The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-10-16
TIE VIRGINIA WATER-LLNE TO TIE OHIO
ENDORSED.
.c,al telegram to the Dispatch.


of the Bristol Convention on the subject of
establishing steam line between Norfolk
and Liverpool. The questions referred to
to the committee were the obtaining char
ter incorporating q steamship company and
raising the necessary funds for establishing
the company.
The committee report that they find
charter granted by the Legislature of Vir-
GINA, ct its session in 1s66-'67, for the in
corporation of company to be known as
the International Commercial Company of
Norfolk, which is admirably adapted to the
objects sought to be attained by the Con-
vention. Under this charter there are
ample powers and privileges certainly for
all immediate purposes, and in accordance
with its provisions subscriptions may at
once be made and an organization effected.
The committee urge that the time has ar
rived for positive and practical action
that the hood-tide in the movement is now
at hand, and if taken advantage Of glorious
results will follow. It is an admitted fact,
they say. that the productive resources of
the country interested are more than am
pie to sustain the enterprise they are now
about to inaugurate. The entire exports
for the year 1856 amounted to over $780,
1000 in value, Of which the southern
States exported direct over $3.50, 200, 900, to
say nothing of the amount of their products
exported through eastern cities. The i'm
ports taken by the South the same year
were over 100000 900, Of which she i'm
ported direct only S21,0O0,000. She paid
$11 900, 900 for the services of middlemen,
and in outside commissions some 100000
more. In 1860, the value Of northern pro-
auctions exported was Sl64, 100000, while
of southern it was S2OS, 100000. The i'm
ports North were 1921 900, 900, while those
South were only s4O,000,000.
After this statement it needs no argu-
ment to show that your section possesses
means for conducting direct trade with
Europe. The only question before the body
is, Shall we now undertake the organiza
ton of steamship company and the i'm
mediate establishment of the service This
is the sum and substance of the problem
YOU have.to solve. tits within the compass
of the several interests Of Virginia and
Tennessee to make up the small amount Of
capital necessary to establish direct trade,
which will secure to both States degree of
prosperity not otherwise attainable. The
committee would as soon doubt their indi-
vidual fidelity to the scheme as to doubt
that such response will be made by all
sections as will place the contamination OF
the enterprise beyond peradyenture. It's
success depends upon making it the common
cause, in cost and management, of the en-
tire section over which its beneficial effects
will be felt. No other plan will protect the
interests of all parties.
The committee think 100000 enough
for present purposes, and to form basis of
more extended operations hereafter.
The committee further recommended
resolution hailing with pleasure the interest
manifested by western and northwestern
States in the water-line communication be-
tween the Mississippi Valley and the At
lautic uia the Ohio, Kanawha, and James
river, and declaring that in view of the i'm
portance of that work the Convention look
forward most hopefully to its speedy COM
pletion as matter of the greatest import
ance to the nation.
Pending the question of concurring with
the report, debate was limited to ten min
utes.
General Malone urged the adoption of
the report and the making Of subscriptions
to the steam line at once.
Colonel Johnson, president of the North
Carolina and Augusta railroad, favored the
steam line very heartily. He asked for q
more complete system of connection with
his line of road, and said that his road
would soon be completed to Augusta. He
should expect to send so, 900 bales of cotton
to Norfolk this year; and if the complica-
ton in connecting lines were done away
with, he would next year send 100000
bales.
Colonel Lamb, in behalf of the Norfolk
delegation, approved the scheme, and urged
its immediate approval-he added, its prac-
ticul adoption.
The report was unanimously adopted.
Colonel Lamb promised subscription Of
$50, 1000 to the steam line by the city of Nor
folk; and he further promised for the use
Of the steamship company one of the finest
wharves and warehouses in the city.
The Hon. Waller R. Staples, by invita-
ton, addressed the Convention. He urged,
as the only way to restore the country, the
encouragement of commerce and internal
improvement. War and politics had sig
nally failed. Now we must turn our atten-
ton to the filing of our waters with ship
ping and traversing the country with rail-
roads. He denied the charges Of GOODNESS
towards northern capitalists investing with
US in the South. In Southwest Virginia
they had been received kindly and shaken
by the hand. The people invited them to
come amongst them as brothers in the COM
mon cause of developing the country. lie
predicted o glorious future for the South.
Judge Shackelford, of Tennessee, ex-
pressed the warm interest of his State IN
the enterprise of the steam line. He pro-
missed that the City Council of Nashville
would subscribe $25, 900 to it.
Other addresses were made. A con-
gratulatory letter was read from Hon. I. A.
Nelson, president of the Bristol Conven-
ton. A resolution of Colonel Flournoy
requesting chairmen of delegations to as
certain amounts of subscriptions made by
delegations to be reported to the secreta-
ries Of the Convention before adjourn
ment was adopted.
A resolution offered by General Ruggles
appointing permanent committees to petit
ton Legislatures of States represented In
the Convention to issue bonds for the pur-
pose of establishing the direct line was re-
ferred to the Business Committee.
Major Johnson, of Petersburg, in behalf
of his delegation, pledged Petersburg for
$4,000.
The delegation from Roanoke county
subscribed $4,000.
Mr.. Collier, of Petersburg, moved to dis
charge the committee on the resolution re-
garding the tapping of the Chesapeake and
Ohio railroad.
Mr.. Rurr. of Richmond, favored the re-