Steam Paddler on Caddo Lake

[No. 9.]

Joint Resolution, asking our Senators and Representatives in Congress to procure an appropriation by Congress to improve the navigation of Soda Lake and Cypress Bayous.

Whereas, The increasing productions and commerce of this State make it essential that the facilities for transportation should be improved to meet the demands of the country, and

Whereas, Soda Lake and Cypress Bayous, tributaries of Red River, are the only reliable navigable streams in Eastern and Northern Texas, and which connect that portion of the State with the great navigable waters of the whole Union, and furnish speedy and cheap facilities for the interchange of commodities of this State, with the other sections of the country, and

Whereas, from the report of competent United States engineers it is found that at a cost of about the sum of three hundred thousand dollars ($800,000) for the construction of locks and dams and improving the channels, the navigation of these streams and bayous can be made permanent, certain and reliable ; and that the great floods from upper Red River can be diverted into these lakes, and much valuable lands be reclaimed from overflow above, and protected from overflow below, and a reservoir formed that will serve as a feeder for Red River during the summer months, and thereby perpetuate the navigation in said stream, therefore

Section 1. Be it resolved by the Legislature of the State of Texas, That each of our' Senators and Representatives in Congress be furnished with a copy of these resolutions by the Secretary of State, and that they are hereby requested to use their efforts to procure an appropriation by Congress, of a sum sufficient to improve said navigation in said streams in such manner as the engineers may recommend, and

Sec. 2. Be it further resolved, That our Senators and Representatives be requested to urge Congress to make the city of Jefferson a port of entry and delivery.

Approved March 12, 1874.