Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-09-18

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of the Emperor to encourage Mr.. Bellot DIES Min
ieres and the eminent men associated with him
which expression Of sympathy the consul
was instructed to make known to me and TO
the executive of the State. Mr.. Paul at the
same TING exhibited and read to me 4 certified
copy of a dispatch from the Minister Of Agri-
culture, Commerce and Public Works, to mem
hers of the committee or board Of directors Of
the association in France, expressing similar
sentiments.
Having, on tho Fad Of May, received from
Mr.. Ernest de Bellot DIES Minieres 4 project in
in writing, or sraught Of a proposed treaty or
convention, this paper has formed the basis OF
several conferences between myself, the Board
of Public Works and the Executive Oh the State,
and been elaborated at several meetings OF the
Board of Directors of the Company. 1t has
beef, carefully considered in all its bearings
with anxious solicitude, and with the desire, l
am sure on the part of all, while aiming to per-
feet an arrangement which promised 70 great
advantages. public and private, 10 do nothing.
which should be Objectionable on the score o.
public polic7 and good order, or put 10 iazaru
the dignity Of the State.
On the 10Th Of July, q provisional agreement
was signed BY Mr.. Bcllol de MinIercs IN oeha'l
Of himself and his associates, under the lirnl
and style of Bellot DIES Minieres, Brothers anu
Comnanv BY myself in behalf OF the Boarl OF
Directors Of this Company, and by MT: LOLA
dav in behalf of the Board Of Public MorEs-
the Roard of Public Works, however, "iScla'rn-
inv authority to become party to the contract,
ma only signing in order 10 indicate It's appro-
vol ~ tbc terms which had been agreed upon.
Thc particular agreement rs signed was pre-
,.rad nv Mr.. Lyons, one of the directors on
The mart of the State in this Company, and was
based upon the; dpinion that the legal title 10
the property Of The Company might pass b!
the action Of the Company in general meeting
without the Intervention Of the General Assem-
bly. At the time of signing (thcre being rea-
sons why it should be signed without feIaTJ
Mr. Bcllot des Miniercs expressed his objection
to some of the provisions OF the agreetheDt,
and his hope, that in those particulars 1t might
be modified before being Submitted to the stock
holders for their ratification or rejection. |
myself desired some amendments. The nego-
~tiation, therefore, was re.opened for the pur-
pose of admitting such changes as might bc
mutually acceptable-and at a meeting OF the
Board held in Lynchburg last week, the first
draught Of the agreement was revised, ana
d series of amendments proposed by them,
which was instructed to submit to Mr..
Bellot des Minieres and to the Board OF
Public Works on my return 10 k!chinohu;
This was done, but some Of the proposed
amendments being unacceptable to Mr.. BciIot
des Minieres, it is understood between us that
I am to submit to the stockholders the provl-
sional agreement which was signed on the 25,h
july, the amended agreement proposed by the
board of directors at their meeting in Lynch.
burg, and the memorandum Of amendments
asked for by himself. Accordingly now lay
before YOU these documents, for such action as
it may please you to take in the premises.
Before concluding my remarks | ought to
say, that the views OF Mcssrs. Bellot dcs Mimic
res, Brothers and Company embrace not only
the completion of the canal, Of enlarged dimcn-
sions from tide water to the Ohio, but the cStal'-
lishment of docks at Norfolk, like those of Lon.
don and Liverpool, and the establishment Of
steam communication between Norfolk and St.
Nazairc. Mr.. Ernest dc Bcllot dos MiniereS
asked in behalf Of himself and his associates
that provision should be made in the agreement
with US for a concession Of the right to estab.
lish docks ut Norfolk. While the board Of di.
rectors considered it irrelevant in them 10 pro-
vide for such L concession, they are Of opinion
that the stockholders might appropriately re-
commend the wishes Of these gentlemen in this
particular to the favorable consideration OF the
legislature, and give to their application Il cor
dial support within the limits Of what shall De
just and proper.
deem it becoming also to say, that through
out this negotiation Mr.. Ernest de BelIot des
Minieres has evinccd in his intercourse with
me the utmost frankness, coupled with remark
able zeal and perseverance, high intelligence,
and very enlarged views, with 4 thorough
comprchc5 sion Of the subject, and IN often cx-
pressed desire, while having due regard to his
private interest and the advantage Of his native
country, to confer also eminent advantages
nron our own State, to which lie is most favor
ably inclined.
The President then READ. for the information
Of the stockholders, an order adopted by the
Board Of Public Works, approving the terms
Of the agreement.
On motion Of General Talliaferro, the scyr-
raj documents submitted by the President,
were referred for consideration and report, to
a committee Of thirteen, which was appointed
bv the chair rs follows: William T.. Taliafcrro.
of Gloucester; Samuel McCorklc, Of Lynch.
burg; Robert L. Owen, do; Francis 3. Deanc,
Jr., do; James Z. Dormun, of Rockbridgci
Peachy f.. Grattan, Of Richmond; Samuel D.
Dcnoon, do; Clement Z. Barksdclc, do; Joseph
Mayo, do; William Palmer, do; George w.
Muniord, do; Samuel J. Harrison, do; Francis
n. Watkins, Of Prince Edward.
Mr.. I. B. Deane, Jr., enquircd Of the Pre-
sident if the correspondence submitted to him
from time to time, by Mr.. Bellot DIES Minicres,
was in his possession, or under his control if
50, he would move that it also be referred to
the committee Of thirteen.
The President replied, that while the cor
respondence had been freely submitted 10 him,
for his information, he had never felt at liber-
ty to ask that it be deposited with him or
placed under his control.
Upon this response being made, Mr.. 3ellot
dcs Minieres, who was present in the meeting,
authorized the President to say, that he would
chccrfully lay before the committee such por-
ton Of the correspondence, and other docu-
,ncnts, as he presumed would be satisfactory
to the committee.
On motion of Col. Joseph Fuqua, the Presi-
deni was requested to have fifty copies OF the
agreement which had been signed printed for
the use of the stockholders.
And then, on motion, the meeting adjourned
till the next night at eight o'clock.
The stockholders met pursuant to adjourn
mcnt, and Mr.. Myers resumed the Chair.
General Iallaterro from the committee OF
thirteen reported that the committee had, ac-
cording to order, considered the subject refer
red to them, and made some progress therein,
but not being prepared to report, had directed
him to ask leave to sit again.
Col. FuQua of Buckinghan, arose to move that
the meeting adjourn sine die. lie did not think
the stockholders had the power, without legls-
latiye action, 10 dissolve the company and dis
pose of the capital stock. He was proceeding
to discuss the provisional agreement upon its
merits, when it was suggested by Capt. Dim
mock, that the gentleman was out Of order, the
agreement then being before the committee of
thirteen. The Chair being informed upon en-
quiry of the gentleman, that he Intended to
move an adjournment sine die, decided that this
motion was not debatablc. Whcreupon, Col.
ruqua declined making any further remarks at
this time.