Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-07-21
THE VIRGINIAN.
JAMES MCDONALD, EDITOR.
LYNCHRURC, JULY ~, 1881.
sThc Commercial future of Vir.
gtmia."

ssThc Commercial future Of vir-
gtmia."
We have read with much pleasure and
instruction an address by VIM. M. Bur-
well, Esq. Of Bedford. before the Central
Southern Rights Association at Richmond,
in the month Of February last. The sub
ject Of the address is "Tbc Commercial
Future of Virginia" In considering it Mr..
b. makes an elaborate analysis Of the his
tory and statistics Of trade, the tendency
and influence Of artificial lines Of commerce,
and the advantages of geographical posi-
ton possessed by Virginia-as the natural
medium of export and import for large
portion of the Mississippi valley. OF the
Chesapeake Bay, he says that extending
from the latitude So 81, more than two
hundred miles to the North, it is entitled
| from its climate and commercial advanta
Ito be called the American Adnatic. alt
varies from 10 to 30 miles in width, affords
generally about fathoms Of water. and is
navigable at all seasons for vessels OF any
class whatsoever II is free from ice end
safe from storms. 1t receives tho COM
merce Of those important tributaries, the
Susquehanna, the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, the
Rappahannock, York and james and
Roanoke rivers, and Albemarle Sound
1t is the medium Of importation and ex-
portation for the tdc-water cities Of Balti-
more. Washington, Georgetown. Alex
andria, Fredericksburg, Richmond, Peters
burg, Portsmouth and Norfolk-thcse cities
have an aggregate commercial population
of more than 100000. 1t receives. or ought
to receive. the productions Of about 80 1000
square miles, its legitimate territory, be-
sides what it may hereafter obtain by COM
munications with the interior"
OfNorlolk he says, "from its excellent
harboragc and accessibility, its cheapness
and abundance of supplies. it can sustain
as heavy commercial population,and can
afford as cheap rate Of factorage TO the
commerce Of the interior as any other At
lantic city whatever. So superior are the
natural advantages of this city, that more
than 70 years it was regarded rs "the en-
porium of the Chesapeake and its waters, !"
whilst secondary TO misplace, "were Rich
moad. Petersburg, Baltimore" and other
towns. Perhaps, with a prophetic dis
trust the enterprise of his countrymen
the writer added accidental circumstan-
ces may, however control the indications Of
nature"
Assuming the proposition as indisPuta-
BILE, thatartifcial facilities of transportation,
being equal, commerce will prefer the
most direct, Mr.. B. asserts that the line of
Railroad projected by Virginia when it
shall have reached its terminus at Mem
phis will afford the most direct route for
the transit of commerce from that point to
the Atlantic For this line, with another
extending to the Ohio river, he claims spe-
officially the trade of Kentucky, Tennessee,
North Alabama and Mississippi, and Vir
ginia, with much of the trade which is col
lected at the interior cities of Cincinnati,
Louisville, Nashville and Memphis.
Mr.. B. thinks the obstacles to railroad
across the Rocky Mountains to California
or Oregon are too numerous and consid-
cradle to admit of the construction of such
a work at present, but contends that 1.-The
projected lines of railroad and canal com
municarions through Central America, will
unite the advantages of cheap freights and
rapid transportation in sufficient degree as
to ensure the trade and travel communica-
ton between Asia and the United States,
possibly between Asia and Europe. Il
may only advert then to the prospect Of
being upon the presumed line of uavel and
commcrcialintercours between the United
States and the 500,000,000 Of people in
Asia, with whom we are taught to antici
pate commerce. l may only advert
to the assertion made by highly competent
authority, that the teas alone of China ex-
ported to the United States annually a
mount to S2O,0O0,O0O, whilst the foreign
commerce with the Oriental nations is est
mated at S20O,O00,00O annually
Mr. Burwclls conclusion is as follows:
III, however, we confne our anticipatons to the
mere transportation of the valuable articles OF gold
silver teas and silks, which may expect to-
gcthcr with the travel and other accessories intend
cd for American consumption, must be satisfied
that the lines of Virginia Railroad. comprising
tions Of the direct line Of communication, to
which have adverted. must afford great advantages
in building up foreign commerce, and sustaining
line of Occan steamers. We may note iuciden-
tally. that in regard to tea article of prime
mercc between Asia and Europe:
Alt is said the finest descriptions do not reach
England the Mandnrns pay very high prices for
these teas and their flavor is delicate, that they
would not bear four OF Eve moths sweating ia the
hold Of shic, Many of tic finest teas, drunk in
China, would notb bear this hot and humid atmus-
phcre. The teas conveyed TO Europe by sea, re-
quirc to be dried and fired To a degree. which
iniure their quality" We may therefore, fairly Az
ticpatc large share of the transportation of this
important article of Asiatic trade from the compile
ted connection between the Eastern cities of the
Union and the coast Of Asia.
The varied resources Of these lines. 10 which
have referred. will enable the city Of Norfolk 10
compete with the Southern ports Of Charleston and
Savannah. Although these cities lie somcwha-
nearer to the trade area of the Southwest. the
ing of coast wise shipment, effected by direct tran
SIT whether the cargos destined to of the East
tern cities or the great markets Of Northern Eu-
rope will give the city of Norfolk many advantages
have Thus endeavored to prove that Virginia pos
geographical position which will, upon the
completion of the great enterprises in which she Is
engaged. ensure her the materials of an impor-
tant commerce.
have endcavored, moreover toprove, that her rail-
road system WILL with its connections. afford the
most direct line OF communication between ~ York
and n Orlrnns and thus with our lacific posses-