

a
pH

........««!«..%*.....

BotHbCarolSna* * . » . . v . * « « i . » • » . » . * • • • • «

14
236
2,410

New York
N0wJcrwyt>»y*»«.: . . . . . . . » • • ..«»».. . . . . . . . .
Pennsylvania #>:*>. vv.

3
v
a*
B
i
Colors.

Horsemen's pistols.

ABSTRACT—Continued.

82
840
*«...»«..«
98

82*
760
89

ttUiHiU

I
I

62
....« » . • i •

.... . . ... .

100

466 j
47 [

279 [
43 i

Ohio . . . .
. Michigan.
Indiana
Illinois* • .
Wisconsin
Iowa* . . .
Missouri.
Arkansas
Texas*...
California*
1
Minnesota Territory
Oregon Territory*
Territory of Utah
Territory of N e w Mexico
District of Columbia . .

8,692
657
350

250

142

'466'

*20

• . . . a

288

*890*:

51 !

4,064

3,411

Aggregate.

25,923

1,703

17,655

213

830

* N o returnsof arms, &c., from these States and Territories.

NOTE.—This return of arms, &c., is taken from the returns corresponding in date with those which famish the strength of the militia.
WAB DEPARTMENT, Adjutant

General's Offices Washington,

January 31, 1852.
K. J O N E S , Adjutant

General United States

Army.

R E P O R T

T H E S E C R E T A R Y "OF T H E I N T E R I O R ,
COMMUNICATING
A copy of the instructions given to the commissioners appointed under
the act to ascertain and settle the private land claims'in California.

FEBRUARY 3 , 1 8 5 2 .
Read, referred to tlic Committee on Public Lands, and ordered to be printed.

DEPARTMENT o r THE INTERIOR,

Washington, January 31, 1852.
SIR : In obedience to Ihe resolution of the Senate of the 26th instant, I
have the" honor to communicate, herewith, a copy of the instructions given
by the department to the commissioners appointed pursuant to the act of
Congress approved 3d of March, 1851, entitled "An act to ascertain and settle the private land claims in the State of California," and also a copy of the
instructions which have been transmitted to the surveyor general of California in connexion with the subject.
I am, sir, with great respect, vour obedient servant,
"ALEX H. H . STUART, Secretary.
H o n . WILLIAM R . KING,

Senate of the United States.

GENERAL LAND OFFICE,

January 30, 1852.
SIR : Pursuant to the resolution of the Senate, adopted on the 26th inst.,
and referred by you to this-oflice, I have the honor to transmit herewith a
copy of the instructions, bearing date September I I , 1851, from the department to the commissioners who have been appointed pursuant to the,
act of Congress, approved 3d March, 1801, entitled "An act to ascertain and
settle the private land chums in the State, of California," and also,a copy
of the instructions which have been transmitted to the surveyor, general of
California in connexion with the subject.
W i t h great respect, your obedient servant,
J . B U T T E R F I E L D , Commissioner*
H p n . A . I t . I L STUART,

Secretary of the Interior•

[26]

