New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-05-31

My object was mainly to convict Mr.. At
kinsOn of gross error of calculation, and to
reduce his estimate of 100000 900 bushels
10 an inappreciable fraction. The above
figures represent but about one and fourth
per cent of the actual grain exports Of Ghe
United States, viz: al 500 900 bushels per
annum, or a little over one-fOurth per cent
of the proposed export trade promised in
the ideal estimates of Mr.. Atkinson.
Since my return home have ascertained
from an owner Of the iron steamer Valley
Forge that the vessel was very successful
IN the transportation of grain from st.
Louis to New Orleans, and that my in
formation, as respects the same business in
wooden barges from st. Louis to New Or
leans, was not correct. / therefore take
great pleasure IN recalling whatever repre-
sensations / may have enormously made,
a. nothing could be further from my
thoughts than to infict unmerited injury
upon my own and other cities with whom
our trade relations are so intimate as with
st. Louis and New Orleans.
Newspapers in which my 'last word to
Mr. Atkinson was copied from the New
York Tribune will please publish this cor
reetiOn, and Oblige,
JAMES NJ. COOPER.
The particular portion Of Mr. Cooper's
former article which was offensive to the
VI
tracted, is in substance as follows:
81 believe only one cargo of wheat has
ever been successfully sent to Europe from
st. Louis. Some years ago grand scheme
Of forwarding wheat from st. Louis to New
Orleans by wooden barges was inaugurated,
amid highly sensational blare of trum-
pets, but it proved miserable failure"
During the year 1865 st. Louis mer-
chants conceived the idea that the position
OF their city upon direct and easy water
path to the ocean gave them certain adj
Vantages of cheap transportation for grain
20 Europe, provided the necessary facilities
for successfully handling it could be pro-
vIded. The facilities needed were an ele-
vatOr here, class of boats able to carry
grain in bulk, an elevator in New Orleans,
and vessel service to Liverpool. The mat
Ter was first preached through the columns
Of the Democrat, and met with no small
amount of ridicule. But the conviction
that the enterprise was a sound one began
% take root slowly. The elevator here was
built. A barge line was organized for car
Eying away grain in bulk. A Milwaukee
man, Mr.. Highly, attracted by the news
paper comments of Chicago and Mil
waUkee to the new enterprise, went
60 New Orleans and built an elevator. there.
St. Louis merchants organized an assOeia-
ton with 100000 capital, to be used in pur-
chasing grain and shipping it to Liverpool
during one whole season, to fully test the
climatic influences of the route. The march
OF the events stated above extended from
1865 to 1862 Upon the close Of that year,
IN the face of the most bitter opposition
from Chicago, Milwaukee, Buffalo and New
York city, st. Louis had, as she supposed,
proved to the world that the great water
path to the sea was the most natural cheap
est. and fully as safe as any route which
could be chosen for the produce of the Mis-
sissippi basin to take to market During
$50 and 1871 margins were against us on
wheat and corn. Our merchants had not
learned to take the sharp risks taken by
Chicago buyers, and hence the enterprise of
exporting grain via New Orleans fell of
considerably.
But Ethe lever was working in Eng
land. An English company commenced
the construction of iron grain pro-
y7eIIers TO ply between Liverpool and
New Orleans Four of the steamers
have already been launched. One has
been lost at sea, and three are still doing
Good service. This year there are constant
orders IN this market from England for
corn via New Orleans, and we have, as
stated. shipped over half a million bushels
unou these orders to date. In view of the
v1earv battle St. Louis has fought to make
= success of this bulk grain trade, need Mr..
Tyooner he surprised that we should have
- with Indignation his article in the
New York 1E-ibalae, OF replied 70 II Win
sharp speech -. Co. hir,soIF
fbe rise and progress in our gram trade, we
print the following table OF lVs nueVuatIOnS