Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-03-30

CONFER Win the city SONefHHlcuI III re-
lation 70 the subject.
& ORIGINAL HEADQUARTERS.
From the date of organization the
temporary Office OF the chamber has
been in an old tobacco warehouse on
Center alley, at point now in rear of
the Peabody hotel September "a, 1860,
the chamber moved into its new rooms
in'the Adams express building, North
Court street, which had been fitted up
comfortably, and contained pleasant
and commodious exchange room. The
occasion being the
FORMAL OPENING OF THE EXCHANGE,
enlivened by an appropriate address
from w. b. Miller, Esq, who, in the
absence of Mr.. Hunt, acted as president.
Mr.. Miller concluded his remarks with
the following words: "From one cause
or otner, the prosperity of Memphis has
continued to advance until this day,
when your secretary estimates our i'm
ports at the round sum of forty-three
million dollars, together with three mill
lion dollars worth of manufactures. No
man can doubt that the prosperity of
Memphis will continue to advance SO
long as cotton continues great staple,
and we continue a virtuous, energetic
and united people. The popping Of
champagne, gentlemen, is more pleas
ant sound than my Impractical voice.
My toast shall be, May these bubbles be
the only bubbles k11OtOn to the commerce
of Memphis"
GOOD TIME GENERALLY.
At the conclusion Of the speakers
words, the large company assembled
showed their appreciation OF the address
and the occasion by indulging In Cha
tedu de Ia Bose, Vieue Cliqstot, etc., and
partook of the refreshments with keen
relish. After this the tables were cleared,
"samples" were brought forward, and
the
THE FIRST MEETING ON CHANGE
duly held. The meetings continued
until May, 1862, short while previous
to the Investment of the city by the
federal forces. So popular had the
chamber become, that during the above
time three-fourth5 of the grain and pro-
duce business of the city was transacted
inside of the exchange rooms. The
above occasion being the first annual
meeting Of the cham Der, the officers and
old board were retained.
THE SECOND ANNUAL MEETING.
This meeting was held September 26,
1861. The officers were reelected, and a
full delegation appointed to attend the
Southern commercial convention, soon
afterward held. The following gentle
men constituted the committee: Sam
Tate, chairman; d. B. Molloy, G. w.
Goyer, T. w. Hunt, A. M. Foute, E.
McDavitt, d. A. Shepherd, F. w.
Smith, w. b. Miller, j. P. Strange, H.
G. Smith, P. S. Jones, E. E. Clarke, O.
G. Atkinson, Edmund Orgill, w. R.
Moore, R. A. Parker and E. w. Mum
ford.
THE FIRST ANNUAL STATEMENT
Of the trade and commerce of Memphis
for the year ending August 81, 1861, was
theE made by John s. Toof, secretary,
who presented statistics of unusual in
terest and great benefit. From this
statement we learn that the value of the
years receipts of leading articles into
Memphis was estimated at thirty-nine
million dollars, irrespective of the value
of manufactured articles, amounting to
three million dollars, besides that of
many articles necessarily omitted
in the report, such as ma
chinery, jewelry, books, stationery,
gold and silver-ware, carriages, musical
instruments, ETC., estimated SO, 700 900,
making a grand total of S51, $50, 900 as
an Approximate estimate of Memphis
trade for that year. The total amount
of capital invested in manufacturing
was 81 ,S5l, $50; total value of raw mate
rial consumed, 81 ,269, 224: total value Of
productions from same, S3,0l9,74l.
THE COTTON TRADE.
The report gives the following COM
parative statement of the total receipts
of cotton at Memphis during the three
years previous to that time: Total re-
ceipts for 1858 and 1859, 325, 480; for
1859 and 1850, 39S, 79l; for 1860 and 1851,
369, 1858.
The report contains full and reliable
statement relative to the trade in dry
goods, cotton, leaf and manufactured
tobacco, coffee, sugar and molasses,
corn, oats, wheat, hay, flour, bacon,
pork, lard, bagging and rope, and manu-
featured articles, besides q clear consid-
Grafton of monetary aud financial
affairs, railroads, navigation, etc. Alto
gether, this, the first annual statement,
did credit to the zeal, energy and ability
of its author, who concludes as follows:
The usual limits of an annual exposition
preclude reference TO other articles of impor-
this market. Did space permit, we should
give, in addition to the foregoing, facts and
statistics Illustrating the progress Of our trade
hides, boots, Shoes ETC., all OF commanding
Interest in the general business of the city,
and aggregating very large sum.
In conclusion, have the pleasure of report
ing the affairs OF the chamber as presenting
continued state of prosperity. The daily meet
ings on change are well attended, and the
bulk of the grain and produce trade OF the
city is at present, and has for some time past,
been transacted within the exchange rooms.
A glance at the list, published with this re-
port, win show that great majority OF our
prominent business men, in all branches of
commerce, are members OF this Chamber rhus
evincing the importance with which its infiu-
ences are regarded by the community.
Very respectfully,
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.,
Memphis, August 81, 1851.
THE MEMBERSHIP
at that time numbered three hundred
and sixty-two citizens, including repre-
sentatives of every branch of trade, pro-
fession and vocation, brokers, cotton
factors, doctors, grOcers, insurance men,
manufacturers, mechanics, merchants,
express and steamboat agents and Off
GERS, railroads, banks, produce dealers,
etc, all vigilant, active members, work
ing for the promotion of the city's in
terests. What a glow of enthusiasm
must have pervaded the community at
that time, and what a 1audable aspira-
ton must have actuated this communi-
ty in its efforts to realize the bright
dreams of commercial greatnessl But
the dark cloud of civil strife had loomed
up threatningly, and the sun OF our pros
perity had sufficiently paled even in the
zenith of its splendor, to make visible
the cleaning star beams OF a young
cfty's fear through the folds of its fear
mantled dreams of renown and gran
deur. But we need not dwell here;
the anticipations of the then were
never realized. The war-cloud had en-
veloped the hillside, and from its bosom
flashed ruin on the beautiful valleys OF
a magnificent country. Despite The
| gloom, the passion and great political
commotion that quiyered the south, tine
INFLUENCE OF THE CHAMBER
grew all the more effnIgent in The
darkness Of war, and shed its beams OF
intelligence throughout the consternsC