The Yazoo Democrat., 1859-05-07

We find the following, says the Vicks-
burg Wing, in the Memphis Appeal, and we
transfer it to our columns, as our city is
directly interested in the scheme proposed /;
Steam Communication 5st,oees the Valley Of the
Mississippi and Europe-7he Trade Of the Amazon.
We have reason to believe that the Mayor
of Memphis has received a most important
letter from Belgian government authority,
and that similar letter will be addressed to
the cities of Vicksburg, Natchez, Baton
Rouge and New Orleans. 1t is proposed to
run a ship on an experimental voyage from
Ghent to New Orleans, and from the latter
city to ascend the Mississippi if possible, to
Memphis, calling at the intermediate towns.
This ship is to be worked on the new prin
ciple applied by Messrs Gibbs, Bright &
Company, of Liverpool, to their ships in the
Australian trade. This new principle con-
sists in the application of steam as an aux.
iliary power to sailing ships. The sails are
used 10 the navigation of the ocean, and the
steam is resorted to only to run through the
English Channel, to overcome the calms
which so often occur in the West Indies and
the Gulf Of Mexico, and to ascend the Mis-
sissppi river. The basis Of the enterprise
is to run between New Orleans and Client ;
but if the principle be good, aud the ships
adapted to the navigation of the Mississippi.
why not extend the trip to Memphis? We
remember many years ago that steamer
| (the Champon) arrived at st. Louis from
New York via New Orleans. Coal ships
leave Hull, in England, aud ascend the
Rhine as far as Cologne. During the Rus
sian war, a steamer arrived at Paris direct
from the Crimea, and from that day the
Emperor has cherished the idea of making
Paris seaport.
| Now the Mississippi is an "inland sea"
and Memphis is port of entry, and there
at our feet are the remains of a navy yard.
A sea~going vessel Of eight hundred tons
can come to this port with as much ease as
to New Orleans New York or Baltimore.
There is plenty of water in the Mississippi,
and any hesitation on the part of Congress
to do something for tte Mississippi Valley
interest, would net long remain before such
a fact as the actual arrival in Memphis of
sup lTOm LuFbpe.
We therefore trust that our city authori-
ties will invite the Belgian authorities to
extend the voyage of this Cheat ship to
Memphis.
But. if this experimental voyage is a
success, it brings up once more, and for re.
aization, the beautiful Amazonian dream Of
Maury. Because, if this principle of using
steam os an auxiliary power in sailing ships
for the navigation of great rivers is success
fully applied between Ghent and Memphis,
why not between Memphis and the Valley
Of the Amazon9 IF shipof eight hundred
or thousand tons burthen can cross the
ocean, steam through the calms of the West
Indies and steam up to Memphis, why not
send similar ship to the Amazon river
from our wharves? Here are the remains
of or Navy Yard For the ronmodation of
sea- going vessels. Here in the heart of the
North American Continent, is magnificent
depot for the trade of Europe and South
America. Here inevitably, will be the ter
minus of the Pacific Railroad We shall
return to this interesting subject again. In
the meanwhile we hope our citzons will see
chat this matter does not fall through We
learn that Lieutenant Maury has been writ
ten to on the subject, and bis opinion will
in course be given,