The Sweetwater forerunner. [volume] (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1867-1869, 1868-10-29
For the Porerunner.l
We are nll Interested.

We are nlI Interested.
EDITOR SwEErwArER FoRERuNSER:
The Commercial Convention held at
at Norfolk, Va, called for the expression
of the views and opinions of representa-
tive men from various portions of the
South and Southwest, as to direct trade
with Europe from the port of Norfolk
All agree that Norfolk with her central
position and magnificent harbor, the out
let of the Chesapeak Bay, with its tribu-
taries; of the Potomac, the James and
Elizabeth rivers; with railroads already
reaching the Ocean there by the shortest
line and with those now in process of
construction and the numerous Others
projected, and by their friends and advo-
Gates confdentialy asserted, will at no dis
tant day be completed; opening up to
her, vast regions OF fertile country mn
surpassed in the capacity aud variety of
its productions, in its rich iron, lead, zine,
copper, silver and gold mines, Astounding
with water power, stone coal, marble, and
timber should become u great commercial
emporium, Accordingly plan for
starting line of steam ships from that
port TO Europe was adopted, and large
portion of the stock necessary to carry it
out was subscribed.
To complete the subscription and in
sure success the chairman of each delega-
tioh was authorized to receive, and re-
quested to solicit subscriptions of stock in
their various counties.
One hundred dollars constitutes one
share, and 10 per cent is required to be
paid at the time Of subscribing. 1t is
not expected that any other call will be
made soon, perhaps never. 100000 is
the capital stock. Ten per cent. Of that
will give $4,000, which it is thought will
suffice to charter ships and put them in
motion, and that their earnings will defray
expenses &c. But should the whole have
to be paid, the ultimate advantages will
we'll remunerate us, though no dividends
be declared, and commercial men think
the stock will soon be at par.
As chairman of the delegation from
Sweetwater, Tennessee, l take this meth
cd of communicating this intelligence to
the citizens of the county and am ready
to receive their subscriptions.
You ask, will it be success Why
not The merchants of Norfolk can buy
their stocks from manufacturers and in
first hands, as cheaply as can the jobbers
of New York. They can arrange with all
the Southern and Southwestern cities,
that now import goods through the port
of New York, to send them to Norfolk,
from whence freights will be greatly less
ened and the goods received in shorter
time. They will take care to get supplies
of every article needed by the retail mer-
chants, and then they will have the sa-
gacity to advertise them in the FoRERUN-
NER aud other newspapers, and come them
selves, or get smart energetic southern
young men, who are now engaged by New
York merchants, to come, with specimens
ard samples and show that they can and
will sell goods on as accommodating terms
as New Workers. and others: solicit orders
and by honorable and fair dealing com.
mand respect and confidence; and COM
plete success is accomplished.
Then will Virginia, "The Old Domin
ion, the mother of States and of states
men" and the other southern States be re-
generated, redeemed and disenthrallec
and resume their former influence in thu
great American Union, and again have
cause to boast of the achievements of thei
noble sons. l. 7. LENo1R.
Sweetwater Tenn Oct. Esd '68.