The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-04

T.
Hon Vim Ballard Preston has succeeded In eifectng
with the Paris and Orieaos Railroad Compa
ny, for the establishment OF line OF steamers between
the ports OF Orleans France and Norfolk Virginia Mr.
Preston will be remembered 1issioned by the
venton Bristol last TO visit Europe for the
pose OF ing into reg0tiaons with some
Of the trans Atlantic ship mpano fer the founda
on of direct trade between the waters Of Virginia aud
important port in Europe His is Of
astonshment Nut must be of sincere rejoc
ing tie part not only Of every Vrgnan, but Of the
Whole sou,he section OF this Union When Mr. Preston
honorec with the important trust, cordially
mended the uccious selection made by the Convention
And representing he od the commercial laterests q
extent OF country bounteously blessed with
ri aud varied Of Dh rent ath and strength,
the result his efforts almost to be confidently
Ie,td earnestly desired Mr. Preston has done his
part The French company has promised TO do It's part,
only for Virginia and those of her
ter states OF the south interested to do their
part In order establish direct foreign for
the slave States and render the Suthern reope ndepeo
dent IN importing and expor as they are in producing
the Decessares and loxrrs OF lie. But aside from all
strictly sectional considerateDs the subject highly
tractve practically and Immediately involving dollars
Gems Direct intercourse with Europe from the
waters Virginia wili afford al outlet for the trade and
travel OF south, which The laws of nature economy
ard commerce urgently demand But, as we have int:
mated this question Il closely inseparably associated
with an extensive system OF i1ternal improvements
Beautiful bays capscous harbors, rivers aad noble
rosdsteads avail bet little for foreign trade unless they
aided by railroads and canals coming do th-,n
burcencd wi inland products All the great elements Of
commerce and agents Of industry must be mace 70 CORES
pond and and act in harmony order effect tho
ends for whish they we're designed
We are told that steamships coming from Or
leans TO Norfolk for freight and passengers Il II ns&,
then incumbent upon the Common ealth OF Virginia
extend additional facilities for trade travel from the
mountains 70 the seashore and that the earlek
practicable moment Railroads terminating in Rchmcsd
and Petersburg can contribute but little towards supply
roads exts Ddng 10 Norfolk and To available points
Norfolk, ready TO cooperate ,with them Therei are
two such now in process Of construction and requiring bot
comparatively small sums 10 complete them. II Will Be
from the report OF the Senate Comm ttee which
We adverted yesterday. and which we publish to-day
ASSISTANCE from the state may be completed In a very
short time. And the Ret uond and York River road
tending TO deep war Of the noblest rivers the
world, may also soon DC actively employed, If the Tegsa
ture will appropriate 10 II the crate amount recon
mended by the committee. speedy completion Of both
these rcacs, seems n IL nently and urgently
essential In view Of the fact that line OF from
New Orleans Norfolk Is atout 10 be established ~ say
nothing the economy any event finishing works
that require little time and money complete them
Is true, James river affords facilities for communica
lion between Richmond and Norfolk, and consequently
connecting link n the chain Of intercourse between the
mountains and the shorca continuance Of the chan
nes OF from the Wcst the East from Tho
RrsDary " the shipping point But while calculation o.
the respective capacities and advantages Of railroads and
rivers as general proposition, may award preference 10
the ati on the ground Of cheapDess, quite evident
think, 10 the most casual thar II the South
In IN have foreign cammere AMI Norfolk Is 10 be the
epepot James will not be adequate the immense
trade and ayc which viii inevitably and
flow from the West and far South II must be remem
befed, too, that James river "a shallow, tortuous, difficult
Of a,ga,,, n and soe TO be obstructed by ice when
the harbor Norfolk Is open. Bat this Is point which,
We presume, II would be supererogatory TO discuss.
II are N have a direct trade let not wait until
the SHIPS are moored the Norfolk wharves before
the channels TO supply them The contemplated
line from Orleans favoably received and remuneraisd
will te but the beginning OF the end will bc succeeded
by another lire from Liverpool perhaps and another
Havre other Of the important ports OF
until the foreign Of the country may be prnc
pally carried on from the Souh-frm the u VIZ
GINA
This may seem 10 be sanguiue speculaion.
But would ask Of those who shah their heads In dis
trust what IL 10 prevent but a OF confidence
enterprise the part Of pcopleS Where ard
the obstacles 10 be overcome but In the md doubts an
apprehensons OF the South tsel-aye Of Virginia be<
self
Tho harbor Of Norfolk IA equal 10 any in the world
The Of the southern country almost unrva
led. There no safer direct route IN Europc
Let the inland channels Of commerce he opened and
half century Norfolk may rival Mes York In shipping
And now that the initial step for direct trade betvee
the South and Europe he been boldly takep trust thA
The Old Dominion at least will do her duty towards sss
tanning and advancing II.