The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-01
EDITORS CORRESPONDENCE.


The very uDe your correspondent was commenting
- ,ss success Of the Nicaragua line OF steamers,
q 49, loss OF The Independence" was nearing
a..,. Such an event necessarily affects commercial
oaouny far beyond the considerations of The actual
H., Of life and property II is iatimsiion Of those
earring chances" that continually appear to battle
mans Plans and 10 check the split OF undue ella
lion Inquiry is directed to the sea worhiness Of the
vessel ia question: in place OF, conceive il should be-
the management OF the vessel As 10 the former no ves-
EEL however strong. could be expected Withstand the
shock arising from being driven at full speed TO
sunken reef OF rocks. According 10 the captains state
menl. he gave. intended give the vessel berth OF
three miles, and 10 this limitation left TO ascrlbe
the result he evidently intended 10 hold bis I'LL
daylight Tor il them aud The vessel struck, that
he about to alter this That the reefs not 10 be
found in any OF bis maps all sufficient reason for
the taking more than ordinary precautions. Indeed,
accurate survey OF The Californian coasts than has
vet been made is mreraiiyely demanded New reefs,
100, know, are in constant process OF formation
The modern French maps too exclusively followed
nv our chart makers Now, the French though wonder
fully accurate in fields where their science and OBJ
seryaons have been brought 10 BEAR have the eastern
coasts OF the Pacific followed the charts OF the Spanish
navgators, and by comparison OF these have arrived
measurable accuIacy-nothng The wonderful
correctness of the charts prepared by the United States
Coast Survey. and which have called forth the unqua
fed laudaions Of the Of Europe, encourage the
wish that they may eventually be extended so as TO
grid the entire northern and southern continents from the
Arctic the Antarctic pole, thence opening up the paths
Of the from shores TO and fro over the
wide Pacific. Our captains need yet reliable chart Of
the best route from San Francisco Pekin. With i'm
proved knowledge OF the channels afforded by the Sand
witch Islands, passages might be considerably shortened,
as well as conducted with greater safety.
The number OF marine and fire insurance companies
spngng into existence is calculated to as,onish any
outside Gotham. No less than sixteen such have here
given notice of their intention 10 organize, have al
ready completed their organization. These have CAPT
tai Of nearly four million Of dollars, whilst all the old
fire insurance companies OF the State scarcely own up
TO eight millions. Yet as not few OF the latter have
found occasion to make themselves merry 20 per
cent dividends, Others their competitors, must and will
come in and share the principle, may be presumed
Of 'lhe greatest happiness Tor the greatest number" AL
lowing for consequent reduction IN profits, broad and
handsome margin will yet be left These new insurance
with incipent raoad) companies provide excellent re-
treats or dsns, for not few dislodged wing office hold
ers-ihe head and front OF the late offending 1t is well
lis So Official habits are thus not inlerfered with and
their acquired dignity is yet at premium. New and
costly buildings, lighted with massive plate glass and
set of with easy chairs and black leather desks
is the order Of the day. Even in Philadelphia. hard by
Lewis the late collector of the port takes up his line of
march from the custom house 10 the Office OF the Gaia.
wissa WaDsporl, and Erie railroads and not content
ed with lis ample furnishings, and not entirely distracted
by the prospects OF company, a million of whose
bonds made the best sale of the season. unfods his
admrng friends. fully matued in all It's Details and sup
ported by a hos, OF distinguished Names new Marine
Insurance Company.
Collector Bronson is greatly needed at his post
The press of business at this season is immense and
would seem TO demand than usual vigilance
Were il otherwise, there is yet abundant work on
hand. The new forms of dcfrauding the revsnue
which closer competition and improved ingenuity have
suggested demand viglant examination. These com
monty inclined believe, the work OF foreigners
who by combination manage their Illicit transactions
almost 10 defy the possibility Of legal procedure IL
question whether new legislation is not needed in
respect to these Thus, Partisan house will send TO lis
branch concern In New York unfinished cloths, which
thus eseape the full imposition OF duty, and, being finish
ed here. are sold at proportonably large profits.
II 10 be Wished that the examination the rates
OF remuneration in the naval service with view 10 their
better adjustment 10 be extended TO the civil let
Those occupying OF the mos, important posts in
custom. house during the last administration were
democrats, retained because IL impossible 10 supply
their places OF these the clerks The head OF Ii
export and import departments. charged with making up
the quarterly returns for the governmental work impos-
ing constant concern, and involving unremit,ing attention.
close calculation, and the incest accuracy These are
the men most conversant with the mutations Of com
within sight, il were, OF all the grea, ocean
portals and sensitive 10 every dimnishment OF supply
increase OF demand Oar merchants INSULT them in respect
TO adventures, and editors for statistical returns
Cotton entering the port in large amounts Notwith-
standing the OF the cotton crop Of this year
last, and the improved facilities OF transport the
demand in every branch OF consumption preserves price
which cannot be deemed merely speculative. Producers
will undoubtedly reap-whai they have not done for
some years-handsome Profits Look simply 10 the en-
arged demand in Britsh India, arising from more ready
and cheaper modes OF conveyance from The coas, 10 the
interior. Hitherto it's markets have been gluited and
sales hardly remunerave, not because manufactured
fabrics no, wanted but that the depot. Of supply
not sufficiently distributed. II IS no, long since
that southern cultivators advised, even By their
organs. TO turn their attention 10 other articles OF
produce than the cotton plant; they were in addition,
warned OF serious competition from South America
Neither plea holds; and until South America feels
Ii. influence Of northern energy, applied under what.
ever adverse circumstances, she cannot seriously enter
into competition.
We are greatly interested here in the matter OF South
American appointments. No one can predict wha,
political part during the ensuing four years, even
our oonsus there may not he called sudden emer-
gsnces to take South American affairs would seldom
seem 10 allow Of any distant reference-any waiting for
further orders Political excenents there have the
ofevry as well as the fury OF those OF the tropics
take the Spanish character TO be m The key TO the tenn
per OF the people OF South America character of all
Others most abe and with all its lasiude. possessed
OF the most ardent Passions the pnbounded
and lmess desires, looking beyond itself and,
IKE the lo'useaers Of Tennyson, seeking TO lose the
world IN dreamy forgetfulness Nevertheless, by it's PHI