Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-10-28
c., FRIDAY. OCT. IS, 1863.
Vessels in D,stress-our Ho rbor.

Every hard blow such as we had last week offers
additional arguments in favor of the appropriation
by Congress of the necessary to construct the
works at the mouth of our river, calculated to rem
der It available aharbor of refuge for all classes
of vessels rayersing coasts. At the present
writing there are some six to eight vessels in the
Cape Fear which hare put in here in distress on ac-
count of the recent severity of the weather, and
the INJURIES they have received; and such is ALWAYS
the case after or during such storms, and will al
ways continue to be, protected, entrance is,
by Cape Fear and the shoals But the value of this
harbor to the trade Of the country is very greatly
restricted by the Instructions at its mouth, and
will continue to be so restricted until the proper
measures have been taken for the removal of these
ob,tructOns Certainly this is a national and not
a local view, and in this view of which almost daily
experience proves the correctness we have right,
under any, even the most rigid construction of the
constitution, to expect aid from Congress. We
might speak of the many artificial and perhaps un
necessary harbors of refuge the Lakes, and ask
why natural and indispensable harbor here
should be neglected but we will confne ourselves
simply to urging own claims, without insttuting
comparisons with those Of others, which always
odious. Congress will meet in about six weeks
We think we can pledge to our immediate represent
ative the active cooperation of our whole N. c.
Delegation in Congress and, of his interest in the
matter, there can be no doubt. In the meantime
we would urge upon the Chamber of Commerce,
under the supervision of which body it most direct
ly comes, the collection and preparation of such
statistics of trade and other matters pertaining to
port may be necessary to strengthen the hands
of friends in Congress, and enable them to
move at an early day in the session. This considera
ton Of the Importance of the river as barbor of
refuge should not be neglected, and in urging it, es-
scntial strength might be derived from a knowledge
Of the number Of vessels which had sought refuge
within given time. A list of these with some
statement of the circumstances, would certainly be
useful. Let all those interested directly Indirect
Iy be up and moving in time. The town, through
her citizens, has gone into the Improvement and
must push it. and Congress ought to see it through,
and it must be urged and still more urged We
want to keep it before the people so far can
We know that our town contemporaries will do the
same, and hope for active expression of opin-
ion from the State at large. The able and, gene
rally speaking admirable address delivered at the
opening of the State Fair, by Hon. A. w. Venable
contains the following sentence. May we hope
that he speak the feelings of the State generally
towards us
The people of North Carolina equal to every
necessary effort They accomplish all that is
requisite. If anything is done she must help
herself all former experience has been useless in
its teachings. Millions have been expended by the
Federal Government to create har5Urs in the Lakes
and improve the security of navigation on almost
every other portion of the coast of the United States
whilst our has been almost entirely neglected.
| do not approve of looking to the exercise of a
doubtful power to make improvements but we had
right to demand the removal of distractions to
navigation in Wilmington harbor created by Fort
built by the Government itself. And under all dis
advantages the energy and enterprise of the mer-
chants of Wilmington have difused wealth and
prosperity great portion of the State. mar
ket and an outlet has been furnished to producers
-and may Heaven send the good town prosperity -