The weekly Louisianian., 1874-03-28
THE INDUSTRIAL FUTURE
OF THE MISSISSIPPI
VALLEY.
PLAN OF HON. 7. D. woRnALL.

/ xAAN OF HUN. L. DE- NOHHAl1H -
-
In Jour last we gave a hearty en-
dorsement to the plan, conceived
and executed by DR.. Worrall, to
open up direct communication be-
tween Great Britain and the
Valley Of the Mississippi. A brief
history Of this movement will be Of
interest to all our readers.
It will be remembered that in the
Legislative session of 1872, a
charter was granted to the Louisi-
ana Academy Of Arts, Sciences and
Medicine. On the organization OF
that body, Dr.. Worrall was elected
its general Secretary, for ten years,
and Dean of the Medical Faculty
for life. The design of this body,
was, among other things, to develope
the resources of The country by the
application Of arts and science in
that direction. Among its early
sessions Dr. Worrall unfolded his
plan Of securing the co. operation OF
British manufactures in the great
wock OF developing the commercial
and industrial resources OF the
Mississippi Valley, and offered, at
bis own expense, to make a voyage
to England for the purpose OF
interesting the manufacturers and
merchants Of that country in the
enterprise.
This was to be the first great
work Of the Academy, and was
unanimously endorsed by the MEM
bers. In June last the Doctor en-
barked for Liverpool, On the Steam
ship State of Louisiana. His last
remark to the Academy was, Il will
succeed though I land on my return
without one cent in my pocket"
His first efforts were made in
Liverpool among the merchants OF
the Corn Exchange and Chamber
of Commerce, at whose request he
published FIVE letters in the Liver
pool Journal OF Commerce, on the
great natural and commercial
advantages Of the Mississippi
Valley. These letters were read
with deep interest on both sides Of
the Atlantic, and showed the Doctor
to be master of the subject.
The main point to be gained in
Liverpool was the interesting Of the
grain and shipping merchants, and
it Was not long before information
was received that all the ships that
were necessary could soon be found
and would be gladly put into the
Mississippi river trade, provided
outward bound freight could
be secured. The grain men not
only express their willingness, but
anxiety, to receive grain directly
from New Orleans.
Dr.. Worrall, therefore, deter
mined to strike at once for the great
object contemplated and threw him.
self into the midst of the great
manufacturing district of Warrick-
shire, Worcestershire and Stafford
shire. Birmingham was chosen as
The centre of o%pperation. Here he
labored for three months and
received the powerful aid OF the
Birmingham Morning News and of
some of the more enterprising OF
the citizens. He visited a large
number of manufacturers, and con-
versed with hundreds of those who
were most likely to be practically
interested in the project. From
district he has brought samples
Of jewelry, silver-plated ware, gas
pipes and all kinds of brass manu-
Factures, saddlery-hardware and a
of other goods. During
lis operations he succeeded in
interesting firms who agreed to open
up houses in New Orleans. One of
,hese was a rich and influential
company, who had prepared sam
'les Of the whole range of Birmipg-
manufactures. The others
Intended to cover the whole range
jewelry and fancy goods.
He also made arrangements for
he publication of a newspaper in