DISASTERS ON WESTERN RIVERS.—­The Louisville Courier has published a list of disasters on Western waters during the year 1852.  It is a formidable one, embracing 78 steam-boats, 4 barges, 73 coal-boats, 3 salt-boats, and 4 others, flat-boats.  It appears that 47 boats were lost by being snagged, 16 by explosions, 4 were burnt, and the others lost by collision and other mishaps.  The greatest number of lives lost by one disaster was the explosion of the “Saluda,” 100.  The total loss of life exceeds 400 persons.[Q]

Here is a list of one hundred and sixty-two vessels of different kinds, and four hundred human beings, lost in one year; of which vessels it appears forty-six were snagged.  You will naturally ask here, what precautions are taken to avoid such frightful casualties?  The answer is short—­None.  They had a few boats employed once to raise the snags, but the thirst for annexation ran them into a war, and the money was wanted for that purpose.  The Westerns say they are ridden over by the Easterns, and that Government will do nothing for them.[R]

It is not for me to decide the reasons, but the fact is but too clear, that in a country boasting of its wealth, its power, its resources, and not burdened with one farthing of debt, not a cent is being expended in making the slightest endeavours to remove the dangers of this gigantic artery of commerce.  And what would be the cost of this national object?  The captains of the boats told me that two dozen snag-boats in three years would clear the river; and that half that number could keep it clear; yet, rather than vote the money requisite, they exhibit a national indifference to the safety of life and property such as, I may confidently affirm, cannot be found in any other civilized nation.  A very small tax on the steamers would pay the expenses; but the Westerns say, and say with truth, “This is not a local, this is a national question.  Government builds lighthouses, harbours, &c., for the eastern board, and we are entitled to the same care for our commerce.”  A navigation of two thousand miles is most certainly as thoroughly a national question as a seaboard is.  It should also be remembered that, if the navigable tributaries be added, the total presents an unbroken highway of internal commerce amounting to 16,700 miles—­a distance which, it has been remarked, “is sufficient to encircle Europe and leave a remnant which would span the Atlantic.”

Next on the list comes the “explosions.”  I have already given you an account of how the so-called examinations are too often made.  Surely these inspections might be signed upon oath before a magistrate; and as surely, I should hope, men might be found who would not perjure themselves.  The burnt vessels are few in number, and more than one case has, I believe, been tried on suspicion of being set fire to intentionally.