The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-11-17
An Interesting Communication on the
subject From an Ola Resident.

| AH interesting communication OH III
| Subject From an Ola Resident.
Editor Democrat-I was glad TO notice through
your columns OF to-day the prospect Of steam
communication being established between New
Orleans and the West India islands, as suggested
| by Mr.. Nathan after his extensive travels
| Simple az IL may appear or however light IL may
| be taken, Mr.. Nathan's ideas, If acted upon, will
be conducive of large commercial results in CON.
nection with this port
The grounds which he has covered are 90 cor
rect that they need no comment, and can be
easily realized by any one who possesses any
commercial knowledge OF the West Indies.
shall only throw out one or two suggestions,
which hope will be entertained by mature COM
mercal minds as Mr.. Nethan's.
IT MAY DE REMEMBERED
that before the war an extensive salt trade Was
carried on between this port and Turks Island,
A. .Astwood, Of BALI Gay. 7. !. Vast quantities
of lumber, shingles, rice, molasses, sugar, etc.,
were shipped from this port for which we gave In
exchange csrgoes of salt; the balance in favor OF
either party being paid In cash, and very often
entire osrgoes Of salt were purchased for cash
After the blockading OF the Southern ports dur.
Ing the war this trade WAS abandoned, which has
had its disastrous effect upon the then prosperous
little port Of Turks Island. The price Of South
ern articles advanced, having had to procure
them from Northern ports, such az New York,
Boston, etc. and as far North as Nova Scotia.
THE SALT TRADE wiTH rHE SOUTH
was also abolished, which, together with the salt
monopoly at New York, the price Of the staple
went down, and the trade OF those Islands have
been paralyzed ever since.
do not mean TO say that the trade Of Turks
Island can be revived, or that Its revival can BE-
beneficial TO this port but would certainly like
TO have the views OF the business community on
the subject.
The point aim to establish is that. in eonneo-
ton with Mr.. Nathan's views, the leland Of st.
Domingo be considered, including Cuba.
Having lived at Puerto Plata, st. Domingo, in
the capacity OF q business man for some years, /
am somewhat posted In regard to the commerce
OF the island, and am persuaded that q large por.
ton OF the trade Of that country could be carried
on from this port with much better results than
with New York.
THE PRINCIPAL IMPORTS OF THE BLAND
are merchandise which see In the line OF prints
white and brown cottons. domestic goods boots
and shoes, the one sold here at retail prices, |
which rates are cheaper than they are imported |
'or from Europe via 1t. Thomas. the usual |
quite Of such articles. But the principle bust.
less 10 very large provision trade with the |
North, which can be furnished much cheaper
rom this port, viz: salt meats, -four, rice, soap in
normous quantities, butter, lard, manufactured
he port through which the whole island IL sup.
lied, especially the Oibou and Los Ranchas,
Hayti excepted
THE EXPORTS
re tobacco, mahogany cruthoes and logs Iignum-
itH, dyewood Of various kinds, hides bseswax,
oney, various kinds Of tropical fruits, all OF
hich would find ready market in this place.
Let us admit that large portion Of the tob acco
nd manufactured cigars, mahogany, etc., must
nd lis way to Europe. Why cannot New Orleans
Q benefited in this line also7 The steamship
ybee, running monthly between New York and
{, Domingo, contracts TO land ut Hamburg, al
he rate Of % per serone, averaging about 100
ounds. taking the tobacco from the island and
sshipping IL at New York. on board of some
ermsn line OF steamships, other articles in like
to say nothing Of the enormous
eight on American produce caused by ulouop-
~ believe the same means could be adopted
ere at better advantage.
We will again suppose that . |,
MONTHLY OR sEMI-MonTHLY COMMUNICATION
o established between New Orleans and 81. Do
,ingo-leaving New Orleans, touching at the va
ous commercial ports Of Cuba, thence to Port
u-Prince, Hayti, the Cape, Monte Christie Puerto
ata, SANTANA Bay. and 40 far ND ~ the city Of I
!. Domingo, including Porto Rieo II possible,
nd back by the same route. l am confident that
be results would be significant in behalf OF our
interests. / hope that these sugges-
ons will have the effect OF strengthening Mr.,
athan's views and that they can be oonsum-
lated ere long.
/ could write at length upon the matter, but
link sufficient has been said, and would re-
H.C. O. AsTwooD.
New Orleans, November 10, 1877. II