Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-12


THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
~ s1Tc11s = En;GrsSSSavANT.
RRlDAY, FEBRUARY ~, 1855.
FOREIGN COMMERCE FOR THE SOUTH.
The cheering intelligence Of Mr.. Pseston's success
IN BILE mission to Europe, for the initiation OF direct
trsde between the Old World and the waters of Vr-
vina, has, doubtless, already elated thousands Of
Southern heart. with the high hope of speedy dis
On the North for foreign commerce. This is q sub.
$50. of grave aye of vital confederation to the South
IL cannot be too often too urgently impressed upon
the public mind. The ball has been put In motion;
and each succeeding day, trust, will continue to
add TO ito momentum, until from Maryland to Texas,
the people are thoroughly aroused to its impor
tssoe. In ito political aspect, the proposed e.
tablshmsnt of transatlantic commerce directly to
and from the South, is question, which COM
meuds itself seriously to the Southern nnd-to inc
disuuouiss per se we'll 10 the conservative men,
who uphold the Union still, and mean to stand oy 1t
until the Constitution ceases to protect their interests
md their honor. II the day 10 to come when the pc
litiosl sky will be 90 overcast with clouds that the
sun OF liberty will seem to have set where he rose
In the Western world; when "the plough.share will
be left resting In its furrow in the South, and the
buoy din Of manufactures at the North will be hush
ed by the tumult of bsttle when the temple of free
dom, desscrated aud despoed by the unholy hands
of Abolitionism, like sanctuary invaded by barba'
rians will become the theatre OF civic strife; and
the shook of conflicting American armies bursts asun
der the tombs Of Washington aud Lafayette, as if to
bid their sain.sd spirits survey the scene, then, in
deed, will the slave States ssdy feel the necessity
OF foreign commerce. unless they ''taks tins by
the forslook" and push on tospeedy completion, the
great schemes in promising process Of accomplish
msst for the immediate establishment OF direct trade
with both France and England from the waters Of Vr
giuia. Such Is the argument in political point of
view which We would urge alike upon the ultrsists Of
the South, who are In favor Of a disruption of the
confsderscY without farther cause and the couserva
tive supporters of the Union who would prepare for
the worst while hoping for the beat. But there is an
other advantageous view, in which this question
may be regarded by the defenders of the Uoion.-
There 10 q vast deal of philosophy in the aphorsm
that ITO prepare for war is the best way to prevent
it," Let tho South be supplied with all the active 81
emsnts of independence; and the North will pro-
badly be much more easily convinced of the danger
of her secession from the confederacy.
These are purely political considerations Butthey
carry with them all those unanswsrabs arguments
in favor Of direct trade, as means of fully develop
ag and enjoying the tndusrial resources Of the save
States; for, if foreign commerce would make in.
dependent Of the North It would at the same time, OF
course, pour into lap, the revenue which We now
contribute to the Golfers of the free States on account
Of the absence of such Southern resource. 1t will
thas be ssen that this subject is Intimately ave. use-
p.-ably associated with the welfare of the slave
States, whether they are enabled to remain in the
Union or are ultimately forced by oppression and
insult to 20 out Of 1t.
Mr.. Preston having succeeded In making arrange
nen;s for line of steamers from France, public at
:sntion must be naturally turned next TO the great
enterprise of A. Dudley Manu. Esq This gigantic pro-
jsot Il will be remembered is directed to the estab
Gshment Of line of steamers from England to the
waters of Virginia. The two do not conAct-on the
contrary, the one is the pioneer of the other. Mr.
Prestons scheme with its steamers of ordinary size
oomes fret, As it shQud, to awaken the public spirit Of
the people and open the way for the monster ships
proposed by Mr.. Mann. The York River Road aud
the Norfolk and Petersburg Road may serve to sup.
ply the steamers from France. And when the great
wate line to the West is completed, then such nam.
moth vessels "a the Lsviathan may also be
opportunity introduced into our waters. We
are not advised as to the progress now
being made by Mr.. Mann in his noble enterprise. He
has undertaken great work; and, experience, in all
things teaches Ne that it must necessarily be Glow
God Eprpn
VS. are still sanguine-and whatever msgivings may
be entertained In regard to q comparison between
the expenses and profits of steamers of such enor
nous siss they must be materially diminished, if not
altogether dispeled, by the concluding paragraph Of
the following Interesting extract from letter received
by Mr.. Mann, and which transfer from the Frede'
rioksburg " Recorder:
LONDON, Jan. IA, 1858.
The launch of the Leviathian, l am happy to be
snaSled to state 10 now beyond all peradventure.
che Immediately be placed at the end of the
Yesterday she more than ten feet in the WATER
TIE day before Captain Harrison passed all around
move her farther lest the high tides to occur 10 aew
days. may be attended with northerly gales, which
would set her aAoat. The spring gales Of the 3lst
instant will carry her into her natural element. This
YOU may consider perfectly certain. So that by the
Tina this reaches you, your long cherished hopes will
have been realized.
"Whst a triumph for physical sciences Before the
end Of this year the electric osbs will anuihae space
and the Lsvathian overcome the majesty of the
between the TWO hemispheres In this contamination
Wa behold the power Of old Neptune departing for
veer.
As respects the transmission of Intelligence, Lon
don or even st. Petersburg, will be nearer TO WASH
ipSton than was BladsnsburR to that city at the be.
ginning Of the present century and in the matter Of
trade intercourse, close by, was Boston at that
time. Push on your noble enterprise" 1t has
strength which cannot be successfully SISTED in the
magnificent Bays you have chosen for it's terminal
points. The Levisthan must hare Lsviathan waters
in which to move. II the South be not resolved TO
sink its abjec vassssgs to the North, she has al
tentative but to avail herself of your project. Steam
90 far, has not been success upon the OCEAN
There 10 company concerned in II in Europe, that
has not lost money, unless such have had liberal
governmental subscriptions tor mail carrying.
1.-THE LevathaD it is estimated, will carry ten tons
az freight from Milford Haven to Chesapeake Bay
for each ton Of coal she will consume. There 10 not
steamer now ahoat that will carry ton of freight
with a ton Of coal q similar distance Thus at
glance, The revolution which the principle contained
in the Leviathan is to effect in the carrying trade, is
10 be distinctly seen."
THE TWENTY-SECOND.
II 10 anticipated that there will be an immense a.