Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-06-14
TnURsDAY, gUNE Z, 1890.



Direct Trade with Europe
The subject Of Direct Trade with Europe from
Southern Ports. is one that has for few years past
awakened much interest in the Southern States.
Within the past year or two, there has been very
earnest effort on the part Of the citizens Of Mem
phs, to establish direct trade between that city
and Belgium. 1t wiz be seen from the following
extracts from recent letter from friend in Europe
to Mr.. s.Unca, and the copy Of letter from our
Minister resident at Constantinople Hon. JAMES
WILLIAMS. to the Duke Of Barbsnt, with the Dukes
reply that Mr.. WILLIAMS has interested himself in
behalf Of the enterprise which attracted the atten
ton Of our last Legislature:
see by the published reports in the UNION AND
AMEmcAN that public attention in Tennessee is being
directed at present to the importance Of direct trade
with Belgium, and that our Legislature have gone
far to appoint agent to promote that object
need not say toyou who know my opinions so well
that 1 have little confidence in arbitrary measures
Of whatever kind intended to Overrule or reverse
the natural laws of trade. Such measures must
always prove abortive in the end. It often happens
however that the natural course Of trade is tempo
rarily obstructed by accidental causes, and COM
bined effort Of those interested, even temporary
sacrifices may be necessary to remove them. Just
as a stream of water may be choked up and made
20 run in different directon-it still flows in
obedience to the laws Of gravItatiOn, though in an
unnatural channel.
I do not profess to have given the subject such
attention as to satisfy even my own mind, still less
to offer my opinions as guide to others. Yet must
say, that there has always seemed to me something
very unnatural in the course Of Southern trade,
finding its way to whatever parts Of the world
through Northern and English ports, and our return
eargoes through the same channel However that
may be, one thing is eertain-the "resolUes with
their antecedent l5hereds is of political as
semblies viii affect nothing Of themselves. These
are highly useful in the information which they az
ford, in arousing public attention and giving it
proper direction. But something more is necessary.
You must prove as we sometimes say " to a moral
demonstration" that capital employed in the direct
trade, viii pay better, than by the present circuit
Gus, and seemingly unnatural channel. If the OBJ
stacles be of temporary character only these must
be overcome by public contribution IN some way.
We cannot do it by duties, tax upon the indirect
trade, but we may by State bounties to be contln-
ued for a definite period. Perhaps foreign govern
rnents equally interested with ourselves might be
lnQuceA 10 unite VIII Us IN huCi q ultdsuECs AuS
Duke Of Brabant the heir apparent to the throne Of
Belgium has recently made visit to Constanhnope.
Though as yet quite young, being believe, only
some twenty-five years Of age, he is Prince Of
much intelligence and has been received with dis
tnquished honors by the Sultan and the ambassadors
Of foreign courts resident here. Our minister had
the pleasure Of meeting him on several occasions,
and was much pleased to find that he felt a lively
interest in the subject of direct trade between Bel
GUM and the United States. His sentiments on this
subject are more formally conveyed in the letter Of
which Ihave been permitted to take copy, received
from a Belgian minister in answer to one addressed
TO the Duke by our Minister resident there enclos-
ing the resolutions of the Legislature Of Tennessee
upon the subject You will observe that the IAN
guage Of mis- letter is, that any endeavor to in
crease commercial relations between Belgium and
the United States will be viewed" (not by the Duke
personality but by the Belgian Government " with
the deepest interest," have some thought Of max
ing the tour of Germany soon, and if so, shall of
course, take Belgium in my way, and may from
thence write sou again upon this subject, as it is
one concerning which it is certainly high tine the
South were being fully aroused:
Mr.. WILLIAMS LETTER.
CoNsrAYTNoPIE, April 23 1860.
Tohis ROYAL Higlaess, the Duke Of Bra5nt:
Sm-Upon the first occasion on which had the
honor Of a presentation, your Royal HIghness re
ferred to the subject Of " Direct Trade . between
the kingdom Of Belgium and the planting States Of
America. The remarks alluded to. exhibiting, as
they did thorough recognition and knowledge Of
the interests involved in this question, have induced
me to believe that your Royal Hlghness would be
gratifed to know that this subject Is at the present
moment exciting an unusual interest in the United
States.
Amongst other indications Of a like public sent'
meut / have information of a late date, that the
Legislature of my native State, Tennessee, has had
this subject under consideration A resolution IN
trOduced, and with great unanmlty adopted by inc
Senate. was promptly COncurred IN by the House OF
REPRESENTATIVES "auhOrising and directing tie Gov
error of the State thereupOn to issue commission
to Joseph Barblere, Jr such other person as may
be designated by the authorities of the city OF Mem
phis empowering him as a commissioner or agent
Al Brussels TO represent and promote the wishes and
interests of the State in procuring direct trade De-
tween Belgium land such other portions Of the Con
tnent of Europe as may be deemed adVlsaole) and
the State Of Tennessee"
Tennessee is one of the largest, most pOpulouS
and most productive of the planting and agrlcultu
raj States of the American Union. Memphis, one OF
its most hOurishing cities, is situated upon the MIS-
sissippi river. about one thousand miles above III
mouth. Steamers Of a large class ply regularly be
tween this city and New Orleans throughout the en-
tire year Ii is also connected by important lines
Railroad with the planting States Of Alabama, MIS-
sissippi and Arkansas, Of the products OF which !
is the natural outlet for considerable extent o
their respective territories.
The large amount of cotton already shipped from
this port will without doubt, soon be increased Z
double the quantity. This prospective augmenta
ton. considered in connection with the fact that
much larger amount of cotton is now shipped iron
the city of Memphis, than from any other interior
port Of the planting States. gives TO the decided
movement which has just been inaugurated oy lh'
Legislature Of Tennessee a more than ordinary sig
uihCanCe.
From present indications there are good ground
for believing that well directed concert Of actor
upon the part Of those most interested, will, ct NJ
distant day. entirely supercede the old and artlhca
and circuitOus method Of commercial intercourse
between Belgium and the planting States Of Amerl
ca, BY means of direct interchange Of commodi
ties have the honor to be- with the greatest re
spect your Royal Highness' most obedient servant
JAMES WILLIAMS.
Mr.. sOLvYNs (BELGIAN MINlsrER) TO MR.. WILLIAMS.