Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-06-03

been done, rs pfccisely " uat WAS
predicted in the report of the commission, and
according to present appearances the whole point
bald Head) twill be efectually protected for less
than the estimate of the commission. Sothat from
the opinions of scientific men and from the actual
result of works carried in accordance with their
recommendation, it may be safely said that the
entire practicability of the work is put beyond a
question. "
the Government to make the improvement in the ex-
ercise of it's rghtul powers they have long been
understood and pracsed in the country and the on
" remaining point to be determined is, whether JUS
tice and sound policy and due regard to the inter-
ests of the nation, authorize the appropriation and
expenditure of the sum of money which will be ne
cessary for that purpose Without noticing, IN tins
place, the peculiar claim which this enterprise has
upon Congress- it may be safely asserted that no like
object in any State has been able to present. more
powerful urgent reasons to secure favorable con-
sideraton, stronger and more conclusive grounds
for requiring the interposton and aid ofGovernment
Wilmington has for long time been justly consd-
cred the port of North Carolina, and her exports
for the past year, foreign and eoast-wse amounted
to upwards of six millions of dollars. Not only so,
but She is entitled to rank in Importance among the
first class of Southern Ports; her clearance tonnage
for foreign countries for the year ending the Both of
June 1852 according to the report of the Secretary
of the Treasury, having been greater than that OF
any port between Baltimore and New Orleans, with
the exception of Charleston, Savannah and Mobile,
and her vessels cleared exceeded even some of
them in number. But, her cearances for foreign
the tonnage; very large proportion of her export
trade being domestic coastwise, and the vessels
engaged in that species of trade under coasting Ii
cense not required by commercial regulations,
either to enter clear at the Custom House, and
are therefore, unnoticed in the Secretarvs report
In 1854, the whole number of vessels from this Port
of both classes according to the annual returns
of the Harbor Master eight hundred and fourteen
(S14 whose aggregate tonnage at 200 tons each is
one hundred and siXty-two thousand eight hundred
tons, Q62, 800 which is certainly not exaggerated
estimate
1t is well known that North Carolina is advancing
very rapidly in prosperity and productveness. Her
people are aroused to her agricultural interests and
an of progress has begun in that branch of in
dustry, which will the land to team with rich
fruits, unnecessary for the support of her peo
pie, and seeking other markets through her
ports. She produces Wheat, Rye, Oats, Corn, Cot
ton, Tobacco, Rice, and Peanuts, and the products
of her noble torests-Tar Pitch Turpentine, Timber
and Lumber, indispensable to the Na"al and Mer-
camille Marine ARE inexhaustibie. Within her
bosom found Gold, Silver Copper, Lead, Iron,
Marble and Coal and indeed almost every substance
that is valuable in the Mineral Kingdom. These are
truly Mines of wealth, if they find market, but
without one, they must continue to lie in the earth
they have done, useless and unproductive. Of
these great interests the State has not been unmind
full. She has devised and is now carrying on sys-
tenn of Internal Improvements by Rail Roads and
Plank Roads, and by the improvement of her Rivers;
intended to bring all of her parts into close and init
mate connexion and to give all of her people
kctS OF easy access, ana the means OF
artc and products which would otherwise be of
little value, but which with the facilities thus
to be afforded will become great sources of wealth
when carried by vessels to the markets of other
States and Countries.
Among these undeveloped resources, copper, iron
and coal are the most important, and promise the
largest accessions to wealth and commerce and
the geographical position of the mines is such, in
lation to many of the improvements Just mentioned
to make it certain that Wilmington must export
their products, she is the terminus of some of
these improvements, and connected with almost all
of them, either by railroad or navgable waters
The coal fields of Moore and Chatham Counties,
both sides of Deep River are of great extent and
excellent quality and very near them are found
iron ores OF much promise, and in great abundance
Companies are already working the coal mines, and
getting the coal ready for market and others
preparing to begin operations in the iron mines.
The impI ovement of Cape Fear and Deep Rivers by
slack water navigation, about Fayetteville and be-
yond the coal fields, is soon to be completed, and
will afford means of transportation, not only for the
coal and iron but ALSO for the products of large
agricultural and timber district, all of which must
seek an outlet to the ocean through this port. Its
commerce may be increased to an indefinite extent
if properly cared for. But then the advantages to
result from all these things, not only to us, but to
the country generally, will be greatly diminished
and crippled without the aid of Government to
improve our bar, and thus admit class of vessels
of sufficient tonnage for our commercial wants
This enterprise addresses itself to Government,
not only the of facilitating commerce
betWeenthS ana other States and With foreign coun
tries but also highly necessary and impor-
tant, for the protection and safety of all vessels
passing our coast; for she will thus provide
venient harbor of refuge for those in Distress where
there is no sucn thing at present, and where, from
the very dangerous character of our coast, is
much needed And she may also, at all times, avail
herself of it in supplying her mail and steamers
with coal
There is another view, aside from its commercial
aspect, which alone makes it both the interest and
duty of Government to do this work. We can just
ly claim to be furnished by Government with the
cessary means of defence against hostile invasion,
of which destitute, and which can be
supplied in this way with greater certainty and
economy than in any other.
1t will be remembered that the depth of water up
New Inlet Bar, is, very nearly, equal to that of
either the Main or Western Bar. The entrance by
both of the latter is guarded by Fort Caswell but
New Inlet nine miles nearer the town of Whining
ton is without battery gun, to protect this
port against an enemy sshpping. The present con-
dtion and relations of the different powers of the
earth invest this view of the question with very
great Importance, and make astrong appeal to Gov
eminent to provide for our common defence"
The plan for the protection of this portion of the
Union of which Fcrt Caswell was but part, his
never been completed. The records of Congress
will show that the building of works of defence at
New Inlet, necessary part of that plan, and
not only so, but adopted part of it, which re-
mains yet to be executed in way either strictly,
or by making such provision shall Supercede the