Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-15
LETTER FROM GOV. WISE

! Virginia:
s,.-Iu the year 1852 arrived, for the first time,
in this country. and soon proceeded 10 explore me
Western portion of this Stale for the purposes OF a
private nature. After having satisfied myself OF
the vast resources Of the great West, and studied
during stay Of six months, the best course 10 oe
pursued for their development, had the honor "
address to the President of the Southern Rights Asso
citation of this city, in the month of September OF
the year, letter, in which staleu .l'o % ~;
| mercal deficiency and comparative stanulns VI
ginia with her sister neighbors her past auu
position, and her future prospects M ;r,,,od;s,s
| recommended then, as do now, 'ne ' go
establishment of q line of steamships running lrou
the waters of James river to some por. ~ L;b -.
The ;Seo laid down in that letter met the ni2n ap
probation of the distinguished gentieheh S..ss
has the honor to represent .s glss the entire public
| at the Court OF 81. Ciouu' o' WON 20 'Ao ~
| press of this city. y .,d r.od
oil INV influence and exertions in behalf OF 'nis Gu
tsrprise aud have left nothing undone TO convince
the French government and the capitalists IN France
! of the Importance necessity and policy OF opening
| direct communication with some central point OIL
| the United States, recommending above al o'hers'
the State of Virginia. ,..,.t
honor to lay before the commissions orgahzea oy
the French government, my views on tnis euolecl'
| and co.operated in the formation OF TWO e"'Rta'ion
| and navigation companies. And am naPpy 70 IN
form Won air that was most cheerfu'y seconded in
nv exertions by of Virginias most husrious SONS
Wsssrs. VIM. &. Riyes and John Y. Mason, who aid
| ed me by their counsels and announcements. l was
also fortunate in finding srGg Censu who did
not hesitate to offer his personal exertlons IN oena
| lam once more in the Old Dominion and appeal
to your energetic and enlightened patriotism TO as
sist i'll carrying into successiui e"eculoh 'ho Pia
Facts. which have transp red since my first visit TO
this country. instead of lessepns, only 90 to prove
more strongly the importance and necessity OF lmme'
date action.
The eIpors.ions from the United States to Europe
in 1850 amounted to Sl5l S9O,72O. and in 1855, to
1892 1875. Of ths amount, the State OF Virginia
exported in 1851, $34l5446 which is one forty NTH
| part. In 1855 her expectations amounted to -.
The importatons to the United States from Europe
in 1850 amounted to Sl7S l3S3lO of which the State
of Virginia imported $426 527. one three hundred
and Hftieth part In 1855 the importatlons amounted
to s26I 4OS $50 of which the State of Virginia i'm
ported --. r
|. is evident that the State Of Virginia, instead of
advancing more rapidly than any other State i'll her
commercial relations, is actually ialiing bacK IL Is
true that railroads and canals are being extended TO-
| wards the west but effort ia made TO transport
your produce abroad. You need people to cultivate
your western lands and work your extensive mines;
but how you to get them except oY establishing
direct communication with Europe, thereby turning
the tide of emigration to your own shores.
The central and Southern States increase daily IN
agricultural productions. 10 1855 it reached the sum
a xl,OU
sl35 200 worth exported, which is about two
fhirds of the whole amount OF expectations OF the
United States.
The BORT of New York alone monopolizes one'hali
of all the products Of the Union which come ny ran
road and coaang vessels from all points OF its vast
| territory to be concentrated in its dock. This tact
of ITSELF which shows the insutiicency OF the means
| of transport, indicates the remedy "a
As had the honor to cay in 1882 1t 10 by following
the course of the Northern States, that the central
and southern portions of the Union will increase
their prosperity. 1t is not sufficient to produce
| there must be come 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 estab
ishInent of transatlantic lines, which are their ma
tural continuation.
had the pleasure, before leaving France. OF visit
ing the great European agricultural exhibition at
Paris and had scarcely arrived in this country before
it was my pleasure to visit the fair Of the Virginia
State Agricultural Society, at this place.
can assure you, sir, that your agricultural pro-
ducts though not varied, at least if not more
than equal to those sent to that great exhibition from
all parts of Europe. Your progressive and ntelli-
gent farmers have had the good sense to send IN ev'
cry direction for the best breeds, in order to improve
| their stocks of domestic animals. Your CATTLE sheep
and swine vie with any exhibited in Europe and ere
long You will have extensive orders for the wool OF
YOUR beautiful sheep. Instead of having, as now, to
import wool from Australia, the European manufsc-
tarer will seek this market where he will find bet.
| the most valuable in all Europe, and the blooded
| racers on exhibition would undoubtedly have had
enthusiastic admirers in England and France.
