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

From the Ctarleston Is. C.) Courier, July Is.
An extra meeting Of the Chamber of Commences
Of this city was held Yesterday at the Reading
ance brought before the members. Among them,
we understand was q resolution, which was adopt.
ed, to memorialize Congress In reference TO i'm.
proving the 81. Johns river, measure now Of
considerable importance to Charleston in conse-
quence OF the rapidly increasing intercourse steam
navigation has produced with that interesting re-
gion. ~! S#
the Chamber Of Commerce, from Lieutenant M. ].
Page, U. 8. N was also submitted to the meeting,
and referred to committee, consisting of Messrs.
James Chapman, A. 0. Andrews, and Henry
n Running Surrey Of The China Seas and Yhalinr
Region Of the North Pacific.
The wrecks, caused BY the unknown and hidden
dangers of the Selma seas" and Of the whaling re
gion Of the North Pacifc-with ther consequent
loss of life-and the unknown islands, shoals. &C.
which obstruct the free navigation Of the route
from California to China, cali loudly to the hu-
name considerations of Government Protection
OF commercefrom such causes of disaster 10 no less
incumbent on Government than is the protection
Of the same valuable interest from a foreign enc
my. The protection asked for costs but little Il
peaceable in lis operation, and eminently humane
the necessities Of the case demand, would be saw.
ing to Government in revenue-regardless Of the
security given to life and private property-H
speak g within bounds. knowingly and from author
1ty) OF ue times the whole and entire cost of the
work IN less than five years from the period at
which its advantages would begin to be felt. The
sum Of $l2s, 600 is asked for BY the Secretary Of
suitable vessels. The annual expense must be
very uncomfortable because the greatest source Of
expense will be in the purchase Of coal for small
propeller, which should not exceed ten thousand
dollars per annum Among the numerous instan noes
OF loss OF revenue to the Government, az well a.
OF loss OF property to individuals will mention
one p wHcn hss occurred since my attention has
q total wreck-of the ship Memnon, Of New York.
not more than ten months past, in the Straits Of
Gaspar-one OF the principal entrances to tho
Coma sea. The ship and cargo were estimated at
revenue BY this disaster an amount nearly equal
to the sum asked for by the Secretary Of the Navv.
for the purpose Of instuting this examination and
The number Of wrecks among the whalers Of the
North Pacific during the year 1851, of which NJ.
have accounts, (and there are doubtless more,l
amounts % ssssr; Of the loss Of life have no o.
count. The Islands, shoals, reefs, &c. which
have been reported within the last year az having
no portion on any chart, and whose discovery, -
many instances, has led to most disastrous conse-
valuable ship (American) in the Java sea ID mons
the latest reports from that region. To epnnsr.te
the wrecks, and estimate the loss of fe of nroner
y to irdiyidual. and Of revenue to Government.
would extend this sketch to pages trust that
enough has been shown to comynend this survey
to your favorable consideration and support.
My object in presenting .tie foregoing remarks
for your consideration is TO- lay before YOU snb;ect
of deep interest to every American but Of especial
interest 70 thosssengaged in commerce. and to 30
lioi your active co operation in forwarding mea-
sure fraught with sach beneficial and happy results
The subject was brought before Congress at the
present session through memorials from merchants
OF boston, New York and other cities, and feel
fore you, to bring to it's aid the came DEGREE al
support and influence which it hos received from
other quarters. l would therefore respectfully sur
gest That, az body. the merchants Of your city
should memorialize Congress through your Repre-
sentatlves and Senator'S, and ask hei rapport and
advocacy OF the proposed survey -
ny resolution of the Senate. adopted March
communicate to the Senate his opinion as to The
expediency of the measure. In reply the Secre-s 4
tary, under date OF April 9th, (Which viii be
found in Senate document Of this session, No. 55,l
says:" have no hesitation in expressing an opir.
ION favorable to the measure suggested in the reso-
luton, nor in recommending such a reconnois-
sance and survey as will establish accurately the
and harbors My knowledge persSn.IIy "a az
dangers to which the trade-f from the JIn;ted
States to China, via California and the Cape Of
1000 Epsmis oeset, on ts approach to the China
peal possible to Congress. These dangers I have
set forth before both Committees Of Commerce il
the 'sepate and House, at some length, but un- /
less the measure receive aid and support from
those who can speak more ieelingly--whose inter-
ests are diversified throughout the land--it can
scarcely expect to make that rapid progress which
its merits demand. The new route which the
trade to China has assumed since the acquisition Of
California, calls more especially for examination
and an accurate determination of the numerous
unknown islands shoals and reefs, with which Il
10 beset. Some Of these dangers b We witnessed
and encountered myself; of these speak know
ingly; OF others alluded to in the foregoing re-
marks, ! entertain no doubt. .I s
Confident that shall not have brought this SUBJ
Ject to your notice in vain, though not treated Of
to the extent that it's fruitfulncss sanctions snh
scribe myself, Your obedient servant,
M. J. PAGE,
Lieut. U. 8. Navy.
10 the PRESIDENT OF the Chamber of Commerce,
Charleston, s. C. -r~ - S