The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-12-17
THE ANTWERP LINE.

THE ANTWERP LINE.
We publish to-day the speech of Mr. Butler
With all due Difference, save in the particular
instance 10 which we called attention several
DAYS ago, it seems TO us to have been fairly sta
ted bv our correspondent, and what is of fully
as much importance, triumphantiy refutsd.-
Without further comment, therefore, we pass
to the general question, promising that we are
we'll aware OF the sneers Of certain gentlemen
engaged in various departments OF mercantile
business, who say that we are NEEDING with
matters Of which we know nothing. These
gentlemen would measure knowledge as they
measure ribbons, and cannot conceive II posi-.
BILE that any person who has not been initiated
into the sublime mystery ofthe yard-stick, can
have any clear conception of great commercial
interests. We shall take the liberty to dispute
this proposition, nor will we acknowledge the
prescriptive right ofany class Of men 10 keep
back the growth of eur wealth and influence
IN the commercial and political scale for no
better reason than that they have done so thus
far with a success that seems almost miracu-
lous.
In taking general view Of this subject, the
FIRST objection that ancient pre- udice offers is,
that the expense Of the steamers will be so
great, that it will be impossible to ship tobacs
CO upon them, except al rates too high 10 an
swer the purpose for which they are de
slgned. In order to obviate this objection let
US take transient glance at the operation OF
shipping tobacco as it exists at present.
Tobacco, we believe, generally begins TO
come into this market about the first OF No
vsmber, at which time shippers generally be-
gin to make their purchases. In order TO make
shipments OF the tobacco bought during the
month Of November, and the ensuing month,
they are compel.sd to mold il until the month
lat least) Of August next ensuing, and very
probably even later than that, thus lying nine
whole months out Of the interest on a portion
of their money, eight months out Of another
portion, seven months out OF another portion,
sc, according to the month in which the COM
modify is bought. Small purchasers, who
bay in January and February, are subjected
10 similar Inconvenience, and are dependent,
in q great degree, for q conveyance, upon he
HlOYClilCHto VI tilC 81 oSoiSio' III ASSSS
sity for this delay arises out sfthe very nature
Of the evi! which we seek to eradicate by the
establishment of the Antwerp line. The ship
per has no means CT sending of his produce at
short notice, because there are no ships to
take it, and instead, therefore, Of frequent trans
actions, and quick returns, he is compelled 10
lose the interest On his money from December
aad the Intermediate months, until Aug ust.-
At that time he has, or we will suppose that
ne has, made up cargo. His next step is TO
get vessel to carry it off. Having, by hold
ing dead capital so long, lost about four per
cent. on the investment, he goes or sends to
New York, and charters & ship. That ship,
frat, bears the expense Of a trip to City Point,
and is there DELAYED four or five weeks, in or
der that che may be filled by the slow process
OF Tightening. TO add to the expense, it must
be understood that she comes in ballast, or
brings cargoes OF hay, rye, and such things,
greatly 10 the detriment of the Virginia farmer.
The trip from New York round, and up this
long, intricate river, coupled with at least four
weeks OF detention in loading, makes the expe-
dillon equal to double trip across the Allan
tic, and we may be assured that the owners
lose nothing by the transac ion. They lay on
The freight fully enough to cover all expenses,
rarely, as far as we can learn, contentins them
selves with less than fifty per cent. thus laid
on.
Now, Nc ask, can there be any expenses of
steam vessel which can possibly mulct the
shipper 20 the same tune! If these ships, ma
KING cut OF the one trip. enough to compensate
them for u double trip across the Atlantic, can
snord 10 take tobacco to Europe al given
pIlce, csnnot a steamer, taking in all her ex-
penses, and estimating her other means Of ma
KING her money, Immigrant passengers, &c J
carry ltas cheap Unquestionably we should
think SO. Does not the shipper, when we take
into consideration the amount Of dead capi,sl
tst upon his hands until the arrival Of hi.
chartered ship, and adding the loss 10 the
sources Of expense just mentioned, gain bv the
operation, even if he pays a little or even 9
great deal heavier freight 1t strikes us thu,
TIC would La there nothing in the fact, tina,
'''aceo' IN the steamers, would be- subjected
10 none OF tho accidents which often causs il.
concentration IN Liverpool Ii appears SO IL
Is. litooacco were sent Off as it was boueb,
instead OF being compelled to wait nine month,
'of an opportunity, II seems TO US that tber,
would be far less ofitla up in the warehouse,
foran opportunity to sell, for the transsctou
IN Europe With regard to time mus,be reguls
ted by the transactions here. If it is sen, there
10 other words, as it comes in, it would b.
sold there in the same way, and the Queen
pipe" would 60 Gu, in Liverpool for want O
the weed. Would not this be en- advantage