The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-05
Chamber OF Commerce OF Charleston.

From the Carleston Is. c. Courier, July Is.
An extra meeting Of the Chamber of Commerce
OF this city was held yesterday at the Readinr
Room, on East Bay, and several matters of import.
we understand, was q resolution, which was adopt-
ed, 70 memoriaIize Congress in reference TO i'm
proving the St. Johns river, a measure now az
considerable importance to Charleston in conse-
quence OF the rapidly increasing intercourse steam
navigation has produced with that interesting re-
gon. -E,
The subjoined communication to the Preside nj a.
tne Chamber OF Commerce, from Lieutenant NJ. J.
rage, U. d. N was also submitted to the meetin y
and referred to committee, consisting of Messrs.
James Chapman, A. O. Andrews, and Henry
a Running Surrey Of As CAina Seas and IDAaline
Region Of the North Pacific.
The wrecks, caused by the unknown and hidden
dangers Of the China seas" and of the whaling re-
gion Of the North Pacifc-with ther Convenient
loss Of life-and the unknown islands, shoals. &C.
which obstruct the free navigation Of the route
from Californ MIA to China, call loudly to the hm-
name considerations of Government Protection
OF such causes of disaster 10 no less
incumbent on Government than is the protection
Of the same valuable interest from foreign enc
my The protection asked for costs but little, II
peaceable in its operation, and eminently humane
in its results. Such q survey of these Regions a
the necessities OF the case demand, would be saw
security given to life and private property--T
speak within bounds, knowingly and from author
ty) of foe times the whole and entire coat of the
work IN Less than five years from the period at
sum Of $l26 200 is asked for By the Secretary Of
the Navy, for the purpose of building or buying
suitable vessels. The annual expense must be
very uncomfortable, because the greatest source Of
propeller, which should not exceed ten Thousand
dollars per annum. Among the numerous insta noes
OF loss OF revenue to the Government, az well a
OF lose OF property to individuals, will mention
otv
been directed to this subject and that is the Ioss
q total wreck-of the ship Memnon, of New York.
not more than ten months past, in the Straits Of
SGa.spar-one o. re principal entrances TO tho.
CHINA sea. The ship and cargo were estimated az
100000. The Government must have lost IA
revenue BY this disaster an amount nearly equal
70 the sum asked for BY Secretary Of the Navy.
ior tne purpose o. instituting this examination and
The number OF wrecks among the whalers of the
North Pacific during the year 1851, of which II
have accounts, (and there are doubtless more,l
amounts TO elsssn; of the loss Of life have no a..
count. The islands, shoals, reefs, &c., which
have been reported within the last year az HAVING
no position on any chart, and whose discovery, il
many instances, has led to most disastrous conse-
quences, number not less than l25. The loss Of Z
ship (American) in the Java sea ID monr
the latest reports from that region. To epnmsrste
the wrecks and estimate the loss of fe of nroner.
which have occurred simply within The Last wear.
would extend this sketch to pages. trnsf th.t
enough has been shown to cornraend this survey
to your favorable consideration and support.
for your consideration is To- Law before vo, snh.ct
OF deep interest to every American but of especisi
interest to thosesengaged in commerce, and to so-
.H your Scaye I'VE co operation in forwarding mea-
The subject was brought before Congress, at the
present session through memorials from merchant
OF Boston, New York, and other cities. and feeI
assured Is only necessary to lay the matter be-
~. RIM 10 sAa a. Al
support and influence which it hos received from
other quarters. would therefore respectfully sng-
gest that, a. body, the merchants Of your city
snonla msmorialize Congress through your Repre-
advocacy OF the proposed survey. 81
BY resolution of the Senate adopted March
sSa, the Secretary Of the Navy was called upon to
expediency of the measure. In reply. the Secre.
larry, under date OF April 9th, (which will be-
found in Senate document of this session, No. 55l
'ays: ~ have no hesitation in expressing an opn-
on favorable to the measure suggested in the reso
luton, nor in recommending such reconnois-
'ance and survey as will establish accurately the
positions OF the prominent capes, bays, headands.
tna naroors'" NY knowledge, personally. Of the
States to China, ria California and the Cape Of
iood Hope-is beset, on its approach to the China
ea, fully sustains me in making the strongest ap-
pct 'sa dr'S 70 These dangers have
ne "Sepate and House," at some length, but un- \.
ess the measure receive aid and support from
hose who can speak more leelingly-whose inter
'sts are diversified throughout the land--it can
scarcely expect to make that rapid progress which
ts merits demand. The new route which the
rade to China has assumed since the acquisition of
california, calls more especially for examination
md an accurate determination of the numerons
unknown islands, shoals and reefs, with which IL
> beset. Some Of these dangers We Witnessed
md encountered myself; of these speak know
ngly; OF others alluded to in the foregoing re-
narks, entertain no doubt. 9s%
Confident that shall not have brought this sub.
ect to your notice in vain, though not treated Of
o the extent that it's fruitfulness sanctions sub
cribe myself, Your obedient servant,
M. J. PAGE, 8
n Lieut.. U. s. Navy.
20 the PRESIDENT of the Chamber Of Commerce. "
Charleston, s. C. 49,