2
GI-M:RAL L A N D

OHICK,

September 11, 1&31.
GEOTLEMEN : You have been appointed commissioners to discharge the
important and responsible duties prescribed by the act of Congress, approved'
3d March, 1851, entitled " An act to ascertain and .settle the private land
claims in the State of California," which authorizes the continuance of the
commission for three years from the date of the law, unle.vs sooner terminated by the President of the United States. The act charges you with
the appointment of " a secretary skilled in the Spanish and English languages," to " act as interpreter, and to keep a record of the proceedings
of the board in a bound book, to be filed m the office of the Secretary
of the Interior on the termination of the commission," and pro* ides for the
employment by you, not to exceed five, of such a number of clerks
" as may be necessary." I t further authorizes the appointment by the
President (which will be duly made) of a law agent skilled in both the languages mentioned, " whose special duty it shall be to sujK-rintend the interests of the United States in the premises." This law has made ample
provision for the accomplishment of the great object of the government,
which is to ascertain, settle, and recognise all bona fide valid titles derived
from the former sovereignties of the country* and to detect, and forever put
to rest, all fabricated, fraudulent, or simulated grants. The growth and
prosperity of California materially depends upon a speedy and just settlement of the claims to lands within her limits, and the separation of all
private property from the public domain, so that the public lands in that
State may be disposed of as Congress may hereafter direct, without danger
of conflict in title, or inteference with the rights of individuals.
You are, therefore, directed to proceed at once to San Francisco, in
California.
Immediately upon your arrival, you will hold your first session at thai
place, agreeably to the orders of the President, giving due and public notice
of the fact as required by law.
You will give timely advice to the department of such other places as
you would recommend that your subsequent sessions shoujd be held.
The eighth section of the said act of JSd March, 18*11, declares as
follows:
" T h a t each and every person claiming lands in California by virtue of
any right or title derived from the Spanish or Mexican government, shall
present the same to the said commissioners when sitting as a board, together
with such documentary evidence and testimony of witnesses as the said
claimant relies upon in support of such claims ; and it shall be the duty of
the commissioners, when the rase is ready for hearing, to proceed promptly
to examine the same upon such evidence, and upon the evidence produced
in behalf of the United States, and to decide upon the validity of the said
claim ; and within thirty days after such decision is rendered, to certify the
same, with the reasons on which it is founded, to the district attorney of
the United States in and for the district in which such decision shall be
rendered."
This, in connexion with the fourteenth section, which relates to property .
tinder corporate grants, shows the classes of titles in which the claimants
have authority for bringing their claims before the commissioners for adjudication; and in which, after obtaining a decision, both the claimants and
the United States have a right, on petition, to have such decision rci icwed

[20

]

b
/ i h e T V n . i t e f 0 S t a t e s c o u r t ^ w i t h a right of appeal to the Supreme Court
of the United States.
T h e eleventh section of the act points to the data which shall control in
the adjudications, by direction as follows :
" T h a t the commissioners herein provided for, and the district and
supreme courts, in deciding on the validity of any claim brought before
them under the provisions of this act, shall be governed by the treaty of
Guadalupe, Hidalgo, the law of nations, the laws, usages, and customs of
the government from which'the claim is derived, the principles of equity,
and the decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States, so far as they
J
are applicable/'
The treaty of Guadalupe 'Hidalgo, concluded at that city on the 2d of
February, 184S, the ratifications of which were exchanged on the 30th of
May, 184S, expressly stipulates, in the eighth and ninth articles, for the
security and protection of the property of individuals, and in this respect
not only employs, in substance, the language that is used in the .treaty of
1803, by which the former province of Louisiana was ceded to the United
States by the French republic, but conforms to the universally acknowledged
principles of the law of nations, which interdict interference to the prejudice of private property upon a change of sovereignty. By the act of
Congress, approved 26th May, 1824, (United States Statutes at Large,
volume 4, page 52, chapter 173,) entitled " An act enabling the claimants
to lands within the limits of the State of Missouri and Territory of Arkansas to institute proceedings to try the, validity of their claims," the
courts were opened for the adjudication of any title of a certain class in
Missouri and Arkansas, which was claimed to be " protected or secured"
by the treaty of 1803 with the French republic, " and which might have
been perfected into a complete title under and in conformity to the
laws, usages, and customs of the government under which the same originated, had not the sovereignty of the country been transferred to. the
United States." This act of 1824, with certain modifications, was extended to Florida by the act of Congress, approved 23d May, 1828, entitled " An act supplementary to the several acts providing for the settlement
and confirmation of private land claims in Florida." (United States Statues
at Large, vol. 4, page 284, chap. 70.)
Numerous cases on appeal under these laws, and other cases on writ of
error, in which actions in the courts below had been instituted in the nature of ejectments, have been brought before the Supreme Court of the United States, where the rights of property under inchoate titles derived from
the Spanish authorities have been examined, the principles of the laws of
nations and the principles of equity under our own legislation have been
asserted, expounded and applied to the species of property in question, and
the whole subject most elaborately and ably discussed by that high tribunal. the most of the decisions of which, in land causes, will be found in Peters's
and Howard's Reports of the Decisions of the Supreme Court of the United
States. Besides the treaty of 1848 with Mexico, as found in the ninth volume of the Unitckl States Statutes at Large, the law of nations and the
principles of equity as contained in works of authority, from which your own
judgment will enable you to make a proper selection, and the aforesaid Decisions of the Supreme Court, in Peters's and Howard's Reports, in which
the principles of public law* and of equity are developed, the aforesaid 11th
section of the act of 3d March, 1851, requires that in adjudicating, you

