Sen. Trent Lott said Sunday he believes Natchez is losing a mayor who has done a lot of good for the town — but added that he hopes to work closely with Larry L. &uot;Butch&uot;&160;Brown’s successor as well.

Lott’s comments were made prior to a tour he and more than 40 other members, spouses and staff of Congress and the Canadian Parliament made of the antebellum house Longwood late Sunday morning.

&uot;Butch Brown was a good mayor who worked hard to promote Natchez and worked closely with us on many projects,&uot;&160;Lott said. &uot;But the people made their decision, and I look forward to meeting his successor and working with him.&uot;

On May 16, challenger Levon &uot;Hank&uot; Smith won out over two-term mayor Brown in the Democratic run-off election. Smith will face independent Robert Costa in the general election June 6.

One project Lott said he will continue to work on with Natchez officials is getting Spanish aircraft company CASA to locate a plant here. &uot;We have to find customers for them,&uot; Lott said. &uot;We’ve not been able to put it together — yet. But we still have a chance.&uot;

Brown said Lott has helped Natchez get federal assistance for a number of projects, from bluff stabilization and the intermodal center to drainage projects, the Natchez Trace Parkway and locating a federal courthouse in Natchez.

&uot;It hasn’t been simple, and he’s taken some criticism for projects some considered ‘pork’,&uot;&160;Brown said. &uot;But he has been a tested and true friend to Natchez, stepping forward to help us on each and every request we’ve made.&uot;

The tour of Longwood was part of four-day trip the delegation took down the Mississippi River from Memphis to Baton Rouge, La., on the Delta Queen steamboat.

Each year, a group of Canadian and U.S. senators and representatives meet to discuss issues important to both countries. For 40 years, the meetings have been held in a different location annually — alternating between U.S. and Canadian locations.

The delegation was scheduled to hold meetings most of Sunday afternoon. But they also visited Longwood and ate lunch at antebellum house Dunleith before once again boarding the steamboat.

&uot;It’s a lovely town, unique from other parts of the United States, and the people have been wonderful,&uot;&160;said Senator Norm Atkins of Ontario.