Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-03-15
Steam Line From Norfolk to Liverpool
Direct Trade.

Attention is directed TO the announcement,
in our advertising columns, of apractical begin
ming in the way of direct transportation from
the waters Of Virginia TO the chief port OF
Great Britain. We expect to have occasion
very often to speak of an enterprise, of which
the coming steamer-may all good auspices at
tend hers the aUant courier. For the pres
ent we adopt the views, reflections and recon-
mendatiOns ofthe Petersburg Inder. Says that
intelligent and public-spirited journal;
AT last there seems to be some prospect of a
practical establishment of direct trade between VIZ
gnia and Europe.
frst-class ocean steamer, withdrawn for the
purpose from the Alexandra line, will leave Liver
pool during the current month with cargo ior Nor
,olk harbOr The enterprise Is begun oy Enghsh
:apitalists-it can be continued and made success
iui, and greatly enlarged by little effort on the
part Of our own people.
For TWENTY-FIVE years the Southern merchants
nave been clamOring for direct trade. Convention
after Convention has been held, resolutions by the
>guare acre unanimously adopted, an immense
mount Of puerile grumbhng INDUCED in, and no.
thing done Year by year the old habit of going
round the elbow 10 get TO the thumb continued
with the great additional drawback Of heavy COM
missions 70 the elbow for the privilege of going
u
must have paid TO New York. in the way of COM
Missions at least a quarter Of million dollars per
annum in prosperous manufacturing years, not one
dime of which should ever have left the town. And
to-day every pound Of cotton pays higher price
70 get aboard aship in New York harbOr than is ne
Cessary to transport it from Norfolk to the docks at
Liverpool. Still, nothing was done. The energy
which other men eXpend in productive effort, was
wasted in unprOduct tive speech, and the stream oil
trade flowed in its accustomed channels nOurlshng,
indeed, like the river Of Egypt every foot OF earth
il washed in its passage but barren Of benefit to the
source whence it sprang or the ocean on which 1t
was lost.
Here we have at last practical and practicable
plan, commended to the acceptance OF our people
by extraordinary facilities and advantages. YES
sci of 5000 tons has been chartered at foreign eX-
pense and will be in waters before the eXplra-
lion Of a month. 1t will bring cargo of such goods
as are needed here, and will carry back whatever we
have to export. The Company imports goods and,
when these are ordered from the interior OF the State,
charges no commission for forwarding. IL also stores
goods for expectation, in Norfolk, free OF charge.
Now. let each man ask himself what he can do
10 forward this great enterprse-or great it is in its
influence on our State and individual prosperity
The reader may think that unless he is engaged IN
extensive merchandising, it lies out OF his power to
be this good work along; but there can be no
greater mistake. Almost every man in the COM
nunity engaged in any description Of business, can
end helping hand and at the same time advance
his own interests.
During Confederate times it was quite common
Tor persons who needed articles abroad, to ship by
he blockade bale of cotton, and order the needed
articles in return. Why should this not be done
nowl Why should not the hOuseSeeper who wants
summer mating for his house or table Linen
crockery-why should not the small dealer IN the
6untry who wants hoes aud hollow iron ware
why should not the meat raiser who wants supply
Jf salt-why should not the professional man who
wants books or instruments-why IN a word, should
not any man who wants any OF the thousand art'-
Giles which are imported for American use, and
which pays the importers comm .SSiOn and III,
wholesale dealers cOWm SsiOn, and the retail deal
er's comm Ss.on, and the freight from New York
and the ius rance. and the charges for handling
and Heaven knows how many other charges buy
Dale Of cotton and ship it by the Ephesus, with an
order for the des red commodities in return.
We understand that arrangements have been
made to facilitate precisely this description OF bust
aes, aud nothing will so popuiarize the enterprise
and distribute Is benefits.
ii is only necessary to add that Col, VIZ. Lamb
of Norfolk is the agent Of the line in this country
aud will give any information, cheerfully respecting
It's management aud purposes"