[ 20

]

shall be governed cf by the Jaws, usages, and t customs of the government
from which the claim is derived." There are claims in California derived
from the authorities of Old Spain as well as from Mexico, and it will therefore be necessary for you to refer to, and consult the laws of Spain, the
royal ordinances, the decides and regulations, which may be found in
^White's New RecopiUcion, in two volumes, relative to the disposal of the
royal domain, in o r d e r t o f o r m a j u s t idea of the policy and general principles which obtained ami controlled in her land system.. 1 reler you also to
the report, elated March i , 1849, of the Secretary of State for the Territory
of California:
, - ,
,
. .
1 . " On the laws and regulations governing grants or sales, of public
Jands in California," not only during the government of Old Spain, but subsequently during the continuance of the Mexican power, and up to the period when the United States succeeded to the sovereignty.
2 . " Qn the laws and regulations respecting the lands and other property
iielonging to the Missions of California." ,, ; ^ -J? S i O n the titles of land in California whicli may be required for fortify
cations, arsenals, or other, military structures, for the use of the general
government of the United States."
.„ •
This report, with the accompanying appendix, I to 33, is printed in Executiye. document No. 1?, House ofj Representatives, first session thirty-first
Congress,pages 119 to 182, inclusive., 4
;
F
4
. You are requested to obtain, for the, use of the " commission," authentic
/copies, in the original, of the laws,.regulations
which are referred to
in said ^report ; also, a copy of the work therein mentioned, entitled ^,, Or^(linanzas'de.Tierras y aguas," by f£ Marianas Galuan, edition of I S 14;"
^ w i t b s u c h other official, documents or papers as may have a material and
/useful bearing upon the matters which afe to engage your attention in the
J^ duiies' dcvqlyed ; iipon .you by.law—all of which, and, such other books as2
you may require, you' \vill have properly hound and labelled,,with the name
of the "Commission" and as th
property of the United, States*"
)
^ You will find in Senate report committer No. 70, first session thirtieth
Congress, testimony taken before a Committee of the Senate, touching
illegally; made and without the usual^fomalitics, to
which 1 would invite your eaivful consideration.
J
f
v
The United. States surveyor general for California, whose office' is
Siiii vFiunc]sco,v has obta ined possession of the T archiyts of the ibrxngr. sovereignties of California, and W engaged a competent person to arrange,
classify, and index them iu such a manner, as to be; available in, t h e e x a m i nation of titles*
,
.'
" \
,
.
t
4 ,
" T h i s w o r k of arnni^ement, if not already finished, will be completcilby
tlie time you will be able to reach Uie country.
; ,
**
r The surveyor general will« be instructed to lay open to you those- archives during your session at San Francisco, and to have prepared either a
complete synopsis o r summary of the contents of each of the archives, or
fac simile copies of the whole, whichever YOU may prefer, so as to BAIN
readiness for delivery to you when you shall find it necessary to leave that
place to visit oilier points. W i t h such materials to guide the commission
yott will enter upon the business of adjudication.
You will require the claimant, in every case, to file a written *noiic#f #etting forth the name of " present c l a i m a n t ; " n a m e o f " original claimant^;nature
of claim; its d a t e : from whom t h e original title was derived* with

•

[ 2 0 ]

