Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-10-11
The DAILY TIMES
LINE OF STEAMERS FROM VIRGINIA
TO EUROPE.
RICHMOND, Sept. goth, 1852,

ing letter of the 10th inst. is before me, and af-
ter rejecting on your views upon line of stea m
ers from the ports of Virginia to Havre, touching
at the port of Southampton, England beg to
| submit those farther considerations:
The consumption of goods of foreign growth
and manufacture (other than those produced or
| made in the United States of America) in the
| State of Virginia, is ten millions of dollars of
! this-as you will see by the official statements in
the "Commel ce and Navigation of the u States
| for S50"-not more than one half ofone million i,
imported directly; the whole of nine and IA huff
millions of dollars reaches us through other ports
| Our exports, you will see by the same authority
direct, is $34l5.446: say three aud half mil
| lions of dollars but through other ports it is
| greatly augmented, inasmuch us very lar ge part
of the productions of Virginia is sent, in the first
instance, to New York or New Orleans, and is
| then sent to such foreign market as may be
thought most advantageous. By the most reia-
Bile estimates, the consumption of Virginia nn-
nualy of productions which come from foreign
countries, and the States of the American Union
together, amounts to thirty millions of dollars.
l have stated these fucts, not to explain why
this Of affairs does exist, but merely to give
to you the true basis of your estimates Now,
the question to which l shall address myself is
simply, would line of steamers, running regu-
larly from Hayre by Southampton to Norfolk
our chief seaport town in Virginia-remedy the
evil and restore foreign direct trade? /
think it would be the chief and most plausible
remedy; but another question ofequal magnitude
to you Isl whether in the natural course of events,
sufficient of freights and passengers could be had
to sustain such an undertaking. To find out
this, it is necessary first TO enquire into the ex
penses Of such vessels, and the probable amount
of money which would be received from the
freghts and passengers, if the vessels were now
at work, and what probable increase might be an
ticipated. If the contractors for Maryland and
Virginia tobacco could be induced to enter into a
contract with this line of steamers for the trans
portation of the tobacco for the French Govern
ment TO Havre, 1t would be an item worthy Of
note. This, with the mail pay of 1925 OOO)
Twenty five Thousand Dollars per trip and the
receipts from the transportation of emigrants,
would be exclusive of the freight upon merchan-
die, and the receipts which would accrue from
passengers who would take this direction in pre-
ference to any other. After the line was estab-
lished. the latter items of passengers and freghs
would be greatly augmented. l have not hest
lated to express toyou the opinion that rs the
trade of the State is now done the steamers
would not sustain themselves without large mail
pay from the General Government With mil
pay something like that now given to the Collins
steamers it would be judcious undertaking to
organize this line from Havre, for the reason |
that within few years, there will terminate at
Norfolk complete line of railroads to the Ohio
river on the northwest and to the Mississippi
river at Memphis; these two roads when com
pleted, will traverse the very richest country, for
the same extent, in the world. My opportunity
for speaking correctly to the natural wealth of
the various countries of the world, justifes me in
saying that the country through Which the line Of
railroads now being constructed through Virginia,
Tennessee and Mississippi passes, has no supe-
rior anywhere. These roads, it is estimated |
will be completed in the next five years; then
this line of steamers will not only sustain ITSELF
but will pay well. AS to the cost of the steam
and the running of such vessels, you are bet
ter advised than am.
A political consideration of some moment, will
here be Of value: since the foundation of the Fed
eral Government. its whole capacities has been
applied to build up the commerce of the nothern
cities: think that tendency is changing, and that
we may safely estimate change in the de
pertinent Of the Federal Government, whether
it will ever be Just to Virginia, remains to be |
seen,
Upon the question which you PROFOUND wheth
er sufficient subscription can be had in Virgin
in, to place on the line three Steamers | beg to
hand you herewith the copy of letter from
Judge John Y. Mason, formerly Secretary OF the
Navy for the United States during Mr.. Folks adj
and now the President of the james
River and Kanawha Canal Company You will
see by the letter of Judge Mason, that a bill has
passed one branch ofthe Legislature of Virginia,
company, to which the Stnte of
Virginia is to be subscriber of three fifihs Of
the capital stock, and it is expected this bill will
pass the other branch in November or December
next. By our laws, foreigners are permitted to
subscribe as natives in any joint stock company.
The means to organize this company, hear will
not be wanting. May it not be as we'll to ar
range the charter that the steaners from
Havre can be permitted to enter into this COM
pany with the same advantages those going
to Antwerp! The Commonwealth of Virginia,
being share holder, will be a guarantee
to all the contributors that justice and fairness
will be awarded to all the parties inter-
ested. Besides this the Federal Government
will find itself obliged to respect the application
for mail services and award to the line such terms
as might not be so easily obtained by private in
The standing OF Judge Mason, you can learn
certainly, by calling Oh Mr.. Rives our Minister
at Paris who will confirm many if not all of the
views and opinions which are advanced in Judge
Masons letter. The natural advantages of Vir-
gnia are amongst the very first of all the States of
the world. The wealth of her population indi-
viduay, is greater by actual statistics, than that
of any population in any OF the States in the
American Confederation, notwithstanding the
absence OF foreign commerce. The intelligence
and worth of her citizens, is best asserted by the
historical facts connected with the rise and pro-
gress of the country amongst US. There is
more sacred regard for principles, a higher mo-
raty, and juster appreciation of the duties of
man, than can be duly appreciated by short stay |
amongst US: in short, to any one who would wish |
to seek home in the western world, cannot
hesitate to say, that place has many features
to interest foreigner who desires to render his
own existence honorable and respectable, as Vir-
GINA her climate is nearly the same with that
of France her soil is not unlike it in many re-
spects; but your citizens may never expect to find
in country, the same destinations that exist
in Paris nor can your people fluid the same vices
or the same necessities for, with hospitality and