Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-09-01
The Proposed Mercantile Convention.

The Pgoposed Mercantile Convention
A meeting of citizens was held the City Hall
on "Wednesday evening last, at which commit
tee, consisting of thirty gentlemen, was appoint
ed to make arrangements for the meeting of the
| Mercantile Convention proposed to be held in this
city on the 10th day of September next On Fri
day evening, this Committee met at the counting
room Of Messrs. Dunlop, Moncure & Co., and
after choosing Lewis Webb, Esq. Chairman, and
Isaac r. Barksdele, ESQ. Secretary, proceeded to
business.
a subcommittee, consisting of Messrs. H. C.
Cabeli, p. Robinson, ]. Will Dgham, James H.
Gardner and Chas. S. Morgan, was appointed'
whose duty it will be to prepare hall suitable for
the deliberations of The Convention, and to make
such other arrangements as may be necessary.
We are rejoiced to learn that the finest feeling
anmates the Committee OF Thirty, and that at the
meeting Friday evening, the desire of all seemed
to be- 10 give The utmost eclat and efficiency to the
forthcoming convention. Invitations have been
sent to Gov. Morehead and Senator Mangum of
North Carolina, 10 L. w. Tazewell, Esq. of Nor
folk, and to number of other distinguished gen
|
find it convenient to attend and take part in the
deliberations of the Convention Their presence
will add interest, and their wisdom give efficiency
to the action Of the body.
We hope full delegations will be present on the
10th September, from all the cities and towns in
Virginia. The establishment of line of steamers
between Europe and the waters Of James river will
most assuredly revive the declining commerce of
the State; it will do more will give an additional
impetus to agriculture, manufactures and the
mechanic arts. All classes, then, are interested
in the forthcoming Convention, and we hope to
see all represented. Let them come-the hospital
ity of our people cannot be over-taxed, in good
cause. Especially let full delegations from our
neighboring towns and cities attend We wish to
convince them by the best of arguments, that they
do the people of Richmond the grossest injustice
by supposing them to be actuated by any but the
Purest and most patriotic motives, in this con-
templated enterprise. In the accomplishment of
so great an achievement as the commercial in.
dependence of the State petty jealouses, if they
exist, ough to be discarded. To accomplish the
ends had in view,"a long pull, strong pull and
a pull altogether will be requisite Let us then,
on this question, at least, present unite 'front.'
let our people, in word, become homogeneous
whole.
The contemplated Convention 10 assemble in
this city, has attracted the attention of the whole
Union No one doubts the ability of the mer-
chants of Virginia to accomplish all they desire,
80 far as direct trade with Europe is concerned,
and some of the more liberal journals of the
Northern cities even applaud the enterprise.
In this connection, we call attention to the fol-
lowing article, from the Baltimore American of
Friday. 1t will be seen that the American suq-
gests the propriety of making the proposed line a
Chesapeake instead of James River line, so as
to include the city of Baltimore in the arrange
ment. Now,we incline to the opinion that the
people ct Eastern Virginia will be found inimical
TO any such arrangement. Still, we should be
peasedto see delegation from Baltimore present
on the occasion of tie assembling of the Conven-
ton.
STEAM LINES To EuRorE-1He Lopez PyopeUers
a movement IS on loot amongst the business men OF
Richmond and Norfolk establish line of two pro.
pell,r steamers between James River and Europs -
ne superior cheapness with which this class of ships
has heen demonstrated by experience and is now cal
ling mo existence numerous lines of them. New York
and Philadelphia have their regular lines in successful
operation, and that the first vessel of the line
between Boston and Liverpool Will take her place du,
riag the ensuing month OF September. This line will
CONSIST OF tolr pTopeers each vessel to be 1850 tons
urhen, and to cost each $50 COO. A project is on
hand in New Orleans TO start line OF two propelers
OF 800 OF 1900 tons, 10 ply between that point and
LiVerpa 81.
While these enterprises are going on all around US
and giving assurances c prosperity 10 or sister cities
1t becomes tie duty OF Baltimore We think, to take
some measures IN her behalf TO secure direct
trade with Europe by means OF steam propelIers Aud
in this may suggest 10 The proec ors of
the James River line, as proposed to connect Rich
mond and Norfolk with some European port whether
i would not be better TO make the line Chesapeake
line and include Baltimore in the arrangement The
three cities are Chesapeake cities, and they have com
mon interest IN the trade OF noble bay. The sue
cess oil the enterprise moreover would be better assured
by the combined of all three than BIZ The iont
contributions OF two only. There would be better
prospect Tor obtaining the requisite capital, under this
arrangement, and more abundant resources 10 cons
mand ful export and import trade.
Iihe apprehension has been heretofore nerta;ned
with regardo the establishment of direct line of |
steamers between this port and Liverpool that could
not command regularly sufficient amount OF exports
pul ie eApans'on OF cur system OF internal improve
me"ts by which tie materials Of Exports are conlinu
ally Increased in our market srondering us more and
more competent 10 supply cargoes for Europe and stree
The repeal OF the British Corn Laws and ther dI,;a ~
provisions the tacllits oil for our Agricultural
taples 10 the British ports are vastly enhanced and
must continHe TO invite from this country large oman
tiles OF grain, flour aud provisions.
AS beginning TO sysem OF direct trade with En-. |
fope, combination among the cities of Baltimore |
Richmond and Norfolk might serve as the means Of |
necessarily introducing il. Tine would show the ca
pa5hes oil the three citles and sevealy of each We
reg to recommend THE suggestion the consideration
# the two Virginia cities There would be no serious
difhcuties presume, in the way OF adjusting the |
terms ard conditions OF such combination, willie The |
addone means that might thus be commanded for the |
enterprise would form important ilem in the bus.
aess capitol oil $4,000 is estimated as amply |
sufficient to phi into operation line oil Two steamer
propellers Of fifteen hundred IONS