a reference to the evidence of the power and authority under which the
granting officer may have acted; quantity claimed; locality ; nature and
extent of conflicting claim, if any ; with a reference to the documentary evidence and testimony relied upon to establish the claim, and to show a transfer of right from the " original grantee " to " present claimant."
You will also require the claimant, in all cases, to file a duly authenticated plat of survey exhibiting the tract claimed, and showing the nature
and extent of any claim interfering therewith.
This is deemed indispensable in order by such initiatory survey to lix,
with precision and certainty, the limits of every tract claimed, thereby
avoiding, in regard to location, all doubt or controversy hereafter, in case
01 confirmation, and furnishing at the same time to the commission, and to
the courts, evidence of the existence and nature of conflicting claims.
There are, it is believed, no Spanish or Mexican plats of survey extant
for lands in California, no actual surveys, so far as this office is advised,
having been executed during the sovereignty over the country, of either
Spain or Mexico.
The surveys, therefore, of all claims which may be brought before the
commissioners, should be required to be executed at the expense of the
parties, in accordance with such orders as you may deem necessary and
proper in each case, and to he made under the superintendence of the
United States surveyor general, by whom the surveys, and any interference which may exist, should be examined and certified.
The eflect of this will be not only to save claimants from embarrassments
and difficulties, inseparable from the presentation and adjudication of claims
with indefinite limits, but it will promote the welfare of the country generally, by furnishing the surveyor general with evidence of what is claimed
as private property, thus enabling him to ascertain what is undisputed public land, and to proceed with "the public surveys accordingly, without
awaiting t h e final action of the different tribunals upon private titles.
The papers, in every rase, should be, regularly numbered, and entered in
the order of presentation, in a docket of the form herewith.
Your journal, to consist of a substantially bound volume, or volumes,
and prefaced by a record of your commissions and oaths of office, should
contain a full record of the notice and evidence in support of each claim,
and of your decision, setting forth, as succinctly and concisely as possible,
all the leading facts, particulars, and the principles applicable to the case,
and upon which such decision may be founded.
As a case may be acted upon by you at different periods, before being
finally decided, 'the connexion of your proceedings may be kept up by page
references both in the journal anil on the docket. All the original papers
should of course be carefully numbered, filed and preserved, and should
have an endorsement upon each of them of the volume and page of the
record in which they may be entered.
T h e 8th section of the act, as hereinbefore indicated, requires you, within thirty days after such decision is rendered, to certify the same, with the
reasons on which it is founded, to the district attorney of the United
S t a t e s in and for the district in which such decision shall be rendered."
This requirement will of course be strictly and uniformly observed by
you, and the necessary'entries of your action in the premises made in your
record.
I t will be observed that the 12th section of the act declares, " t h a t to

[ 2 1 ]

entitle ^either party t o a review of the proceedings and decision* of-the
commissioners, notice of the intention of such part)' to file a petition; to
the -district court, shall be entered on the journal or record of proceedings
'of the commissioners within,sixty days after their decision on the claim
has been made and notified to the parties, and such petition shall be filed
in the district court within six months after such decision has tieen rendered."
This provision of law renders it necessary that you shall regularly notify
the claimants, also, of your decision, and this should always be clone promptl y ; and in any case in which the requisite notice of the intention to file h
petition in court shall not be given to you within sixty days from the time
you may notify the parties of your decision, such decision will ipso facto
> hecome'final and conclusive, and you will of course report any such case to
the surveyor general, and to the department.
. I t is a matter of high public concern, and of the deepest interest to California, that the business of the, commission should be' pressed forward
with all convenient despatch, and as much so as is compatible with the
grave interest involved; and when your labors in regard to the cla.ws of
titles contemplated in the foregoing shall have terminated, YOU will give
due notice of the fact to this office, and will turn over the records and papers
to the surveyor general, subject to the orders of the department.
Besides the duties hereinbefore adverted to, the act of 3d March, 1851,
requires, in its 16th section, that the commissioners shall " ascertain and report to the Secretary of the Interior the tenure by which the Mission lands
a r e he]d, and those held by citilized Indians, and those who are engaged
in agriculture or labor of any kind, and also those which arc occupied and
cultivated by Pueblos or Rancheros Indians."
You are directed to make a separate and full report on the several subjects
specified in this section of the act, at as early a period as may be consistent
with your other duties imder the law.
Your salaries, as stipulated in the 17th section of the act, will " commence
from the day of the notification" by you " of the first meeting of the b o a r d / '
f
Very* respectfully, your obedient servants
*
J; B U T T E R F I E L D ,

t
Messrs.

