Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-03-29

coD,deratons presented TO tbs rind OF IN han hose
which press themselves open US.
VIII IL be said that impJov smept can secure 90
Virginia the benefits OF that commeree! Let briefly
examine that position; which know unfortunately
10 have been assumed by nsuy OF those who have
much at heart tn interest OF the state bu, which am
SURE must lie abandoned upon full Inquiry into the rea
tive advantages which we enjoy. Comtnerce viii al
seek the shortest and most direct 10 market,
when equal facilities are Afforded, and will always
lect tbardirec,ion which furnishes choice OF market
When intend for toreisn expectation, that port will
invariably be preferred whios supplies the
slant and regular means Of uans-shpDents. TAking
New York, Philadelphia, New Orleans, aud Norfolk,
az the four points the Sea Cast, sanding rivals
Tor the trade of the west let ascertain the relative
claims OF each TO reach the city OF New York, the
productions OF much of the most extensive portion OF the
trans nontaue states must necessarily travers. the
whoe l-ngh OF the OAip Canal, TO CleRy Gland, dis
lance OF 3e7 mes; there they must encounter the ho.
qucnily boisierous navig alton OF lake Erie, and be-
yond IL, enter the New York Canal which they must
descend for s63 miles, AMI then pass by the North
River, TO The city OF New York Nearly the whole
extent Of this line lies in northern latitude, and
very considerable portion of IL s closed by ice,
upon average Of near four months ia the year. As
to the in exceptions the Erie Canal, we have the
test Of experience. In relation 10 those which will
occur upon The Oaio Canal, can form pretty
rate esdrae, for tho climate ct the northern part of
Ohio IL as ineement that OF Nsw York. Here, then,
are these two great divisions OF this communication,
70 Mug together distance OF go miles thus liable
his serious delay aud neonve nencs, and separated
from each other by tina, great inland Lake Erie,
the navigation Of which is often psrilcus as tina, of
TO Nav York, 10 subj set to the interrupt with
,ho'c OF the Canal. 1t will be reeoisced too tina,
'cppage OF any part Of the line Is, for the time being,
an obsrucion Of the whole.
Produce intended for Philsielpha, must ascend tie
Ohio River TO PtsburE, from which place i, will bs
transported partly by Canal aud partly by Sack-wster
N;viga ion TO Columbia and thence Distance OF so
miles, by Rail Road Upon portion of the Ohio
River, and the whole water communication through
Pennsylvania, the same diulies will occur with those
described belonging to the line leading 10 New
York. Add 10 these the almost total OF bu-
sness the Upper Onio, during The greater part of
the summer, because OF the OF steam
beat navig alton, aud the fact that the Delaware River
itself, is frequently closed by ice during the winter:
thus cutting of he OF foreign expectation and
you have the facilities and the inducements intended to
conduct the trade of the mighty west, TO the city Of
Philadslpha.
The o. lotions TO a downward comm rec with New
Orleans, OF character different from those which
ach TO au intercourse with the css OF the no, tn;
upon examination will be found seri.
ard :nauperabie In that direction there is but
one marke;-New Odeaus iiself-There is no choice,
and consequently 90 competition The farmer from
the upper eounry, carres his produce there always
with great uncertainty as to the price which he is to
obtain for it, Should he be fortunate enough to arrive
when there but lew corgoes in port, he Is amply
rewarded for his long voyage; but If as is net unirs
questiy the case, he fnis fleet OF Nat boats bockad.
ing the quay, his produce must either upon his
hands be disposed ot Tor song IL is impossible
that population OF AZ A76, consume the produce
climate OF that city, together with it's unfortunate posi-
ton for purposes Of foreign commerce, prs
vent its becoming large and poPulous place, or
the outlet Of the trade of the western states
Although situated upon the noblest river in the
wo,lj, with thousand streams flowing into il,
bearing the tribute OF almost every climate, yet
nature seems unaiteratly TO have fixed ihs desii-
ny OF Orleans, in the mpur. atmosphere by which q,
is surrounded, and the perous navigation by WHICH it
is approached from the ocean IL is located upon
soil saturated with water, which may be discovered at
the depth OF feet below the surface, and encom
passed by swamps and morasses, whose exhaations
deeterious than those OF the Pontne Marsh
=. - 81,
there by the prospect OF gain; is always visited with
apprehension, and would be very generally avoided,
were other and less Objectionable markets opened, to
the people OF the west.
There are many causes which do, and must continue
operate against Orleans, as exporting city. The
first is to lie found in its heated air unriend the
soundness and presefvaon OF the general articles OF
OF that country, it fatal TO human life.
Bread suTs beet pork, aud all tina, class OF pershatls
produce, which will constitute the principal xpor,s Of
the upper vass of the Nj .ssisppi AMI OHIO, never.
with SAFETY be shipped from tina, point la atmos.
phere producing decomposition, sometimes within fsw
hours the delays OF repackns and transshp
ments canpt be encountered. This does not apply TO
the sugar and cotton OF the lower country. The
cond objection, is the want OF free and ready
from the which applies to every species OF produce
intended for foreien market, or TO be SEM coastwss TO
any OF own cities. The dangers OF the Gulph
Stream and the Fssida Reefs are such az nature has
in,erposed and which the efIrs oftsebe can ne
.ver remove Besides. il the home of ienpests and
tornid)es, !rom whence even TO the distant re-
goDs of the Upper Ohio the moot iuriOus gales. The
navigator OF the Mississippi Itself, from the Baze TO
New O.lcans is not without ,s difficulties. Another
serious objection To ,his exporting town. Is its
proximity to the nume Islands off our Southern
Coasts; which sording every facility for their opera.
tons, continue Be the nest OF pirates, aud sea
robbers ubis citing all commerce ia that quarter TO ihee
unlawful depre jalioos-Tbose Islands, belonging az
they all do TO other government, liable amid the
casudlitiss OF war, from which exempt to
become the rendezvous Of hostile eets, interdetDg all
commune alton from Orleans and able place 40 eln.
barge that Single Point, upon the whols business Of
the western States should that be sought ss It's outlet
Cuba in the immediate neighborhoOd, sits Leviathan
upon the waters; aud IN the possession OF mora ef-
cent govt than Spain, might almost block up the Mice
What assurance have that the Spanish government
will long be able to retain is sovereignty n that islapdf
Spain has become, in the language Of another, dhe
cfumblDg corner Of splendid continent" She is too
weak to govern at home much more 20 10 maintain bsF
possessions abroad. Suppose Cuba transferred 70 Great
Britain or given az HbH to The Autocrat of all the
Russias, what effect mil ht such change have upon the
commercial Importance Of New Orleans!
what are the difficulties OF tuning the tide Of west
ern trade through The Commonwealth Of Virginia, and
conct uuang u upon the shores of the Chesapeake ;
and what ho facilities and Inducements which we can
offer, In comparison with tbo'e Of our great rivals
Whether you take the diStaotes on The map or az as.
certsned by actual admeaursment II will be found
hat ON he centre Of the State OF Ofo IL il nearer
to the town OF Norfolk han 10 Pbnsdepb New York.
New Oflesns. The whole country beiotO 10,
qrenuy, Scorer ~ Ne than 10 The two northern cities
From u city of Richmond 20 the mouth Of the great
KaDawha, is $50 mile; from that point the
country 10 the Ohio Canal, raSfing ia The valley OF the
Scioa is 80 miles; by Geseeudng zoe Ohio River, from
II