Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-02-04
DIRECT STEAM COMMUNICATION.

On Wednesday Mr. Seldom presented To tbs HOUSE Of Re
oressnaiives the memorial OF convention OF merchants
ard othes delegates from tho cities of Richmond Peters
aug and Norfolk ard nther towns and p.ces in virginia
praying the Did Of Congress may be given 10 the esao
!ishr1ent OF q direct communication with EIropo oy oceor
steamers. by authorizing contracts for the transportation o.
the mails between Norfolk In Virginia and Antwerp, o.
some other pon, the continent of Europe by such
ers referred 70 the Committee on Naval Affairs
Upon this interesting subject ask attention 10 the follow
ing article from the Norfolk Argue journal which Is well
known strict construction and It's
position to any Interference with Southern Rghts The sue
Of tho proposed plan should hail most proihc
In benefits be derived from the extension Of Virgnt
commerce. manufactures, improvements, and all her srea'
nome Interests Our good friend Alexander OF the Char-
oesSe 'eaersonian has just returned from temperance
mission to Norfolk speaking of which CITY he In the
language OF the Queen of Sheba ut is report that
heard In my own land-1 have seen with my eyssanc
behold the half not told me-"
We cordially agree with his earnest Of
direct trade with Europe az oows I'VE leave It to our
Legislature in their wisdom, decide as to what course
they should pursue In advancing the great cause We ar,
glad to see that friend August has made movement on
The subject and that Mr. Speaker Hopkins has appointed al
excellent committee
The business of Norfolk is thriving and lis prosperity
every day increasing ought 10 be the great importing
merchants instead of buying their goods in New York
Philadelphia and other Northern Cities purchase their
modties hee and we doubt not that all parties will be be-
ne6ed With one of the best harbors in the world,
easy of access for vessels OF the ageS, class
should DO tho pride of Virginia make Norfolk the grea,
The
rights Southern interests and Southern as
far practicable and consistent with the union OF the
States from commercial dependence upon others while we
have in the State all that necessary without going out Of it.
Norfolk as in days past ough, TO monopeize the greater
portion Of the West India trades and with steamers 20 E
rope secure herself that portion OF the Importing aoe
which done Tor by the eesoi merchants OF I'VE"
York Let the people of Virginia and of the Slave States
but will It, and Norfolk can vie in wealth. trade ana pIpua
tion with the largest cities in tho Union win De done
If the proper spirit and pride of people DC stirred up
will be- 1t s our wish TINT may live TO soc 1t accomplish
ed Norfolk has population Of IA 800 persons In TINS
city and Portsmouth there eight daily papers puosneo
Ever since tho agitation Of the SLAVERY question BE-
gan (says the Norfolk Argus) the State Of PennsyI-
yana has evidently become and sensible tha'
her interest lies In friendly alliance with the South
ern States The Of the majority Of her representa-
,ves In Congress has afforded satisfactory evidence OF hef
disposition to uphold the constitution in good faith The
prompt delivery up Of every fugitive slave that has been ar
rested under the law within her borders is another
signal proof Of her soundness The important project
crred TO In the following article of the National nelgen-
ger is rendered peculiarly interesting by the past course OF
the State and affords further proof Of her desire strength
en- in oil proper ways, the bonds of the Union:
pRoposrD New LINE OF SrEAMEas.-We noticN that the
Legislature Pennsylvania has passed the following reso
utions in relation the proposition OF Mr. Thompson OF
Philadelphia TO establish line of mail steamers between
our Western coast on the Pacific and China and Southern
mail line Europe from Norfolk and Philadelphia TO Ant
weTp,
Resolved That we view with appreciation the project Of
uniting Philadelphia with the South by establishing At
anc and Pacific Line Steamers which enterprise will
much Of the valuable trade from tho continent Of
Europe as also from China and the Pacific hitherto
ftabls Northern enterprise, to ,hs SouhsIu States and