The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-14
probably be from he Red River country

paying deserved tribute hem that mention their
names
My next will probably be from he Red River country
Lieut.. Porter's Views Oh Steamships.
WAsniseroS, Feb. 0, lsa7.
srh:-What is the reason the merchants do not sub
scribe for the stock In the Atlantic mail steam lue7
II was supposed when the English rchans first start
cd the project Of transatlantic steam navigation the
philosophers Of Europe, and DR. Lardner among the
rest denied the feasibility of the plan; hut tho irst pas
sage Of the Great Western solved the problem. We
well recoliect this ships rumphal entry into the bay OF
New York Since the establishment Of this lne that Of
the Cunad has sprung into existence and English mail
radiating from England oil parts Of the
world, and ct American line have not yet crossed
the Atlantic and difficulties appear which prevents the
whole stock from being at once subscribed One OF
merchants of New York nor can it be a want Of enter
prise. To be rich as New York merchant" has be.
come proverb; and the word enterprise, Is always
coupled with New Yorker. So the above reasons can't
be the cause Of absence of American trans Atlantic
mail line. Not only have the merchants Of New York
been engaged in improvements in their city, but expend
ing their surplus wealth in projecting railroads canals
and constructing whnrves, acqueducts, &c These ars
the necessary des to be thrown out to catch and collect
the surrounding traieto concentrate il at New York
All this has been accomplished, ond the surplus
wealth oil the merchants be probably employed
packets would supersede sailing vessels but the
trary the sailing ships have increased in number size
beauty. Inc reason ODvl0u1-the steam vessels
have been the means Of facilitating commercial inorma.
ton travelling and certainty in their time Of arrival
This was desdaratun which was necessary to com
plste the chain in commercial business and while the
steam packets performed tho occupation for which tn
peculiarly fitted the sailing vessels having in fact
s ss nah Sss
relative position between the sailing and steam ship.
But the time has arrived, when the two qualities
should be combined and time has been To-
vorablc IA the present. The means OF conveying
agricultural productions aud communicating with the
great valley and Iivers Of the west have been
plished, and any who will cast his eyes over
tho map Of this country, will OF the vast i'm
o 'ne or Of aren oo n
communication from Europe to China; and within III,
lifetime OF the children now living direct steam com
muncaion from Europe, via New York to tho mouth o
the Columbia River to China, il certain that TIT
emigration OF this country is westward 1t would not b.
tho shores Of the Bay Of New York will be studded will
cities either side from the site of the present city
the Narrows Those who have heretofore contemplated
the project OF ocean navigation have always looked
ward 10 patronage. Vain hope have Away
found private enterprise has always ahead Of govern
individuals subscribing for this stock and should
sighted men neglect to forward the patriotic; and
few years hence, have the modification OF seeing those
who engage in this undertaking, outstrPping them in
wealth and fame. Although he government have not
acted literally yet 1t is to be hoped when the line ID
established their interest will compel them to for
ward grant liberal protection to the obect-no lei
pass into the hands Of foreign capitalists Tor want OF
the liberality
The British ste amers have not fully come up to the
expectations Of Americans; in tho winter they have
been frequently Withdrawn, leading persons to believe
they only calculated for far weather The causes
Of their being withdrawn they not substan
tally built American vessels and the speed Of our
sailing packets 10 better than that of tho steamers and
in addition to this make Ito sailors phrsse) better
weather; but there is doubt in my mind, American
ingenuity and enterprise will all the sppercnt
difculties connected with steam travelling The
great fault in steamships, their sizes thcy in fact
too small II would be profitable to the 10
build steamship OF 5000 tons, than two Of 1900. Tho
difference in consumption Of fuel, and increased speed
would In the large ship. be In the hrs trAing and in
the second greatly the small vessels Transstsnc
steamships, merely to connect Now York with Europe
Say Liverpool In England, any great commercial
port in France that has sufficient depth of water should
not DO less than 1000 burthen provided it is intend
ed that steam vessels should have the combined qualities
OF steam and sailing packets but should it be designed
that they (seamsh should only perform tho business
of TRANSMIT ting letters light packages and passengers
1000 tons would be a sufficient burthen This alone
would give very good profit to the Steam Navigation
Company provided the government makes the pro-
sent small allowance for carrying the mail Believing
that the perseverance, enterprise and patriotism Of the
New York merchants will not allow this noble enter
prise 10 fall has induced 10 urge these who may
at present be deGrou 10 epgegc in IT, TO unite with those
who have already built handsome steamship. Wish
ing the enterprise success,
sm, sir, your OBJ scrvt
W. % PORTER ~ g N