644 LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI

APPENDIX B.
1
THE condition of this rich valley of the Lower Mississippi, immediately after
and since the war, constituted one of the disastrous effects of war most to
be deplored. Fictitious property in slaves was not only righteously des-
troyed, but very much of the work which had depended upon the slave
labour was also destroyed or greatly impaired, especially the levee system.
It might have been expected by those who have not investigated the
subject, that such important improvements as the construction and mainte-
nance of the levees would, have been assumed at once by the several States.
But what can the State do where the people are under subjection to rates of
interest ranging from 18 to 30 per cent., and are also under the necessity of
pledging their crops in advance even of planting, at these rates, for the pi-
vilege of purchasing all of their supplies at 100 per cent, profit ?
It has needed but little attention to make it perfectly obvious that the
control of the Mississippi River, if undertaken at all, must be undertaken by
the national government, and cannot be compassed by States. The river
must be treated as a unit; its control cannot be compassed under a divided or
separate system of administration.
Neither are the States especially interested competent to combine among
themselves for the necessary operations. The work must begin far up the
river; at least as far as Cairo, if not beyond; and must be conducted upon
a consistent general plan throughout the course of the river.
It does not need technical or scientific knowledge to comprehend the ele-
ments of the case if one will give a little time and attention to the subject*
and when a Mississippi River commission has been constituted, as the exist-
ing commission is, of thoroughly able men of different walks in life, may iu
not be suggested that their verdict in the case should be accepted as conclu-
sive, so far as any a priori theory of construction or control can be considerecl
conclusive P
It should be remembered that upon this board are General Gilmore,
General Gomstock, and General Suter, of the United States Engineers^
Professor Henry Mitchell (the most competent authority on the question «jf i
hydrography)* of the United States Coast Survey; B. B. Harrod, &*£