The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-02-27

dn Important Report We have received a
report Of the Joint CoTnmittse of Roads and
house of Messrs Beilot des Mfnieres. Brothers
90. to comply with their contract for the
completion of the James kiver and Kama wha
Canal.
ant matter, and ore which has been the SUBJ
Iect of much inquiry through the State The
advantages of compliance with the con tract
on the part of the State In this contract were
go manifest that many have feared that the
French associates either could not, or would
not carry out their con tract. Both of these
fears have been set at rest by the report Of the
committee and the accompanying testimony.
I II acll of the latter is exceedingly voluninous,
more so than, in our OPINION, is necessary or
proper but in 1t we find proofs Of thr stand
ing and character Of the cnpany Of the most
convincing character.
The report of the committee upon the char
acter of the company says ait exhibits n
combined power Of capital, of commercial
connection, of political strengt tn, aud govern
mental sympathy rarely formed" And fur
ther: THAT the house of M. Bel,ot, Brothers
Il Co., and their associates in Europe, consti-
tuta one of the most powerful financial or
ginizltions of the present day, abundan tly
able to complete the Virginia water line on the
grand scale prolec ted by them and also 10 es-
| tablish and maintain steam and sail lines be-
tween its terminus and foreign poyts, thus
giving promise of realizing, in the fullest
manner and in the shortest time, the splendid
and advocates of this great State improve
ment." The Joint Commits tee also report "an
equal confidence In the disposition of the
French capitalists to carry y.ort the stipula-
tons OF their agent here, an soon rs
the condition of the country will justify
men of prudence in undertaking work
which requires time. peace, and finan-
cial assurance, for its mplishment."-
This conclusion rs to the dis posi- ton of the
company to carry ont their agreement, seems
fully supported BY extracts Of late lettsrs
from Mr.. E. de J3rllot to Col. Ellis which n
are given at considerable length. The report
closes by saying: Your committees take
great pleasure, therefore, in SAYING that, In
their opinion, there Is ample ground for the
General Assembly to act upon the PROPOSE.
tons which have been made, and that it would
be safe and Justifiable to grant the charter
asked, allowing a rea asonable time for the re-
storation of the condition OF things existing
when the proposition was subnitted'-a re-
commendation that seems fully justified by
political and financial embarrassment over.
whelming and unexpected.
Ihe report gives interesting biographical
sketches of several of the De Belot, Bros II
Company, showing their high position, the
evidence heretofore furnished ny NJ. Paul,
French Consul in this city, and other infor,na
tion highly favorable to the contrac ting mar
| ~ Among the proofs furnished by the re-
| port on this point, We find the following let =
ters--tne first two from gentlemen we'll known
Ia our readers as two of the first engineers OF
Virginia. ana the other from NJ Mercier, the
French Minister in Washington
"GE"R1ETOvN, d. C., Dec Ia 1880
DEAR SIR Since last wrote to you, have h sd
conversations with MIR MERCER, the French Min
i.ter on he hject Of your negotiations with the
MessrS Bollo. aud the interest taken IN their en-
terprise By his Government.
- good deal TO my surprise. Mr.. MeIcier told
me, Yesterday, that he had received communica-
tions from his Government. showing very warm
interest in the project; and expressed his own on
TIRE confidence in tho ability Il those parties in
france who sustain the Messrs. BeIiot though he
Is not himself personally acquainted with these
gent emeu.
{. Mr.. MERCER was very decided and unreserv ed
In MS communications, and promised to show me
| tue documents which he has received as soon n.
they ere returned to him from hi. Office in Wash.
ington.
| You will have seen evidences of the doub,s
which have entertained in regard to the ability
OF the association to ful6 Ii their engagements with
You. think It due both 10 them aud to Won
therefore, thai should give you also this pointed
| confirmation Of their pretensions.
81 Iremain' dear sir, very truly yours.
Col Thomas II. Elis &c, Nc, &c.'
read al 80 the following letter addressed 10 me
hy Col Charles +. u. Garnet, formerly Chief
| Engineer of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad
and more recently Of the Don Pedro, the second
| Railroad in BraZl,:
"RICHAoSD. Jan. IS 1851
DEAR SIR; At your request, / state to You In
wrl1ng what said 10 you yesterday.
While was III Was hington the French Minis
| ter, Mr. Mercier, said 10 Messrs Hunter and Gar
nett the following, in substance:
| That the French Emperor had instructed him ia
| ave to the scheme of Mr. De Bellot all the moral
aid possible aud TO say 10 parties interested that
Mr. De Beilot is fully respons sibs tor, and able TO
| perform, ali that he undertakes
| II ana, very respectfully,
| "l Your friend and ob't serv't.
| "CHAs. +. II. GARSETr.r