New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-05-26
COMMERCE. OF NEW ORLEANS.
Number Two.
EDITOR REPUBLICAN:

abrupt termination in consequence of tn
starting of the ship, but would resume tn
subject while we are having pleasant tim
running down the Mississippi at the rate o
about thirteen miles an hour on the goOt
ship Florida.
In the annual report of the Boston Corr
Exchange for 1871 find the following:
lin this connection We may remark it was
most unfortunate for the grain interests
here that the line of steamers between this
port and New Orleans was withdrawn just
as the elevator at East Boston was Gem
pleted. This, in connection with the one
at New Orleans, renders the transportation
OF grain in bulk, by water, from st. Louis
and the Illinois river to Boston, more profit
able than ever before. The vessels compes
ing the line were not particularly adapted to
this work, but would have answered very
| well for time, or until the route became a
| popular one.
'In suitable vessels-say steamers of one
thousand six hundred tons burden, fiat
bottomed, drawing not over sixteen feet
| Of water loaded just such as are now
building to run between New Orleans and
Liyerpool-it is estimated corn in bulk can
be protitably transported from New Orleans
to Boston at eighteen cents per bushel.
The transferring charges at New Orleans
are two cents, and freight from st. Louis to
New Orleans nine cents, making the
through rate from st. Louis to Boston
twenty nine cents per bushel. BY rail we
have been lately paying forty-two cents.
By this route, should steam vessels ever
again run between this port and Liverpool
direct, grain can be carried from st. Louis
to Liverpool as cheaply as by any other.
'We take now but the crumbs which
fall from the bountiful table of the fruit
full West when we might be full to over
flowing with her copious products. Let
the energies of capitalists and all be di
rected to the developing and perfecting of
transportation facilities. There can be no
better field for judicious investment and
exertiOn: no one from which more ample
returns may confidently be expected"
This citation is worthy of the most seri-
GUS study of the business men of New Or
leans. How strange it looks that men in
Boston should write thus We do not
blame, but rather commend, the effort to
make this great river tributary to their
commerce; but the shipping of grain and
other staples of the Mississippi valley to
Boston, for reshipment to Europe, is, per
haps, the most ridiculous thing one can
well think about, and were it not that our
people are as commercially dead as Egyp-
tian mummies, such proposition would be
met with universal laughter. Ship grain
to Boston to be there reshipped to Europe,
indeed Why should this be done when we
can ship it directly to Liverpool for about
the same as it would take to send it to Bos-
ton, if we include the waste and necessary
charges of reshipment!
Mr.. Editor, would it be reasonable to
suggest that the capitalists of Boston
would do well to send some of their
steamers for the purpose of establishing
a line between New Orleans and Liver
pool, or, not having the steamers, that
they bring or send some of their capital to
assist us in so desirable and profitable an
enterprise d? | know that they are Yankees, |
and, coming here, would be carpet baggers,
and probably Republicans, and most likely |
be placed under ban, and so long as this |
state of things exists doubtless very much |
wealth will be kept out of the State. Or |
have our people SO far opened their eyes
that, for the sake of building up this great |
city, improving its commerce, paying its
taxes, removing it's debt, doubling the |
value of our property, and securing a state
Of general prosperity, they would be
willing to let by-gones be by-gones. and
lgree to bury the memories of the past for
he sake of the glorious future which nat
Ire and Providence and destiny appear to
nave in store for us.
AS soon as our troubles are really ended.
md ku-kluxisms, both physical and social,
nave ceased, believe that large amount of
Eastern capital which now stands ready for
Investment will be poured into this city with
'ut stint, and have personal knowledge of
he fact that very large amount of British
apital could be secured if only proper eff
Orts were made for that purpose.
Direct and quick communication between
Sew Orleans and Liverpool, Manchester,
Bolton, Sheffield and London,
) as desirable in the eyes of British capital
SITS, as in ours, and to secure this the fastest
teamships that ever plowed the ocean
hOuld be Immediately built and placed in
inc. Let one such steamer leave our port
very dav laden with tho 0rain nork haaf
ice, sugar, and cotton of the Mississippi
alley, and they would return laden with
he merchandise of England and other ma
ions by means of which instead of running
sickly race with st. Louis, Chicago, Gin
,unati and other Western cities, who are
ow crowding our merchants to the wall
UT present competitors would become our
ustomers and pay tribute to our commerce.
| believe, and every observing man must
elieve, that New Orleans may be made,
nd of right ought to be, the first CONNER
al city ON the continent; but believing
le ought to be. A few steamships, how
yer, would soon infuse new life throughout
i our mercantile transactions. One now
nd then will do little good. No sensible
AN would send goods or products to lie
pom our wharves waiting for a chance
essel, or for one which makes infrequent
sits; nor for any who are supposed to have /
of the trade. But good steam
lips, sharp competition, and prompt daily,
even semi-weekly departures, would as
rt ainlv draw tha cOmmarna nf tho South ,