The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-09-16
From the Richmond HThig.
Commercial Convention.

The convention on Wednesday adjourned
over to o'clock yesterday evening, at which hour
it again met. We regretted TO see that less
spirit prevailed than was previously exhibited,
for few persons were in attendance, and they ap-
parently not oyeseome with enthusiasm.
Mr. Burwelt, chairman of the committee ap
pointed to prepare an address, &C., read report
to the convention, which was marked by the lu-
mnous reasoning and valuable statistical infor-
nation, Characteristic of the efforts of this dis
tinguished advocate of the cause Of internal I'M
pro, ement. The following resolutions were
appended to the report of the committee;
RESOLVED, (as the opinion of this committee,)
That lines Of mail or other steamers, or other
vessels, from Hampton Roads to some port or
ports of Europe, ought to be established; and
Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky,
and such other Southern States as are disposed
to aid n the enterprise, should be appealed to
and an appeal should also be made to Congress
to bestow upon such line the same mail facilities
which are extended to the Northern lines and
the bars which now obstruct the navigation OF
James river, should be removed
Rcsolsed, That committees be appointed to
memorabilia Congress and TIE Legislature OF
Virginia, and to prepare an address to the public,
upon the subject aforesaid, and the great i'm
portance to the people of Virginia, and the
South generally, that they should conduct their
own trade directly on their own bottoms, aud
with their own men nnd means.
Resoired, That lines of packet ships, screw
propelers, or muil steamers, ought TO be estab-
lshed between the exporting cities of Virginia,
and the West Indies, and South America.
Resolped, also, That the people of Virginia
be requested to hold meetings in their several
counties, cities and towns to effect the objects of
the foregoing resolution and that to this end il
! be recommended to them to adopt some organi-
cation by the appointment of standing and cor
responding committees, or otherwise, as to them
shall seem best.
Resolred, That the merchants Of our Atlantic
+ cities ought to import directly TO our Virginia
ports the reduction of foreign countries used
and consumed in this and the adjoining States ;
and that it be recommended to the merchants OF
the in erior, and the people at large, to aid them
in this noble enterprise.
On motion Of Captain Dimmock, the report
was adopted unanimously
The question then recurring upon the ndop-
ton Of the resolutions, Captain Dimmock moved
that vote be taken upon each one separately.
ColnneI Morgan regretted that he was com
PEELED to dissent from the action of the com
mttee and the resolutions proposed by it. He
developed his views l. detail depreca,ing the
introduction Of party politics, Of all appeals to
the federal government for aid, and insisting
upon the necessity Of individual action. Az an
embodiment of his views he offered the follow
fnQ resolution, by way Of substitute, for those
psepsred by the committee.
Resolued, That committee be appointed to
open books for subscription 20 joint stock
company for the purpose of constructing or
purchasing the necessary vessels to form line
BIZ packets between Virginia and Europe, to be
propelled BY wind or steam, with sufficient
capital TO run the said vessels.
That the said committee prepare petition to
Be presented to the Legislature for the incorpo-
ration Of ssid company, with leave TO the corpo-
+ate authorities Of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Peters
burg, Richmond, Lynchburg, Freder ,cksburg,
and Alexandra, and any other corporate town in
Virginia, 70 subscribe for stock in said company.
Some diecussion here took place which closely
resembled political dspute--the right of the
ederal government to appropriate mail money
md remove bars in rivers forming the bone of
ontention--Col. Morgan. DR.. Mallory, Captain
Din mock, Captain Fulion, Mr.. James ferguson,
l. C. Cabell, and MIR. Jas. G. Crane, participant
M in the discussion. The debate, however.
oon took a wider range, and the propriety of
Establishing a limo Of stesmers or a line Of pack
Ia was eIaboratIy consider d. We hope TO
urnish some sketch Of the discussion hereafter.
Mr.. II. G. Cabel, in order to obvate all diff.
culties, on behalf Of the committee, withdrew
he I'D, in the series Of resolutions proposed
Col Morgan, for the present, withdrew his
nbstitute.
The question then recurring upon the adof-
lon Of the resolutions of the committee. they
kere carried with almost perfect rnanimity.
The sui stitute offered by Col Morgan was
hen adopted, and placed in the series in lien Of
be I'D resolution previously Withdrawn.