"3d. A jetty from Zeke's island to prevent New Inlet from making south.

"4th. Closing up New Inlet."

The engineer officer in charge recommends "that New Inlet should be kept open; its bar is equally good as the western bar, and is far more accessible in certain winds than the eastern bar.

"In the event of New Inlet being preserved, it would be necessary to fortify it, which could be done at a far less expense than stopping it.

The engineer recommends "an appropriation of $25,000 to maintain and extend the works between Zeke's island and Smith's islands."

WESTERN RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.

The works in progress during the year embraced the improvement of the harbor of Dubuque, of the Rapids of the Mississippi, of Red river at and near the Raft, and of the Ohio river.

HARBOR OF DUBUQUE.

The proceedings in reference to this improvement were limited to contracting with the Dubuque Harbor Company to the extent of the unexpended balance of the appropriation ($1,000) for the prosecution of the improvements.

RAPIDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI.

Lieutenant Colonel Long remained in charge of the improvements until relieved by Captain Palmer in December last. Captain Palmer was relieved by Agent Floyd in May last. The improvements have. been continued under the contracts of May, 1855.

Two distinct series of waterfalls in the Upper Mississippi are com prised under this head, with a navigable reach of about one hundred and thirty miles connecting them.

The lower series is called Des Moines rapids, and has an extent of about eleven miles; the upper series is called Rock island rapids, and has an extent of about fourteen miles.

The work of improvement of both rapids was put under contract in 1854. The contract was abandoned by the contractors by reason of the inadequacy of the contract price.

A new contract was effected in 1835, under which the work progressed the last season; the contractor, however, failed to remove as large an amount of rock per month as was required by contract, owing, as is alleged, by the contractors, to cold rains and to rise of

water.

During the present season Agent Floyd has been in charge of the improvements. He reports that the work was resumed under the existing contract, but the season has proved unusually backward. "The river has not subsided to low water this season, remaining constantly a foot, or more, higher than the last season, and is now rising, with no probability of low water."

Vol. ii-19

DES MOINES RAPIDS OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.

It was proposed to continue the improvement under the appropriation of August 16, 1856, by contract. Bids were accordingly solicited. The prices, per cubic yard of rock to be removed, varied from $5 80 to $12 50. The War Department declined the acceptance of any of the bids offered, and directed that the agent be instructed to prosecute the work by hired labor.

The agent has procured machinery that will work at any stage of water upon the rapids, and at all seasons, except when the river is closed by ice. His report marked K is hereto appended.

ILLINOIS RIVER.

The craft and other apparatus belonging to this improvement have been sold.

OHIO RIVER.

Two successful efforts have been made during the past year for the improvement of this river; one the removal of the wreck of a steamer from the Point of Rocks below the mouth of the Louisville and Portland canal; the other consisted in the blasting and removal of rocks from the Indiana chute of the falls.

MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, AND ARKANSAS RIVERS.

Nothing has been done by the United States towards the improvement of these rivers during the last fiscal year, except so far as relates to the improvement of Des Moines rapids, and of the mouths of the Mississippi.

RAFT OF RED RIVER.

The work of improvement has been much embarrassed by the insalubrity of the raft district, the difficulty of procuring and retaining laborers, the scarcity and consequent high prices of provisions and labor, and the sickness and desertion of laborers. Agent Fuller in his annual report to Lieutenant Colonel Long, remarks: "The present state of the work is briefly as follows: upwards of three miles of old raft having been removed from Red river and stowed in Dooley's bayou and the small lakes, the route is open, although not completed, from Shreeveport to Coshatta bluff, on Red river, and might be navigated to the upper river were the mile of new raft removed. A cut has been partially made into Dutch John's lake, above the head of this new raft, both for the purpose of stowing raft and avoiding that portion of the river at which this new raft has lodged.

An outlet into the river above Coshatta, and another below this raft, will not only allow the river to pass through the lake, but will give a receptacle for the stowage of several years' run of timber.

The route through Dooley's bayou, the lakes, and Twelve Mile bayou to Shreeveport, although susceptible of navigation, requires much labor to render it safe. A portion thereof, where it crosses Shift Tail lake, and the pass into the head of Soda lake, will need some dredging.'

The expenses during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1857, were $24,445 82.

The balance remaining unexpended at the same date was $13,040 13. A further appropriation will be required for the completion of this improvement.

REMOVAL OF OBSTRUCTIONS FROM THE MOUTHS OF THE MISSISSIPPI.

The work of improvement consists in the removal of obstructions from the Southwest Pass and the removal of obstructions from the Pas à l'Outre, each of which is to be carried into effect by special contract, which required the opening of both passes of a channel 300 feet wide and 20 feet deep across the tidal bar, in a period of ten months from the date of the contract, to wit: on the 15th September, 1857.

The method of improvement proposed by the contractors contemplated the formation of jettys or lines of piles on both sides of each channel through greater or less distances converging towards each other as they approached the tidal bar. Similar works were to be erected across the outlets of both passes above the convergent lines of piles above mentioned, for the purpose of preventing overflows and compelling them to pass between the jettys.

The contractors have confined their work to the Southwest Pass. No work has been as yet commenced at Pas à l'Outre.

