Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-10-17
00(l'lmtnoton 1ournal,
WILMINGTON. n. G..
FRIDAY. OCTOBER II, 1873.
W1Ls1rNGToS. n. G.. Sept. % 1877:


COL IFna. L. DeRossct, President Of |
the Chamber of Commerce:
SIR: Your Committee on Harbor Tn |
provements have thought it proper to
call the attention of the Chamber to
the present condition of the beach
bordering the harbor (Which is now
being improved by the Government
from Bald Head point around by the
Capes and up to New Inlet.
It is very evident that to make these
improvements available and perma-
nent, the river and harbor must be
protected from the blowing sands from
those beaches by some means or other,
and il no better can be adopted, then,
by the cultivation Of grass, shrubbery,
trees, &C., and in view of this necessity,
and the possibility of its not beng
satisfactorily accomplished by the
Government, it may become necessary
for the promotion OF our navigation
and commerce that this work NUT De
done by the city Of Wilmington and
county of New Hanover; in snch case
it may prove embarrassing to trespass
upon theSlands of a county not lHen-
titled with the interest OF Wilmington,
and even if the trespass was not for
participate in an expenditure OF money
not in the interest OF her own citizens,
while the county of New Hanover
would have no authority fore1pendlng
money beyond her own limits.
In view of the possibility OF these
and other complications arising sooner
or later, and obstructing the perfect
completion of the harbor improve
ments, we suggest the propriety Of the
Chamber taking such steps as may
seem necessary for securing al act OF
retrocession Of this beach to New
Hanover county at the approaching
session OF the Legislature.
And we furthermore direct ynnr
attention to prevent, prospective
complication to orr commerce a2d
trades growing out Of the ownership OF
Eagles Island by county whose IL
tercst is foreign to our own.
Even at this moment, civil authority
over commerce of the port cannot H1
exercised with care and facility.
And again, across this Island is 10 DC
found the only roadway to tie city
from ali that region Of country lyipc
west Of the Cape Fear river.
This road being chartered ln"nnI-
oily, is very expensive, at some timcs
dangerous and impossible, and 1t Ill
times unpleasant, prohibiting - =
considerable degree anything like .
profitable, free or pleasant COMMUTE
cation and traffic with that cuHnTT,
and 50 it is likely to continue, 50 ;oI@
as the jurisdiction over this Island ana
road is held by county not drectiJ
interested III the advancement OF Tx
city.
Therefore, it appears right, lruptl
and to the interest of both counties, Is
we'll as the city, that the ownership oi
this Island should be transferred &c
the county of New Hanover, Whose
interest would he to make this ROAD /;
free, safe and pleasant highway t. and
from the city, which Would CqnnliN
benefit Brunswick county by atiuIdln2
to her citizens every access to then
market town We furthermore h9Iiey,
it w nd do much toward settling N
the waste lands of Brunswick, y Tor
eign emigrants, who generally locate
where the country IS well Improved
with good and cheap highways / ma"
ket, and nowhere else.
In connection with this subject, II
would be well to remenbCr, tat q
172S, when New Hanover couI... ~,
formed, the Cape Fear river wa mad,
her western border. At that TINS
Brunswick river was unknown, an.
what is now known as I'IuG&v ICl- Iiy,
was then recognized - the 10th
west branch OF Cape Fcar, MAXIM; -
confluence with the northeast '.ral@.
Of the river, at the foot Of the i-it'ld
and that portion OF what is nov I-cJ,,
nzed as the Northwest branch, jyjhG
between the bluff at the head 4 III,
Island and Point Peter, oppo t. {,
the city, was regarded rs only It c"t-'h
or thoruughfarc, which, III tic c"';rs,
of time, grew to the dimensions "i !:
principal river, and 80 became. Iipi'
this Island ever became attached t.
Brunswick county we are not advised.
Be this as il may, it IS now evident
that the present organization is dam
aging to both counties, lnasmUcl AS I
retards emigration into BrUnSW!cG
county to settle and cultivate hef waste
lands, obstructs the travel aud trans
portation of her own citizens, while il
ohatructs the advancement Of Ne"
Hanover county and the city OF vii
1nington, by denying civil jurisdiction
to some extent over the commerce OF
the port, and the trade and traffic with
I'll that region Of country which is 81
present almost 2 sealed book.
We therefore sugge st that the Cham
Der take immediate steps towards nc-
gotiations with the authorities OF
Brunswick county for arranging . sat
isfactOry bill of retrOcCssion OF thcso
two sections to New Hanover county
at the approaching session e the leg
islature Of North Caroliua.
Respectfully submitted,
II. MUTT, ,,,,,,,,,-....,-