I do not know how it may increase in the future, or if it will at all, but that is the opinion of people there now.

The point I want to call your attention to specifically is the necessity for the prevention of the water of the Red River going down through the Atchafalaya, for if the Atchafalaya washes out it leaves New Orleans, a large commercial city, upon, as it were, an inland sea.

The waters which overflow from the banks of the Mississippi River on the front of Arkansas go over into the Red River and never come back into the Mississippi River any more until they come out at the mouth of the Red River.

Just at the mouth of Red River, and before Red River reaches the Mississippi, is the Atchafalaya.

So that all of this overflow water that could be kept in the Mississippi River by building the levees on the front of Arkansas, now goes into Red River and helps to wash out the Atchafalaya, which will ruin the city of New Orleans if that is not prevented.
It is a very strong commercial point, for the commerce of New Orleans is a matter to be considered in our affairs.
Q.I suppose there is no doubt that the Atchafalaya furnishes an outlet, which relieves your plantations very much?
-- A.