Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-10-30

German adage that as France takes snuff politically
so must all Continental Europe sneeze. This is en-
phatically the case with New York financially. ar
concerns the saveholding States. They cannot re.
rsIn from sneezng when she takes snuff, because oil
their commercial dependence upon her. Look c:
what is occurring in New Orleans. Cotton in one day
recedes 10 value 81 cents per pound. And for whyi
Not because there Is not natural active European
demandi not because markets overstocked not
because there is au over abundant yield. No, none
of these influences deprive the planter of the three
cents and quarter tsuce seven cent.) per pound
on bis staple which hs lad such good right TO ex.
pect; but, orsootb, because there was no exchange
on New York. So with tobacco, 30 with rice 10 with
all the staples Of tie slavehodpg States. For the
want Of direct foreign trsde-or the want OF direct
intercourse between producer aud consumer-the
loss Of these States the yield of this year will not
fall below the of one hundred millions of dollars
sum sufficient to build forty such steamers as the
Great Eastern. No region in the universe could
submit to such loss and recover from Il, but that
embraced within the bounds of the .aveholding
Ststesl The past We cannot mend, but we can
profit by it. Let Us concern ourselves, as judcious
citizens, with the future. Ia that there is suciency
to engage our thoughts and our energies.
THE NEW SLOoPs OF WAR-ONE TO BE
BUILT AT PORTSMOUTH.
We are gratiGed TO learn that the authorities at
Washington have determined to have one of the new
sloops-of-war built at Portsmouth, Virginia. We
have not yet been informed whether the ship is to
be built by private contract, or in the Government
yard at Gosport. 1t matters little TO which the work
may be assigned, In tar as the relief OF needy la.
borers is concerned. Many Of the workmen in the
Gosport Yard have been discharged recently, and
bodybuilding the part Of private enterprise, has
suppose, been also seriously affected by the nan'
cal crisis The one great immediate object Is to sup.
ply the laborers with work. The money pressure and
its incident lls extend over no very limited portion
of the Union. The masses Of the North may have
reason anticipate all the horrors of poverty during
the coming winters buttbe white lsborers OF the South
who depend upon uncertain and irregular employ
ment, are also in condition to be considered by
thoss who may have it in their power to relieve them
And therefore are highly pleased to learn that one
of the new ships is to be built in Southern port.
We are not disposed to advise that government
vessels shall always be built in government yard1 or
at least under the supervision and exclusive control
of government officials. We would as soon and, per-
hsps little sooner entrust the construction Of ship
to private enterprise for beauty of model, soundne.s
of timbers, speed, comfort capacity or cheapness.
The navy yard at Gosport possesses, we believe
every advantage and facility for the construction o
government vessels. But the ship.ysrd Of Messrs
Page Allen, at the same place, is certainly not in
| feror To il in spy respect. These gentlemen have
been highly successful in building ataunch, commodl
GUS and fast sailing ships. Among the American
mercantile marine they are most favorsbly kuown.-
And should the Administration have determined tt
have the sloop.of-wsr to be built at Portsmouth, con
atructed by private contract We heartily hope that
Page Il Allen may be made the recipients OF the
favor of working for the government In times like