The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-05-12
DIRECT TRADE WITH EUROPE.


Mr.. Lacouture, a French gentleman, and
large landed proprietor in Western Virginia,
has his heart set on line of steamers between
Norfolk and st. Nazaire, at the mouth of the
Loire, port which has immediate railroad and
river communications with the wealthy regions
of Central France .
He has lately addressed letter to the EN-
peror, from which we give an extract. twill
explain his plan, and show what progress has
been made in realizing it:
The Hon. w. Ballard Preston, citizen OF
Virginia, formerly Secretary of the Navy under
General Taylor's Presidency was the commits
sary elected. He has visited England and
France for an examination of the ports on the
Atlantic. His choice was st. Nazaire, as the
head point of a commercial line between
France, and the centre of the United States
the skilful managers of the Orleans railway
could not fail to mark of what Importance it
was to both countries to establish those new
communications. They thought that notwith-
standing the postal line, and, concurrently with
It, a new service more specially intended for the
transport of merchandise and emigrants would
open to France an import market and thorough
fare, and in short time prove to be cause of
prosperity for the other lines connecting with
the Orleans railway they have made a treaty
with NJ. William Ballard Preston, and laid
down the basis for Franeo-American com
pany, with capital of $3,000,000, for the build
ing Of four screw steamers, and for plying twice
a month between st. Nazaire and Norfolk
Half of the capital is to be furnished by France
and half by America; a subsidy of ST. $500 per
each trip is to be asked from the Federal Gov
ernment the existence of the company is sub
ordinate to that ALLEGATION of funds, which it is
most likely will be granted.
The VIRGINIA Legislature In the session of
last April passed the bill of incorporation, so
that the company is now legally constituted
and authorized.
In order to bestow more efficient co-opera
ton, and not to do things by halves, the Virginia
Legislature, in advance of all the other States
of the Confederation, has enacted, by decree
of the 18th of April, 1858, the ability of foreign
ers to become landowners and proprietors.
without abdicating their own nationality. That
excellent result, claimed for sixty years by our
diplomacy, is mostly owing to the earnest eff
forts of NJ. Alfred Paul, French Consul at Rich
mond and no less to those of NJ. H. A. Wise,
Governor of Virginia being backed, too, by
those members of the Legislature that are Of
French descent.
By the liberal measures she has recently en-
acted, Virginia has at the same time naugurated
a new era, forerunner of amelisrations of all
kind, that men of progress and understanding
are bringing about. The centre and the south
exhibit the same spirit, and tread in the same
path Will not France, sire, under your power
full guiding, join hand with them
Ideas, the most ture, have no struggle hard
to come to light-the best Of institutions have
to overcome long continued oppositions, before
they are able to consolidate themselves in
permanent shape and body. In the routine
drift of affairs, rivaries not trifiing obsta-
cles. The line of St. Nazaire to Norfolk. in
spite Gifts undeniabe utility, its certain chances
of success, has already aroused opposing par
ties, because it clashes with some egotistical
interests. So it happened for the construction
Of the main lines of railroads; and, had not the
firm and far-seeing will of your Majesty de-
stroyed all obstacles, France would, even at
the present day, have to provide for their
achievement.
Similar antagonisms do exist in the United
States-the North is bent upon preserving her
monopoly. These are rivalries which NAV per.
haps, delay the help of the Federal Govern
ment, but the aid of France could suppress all
difficulties subsidy of $4,000 (Sl25O0) for
each trip there and back, that is, l,574, 0OOf
per annum, would find the company in read-
ness for immediate working, and plying twice
month between the two shores Of the Atlantic
There are ships ready for use, and whilst those
intended for the postal service would be put on
the slips, the commercial line, acting as pio-
neers, could inaugurate the new communica-
TONS