Arkansas true Democrat., 1860-03-07
From the Pine Bluff Independent New Orleans and the N. 6 L. R.
 Railroad

~S~N~'
 We have the most cheering intelligence from New Orleans in regard to the success of the agent, in obtaining the sum of one hundred thousand dollars for the purchase of iron for this road We learn from Judge Bocage, who has just returned from that city, that the business men now begin to see the necessity for exertion on their part to secure the trade, now being diverted to other cities.
 New Orleans has heretofore been consid- cred as the natural market for the product of the cotton and sugar region, along the Mississippi and it's tributaries, It has been taken for granted that the southern current of these streams would wait to this great southern mart the produce of this vast extent of country, without an effort on their part to secure it; but Tn this, the "Crescent City, is now beginning to find out she was wonderfully at fault.
 Since "broad- horns" and ''kcel-boats' have been, to great extent, done away with by the general use of steam as mo- tive power, applied to river craft, It has been ascertained that freights can be as speedily and economically transported up as down. Hitherto the northern Mlssls- sippi river cities have made no effort to se- cure the trade thus far south, but now see ing the supineness of New Orleans, Tn making no effort to retain trade they imagined theirs by right, Cincinnati, Lou iSvile, St. Louis and Memphis. by estab- fishing lines of packets, by sending agents, and by offering superior advantages in every way, have drawn from New Orleans large part of the rapidly increasing trade of the Arkansas river. The "Address of the merchants of New Orleans" by the agents appointed by the Board of Directors to so- licit subscriptions to the capital stock of our railroad, has opened the eyes of these southern merchant princes to the necessity of prompt action on their part to retain trade they are fast losing.
 Their assistance in building this road will be much in their favor. and will bring to New Orleans a largely increased amount of business The cessation of navigation in our river during the years looo-'6. caused suspension and bankruptcy to many large houses in New Orleans, who had advanced largely to the planters along our river, who in turn could not get their cotton to mar ket in time to meet their liabilities. lhls would in great measure, be remedled Dy the construction of this road If the Mem nhis and Little Rock road be built and we should have another season of low water, almost the entire transportation ofproduce and supplies must be in the direction ot Memphis unless the Napoleon and Little Rock road be in operation to compete with if These facts seem to be appreciated by the business men of New Orleans, and Judce Bocage thinks there will not be the slightest difficulty in raising at once the amount asked for.
 The Memphis and New Orleans Packet Comnany express willingness to cOntrl- bute iiberallv in aid of this enterprise, and the most prominent monied men of Mem phis think the sum of one hundred thou sand dollars can be raised In that city, III aid of this road.
 When others at distance are coming forward to assist in building a road that can only benefit them indirectly, should not our own citizens, who are so directly interested, emulate the liberality of indi- viduals in other States? There are many wealthy planters and merchants here at home, that the building of this road would enrich many thousand dollars, yet they have not contributed one cent to assist in it's construction. Wewill still think they are only waiting to be urged; and as the books will be presented to each individual who 'tis thought will take stock, we shall sus- pend our judgment until they have an op- portunitv to free themselves of the charge of niggardiness.