The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1845-10-14

changed the course Of trade; and the trade Of AL
exandria, like that of Charleston, languishcd and
fell. But Alexandria had not the recuperative On
ergies Of our southern ports. She fell to rise nc
more for ages, while they have become the produ-
cers, the exporters the chief seat OF the element,
Of commerce. They send forth more Than half, i
not o-thirds, Of the surplus produce of the coun
try. But they send il forth feighied TO death, and
receive no returning cargoes TO make their trade re-
ciProcsi, and to give life TO their commerce.
charleston and Savannah, Mobile and New Or
leans, from their geographical positions, from the
immense supplies of raw materials which flow
through them into the channels of commerce; from
the circumstances that none Of our neighbors Dor
dering on the Cult are maritime people, are in a
situation to command the trade with all these peo-
ple and TO make II regularly pass to and fro through
their bonded warehouses. But the operation of the
present system, far from facilitating these cities
IN the acquisition Of such benefits and advantages,
actually throws obstacles in the way, and prevents
their enjoyment of them.
$50 far from bringing business to those places,
our custom-house statutes actually drive il away.
Take the of the republic of Texas, (and cite
this in illustration, because suppose there are,
in the convention, many who have seen the opera
ton of present system--ay, and felt it, too, as
it regarded her trade through New Orleans, and
therefore can correct me, if | be wrongly
"None but smell vessels can enter the ports Of
Texas, by reason of her shallow harbors. Freight,
sequently the Texas planter, by reason Of the geo
graphical position of New Orleans, and other con-
di,ions to which have just alluded, found it con-
veDent and natural to send his cotton to that city
for shipment abroad. Now every one knows that
never, since Whitney's invention, there pound
Of raw cotton taken to New Orleans for consump-
ton; nevertheless, present custom-house enact
ments required that Texas cotton, which thus came
to New Orleans in the way Of business should pay
into the custom-house 3 cents the pound in cash.
II was immaterial, though the Texas merchandise
was not landed, but transferred right from the
schooner which brought it to the ship which was
to take it away, the cents per pound had to be
raised, and paid into the custon-house, simply that
the customhouse at the end Of some 30 days, might
pay il back again. Now, suppose the Texas plant
TO have sent 900 bales Of cotton New Orleans
for transhipment. He il may be supposed, was in
want OF the proceeds, and wrote to his factor for
an advance upon it. But the latter informed him:
your whole crop is worth, at ruling prices, Blu,
cents the pound, or 10000, and / have to raise
S15, 900 in cash for the custom-house. My COM
missions upon this are considerable; and though
you may claim It as drawback 90 or 80 days after
il is exported, then it will come without any inter
est in the mean time and the custom-house has still
farther claims upon it of q per cent, for keeping
you out of il SO long; therefore, have but small
margin for advances to you.'
"But the planter replies, My negroes are in want
Of clothing; send me, therefore, some coarse wool
Suppose, for the sake of illustration Of Eng
sh manufacture
cotton, with cash Duties and the deductions and de-
lays of debenture; consequently, there are but few
in Market and prices rule high
"But this is not all. Suppose the Texas cotton
just have arrived, and not yet TO be landed The
factor samples 1t, and says to the merchant, You
are buying; such cotton as this commands readily
cents give it; it is Texas cotton, and then you
can pay the duties, and claim the drawback your
seIf5 \
1tAh! il have TO pay you $50, 900 for the cotton,
md $4,000 in cash, besides, 10 the castom-house,
yousIhust take per cent. less in the pound
fhus, this system oppressed the stranger as well
is thc city, and was forcing Texas, which naturally
was as tributary to New Orleans as Arkansas her
Jeff lei to cast about for new channels Of trade and
10 throw herself into the commercial embrace of
hat great boa-constrctor of the ocean. The ex- |
pcdiAncy of building large iron vessels of light
iraughtfor the ports of Texas had already begun to
oe mooted in England; and had not Texas been an
nexed, our vexatious system would have estranged
hat people from us, and lost New Orleans all the
advantages of trading for her people, and transact
ing her commercial business.
at is curious thing, and an anomaly to me, to
see the efforts which the public spirit and enter
prise Of hundreds Of cities, towns, and hamlets in
The country making, each to bring business TO
The place. and then to the stole air with which
he citizens Of many Of these towns take their
ItSnd and countenance government in driving away
Iheir business by its custom-house policy.
Roston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore,
Washington, and Richmond, each has spent mil
ions il rival schemes, with the view Of bringing
business to the place. New York opened her
canals 10 the lakes. Boston saw the aggrandise
msntpf her sister with these new sources of trade,
ly413dppcd them midway, at the cost of millions,
r. perchance, she might divert portion Of this bus
mess to her own wharves Philadelphia sought
10 draw trade from the Ohio river, with her rail-
road and canals. Instantly Baltimore, Washing
ION, and Richmond, each at the expense of millions,
stood forth rvals by railroad or cana-nay, this
convention itself is called upon to consider the
Charleston and Memphis railroad
"Why are the people of Charleston ready to loose
heir purse strings and to strain every for this
Improvement Ii this question were asked by any
would come from thousand tongues: Because it
would bring business to the place. Suppose this
road were completed, and that the general govern
ment had the power to say, and were to say, that
1.-THE produce arriving in Charleston over it, should
pay one-third Of its value into the custom-house,
there to remain until such produce were sold or ex
ported, and for 30 days longer. Such an cutlery as
The South never heard, would come from the land
Of chivary. Yet, precisely such a thing does the
government say, with regard to the produce that
comes from across the blue water. 1t is immaterial
rom what quarter the business comes, whether by
snip Ut car, ITOHl DcyOHu OCCuti VI tuc
aims it is equally important; and, when once pos
sessed, is as much valued.
ENACT into wholes ONE operation this warehous
ing system, and the railroad, despite opposition
will follow vessel goes to Charleston now: she
must take cotton and little rice, nothing at ALI
md then, with this cargo, instead Of having
Cowes, the whole world and market before
her, she must 60 to one the other of few par
ocular ports, Ito neither Of which, perhaps, she |
wishes to go,) on account Of some arrangement al
ready existing, or in contemplation. Now, city
cannot carry on an extensive commerce, unless she
have variety of merchandise, any more than a
country grocer can do a large business without an
extensive assortment.
IL have shown how Charleston might become the |
sntrep6t for large portion Of the trade from Eu-
.ope to the West Indies and the Gulf republics.
The vessels that would carry on this trade from
he warehouses of Charleston to the West Indies, |
would, on account Of the advantageous position Of
hat city, taken in connexion with more moderate
feights, and the trade thence to Europe, come
back with assorted cargoes of West India produce,
% be bonded in Charleston, and distributed thence to
he various marts Of Europe. Indeed, should not
be surprised in short time, to see Carolina cotton