The New York herald., 1865-05-06
RICHM OND.
The Necessity Of a Resumption Of
Trade with the South.
The Country impoverished and
the People Starving.
Tradc Restrictions an Unnecessary Expense
TO the Government.
MOVEMENTS OF GENERALS,
&C., &C., DC.
Mr.. Thomas M. Cooks Despatch.

RICHMOND, May 2, 1865.
THI OPENING souTH TRADE
The opinion commonly entertained, both here and at
tho North is that the order OF General Ha,leck pub
nshed "by authority Of tho President" removing all
restrictions upon domestic trade, virtually
blockade Of the port Of Richmond all other ports in
Virginia. and that henceforh all of goods
and merchandise not clearly conraband Of may be
brought here for GALE. Such avowedly the intention
Of the order, but unfortunately the best intentions
ofentimes defeated by unlocked for !nterferences.
THH POLICY or THR GovERsMEsr TO R1IoRg COUNTRY
ny PRoDuClIyESEss.
The purposc Of tho order referred to was to invite
general shipment to this latitude OF all the commodities
generally needed here, including provisions
clothing, farm implements, seeds, machinery, &c
All these things are needed here. As have
shown in former Communications the policy of the gov
ernng power respect the conquered territory to
restore Immediately productivness prosperity
The government cannot undertake to feed for any
siderable length OF time the population for instance Of
Richmond or Petersburg much less the scattered popu
lation in the rural districts back OF these Nor
It necessary that should This region is allndantly
able itself What required the acili
ties shall he given for this self-sustennnce.
TIE IMrovEglsHMEsT COUNTRY AROUND rrcH,'oGD.
Tho cities mentioned and country adjacent is ex'
hausted OF everything wearabe ca,ablc. The i'm
the support of Lees army has entirely exha s.ed
the country and there lie nothing left either TO cat plant
Al present the United States comnssary de-
partment Is supplying all the wants OF all this people IL
must continue to supply their wants or they must
starve, unless the policy nauguraed by the military
authorities Is endorsed and approved.
SOME oDsTACtE IN TIE WAY or TRADE.
But, unfortunately, there is hitch somewhere.
armies of the Uned state have teen brought sv suer
and other authorized traders upon permits duly ap-
proved by the immediate commander aud the War
Department. upon which the Treasury Depart
ment granted clearanccs. Under this order these
permits are not required and consequently are
not given But in their absence the Treasury Depart
ment declines TO give cearances and hence the Is
than Whereas formerly limited amount OF
goods, both for army and civilian consumption, have
been brought down, nothing comes The fault must
lie in jealousy of power conflict OF jurisdiction
As understand the case the military authorities Ease
their order on the grounds of military ne cssy, 70.
qulrng the Introduction Of such considerable amounts Of
| goods us to render i, a burden and nuisance
each Individual case. ' On the 'c other hand, hand the
Treasury authorities consrue the order to be virtual
raising OF the blockade, 70 accomplish which the only
authority Is vested in the President and therefore will
not permit the shipment Of goods other than special
II Ii exceedingly unfortunate that such a conflict
should arise at this particular Juncture This community
Il TO day literally tho verge Of aon As General
Ord remarked in conversation this subject unless the
question settled speedily wo will be compelled to pay
on lna
Of supplies, while private families reduced the
most str ngent emergencies.
NECESSITY RArrNo CROP
This s one feature of the Another feature Is
more embarrassing The farming population
not plant unless they have seeds The planting
IL upon Tho seeds should be here now and the i'm
poments necessary prepare the soil for these II
these obianble speedily the State be left
without crop for the present season, entang endless
distress and privation In the immediate future
RsnHoAps.
Railroad companies and other enterprises requiring the
employment oi l-rgo numbers Of hands compelled TO
suspend ope gous because OF their inability to furnish
supplies 10 their employees This IL serious matter
In View OF tho deter imnation Of the government recently
announced to stop work itself upon all these works and
leave cw In the hands Of thoir respective companies
The results ,ha! must from the consequent
teptlon OF these great channels OF communication
scarcely be estimated.
think that this is n subject calling for the immediate
intervention Of the authorities AZ Wash ngton Why
declare formally the blockade raised? What would be
the evil OF G There rebel armies Ia Virginia
fact anywhere east OF the Mississippi river that could he
benefited by q free Introduction Of supplies On the
contrary such free Introduction would illustrate the
beralty snd beneyolence Of tho government and tend
greatly 10 win the affections Of the people The only
suit that follow persistence ia the present policy IS
sarvaon TO the masses, or an endless tax upon the
Treasury for their support
If argue that the present distress Is the legitimate
how much better OF weS Surely win advocate
the policy OF starving conquered people Of revenge
from any other motive.
fancy however that II Il only necessary 20 vcntate
this subject To produce the proper remedy But II should
he borne in mind that tho remedy may not safely DO
layed. 1t should be prompt and Immediate.