The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-11-15

railroads we want, found schools for our people
open our rivers, clear out our hsrbors, and sur
round ourselves with those things which max,
England so comfortable"
Then if these things are dssirab le if this com
mercial policy is growing necessity if we mus
some time have "drect trade" why postpone it
Sir, repeat, pr9crastinition is the thief Of op
portunity as we'll as time. Give US action ST
am for action action! acit0n!. There !,
no such thing AS "to-morrow." IL neusr comes
1t is always-"to day." Let US go to Oork.
affirm that by our own acts we are improverishine
ourselves. In the one item of ship-buiding.-
lf"A" builds ship which costs him 10000 dol
lars, and "B" similar one in tonnage for 10000
which vessel can afford to carry ut the less
freights! "A" of course. Aud why! The
money laid out for building is the investment Of
capital paying interest in the way of freights
Now if the cost of building be small, tho freigh
is 80 also. Timber Is one of the largest item.
Of expense in ship-bulding, and being heavy
article is expensive in those ports where the,
lave to receive supplies from other places. Fol
e..is reason sir, we can build our ships on better
terms here, for we have the timber at hand The
vessels thus being Of less cost, the freights a.
necessarily less. Is there any gentleman here
who pays round sum yearly in the way oil
freights, who does not see the connection with
himself?
But even admit that these weighty (and as
believe conclusive) reasons fail to convince, how
are we to get our "imports"! y y Shall we
still pay tribute to the North for English goods
Ito both for continental merchandise. We
must "import" rs we'll as export" Sir, we
must have "direct trade" ii must be II is folly
to hesitate and debate about that which is newt
able. Pass these resolutions, give the weight
aud authority of this convention to them, and the
friends Of "direct trade" will produce results,
conclusive and satisfactory to the most preju-
diced mind.
Admitting therefore, the Importance of "direct
trade" and the necessity of its immediate estcb-
lishment, | come to the consideration of TIE
mcdus operandi, the means Of establishing it,
This is convention of cotton planters. True
it is, you are not commercial men, but you have
mighty trust con6ded to you. Mighty interests
are now, and have been within the power of
your control. How have these interests been
promoted Does the history of the past justify
your further indifference and inacton The
cotton planters must act You must have the
Affirmative on this question. The humber and
weaker portion of your fellow citizens and
neighbors, are looking to you for action. You
have been appealed to as the last hope, for tell
j,
Rio Grande to the Chesapeake, is completely in
the hands of New York and English agents,
agents whose most vital interests are involved
in this issue. The issue is between them and
the friends of 'direct trade" the first step to the
commercial independence of the Sout Will
you sustain us? We want your ind ,idual and
united support, shall we have it! The cause of
"direct trade" is in your hands, as cotton must
be the basis of any commercial movem ent in the
South. Mr. President, | hope you will bear with
me, until can get the opinion of this conven-
ton, upon little subject of moral hone ,ty, upon
which differ with some of these same agents
1t is, whether a factor can buy and sell cotton
at the same time, with benefit to the planter |
say they cannot, and in consequence have ar
rayed this influence against my "direct trade"
project. AS these astute gents always bring
up long worded arguments about pounds ster-
ing" exchange" "bonds," A. B. C. buys from
4. a. T., who draws on ID. r. V. &c. &c, and
other equally mystfying subjects. will place
the thing simply before you as it is. Mr.. John
Doe establishes himself in one of your seaports,
and address you as follows:
place and date
Dear Sir:-I have opened commission house
in this city, and take the liberty of forwardinc
herewith, my circular. If you will confde you.'
interests 10 my hands, be assured they shall be
advanced every way in my power,
Very respectfully, &c, J. DOE"
You send him your cotton. He then ad-
dresses the following TO buyer:
Same place and date
My Dear Sir:-Enclosed please find my cir
,ular, as | am perfectly familiar with the IN ar
ket, any order you may send me, be assured,
shall be filled TO the best advantage,
Very truly, J. DOE"
Now gentlemen, what is your interest
!. High prices" What is the manufacturers
L)o prices. | leave the subject to your med.
tation. The thing is beng done constantly.
have taken the ground that there was something
a rotten in Denmark" and informed one of these
houses that an expression of opinion on this
delicate subject Gas he mildly termed IT'D should
be had. | will ask, "do you approve of this
mode of conducting your busness!" am glad
to see by your hearty response, that you do
not. wish with all my heart, that some Of the
believers in this doctrine could hear it. | hope
they will feel it, and that severely.
But, Mr.. President, | meet with opposition
from other quarters also. The best argument
after all, is experience. There is enough to re-
commend direct trade" at least to entite it to
trial. For that purpose propose in my reso-
utlon, tnat eacn planter send small poruon OF
MS crop, say one-tenth or tweptieth, or more or
ess as may be most convenient to him, and con- |
,ign it to Messrs. Hartsen & Bro, Amsterdam,
Holland, through their different ports BY this
means, few cargoes from each port can start, |
Ind it will lay the foundation for further con-
'ignments, if the account Of sales prove salts
actory. IL also creates az assorted market, as
he cotton will by this arrangement, come from
very section OF the country. The results be-
ng brought to the attention of many different
Planters, will demonstrate clearly, if Z" direct
rade" be feasible or not. These vessels will
eturn with assorted cargoes for Southern con
sumption. and il the goods are as cheap or
heaper, Gas we contend they will be,) than New
York supplies, we ask a preference for them.
would recommend to those planters wanting
torres, coffee, negro blankets, and other articles,
o forward their orders. They will get these
Kings at original import prices. ] have formed
Houses in Richmond, Charleston, Savannah, and
Mobile, who nre engaged in this direct trade"
illness They have the means of advancing
literally for these small consignments, and with
ess freights and charges, guaranteeing Liver
POOL quotations. What more is wantedl The