The North-Carolinian., 1855-03-03
! VOLUME XVI-KO. S25.

population and paying one thirtieth portion Of
the tax of the whole State, thus to be neglected,
thus to be cut off from the rest of the world,
thus to be commercially damned, is a spectacle
for you TO contemplate, for me to realize. Re-
fuse us our Railroad, and our town, the ancient
emporium of trade, the Palmyra of North Caro-
lima, will arrest the attention of the traveller
"A spot once beautiful and prosperous now a
pile of ruin.
But reasons Of national character have in.
dnced me to prefer this to any other line Of
road in the State. 1t is not only the most
central through the State, but it communicates
with roads, in case it is extended to Chattanooga
which is in direct connection with the Mssiss-
ippi valley. Not only this, but so soon as the
great Pacific road is built, which ] believe has
already passed one house of Congress, we will
find ourselves in direct communication with the
Pacific ocean. And as Beaufort and San Fran
cisco are on the same parallel from ocean to-
ocean, Beaufort will not only be one of tho
tcrmln OF one OF the greatest roads, but Will
become one of the greatest cities in the world.
All this ight seem visionary and in fact
would be loath to believe it myself were it not
derived from the conclusions of of our
profoundest statesmen. 1t is matter Of his
tory that the insurgents arc now cssaying to-
batter down the walls of China, and in the
event they succeed Il line of Steam packets will
ply directly between China and San Francisco,
bringing the luxuries and treasures of the great
East and pour them into our laps 1t will be
giving as Col Benton SAYS the last and grand
est channel to the eastern trade which has
invariably enriched, time immemOral every ma
tion through which it has passed AS this is the
shortest and most direct line of travel from the
Atlantic to the Pacific all Europe and Asia,
and the Indias will pa S from arorh to uorld
this ronte making the grandest thoroughfare
ever known to the past dreamed of for the
future Besides, sir. the of our domain
has been rapidly extended, now extending from
ocean to ocean, and may yet embrace the whole
continent. In case invaded by a
foreign foe the advantages and necessity of this
road would be felt in the transportation of troops
and the various munitions of war. Instead of
its requiring months to arrive at the scene Of
action, efficient aid might be furnished to our
frontier and almost ready relief afforded in q
very few days.
But, Mr. Speaker, as North Carolina bids fair
to enter largely into internal improvements at
this session Of the Legislature, / think it be-
hooves to look well to our resources and
husband them for future liabilities We
must necessarily tax the people nearly donble,
and in some cases more. How, therefore, shall
compensate them? How shall better
their condition as mass, enable them to-
meet the exi@ency? In the first place must
contrivc the best possible means for transporting
shipping their produce. Beaufort, l believe,
is the best harbor in North Carolina, and there
fore presents grea ter inducements to the shpp-
ing interests than any other, vessels of large
tonnage can clear that port with little no in
convenience This statement which I hold in
my hand furnished by gentleman remarkable
for his accuracy in such matters, will show the
many advantages which ships of large tonnage
enjoy those of small. He compares two
vessels, one of goo the other 1000 tons bur-
then both embarking from and destined to the
same port a six mouths voyage. He sup
poses the smaller to carry 1000 barrels at SO
cents each-$l 900, and expenses as follows !: