The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-03-06
LINE OF OCEAN STEAMERS.

LINE OF OCEAN STEAMERS.
We have already noticed the fact OF
communication by Gov. johnson to the Ie
.;.,.ture on the asth ult., conveying com.
munication from the Chancellor of the Bel
pian Legation at Washington, giving infer-
nation Of an arrangement between the Bel
o;.n Government and Mr. Ambrose w.
Thomnson for the establishment of line OF
steamers between Antwerp and New York,
and Antwerp and Virginia. A communica-
t;on was also received from Mr.. Thompson,
unon the same subject. They were received
too late for action by the Legislature at its
last session, but as the facts communicated
are of general interest, we will endeavor to
give the substance of them.
Mr. Thompson states that he visited Europe
FIVE months since, for the purpose of carry
ing out the original intention of forming
Southern line. He states that from the Bel
pisn Government he has received the follow.
ing advantages:
Ist Free entrance into her ports, without pay
ment Of harbor or lishr.house dues. -,
ID All the postages, whether land or sea, which
would accrue to that government on mail mater
brought by int nded togo by the said steamshps
Sd All PASSENGERS and merchandise brought by or
intended by said ships to be transported at the
cost: and the profit to accrue to the steamships
And from Associations of Emigration, he
has contracts offered and secured for all the
emigrsnts that each ship can carry on their
homeward voyages.
He states that he has succeeded in estab-
fishing agencies along the Rhine, and in the
principal German cities, by which freight
and consignments of merchandise will be
sent to the line, and the same parties will es-
tablish agencies in the South for the pur-
chase Of goods and produce of the U. States,
suitable for the European market
The merchants of Antwerp and Southamp-
ton offer to guarantee full freights, and be-
lieve that line of seven ships will pay hand
somely-such aline would make weekly trips
between the two continents.
The merchants of Antwerp, and certain
parties in London, have subscribed to one
third of the amount of capital If therefore
the State subscribes and advances three
fifths of the amount, he proposes himself to
take the remaining portion so that the work
of construction may at once begin.
In addition to all these advantages, he
states that he has made treaty or agree.
ment with Banking institution, called "The
Society General de Credit Maratime," by
which it will advance in cash upon any mer-
chandize which the merchants of the South
will consign directly to Europe. The capital
of this institution is fifty millions of francs,
with facilities at any time of one hundred
millions more from the Bank of France
This is perhaps the most advantageous con-
nection which the South could have, and it
now remains for Virginia to avail herself
of it.
The Chancellor of the Belgian legation at
Washington, A. T. Kickhoeser, at the sug-
gestion of the Belgian Minister, III. DeBosch
Spencer, Esq, transmits to Gov. johnson a
portion of a letter of the Belgian Minister to
the Chancellor, dated Feb. 9th, 1854. The
Belgian Minister states that the Belgian Go
vernment has bound itself, in the most posi-
tive and official manner, towards MIR. Thomp-
son, since the month of February, 1853, and
has declared it officially, short time ago, to
the u. s. Minister at Brussels. eff therefore, ~
adds the Minister, "the Belgian Government
could ever have had for msment the idea of
failing in its engagements, (which is in no
way the case,) Mr.. Thompson would have a
full claim upon it for considerable amount,
to indemnify him for the expense he has al
ready incurred, and in which he would be
entirely supported by the Belgian Legisla-
ture, the City of Antwerp, and the United
States Government But such question can
never arise, as the Belgian Government is do
ing everything in its power to hasten the es-
tablishment of the lines, in faithfully fulfilling
its engagements towards Mr.. Thompson
All Mr.. Thompson's arrangements are now
completed He is at this moment in London,
and will return to morrow to Antwerp to take
his last measures. Two millions" have been
subscribed at Antwerp, and the remainder in
England, and nothing more is now needed
than the concurrence of the State of Virginia
Mr.. Thompson will return to the United States
in one of the next steamers, and will imme
diately after his arrival call and see you
Fra ncs. we presume.