The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-11-07
CommeruinI Ccnfrca.

The Boston Travcllor laments the decline of
appears that there have beon only twelve Ships
cleared from Boston for San Francisco during the
present year, and only three arrivals from the
cay of this trade to tho fact that California is be-
coming rapidly sclf-sustaining, and is requiring
less and less every year from tho Atlantic States"
There is another Of the decline of the CALI
fornia trade of Boston, which tho Traveller has
overlooked. That trade, like tho China and India
trade of years ago, is gradually being diverted
sells, not including stoamors, that have cleared
hence for San Francisco, during the year ending
lst inst, is tfty-four. largo portion Of the
lantic and Pacific States-Now York and San Fran
cisco-which formerly passed around Cape Horn,
now finds way via the Isthmus, and yet o vast
trade by sailing vessels is still maintained and
cannot BIO Diverted
No inconsiderable portion of tho freight dis
patched hence to CALIFORNIA; both by sail and steam,
is drawn from Boston and othor cities and towns
of Massachusetts, for the obvious that ships
arc sent away with much groater dispatch from
this port than from Boston, while freights nro
natural, since trado and commerce, everywhere,
are accustomed to grayitate to tho great centres,
like New York, whose geographical position, in
great wealth, render it pre-eminent as CONNER
cial mart on this Continent. Tho efforts of Boston
and Philadelphia to rival New York aro highly
praiseworthy, but tho advantages enjoyed by the
great metropolis over any other city on this Conti
nent are universally recognized, and all the sur
increasing prospority in tho futree eVo AS Athems in
Rd SaG o6f0'ih as S5n'fe S
her time and Holland, ut later day was at
the head of commercial nations, 80 is Now York,
to-day, mistress of the commercial world on the
Western Continent, and We have no fears that she
arc welcome to the opinion that 'the time has
gono by when, for the commercial Importance Of q
city, it must be situated at the mouth Of river
like that discovered by Henry Hudson" and that
water facilities havo como to be subordinate and
supplementary to the railway and Philadelphians
may solace themselves with the reflection that
thor city covors a creator area than ours, and is
surrounded by fresh water instead of salt water;
but somehow people will dif1er on these abstract
questions, and tho commerce of the world will flow
| to Now York in preference to going to Boston or
Philadelphia. Outside OF the neighboring cities
mentioned, one of tho first and most important
things looked for, in connection with great COM
mercial mart, is good and safe harbor, accessible
at all times and by tho largest ships. In this
respect New York is peculiarly favored: Tho
world does not boast finer harbOr if indeed
| by all classes of vessels ct oil seasons; and
whom inside, they are protected from the dangers
| BIO dono then, in order to ronder tho ncighbor-
ing sctios still moro tributary to tho commercial
greatness of Now York, and that is to enlarge and
improve our wharvcs, basins and docks. The
present dilapidated structures would bo disgrace
Ito city with ono-fourth the commerce enjoyed by
Now York. In this ono respect, VIC arc froe to adj
NIT, that Boston is far in advance of u.s. Tho busi-
their power to mako it as commercial mart, what
ever they may determine, if only those who control
tho public sentiment and tho capital of tho city are
prompt to apprehond and to uso the advantages
within their reach. Every largo commercial city
has ts leading business mcn who regulate and con-
| troll its commerce, trade and business interests
OF all kinds: These are comparatively, limited
in number, but their influence, in all business
matters, is unboundcd. Thoy lead, and the multi
tudei is coptont to follow. Such mon gain their in
No obstacles can successfully oppose them-no re-
yorsos permanently check their onward career. So
far rs tact talent and energy are concerned it is
admitted that they havo no superiors in tho COM
mereial world and yet they appear to bo strangely
indifferent to this particular matter of wharf i'm
provements, which is 30 requisite for developing
branch OF commerce that gives impulse to every
department OF industry. May we not venture to
hope that those who represent tho industry and
wealth Of tho city, will confer and corporate in
this matter, without creator delay, 80 that some
will onablo Now York to maintain much higher
position Of commercial Importance than that which
| it hos hitherto held ?-heo York Shipping List.
- e.