The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-12-11
THE ANTWERP LINE.

lest year. They could no, obtain ire'gh's 10
Europe, Some were put in ballast to the Sou'h'
and some even 10 New brunswick!
No. uo confess we have not paid TO this
snb;ec, the attention which it deserves, and,
therefore. ask for information. Does this wri-
t.rrealy mean TO say that there is actually not
enough produce in Virginia to freight "seve-
raj" -four or five we supposed "sh'ps tor Eu'
rore3' We are aware OF the wonderfully elas-
tic character of figures. We know, too, that
thew never lie, though they happen every now
and then TO be considerably mistaken. Yet
we should not conceive such a conclusion to be
within the reach even of figures, if the writer
has reached il by that easy and ready ascent.
Figures have proved that every thing ever yet
undertaken in Virginia must fail. They remind
us of the exclamation of "poor Peter PEBBLES
of the great suit of PEBBLES versus PLAIN
SLAMS, ct per contra.'' When asked whether
he would swear to something, he replied II
will swear to any thing in reason. Odd!
plea is a gained plea fit depends on my oalh.'
They can prove any thing, though they never
lie. But we think they would find it difficult
10 show that there is not produce enough in
Virginia TO furnish cargo for any port in Eu-
rope.
Perhaps, however, the writer only means TO
saw that trade has decayed to such as 10
be dependent entirely on New York. That
we knew before. New York has become the
regular channel through which we trade with
Europe, and shippers sending their goods there,
10 III
spot, will not alter them without difficulty
They must be offered inducements. 1t is hard
ching, we know, to divert trade from, a chan
mel into which it has been once forced. But it
may be done, and that is the very thing we are
attempting to do now. So if, after ALL the writer
only meant to say that trade had deserted US,
we answer, il is q melancholy fact, ofwhich We
have been aware for many years, a fact which
we wish to see such no longer, q fact which
we wish to annhilate by means Of this very
steam line.
In one word, the argument Of this writer
amounts to this; we do all cur European trade
trough New York, paying annually therefor
bounty which might. at least, assist in estab-
fishing steam communication, and because we
do it now, we must always do it. We must
not attempt to escape from oUr vassalage-we
must lie fiat on our backs, and hug our chains,
because it has been our custom to do so here
tofore.
1t is the nature Ct all great improvements
railroad, steamboat and steamship, to increase
travel and product on. By the report of the
Central Railroad Company which lies before
Us, it appears that the receipts for travel last
year, were upwards of $4,000. Does any
man suppose that the travel by the old stages
would have amounted to one fifth part of that
indicated by these fguresf A statement which
we published the other day relative 10 the af.
fairs of the Danvlle Railroad shows the enor.
nous number of $4,000 passengers upon that
road within twelve months. We are not aware
10 what extent production has been stimulated
along these two lines, but we have no doubt
that it has been in proportion. Now, if
such be the effect of internal means of COM
nunication, why should not the same thing
happen with regard to ocean naviga alton? Has
not the establishment OF the steam line from
New York added enormously to the trade of
that city During the month of April ten
years ago, the exports to Liverpool from New
York. did not greatly exceed $250,00O, and her
whole exploration, for the same month, was
only sos, 600. What it was during the same
month OF the present year, we have no means
OF ascertaining al present, bat we should sup
pose ii was al least five times this amount.
Ii seems TO be q part of stem to sneer at
the trade of Antwerp, yet during the month of
April last, the shipments from New York to
that port were $97 200, that is to say conside-
rally more than one-third of the whole amount
shipped TO Liverpool in April, 1912. OF this
sum the products peculiar to the South, cotton,
tobacco, rice, logwood and mahogany, brought
$63,296, or about two thirds ofthe whole. The
rest with the exception of ashes (pot and
pearl.) are all produced in this State. First
-four, 200 barrels, $500. Our crops come
in before those of the Northern States, and
this is one great advantage. Second, ma
= val stores, $50 barrels, $646. We can supply
these. Third, lard Fourth, rye 1856 bush
els, Sl7 ,0S6. We have also wool, which can
be supplied even now by Virginia to the extent
here indicated Ola bales.)
We are told that these are heavy goods, and
that steamships cannot carry heavy goods be.
cause OF the expense, &c. Ii is certain, how
ever that the expectation of heavy goods from
New York has enormously increased since
The steamers came into full operation, and that
II they have not carried them, they have s,imu-
lated the transfer in some way or other. At
Inc same time, the English line has received
enormous profits. Now, if the Antwerp lin.
can do the same thng-that is, can stimpls,,
sana transportation, and make money at the
" ""'e-'hat Is all that can be desired
wy 'ei II nc" We are pointed to the Col.
ms 'lne 10 SHOW We suppose, tina, ,bongb tho
british steamers may make money, onrs ca an
ao'' anu 'na' we ough, to give the ocean mn -
Them, for that ia obor, ~ ~ "Nooh up 10