Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-13

which it encounter its way to Liverpool and
Havre.
Charges from Memph is to Ney Orleans.
Transportation from plantation to Memphis will
cost say per bale. so
Freight to New Orleans. NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. l 90
Insurance. Observation-Disclosures. 25
Freight from New Orleans to Liverpool, s...... 5 so
Additional insurance. 4,......... 20
Loss OF time by New Orleans, 80 days, a....... 20
IS
Charges from 100 miles on the route from Memphis
to Charleston.
Freight, Sl3 20 per ton. ................... rs
Freight to Liverpool, Observation-Disclosures. 80
IS o5
Difference in favor of Charleston ............ Is 0
In this statement we have not noticed those charges
which would be the same on both routes such
missions &c. And while the difference would be les
sened in proportion as the planter lives Memphis it
would be increased in the other direction; and conse
queny, would greatly increase the comparison in favor
Of Charleston.
But there is another fact which even if the charges
equal would turn the greater part of the trade to
Charleston. The whole OF the crop above the shoals
the Tennessee is obliged to await the rise of the RI
TO get to market; and even below the shoals, the
roads are heavy that hauling is uncertain de-
pendence. Experience has proved that on an average
OF years. in the Valley OF the Tennessee requires II
months after the planters crop ready for market
before he can get it to New Orleans and realize upon
it. Here, then, is loss of interest the whole crop
of this region which, in thepresent year Alone amount
ed to nearly 100000. The whole of this immense
sum would be saved to the producer by railroad upon
which his Cotton would find market in week, and
that too, at an Atlantic port, favorable for its
sale and tor the receipt of its returns. For although
the railroad will lessen the time in getting to the New
Orleans, as well as to the Atlantic market, yet when
the produce reaches the railroad It'll open to COMPETE
ton, and will take that direction which offers the
greatest inducements. These we have already shown,
are greater at Charleston. There can be but little
doubt, therefore, that Charleston would be preferred
he best proof that this result follow given by
found their way to Charleston, although they were
hauled, at great expense TO the terminus of the Geor
gia railroad. Another parcel at Memphis was divided
intotw lots one Of which was sent to New Orleans,
and the other forwarded to Charleston as an expert
ment up'the Tennessee river and the present COM
roads to Chattanooga. The lot to Charleston was
sold here at price which compensated for all these
disadvantages, and realized much that sent to
New Oreans both being sold at about The same time
The in ference reasonable therefore, that the greater
part ofhe Cotton raised will seek outlet by Charles
ton:
The competition at New Orleans offered by the
grain and sailed provisions of the Northwest would
unquesonably give decided preference to Charleston
for all such produces and when to this is added the fact
that the climate of New Orleans and the river navga-
ton unavorabe to such produce, while along the
railroad such produce be retained and forwarded
at any time TO market, and be converted Immediately
INTO money 1t obvious at glance, that the railroad
must have the preference for every thing one hundred
miles this side of Memphis.
For all the country above the Muscle Shoals the At
lantc route would have the preference that to N
Orleans. AT present, without railroad, the produce
OF This region descends the Tennessee into the Ohio,
direction opposite to the market and thence makes
circuit by the Mississippi, distance of about 1000
miles. The Railroad would reduce this distance both
to New Orleans and Charleston, and bring these cities
into competition. The distance from Memphis to New
Orleans and to charleston may be considered the same
Every mile towards Charleston is doubled when you
turn to New Orleans and in the Tennessee valley the
direct communlcat ion with Charleston is from 500 to
600 miles, ag inst 900 or lO00to New Orleans. The
charges OF ranshipment at Memphis will counterba-
lance the difficulties at the Augusta Bridge When
this produce reaches New Orleans meets the compe-
titon OF the whole North west, in unfavorabe eli
mate, and obliged, at last to come round to the At.
lantc for market. 1t is obviously to the interest of
the producer in the first instance to TO this
ket at once, rather than make the circuit by New Or
leans.
Let us consider the other great element oftrade
namely The merchandise which must be returned for
consumption. There are two methods by which we
arrive at an estimate OF the value OF merchandise con-
sumed by this region AS general rule the exports OF
planting region are the measure OF its imports The
Cotton exports amount, as already stated, to 100000
bales, which, at average prices, would be worth at
home about eight millions oil dollars; and if from this
sum be deducted about one million for importaons OF
negroes there remains millions to this must be
added the value OF other exportssay hall millior
matchmaking in the whole 81 500, 600.
BY another mode OF estimate we arrive at a similar
result. BY actual statement from the census, it is
ascertained that in country there is consumed SIS
OF goods imported tor each inhabitant and it the same
ration be fixed for the whole 500 600, will amount to
the same 81 500 O00. Throw off the the odd half
million for any excess of statement and may fair
ly set down 100000 the amount of goods requi-
red for this region
Ofths amount probably all the groceries, and por-
ton OF the dry goods, will be supplied from New Or
leans. But we think that the following considerations
will show that the remainder must be furnished from
the South Atlantic cities, and probably not less than
50 O00,000 will be furnished by Charleston.
The experience OF the present business season has
hibed The fact, that with existing communica-
tons, our market is already preferred Merchants in
Huntsville and East Tennessee, who have always,
heretofore purchased their goods at the Morrill, and used
the Northern routes, have this year purchased at
Charleston. The distance which goods must travel by
the nearest route:
From Philadelphia to Memphis is. l,643 miles,
+" Baltimore to Memphis, is. .....l 45S
:" Charleston to Memphis, iS..... 1868
Difference in favor OF Charleston. .693 miles
The difference against New York is still greater
Charleston then has The advantage oil distance. But her
advantage as to time is still greater.
BY the present mode OF supply, the goods only
reach the valley of the Tennessee when the per-
nit. The win er with its snow and ice at the North,
and the summer with is low rivers at the South, inter-
pose many difficulties that The merchants obliged
to buy supplies for six months at time. Large socks
must therefore, be kept hand requiring the employ
men OF heavy capitals in lew hands The absence
of competitions and the loss OF crest, ocourse great
ly increase the price OF goods to the consumer; while
the loss which the merchant suffers from deterioration,
drainage and other injury to his goods, compels him
put large advance to the price This is strikingly
exhibited by the prices current OF of oursta
pie articles Sugar, for instance, is selling at Huntsville
tor $40, while 1t s quoted at New Orleans AT 50; and
salt ranges average at huntsville OF 80 cents per
busel, while it sells on the coast for 20 cents.
A Rail Road 10 Charleston would al once reverse
this operation. The merchaLt could then get his goods