The New York herald., 1879-03-07
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

THE IMPORTANCE OF TRADE WITH CENTRAL
ArRIcA-THE FIELD OPENED BY sTANLEY's
Observation-Disclosures COMMERCE.
The regular monthly meeting Of the Chamber of
Commerce was held yesterday, Mr. s. D. Babcock,
president in the chair. number Of new members
werc elected on recommendation Of the Executive
Committee, which also recommended the appoint
ment Of special committee to arrange for the
111th annual celebration. The suggestion
adopted. report received from the Special
Committee to wait upon Secretary Sherman in re-
gard to having his portrait painted The chief of the
Treasury Department, upon whom the Chamber
looks "the restorer Of the public credit" and
successful founder Of the national debt" replied
to the eloquent address made to him tho subject
ut Washington that he was very much pleased with
the compliment. and wound up his letter by saying
that he would with pleasure give facility to
any artist whom you (the Chamber) may select to
carry tho resolution into effect
The Executive Committee reported preamble and
resolutions setting forth the danger Of permanent
injury TO navigation by reason of the dumping of
the refuse gathered from the streets by the Street
Cleaning Bureau in the harbor. and called upon
Mayor Cooper and the Comptroller to the in
sertion of sufficient in the tax levy to provide
for the immediate construction of least steam
hopper barges, such are now successfully used
In Great Britain to be employed in carrying the city
refuse to sea- The subject was referred to special
committee.
Mr. Low introduced o'the Chamber Mr. Henry S.
Sandford late United States Minister to Belgium.
delivered an interesting address the opening up
of trade and civilization in Equatorial Africa:-"A
little less than two years ago was named delegate
to the International Association at Brussels for tho
exploration and civilization OF Central Africa.
an association which owes its origin to the
liberal and enlightened sovereign. the King of the
Bolgians This International association was COM
posed of delegates from branches OF the principal
countries OF Europe. presided either royalty
ito nnStA amin hrsssfo
carry into practice the principles laid down by the
Brussels Congress OF 1875 for the execution of the
great work of civilization and humanity inaugurated
by His Majesty the King Of the Beigians. Having
been. as compliments TO the United states, elected
menber of the Executive Committee of the associ-
alton in place Sir Bartle Frere appointed Governor
OF the Cape Colonies. have had occasion since then
to participate somewhat actively in the work Of the
association, and to become, nearer acquaintance
with its scope and objects. very deeply Impressed
with the importance of tho work to be accomplished
by it. .t1
'"The first expedition fitted out by the association
started tor Central Africa in tho autumn of 1877, by
way OF Zanzibar, with the intention of penetrating
west OF the great lakes practtcablo, aud
taoshing station lon rom which explorations should
outlet ~ the Atlantic. At Zanzibar Mr.. Stanley
met returning with his men alter his descent Of the
Congo. and by this important discovery not only
new held but an easier access to the lake region
probably among the richest portions of the habtable
globe-than exists by the long and arduous
from the cast coast would appear to have been
secured and therefore it is doubtless along the Congo
the association will hereafter be
established. This discovery aud these explorations
OF Mr.. Stanley havo stmulated enterprise for open
ing up Africa to trade in several European States,
and IL to that the time has for our
country, through this body the representatives of
its greatest maritime port, to take stops toward
securing its share of trade destined to be of the
greatest importance to commercial nations.
"M recent meeting at Manchester to promote the
continent is estimated to contain from three hundred
and nifty to four hundred millions Of people, and il
was reckoncd. would take at least az much cotton
10th, {,rI
twenty y-four hundred million yards annually. I
would remark in this connection that many OF the
the interior of Africa. British limitations
Now England fabrics. aud are weighted with starch
cent letter to the London Tises complaining that
the English shirtings he took with him reduced
to gauzc by the Equatorial rains. while the American
cottons remained stout and strong
FACILITIES OF INTERCOURSE.
Besides tho opening through the Nile thero
two projects of railways from the Mediterranean
aud another from Zanzibar. SIN another by the
River Zambesi is proposed to reach this wonderful
Lake region while we have here at our doors 80 to
say the mouth OF tho Congo River along whose val
ley. embracing nearly two thousand miles OF navig
able waters. alter turning the cataracts which OBJ
struct the entrance. IL population Of forty
millions awaiting the trade Oh commercial peoples.
The commerce OF this mighty river with it's swarm
ing population thirstiny for trade. should be free to
ali, and subject only 10 joint protectoratc Of
mercisl nations; and the most practical and
appear 70 ie be- to ala shs in
establishing posts along the Congo up to the lake
region, which shall give pioneers assistance and In
formation and protection to the trader well to
every other promoter Of civilization. And to this
end the first step that suggests itself is the co-opera
tion of the Chamber of Commerce with the American
branch of the international Association aud the
American Geographical society. Perhaps impor-
outlet for the ambition and enterprise many
of the African race in the United States, who are
bettcr than the whites endure tho climate,
may here be found and through them the rcgcnera-
ton and civilization of the parent stock may be pro-
moted. Wherever our trade goes in the interior of
Africa there will be extnguished at once and forever
tho trafic III slaves"
FRANCo-AMRRrcAN TRADE.
M. Leon Chotteau, the French commercial agent
here, was introduced by Mr.. schultz aud addressed
the Chamber on the advantages all other countries
possessed in American traffic France. His ro
marks were listened to with attention. When he
had finished resolution was adopted on motion OF
Mr. Jackson =. schultz that the subject of ssnlore
extended and freer business relations with America
on the part OF France be referred to special
mittee, ''whose duty shall be inquire into and re-
port to this body at subsequent day such informa
tion and facts as Will enable this Chamber to act
intelisently."