Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-06-07


past five years in Virginia has been 611,3GG
hogSheadS, exclusive Of that S~ld loose in va
rious portions Of the State. IL Is conceded,
We believe, that the crop grown last year
was the largest ever raised in tue State
We may safely assume, therefore, that
there are now in the hands Of the planters
Of Virginia and North Carolina not less than
$4,000 hogsheads Of tobacco. We may assume,
with equal confidence, that these 10000
hogSheadS are worth four millions Of dollars
3, the most moderate calculation. We believe
that a maj >rity Of the planters would subscribe
one fourth, Il respectable number one,har, and
few Of them the whole Of their crops.
These facts and figures would seem TO sug-
gest the propriety of an Immediate arrange:
ment between the Confederate Government and
the tobacco planters of Virginia and North
Carolina. We should avail ourselves Of the
benefit Of every practicable and legitimate
source OF revenue. Gentlemen Of business
experience suggest the following mode Of op-
! condition the tobacco subscribed, and send it
to the Public Warehouses, at Danvillc, Clarks-
vile, F.rm7illc, Petersburg Lyuchburs, or
this city, which ever may be most conve-
nien:; and let the Government Of the Confcd-
crate States authorize the Inspectors Of To-
baccn, at the various Public Warehouses, to
act as their agents, alloeing them no eempen
sutton rar tie serriee rendered, except tie fees
1soto al'oroed 6y tie la'os IF thts State.
| 10 avoid the cost OF q per cent to the planter
for selling ard p per cent to the Government
for buying, let the inspectors be authorized tc
open aud sample all tobacco subscribed; and,
| in order to ascertain its true value, let a com,
petent judge Of price ard quality be selected
On each side-;hat is, one in behalf Of the
! Government aud one in behalf Of the planter;
and, in all cases of disagreement, let third
person, Of known competency, be called in,
! whose decision shall be final. When tho as
sessed value Of the tobacco shall be reported
to the inspectors opening and sampliug the
same, they shall issue the note for each hogs
head, rs now prescribed by the law Of thi:
State, endorsing thereon the planters name
and tie assessed value thereof. On the pre-
senta,iun of this note 10 the Secretary Of the
Treasury Of the Confederate States, by The
planter or his authorized ngent, let bonds bc
| issued :or the a,nouat
| And, in all cases where tobacco is subscribed
not in good order, let tho inspectors tie AL
! thoriztd to sell The same at auction, rendering
upon oath true account of sales, and paying
the proceeds into the Treasury Of the Confcd
crate States, the Treasurer issuing bonds fo
the amount.
Such is the m0dus operanai proposed Th'
plan is simple and can be carried out with bu.
little cost TO Government or planter.
Tobacco, like cotton, will always bring money
and is easily disposed Of No foreign orders
! for tobacco have yet been filled in this marke
| for the present season. Let the Southern Gov
ernment get possession Of 8 large portion o
the crops Of cotton and tobacco now on hant
and it may be worth more to them than would
be the possession of any fort now held by th'
enemy. Our cotton is Indispensable to bo't
England and France, and both derive an i'm
mense revenue from tobacco purchased in TIT
Southern States. Is it to be presumed tha
| they will submit to Liuccln'S blockade: