Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-03-13
Steam between Norfolk md Eur

and our readers generally have deep and
abiding interest; for the system ofimprove-
ments in which they are now engaged, in
which the State is engaged, can never be
perfected until all her great conduits of
western wealth shall concentrate upon
Norfolk, as the great heart Of the system.
Nature has marked that town as the de-
posiiory of the breadstuffs of the "great
basin," as well as Of the mineral products
of our teeming mountains; she has inves-
ted it with all the elements Of a great city,
Of the emporium Of the Western hemis-
phere, and nothing but the supineness of
man, the antagonistic influence Of human
legislation and short-sightedness, has so far
frustrated the policy Of nature. That ma
ture must ultimately triumph in such a
struggle there can be no doubt; nor is it
difficult to discern, through the glmmer-
ings of the future, the termination of con-
test, which has been scarcely less wick
ed in its character than disastrous in its re-
suits. With continuous line of railway
from Memphis to Norfolk, and steam COM
munication between that place and Eu-
rope,what human mind could calculate the
extent Of our commerce and its bene6cient
influence on the prosperity of the State =
And what if that connexion should be ex-
tended tie the Pacific! Norfolk would be-
come the great mart of the civilized world.
Its wharves would groan alike under the
delicacies of the tropics, the felts of the
arctics, and the necessaries of the temper
ate zones; the canvas of its ships would
whiten every sea; the fabrics of its artisans
would penetrate every country the gold
Of its merchants would diffuse healthful
stream Of trade through every hamlet; the
spires of its thousand sanctuaries would
point to the abode of the Great Giver of
all these blessings, who delights in the hap
piness Of his creatures and is offended
when they spurn the means that minister
to that end.
But we neither meant to write SER
mon, to read homily, nor to paint the fil-
ture glory and greatness Of Norfolk
Tempting as the last theme would be- we
are compelled to defer it, possibly for fn-
ture consideration. Our object is simply
to call attention to the petition of Mr..
Thompson, and to express the hope that
the Legislature will grant the aid he asks.
There can be no possible chance cf loss to
the State, under the guarantees with which
he proposes to fortify her hbcrality, Wills.
the prospect ofat least sCmc benefit to ba
derived fromthc completion oftheproposed
scheme Is sufficiently iuir, to tempt her to
Iavour the enterprise. We have heard
much of late about Southern Rights AS
sociadons" which, by tie way, are got up
ostensibly to secure the commercial indie
pendcnce of the South, but covcrtly to pro-
mote the interests OF the Democratic party;
but for all the practical purposes Of real
independence,we wouldn't give one steam
ship between Norfolk and Antwerp for
all the "Associations" the nullifers and
seccssionists could form in century to
come.
PErITIoN.-The undersigned proposes to estab-
lish line OF first class steamships, of less than
two thousand tons register each, between the por;
of Norfolk in this State and Antwerp in Europe
touching in going returning such other ports in
England and France may be desirabe-the said
ships to possess great speed and qualities and
to be buit in such manner to fit them for any
rIne or naval purpose
The undersigned will contribute two-hfths of the
cost OF construction and equipment of said steam
ers, and begin their construction immediately SO as
to establish the said line at the earliest possible pc
rlod, provided the State OF Virginia shall advance
ITS SIX per cent. bonds with coupons, having ten
years to run. for the remaining three-fflhs. The
bonds thus advanced to be secured to the State by
mortgage on the SAID ships, accompanied by The
Pohcles OF insurance, and contract that the said
steamers shall always run from the waters of Vir-
sinia. The interest on the said bonds 10 be paid
semi-annualy into the treasury of Virginia by the
undersigned, and the whole amount of bonds thus
advanced to be paid by him at their maturity; but
Nv 10 " nave VI pdNlil9 lLtLl Oh at any
time previous to maturity.
The State of Virginia, through its Board of I'M
provement to have the right at all times to examine
into the accounts of disbursements made for the
cost Of said steamers, and to have the continued
right of inspecting them during the term of the
States bonds. and recurring such repairs and i'm
nroverpents yu,Jo !, ,bon, a. ,,;t1 en-. -,-,,., -
efficiency and value of said sto,,nsb;Ts'
Impressed RI, with the belief that commerce be-
and that wants bur dreetve.s a @"u
to make i valuable and la.tingly beneficial to the
lect such poni a. would osr d e reea
ment for the concentration of Southern business
ready ccs.s - anJ',ipig FASHION aeep water, ana
the year. and its connection by an iron network OF
bea, Gnn, odef re south and Southwest seemed
while Antwerp, similarly circumstanced in Europe,
promises to be the best market for Southern pro-