Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-02-12
We invite attention to the following lucid cogent'
and instructive article from the Norfolk Argus:
MR.. PRESToNS MISSIoN-THE FUTURE OF
NORFOLK

NORFOLh.
We had the qualification some days since OF an
nouncinp, on the authority Of letter received from
Paris, that Mr.. Presons mission had been successful
and that arrangements had been made with one ofthe
wealthiest corporations in Europe, the Paris and Or.
leans Railroad Company to put four OF lis steamers
in the trade between the city OF Orleans, France, ana
the city of Norfolk in Virginia. We stated in The
words furnished u.s. that these steamers would run bs.
tween the ports of Oreans and Norfolk but as the for
mer city is situated above steamship navigation, on
the river Loire, we should have perhaps stated that
the steamers would ply to Nantes, near the mouth Of
this river and there connect with the railway passing
through Anglers and thence to Orleans. To what
particular port these steamers are to co. however, II
matters not that We are to have direct communi'
cation with France.
That this line will be successful, if the Norfolk and
Petersburg Railroad is Immediately completed, We
have not the slightest doubt. Leaving out the other
States with which Norfolk will soon be Intimately
connected by railway, Virginia aone II her people
will confine her trade 10 our port can sustain ILLS
line.
The total value of the productions Of Virginia were
estimated at the last census TO be $SbUDOuOO. we
can now fairly estimate II at not lees than
OF this amount il said 00U 600 used tor bome
consumption. This leaves surplus OF $3OOOo,oOo TO
90 abroad. On these exports we pay for commissions
treights and other charges S30OO,O00: The Whole
amount Of foreign importaops into Virginia is esii-
mated at sl2UOO 900 year Her direct ioporations
through her own ports are only S436 900 the dit
ference between thess two Sums she has 10 pay COM
mission, Sc. She annually pays the North In com
missions treights, &c.. about 81 9OoooO. From 'hese
facts We how easily line OF steamers TO Europe
can be supported.
Let this line be established, and It will be followed
by others. European capitalists are at this moment
looking for new market for ther goods. Ihey are
alive to the fact that they have to pay AL the
of cotton goods and other manufactured articles haV-
ing to go through New York. They would be glad
to establish agencies here for the purpose OF making
spring and fs saes and those agents would, course
ia making their remtances, prefer dong SO IN the pro-
ductions OF the South.
a direct trade from Norfolk to Europe, is the ware.
housing system of the United States. Under that
eystem goods be retained in the warehouse with
out paying duties for twelve MONTHS but the South
ern merchant on buying those goods has TO pay inc
duties; the importer having that privilege, has six
per cent. advantage over Southern merchants. Ii
we had direct trade port ourselves. We would have
share OF the advantages OF the wsrehouslnR system.
We should also have inland custom houses. The
Stste of Maine, with q population OF bOO,0OO, has
eight custom houses. the State OF Massachusetts, with
population of 1000 0UU, has ninei and the STATE OF
Virginia, with l,5U0 900 inhabitants, has only five
custom houses. BY rendering it necessary for The
South to have these inland custom houses the mer-
cbsuls of the South could save this six per cent:
which goes into the pockets OF the merchants Of
the North. 49,.
All the important interior towns of Virginia, Norm
Carolina, Tennessee and Kentucky could nave ne. ~
custom houses the goods could Dc Dfoush. =. - -.
and then shipped under bonds TO the oonueo roie
houses along the railways and the merchants OF these
towns would not have to pay the duties until custom
ers were found to purchase the gooas. Lyncnours'
Raleigh, Louisville and other places should
import through Norfolk, snd oethano Inc .staohsh'
-, of hondsd warehouses tor the of their
chants. Cincinnati the queen city Of the West. has
now but two avenues tor exporting and importing
Via the lakes and Erie canal TO New York, or do~n
tbs rivers TO New Orleans. The Northern route il.
locked by ice for hve months and the Southern rou:-
ia liable TO sweat, mould and numberess dissdvun
taees. She should stretch her railways to Norfolk,
she would then be within few days Of the oceau,
and could import and export by our steam lines and
by establishing the warehousipg aystem give her mer-
camille community the advantages of seaport.
Let the cities OF the South and West shake oil their
vassalage TO New York, and build up grand entrepol
of trade upon the noble Chesapeake. The CITY OF
Cincinnati would rave millions by making Norfolk
her seaport.
-kat N