New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-21
New ORLEANS. April 8. 1872

Messrs F. A. Seavy Co.. ST. Louis, Mo-:
GENTLEMEN-Pardon me tor the liberty
take in inclOsing copies from the CONNER
cial and financial columns Of the New Or
leans Picdyunc. Also the rates of freight
on leading Western commodities from New
Orleans to prominent points in the South
ern Atlantic States.
To those who have not investigated all
the bearings on this important subject, a
glance at the inclOsed articles would induce
them to think that New Orleans had ar
rayed herself against the cities of the West
for the produce trade of this extensive and
productive territory; but upon investiga-
ton, taking facts and the past history of
freight movements in all countries as
me in saying that St. Louis and New
Orleans are close and will forever re-
main powerful allies as long as the
Mississippi remains navigable between the
two great cities in her vallay, the former to
collect the abundant productions of the
great West, and by means Of cheap barge
or propeller transportation send them, I'M
der large wholesale transactions, to her sis
ter city for distribution to the consumers
throughout the Southern Atlantic and Gulf
States; in return, New Orleans will collect
the cotton, rice and sugar, and return them
by means OF the same cheap transportation
to st. Louis, the sugar and rice as may be
required for consumption throughout the
Western States, and the cotton to be sent
forward to the manufacturers in the East
and to Eastern ports for expectation, leav
from New Orleans open to the grain
trade and other commodities from
the West. l feel convinced that no
coast city in America will ever be able to ]
oner living competition with New York
In importing manufactured goods and
wares OF an expensive character. But
firmly believe that in return for grain and
other produce exported, aided by cheap
oarge or propeller transportation on the
Mississippi river, New Orleans is entitled
to and can import all the iron, salt and
other commodities for distribution to the
Western, Gulf and Southern Atlantic
States. AS soon as she realizes this, her
true position, and concentrates her efforts
with vigor in the proper direction, in nv
humble opinion, her Frustrated commerce
Will awaken to a new and permanent life.
A glance at the present popular route for
freights, and the length Of rail to be trav-
ersed IN reaching the Southern Atlantic and |
GuH States, compared with rates of freight |
and length OF rail in reaching same terri |
tory from New Orleans, think will con- |
vince the sound and unbiased thinker that |
via New Orleans is the natural and only le- |
channel through which St. Louis /
oAA S'APPAy eAiO Aai go duu SIOWluS cOCSump-
ton OF the cotton, sugar and rice producing |
belt
The unnatural and inadequate channel
through which your freights have sought
this territory for the past few years, in nv
humble opinion, is calculated to detract
from, rather than add to, a healthy condi-
lion OF your large and growing commerce.
My reasons for thinking so are substantially
these: Your railroads, through their spirit
Of enterprise, are struggling for this bust
ness against cheap water transportation,
which necessarily yields to them very low
rates, almost inadequate to a profit, while,
+ allowed to seek its natural channel, would
be a valuable and paying business to the
liver transportation, Insurance companies
md the railroads distributing throughout
The Southern Atlantic States, while the
'otal expense on reaching the consumer
would be far less than at present, and the
anne means Of transportation would be in !