Commissioner:

HILAND HALL,
H A R R Y J . THORNTON.
JAMES WILSON,

T h e foregoing instructions a/e approved;
LUUit\j»A
A L K X - H . II. S T
A R T Y fr
SecretaryD E P A R T M E N T OK THK INTERIOR

September XI* 1851,

[ 2 0 ]
GENERAL LAND OFFICE,

'
September 11,1851.
Nm : By a letter of the 30th of June last yon informed me of the course
you proposed to pursue in regard to the ARCHIVE of the former governments ot California, which you had not then obtained, but soon expected and under date the 13th of August Jast I advised you of the approval of
your suggestion* and requested you to cause an abstract of them, in duplicate, to be prepared, duly verified, one for your office and one to be sent
here.
Since then I have received your communication of the 14th July last
informing me that the archives have been delivered over, and are in vouiJ
office.
You further state that you have employed a competent person to arrange, classify, and index them, so as to render the archives available in
the examination of titles, and at the same time suggest that they be kept
" m tin boxes or trunk's of convenient size, having a lock and key to each,
and painted and numbered," stating that " by this plan they can be kept
perfectly secure from accident or improper handling, and at the same time
be always in that condition in which they can be most conveniently kept in
Jhe vault or removed therefrom, as circumstances would render necessary."
I approve of what you have done, and what you propose in the matter,
both as to the employment of an individual for the purpose referred to, and
as to the manner of securing and preserving the archives.
The arrangement and indexing of the papers, it is presumed, has been
completed, and will render it easy for you to have the abstract of them
prepared in duplicate as requested. It would be quite important, in fact,
tor the department to have a complete fac simile copy of all of the archives
duly verified, and 1 request that you will report to me the probable cost of
preparing such a transcript.
Herewith I enclose for your information a copy of the instructions,
dated 11 th September, 1851,* from this office to the commissioners, appointed pursuant to the act of Congress, approved 3d March, 1851, entitled,
" An act to ascertain and settle the private land claims in the State of California." You will see that the first session of the commissioners is to be
held at St. Francisco, on the 8th December, 1851.
During their session at that place you will lay open to them the archives, and will have prepared and in readiness for them, by the time
they leave St. Francisco to visit other points, either a complete synopsis
or summary of the contents of those archives, or, if deemed by them indispensable in the discharge of their duties, a fac simile copy of the whole
ot them must be furnished, and in either case the service must be paid for
out of " the commission " fund.
Whilst it is not desired to avoid any legitimate expense necessary to a
proper and faithful discharge of duty, it is important that economy should
be observed; and if the synopsis alluded to will answer every purpose for
examination, and be a readier means of bringing titles to a test, why then
the # synopsis should be preferred; and should any special-case of doubt *irii*c, the commissioners can defer final action upon it until either a personal
inspection can be made by them of the archives on their return to St. Francisco, or such examination may be msuje by the surveyor general,, and the
result officially reported to them by him upon their written request.
You will ficd from these instructions that the claimants will be required,

1 2 1 ]

under the orders of the commissioners, to have initiatory surveys made
under your superintendence, to he examined and certified by you.
You will not fail to appreciate the responsibility of seeing that these
surveys are made in strict accordance with the plain intent of each grant, both
as to locality and area, in order to fulfil in this particular the precise purpose of the granting power by fixing and limiting the location to the
specific tract or parcel of land designed to be conceded by the proper authority, and separated from the national domain.
Returns of survey must exhibit the nature and extent of interference, if
any such exist, and should be so made as will readily enable you to connect
the same with the lines of the public surveys.
I t is a matter of the highest concern, and demanded bv the interests of
the people of California/that the surveying of the public lands shall not
be delayed until all these private land titles shall have been finally adjudicated. These " initiatory" surveys will avoid the necessity of such delay;
and when all of them shall have been filed, it will enable the surveying
department to push forward its business and run the lines of the public
surveys just as well and as effectually, as if every private land title in California had in the first instance been finally adjudicated.
Besides this desideratum, private claimants by this measure will be saved
from the difficulties incident to the adjudication of claims with indefinite
and uncertain boundaries, and relieved from the danger of disputes and
conflicts in location in the event of the final confirmation of their titles.
In any case in which a private title may be finally adjudged to be invalid, the surveyor general can hereafter easily represent the same as public
land by the extension over the same of the lines of the rnblic surveys.
You are requested to acknowledge the receipt of this comr umication, and
if any thing in addition to the enclosed instructions should < ccur to you as
material to be communicated to the commissioners in order to facilitate their
operationSj I request that you will suggest it.
Very respectfully, your obedient Servant,
J. B U T T E R F I E L D ,
Commissioner.
S A M L . D . KING, E s q . ,

Surveyor

General, San Francisco,

California.

