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vj Colonel Jeffers-on Davis as U. S. Secretary of War earnestly advocated the idea, and helped secure the passage of the bill to accomplish this purpose. To such military work the Lqke Borgne Canal, it was argued, would be an important adjunct.
The Mississippi & Lake Borgne Grand Junction Canal Co.
After all the years of discussing the plan, finally, in March, 1855* the Legislature of the State of Louisiana granted a charter to Richard A. Stewart, and those whom he chose to associate with him in the enterprise, to construct and maintain the Lake Br-agne Canal.
The "Mississippi and Lake Borgne Grand Junctionxi Canal Company" was the style of the company.
The canal was to be cut through Mr. Stewart's plantation, connecting Lake Borgne near the mouth of Bayou Dupre, or Philipon, with the Mississippi River. The Civil war came on, and the plan was not carried through to completion.
The Mississippi and Mexican Gulf Ship Canal Co.
After 1^ yenrs the plan was again agitated and active steps taken to carry out the long-cherished project.
This company was known as the "Mississippi and Mexican Gulf Ship Canal Company," of which James 0. Noyes was president, John F. Dean, secretary; L. J. Highby, treasurer, and W.G.R. Bayley, chief engineer. Among the directors were the Hon. Thos. Durant of Washington, D. C.; General Cyrus Bussey of St. Louis; General S. L. Brown of. Chicago; and the Hon. W. W. Howe of the Supreme Court of Louisiana.
‘This company also failed to carry out its plans. The State granted $600,000 to aid in the construction of the Canal, $*+80,000 in bonds, and the remainder upon the completion of the Canal. A more paying contract was in the hands of the bmilders, and they gave up the canal and the company was obliged to allow the plan to be abandoned. Soon after President Noyes died, and before the affairs of the company could be satisfactorily arranged and the work again commenced came the political troubles in Louisiana which paralyzed all business and every undertaking of any magnitude.
The canal property was seized for debt, and sold under decree of the United States Court. The State lost its lien on the property and it fell into the hands of private owners.
St. Louis, New Orleans & Atlantic Canal & Transportation Co.
In 188M- the St. Louis, New Orleans and Atlantic Canal and Transport a t i on Company war. incorporated and granted a charter. The enterprise was pushed with so much vi^or that it war: be: 11c:vcd for a time that it would surely be carried through to completion.