Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-02-23
II, III. E,Litnrx nfihe ENQUIRER

wAsHrsaroS Feb. IT, 1852
Van nuhIshed Il few days since communication under
the signature Reflection commenting upon me pf"los
m now before Congress for further appropriation Of mo
v far IN. Coins' steamers The writer OF that ticle
rni not have read the memorial OF Mr. Collins mn MS
a.suc ties and pamphlet under the ute o Copct' on
ennbla rs 10 CORRECT some grave errors oil you cor
,,nondanr-errors calculated To produce nnavoraor I'm
cs-ons the prbir mind with regard 10 an ene 2rlsr
which cvrrr consideration of na'i1n prIde ana IN "tes
calls ugon 10 sustain.
",n-rrnn states ;hat "one has already giv"' ma
n"y enough 10 build them One Collins sttamer out and ou'
having the large Interest which is held by the pr"P "tS
a. much clear profit them. II this were 1eahy h'
case should agree with your correspondent ina, pro
position IN increase such interest would be aosu'a. pu
we learn that the interest held by the propreor instead
b.ing clear profit clear less, under the existing Contract
The cost Of The Collins steamers ready Tor sea wa
s2gl4 l42 H. They have not only not paid any drl'enh'
an This large sum- but they have sunk in addition S1oyUuU
and lose On average, s6925 20 per voyage or /"
twenty voyages $685. 14 40 So much for The objection
derived from the allegation that these steamers have beer
profitable 10 the prnprciors.
The objection is aso taken by your correspondent thar the
line really owned England and that Mr. Collins IN rely
rcpresen,s the interests of British stockholders ii Suc
were fact admit that the appeal 10 encourage ~ ne
American enterprise could not De sustained W are
informed however upon reliable authority, that not dollar
Of the stock is owned in England 1t is true that some o
lie ente:pTisrg and wealthy merchants ny Inc r"'e Of
Brown New York Philadelphia and Baltimore at large
" interested in the line; but they not British ecan's
though thew are Of British origin descent. They are
American citizens their interests families connecthS are
all American Identified with country and its ins'ltu.
tioEs and this day be prescribed on the score VI
auy narrow prpudcss arising from their British origin.
It entirely clear that the Collins line Oh steamers cannot
supported under the present contract Inc question 'en
arises whether il would he wise IN Congress u grant
them additional assistance On this question We can en-
rcrtan no doubt England should not be permitted Under
any circumstances that monopoly, Oh me carriage
the Atlantic mails and passengers which she en"ye" oc-
fore the establishment OF this line The United States nust
TAXI no step back wards this competition o nations tor
maritime supremacy. Even j! the service contenpI' cd
permanent charge the Treasury it ought not 10 be abah,
donet when provides and supports the four args anu
swtest in the world subject 10 the order Ut 'oV.
eminent al nil tines and ths al merely nominal ex'
punsp expense that will be reimbursed by postage
uncy during Tie Of the contract cannot but hope
thar the enterprise VIII be placed upon iooinS a' VIII
ensure its success.
There is feature in the memorial OF Mr. Collins and
his aspocaies which demonstrates the good iith =! lelr
present application rs il will enable those who think hat
"nrtnne Is 10 b. amused from this contract 10 lest e
belief by experience. The memorialists slipulac that what
facilities Congress may see nj Ia extend 10 theI 'hey
i transfer their ships cost with their contract - any
sons who may be acceptable 10 Government, and capable
in ;h,ir view, OF carrying on, successfully enterprise OF
suc vital interest and importance to the American M
This proposition opens the alleged monopoly ann
re riers tie application nf national rather a personal
We also learn that there five hundred shares o.!
STOCK al $1,000 cacl-say million of doars-not yct taEeE
By the public and open the subscription oil any American
who may deem the enterprise likely 10 nc
The same stock will continue open subscribers, II e
solicited pubic AID should te rendered; so That your CORES
poncnt and his friends may participate 70 any eAe !"
H.. opportunities which he considers 50 desirable.
Impressed with these facts and entertaining hesc views
We cannot hope thai Congress will pursue The most Nd
e,al policy with regard the individuals who nave haZ'iea
go much and who have accomplished much, rs ne pm
iactos OF the Collins steamers They have commenced
una enterprise in spirit and with results that nave eie
vailed the American name and character and position among
naons and they deserve 10 be sustained IN spirit as no
enl their own, ami in keeping with the ENDS they nave
accomplished
matt. In oT