Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-06-23
PARIS, April 26. 1860.

Of Tennessee:
SIR:-Thc newspapers of Norfolk, Va, sometime az,
made me acquainted with the striking letters written b.
you to the governor OF the State OF Tennessee on th
necessity of the Southern States establishing direc
trade with Europe and especially with France. Thos
letters exhibit great information and close familiarity
with the science of political economy. That you have
accurately studied the of France evidenced
by the statistical information you give respecting hei
resources, her canals rivers and railroads The inge
nious parallel which you draw between the two Empe
rors Napoleon is traced with master hand you have
with astonishing truth appreciated the policy of the
soveregns, each Of whom in bis way, sought only
the greatness and prosperity of France.
have had your letters translated and published they
were published in our principal newspapers, and exct,
much attention | sent several copies of them the
minister of commerce and they highly appreciated
also caused TO be translated and printed the proceed
ings had by the cities of Memphis and Norfolk upon
| the subject.
Various documents published enighten public opin
ion in France upon this matter together with several
papers prepared by myself upon the question,
have been careful to forward to you, and also TO our
friends in Norfolk Your very correct position carried
conviction the public mind Before their publication
did properly value the of the Southern
States. 1t generally believed in France that New
York and the Northern States were the only points
where the commerce of France could be protaby car
ried on. Old notions deeply rooted and diff
cult to destroy that requires powerful efforts to fight
| and overcome them.
Your writings have been Of great assistance to in
struggling against all the obstacles correspondents and
partizans Of the North have not failed to in
was efficiently sustained by the press and very warm
controversy sprung up with the Hayre journals, which
place. like New York. desires to retain its privileges and
| its monopoly. The newspapers Of Paris, Bordeaux,
Nantes, aud St Quentin flung themselves in the breach
and energecalY sustained the interests of the South
At length light broke in ST. Nazae conquered her po-
ston and Norfolk is properly regarded the port
by which must be had TO the Southern States
The question OF transatlantic seamers-lost sight Of for
time in the midst of the Italian war; and OF the prepa.
rations for the Chinese expeditionhas assumed
striking attitude than ever before. The Emperor desires
for il prompt solution and the legislature, now in ses
son have before it various projects which must with
little delay, bring the matter to practical issue The
| Emperor whose sympathies for America beyond
doubt has Just abolished completely the duties wool
and cotton coming into France. All prohibitions are re-
moved, our manufactures will spring forward with an
immense impulse and the treaty of commerce with Eng
land is only the prelude to that which will certainly be
made with the United States.
The French company enjoying the right Of performing
trans Atlantic trips between Havre and New York and
between ST. Nazaire and the West Indies is undergoing
some notifications. Formed at first under the auspices
of the Orleans company the patronage OF which 1t con-
tnues 10 preserve it has been joined by great
tractors from River dcGer Bordeaux and Havre and is
prepared tO manifest increased activity. The company
is now APPLYING TO the foreign department of the Govern
mont for changes in its privileges which it will
tlinly obtain. Among the concessions originally made
10 it. was one by which the Government engaged not
grant pecunary assistance 20 any other company under
taking TO perform new services the United States This
cause is capable of being made very serious obstacle
10 the erection of line between St. Nazaire and Norfolk
If the Orleans railway company which made the agree
ments with Mr. Ballard Preston, had withdrawn from the
new arrangement. took advantage OF these circum-
stances to address, petition the Minister of Commerce
and Finance in order to obtain the suppression of the
prohibition clause in exchange for the grant of such
changes as the company seeking ! also laid the
matter before the principal members of the company,
informing them Of the steps had taken, and engaging
them TO cooperate with the Orleans company in the for
nation Of the S. NaZdire and Norfolk line, which would
be for them additional argument in endeavoring to
obtain the favor they sought from the Government My
suggestions flvorably received, and have we'll
founded hopes that in any case the prohibition will be
| removed.
In the meantime, while awaiting this opening Of e
line of seamers-which will certainly take place if I!
South follows the line Of conduct you haYe suggested
we have arrived the opinion that in view OF the ss
ing and energetic manifestations of the sentiments OF
the cities of Memphis and Norfolk, of the immense
scOurces which in your letter TO Governor
Harris and of the resolutions taken by the merchants of
Richmond and Alexandra TO make their importatons
direct from Europe that there exists all the elements
necessary to commence from this very day line OF
sailing packets which will be the precursor and pioneer
of the line Of steamers. With this object have
tlbished at Paris central committee Southern inter-
esls under the Of the Compton de Norfolk, (NOr-
folk board Men Of enterprise and intelligence, whom
have succeeded in convincing at its head. They
have frei,hed at their risk and peril au American
vessel the lone Star which sailed on the st OF March,
from Bordeaux for Norfolk with cargo OF wines aud
brandies and different specimens of French merchandise
intended 10 make the South acquainted with pro
ducts and TO attract orders and purchases from Amer
can merchants aud consumers The vessel engaged
for the outward and the return voyage 1t was intended
| nT
showing in what measure they themselves could contri
butte the enterprise by sending TO us in return cargo
of American products.
It was necessary to do all this in order to put down
pretenccs aud 10 combat unrendly predictions. The
merchants of Bordeaux have correspondents
IN New York all OF whom have not failed to declare
that no business could be done with the South and that
any attempt TO operate there would terminate disastrous
w. Your letters have supported our courage, and
let the prophets of evil talk on being persuaded that
the South would fail in her promises aud her mission.
Now sir the vessel has sailed, she will reach Norfolk
about the beginning of May she is consigned to the
chamber Of commerce in the person Of its president,
Mr. Kader Biggs That vessel is laden with our hopes
and our wishes in her hold lies the future of the South
If, as doubt not will be the case she makes prof.
table trip and if her cargo is advantageOusy disposed
Of the line is established and the South escapes from the
domination of the North.
What would be the consequences of a contrary result?
leave you, sir to Judge All the mfriendy predictions
of Northern detractions would be realized. The high
hopes We have INDUCED in would be followed by pro-
found Encouragement, and must renounce forever
the hope of establishing line of steamers The result
of our enterprise is anxousy looked for its failure
would paralyze everything abors and our efforts
would prove fruiteSs You know France well, SIR We
are generally deficient in perseverance; if are EN-
bodened by success we also cast down by i'll for
tune if the attempt made fails, could not indulge
the hope that another would be made. The phantoms
have conured up have hold the dispositions OF the
Southern people. / have revived the courage OF the
Directors of the board, aud they, like myself well
convinced that Virginia and Tennessee will not fail
them.
Accept, sir, the expression of my high consideration
f. LAC0UTURE,
No 25 Rue de Ia ferme des Maturns, Paris.