Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-09-15

Total number of votes other than the
State 4,2l7
The Commonwealth OF Virginia, by VIM.
b. Taliairrro, of Gloucester, Samuel Nc
Corkle OF Lynehburg, and JAS. B. Dor
man, Of Lexington proxies, having
number of votes equal 70 three-flths Of
the whole vote present GS95
Total, lO542 "
being majority Of the votes that could be given al
the stock of the company at present held.
On motion Of Gen. Tsliaferro, the meeting organ
ized by the appointment Of Gustayus A. Myers, Esq
Richmond, chairman; VIM p Aunford, the secretary
Of the company, attending as clerk.
Col. ThOs. H. Ellis the president Of the company then
delivered oral address, with apology for being
! prepared With a written report.
On motion Of Mr.. Grattan the president requested
to write out his remarks; which no subsequently did
/ follows:
Mr. Chairman, aud Gentlemen Stockholders:
Before entering upon the purpose for which this gen
eral meeting has been called deem 1t proper to inform
you that receipt in full for the several debts due by the
company TO the State, and proper deed duly approved
releasing to the company all liens, whether by deeds o
trust mortgage otherwise held by the State upon the
works and property OF the company secure any debt
due the State, guaranteed by the State duly
executed Acknowledged and recorded, soon after your
called meeting in April last Subsequently at the re-
quest Of the HinaWha board executed to the Common
wealth mortgage upon the works, property and net
revenue Of the Ksnawha improvement from the mouth
thereof Loup creek shoals, for the payment of the
principal and interest OF the OF S3OOO00 loaned
the company by the state for the improvement OF the
navigation Of the kanawha river under the provisions OF
the act Of assembly OF the 9Sd OF March, 1860.
Some days after the passage OF that act received
visit from Mr.. Ernest de Belot des Mnieres who ex
pressed desire to the negotiations which under
views Of policy entertained by HIM had been brought 10
close in the latter part OF January. The scheme which
he proposed to submit differed materially from that en-
braced in my letter 70 Mr. Oivai and himself of
the Sd Of December, 1852 and upon which the bill re-
ported in the house OF delegates from the committee Of
roads aud internal navigation the 2lst Of
December based In order to satisfy my mind as
- the existence OF association formed for the pur
pose Of undertaking the completion OF this mprOven
and the character and sOlyency OF the associates
and his authority act for them, he exhibited and read
TO me number OF letters certificates aud other writings
containing information and evidence which appeared TO
conclusive. From these sources gathered that
era members OF the family OF BelOt des Mincres, OF
Bordeaux France and several partners associates
With them, became interested in tue "SwIn lands ~
which by of the general assembly OF Virginia
latng to delinquent lands and western titles passed
March l5 1885, were released from forfeiture TO the
State discharged from all taxes and damages charged
chargeabe thereon up TO particular day aud vested IN
John Peter Dumas in trust for the and benefit OF
the creditors of Colonel James Swan, officer in the
American service during our revolutionary struggle
The title of these g'iuen 20 three hundred tuVssI
asrss o tnese Lands was confirmed by decree of the
circuit court Ol hanaNha county, PRONOUNCED IN Jahu
ary S59, aud they prosecuting if they have not
tabished claim much larger portion OF the origi
nal Swan lands
Thus interested in a region, which is admitted by all
10 be Que Of the most remarkable in Virgins by
of the variety character aud extent OF lbs mineral and
agricultural resources and seeing plainly the enhance
meut in the value OF their lands which would result from
/ the completion of the James River aud Kanawha canal
upon an enlarged pAn they have formed in France,
association of which they are members for the purpose
of undertaking the completion OF the Improvement.
Among the documents exhibited 20 me, was certih
cate from Mr. Calhoun Charge Anlres OF the United
in Paris after the death Of Judge Mason setting forth
that the parties therein named had appeared before him
and requested him certify this fact in their BEHALF the
actual poston of the parties stated ia verified by him;
and the certificate is signed and duly acknowledged by
them Subsequent the date of this certificate other
associates admitted.
do not understand this association to be a corpora
ton under the laws Of France; in advance Of agree
ment here il would be premature-or At least extremely
onerous their part to organic, as body polGc-be
cause as am advised, corporation aggregate cannot
exist in France until the whole capital stock has been
subscribed thirds OF the capital paid in and certif
/ cato made in due form 10 the government.
