Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-07-04

1
10 which have adverted afford great advantages L;
] building up foreign commerce. and sustaining a ns 4"
Ocean steamers We may mole, incidentay I:" IN esFd
10 lea an article oil prime commerce between a'a ana Lit
rope:
III is sa the finest descriptions do reach Enalsnt
the MdLiarins pay very high prices for those teas n rr
laror is delicate that they would not bear four five
months sweating in the hold Of ship. Many Of the fac$t
teas drunk In China would bear this hot and humid al
osphere. The conveyed Europe by sea- equi,o
be dried and fired to degree which must niue their qus
transportation O this important article Of Asaflc trade
the completed connection between the Eustern cica
Of the Union and the coast OF Asia.
The varied Of these lines 10 which avH refer
red will enable the city of Norfolk compete with The Snu h.
ports Of Charleston and Savannah Although nre CITIES
lie somewhat 10 the trade AREA OF Ihe Southwest ho
saving Of coas-wse shipment effected by GIftci transit
whether The cargo destined of the Eastern cites
or to the great markets OF Northern Eurce vii! give he
city of Norfolk immense advantages.
have thus endravored prove, that Virginia possesses
geographical position which WILL upon the completion o IL"
great enterprises in which she is engaged ensure her his
materials of an important commerce.
have endcavored moreover prove, that her railroad
system WILL with its connections, atd the most direct n1
of communication between New York and New Ollrans,
and thus with Pacific possessions ard with tile coast OF
With these utc:as Of trade and travel it will be ti
fcult TO establish line Of steamers 10 Europe.
In considering subject upon which the commercial ade-
pcndence of Virginia much depends it is "f course m
nortant 10 act with crcumspcction and do nothing wgh
may involve the delay disappointment of our prrpo-r.
The measure requires enterprise capital and erSeVernnc
it depends upon the successful development OF the materials
cooperation OF the various cities interested. has been the
purpose Of this address prove that ell these elements cS
and be commanded Bat it is important 10 preserve
confidence of the world by the delibemre energy
action Precipitation is dangerous delay. Let us Then
examine the efficient method of organizing the proposed
enterprise.
The original of line Of steamers Is
bn il bears small proportion IL their annual working
scs and repairs They compelled employ murh .!
their tonnage in carrying fuel that they cnn"i -!
course, compete with sail vessels for the ransporaon "s
heavy and cheap articles OF commerce. They must DC CON
that ,fp
gers the mail and specie.
Since the commerce Of INTERIOR due the Chesapeass
will be- distributed amons its cities fl plain that an union
OF these cities alone nlan line of ocean steamers
Any Of these cities piring 10 be the terminus OF sGch
a line must come in composition with Boston, New York and
Philadelphia; and although State pride and sectional Jealousy
may. for time, support such enterprise, even al
loss yet the Of national harmony and the steady NJ
traction of interest," will ultimately prevail and trade VIII
revert those points which has been accustomed
If Richmond any river city OF the Chesapeake, should
engage alone in the undertaking. the voyage BY steamer
w0 ud be much heightened in time and distance that the
travel coming from the South would take Northern ine
upon which the steaning would be less The eIe.,
problem with the traveller is diminish the ocean senn
ing because of the superior speed and safety OF seng by
land Hence the of the Boston lines, and hence
the proposal extend railroad to point in Upper Canndt
which the passage across the ocean will be reduced 20
1000 miles. With this preference or land over ocean
river steaming, 1t is not probable that any one cy cn
sustain alone line of steamers The same difficulty VIII
present itself any attempt the part of Baltimore 10
absh an independent ne The traveller intending 10 cross
the Atlantic would naturally prefer going from Baltimore or
York or Philadelphia running the outlet ., the
Chesapeakc-nea.y two hundred miles Of direct
and the direct line OF transit from BALI
more 10 the port of his destination.
