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So enthralled were the beholders, so grateful to this man for making their "noble river" navigable, a demonstration was planned for evidencing their esteem of his worth and eminent service rendered Arkansas Territory.
The formal invitation was dated February 17, 1834, and read: "Sir: The undersigned, having been appointed a committee by a number of citizens of Little Rock and vicinity, beg leave to invite you to partake with them of a public dinner to be given at the Eagle Hotel at such time as may suit best your convenience, as a tribute of their esteem for the eminent service you have rendered the inland navigation of their infant Territory. With sentiments of high respect and esteem we are, sir, your most obedient servants. (Signed) William Field, Daniel Ringo, Wm. Cummins, Wm. E. Woodrufff, John Fisher, Samuel Gray, E. . Burtrand, B. W. Lee, Committee. To Captain Henry Miller Shreve."
The Captain replied: "Gentlemen: Your note of the 12th instant has been received. Your approbation of my services in superintending the improvements in navigation of the rivers within your territory is a source of the greatest gratification to me. It would give me infinite pleasure to have it in my power to accept your kind invitation, but my duties at this time will not permit of my enjoying that satisfaction. The daily expense of the operations under my charge and in progress require my personal attention at all times; I ask, therefore, that you will accept for yourselves and the citizens of Little Rock my grateful acknowledgment for the honor you offer me. I am, gentlemen, very respectfully your obedient servant. (Signed) Henry Miller Shreve."
- The boats continued the work for 200 miles above Little Rock, when
work was suspended on the Arkansas because the funds were exhausted. Senator
Sevier in Washington pleaded for an appropriation for the Arkansas River
but, instead, Congress gave $50,000 for finishing the job on Red River,
although the Engineering Department reported that Captain Shreve, in his
work on the Arkansas from Little Rock to the mouth, had removed 1,557 snags
from the main channel and 3,340 from sandbars and bends.
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