Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1852-01-01
.'Di.ect Traaie--A Chance FOR the
SGItff.'

In tic last number Of the Virginian,
cur synopsis of Lieut.. Maury's interest
ing pamphlet advcrtcd to the grca, OK
tent and the immense fertility and iesou.-
ces Of the back country, which nature has
assigned to Norfolk in comparison with
that which she has given to New York;
to the course Of navigation, prior to the
commencement Of the present century,
by which Norfolk and Charleston were
then the halfway houses from Europe to
the New England ports, in the lines Of
Direct Trade from Europe to America.
1t was shown in that article, low, by the
water thormometer--the packet system
and the enterprise Of New York, this
state Of things was wholly changed, so
that New York became the great termi-
nus Of Direct Trade with Europe; and
Norfolk y It'll It's "broad-arned' port and
its natural advantages became an outside
station; and how by the same means, and
the inacton Of the South, the back coun-
try assigned by nature to New York
(only the valley of the iIudson)-became
so enlarged, that the commercial mouth of
the St. Lawrence, was, in effect, removed to
Sandy Hook, and the valley Of the Mssis-
sipri turned upside down, so as 10 cause
its produce to flow North and enter the
sea, under the highlands Of Nave Sink.
We referred to the conventions, held at
the South some IL Or ID years ago, for tue
purpose Of promoting Direct Trade with
Europc-which ended only in passing
Neptunean resolutions Southern mcr-
chants being unwilling to put their hands
in their pocke,s-wIile Great Britain was
practically demonstrating the great prob
lem of Ocean Steam Nayigation--and
France desiring Southern aid, in establish
ing line in opposition to Great Britain,
was repulsed by the South-aAd New
York and Boston were securing a monop-
oily Of the Packet lines and the lines of
Ocean Sieimers. We also referred to
the late Southern conventions, held for the
same purpose, and stated that while it is
obvious that the odds are now greatly in
favor Of New York it was not the Object
Of Lieut.. Maury to discourage any efforts,
which the South is now maknr, or may
have in contemplation, TO set on foot
Direct Trade with Europe; but only to
direct the attention of Southern States
men to Direct Trade, which, by a
timely effort, the South might build up
and incontcstably secure TO itself--an oh
Ject we may add, which SO far from be-
ing in conflict with tie design of a Direct
Trade with Europe, would infallibly Gre
ate anl encourage tie latter. And we
went into some details Of Lieut. Maury'
plan Of line of steamers from a Southern
port to the Misunderstanding tie mag
nliccnt valley Of that river-rcierring to
is bountilul soil, and its diversified and
valuable products, and showing how by
the relative position Of the Amazon and
the MississipPi--and Tic Caribbean Sea
and the Gulf Of Mexico and by the winds
and currents of the sea, Nature stands,
presenting tho great prize Of the bound
less, but undevclopcd, commerce Of the
Amazon, turned tow ards the ports OF
Norfolk and Charleston and ready to pour
il into the great commercial lap Of the
South
So far, geographical position only is in
favor of the South. The facts stated and
tho arguments used, commend the enter
prise as sironglyto the North as the South
and if the South do not hasten to en-
bark in it, the North assuredly will. The
contract for carrying the mails would pro-
tect those who may first embark in tho
small consideration, in the effort to obtain
a foethold
But we stated that another view Of the
subject remained TO be presented, and we
hasten to present it. lie is one that must
be deeply interesting to every American
statesman, but v hich Possesses peculiar