Mississippi Democrat

The Mississippian contains a letter from Col. James Seawell, of New Orleans, in relation to the Great Levee project on the Mississippi, to reclaim the district between the mouth of the Yazoo river and the Chickasaw bluffs. This vast region is 150 miles in length, by 36 in width, in the centre of the cotton country, and of unrivalled fertility, but now almost all rendered entirely worthless by the annual overflow of the Mississippi. To reclaim it, Col. S. says, it will be necessary to cut a canal through the centre, at the lowest part, 80 miles long, and to construct a Levee along the course of the Mississippi and Yazoo a total distance of about 300 miles. The heaviest timber would have to be cut from the banks; the height of the levee can only be determined by careful surveys, but it is computed that at least 80 miles must exceed 12 feet in height. The cost is computed at $817,000—a large sum, but insignificant when compared with the great object to be achieved.

Excepting a portion of the land donated to the State, which has been located in this swamp, and a few sparse settlements, the land is owned by the United States. If permanently and effectually reclaimed, it would soon be sold and settled. An effort will be made to obtain an appropriation from Congress; and to apply a portion of the State lands to the work. It is also proposed to make grants of land to settlers for the construction of portions of the levee. That this fine country will be ultimately reclaimed, there can be no doubt. It is an undertaking worthy the genius and energy of our people; and is of the highest importance to the tax-payers of the whole State. If brought into general cultivation, it is estimated, from the superior quality of the lands, that the counties in this valley will pay one-fourth the entire land-tax of the State.