Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-05-17
s2I25, 100
S4.75a.Onn
Grand total income
S2.6.E, 51O

From this deduct 80 per cent, and we have
i. 81 900 as the net income which will pay a
fraction over ID per cent on the cost Of the road.
We will now consider the probabilities of the
great South Western branch of the Norfolk and
Ohio line, the Virginia and Tennessee road, CON
tributing considerable cotton tonnage.
In relation to the cotton trade of the South,
there are good reasons for affirming TINT a large
portion of il will cone 10 Norfolk.for expectation
thence to foreign markets.; and in its transit to
New York. for the same purpose; and also for
the supply of the northern manufactures. 1t
may be added in this connection, that large guam
titles Of this great staple will be manufactured at
Richmond, at Georgetown, and at the Great Falls
of Kanawha. the Falls of Coal river and the
great manufacturing sites which will be created
by the improvement of the Great kanawha and
New rivers.
Startle not at these assertions Why should
il not be so These magnificent water powers,
just referred to, vastly superior to any at the
North. They are nearer the producing places
of the raw materials, and nearer the great mar
kets of tho manufactured fabric. These are
positive advantages, and the eagle eye of mann
mon will not be long in discovering them. 1t is
false theory that all the manufactures of the
Republic are to be and remain to the capitalists
of New England, their heirs aud assigns, for
ever. There is no such "habendum" clause in
the great Magma Charta of the West. The
trolling millions of the Republic are there all
the elements of manufacturing wealth are there;
capital in abundance will be soon found there
also and great manufacturing cities will spring
up there, rs if by magic. The vast forests of
oak will be converted into Ocean steamers and
Sailing vessels, and freghted thence with the
rich products of that wonderful region Why
then should not the great staple of the South be
manufactured there, MS well as taken to Eastern
mills and thence transported back again to the
West 7 The same enquiries may be pressed in
relation to tobacco and hemp. Lust year con
siderable quantities of cotton, tobacco and hemp
came from the lower valley of the OHIO, ana, 10y
the way of the lakes and northern railways,
found its way to New York. The amount was
not large, but it is n significant Indication of the
importance of time, an element in commercial
transactions. 1t proves that railways, even mt
higher rutes, will, on account of greater economy
OF tlmc be preferred as the means of transport
ing these great staples Of the South to market
Now if the railways of the North can thus di-
vert from New rl,ans portion of her great
stal les, and thus turn the Mississippi, for com
mercal purposes up stream-what may not be
done when Virginia shall have thrown her great
southwestern road into Tennessee, and it shall
have been continued on to Memphis and ST.
Louis. New Orleans has already awaked from
her dream of security and has perceived her
] 4 1
resting this diversion of her trade to the east and
north, 10y means of artificial avenues of business
and has taken measures to secure railway CON
neNion both to the north east and north vest
The wisdom of this policy ON the part of the
Crescent City cannot be doubted, and yet the
fates are against her. She cannot arrest this
diversion of her trade. Already, n large portion
OF the trade of the great valley is turned east
ward, across the mountains and through the
Erie Canal, which, it would have been regarded
Us madness TO have asserted twenty five years
ago would Q diverted from New Orleans Mo.
bile has entered the lists of antagonism to the
Crescent City, and is wisely throwing out hen
grand railway to the mouth of the Ohio. And
New Orleans in her turn is seeking to tap this
great road and divert the trade from it to herself
While thus contendng for the trade of this great
route, Norfolk, with her extended line to Mem
rhis, will cross their path and seize the lions
share of the rich prize.
When consider the immense tax on the
trade of New Orleans, from the dangers of river
navigation, and the hazards of the gulf as well
as the enormous port charges of that city, and
the damaging effect of tropical climate upon
all the prent Agricultural stonlps of tho Ohio nm
Upper Mississippi valies, and above all, when
we consider the great economy of time in reach
ing the eastern markets by railways, we shall
well understand this diversion of trade from New
Orleans.
Suppose bale of cotton at Memphis to be
sent to New York for expectation to Europe
Now, it is evident that at trhing additional ex-
pense over the freight to New Orleans, and the
port charges there, this bale can be sent to Nor
folk and when at Norfolk, it will be some 1909
miles nearer its foreign destination. than at New
Orleans. And by the time this bale coull be
seat round by the Gulf to New York, it might
have been sent forward from the latter city and
be in Liverpool or Antwerp.
The time required to put this bale in Norfolk
from Memphis, will be only few hours more, than
it will take to send it by railway to New Orleans.
While the difference in the time of its arrival in
Liverpool or Antwerp will be ten to fifteen DAYS
in favor Of Norfolk This is n most important
consideration in favor of the latter city.
For the same reasons the agricultural products
sent down the Illinois Central railroad on its way
over the Ohio and Mobile railroad will be defect
ed over the great Memphis road to Norfolk, in