The southern press., 1851-09-17
VIRGINIA commerslaI enyentIon.

Mr.. BUEwELL, OF Bedford. Inc coinnitlee
appointed on yesterday, charged with the duty
of preparing report and resolutions for the
consideration Of the convention have performed
that duty and directed me to submit to the con-
vention the result Of their deliberations.
For the information of this body, will read
the report of the committee. II is as follows:
The committee appointed to report to the
convention the most efficient means of achiev-
ing its important objects, have reformed that
duty so far as the materials existed for
proper statistical exposition Of the value Of the
trade of Virginia, rs well as the facilities CON-
pleted, or in progress, for its transportation to
the exporting cities OF the State
The commercial prosperity of Virginia is
based upon the employment OF the Chesapeake
ports; and no project for acquiring the ma
terials or the means Of expectation, can be sue
cessful which does not contemplate their em-
ployment. rn.|
The country tributary TO the Chesapeake
possesses advantages not surpassed by any
other on the Atlantic. Nature has been so
bounteous, that the difficulty has been, not so
much to discover good site, for city, but
to Disseminate between the numerous excellent
locations presented. Norfolk, Richmond, Pc
tersburg, fredericksburg, and Alexandria, have
all been established to receive and conduct the
trade of Virginia.
From the individuality of these local interests,
it has been heretofore impossible to adopt any
system of improvement calculated to promote
the exclusive advantage Of any one OF the cities
referred to. Apprehensive that the limited
trade legitimate to each might be diverted to
some rival, impediments have been thrown in
the way Of great lines of communication v it'll
the interior Of our own and other States, calcu-
lated, perhaps, to vary the local direction OF
some particular trade, but destined, in the end,
to compensate each of these cities, by its d-
vidend of trade far SURPRISING in magnitude
aud value, any particular loss. The evils OF
rivalry, will, however, be no longer felt, each
of these cities having received line OF internal
communication, many of which are now con-
vergng to a common point OF union ; interests
heretofore supposed antagonistic, are now har-
monized in the completion Of plan common
TO them all, and weapons frightened by the
confici of generous rivalry, are now welded
in the achievement OF common triumph. 1t is
thus that the construction of the South Side
raj road, and of the James River canal, make
the prosecution of the Virginia and Tennessee
railroad, alike important to Lynchburg-to
whose public spirit is so largely due the concep-
ton and execution Of that great project-to
Richmond, aud 10 Petersburg. The extension
of the great Central railroad to the Ohio, no
longer subject Of exclusive interest to Rich
mond, appeals to the support of Alexandria.
The completion of the Dock connections will
connect Norfolk with the James river and Ka-
nawha canal. and interest that city in its exten-
sion TO the Ohio. The Richmond and Danyile
railroad is upon the same principle, a work from
which Petersburg and Richmond may derive
common benefits.
Convinced, therefore, that their interest and
duty alike demand cordial alliance, the cities
of Virginia will hereafter bestow upon the ex-
tension of the great lines Of improvement here
in iicated their earnest and combined co-opera-
ton. . q.
Since, however, the partial completion of
these great improvements have already bestowed
upon the cities Of Virginia a large accumulation
oftrade, il becomes necessary to encourage the
establis hmcnt of n commercial marine, of sail
ships and steamers, TO convey abroad our own !
trade, and exchange for it the productions Of
other nations. The export and import trade OF
Virginia is now taxed with transport coast
wise, for expectation from Northern cities il is
burthened with the charges OF Northern mer-
chants whilst the whole commercial profits
resulting from freights, exchanges, as well as
from the Importation and supply of the goods
received on exchange, result ex lusiveiy to
We state this fact in no spirit of sectional
prejudice, but as consequence OF our own
supneness. We think it time that a trade so
circuitous, and tribute so unworthy, should
cease. We should now export from, and import
into the Chesapeake cities Of Virginia, by YES
sells owned and manned by Southern men. No
State can expect TO preserve its prosperity, which
does not provide for its citizens the varied pur-
suits in which industry and enterprise shall re-
ceve an adequate reward.
In estimating the present value OF the Chesa-
peake trade, so far as meteriaIs are at hand for
correct estimate, will find that the James river
and Kanawha canal its principal tributary. con.
tributed during the lrst year, SO, % S65,49, the
products of the interior whilst il carried into
the interior, merchandise and other articles val
ued at S7,727, ,224,29~
The business of the central railroad has
doubled within the past year, its downward ton
mage amounting to $4,000 tons, and its upward
transportation is perhaps one-half that amount.
The Richmond and Danve, the Richmond
and Petersburg, and Richmond and Fredericks-
burg railroads, contribute considerable additions
TO the aggregate of trade upon the James river.
Amongst other important items Of an export
trade, We may mention that the total inspections
of Virginia bacco amount TO 10000 hog sheads,
Ol WHICH the hrper pOIilOn - sHlppeu 10 bu'
rope whilst the remainder, with large amount
not inspected, is manufactured in the interior
for consumption at home and abroad.
The Touring mills in Richmond manufactured
last year l,l73,l00 bushels Of wheat, and are
expected this year to manufacture ,5S7, 100
bushels. This flour e shipped to Rio, through
Northern houses. In ,essels whose return car.
goes consist chiefly Of coffee. This coffee is,
in turn, sent back in Northern vessels TO Vir.
ginia, for consumption--the freights, commits.
sions, and commercial profits of both the export
and import trade, being direct loss to the
State Of Virginia, TO which this trade rightfully
belonged.
During the present year, however, some Of
the most enteprising merchants Of Richmond
have shipped nine cargoes Of -four, directly to
Rio, the vessels to return to this port with
hides, coffee. and other products Of South
America. We are moreover informed that
larger amount Of goods will be imported this
year to Richmond than has been imported in
any one year for series Of years; and that the