Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1858-02-27
SOUTHERN STEAM COMMUNICATION WITH
EUROPE

The success Of the Hon. William Ballard Preston
in negotiating for a line Of Steamships from Nor
folk TO some part in France, has already been an
nounced. In regard to this matter, the following
extract from a letter addressed by Hon }. Y Mason,
our Minister to the French Court, to Col. Thos. II.
Ellis, Of Richmond will be found to be very inter
esting Alter some preliminary remarks in regard
to the vast Importance of the enterprise " to de-
velop the rich resources Of Virginia, and enable
her TO compete for the volume Of trade produced in
the valley Of the Mississippi and its tributaries,
Mr. Mason goes on TO speak Of Mr.. PrestOns lsbors:
He did right, in my Judgment to leave England,
where the existing lines and management OF bust
ness lett him but little hope Of successful result
except al "a price which we could not pay. lie came
70 France af an aUsnicious moment, for the govern
ment was a0oIt TO establish three transatlantic
lines of steamers, with large and liberal subscrp-
lions
Bv one of these accidents, which sometimes exert
such pouaut influence human affairs AS 10 Justify
che belief in a special Providence, Mr.. Preston was
placei 10 communication with the Orleans Railroad
COMPANY l.r Preston aud / visited Nantes and
San NazsTC. 50 the mouth Of the Loire Al the lat
Ter point thc French government Is constructing the
most magnificent actual harbor in the world Open
ing 20 the ocean ship sailing between that point,
and Chesapeake Bay, avoids the channel, and will
ind her route shorter by considerable time, than
between Havga and the same point. On our return
10 Nantes hr Preston was called upon by the Chief
Engineer aud Director Of the Orleans Company,
and tuariurs we're so satisfactorily made, that
4 negotiation was commenced, which, I think, Is
about 10 end DO r. complete success If his consltu-
euts approve tus basis OF agreement / will leave
him to make su3Eu the terms Of the proposition.
content myi,II with saying. that he has done me
the honor 10 confer with me CT every stage Of the
negoJistiou-rhaJ he has conducted Il with most
honorable cauior and with cOnsummate ability.
will add, 'aa. the Orleans COmPanyhas large
capital is the best managed company IN France, and
owns net work of railroads which covers third
Of the Empire, connecting Paris with the ocean, and
connecting with other lines 10 Switzerland, Italy,
and Germany. 3 think cur friends will be gratihed
th at his arrangement will if adopted, at such
trifiug cost, and for the future, such iDesti-
mable advantages for us and our lines Of improve
meDt ] eoDgraJulite myself that no occasion has
arisen for an application the Imperial Govern
ment.
Mr. PrestoRs success, under the appalling disad-
vsutares which have been placed in his way by the
condition Of ..loHied affairs is most honorable to
him and It NAV turn out that the commercial dis
.sfprs which have done so much to break up the
ia channels Of trade with the United States, are
nositivelv advantageous TO this new enterprise.
r5y- The attention Of farmers is directed % the
-s-.r,issment of Cen. B. 2. CHEATHAN, agent for