3 2 d CONUKESS,

[SENATE.]

Ex. Dbc.

1st ocsston.

R E P O R T

THE

SECRETARY
IX

WAR,

R EL A 7 1 0 * TO

The execution of the act to found a Military Asylum for the relief
support of invalid and disabled soldiers of the V. S, Army.

and

FfBRCTARY O, 1852.
Keferrtrd to thtt Committee on Military Affairs, and ordeml to be printed.

W A R DEPARTMENT,

Washington j February 8, 1852.
SIR : T h e flth section of the act entitled " An act to found a Military
Asylum for the relief and support of invalid and disabled soldiers of the
a r m y of the United S t a t e s d e c l a r e s " t h a t the commissioners, with the
approval of the Secretary of War, prepare the necessary rules and regulations for the Government of said institution, and cause the same to be fitted
and furnished for the immediate reception of those person provided for in
this act, and that the Secretary of W a r report upon the execution of this
duty at the next session of Congress/'
.
.
I t is not very clear what is the precise duty which it was designed by this
section to impose on the Secretary of W a r ; but I presume it was intended
that he should report what had been done, in pursuance of the act.
This duty I now proceed to perform. The reports of the president and of
the treasurer of the institution are herewith submitted. From these documents it will be seen that the board of commissioners was organized,
agreeably to the provisions of the act, and entered immediately upon the
discharge of their duties.
~ . * .
T h e y adopted a series of regulations for the government, of the institution, which were approved by me, a copy whereof is herewith submUted
T h e board determined to establish the prmcipal asylum within the District of Columbia, and for that purpose purchased from M r . George V\.
a tract of land situated about two miles from this city, containing
f l S tw™ hundred and sixty acres, for w*ich, with the valuable improvements thereon, they agreed to pay $-57,500, which purchase has been duly
a

ThTioa?dtaver1otnvet

decided whether or not they will establish

[ 20 ]

as possible, by affording immediate relief to the objects of their bounty,
the board have provided places for the temporary reception and accoinmo* dation of those persons entitled to the benefit of the act. to w i t : one in the
vicinity of this city, and one near N e w Orleans, both of which are now in
operation.
By the report of the treasurer it appears that the funds received^by the
institution, up to the 31st of December last, amounted to 8 1 3 8 , 5 5 4 14,
whereof there has been expended 819,814 7 0 ; and that of the balance ot
§118,736 44 remaining on hand, 8118,098 3 3 has been invested in stockin the State of Virginia, bearing 6 per cent, interest, leaving in the hands of
the treasurer the sum of § 6 4 1 11.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. M. C O N R A D ,
Secretary of War.
Hon. WM. R .

KING,

President

of the Senate.

WASHINGTON,

D. C., December 3 1 , 1851.

SIR: The board of commissioners of the Military Asylum, as constituted
section 2d of an act entitled " An act to found a Military Asylum for
the relief and support of invalid and disabled soldiers of the army of the
United S t a t e s , " approved March 3 , 1 8 5 1 , having organized March 1 2 , 1 8 5 1 ,
proceeded to the discharge of the duties devolved upon it by that act.
T h e board has the honor to report, that it has adopted a sysfera of
" rules and regulations for the general and internal direction " of the institution, a printed copy of which, as approved J u n e 16, 1851, is herewith
submitted—A.
And that a temporary place of reception for invalid and disabled soldiers
has been opened at the United States barracks below New Orleans, Louisiana, at which a small number of them have been provided for, since
May 15,1851.
A site for a Military Asylum in the District of Columbia has been
selected by the board, approved by the President of the United States, and
purchased.
T h e officers for this site have been designated, and have been engaged
preparing a temporary place of reception in this vicinity, similar to t h a t
established at N e w Orleans, which is now in operation.
The following officers have been appointed by the board of commissioners, and approved by yourself, v i z :
Colonel J . B . Crane, 1st artillery, governor of Washington site.
Brevet Major Larkin Smith, 8th infantry, deputy governor, Washington
site.
Brevet Major W . W . Mackall, assistant adjutant general, secretary and
treasurer of the Washington Asylum.
Lieut. Colonel W . R . Jouett, governor of temporary place of reception
a t N e w Orleans barracks.
Brevet Major E a r l Van Dorn, secretary and treasurer of the temporary
place of reception a t N e w Orleans barracks.
Brevet Lieut. Colonel H . L . Scott, aid-de-camp to the general-in-chief,

secretary
of t h e board of commissioners, resigned.

