The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1870-07-13
The 81 T.n11is Trade

Capt. Il. w. Could agent of the Star Line of steam
ers, whose recent visit to this place made mention
of, has written letter to gentleman Of St. Louis
which is published by the Democrat Of the s0t ult
The captain says;
After eanvassing among merchants and business
men IN this part of the country upon the subject Of
direct trade with ST. Louis | am satisfied that by Il
vigorous and well directed effort there will be diff
Guilty in securing large and profitable tfade ulti-
matey, although it is not reasonable to suppose that
any temporary spasnfede effort will succeed in d.
veEtng trade 30 long established from its original
channel. The trade OF this country you know, has
always been monopolized by New Orleans But the
former mode of doing business is undergoing change;
and instead OF cotton being shipped to New Orleans to
be sold on account of the planter to cover advances
it now sold to merchants and spectators in shreve
port and Jefferson, in great measure, although Of
COURSE planters the bank of the river still ship their
cotton themselves as heretofore.
He very properly remarks that secure low rates.
back reights must be had, and this object could be
very largely forwarded by the establishment Of cot
ton press in St. Louis. He asks if there are no mcr
chants 10 that city who can be induced to work this
cotton trade up, either as commission men, speeua-
tors forwarders. He remarks that all the people
here desire good boats and reliable men, whether it
be the Carter Line, Star Line any other line"the
competition of course, the better it suits them"
After remarking that it is the policy of St. Louis to
foster this trade, the captain closes with the following
sensible comments, in which, as will be seen, he in,
dulges in little irony:
If a tenth Of the influence that is nov brought to
bear upon Congress to railroad subsidies for in
dividual benefits, used to secure appropriations
for river Improvements, it would not require twenty
five per cent of the earnings of steamboat to pay
Ill. 81, -.
on Oh what might be made one OF the most naVigabIe
done on this river But by small appropriation ibis
raft might be removed, and navigation so improved
that millions of of the finest cotton lands in the
once available. aud more valuable tho c~s - 49,
South. But these a?Tec0HSty1ctf1 rebels down here
don't deserve any subsidies, or government pap you
know, and don't expect any; but Us loyal fellows in
Missouri have right to grumble when are left ont
in the cold But you will say that this is old song,
and have sung it threadbare at home, which is AFT
true but when am speaking of gunhints, it always
reminds me of shooting" so will dry up, and 60
to Jefferson, from where you may hear from again
In commenting upon this letter, the Democrat says
We have appealed to the railroad companies whose
lines lie in the East to join the boatmen and the cotton
men in the erection Of press, but found response
and have almost been forced to conclude that there
could be money in the Red river trade Captain
Could however, reassures us. He is now on the
ground. lie pronounceS the trade q valuable one
one which St. Louis and ought to acquire, and We
therefore heartily second his suggestions, and
he will push his abors to successful conclusion