Year: 1859

Inc weather was rather loo COOL and chilly yester
day for the usual outdoor gatherings. There was,
however, action in cotton, and larger sales were
made than for many days past, details of which will
be found under the usual head. The receipts con-
tnue liberal scale as will be seen by reference
to marine list But there is SO much Inferior and
Ordinary cotton composing large share of the stock
on hand, that apprehensons are entertained that it
cannot be sold at any price, while the value Of Clear
and Good cottons is likely to be well maintained.
The levee is filled with produce. Some fears are en-
tertained that the water in Red river may recede so
as to interrupt communication, and restrict the re-
cepts Of cotton from that section. There was an ac
tive business going on through the Custom House,
There is good deal of talk of the detention of ves
sells at the Balize, but many of medium size are
working inward and outward. For the information
of the shippers by the bark Hale, have to state


that the Captain has sent dispatch from the Balize
stating that he never refused to pay for hawsers,
meaning towing lines. He offered to let the Towboats
use their own, and to make them present of fifty
dollars if they would take him to the bar. We can.
not enumerate any more complaints against the mo-
nopolists-suffce they are numerous. The monopo
lists, however, have been aided by captains of ves
sells themselves. For instance, opposition boats have
been put in the towing trade, with high promises of
patronage but generally without sufficient pecuniary
means to compete with the several associations. A
reduction in rates is Immediately determined on and
carried into effect. Captains and owners looking to
few dollars saved, will higgle and contend for re-
duction forcing any opposition boat boats desrous
of business to do it at less than living rates the
monopolists knowing well they can always secure
vessel by reducing the fees from five to twenty dol


lars. Of COURSE this meets the views of hggers and
opposionists have to succumb and are either driven
off bought off, or swallowed up in some way. This
has been the for years past. The last attempt
Of real opposition was, Mobile Company last
spring sent two or three boats over here to aid the
shipping interest," but this Company was forced to re-
tire. Some two three years ago the Eastern ship.
owners had meeting in Boston to consider on build.


ing Of two boats for the towing of vessels in
the Mississippi river, but the movement never
amounted to anything. If shipowners and captains
desire to bring the rates of towing down to reason


BILE price equivalent to other commercial pursuits
they must take different method to attain the OBJ
ject For instance they must build two or three
boats expressly for the business not go to the leyee
and purchase condemed river boats, (infernal ma.
chimes, they may be termed,) the boilers of which
will explode on becoming encrused with little salt


After the boats are built capital or means must be
made up to the amount of at least forty thousand
dollars to lead off, Establish the fees of tunnage at
what may be deemed fair interest Is per cent.) on
the investment keeping eye to the $40 900 capital
extra Presumng new Company will lose money.
this capital must be held in reserve to meet losses.


The monopolists, it is presumed, will lose likewise


But by the time the new Company has run out or


lost the Of $4,000 the monoposts will have


lost one hundred thousand dollars more, or in that


ratio and by the time the monopolists and Towboat


Associations have swamped this sum, ($1OO,00O)


they will allow the opposition to have its own way


The commerce of New Orleans must submit to ex.


actions and exortions, and the shipping interest to


onerous charges until some such system is adopted


and sustained as here suggested The present Tow


ing Companies commenced the business with very


limited means, credit and resources, but from thu


large increase in shipping, they have become com


paratvey wealthy, powerful dctatorial, and bid de


flance to the shipping and maratime interests