The affairs of the association managed by "Com
mit,ee" of six whose names have been furnished
From the reputation, character and position OF these
gentlemen severally cannot be mistaken in believing
that they possess great influence, political, social and
nancial Their official correspondence with Mr.. Ernest
de Beot des Mineres conducted by one who has oecu
MED the position of Minister of Finance, and also that
of Prefect of the Police Of France, well that Of
Preec of PAIis and the Department Of the Seine has
been from time to time unreservedy laid before me Tor
perusa and has alWas made upon my mind the impress
sion that it was founded in good faith aud that the
g,gements which it held out would be honorably
/ fulfilled
In the Month OF May, received visit from Mr. Paul
consul OF France for the city of Richmond who said 81
come sir to make you official vsit-to say that my
IN fap the aclpDp
Shch understand you have in hand, and that have
received dispatch from the Minister of Foreign Rea-
| lions written at the command Of the Emperor di-
reeting me TO report upon its merits-and particular
IT, upon its relation to the increase and establishment
of direct trade between France and Virginia. need
| hardly say TO you, sir, that there is nu;h signh
cance in this fact II means first that the parties who
are negotiating with you perfectly reliable my
government 10 such this would never connect
se in the remotest degree with any party or association
not entitled to the highest credit but more than this,
know personally by reputation number Of the gentle
men who are said TO be engaged in the proposed under
taking and know them to be Of high character social
political and financial, any in Europe"
report was made by Mr. Paul. in obedience TO his in
strucons and fortnight sgohe came again to make me
An Official yiS On this occasion be exhibited and read
dispatch from the Minister of PoreigR RelaonssAting
that bis report had been received and had been rams
mtted the Minister Of Agriculture, Commerce and Pub
lie Works TO whose department t appropriately belong
ability was highly compmented-that the thanks OF the
government were due Mr. Belot des Minieres tor BIZ
efforts In behalf Of the scheme-and that recognizing the
importance of enterprise the success oi which Wouc
| inaueurate direct commerce vast scale between
France and Virginia. he was happy 10 be the medium o
communicating the consul the expression OF the sym
pathy Of the department. Of Agriculture Commerce ant
Public Works in this enterprise and the opinion oil that
denarment that il the interest OF the government
the Emperor TO encourage Mr. Beot des Mneres and the
| ad with him-Nhch pXDreeaiOn
sympathy the consul instructed to make known tf
me ami IN the executive Of the State. Mr. Paul at the
same time exhibited and read certified copy OF
dispatch from the Minister Of Agriculture Commerce anC
Public Works TO members Of the committee or board
directors Of the association in France expressing simia
sentiments.
Having on the ID of May received from Mr. Ernest d'
Bellot des Mnieres project in writing, or draught OF
urOpOsed treaty or convention this paper has formed I'M
bass of several conferences between myself the Board
Public Works and the Executive Of the State and beer
elaborated at several meetings Of the Board OF Drecto
of the company Ii has been carefully considered in al
its bearings with anxious socude, and with the desire
am sure on the part Of ALL while aiming to perfect a
arrangement which promised great advantages puo
and private TO do nothing uhch should be bectonabl
the of public policy and good order, or put
hazard the dignity OF the State
On the 18th of July a provisional agreement was sgn
ed by Mr. Bellot des Mnieres in behalf OF himself an
his associates under the firm and style OF Bellot de
Minieres Brothers and Company by myself in behalf
the Board Of Directors Of this company and by Mr. Ho
aday in behalf of the Board Of Public Works-the Boar
Of Public Works however, discaimng authority to be
come party the contract aud only signing in orde
to indicate its approval Of the terms which had bee
agreed upon.
The particular agreement as signed was prepared b
Mr. Lyons of the directors the part OF the Stat
in this company and based upon the opinion tba