Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-02-20
Direc. Trade between oirsin,a ana Europe.

Direc. Trade between eirgin,a ana Europe.
Our readers have already been informed that Mr..
Psestpn, Of Virginia, has succeeded in laying the
foundations ofdirect commercial intercourse between
thewaters of Virginia and Europe. Mr.. Preston, as
we learn from the Enquirer, is expected in few
days to make full report of his negotiations; and
In the meantime we copy from that paper letter
from Hon. John Y. Mason, United States Minister
at Paris to citizen of Richmond, in which he gives
some account of Mr.. Preston's negotiations and re:
fers to the inviting prospects which have thus been
opened, not only toVirginia but to other Southern
States for, the Enquirer truly observes, this
is subject of grave aye of vital importance to the
South, and it cannot be too often or too urgently
impressed upon the public mind" Mr. Mason's let
ter is as follows:
u PARIS, 7th December, 1857. r.
Ny DEAR COLONEL: wrote you some months
since on a point very interesting to the water line,
which you know regard as not only practicable,
but as sine qua non to the complete success of
Virginia in her noble enterprise to develope her own
rich resources, and in the competition for the rich
volume Of trade produced in the valley of the Mis-
sissipi and its tributaries. But I received no &C
acknowledgement, which left me uncertain whether you
had received it, until Mr.. Ballard Preston informed
me that you had furnished him a copy of my letter.
l thank you for paying it such compliment Dear
old Virginia! every days absence increases my af.
fection and in the midst of the mighty changes
which railroads and canals effecting in the old
world constantly think of the harvest which awaits
her grand system Of Improvement. Lying broadside
the Atlantic with her lines of artificial transport
tatiOn stretching from the back the greatest
producing valley in the world, have always felt
that her system was incomplete unless those lines
were virtually extended to Europe, the great pur-
OhoSoe md IF O,rVv, and vhoco
trade in turn supplies almost all our wants. There
fore hailed with the liveiest pleasure and enthusi-
asm, the arrival of Mr. Preston here, in the execu-
ton of the honorable mission with which he is
charged. have with will lent him every aid in
my power. But must say in candor, that with his
thorough knowledge of the subject, and the signal
ability and address which he has brought to his
gotiation, but little aid was required
He did right, in my judgment, to leave England,
where the existing lines and arrangements of bust
ness left him but little hope of successful result
except at price which We could not pay. He came
to France at an suspicious moment, for the govern
ment was about to establish three transatlantic lines
of steamers with large and liberal subscriptions
By one of those accidents, which sometimes ex-
ert such potent influence on human affairs to JUS
tfy the belief in special Providence Mr. Preston
was placed in communication with the Orleans Rail.
road Company Mr.. Preston and | visited Nantes
and San Nazoire at the month of the Loire. At the
latter point the French government is constructing
the most magnificent artificial harbor in the world
Opening to the ocean, ship sailing between that
point and Chesapeake Bay, avoids the channel, and
will find her route shorter by considerable time,
than between Havre and the same point On our
return to Nantes Mr. Preston was called on by the
Chief Engineer and Director of the Orleans Com
pany, and explanations were satisfactorily made
that negotiation commenced, which, think,
is about end in complete success if his consttu-
ents approve the basis Of agreement I will leave
him to make known the terms of the proposition.
content myself with saying, that he has done the
honor to confer with me at every stage of the nego
tia:on-that he has conducted it with most honora-
bic candor and with consummate ability.
l will add, that the Orleans company has q large
capital, is the best managed company in France and
owns a net work of rail roads which cover one-third
Win the Ocean, anu
connecting with other lines to Switzerland, Italy and
Germany. think our friends will be gratified, that
his arrangement will, if adopted, secure at such
trling cost, and for the future such inesmable
advantages for us and our lines of improvement. l
congratulate myself that occasion has arisen for
All application to the Imperial Government.
Mr.. Prestons success under the appalling disad-
| vantages which have been placed in his way by the
condition Of monied affairs is most honorable to him
and it may turn out that the mmeIcal disasters
which have done so much to break up the old
channels of trade with the United States, are posi-
lively advantageous to this new enterprise.
1.-THE arrangement shall be contaminated, the COM
pletion Of the water line the Ohio cannot be long
postponed. AT such result no one will rejoice more
than Your faithful friend,
j. Y. MASON.
COL THOMAS H. ELLIS, &C., Richmond.