Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-09-29


preceding buttons 1t is important 10 advert to the
specific terms in which that resolution is couched is
thus: THAT the merchants Of this city be- and they are
hereby requested to take into their consideration the
propety Of assembling Convention Of the merchants
Of the South, for the purpose of devsing the best plan
for supplying the Suuth its necessary merchandise and
that they communicate their views TO the public. This
resolution, taken without reference to the context,
adverting to the place where is offered, would amour.
nothing than a recommendation to get up con-
vention purely mercantile in its character and partlcu-
lary to improve the Southern importing trade. Consi.
dered merely in this light, it might safely be admitted
that il is desirable 10 improve tina; trade, tho great doubt
may be entertained whether it be not better TO leave
trade free to seek It's proper level and whether
might not be advisable to depend IN individual
enterprise and sagacty 10 take care Of the mercantile
interests than to resort 10 Southern Convention TO i'm
pose shacksss on commercial intercourse, which may
tend 10 the of Iuonopoes, and to enhance the
price Of goods by confnns the supply to limited chan
nels 1t will not probably be denied, general pro-
position that best to leave commerce as free as air,
and to allow both merchants and agrculturists to man
age their concerns, to buy where they can do 50
cheapest and to sell where they can obtain tle BEST
prices. The time has gone by when it is thought pro.
per SUBJECT trade to regulation 10y law or ny arhhca
systems howe ingenuusly contriYed Nor is It clear
that the importers in other Southern cities would nave
similar far less Identical interests IN TINS trade with me
city of Richmond They might be rivals in it. and each
would probably take of its own interests IT the
merchants of Richmond deem it essential to consult togc
her about their peculiar concerns they can always 10
aud they will understand now pest 10 PI"oe te"'
without the machinery Of either copacts OF conventions
sBrt these hypothesis wide oour present proceed
ing 1t will not, it is to be imagined he commended that
this resolution insulated recommendation 10 Inc
merchants the subject Of trade for the sake OF trade
alone unconnected with the Interior effects may sup
posed calculated to produce lift be so meant then this
enquiry would present itself With what pro-
prety can this Committee of Vigilance undertake to re-
gnlate the affairs ofcomnercc or 10 advise The
Of Richmond how to manage their concerns Inc only
thing which could give that resolution uie OF
would be to alege that 1t ia intended TO
bear upon the question of the aboonists Indeed, the
preamble and The other resolutions clearly shew that tins
Recommendation to the merchants is susceptible OF no
other construction.
considered in this aspec and it can be be viewed in
no other the citizens of the Northern States will under
stand the ola Cow oSou,hern mer
chants cocrcive measure intended 10 operate on the
North the course which it may mean to pursue IN
relation to the abotionsts. The first thing winch &C.
to this proposition is that is entirely new ana
not only not sanctioned by the meeting OF the cIzen
butin direct conflict with their measures nasmuch as 1t
is calculated TO prevent the appeal which they made TO
Northern fellow. citizens from producing the effects
intended And it be doubted that the commence.
of system Of coercive measures, would defeat
every prospect of success, from the appeals made 10 the