Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-06-30

Mr.. EDiToR:--ln my former aftlcie en-
deavored to show the Importance of Coal at
price at which the manufacturer would be
willing to locate bis capital and skill among
us. shall now endeavor to answer qnes-
ton which has been asked a thousand and one
times,
CAN WE GET CHEAP COAL?
The history of cheap Coal runs back be-
lieve to the birth of the Chattanooga Road
II will be remembered by all that by promises
at least, we were to have Coal at almost any
price, but unfortunately the Coal bank was
too far from the Chattanooga Road, costing
as have been informed, some 800 200 dol
lars to build an arm out to the Banks, and
when they had reached them they found that
they were too far from Nashville to furnish
the article at the price promised. consequent
~ we got only tue promise in that case. Then
comes the Nashville Coal Company headed by
my worthy friend A. r. MCKEE whose knowl-
edge of Coal extends through the Mountain,
and if the thing could have been done, Nc
KEE would have done it, the Coal come, but
the price remained unchanged. Then come
the Henderson mines proposing to deliver
100000 bushels Coal annually, for term
of years at II cents, in consideration of an
issue of city Bonds, for stipulated amount.
But Just here some of the city fathers dis
co>T--d that the Coal Company as corpora
ton had no s0tA, and the Coal Company de-
cided that the city corporation had no souL,
and the consequence was simply because
there was no soul on either side, we lost that
chance, aud the price of Coal remained I'M
disturbed. and now comes the Rowena Coal
Company, asking that her claims may be in
vestigated, and | am free to confess that so
far as | can see, ii is free from the obstacles
which surrounded the other points In the
first place, if I understand it (and | think |
do) she makes full and fair estimate of the
amount necessary to open up her immense
treasure, as see published in the report of
Mr.. ANDERSON Ga man l believe whose state
ments have been questioned) and that amt to
be raised as a loan (not as stock.) and that
loan to be secured by first mortgage on the
entire property of the Company, which ac-
cording to the calculations of scientific gem
| tlemen. well known to us all ,amounts to sew
eral millions, besides the value of their farm
lands and extensive forests of yellow Pine,
| Poplar, Black Walnut and Chestnut timber,
which you Mr.. Editor published as being the
| finest you ever saw; and secondly, the guard,
| they propose to thrown around the money if
laned. If understand the proposition, lit is this
| that the persons making the loan are to have
| the entire control Of the money, by appoint
! ing an agent of tn If own selection and an
engineer OF their own choosing. upon whose
orders alone the money may be paid out. So
that the money SO loaned is compelled to be
used in building and equipping the road, and
20 soon as The road is built, it becomes an
item in the mortgage, and adds at least its
value to the security. But am free to admit
just here, that after having examined all the
publications in the city papers, and was
forced to the conclusions above, that feared
after all there might be some unseen obstacle
in the river that would place her alongside of
other points higher up the river, which have
courted public favor in the shape of locks and
dams, and that she would at last have to APP
peal to the public more earnestly TO get her
out of the river than she does TO get to it.
But see in the city papers an advertise
mcnt OF lumber brought out in fat-boat
from the very point from which the coal-bOats
will have to start. and | am informed that
the boat was an ordinary coal boat. suifi-
GENTLY large to carry 100000 feet of lumber,
aud drawing four feet water. This fact seems
to be positive proof that if she can reach the
river, the way is clear, even on very small
June rise, say eight feet Harpeth Shoals.
These things all being so, (and | shall patient
ly wait for a CONTRADICTORY if we fail to Sc
cure this offered boon, we shall have the con-
ISOLATION OF knowing that no one is to blame
but ourselves. Some will say that the Hen
derson mines will furnish cheap coal in album
dance. / grant that Henderson eau furnish
an abundance Of coal if she is so disposed, but
it must he remembered that the most impor-
tant market for her products is the Ohio river.
But If she should turn her attention to our
market, would she not sell at prices in keep
ing with those from dearer points? / think
she would. because she would find here no
| competition as to price; so that / maintain il
We expect to get cheap coal, we must have
two or more points from which we can get
supplies at an equally low rate, thereby crea-
ting a competition not on a cost of IL or IA
cents, but on a cost of 6 or s; then by the
force of competition, We may expect to see
coal, for all manufacturing purposes, at 10
cents, perhaps less. And now, Mr.. Editor,
being true friend to Nashville and her every
interest. il | have misconstrued this project, |
shall gladly accept a correction of any error
into which | may have fallen.
\ FRIEND TO NASHVILLE.