1t evidently impossible that Baltimore can work line
Of steamers Europe under such geographical di-adSun
lages that Richmond Petersburg or can d" go
If however the cities OF the chesapeake shall, by com
mon consent make Norfolk the terminus OF the PROMISED
ne that the Southern travel ad'nn-
tnges Of time and distance would be equal with the somewhat
superior comfort and safety Of Southern over Northern
passage the Atlantic, there caa be no DOUBT nn
such line would be perfectly succcss!n each city won
make its connections by bay river Steamers ana s
common stem line from Norulk would make lime and al
ford rate of freight comparing avoraby the Southern
travel at least with any lines North of Each CITY then con"
trbutng its patronage Of merchandise aud remittance "e
lines Of communication with the n!eort" %Ach we nave no
verted would cut off the transatlantic travel going No DC
ccuse traveller c:ossn5 the latitude oil Norfolk me IN
duccnents which have been mentioned wo"o o. s"trht
To determine him in its favor. Bur, the 'avei crosses ~
atirude of Norfolk and goes Norn far Baltimore HE len
iency will be to go direct to Phlljrlpia Nc" oA VI "
ton for steamer Indeed, as to Baltimore, PASSENGER
corning from the South upon The Portsmouth :a, nl-it 60
up bag Baltimore in one day and come down h' on"
the next on his way Euupe he would naturally prI.eF
1kna steamer direct from Norfolk. II iny be sa'd ht
lines from, these cities may touch Norfolk hut :a" r. "i
prefer seeking terminus Of line for the superior CERTAIN
~ There rnay be- then such combination o. the Import
og OF the several cities trading through roon
outlet will maintain line Of ocean steamers "t 'he'e
be perfect harmony and earnest co-opc4'o" '''es
! them. i, r ~
f. is now propcr to consider the best method o! OF.
ganzng such an enterprise There pending before
the Legislature Of Virginia. several prop"Hi'"ls 'o "'e %"
tabshmen of llne uf steamers lney are al" "Wr.e' ~
srable 10 distinct principles Of organization They
| o credit 10 Individuals WIN Il !ltn upon
| the stot X insured and other security. c ).
junl stock association 10 Inc capital STOCK oi moi.
vdlals corporations which shall subscribe TWO h-
the State three -flths e ,,;
gnia are authorized subscribe in their corporate
and obligation is given on the part OF the State 10 0a
| pyen amount upon sufficient security.
These proposals all based upon capital OF one "r one
and hara millions of dollars In The first proposal may be
objected that onn of State credit 10 one or ne nhpnn
ais will not bring enterprise that extended and com
bined Influence necessary TO sustain SO important IN ee
| prise. ,;;I,
The proposed lien is nominal because II is based
| princioally upon the investment of the State loan
The SECOND proposal is Objectionable in this, that the STAG
becomes partner joint Stock scheme, the success Z"
which doubtful whilst tho expenses OF ""h'n2 ~" INC
are certain The State may thus become hplc"'r" J" ~
adventure from which great loss may res"s ana mus '
whole system direct trade be discouraged ana cnlcc
| unnnpulnr h,;,, or ,hc ,uo,
others An union Of the cities and interior towns {" virginia
Stockholders in great enterprise oil TINS c'ai"c'ei va
interest every citizen OF those towns 10 contribute as nuc
| as possible to its success. -,
for mail paw political influence dusrd throuai"nt 'he
State will do more than any individual influence c"u elect
The loan money by the State would not be 50 "rgs an
under the first and il should result in partial or total
loss il will be set down just effort to establish for our
+ selves commercial independence.
There can be no obstacle the Success Of Inc rst props"
son provided it combines the cordial cooperdon "' "i9
cities of the Chesapeake, the city of Baltimore {" c"ure'
inclusive II may be organized present. under some s
advantages owing to the incomplete condition Of 'hr kHt
roads to the interior destined TO act rs feeders ana Indeed
sections Of the great enterprise b oY
The time that the plan be well organized the stock taken
and the steamers built there will be an Interest ai pat
onagc adequate establish and sustain The line perm
In this address upon the advantages OF Inc cmneca ?
son of Virginia have in ntonaIy omitted those s"'sI!.
cal details which mg hav been employed 70 Vefy many
of the positions have snmed that t'e proanc.'ns '
and the inierc existing and anticipated be-
tween The interior and The ABOARD will be adtquas TO my
commcrci,l objects which may have in view These DC.
tailed proofs have been omitted, because they are ac
cessble to ALL So with time and distances upon c'l
ting routes They have been affirmed iroa! accu@Is
surement and could, if necessary, be verified. c .
rates Of freight, and rates Of insurance up3 e &
and coas, line might have been compared 10 ae'a! "t'
the average rate freish, across The Alln.c saas:
hur have nreierred TO the successful result Vi expert
mem, md admission II will be onad that tie prncp'e:
hid down are in accordance with the operation: OF exist
Ing lines Of commerce. and hat they will Justify the imnoa
enIern:i,e of attracting the ports OF !rsnin large t4ft
Of The internal trade, and .! establishing line OF ocst
steamers TO Europe withou which, indeed such an enter
prise would be incomplete. With the employment Of IT,
physical means acquiring political power which we
and bv maintaining in equality and justice the in'au"o
form OF Federal Government which unites and q u
there can doubt that Virginia will be IN ca
tablshng and maintaining her Commercial ndependrhct