American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-11
0Direct Trade n---The Macon Conven-
ton.

As this body will soon meet to take some step
or recommend some plan IN relation to the great
movement of Direct Trade, it may not be ahiiSs
to give the outlines Of the whole subject ana
offer few suggestions for the reflection OF our
Southern friends
The object 10 be attained IL n direct commu-
nication between the continent of Europe and
the southern ports in relation to trade gene
rally. Ii must be borne constantly in mind,
that an equal, just, and direct exchange COM
mercally is the great consideration. This will
embrace not only the cotton interest, but the
rice, tobacco, wool, cotton yarns, wool in
rough stage Of manufacture; also, the lumber
interest mercantile and shipping, the invest
ment Of money in our internal improvements,
&c., &C.
1t has been proposed to concentrate the cot
ton ut some one point; but this is not advisable,
as it would create at once such local difficulties
as would ruin the whole undertaking. Let
each State and seaport have fair chance; and
let those who have the most energy and afford
the best facilities reap their due reward
There is nothing like healthy competition. 1t
has been proposed, also, to concentrate the
cotton abroad. This is also futile, for the same
reasons. Let Liverpool keep that portion Of
the trade necessary to supply her own manufac
tnrers; and let that portion consumed on the
continent go direct 10 the continent--in other
words, establish o confidential depot, and if
necessary, two.
1t has been proposed Ito obyiate one OF the
difficulties) to form extensive company and
let the planters combine to throw their cotton
into the several southern ports according to the
capacity of each, and to make the manufacturers
seek our shores to purchase. This plan is very
good, except in one Of it's features, and that q
very important one-that is, the transferring the
Ownership here from the planters or their agents 10
a foreign purchaser 1t will be seen at glance
that this would make a transferable monopoly:
for the crops, passing into the hands OF these
agents. would of course be subject to their di-
rection, and place the consumers abroad perfectly
ut the mercy of spectators, destroying their
faith and confidence in the planter. The result
would be worse than the present state Of things.
Besides this, direct importation of merchandise
from Europe is desired instead of buying in
New York. Now, if this cotton should be sold
in our oVn ports, the Of transportation would
be at the choice of foreigners, and therefore
prcfeut aH eICHutye ~ CoH"foutteo, 10 lhc
object and soul of trade, and which cannot be
done ,Oithou mutual facilities and confidence.
We must by all means SO arrange our trade
as to enable vessels to sail from Europe direct
as well as to Europe direct. This we think is
clear. And in thus transferring the principle of
open trade and direct intercourse upon our great
staple of cotton as basis, what becomes of our
rice, tobacco, wool, cotton yarns, lumber, ship
ping, &C.? Aud shall we buy our groceries,
hardware, and merchandise, generally at the
North There is also involved in this consid-
Grafton mighty interest, and one that will,
before many years, have deciding influence
upon the commerce of the northern and southern
continents Of America This interest will re
ceive its first stimulus from the building up in
the gulf Of Ae1ieo shipping interest exclusively
for the gulf BY reference to the map it will
be seen that the States bordering on the gulfof
Mexico and the resources they command viii
well sustain shipping interest designed exclu-
sively for the gulf By connecting the gulf
with the Atlantic by means of railways-say
from Cedar Key to Savannah or Charleston-you
obtain completely and fully what is sought for in
the acquisition of Cuba, and, we sincerely be-
Eeye on better terms md under safer circum-
stances.
This connexion would at once build up gulf
squadron, for it is well known that the approach
from the Atlantic to the gulf is expensive, dila-
tory and dangerous, especially for sail-vessels.
And further, that after they have entered the
gulf, the largest steamers and sail-yesses
(and which are necessary for Atlantic naviga-
tion) find it difficult to enter our harbors This
has long been of the greatest obstacles to the
commercial independence of the gulf. Now, me-
dium of communication across Florida would OBJ
viate all this, for the largest Atlantic steamers
and ships could land from Europe at the Allan
tic depot, and receive the cargoes from the gulf,
brought together at some point on the gulf,
(say Cedar Key,) and be transported across by
railway A line of propellers, steamers, or
sail-yessels, or even steamboats,, could ply along
the whole gulf coast, from Chagres to the
Florida depot. These vessels could be built
exclusively for the gulf trade, and be made
capable Of entering any Of the Southern ports.
The Mexican trade, the South American States
of New Grenada, Venezuela, Guiana, with the
river Amazon, the Mississippi, and, more i'm
portant, the California trade, could be easily
and successfully changed so as to pass through
this line. Over the isthmus and through the
gulf, via Florida, By railway, is the natural and
viii be the eUettpdl course Of the California and
India trade The lines Of steamers from New
York to the isthmus would be broken up, and
the South have the complete control Of this
great commerce. And why should she not
have IT. What peculiar right has New York and
Boston to monopolizc, through the waters at the
very foot Of the South her natural rights !?
L. L.. L....-. 49, -.orrolr, III In rnrd and