The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-15
Letter from Hon. John Y Mason, United
States Minister In Paris.
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Ny DEAR CoIoSu,-I wrote you some months since on
point Interesting 10 the water line which you Know
regard a. not only practicable, but qua M TO
the complete success OF Virginia in her nob enerpr.sa 10
for The rich volume OF trade produced in the valley OF the
Mississippi and its tributaries. But receiSed acknow
Judgment, which left me uncertain whether you had
received H. Until Mr. Ballard Preston Informed me that
you bad furnished him copy Of my letter thank you
for paying such emplImept Dear old Virginia every
days absence my Affection and In phe mds Of
the mighty changes which railroads and canals are effect
ing N the Old world lconsantly think of nch
await her grand system Of Improvement Lying brosdsde
onthe Atlantic, with her lines OF artificial trans portAion
stretching from the back TO the produ ing
in The world have always felt that her ~ neon
Europe the great purchaser consumer q our pro.
ducts, and whose trade 70 turn supplies almost ali
wants therefore hsed With The liyelest pleasure and
ton Of the honorable mission with which he s charged
have, with will lent HIM every AID In my power But
must say In candor that with his thorough knowlcdse
OF the eject And the signal ability adsres which
he nas brought 70 his negotiation, but little Ad
guire5.
where the existing lines and management, % business
left him but little hope Of successful result except at
price winch we could not pay He came 10 France al
an uspcious moment for the governments about 10
establish three transatlantic lines Of steamers with large
and liberal subscriptions
BY one Of those accidents which sometimes exert
such potent influence humen Affairs W Justify
The belief 10 special Providence, Mr.. Preston vs
paced n communication with the Orleans Railroad Com
al the mouth Of the loire. Al the latter point the
Fren,h government constructing the most magnificent
ARTIFICIAL harbor In the world. Opening the ocean,
snip sailing between that point and Chesakeake Hay
avoids the channel, and will find her route shorter by
considerable time than between Hsvre and the same
point On our return 70 Nantes Mr.. Preston was called
on by the chief engineer and director OF the Oresns
Company and explanations 20 satisfactorily made
mat negotiation was commenced which, 7 think, is
about 70 end IN complete II his constituents APP
prove The bss Of agreement will leave him 10 make
known the terms Of The proposition. I content my
sell with saying that he has done the honor 10 confer
with me every stage Of the negotiation he has
cSpouceo with most honorable candor and with cou-
summate ability
viii add, that the Orleans company has large CAPT
tai is The best managed company in France, and owns
net work OF railroads which third o the Empire
connecting Pare with the and with other
lines 70 Switzerland, Italy and Germany / think our
friends viii be eratihed that his Arrangement will n
adopted, secure al such tring cost nos and for the
future, such iDesmsble advantages for US and our lines
Of Improvement congratulate myself tina, no occasion
has arisen for an application 10 The Imperial government
Mr. PrestoDs success under the appalling dad vantaces
which have been placed his way by tue condition OF
moneyed AFFAIR." rs most honorable W hin-and may turn
ont that the cOmrsr,ia dtssters which have dor 40
much 10 break up the old channels Of trade with the
United states are positively advantageous this en-
terprise
u the arrsngemen, shall he consum mated the compile
ton Of the water line 10 the Ohio cannot be long post
poned AZ such result will rejoice more than
your ~ tnfu frepd, j. " MASON
Col THosAs II EttE, &c, Richmond.