Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-10-11
RICHMOND, Sept, Is, 1852.
ID II Tnndnn E.n

| Dear Sill have read with much int crest the
| communication OF Messrs. Lacouture and Maui
| pertuis ofthe 9th inst which YOU have done
me the honor TO submit to my perusa The faets
extracted from the official papers Of the Federal
| Government, exhibit the unfayorable state of the
| Foreign Trade of Virginia, and the necessity of
a remedy has been impressed on my mind,
| that have anxiously directed my attention to
the subject for some years | have observed
with great satisfaction. your active exertons In
the attainment of the object. The richness
aDd abundance of the agricultural and mineral
productions OF Virginia are not over estimated by
your correspondents; but the capacity Of the State
in these productions is not yet deveoped and can
not be unt6the difficulties of transportation from
the interior of the State to the sea board have
been removed by works of Improvement. The
canals and railroads executed and projected and in
process OF construction, will produce this great
result; but these works cannot be profitable un-
less they are freed from all unnecessary restraints
III the shape of charges. The competition with
the canals and railroads of New York, Pennsyl-
vania and Maryland cannot be successfully main
tained unless the freight passing over our lines
OF Improvement can be placed at the point of de-
Parture for the foreign market, burdened only
with the charges OF transportation from the in-
terror. The coastiDg trade constitutes an enor-
nous charge against trade in such articles; for
while the books of the Treasury of the United
oldtes oAIiDlG llo IOreiu Oh export trade OF IT.
gna as of the value Of So ,446 there can be no
doubt that the value of the staples of foreign
trade actually produced in Virginia at least quad
ripple that sum: these sent coastWise and
seek foreign markets from other ports, princ-
pally from New York. Our canals and railroads
principally tend westward, aud are designed,t to
furnish means of transportation for the rich pro-
ductions of the inland States, contiguous to the
western border of Virginia and to the freight
nat look for Ea
satIng returns from the large Investments made
in works OF improvements. The amount of trade
to be brought from the northwestern and western
States, which do not touch the ocean, in articles
for Foreign Commerce, and the return of articles
from abroad for the consumptions of the inhabi-
tants of these States, will be enormously large
The james River and Kanawha Canal alone, has
been constructed with capacity to carry three
millions of tons annually, and the railroads cross
ing the State from East to West, will have a
large capacity. The ability of these improve
ments to compete with similar works OF other
States for this rich commerce, depends on the
unlettered and direct transmission ofthe staples
of foreign tlade to their foreign market, and the
return, equally free, of the foreign goods taken
in exchange. The means of this direct inter-
change with foreign markets constitute neces-
sary part OF the system OF Internal improvement
of Virginia. With an investment on the part of
the State and her citizens of nearly fifty millions
of dollars when the work shall be completed,
there can be no doubs that her Legislature and
her enlightened citizens will regard the duty as
to provide means to relieve the
export and import trade from the burthens under
which both now anguish. The effects of such
measures cannot be satisfactorily stated in this
communication. 1t will increase the bust
ness and profits OF our canals and railroads it. Z
will promote heyinterests OF the fafmis
fUslsie,ns ysses 81,
of charges it will benefit adAosssgs -
gagged in commerce, by giving to them the pro-
fits now monopolized by northern ExportersSiilts
Importers; it will relieve our currency by giving
to our citizens and banks the benefit of Foreign
Exchange, and by enabling them to pay fots4h
with the money received from the
consumer for purchases made in our towns: it
will promote the navigating interest of Virginia,
and benefit the mechanic arts, by establishing
ship-buildng within the State, and open new and
profitable employments tor our people in building
and navigating ships, as we'll steamers and
sail vessels: in short it will increase the wealth
ofthe State and of every class Of industry. As
[ mentioned to you, L have taken deep interest
in the assistance by the State in such an enter
price and mt the last session of the Legislatures
Il bill passed the Senate, and think will pass the
House of Delegates, giving to Mr.. Thompson
and his associates, charter, with contribution,
on the part of the State, of means to establish
line of steamers between Norfolk and Antwerp.
| can do nothing to embairass that measure; and
while am thus situated, l can only express my
appreciation OF the advantages of direct inter-
course from the same port with France, and that
think an association may be formed to promote
that object. The prospect of contract for null
pay from Congress, is affected by the claims of
Baltimore fora line of steamers from that point
10 some port on the continent of Europe; but
the chances would. in my judgment, be in,-
proved by the State having an interest in the
line.
The profit of the importation of immigrants
the increase Of population of the State and the
settlement and cultivation of lands in Virginia
now uncultivated, nre advantages Of vast magni-
tude in favor of the project. No State in the
Union presents greater advantages to respectable
emigrants, as place of profitable settlement than
Virginia. The Allegheny Mountains crossing
the State from North to South have heretofore
formed barrier difficult of passage, and have
tarded settlements on their western slope but they
will be eveled by our Improvements and the
especially of iron and coal, with which
the country abounds, ca be- mined and brought
to markat Its salubrious climate and fine lands
for farming and grazing, with convenient means
of access to market for surplus products will pre-
sent so many advantages that the country
rhin'y Inhabited, must soon become crowded with
a healthful, prosperous and happy population
As the terminus on this side, Norfolk possesses
great advantages. 1t has fine and secure harbor
Of easy access to the sea-, with bold water and in
a mild climate. 1t is connected with Baltimore,
Washington and Alexandria, by the Chesapeake
Bay and Potomac Rivers with Richmond, Pc
tersburg and Lynchburg, by the James River;
and with North Carolina, by the Dismal Swamp
Canal and the Seaboard Railroad. 1t is in con-
and measures to that end are now be-
fore Congress, to establish line oflarge and swift
steamers between San Francisco and China
there can be doubt that the possessions of
the United States ON the Pacific, will be con-
nected with the Atlantic States by railroad and