The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-02-08
TEor tho Day BOOK
For the Day Book.
On the Norfolk Cotton Trade pt-
rect to EurOpe.

Permit one OF the many patrons to your VAL
uable Day BOOK, the liberty of suggesting his
views on the above stated subject. which in
his humble estimation, is of vital importance
and interest to every individual concerned in
its transaction, and must also very mate
rally contribute to the prosperity OF our
at present, spsthetic and almost inert city
AS sucn, may we not reasonably conclude that
SO interesting theme is worthy ofa cool and
dispAssionate investigation and ifapploved
Of, can be SO easily elected by sthe concerted
action OF a few enterprising citizens and when
carried out, must ere long, be consil cred BY
the Cotton planters as sn additional induce
nentsf0r giving our port the decided preference
for the shipment OF their staple material di'
rect TO the European markets, by which pro-
cedu-e they must necessarily incur less mel
dental charges, subjected to less risk and dam
age OF their property, and ultimately receive
more satisfactory returns OF sales Therefore,
allow me to suggest the propTlety OF consider
lug the following facts as the ostenSlble PIE
hmlnaries for making Norfolk an extensive cot
ton market. 1t should be distinctly borne III
mind, that recent statements have been public
ly made of our being on the eve OF having an
srrival in our port, direct from st. NaZaiTe, IN
France, having on board Z select cargo adapted
III the requirements OF our Southern markets,
which vessel will be considered as the Pioneer
of direct and lucrative trade between the said
two places; in return for the cargo, may we NOT
reasonably expect that the article of Cotton
will be the essential material requisite Ii
such supposition is admissible will II not
then, behoove us to reflect on the actual state
of oar shipping facilities.
Now, admitting that in Norfolk thele are
many thousands OF bales actually on our
wharveS, whose owners are DESTROYS of shipping
them direct to the European markets, winch
cannot be effected so long as the said plantation
packed bales continue in that conoltion TOR
any vessel when started to be filled with such
bales, will in reality only have OF heard all APP
pIoximation to about halt the quantity sac ac-
tuaiiy could haye received and slowed AWAY,
provided tue cotton had only gone through tie
ordinary method of compressment by machi-
merry, p,ior to its having been received on board.
Such cotton compressors are used in all the
ports 10 me South OF, US, OF cotton-shipplng no
toriety, and the deficiency al SUCH : uiechanl-
cal facility In our port, will, ! ana apprehen-
sive, prove an inseparable barrier to our pros
poets Iu having direct Cotton trade to EiI-
rope; at the same time vii! tend to counteract
most etfectually, much OF the lndefahga bic,
noble and soul stirring, patriotic efforts OF MIR.
Lacoutre, for ehecting a direct trade between
this place aud St. NaZaire; Tor every vessel that
may De concerned in that trade, when requlr-
ing tutl load of cotton, must have the SAME
compressed, otherwise they will most assured.
ly proceed farther South TO obtain it, thereby
eventually giving those ports the decided pref
erence to ours. hen that period aiTiveS,we
may then say, Adieu to our contemplated Cot
ton trade direct TO Europe in orner 10 coun-
tsract such gloomy torehodings, had we not
better arouse from our letharglc Hip Van Win
kie disposition and make an effort 10 obtain the
mechanical facility SO indisponsably requisite
tor advancing the prosperity OF our city All
who respond in the affirmative can derive the
instfa Bile qualification of Offering their patriotic
SIGNATURES to joint stock company with Ca
pital not exceeding ten thousand dollars fer &C
complishing so desirable an object.
The list Tor subscribers to said stock can be
seen in the office of the Day Book, Y.
Norfolk, February It'll, 1860.