Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1857-06-30

| FoRp HAvtN STEAM FERRY PROJECT. ! remark
! ed. lin an, Their communication | shall enter
| info minute details relative To the manner of Cur.
| rying il into successful operation. | will now
state however. that every Southern citizen who
/ chooses may become partner in it, that the
| shares will be issued for 500 each that no per.
| son shall be permitted In subscribe for two
! more until all shall hive had ample time 10 sub
| scribe for one: and that each siayeholding State
and the District of Columbia, shall be entitled 20
one manager in the concern" When my hd-
dress was issued supposed That should be en,
ahlrd to secure n charter for Company several
months ago, but as it is now quite certain that
one cannot be obtained before next January, or
February, | cannot, in view If the manifestations
which are so strikingiy furnished me from day
to day. longer postpone without detriment to
the enterprise. the commencement of prehmina-
ry operations.
As chimerical as this enterprise was general
~ regarded, when first communicated it to the
public, fnl that even fasidious incredulity is
endrayoring 10 get IN advance of il, particularly
IN New York. since IL has been diScOuettd that
through Long Island Sound the Great Eastern
may approach the confines ofthat city. 1t is
strange enough, certainly, but not more straug"
than true, that the Journals which have been
most camorous against the Steam Ferry (nllo-
ging that it was entirely too seotirual in its
character, that it WINS hostile to the c 'nserva-
tive sentiments of the Union, that it would oegei
"A dangerous commercial rivalry between the isp
divisions OF country, that it would keep alive
the slavery agitation, in short that it was al.
most of reasonable concepon) appear TO he
oyerloyed at the prospect If an early visit IT the
Great Eastern 10 Il Northern port. What re
markabe aud instructive verilicaton of III, home.
~ adage, circumstances alter cases"
In October, 1859, after having carefully exam
med the Levla,han, then in early process of CON
struc,lon, Called in company with two distn-
gaished Americans. II see Mr.. Brunei her ar
chtcct and originator. IN order to ascertain what
the chances were of inducing him to make tn"
Chesapeake her destination. He promptly IN
formed me, after listening to my own represen-
tations, and subsequently to those of my friends
that he could not hold out the slightest encour.
agement that it would be in his power to comply
with my wishes, inasmnch as she expressly
intended for the Australian trade, and that in
her design she had been arranged accordingIy,-
1t was then expected that she would be ready for
sea IN the following August In month or two,
however often thus interview, Scott RUSSELL her
enierprizihg constructor, found himself unable
to comply with his engagements, aud an entire
suspension in the construction occurred which
lastrd several months. In tho mean time the
Company became dispirted and several of tho
stockholders, rs ! was told, rather than mako ad-
dtlonn advances, were inclined to abandon the
undertaking in despair While affairs were in
large interests in the Grand Canada TRUNK Rail
Road, proposed to provide the amount required
for her completion, upon the condition that she
would run temporarily 10 Portland, instead of
Melbourne. The proposition was asscntod TO,
not from choice perhaps, but from neccasity.-
She will, therefore, rs | am now assured on
liable authority. unquestiounhlv proceed TO TINT
city rs -uon she Is prepared ir service, which.
1t is believed, will be III October; and from thence
she may steam around To New York, (making
the run in ten or twelve hoursl aud abide there
two or three days for profitable exhibition. Tn
iii recently, did not suppose her commit nents
To 60 to Portland were 50 obligatory.
As soon ms the Great Eastern is removed from
her stocks it is the intention oft company to
commence the construction of a companion for
her in the Australian line, and the two will con
s,tute regular packets between Milford Haven
and Port Philip Hence there is but little like
lihood thar she will engage permanently III the
trans Atlantic trade. She may be far from per
feet in her proportions and in her machinery,
but she will assuredlv develop principle in nav
igaii"n which will accomplish great revolt
tiou IN ocean carrying ms the locomotive has nc
compHshcd on land. To be rendy to turn this
principle to the best account, at the earliest pos
sible hour, is Il duty which Southerncrs owe not
only To themselves but to their posterity. If this
does not occur am resolved that it shall not be
attributable to n want of energy ON my part
After mature reflection the plan proposed in
my address for raising sufficient amount of
money to cpnsummate tho Steam Ferry project
was ncomparably the most practicable as well
us the most desirable one which suggested itself
10 nv mind. 1t is, rs is explained in the quota
ton from that address. to obtain It by individual
subscriptions each member of Il family TO hay"
the privilege of subscribing for share Of one
hundred dollars, but none To be permitted to take
two or more until op ,ortanity shat have been
afforded to all To subscribe for one As the more
immediate benefits which are TO be derived from
the enterprise will be generally diifused in the
circle of It's operations, So was 1t thought OF pm
mary importance to distribute as equally "a pos
sble the stock in that circle In my opinion
there is no way in which one hundred dollars
will be employed for term of ten years. more
proftably as an investment-apart from the en.
HANGED value of property which IT would oeea
son-and there is certainly none which wonld
afford so much agreeable interest regardless at
its pecuniary earnings TO the stockholders As
well to the old as the young, the rich MS the
poor those of the seaboard of the interior
the Joyous. animating, cheering performances OF
the steam ferry would become familiar in
their mouths as household words" have seen
kings saved from bankruptcy by small loans
from their subjects and costly testimonials 10
worth purchased by penny contributions from the
earnings of industry. The southerner has never
been out done in judicous liberality. and he can
be safely counted upon in the present instance
But there are prudential considerations why
the money required far the undertaking should
be raised in the manner decided upon. For the
first year or two it is not likely that dividends
would be declared and if the stock wore owned
by capitalists it would probably descend to
low point of value, and subsequently find IFS way
Il