New-York daily tribune., 1858-02-20
TRADE BETWEEN RICHMOND AND FRANCE.

Ios, evening A. y o'clock, a crowded audience
Comprising among others, almost oil the members Oh
the legislature assembled at Metropolitan haii, 70
hear the Hon. William Ballard Preston report OF
his mission to Europe in connection with the estab
lishment Of a direct trade between tue SueeaPeaA'
and some port there. ~,
DR.. Mallory called the meetngt or,ler, and Me.srs.
Tbos VI. De Witt, David !. Burr and Wm' T. hul'
ford were appointed Secretares
The following Railroad Companies, rePresenteua a.
the Bristol Convention were called on ana ahswetyu
by their delegates; Norfolk and Petersourgi Sou.n-
Side: Virginia and Tennessee; Orange ana Alexah'
dria Alexandra, Loudoun and Hampshire; Manss-
sas Gap, and Northeastern and South-western Ala
bama.
Mr. Preston then presented himself and was receiy
ed with rapturous applause He entered into detail
of the difficulties which had SO long existed IN the way
OF fixing starting point in the South for the prect OF
direct trade with Europe. He said that he went 10
Europe with the conviction that England was .he
place in which he would be the surest OF success anu
as the place holding out the most advantages; but ne
found that the Cunsrd lime had engrossed the bank-
ing commercial and Government support. lie
appealed to the American interest IN England,
but MIR. Brown, of Liverpool, and that inter
est, were engaged in supporting the Coliin iine'
The English, too, were then engaged IN fetlng Dr.
Livingstone, because they believed he had found
region which would relieve them from the odum OF
connection with the Southern States: They were too
absorb in the question OF the Indian mutny. lie
then went to France, and found the Emperor engaged
in following ont the idea OF his uncle, OF looking ior
olonies, commerce and ships. MI. Preston then de-
cribed the encouragement which the Emperor was
giving TO French lines Of steamers to New-iork, the
West India Islands and Brazil lie described MS
busipess interviews with the Orleans Railway Compa'
nv whose capital was 800 900 900 of francs and whose
stock was in most prosperous conditions. Mr. Pres'
on exhibited maps to show the great tract OF rrench
Territory which the Orleans Companys railroads
trayersed and also produced plSn OF the docks at
ST. Nazarre the proposed port on the French side.
After long most eloquent statesmanlike speech,
he read the contract the principal features OF which
Rs the number shall be four Of unnsse no; les:
than that Othe Fulton and Aso to MAKE Iorna
French eocrs and two in America to cAy American sooT'
The capital oSa to S Ss .ns sn.ee Ps1, to BE- he
the Company The Administrators Of the Company to be seven
SIe c spd four American the second year and % on
seInsey The American branch Of the TO s.Iantes
French Company having any 'ubventiOn the proceeds to be
, The following resolutions were adopted, well
votes of thanks to James Buchanan, Mr. Mason and
the Orleans Company and their Engineer.
R,sord That the thanks Of the Convention rendered to
ability with which discharged the duti.. assigned him
by the Bristol Convention and for the success which oreshsd
bis eortn behalf Of an enter'e deeply interesting
to virginia and the whole southern States.
hereby rendered to hi, EIsseney Gov Hsny We M r the
W "a % d to aop aa S. h
express grateful acknowledgements for the zeal and interest
Advancing the COMMERCIAL nde pendence Of the State
Rr,Orsd That Committee Of Five be appointed BY the Pes
dent 10 memoraHe the
the essbhmen, Of direct service By steamships between Nor
folk ST. Nszae upon the basis o the preliminary Conysn
,on agreed BY the Hon VIM Ballard Preston and Mr. Ss
coup Chief Engineer OF the Orleans Railroad Company.
Rssoired That committee Of eleven be appointed BY the
President memorable Congress authorize with
the Steamship Company proposed be organized under the
pces Of this Convention, for the transportation Of the United
States mail the indicated the pTeimnsges which
have been approved at this meeting.
Mr.. Anderson moved the adoption Of the contract
and it was carIed unanimously.
Mr.. Preston promises to enter into further details
which he was precluded from giving this occasion
by severe cold.