Since that year the river has never risen as high until the present time,
when the high-water mark of 1862 has been reached and passed in both New
Orleans and Vicksburg.

For twenty-five years after, the people of the Mississippi Valley felt the
effects of that great flood, and the worst fears are entertained for the
ruin and desolation that the present one will leave in its path.

Thousands of people have been brought to want, through the sweeping away
of their homes by the waters, and so much misery and poverty have been
reported, that President McKinley sent a message to the Senate, telling
them of the distress caused by the floods, and asking them to take
legislative action for the relief of the sufferers. He stated that he had
been informed that $150,000 to $200,000 would be required to assist the
people.

On receipt of the President's message a joint resolution was offered,
giving $150,000 of the public money for the use of the people in the
flooded districts.

This resolution was passed by a unanimous vote of the Senate, and would
have been sent to the President, but that word came from the House of
Representatives that that body had passed a resolution voting $200,000.

The Senate immediately recalled its resolution, altered it to agree with
that from the House, and passing it promptly, sent it to the President,
who signed it without delay.

The Secretary of War, General Alger, has made all arrangements for giving