Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-30
STEAM NAVIGATION.

| The following is the Prospectus OF the British
| Steam Navigation Company, incorporated oy an
| act of Parliament, with capital OF E0OO ,OoO,-
| Patrons the Duke of York and the Duke OF Wei
| lington. President, the Marquis OF Lansdown.
:" The application of the power OF Steam to
purposes of Navigation, by which the utmost ce-
| ierity is combined with certainty and security,
forms an entirely new in the Commerce oil Great
Britain; but hitherto, although perfectly practical
bic, the system has not been adapted to the great
and increasing commercial importance oil England,
regards particularly her intercourse with the New
World. The objects contemplated by this Compa-
ny are, TO establish lines OF Steam Vessels, TO COM
municate from the United Kingdom to North Anne
rica the w est Indies, and the States OF South
America.
With those views, it is proposed tina, Steam Yes
sells should proceed from the Thames, touching at
| intermediate Ports, to the most prominent point Of
the British Isles upon the Atlantic, viz the port OF
! valentia, in the south west of Ireland, harbour
possessing acknowledged natural advantages, Tree
from all Port charges. From thence, one Steam
Vessel of large class, with machinery and fuel
adequate to cross the Ocean, will proceed once
n fortnight TO Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and to
| New York and second, of similar power, will
| proceed every month, by Madeira and the Lee
ward Islands, to Jamaica, returning by Bermuda
! and Fayal.
The company intend 10 form Communications
between Jamaica, Vera Cruz, Havana and the Ports
OF South America, as soon as Steam Vessels for
these purpose can be procured.
From Halifax TO Quebec, through the Gut Can
so, branch is already in progress, in contempla-
ton of the present plan, which will afford line of
Steam Navigation from England TO Quebec, and
| the interior of North America. Separate lines OF
Steam Navigation, TO communicate with the main
lines, are in course of formation, viz from Gas--
gov, Liverpool, and Bristol, TO Valeniia, and also
Z A Il Il.
the provision trade of which latter PLACES will fall
int this line.
The passages will not only be nearly brought to
a certainty, in point of time, but their average
length, compared, 10 sailing, will be abridged fully
one-fhrd The superiority of size, power, and
equipment in the vessels, will necessarily command
the support OF every person desiring to combine
safety, comfort, and expedition, in so long navi-
CATION. Thus, by the aid of science, facility of
intercourse between the Old and New Worlds
will be established, enhancing in each the value of
property.
Passengers will have choice, either of contin-
uouS Steam Navigation, or OF passage by mails,
on the shortest lines, TO the ultimate point of
barlation.
From the Canadian, Nova Scoiian, American,
and West Indian, well as the British manufacur-
ing and merchantile interests, this application of
the steam power, it is expected, will peculiar
encouragement; to the nation generally, in a COM
mercial and Military point Of view, 10 Ireland, and
the Colonies particularly, it will present important
advantages. The large body of English capital
concentrated in South America, and the rapidly
increasing importance of the British Colonies in
North America, will augment, in important de-
gree, the number OF passengers, and the transit of
specie stores and goods.
The civil and military connection with our colo
MES will be placed, by his undertaking, on an i'm
proved footing; insuring, by its superior the
transport OF troops and government stores; in
regular and advantageous manner.
BY the establishment of this company, the pro-
duce of the richest district of Ireland, now nearly
excluded by the difficulties OF sailing navigation,
will be brought in FIVE days TO the London mark
cts, and new field for British manufactures will
be opened in return; by direct communication
from the Thames.
These great purposes will be attained by uniting,
IN the most efiectua manner, the powers of steam
ing and sailing; and if other mechanical improve
menis should be discovered, they will be availa-
BILE for the company, when justified by experience
The plans for these objects have been long ma
turing, under the eye OF able and practical engineers
and nautical men, and estimates have been formed
on actual tenders for the whole outfit, including
expenses OF navigation, fuel, Sc The returns are
calculated upon the established rates OF freight and
moderate charges for passengers. Upon such COM
putations, The undertaking offers large and steady
profit for the employment OF capital; and the
whole expenditure will be vested in solid nsurable
property.
This object has been submitted TO his Majesty's
government, and the Act of Parliament for form
ing and regulating this company, has received the
Royal Assent, by which (among other provisions)
the responsibility OF the propretors is limited to
the amount OF the shares held by them respect
lively.
GREAT BRITAIN.--In consequence of the
discovery of the Aiiltonisn manuscripts, which are
about TO be published under the auspices of the king,
his majesty has appointed commission to examine
the documents in that valuable depository Of the
records OF former times, with a view TO printing
the most important OF them. The commissioners
named are, the Speaker OF the House of Commons,
Mr.. Secretary Peel, Mr.. g. w. Wynn, Mr. Croker,
and Mr.. Hobhouse Mr.. Lemon, the deputy keep
er of the State Paper Office, (by whom the M s.
above mentioned was found) has been appointed
SECRETARY to the Commission.
Free Trade. "A bill relative to the British Nav
igation Laws, has recently passed the House of
Commons, which was opposed by Mr.. Robertson.
In his argument against the measure, he made the
following statement:--Tbe increase of foreign
shipping employed in the Baltic trade, was so 900
tons, whilst the decrease Of British engaged in the
same trade was $4,000 tons. The foreign trade of
this Country carried on in British shipping to the
amount OF 900 tons, whilst the Tonnage of TO-
reign shipping employed in the same commerce was
100000. What would be thought Of such a cir
cumstance twelve years agoS Would it not Justly
have caused considerable alarm, if it could be fore
seen that the number Of foreign ships employed in
the foreign trade Of this country was greater than
our own oT roasiiag trade was siir considerable;