On the 30th of June last the line of piles on the left or southeasterly side of the Southwest Pass had an extent of about 3,200 feet.

Nothing had been done towards the formation of a counter line of piles on the other side of the Pass, or to the blocking up of outlets on either side of the Pass.

The progress of the work has been retarded by unfavorable weather, and large portions of the work have been deranged by storms.

It does not appear that any changes of moment have been produced in the Pass by the operations of the contractors up to the 30th of June last,

MILITARY ROADS IN MINNESOTA TERRITORY.

The several works for which appropriations have been made are as follows, viz:

1. Road from Point Douglas to the mouth of St. Louis river.

2. Road from Point Douglas to Fort Ripley.

3. Road from Mendota to Wabashaw.

4. Road from Mendota to the mouth of Big Sioux river.

5. Road from the Falls of St. Anthony to Fort Ridgely.

6. Road from Fort Ripley, via Crow Wing river, to intersect the main road leading to the Red River of the North.

7. Road from Swan river to Long prairie.

ROAD FROM POINT DOUGLAS TO THE MOUTH OF ST. LOUIS RIVER.

Portions of this road, between the 163d mile station and Superior, have been constructed since the last appropriation by Congress became available, including bridges of 56 feet span over Pokegoma river, besides culverts, side ditches, and other work most required on that section of the road.

This road, connecting by the shortest route the head of navigation of the Mississippi river with Lake Superior-a distance of about 181 miles-will be completed, it is hoped, the coming season, though additional means will be required to render it practicable at all seasons of the year.

The completion of this road is eminently important both to Minnesota and Wisconsin.

ROAD FROM POINT DOUGLAS TO FORT RIPLEY.

This road extends from Point Douglas, up the valley of the Mississippi river 144 miles, to Fort Ripley.

The unfinished portion of the road between Point Douglas and St. Paul, in extent twelve miles, will probably be completed before the close of the present season. The bridge over Rum river at Amoka will soon be repaired, and the road in other places, where required, will soon be constructed. The existing appropriation is adequate for its completion.

ROAD FROM MENDOTA TO WABASHAW.

This road extends from Mendota, opposite Fort Snelling, to Wabashaw, a distance of seventy-six miles. In the last annual report this road was reported as completed, with the exception of the repairs of the bridge over Cannon river. The commissioners of Goodhue county have contracted to finish the bridge by the 1st November next for the amount appropriated by the last Congress, $2,000, a sum much below that estimated.

ROAD FROM MENDOTA TO THE MOUTH OF THE BIG SIOUX RIVER.

This road extends from Mendota, opposite Fort Snelling, southwestwardly through Minnesota and Iowa, to the mouth of the Big Sioux river, a distance of 279 miles, as originally located.

With the exception of some corduroying, 178 miles of the road have been completed. There remain to be constructed 178 miles, for which the engineer officer estimates $36,000.

ROAD FROM THE FALLS OF ST. ANTHONY TO FORT RIDGELY.

This road extends from Minneapolis, at the Falls of St. Anthony, via Carver and Henderson, to Fort Ridgely, a distance of 95 miles. Contracts have been made for cutting out the timber on the route, and to be completed on or before the 30th of November next.

No further appropriation will be required to effect the object indicated in the law making the appropriation: "For cutting out the timber on the territorial road from the Falls of St. Anthony to Fort Ridgely, five thousand dollars."

ROAD FROM FORT RIPLEY, VIA CROW WING RIVER, TO THE MAIN ROAD LEADING TO THE RED RIVER OF THE NORTH.

This road is now being surveyed and located as expeditiously as the difficulties attending it will allow. Its length will be about 160 miles. It connects the Upper Mississippi with the navigable waters of the Red River of the North.

Captain Thom reports: "It will be indispensably necessary for the transportation of troops and supplies to the new military post to be established on that river under the appropriation made by Congress at its last session."

An additional appropriation will be required to complete the road— say about $25,000.

ROAD FROM SWAN RIVER TO LONG PRAIRIE.

This road extends from the Mississippi river, near the mouth of Swan river, to the old Winnebago agency at Long prairie, a distance of 28 miles. It is entirely completed.

ROADS IN KANSAS AND NEBRASKA.

Road from Fort Riley to Bridger's Pass, in the Rocky Mountains, Kansas Territory.

The survey of this road was completed last season, and a practicable route located. During the present season the engineer officer has been engaged in improving the route, working such portions as most required it in the reduction of grades, &c. His report has not been received, as he has but recently returned from the distant point of his labors.

Road from a point on the Mississippi river, opposite the city of Council Bluffs, in the Territory of Nebraska, to New Fort Kearney.

During the present season the bridges over the Omaha creek, Big Papillon creek, Little Papillon creek, Rawhide creek, and Shell creek have been completed, and the bridge over the Elkhorn river will be completed this fall by contract.

Besides the above, a bridge over Monroe creek and one over Prairie creek, by hired labor. The working of some portions of the road remains to be done this fall, when, with the exception of the crossing of the Loup fork, a good wagon road for the dry season of the year will exist; but many portions of it will be impassable during the freshets that occur during the months of April, May, and June-the period that the emigration is passing over the route.