Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-01-07
Direct Trade with France-Lettsr from II
Lacouture.

Direct Trade with France Letter from Il
Lacouture.
We lnd in the Norfolk papers the accompany
ing letter from NJ. Lacoutire. giving cheering
assurance Of the speedy accomplishment Of an oh
isos for which that gentleman has long labored
With n much of zeal a of ahilty-viz: the estab.
Eshmsnt of direct trade between Virginia and
France. We in.ite attention to the letter;
TRANSLATION.
PANS November 22d, 1853.
KApss Brcos, ESQ. Psesideat Chamber 81 Conn
nsercs. Norfolk:
The Chamber of Commerce of Norfolk conferred
upon INV son and my.elf,he honor of membership.
We have both Of US deeply appreciated the honor
of that mark of esteem and the duty it has impo-
sed upon us, and we have endeavored to make ap-
parent tho cordial manner in which we have been
received since our return to France. we have
not ceased to call attention Of both our ship own
ers and our merchants to the great advantages the
mort of Norfolk could offer for the introduction
there Of French products. and to the inducements
she could offer in advantageous returns OF cargocs
composed of the produce Of the Southern aud Mid
die States.
have received through the Norfolk papers the
very interesting letters Of Col. Payne, and have
and Nantes papers as possible Norfolk appeared
TO be entirely unknown. Boston. Phladelph Bal
timore but more particularly Nsw York. seemed
to represent the whole of America. Yet 10y dint
of publications and comforting with the Commits
sion, but more particularly through the medium
of our frequent trips to Nantes and ST. NaIarc we
have fully awakened the attention OF the people to
the Chesapeake Bay and to Norfolk. The charts
which were 40 kindly given me by Col Myer Ny
ers and Mr.. Marshall Parks, have been OF very
great service to me. and have carried convection
TO the minds of all Everybody appeared surpr'-
sed that an Intercourse had NOT sooner been OPEN
Cd with Norfolk, and all hope now TO make mp for
lost time The question now is, Who will be tho
pioneer!
send you through our friend Col Myer Myers
a COPY Of the Journal of 81. Aaznire of the 18th
October. and the copy of a letter which tins NOR
ming received from friend there; be pleased to
Law these articles before your Chamber, 81 that
it, members may Sc the great advantages OF ma
king shipments to st. Nazairr. particularly the
6rst that are made. have also impressed upon
our importers here the great benefits that would
arise from shipments to Norfolk.
Your own perception, Mr.. President will at
once convince you of the great excitement that
would exist on the arrival of the first shipment
from Norfolk ut Nantes and st. NaHaire, aud the
great interest all our merchants would take in see
ing the 6rst shipment placed 10 advantar" to the
shippers | also hope, by dint of the snme rsaso-
ming, u Undue somce oi our merchants to make
shipments to Norfolk but have on abiding conf
dence that il Virginia will take the lead. the pro-
blem is solved.
Tie South has ever been uibraided for her lack
Of energy. If there yet be any ground for II.
this fret move would cause ii To vanish. have
had published the answer If Mr. Mason Minister
at Paris) t. Col. Edward ii. Herbert, OF Princess
Anne. All Of our dealers in timber, both for ship
building and in slaves, are awaiting with impa-
thence the opeang of this new avenue for Their
trade We get Mt st. Nazaire all Of our timber
from the North Of Europe, ana have no doubt
but that Virginia will offer there very great in
duosments for profitable trade.
The first shipments. say OF cotton. ship tml%.
slaves, pork, bacon, copper or from the mines o'
Carroll and Grnyson, (samptcF Of which ! have
had analysed in Paris. small quantity OF best
Richmond -four. and Il few boxes Of Kerosene can
dies from the Kanawha Camel coal) OF which
the secretary Of your Chamber gave me n sample
when in Norfolk, would be most nssurediy sold I"
advantage. As for return cargoes they arc abund-
ant; you would only be perplexed to choose from
90 many articles we could offer you.
The question rs to the proposed line of steamers
between ST. NaIaire and Norfolk, is still prom
nent one. have seen the Directors of the Orleans
Company, whosrc most fa,orably disposed towards
it, and only await the action Of the Bristol conven-
ton and that of Congress. Mr.. Ballard Preston
has written to Mr.. b., who will answer him by
the next mail.
beg you will excuse, Mr. President, the great
length Of this letter, but desired to place fully
before you and your chamber Of Commerce all
that Was transporting. My best services are NJ
ways at your command, andbc pleased, Mr.. Prcsi-
dent, to accept my best respects and profound &c
gard. EDWARD LACOtTrRE,
40 Rue do Ia Ferme dies Mathurins, Paris.
1t will be observed that NJ. Lacouture speak.
most confidently Of the happy results, CONNER
cally that would flow from an exchanged the pro-
ducts Of the two countries. IL he is in in any
respect, perhaps isin the idea that steamers would
be more suitable for the purpose than sail vessels
No doubt, q trade once inauguratcd between the
two countries would attain Ia such an imIef-
lance to demand the largcs, and swiitest steam.
ers. But, for the purpose Of testing TO what cx-
tent capital may be safely invested in the enter
prise, it would, in our humble opinion, be lest to
employ sailing vessels at first, rather than tho
more costly floating palaces that are propelled by
steam On this point, however, we would most
willingly defer to the Letter judgment Of those
who have this cherished enterprise in charge.
We learn from TIE argus, in addition, that tho
President Of the Bristol Convention will soon
senble some Of It's more nelivc members, together
with the Commissioners appointed in the charter
Of the Norfolk and St Nnzaire Company, as we'll
- the Committee appointed by the Common Coun-
Gil Of the City Of Norfolk, to consider and discuss
this whole matter with view 20 its immediate
practical execution We learn further, from tho
same source, that the amount required to be raised
on this side of the Atlantic-cne and half mil
lion Of dollars-can be procured in France itseli
on . sufficient security. France overGows with