Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-12-29
Turpentlne Conventlnn


body, published in the Mobile Tribune. we compile
the following abstract which comprises all its details
of general interest and information:
Pursuant to previous notice number of gentle
men from various sections of the State assembled at
the Social Club, in this city, on Monday last The
Convention was then organized by the election of
Colonel ]. S. Deas, President and A. c. Blount. Esq.
Secretary.
The object of the Convention was explained by the
President; and Col James, after somewhat lengthy
address, moved the appointment of committee
of five to report upon the best mode of making and
preparing turpentine, &C., for market and the fol
lowing gentlemen were nominated to form said COM
mittee Col. James, DR.. Wilson, and Messrs Strong,
Paine and Turner, and on notion the President and
Secretary were also added.
On motion of Col Prince, the President appointed
the following gentlemen a committee to inquire into
the practcability of establishing market at this
some other point for the sale and shipment of naval
stores Messrs. Prince Smith, Strong, Borden, James
and Turner; the President and Secretary were also
added to the Committee. The Convention then ad-
ourned until Tuesday.
The convention pursuant TO adjournment, reassem-
bed on Tuesday morning, when the committee on
the making and preparing of Turpentine handed in
lengthy report, containing much circumstantial de-
tail relative to the modus OperGndl IN tapping the
trees collecting the turpentine, conveying 1t to the
STILL &c., &C., of little interest, except to the pract
cal reader.
q
&c, asking further time to report, the convention ad
journed until Thursday, when they handed in an
elaborate and interesting paper the subject matter OF
which condense in the following synopsis:
The committee set forth that, feeling deep and
abiding interest in the prosperity of the State, and
the welfare of this city, they of opinion that
exposition of the growing Importance of this branch
of domestic industry would excite public attention,
and materially tend to its advancement. They regret
ted that under existing circumstances, the producers
of turpenine were compelled to seek another depot
and mart besides this city, where the only demand
was for the amount used for home consumption
The facilities offered and overtures made by New Or
leans merchants for the direct transportation OF our
products by through boats exhibits the strong
sity on the part of Mobile for creating home
ket and increasing the facilities for shipment from
this port.
The committee showed the comparative superiority
of this interest to the cotton trade, with respect to
transportation orcibe considerations upon the
attention of Railroad Directors and owners of steam.
boats. The average product of the laborer IN max
ing cotton is four bales; upon this the receivers in
Mobile realize $40; the same laborer produces 10
bbls rosin and 80 casks of spirits, upon which the
city charges will amount to S81 so, for wharfage
drayage, storage insurance and commissions. From
the transportation of four bales of cotton from the
present limit of the turpentine region) the carrier
realizes &c. 81 so per bale but for the eghting
of 10 bbs rosin and 80 casks spirits S73 SO Is re-
ceived. This is the comparative ratio in railroad
transportation, and IN steambOatng 1t Is about the
same. These estimates based the present
rates of charges, which rates incompatible with
the prosperity of this nteres-which statement is
supported by single fact cited, which is that at
single dstilIery in Choctaw county there are now
Is 900 bills of rosn thrown away, the high rates Of
freight forbdding its removal.
The committee showed conclusively that there could
be no danger of an oyerstockng of the market fol-
these products, as the demand was much thar
keeping pace with the increasing supply. 1t is but
eight years since this business commenced unde
the auspices of Col. R. D. James, of Clark county
and very limited scale; yet from this small be
ginning and in this short time, it has expanded into
an importance embracing capital of two millions O
dollars invested in it, and is yielding million
and sixty thousand gallons of spirits of turpentine
and hundred and thirty thousand barrels of rosn
worth three quarters of a million of dollars
By resolution, the committee continued
and instructed to report to the Convention at its mex
meeting, which was fixed by resolution. to take plac
on the first Monday in May next. 1t also re
solved that the President be instructed to communi
cate with our Senators and Representatives in Con
gress, and solicit them to their efforts repea
the act of Congress prohibiting the transportation
oil of turpentine steamboats,. 1t was further re
solved that the thanks of the Convention be rendered
to the gentlemen Of the Social Club for the use o
their rooms and their kind and hospitable attention