Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-07-06
rcoNMuN1cArEp. |

IS what means can be adopted to render our Town
more prosperous?' have already suggested what
consider would be greatly beneficial to the
Town-the establishment Of importing houses;
and have pointed out one instance in which it
would have most important bearing upon our
monied institutions. and, through them. the COM
munity at large have also admitted, that
nufactures would be beneficial. but that com.
merce was necessary TO give effect to them. In
the application OF this principle, will now en-
deavor to show, that manufactures cannot be sue
cessfully carried on in this place, at the present
time. without the aid of importation Of foreign
goods: although admit the case would be dif.
Ierent If the canal we're now in operation-but
of this hereafter.
Two things are wanting, aud are necessary to
the successful operations of manufactures-capi-
tai and market. With respect to the first,
capital" g Bellhaven" says ave have it in
our pockets" IL this be so, and it happens to
be in the pockets Of those who would let it out
Of their pockets and place it in manufacturing
establishments, there would be an end OF the dis
cussion on this branch of the subject. But
would ask :" Bellhaven' if this is the fact?
answer, no. 1t is true, there is capital sufficient
in the hands, or pockets as "Belhaven" will have
ii, Of some citizens in town. to establish one or
more manufactures upon large scale: but will
they do its-lf We may judge the future by the
past. should say they will not; for, with the
exception OF the gentleman TO whom the Town
is so much Indebted for his enterprise and public
spirit in the establishment of Foundry and Ma
chine Mandatory, and which is not surpassed
by any establishment of the kind in this country,
and him of the Point. Who is now setting up
mandatory which is likely to become OF much
Importance to the Town, in consequence of the
s eli, hui
men are satisfied to enjoy the fortunes they have
made, with but little disposition to invest their
money in manufacturing establishments, or to
devote their time and attention, in any other
manner. for the general benefit. IT, then, these
large capitalists will not contribute to the esta-
blishment of manufactures, to what other sources
must we lock for the means OF doing IL! One
source from which a Sufficient capital for all our
purposes may be drawn, has already been point
ed out By writer under the signature OF 1" NJ .
His suggestions are worthy OF our serious con-
sideration. Another is the joint stock
scheme, which has not failed to answer the pur-
pose to the North, AID have no doubt will
equally we'll here.
But, If these fail, there is still another source;
and that is. the transferring of nart Qf the cap.
tai employed 10 merchandise TO that OF manufac-
turing. as suggested BY - Bellhaven," aud this
manufacturer depends upon the importation Of
the foreign fabrics sold in our market.
To carry the dry goods business as it is
now conducted, by purchasing TO the North to
an extent that would be really beneficial to the
Town, will require considerable capital: for
to compete at all with other places. the goods
must be purchased with cash; and therefore, at
present, we could not reasonably expect our dry
good merchants 10 do much towards manufac-
turing. But If the same Amount Of Goods was
imported directly from the foreign manufacturers,
the capital required would be much hess than
when purchased To the North. and therefore
much larger amount night be employed IL. ma
Dufactures: for il will be recol'ected, that when
YOU purchase To the Narth. you not only pay the
prime cost at the place Of expectation, but YOU
also paw duties, charges, and profit, which, to-
sether. never fails to be equal to the original
costs; whereas, If you import YOUR goods, you
only employ so much money capital, in the first
instance, as to pay the original costs and charges
of impor,ation the duties you have profit an AMI
the profit is saved Now, if the duties and pro-
fits will amount to so per cent, this amount
might be employed in manufactures in the man
ner pointed out by Belhaven" And as the
importing foreign goods would enable US to sell
as low as In the Northern cities, 1t would neces-
sarily increase our business, and consequently
add SO much TO the consumption Of domestic
goods as to make the investment of that portion
OF capital in manufactures a profitable invest.
ment. besides the other advantages pointed out
by a. Beilhaven." Ii ia evident. however, that
at the present time the demand for goods in this
place does not offer sufficient inducement to es-
tabIish manufactures to any extent; il would.
therefore. be necessary to create an additional
demand for such articles, before we could manu-.
facture TO advantage.
And how is this to be doues | answer, BY
simportng general assortment Of foreign goods
suitable to country trade. and BY selling them
on such terms as viii induce country dealers to
purchase of you; you will thereby create pro-
portionate demand for domestic goods. Itseems
10 me, therefore, that in everv point OF view |
can place the subject, the establishment Of i'm.
porting houses is matter Of primary importance
10 the prosperity Of our Tewn.
Bot even this plan will not produce material
change In our affairs, unless it IS supported by
for nh tha tdal