The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-05-19
THE BOARD or TRADE.

This valuable institution, one which every
city with any pretensions to commercial inn
portauce, should have--deserves the support,
the liberal, the energetic encouragement OF
our citizens. Instead of some remarks we
had intended to offer with regard to 1t, we
give place to the following from mercan-
tile gentleman of experience, one who Is the
devoted advocate of the public interests Of
Richmond:
The first annual meetiae OF the Board OF
Trade snce lts formation Ia 1854, was held 1t Me-
tropolitan Hall on "Wednesday last, and the atten-
dance Ia respect 10 numbers. was Ia ariking con
tract with that of the former occasion.
IL there any good reason why we should abate In
efforts to sustain aud extend this p
On the contrary may We not see, In the work done
and projected, much to encourage Us to renewed
ex 3rtiors.
We are prone to expect too much 10 the begin
ming and II no important results are seen to follow
10 zeal and predict failure, instead OF giving
to an enterprise steady support and reasonable
trial.
What experiment of this kind ever attained to
emineuce or extended usefulness without sfrug-
ging against opposing difcultiesG II may be safe.
y asserted that not one OF the great nmercial or
financial associations of Europe-whose gigantic
proportions row render them the admiration OF
tire world, and whose growth and useiui-
ness have Kept pace with, and assisted 10
building up, the cities they adorn-had q COM
mencement more suspicious than that form ed here
twelve months ago. and should ONE curious y
such thiuss trace back their histories. be would
doubtless be amazed to fnd from what slender
| foundations, slight materials, and with what $40"
| progress these mighty structures have ari-en.
This should encourage US to move onwAro-not
to expect too much at once and by patient contn>
usnce In well doing, hopefully look forward to the
future.
Perhaps. In ignorance of what has been already
done by the Board of Directors; and the nature,
scope and extent of the enquiries set on loot the
difficulties to be overcome, and the time required
10 pursuit of these objects by the standing COM
mittees, to whom they have been referred,some
of the members may attach blame, whereas, If bet
ter advised, they might see cause to bestow 'ne'f
appreciation.
Ii shoald be borne 10 mind that no meeting Of
our legislature has taken place sinee our iorma-
Internal improvements, the pilot laws, ara
other questions of State legislation have been
necessarily postponed for future action. So like
wise have been all matters requiring an ap.
pcalion to the General Government, (the re-
moving of the distractions to the lower James
River, regulations of the Custom.House, and
some others,) It not beihg deemed expedient to
press these upon tho attention of Congress at it's
whom these subjects have been referred have been
ton.
Other committees. on subjectspurely local, have
done much, and are in the way of doing more, In
preparing statistics Of the nature and extent OF our
foreign and inland trade, and of the variety and
value OF the manufactures of the city and Vicin.
!y-sll of which may prove to be useful at no dis"
tant day.
The members are about to be called upon to re-
new their subscription and tits hoped that not only
all oil them will do So but also their Influence to
induce others to unite with us. MEMBER.