Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-03-11
Tor WeEnqNNer.
.n,prcr FOREIGN TRADE"

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mess Editors the above caption, find an aIt
a ssnsd "a Citizen in this mornings Enquirer, which
does Injustice TO worthy clzen as VIII al once DC seen oy
bref recal Of facts twill be recollected that some time
W. NJ, ~ lime last the Portsmouth Pilot in rcpuolshng
nm article from your paper upon the subject OF our oregn
trade suggested The popey OF holding convention at Old
pin, an ie 4,h of July then ensuiGg for the purpose OF
5nn,na some means likely this Stale the
6s nt more direct trade That suggestion was promptly
responded to by most Of the papers IN Eastern Virginia.
pnnIc meetings held in the several towns and cities,
nd deleentes were forthwith appointed 10 attend such
v.n,on The convention met al the time and place pfopo
sed adopted sundy resolutions upon The SUBJECT and appon
rcd two committees 10 mcmoZe Congress for uid 10
the enterprise and the other TO apply to the State Legislature
for an act OF incorporation, &c.
The first NAMED committee consisting Of the Hon. John Y
Mason Chairman together with Messs Jaes LYons, Il.
q. Scott, VIM. Collins, \. Mllhado.
Some time in August the Chairman had an interview with
Mr. Thompson who then considering the proprety Of
submitted, and finding him TO be intelligent enerprsng
gentleman oil large experience i'll The construction and
agement OF navigaon and ascertaning moreover
the measure about 10 be presented TO Congress, would
secure Vir na all the advantages sought be attained
BY the Old Point Convention, upon consultation with his
committee at determined 10 cooperate Zeaousy in
the effort 10 carry that through In forming that
determination, the committee great measure
huenced by the we'll known difficulty which almost invaa-
bly, attends every effort get up and untried
PRISE however important in its promised benefits Thus in
accordance with the wishes OF his committee and the
Of accomplishing the object for which they
appointed the Hon. Chairman not only gave his
personal support TO the before Congress-
also sought and secured the aid and assistance Of Others
when his public duties required his presence here
Alter il ascerained for OF time, it would
DO impossible 10 carry the whole measure through Con-
gress having taken deep interest in the matter, from
the FIRST suggested 10 Mr.. Thompson the propre;y OF
coming down To Virginia and presenting his proposition TO
the Legislature for that portion of the plan which related
the interests of our Stale. induced urge this sug-
geston partly by knowledge OF the fact that of the
leading citizens of Baltimore ready and willing
take hold vi the measure and unless moved promptly
that city would in all probability, anticipate us and reap all
Tho nnaG nd narflv hr
mpraccaby of obtaining the necessary amount of pri-
subscription for such enterprise at this time, when
other important works of internal improvement call for and
require all the resources public and private which State
can we'll afford employ Upon consultation with Messrs.
Seldom Meade Bocock and others OF the Virginia South
delegations found the suggestion warmly approved Of
and Of those gentlemen expressed their readiness TO
aid in carving out Under these influences Mr. Thomp-
son was induced TO here present The proposition
before the Legislature. He has therefore, sought to
thrust himself unnted upon the attention of that body but
has done the solicitation Of those who first
moved in this matter, and who, from Its commencement,
have been its most Jealous and uniting friends.
differ wholly with "a Citizen in his views in relation
to the employment OF Northern capital think il quite
time that should seek get back least small portion
Of that which has long been flowing from us in
nual stream But Dir. Thompson is Northern
He is native citizen OF Virginia and though residing In
Philadelphia yet know the fact that he has been the object
Of injury because OF his advocacy Of Southern rights
and interests.
still believe that the plan proposed by Mr. Thompson is
the only that prove successful and further that il
contains margin broad enough afford the absolute
and entire security for the rights and interests OF Virginia
and all of her citizens cunnO doubt that the Legislature
in the exercise Of its prudent discretion and will prepare
such bill shall eectuay guard against possible
loss All Of which may be done without ;ranscendng in
the slightest degree the of the proposition
doubt The entire readiness of that honorable body adopt
all proper for promoting the interests Of the State
without regard 10 tho particular locality from which the
cessary means for it's accomplishment may be derived
Respectfully, yours, DC, E. I. MONTAGUE.
Richmond March 10, 1851.