The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-05-16
RIcmoND, (virginia,) November I, 1856.

SIR In the year 1852 arrived for the first time, in
this country and proceeded to explore the western
portion of this State for the purposes of private nature
After having satisfied myself of the vast resources OF the
great West and studied, during stay OF six months the
best to be pursued for their development had
the honor to address to the president OF the southern
Rights Association of this city, IN the month OF Septem
Der of the year. letter in which stated the com
mercial deficiency and comparative standing OF Virginia
with her sister neghbos her past and present position
and her future prospects.
recommended then, as do now, the immediate es-
Establishment of line Of steamships running from the wa
tiers of James river to some port In France
The idea laid down in that letter met the high appro
baton of the distinguished gentleman who now has the
honor to represent this great Union of States at the Court
of ST. Cloud, well the entire public press OF this
city
Since then have travelled in Europe, and used all my
influence and exertons in behalf of this enterprise, and
left nothing undone TO convince the French govern
ent and the capitalists in France OF the Importance ne
cessity, and policy Of opening direct communication
with central point of the United States recommend
ing above all Others, the State OF Virginia,
With the atterng prospects before me, had the hon
to lay before the commissions organized by the French
government my views this subject, and co-operated
In the formation of two emigration and navigation COM
panies And i happy to inform you, sir, that was
most oheerfuy seconded in my exertons by two OF Vr-
ginas most illustrious sons, Messrs William o. Ryes
and John Mason, who aided me by their eounsels and
announcements also fortunate in finding strong
friend in the person of Mr. Mce the American consul,
who did hesitate to offer his personal exetons in be-
half of the navigation company.
/ am in the Old Dominion, and appeal to
your energetic and enlightened patriotism to assist in
carrying into successful execution the plans which have
proposed.
Facts which have ansped since my first visit to this
country instead OF lcssening, only so TO prove more
strongly the Importance and necessity OF immediate ac
ton.
The expectations from the United States to Europe in
1850 amounted to Sl5l, s9072o, and in 1855 to $780,
75I 1856. OF this amount the State Of Virginia exported
i'm 1850 49, 49, 46 which is one-forty fifth part In
1855 her expectations amounted TO ----. The impor-
tations to the United States from Europe 1850 amount
ed to SITS l3S 310 of which the State of Virginia inn
ported s42G 527 three hundred and eth part
In 1865 the mporatons amounted TO S26l 40S 800 of
which the State of Virginia imported -.
1t is evident that the State of Virginia instead OF adj
yancing more rapidly than any other State in her COM
mea relations is actually falling back 1t is true that
railroads and canals being extended towards the West
but no effort is made to transport your produce abroad
You need people cultivate your western lands and work
your extensive mines but how you to get them ex-
cept by establishing direct communication with Europe
thereby turning the tide of emigration to your own shores
The central and southern States increase daily IN asri-
cultural productions In 1855 it reached the sum total
of 81 800 600 600 OF this amount about Sl35 l24 900
worth was exported which is about twothrds of the
whole amount of expectations of the United States.
The mort of New York alone monopozes one-haf OF
all the products of the Union which come by railroad and
coasting vessels from all points of its vast territory to be
concentrated in its dock This fact of itself which shows
the nsucency of the means of transport indicates the
remedy
As had the honor to say in 1852 it is by following
the course of the northern States that the central and
southern portions of the Union will increase their pros
perity 1t is not sufficient TO produce must DC
some outlet for the productions. commercial marine
alone can furnish the necessary outlets Internal means
OF communication exist. They must be completed and
developed by the establishment of Transatlantic lines,
which are their natural continuation.
had the pleasure, before leaving France, OF visiting the
great Europesn agricultural exhibition at Paris, and had
scarcely arrived in this country before it was my pleas
re visit the fair of the Virginia State Agricultural 30
ciety at this place.
can assure you sir that your agricultural products
though varied at least If not more than equal
to those to that great exhibition from all parts OF
Europe Your progressive and intelligent farmers have
had the good send every direction for the best
breeds in order to improve their stocks OF domestic ami
mails Your cattle, sheep and swine vie with any ex
hbited in Europe and long you VIII have extensive
orders the wool of your beautiful sheep Instead of
having as now to import wool from Australia, the Euro
pean manufacturer will seek this market where he will
find better article and ready supply Your horses
rival the most valuable in all Europe, and the blooded
racers exhibition would undoubtedly have had enthu
sastic admirers in England and France.
The expectation of salted meats from this country to
Europe has become of late years very extensive busi
ness and the fine specimens of beef and swine ON
exhibition at your late fair am persuaded that your
farmers might turn their attention to this branch OF in
dustry with much profit to themselves have never
pleased with any exhibition OF vegetables tan
with those have here The assortment was not SO
large but the quality superior Your agricultural steam
engines and grst mills, made portable Tor conVe-
nience prove the progressive spirit of manufactures
Poughs wheat drills and fans broad casters for guano
and plaster and cobcrshes, shelters, codcrusl-
er rollers and wheat reapes prove that happy Virginia
is fast awakening from her long lethargy
cannot pass unnoticed your beautiful specimens OF
domestic CLOTH Competing, laces embroidery blankets,
and many other articles equally necessary to the farmer
much pleased to the interest felt in home man
nfactures.
1t is for to discuss questions Of internal policy
would not know how to express an opinion In reference
the choice of called to this great country
so admirably situated and which goriously future
awaits can only feel the most ardent desire for Its fn-
ture prosperity and happiness. But cannot help per-
ceyng that each State of the Union contributing to its
general prosperity ought to participate in its common adj
yanages that few ought not to absorb all and that
each according to its latitude and its products ought to
possess the of exportaon without being subjected
to the despotism of others.
che Just distribution of the means OF communication
will eject this result The American Union so strong and
so powerful will be closely united; and when each
State shall have its just weight in the balance this Union
will be indissolnble
The southern aud central States of the Union are essen
TALLY producers and becoming every day manuac-
rers They have scarcely amy means of export IL Is IN
dspensae them to establish direct and personal reln
fions with Europe II is abnormal to the raw products
produced their soil accumulate extreme point OF
the American continent, while they might be exported,
without risk confusion by the route which would
return the necessary merchandise and these States would
then no longer subjected to the heavy expense import
ing by way of the North.
IL ever (which God forbid the Union, necessary to