]

[20

Brevet Captain Schuyler Hamilton, aid-de-camp to the general-in-chief
now secretary to the board of commissioners; and
'
Assistant Surgeon Benjamin King, United States army, treasurer of the
ooaru 01 commissioners.
Appended is the treasurers report of the funds received and disbursed on
account of the Military Asylum, to December 31, 1851—B.
I have the honor to be, with high respect, your most obedient servant,
WINFIELD

_
Hon.

_
M.

CONRAD,

SCOTT,

Major General, and President ofJ the Board.

Secretary of War.

Rules and regulation* for the " general and internal direction " of the
Military
Asylum instituted by act of Congress, approved March
3, 1851.
ART. 1. The general direction of the Asylum is with the board of commissioners, constituted by section 2 of the act of Congress creating the
institution, who will regularly meet, for the transaction of business, on the
first Monday of February, June, and November, of each year, and as
much oftener as may be necessary; and at their meeting in November, make
an annual report of their proceedings to the Secretary of War, for the information of Congress.
ART. 2. To facilitate the general direction of the Asylum, there shall
be appointed, from time to time, by the board, from its members, an executive committee of three commissioners, any two of whom may constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business, and also appoint a secretary and a
treasurer.
ART.
The executive committee shall counsel and direct the treasurer
in the management of the property and fund£ of the Asylum, when without
special directions from the board of commissioners. They shall examine
and audit the treasurer's accounts, and also have power, when in their judgment it may be necessary, to call a special meeting of the board of commissioners, or make a partial, appropriation of money to meet any extraordinary contingency, but in all such cases they will make, a report of such
transactions at the next meeting of the board.
.
ART. 4. The secretary, who shall also be register, shall countersign all
checks of the treasurer, to the order of the person who is to receive the
money. He shall record the name, description, and military history of
every pensioner of the institution. He shall be the channel of communication of the board of commissioners, and transmit all orders and regulations
of the board relative to the several sites of the Asylum, receive all applications for admission to its benefits, and forward persons entitled thereto
to one of the sites of the Asylum. He shall also take the necessary measures to carry into effect the resolutions and directions of the board, by
correspondence with the agents of the institution or otherwise. He shall
be present at every meeting of the board, and, besides keeping exact minutes
of their proceedings, lay before them the books and correspondence which
belong to his duties.

[ 20 ]

ART. 5. T h e treasurer shall give bonds in t h t sum of twenty thousand
dollars, to be approved by the executive committee, for the faithful performance of his duties. He shall collect all dues owing
payable to the
board of commissioners. H e shall keep a regular set of books, in which
shall be entered all payments by, or to, the commissioners. He shall invest
or deposite all moneys belonging to the Asylum, in such manner as the
board of commissioners shall direct, and no part thereof shall be drawn
unless by appropriation previously made, and then only on the cheek of
the treasurer, countersigned by the secretary, naming the party to
receive.
I t shall be the duty of the treasurer to exhibit to the executive committee of the board, once a month, and oftener if required, a statement of
the cash account, showing the balance in deposite, the sums to bt1 received
during the month, and the appropriations for the same period. He shall
also report the state of the cash account at each stated meeting of the
board, the probable moneys to roine into the treasury before the next meeting, and an estimate of the funds which may be required to meet the demands, in order that necessary appropriations may be made by the
board. He shall also render such other returns as may be required by the
board.
ART. 6. Under the direction of the board of commissioners, the governor, deputy governor, and secretary and treasurer, for each separate site of
the Asylum, provided by section three of the act creating the Asylum, are
charged with its internal management.
ART. 7. T h e governor, as commanding officer, will administer the affairs of his site of the Asylum, make the required returns to the board of
commissioners, through the secretary of the board : submit annual estimates for the probable wants of the institution for each fiscal year, commencing on the 1st of J u l y , and transmit the same, so as to reach the
board on or before the 1st of October.
ART. 8 . T h e deputy governor shall, in the absence of the governor,
perform his duties, and at other times perform such ministerial functions, as
the governor may require.
ART. 9. T h e secretary and treasurer shall keep a register of the inmates
of the Asylum, stating the time of entrance, their names, places of birth,
time of service, infirmity, and if married, what family they have, and the
.place of residence of the latter. He shall receive and keep a n exact account of all supplies for the inmates, and of all moneys received from their
labor, as well as such amount as may be received for expenditures of the
Asylum. H e shall make all disbursements under the direction of the governor, by whom the returns required will be countersigned and forwarded.
ART. 10. T h e governor of each separate site of the Asylum will organize its inmates into veteran companies, with a military organization, and
appoint from among thein non-commissioned officers, as a reward for meritorious conduct, who shall receive such pecuniary allowance as the board
of commissioners may determine, and be subject t o removal at the discretion of the governor, who is also authorized to stop the pocket money
allowed other inmates, to confine them, and, w i t h the approval of t h e
executive committee, t o eject them from the Asylum in cases of mis*
conduct.

