The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-11-02
For the Western Democrat.

= r. & 3 . =.
MR EDITOR: For two years past the commercial
interests of our town and county have been much
depressed. This has been owing to the short
crops and financial endorsements of the country
generally 4-a=a.s
1t is gratifying, however, to see the greater ac-
tlvIty and enlarged business now going with the
merchants of this plaee.-TLeir sales have never
been better to better class of customers. This
results from their activity in business and the
natural advantages of the position of Charlotte for
commercial enterprise. 1t is the terminus of two
lines OF Railroad connections leading North and
South, and connecting with the ports of Charles
ton, Augusta, Wilmington, Newbern and Norfolk
or Portsmouth. Its advantages of shipping are
therefore superior to any other town in Western
North Carolina. Hence the high prices paid for
all kinds of produce, and the cheap rate at which
goods sold The natural markets for all the
leading products of this portion of the State is
Charleston, and the intermediate country in that
direction. Columbia, seven years since, was sup
piled with Flour and Hay from New York; now it
is our best market, except Charleston, for -four
hay, cotton and grain of all kinds as well as other
products.
The rates of shipping by Charleston from New
\ ork and New Orleans, from 20 to so per
cent. cheaper than by any other route. The
sons OF this are obvious. In the first place Char
lottc is SO miles nearer by railway to Charleston
than to any Atlantic port in North Carolina. In
the second place, the s. e. Railroad is the oldest
and best established Road In the South 1t is al
most without grades and curves from Charleston
to Counbia-can, with one locomotive transport
30 cars with 10000 $4,000 lbs. of freight in
each-its business is principally through freight
and its receipts amount to over and half mil
lions Of dollars annually hence it can carry freight
at 20 per cent. less than any other road Of limited
business, and realize more clear profit.
Of all the routes which we have tried and COM
pared by fret ght bills, Portsmouth is the dearest
The freights about 80 per cent. higher by this
line than via Charleston. But this is not sur
prising when consider the number of roads that
the freights have to pass over; and the further
fact that it is Il miles further by land than to
Charleston In addition to this, while there has
been more delay and expense freights via Char
lesion this season than usual in consequence of
the severe affection OF that city from yellow fever
yet owing to the large commercial interests of
Charleston, the amount of her shipping both for
eign and coastwise by schooners, brigs, ships and
steamers, are enabled to get goods from New
York and PHILADELPHIA and ship produce to those
points, in about half the time it takes to receive
freights by any other route. Here is another
great advantage to the mercantile interests of
Charlotte. These advantages of cheap freights,
quick transport,tons ready sales and low prices,
with active merchants, have created commercial
interest and prosperity invaluable to the farmers,
mechanics and manufacturers of Western North
Carolina. OLD MECKLENBTRG