Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-03-28
The encouragement OF direct Trade.

The Legislature of Alabama, at IT'S last
session enacted law "to encourage direct
trade between the South and Foreign Coun-
fries,u and requested the Governor OF the
State to transmit copies of it "to the Execu-
tives Of the different Southern States, with
the request that its provisions be laid before
,l,Legislatures Of their respective States"
Gov. MOORE complied with the request of
/. Legislature Of Alabama, and furnished
Ex-Governor Of this State with copy Of the
set, Gov. HARRIS failed to lay it before our
Legislature
The act provides that the sales of all goods,
wares, and merchandise imported into the
state Of Alabama from foreign countries. and
sold by resident merchants within the State,
shall be exempt from all taxation whatever,
levied by State, county. or municipal author
ity; and that such shall also be the case with
all sales within the State Of dry goods, hard
ware, cutlery and crockery. directly import
I'd into any one of the Southern States from
foreign countries. The act also authorizes
the Governor to appoint q commissioner
whose duty it shall be to confer with similar
OUmfcSiOHcfs tH tue pOit VI AHc NoothSih
States, aud with other persons interested iE
the establishment Of direct trade between the
Southern States and foreign countries. for
the purpose Of collecting Information and ma
turing plan for the encouragement Of direct
commercial intercourse between the ports of
she South and foreign countries; the said
commissioner to report to the next session OF
the Legislature such information and propo-
sitions as be may have received. together
with such suggestions as his enquiries may
have enabled him to make. &C., &c. The sum
of $500 was appropriated to be used In car
rying out the provisions of the act. The Hon.
JOHN FORSYTH, of Mobile, has been appointed
commissioner.
The subject of direct commercial inter-
course with foreign countries is of great in
terest TO the South, and grows in importance
annually. 1t has recently engrossed consid-
cradle attention in the Legislatures of the
Southern States, but the plans hitherto pro-
posed to effect it have been either visionary
or unconstitutional. The plan now proposed,
or rather foreshadowed by Alabama, appears
practical, and is worthy Of the attention of
her sister States of the South. II the South
Ia ever freed from commercial vassalage to
the North, it must be by making heavy sacri-
fees; and it appears to US that an equal dis
tributiou of these sacrifices may ensue from
she general adoption of the exemption act of
Alabama.
The subject was considered by the Legisla-
ture of Tennessee just adjourned, and the
following resolutions adopted:
WHEREAS. The people Oh the Southern and
Sonth-WesterB States are deeply interested
in the successful establishments of a dir CT
trade with Europe, that interest having been
manifested in various ways, and sympathiz-
Ing in every effort having in view 50 impOr-
tant . result. be it therefore
Resoiusd bg The General .7sssrably Of the State Of
7sHnessee, That they consider the experiment
OF establishing direct foreign trade from
Southern seaports IS a subject OF the highest
importance, and eminen.ly entitled to the
countenance and support. both OF the people
and legislators of the South-calcuIated, as
IL will be, to build up Southern commerce,
60 invite capital into the country, to develop
It, immense agricultural and mineral resour
ces. to add to the value OF these products. and
70 furnish additional markets for their sale;
and by these and the many other advantages
OF such a trade, to give to the States OF the
South that commercial Independence which
they can so easily attain, and which, while
adding to the happiness and wealth of the
people Of the country, will tend to give these
States that position OF equality in the eOnfed-
eracy which should be desired by every pat
riot and friend to civil liberty.
Be IL further resolved That. while the State
of Tennessee has deep interest in the pro-
motion of Southern commerce. aud the well |
fare OF her people would be greatly promoted |
thereby, vet she looks TO the older States of
the South bordering on the Atlantic, TO take |
the lead in this great enterprise, pledging |
them the hearty cooperation OF the State Of |
Tennessee. deemIng such enterprises as a mat /
ter 10 which all are interested and which all |
should seek to sustain and promote.