ART.
11. At each separate site of the Asylum,-workshops will be pro*

80 [20]

vided, so that the inmates inay labor at their trades, and perform any other
work which the governor may require, and which they may be able to
perform.
ART. 12. The Ordnance department and the Quartermaster's department
will purchase such articles, made at the Asylum, as may be obtained at
as little cost as elsewhere, and which may be required for the military
service.
ART. 13. Chaplains, surgeons, and all necessary agents for the general
and internal administration of the Asylum, excepting officers of the army,
appointed from time to time, may be allowed such compensation for their
services as the board of commissioners shall direct.
ART. 14. Invalid soldiers entitled to admission, who may be permitted
by the commissioners, for special reasons, to reside out of the Asylum, may
be allowed not to exceed twenty cents per day.
I certify that the foregoing articles for the general and internal direction of
the Military Asylum were adopted at meetings of the board of commissioners, March 27 and May 30, 1851.
H. L. SCOTT,
Brevet Lieut. Colonel, U. S. A.,
Secretary to Board of Commissioners.
Approved June 16, 1851.
C. M .

CONRAD,

Secretary o f War.
Official •

SCHUYLER HAMILTON,
Capt. by Brevet, U. S. A., Sec. of Board of Com.

B.
Statement

im.
July <
Sept. IT k
Oct. 11,
Oct,
31

Oct. 27 to
Disc.
Aug.

of fund*

of Military

Asylum received and expended
treasurer, to include the

Received from treasury* being military contributions in Mexico, appropriated by the act of
Congress of March 8, 1851
Received from post fund, as appropriated bv the
act of March 3, 1851
Received from Assistant Surgeon C. McCormick,
of the appropriation of March
1847, " fbr
the benefit of discharged .soldiers disabled by
wounds," as provided for in the act of March
3, 1851
Received on account of pay, &c., due to the
estates of deceased soldiers, as provided for
by the act of March 3, 1851
Received on account of pay, &eM due to the
estates of deceased soldiers* as provide*! for
hv the act of March 3, 1B51

by Amntant Surgeon Benjamin
of December, 1851.
1851.
July
5
i

$118,TvU 10

Oct.

Dec.

13 j
It; '
I
>

Stw 11

King,

United States

i
i /p
Paid for $118,1)00* Virginia coupon bonds, (G $118,098
per cent.)
••
V * * V .7
Paid to Assistant Surgeon Charles MctonmeK,
jbr expenditures on account of site of mili3,000 0U
tary asylum near N e w Orleans
Paid to G. \Y. ltiggs, jr., on account of (arm ;
purchased for site of military asylum, in 1
10,000 00
District of Columbia
•
Puid to Major AW W. Mackall, secretary and
treasurer, for expenditures on account of
site of military asylum, in District of Co-

U H ) UO

Apr. 1 to Paid for expenses incurred in examining sites, .j
Dec.2*. 1 ttud for other contingencies.
Dec.

army,

214 70
6-41 11

JtuUince in hands of treasurer
t

138,554 II

138, CM 11

• This sum invested and held for the use and benefit of Military Asylum.
B E N J A M I N K I N G , Assistant

Sargent,

Tnctuuf

Military

Asylum.