Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1847-01-05
Far The ENQUIRER.
STEAM VESSELS TO NEW YORK

An effort is now beins made by large mum
Der Of our business men, 10 obtain from The lie
.islalnre an acl Of incorporation, 10 establish
line OF steam vessels, 10 ply between the ports
iauusDR YsF Japd the e4p oI. 81 trade.
In opposition 10 which, | am surprised 10 Sc
article puTporlins 10 be a" Counter Memorial" L
The enterprise. The old adage Of "slraws Tel
which way the wind blows" holds good in re
gard TO The hostility that is attempted IL be golfer
up in opposition to this enterprise, and The prim,
noveIs in il v i'll find, ere long, that the public a
large will know The reasons which aclualc mos,
opposing H.
The enterprise, il properly investigated, will b;
found not to be local in lis character or design
but one that will prove beneficial 10 Inc Stale a
large. The prime movers in the hostility strive
10 cloak their opposition 10 il by endeayoring Il
make il appear that they leel geat interest in
the welfare Of the line OF sailing craft which
in gleat degree, will be superseded by the
steam essels,-and, 10 effect their object, wish
10 make il appear that the stock Will not be
owned here. II is the wish Of those who are
endea yoIins 10 get il under way, 10 have as
much OF The stock subscribed Tor in our own
Stale as possible, and 10 have al least one q
The vessels built in our own city.
II those whose sympaihirs seem SO much en-
listed III behalf Of The present line I'll sailing craft
VIII take the trouble 10 inquire, they will find That
not ,ne dollar is invested in 1t here; no, not So
much as a timuer head is owned by our own Gill.
Zens.
And asan-when charter is obtained Tor The
purpose Of opening RAILROAD or canal in our
state, is subscription 10 The stock objected 10 from
citizens Of our sister States, or even from foreign
(tt,t III.
abroad 10 solicit aid and very properly too.
II is our duty 10 invite IL no matter in what
shape or form il come; The introduction Of il in.
creases our wealth, and adds 10 the comfort and
ben, fl OF the public al large.
II was mol my intention, when commenced this
article 10 have touched upon any Of The many
reasons that arise, why this enterprise should
Gnl meet with encouragement. DID time permit!
the space that would be required would be too
lengthy Tor an article OF this kind. Bul viii take
the liberty ut putting some queries 10 those who
are in The habit Of thinking Tor themselves, and
they can apply their own ideas and reflections 10
the premises. Has any interest in n. YORK or Bos-
ton suffered by The introduction OF The steam YES
sells that ply between hose places and the British
poIls7 Have the cities and towns from Wheeling
10 New Orleans suffered by the introduction Of
steam vessels on any ii the rivers washing their
shores7 Have me Towns and villages OH the lakes
suffered by The introduction VI steam vessels? Has
The introduction Il this power been an Injury 10
The pubic al Large, wherever II has been intro
duced2 Is mol ouT rapidly progressive prosperity
in power and wealth as nation, greatly Inctb,ed
10 its Influence? Are our citizens 10 b. deprived
vi its power aud usefulness, merely 10 CRAFTY The
interested policy oi selfish Clique trust MOI;
the Legislature, eel satisfied, will grant the ia
cililes asked by those who are willing to put the
ball in motion. They do not seek pecunialy aid
IRON Inc Slalc-but SIMPLY the power To 90 that
collectively which private enterprise is unable 10
accomplish. Another objection urged against this
enterprise i, that il will interfere with our direct
foreign mporlalions. II the question is asked any
impartial importing merchant what the value
oil such il, compared with those made indirectly,
Thy way Of New York; il will be found that II
is small 10 comparison with the later. And
why does it occui2 Because when our vessels
are abroad, they seek that port, on their return
home, where il is known thai employment will
be really found. What port in our country is
looked upon as the one offering The requisite in
ducemenls7 New York is The Polar Star that the
mariner endeavors 10 steer Tor; hence the fTeishls
10 il are lower than 10 others oil less importance,
and The greater the necessity Tor an expeditions
mode oi conveyance 10 bring our imports 10 US
when they arrive. Under the WaIehousing
System duties will not be exacIed on goods when
landed this law enables the importer 10 remove
his goods from one port 10 another, in con-
sequence Of which, am oil The opinion tina,
The Indirect importation will be augmented. The
same reasons apply 10 ports South OF US that do TO
our own; and, BY way OF illustration, will stale
a IA 81 which will sussiantiate il, that New York
mu. continued be the great importing emporium
OF our country, however much we may desire TO
obviale il. From report made 10 Congress in
1885, find that for that year, ending The Both Sep
iember The exports from New Orleans 10 foreign
ports exceeded those from New York, abou, len
millions OF dollars; whilst the Imports TO The
latter Tor the same period exceeded those 10 The
former sevenIy-one millions OF dollars. Had |
mUre recent dates 10 exhibit, similar results
would no doubt be established.
In conclusion, feel assured that if The Legis-
aure will thoroughly examine into the merits of
he enterprise for which an act Of incorporation
is asked, they will at once grant it,
January 5lh, lS47. ENTERPRISE.