Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-03-06
RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVE
MENTS.
WILMIHeroS, n. c., Feb. %, 1874.
Cot. IFn,. Il. DcRossct, President ct
the Chamber OF Commerce.:

WlLMINGTON, n. u, fep. 70, 1oft.
Cot. IFna. Il. DcRosset, President c1
the Chamber OF Commerce:
SIR-In compliance with resolu-
ton of the Chamber, of the 14th OF
January, I proceeded to Washington
City in the interest of our harbor i'm
provements, leaving here on the 22nd
! ult., in the company of Gen. J. q. Alb
bott, who had been appointed by the
city authorities to cooperate with ME.
On our arrival at Washington on the
23rd, we were met by Gen. Allan
Rutherford, who had also been ap-
pointed by the city authorities, like
Judge Merrimon, and other members
of the North Carolina delegation in
Congress-. After consultation, a few
days were spent in collecting informa-
! ton relative to the situation of affairs.
In the meantime, I visited Baltimore
for a conference with Col. Craighil on
the subject.
| We found that the original recon-
mendation of $3.50, 900 for this work by
the Chief of Engineers. had been sub
| jected to scale of one third, reducing
the amount to 800, 900 under an order
of the War Department to reduce the
general appropriation bill for rivers
| and Earbors to an amount not exceed
ing S., 900, 900; and again, this amount
| was subjected to another scale of one
half or more, reducing the amount to
$50, 900 or less by the Committee on
Commerce, who were desirous of satis-
flying the popular sentiment, which
! was clamorous for curtailment in all
the departments of the Government.
Under such circumstances, we found
it impractioable to urge an increase of
the amount determined upon by the
committee, upon the basis of an ordi
nary routine appropriation, and the re-
fore determined to place our claim
upon higher ground, asking for sum
sufficient to close New Inlet, which the
emergency of our situation seemed to
justify.
This determination, we were pleased
TO find, was promptly and ably sus-
tanned by various memorials, compris-
ing our entire commercial interest,
which memorials were duly presented
to the Senate by Senator Merrimon,
(Senator Ransom being absent at that
mornent) ordered printed and referred
to the Committee on Commerce.
By special appointment the .nmit
tee favored us with an audience on the
11th inst. Generals Abbott and Ruth
erford being present: also Senator
Ransom, Representatives Waddell and
Cobb.
Our remarks on the occasion were
submitted in writing, Ca duplicate is
herewith transmitted) the reading Of
which was patiently and attentively re-
ceived. While no utterance of inten-
ton wa6 made, much interest and
kindly feeling was manifest, and we
have reason for believing that st the
proper time due consideration will be
given our appeal, and all will be done
for us that the merits of the case, tenn
pered with prudence, may seem to JUS
tify.
1t affords me pleasure to report the
active zeal taken in the matter bv our
immediate representative, Mr. Wad-
dell, also Messrs. Ashe and Cobb,
fact, orlr entire delegation have mani
tested lively interest in the success
OF this great national work, besides
whom, many members of both Houses
Of Congress from other States have ex-
kind wishes for our perfect SUES successa ana
Generals Abbott and Rutherford
have not been idle in calling the at
tention of prominent individuals TO the
subject and explaining it.
We have done what seemed neces-
sary and proper for II, to do, and are
pleased to know that the matter now
rests in the hands of such Jealous
friends and able advocates as our pres
cit representatives in Congress
Respectfully,
II. NUTT