The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-10-28
The Commerce of Richmond.

The Commerce OF R1chH1ohe''
4 few wears will establish a great cohi-
merce for this city. There WI! De anuco
to that within the sphere Of klchmosa Il.
nrcsept large part of the trade OF "cs'
VIRGINIA and the Ohio and Mississippi VAL
leys. The opening and working OF '"s
mines Of the state, and the tahriratioh Q.
their ores. will also swell the volume OF
commerce. foreign and coastwise, very con-
siderably.
epch q commerce should establish extern
s;ve lines Of sail and steam vessels belonging
20 our own people. The aggregate OF tre'sh's
that will here be paid is too great to be
transferred from our local capital to enrlch
ship-owners of other cities. With the traue
of this city before the war VIC had thirteen
f,st-sailing brig-rigged vessels plying ne
tween this port and the South American
cities, and twenty-three superb schoone'S
Of large capacity engaged in the eoast"'se
trade These vessels were universally adj
,,,;red 20 models of nautical architecture,
and unsurpassed as fast sailers. Ihey were
built under the direction of the late DAVID
Cr.RR1E. and were an honor to this city
nobly illustrating its spirit and enterprise.
Both lines were prosperous. The Rio
line, when the war broke out, was adolnS
ranidly to the wealth Of Richmond. 1t
transported flour to Rio, and brought pack
coffee and other commodities IN return.
Large sales of coffee-as many as 5000 bags
ot \ time-were made, and merchants from
the principal northern cities were bidders
Richmond promised to become leading
coffee market.
Now, with this line reEstablished (nearly
all its ships were taken during the war by
the Federal navy and the Chesapeake ana
Ohio railroad completed, this city will sup
NV the great West, as well as much Of the
South. with coffee. Our -four stands better
In the South American markets than ever,
and if we take it entirely under our man
agcment we will have the power to control
the coffee market.
AS great as were the motives for becom-
ing the carriers of our own commerce be-
fore the war they will soon be much
greater. Our commerce will be increased
from hundred new sources. Take tobacco
for instance. Owing to the old fogyism Of
planters and venerable buyers our laws
have practically shut out the great trade in
western tobacco. They were afraid that ii
would impair the standing of the Virginia
tobacco, to which it was then inferior.
But Virginia leaf has lost its prestige by the
Intervention of the war, and these old gen.
tlemen would no doubt now be altogether
willing, by parity Of reasoning, to allow
the western tobacco to come in TO improve
the Virginia! The West would be glad to
send its tobacco here. Richmond, by tenn
perature, Salubrity, and dryncSs, is the best
place on the continent for the tobacco
interchangeable to dealers and shippers,
favorable in the highest degree to tobacco,
with the additional advantage Of being the
most famous tobacco market in the Union.
With our laws altered to suit the case, this
important western trade would be concen-
trated here, and our capital and foreign
trade be consequently largely increased.
We but touch some prominent points in
this interesting subject; but quite enough
to throw light upon the grand picture of
which they are the most distinct features.
1t is well for our more intelligcn and enter
prising citizens to have their minds directed
10 these points in our future career. The
projects they suggest and must ultimately
carry out are Of considerable magnitude,
and will require forecast, perseverance, and
enterprise, for success. We want q clear
headed, experienced. and determined, man
to take charge Of our maritime interests,
and we want capital. Both will come, we
conjecture. The field is so bright, and the
rewards so rich, that in this land of sagacity
and adventure the men for The time and the
occasion must come forth. They will come
all the sooner fora little pressing of the sub
ject by ourselves.