The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-12
Direct Trade Convention Mt Old Point
Comfort.


| convention held in the chapel of Fortress
Monroe on the 9Th instant, to consider the expe-
diency Of establishing direct trade with Europe
and OF organizing an ocean steam navigation COM
pany. The following gentlemen were the officers
Of the meeting:
President-HoRAcE L. KENT, of Richmond.
Vice Presidents-Conway Whittle of Norfolk, r.
w. Baugh of Portsmouth, Robert G. Scott of Rich
mond, X. X. Meade OF Petersburg, Joseph Segar Of
Hampton, Thomas L. Preston of A bin gdon.
Secretaries William +. Richie, r. II. Gallaher
Of Richmond, Samuel Il. Sawyer, Thomas G.
Broughton, William E. Cunningham of Norfolk
John S. Cunningham of Portsmouth
James Lyons, esq, Of Richmond, from the COM
mittee of thirteen appointed to prepare business for
the convention, reported the following resolutions
lst. Resolced, As the opinion of this convention,
that il of great importance to-virginia, and all
the southern States whose produce is sent to New
York and other northern ports for shipment to for
eign markets, and whose passengers embark at
those ports that a direct communication, by line
Of steamers, should be established between Chesa-
peake bay and the island of Great Britain, and
thence with the other markets of the world, until
direct communication can be established with the
continent of Europe.
ID ResOlued, That the southern States are enti-
tied to participate equally with the North, and
every other section OF the country, in the benefits of
the Government OF the United States to which they
have contributed, and do contribute in every vaiua
Bile quality and material, as largely any other
section OF the nation and 1t Is the duty, therefore,
cilities with those which afforded to the North,
or any other section. And as it would be very
great facility to the people of the southern States
generally, and especially the southern Atlantic
States as well as economical to be able to transmit
and receive their letters and from southern port
instead of sendirg them to and receiving them from
Boston and New York, it is the duty of the Govern
ment 10 afford much aid to the establishment of
a line OF ocean. steamers from the South it has
afforded to similar lines from the North
3D. Resolrtd, That a committee of five be ap-
pointed TO lay our claims in this behalf, by memo
rial, before Congress- and to ask that it will make
such appropriations may be necessary, corre-
spending with those which have been made for
other lines OF ocean steamers which carry the mail
4th. Resoiued, That committee of five be ap-
pointed " petition the Legislature of Virginia to
take the subject into consideration and bestow such
aid as 1t may deem wise and best calculated to iss-
ter and sustain our enterprise. In the opinion of
this convention, the Legislature in no manner
regulate its taxes, and appropriate money, more
legitimately or properly, to aid people in
crease their resources, and render their works of
internal improvement profitable, than in erecting
and sustaining an undertaking like this, which win
increase our commerce largely, and thus enhance
the value OF agricultural productions; save to our
people a very large amount now annually paid TO
others in the various charges attending a coastwise
trndc, in the form Of commissions to factors aud
agents reghs, insurance, and the cost of travel TO
the points at which purchases made and il may
also, we confidently believe will, be made greatly
10 extend the manufactures of Virginia.
5th. RssoiVed, That in the opinion of this conven
ton, II the postages received on the contemplated
line Of steamers shall for "a time fall short OF the
amount which ought to be paid under the contract,
the United States will be fully Unidentified by the
facility which will be afforded of adding 10 the
steam force Of the navy on any sudden and press
ing emergency.
The vote was then taken upon the resolutions
and they were unanimously adopted.