Just as the canal project was agreed upon, I was present at a conversation between General Williams and several residents of the vicinity. The latter, fearing the channel of the river would be changed, visited the general to protest against the carrying out of his plan.
The citizens were six in number. They had selected no one to act as their leader. Each joined in the conversation as he saw fit. After a little preliminary talk, one of them said:
"Are you aware, general, there is no law of the State allowing you to make a cut-off, here?"
"I am sorry to say," replied General Williams, "I am not familiar with the laws of Louisiana. Even if I were, I should not heed them. I believe Louisiana passed an act of secession. According to your own showing you have no claims on the Government now."
This disposed of that objection. There was some hesitation, evidently embarrassing to the delegation, but not to General Williams. Citizen number one was silenced. Number two advanced an idea.
"You may remember, General, that you will subject the parish of Madison to an expenditure of ninety thousand dollars for new levees."
This argument disturbed General Williams no more than the first one. He promptly replied:
"The parish of Madison gave a large majority in favor of secession; did it not?"
"I believe it did," was the faltering response.
"Then you can learn that treason costs something. It will cost you far more before the war is over."