The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-12-15

MERCHANTS NEE TING.-~We pu blshed yester
day the letter of invitation from Mr. Bruno, Presi.
dent of the Board of Trade, Baltimore, 10 the mer
chants of our city, soliciting an attendance at a
commercial cow ention to be held in Baltimore on
the 18th Of this month. We also gave brief no.
tice of tae action OF the meeting held to consider
this invitation, reserving until to-day, more ex-
tended report of the proceedings. After the ap
pointment of Mr.. Lewis Webb Chairman, and
Adolphus Morris Secretary of the meeting Mr..
Web read the invitation from the Board of Trade,
already published. He then said that he supposed
the objec. of this convention was to carry into
effect the scheme Of direct line ct Steamers from
some Southern port, to Europe. The question
would there come up, probably, for decision,
whether they should lutte with Baltimore in the
establishment of this line. He would only put the
question, whether it would not be better for Vir-
GINA thus to unite with Baltimore, than to under
take the establishment themselves of the line He
trusted that gentlemen would express themselves
freely upon the subject which they had been called
together te consider.
Mr.. R. Duval thought that by sending large and
influential delegation to Baltimore Norfolk might
be secured as a depot of the suggested Southern
line. The united action of the South, aided by ap-
proprstions from the General Government, would
guarantee the support of a line OF steamers.
Mr. John Womble was sesirOus of responding
cordially to the Invitation which had been extend
ed to the merchants of Richmond. He thought it
necessary that there should be mutual deiiberstion
among Southern merchants upon this question OF
Southern line of steamers to Europe.
bod ppf inr1ixr do
mind on the subject and thought that the mer-
chants should reflect upon this question of coope
ration with Baltimore. Baltimore could build these
steamers without their aid.
MIR. R. Duval said that it was very evident the
merchants of Richmond generally were not inclin
ed to support Virginia line OF steamers. The
question then arose of cooperating with Baltimore
in the establishment of Southern line. He favor
ed the object of the convention and desired to see
q large delegation in attendance upon il, from Rich.
mond. Such a delegation mi SHIT influence the Sc
lection of Norfolk as the head OF the line. This
port would be further from New York competition
than Baltimore, and nearer the Southern seaports
Mr.. Womble thought Richmond should send a
large delegation, IN order to the protection of its
own commercial interests. That delegation, OF
course, would not commit itself ID any measure
that would prove detrimental to the commercial
interests of Richmond. The convention, he be
lieved would result in good. He would move the
appointment of seven delegates
Mr. T.. R. Price suggested seven
Col Blair said that he was in favor Of a large
representation, and hoped that the number would
be increased to thirteen.
Mr. Womble accepted the amendment.
The question was then taken, and the motion
was adopted By majority vote
After several persons had been elected, Mr.. J
Ferguson was nominated Mr. F. declined re-
ceiying the nomination as he was opposed to send.
ing delegates to the convention. He did not wish
to enc urage the trade of Baltimore at the expense
of Richmend. He was in favor of the establish
ment by Virginia herself, Of direct line of steam
ers to Europe. bill was now pending before the
Legislature to establish direct line of steamers to
Europe, aud he did not wish to counensnce in
any way, another scheme for direc, line, until
this bill was positively defeated.
Mr.. Price-It win &c. 80 votesl