The expectation Of sailed meats from this country
to Europe has become of late years very extensive
business; and from the fine specimens of beat and
swine OH exhibition your late fair, am persuaded
that your farmers might turn their attention to this
branch of industry with Tuch profit to themselves.
have never been more pleased with any exhibition
of vegetables than with those have seen here The
assortment not large but the quality superior
Your agricultural steam engines, saw and grlst mile,
made portable for convenience, prove the progressive
| spirit Of your manufacturers. Ploughs, wheat drills
sud fans broad casters for guano and plaster,
and cob crushers, sheers clod crushers, rollers and
wheat reapera prove that happy Virginia is fast ava
ksning from her long lethargy.
cannot pas unnoticed your beautiful specimens OF
domestic cloth, Competing, aces, embroidery, blank
and many other articles equally necessary TO the
farmer. was much pleased to sse the interest felt
| in home manufactures.
1t ia not for to discuss questions Of intern a.
policy. / would not know how to express an opin.
ion in referenceto the choice of men called to govern
i this great country, admirably situated and which
go glorious future awaits. can only feelthe most
ardent desire for its future prosperity and happiness
But cannot help percevng that each State OF the
Union, contributing TO s eneral prosperity, ought
to participate in its common advantages; that few
ought to absorb ALL and that each, according to
its latitude aud its products, ought to possess the
means of expectation without being subjected to the
despotsm Of others.
The just distribution of the means of communcs-
ton will effect this result. The American Union, 20
sreng and go powerful, will be more closely united;
and when each State shall have its Just weight in the
| balance, this Union will be indssOluble.
! The Southern and Central States of the Union are
essentially producers, and are becoming every day
manufacturers. They have scarcely any means of
EXPORT. 1t is indispensable to them to establish di.
rect and personal relations with Europe. 1t is alb
| normal to see the raw products, produced their
soil, accumulate on an extreme point of the Aneri-
can continent, while they might be exported, without
risk confusion, by the same route which would re.
| turn ths necessary merchandise; and these States
would then no longer be subjected to the heavy ex-
pense of importing by way of the North.
| If ever-which God forbd-the Union go neces.
sary to the prosperity of the States should be dis.
solved, the South would then be in condition to
meet any emergency.
We are prepared sir, to roalize the plans which ]
have submitted to your high appreciation. The Fran
co.American Trans Atlantic navigation company has
been organized in the city Of Lyons. France with
capital of 900 francs, Of which the commerce
of Lyons has subscribed large portion. 1t possesses
considerable property in ships and material, and baf
established regular lines between Havre and Rio
Janeiro, New York and New Orleans. Itcontsins all
the elements necessary to success and il prepared for
any exigeucy. We persuaded, that in few years
the line of chips propose TO establish will prove
of great Importance. II will be the line of commuu
cation with the south and west and the ports of Fir
eina will become The natural depots.
This result is certain but il is necessary to under
stand how to prepare for this important attainment
The aid Of the commonwealth and the cooperation
the men of influence of the State will be required
The company itself is not unwilling to undertake the
trial. but it cannot expose its private interests to an
unlimited eItenS
Before leaving Paris, placed in the hands of the
United States Minister provsionary proposal, in
the name of the Franco American company, for the
immediate establishment of line Of steamers to run
between Havre and Norfolk or City Point. l have
the honor to communicate TO you copy OF
said PROPOSAL adding complete proposition from the
same company, together with series OF essays pub
lished on the question.
The fate of The proposition rests with you. Its
success depends much upon your consideration. II
is subject Of deep importance, and know you will
give it that attention it deserves. Ii concerns the
welfare of the State over which you preside as a
chief magistrate, aud none can feel more deeply in.