The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-05-21

We have received from G. L. PORTER, Esq,
Secretary of the BOARD OF TRADE, the suboined
report from the Committee on Commerce, in refer
ence to a proposition submitted by the Chevalier
DE Bosch SPENCER, the Belgian Minister, near the
Court of Copenhagen, on behalf of the Belgian
Government and the "SOcide Gaerdle,' an ex-
tensive Banking Company, to organise a steam
ship line between Antwerp and the United States
The letter embracing the details of the scheme
was addressed to WALTER BARCLAY, Esq, acting
British Consul of this place. and by him laid be-
tremely fortunate if the result of this negotiation
should be the establishment of direct steam com
munication between this port and Europe
The undersigned Committee on Commerce to
whom were referred the letters of the Hon. de
Bosch Spencer, Belgian Minister to the Court of
Copenhagen, and of Walter Barclay, ESQ., acting
British Consul here, the subject of a steam ser
vice between Belgium and the United States, beg
leave to report that the establishment of line of
steamers to form regular connection between the
ports of Antwerp and Baltimore would, in their
opinion, engage the hearty good will and support
of our merchants and the community at large, such
an enterprise having in fact been favorable idea
with our citizens for years past.
Baltimore offers great advantages as one of the
termini of the proposed line, by its proximity to
the Western States, which allows of the TRANSPORT
of goods and passengers in less time and at lower
rates than from other Atlantic cities; while its rail
road and water communications with the coal fields
in this State and Pennsy yania, ensure also regu-
lar supply of fuel on the most favorable terms The
recent deepening of the Patapsco river, and of
our harbor, permits the free ingress and egress
of vessels drawing from 20 to % feet of water,
aud their discharging and loading Immediately at
one of the numerous wharves at a small expense
Goods can be erried across the river to the depot
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at Locust
Point and be placed on cars there at trifing
cost.
The intercourse between Belgium and Baltimore
has hitherto been of limited extent, the want OF
direct shipping opportunities having obliged our
merchants to import their goods by way of New
York; and for the same reason the produce of this
and the Western and Southern States, for which
this port is the natural outlet such as tobacco,
breadStuifs bark &C., could only be forwarded in
directly, at an increased cost. Particularly as it
regards imports, decided preference would be Civ
en- to steamers delivering the goods here their
transmission from New York being ALWAYS attend.
ed with considerable expense and much DELAY 1t
will however, take time to lead the current of trade
into its proper channel, but your committee enter
tain the hope that with energy and perseverance a
regular and mutually beneficial business NAV be
built up between the respective ports, though it
might not be prudent to expect immediate returns
from an enterprise of such magnitude. The chances
of its ultimate success, and ability to compete with
tai contract and such other assistance as it has been
the uniform policy of the British Government to
grant to her lines of mail steamers; which exam
pie it is supposed the Belgian Government will fol-
low by extending the same fostering care to a line
of vessels under her flag. -FOUR committee is deep
ly impressed with the Importance of direct steam
communication with the Continent of Europe for
the advancement and development of commerce
and manufactures, and will cheerfully lend their
aid towards its accomplishment
They believe that it would be preferable TO send
the steamers to this port from Antwerp direct,
touching only at Southampton, or some other En-
glish port; inasmuch as stopping at Halifax would
lengthen the passage good deal, and also be Sc
rious objection to passengers avang themselves of
the Southern line especially during the Indictment
season of the year.
Your committee would recommend that copies
of this report be sent to the Hon. de Bosch Spen-
Ger and to Mr.. Walter Barclay with letter of
thanks, in the name of this Board, for the inter
est and zeal they manifest in presenting to us this
project for an extension of international inter-
course.
A. SCHUMACHER.
ROBERT LESLIE.
H. l.. WHITRIDGE.
j. ii. PLEASANTS.
BENZ. NJ. HoDGEs, JR.
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