512 Chronicles of the Cape Fear River

we are enabled to furnish full cargoes outward, and the return
voyage with cargoes of sugar, coffee, fruits, molasses, and other
tropical products would be laid down in our market cheaper
than in any other on the coast. Again, being “headquarters”
for spirits of turpentine, rosin, tar, pitch, lumber, timber, etc.,
we are enabled to furnish the European markets with these
products on the best terms and to receive cargoes in return of

their products and manufactures laid down at as low cost as in
_ any other port.

This being a great railroad center, with one line extending
southward and westward through the Gulf States, with another,
in course of completion, extending its arms almost in an air line
to Cincinnati, Louisville, St. Louis, Chicago, and other cities of
the great Northwest; another extending northward and connect-
ing with lines to every point of the country, Wilmington offers
every facility for the safe and rapid distribution of importa-
tions, and for the return of the products of the whole country
for exportation.

Steam communication on the Cape Fear River is had with
Fayetteville, and by a comparatively small outlay for improve-
ment of the navigation of the upper rivers, which is in part
complete, would put us in easy reach of the great deposits of
iron, coal, and various other minerals in which the valley of
Deep River abounds. The development of these mining inter-
ests only awaits the restoration of our harbor. Then the value
of this port to the General Government as a coaling and naval
station can hardly be estimated.

The trade of this port is steadily and constantly increasing,
and as our harbor improves will continue to do so in more rapid
proportion.

Since the late War between the States, the article of rice,
which was at one time among our principal articles of export,
has almost ceased to be produced, owing to the indifferent, hard-
to-be-controlled labor. The crop will not now exceed 10,000
bushels, not enough for home demand.

The production of cotton in this State has been very largely
increased, and although no accurate figures can be given, in
consequence of a large portion leaving the State via the ports
of Virginia and South Carolina, it is believed that the crop
amounts to at least 200,000 bales. At this port is handled cot-
ton from Georgia and South Carolina, as well as our own State,
and during the year 1871 there were exported, principally coast-

Peace Restored 513

wise, over 95,000 bales. The extension of the Wilmington
Charlotte, and Rutherford Railroad and its completion will it
is estimated, at least double our receipts of the staple.

Spirits of turpentine is manufactured to a

tent in the city, and the whole pine region of this State and
South Carolina is dotted with numerous distilleries
owners or tenants of the forests.

their way to this market.

Exports of naval stores for
been as follows:

considerable ex-

Coastwise. Foreign.

47,162
127,100
5,874
836

Spirits turpentine, barrels
Rosin, barrels
Tar,

me: stocks in port of spirits turpentine, 7,299 barrels;
rosin, 72,166 barrels; tar, 2,640 barrels, and erude t
2,842 barrels. ees ; See
Pitch is manufactured in sufficient quantity only to supply
the demand, and the reputation of “Wilmington pitch” is ex-
celled by none. The manufacture of this article is confined to

the distillers of turpentine in this city, very little being made
in the country.

These articles alone show material to occupy quite a fleet of
vessels. In this connection it should be stated that no vessel has
ever been obliged from choice to leave this port in ballast.

The timber and lumber trade, though not what it was fifteen

years since, has steadily increased since the war, and should
reach and exceed its former figures. Our 3

and railways. Staves could be
oak to supply any demand. At

present they are called for almost entirely for home consump-

tion.

Our principal supplies of corn reach us by sea from the
eastern counties; but our rail connections with the West will

soon throw the corn and other grain from that section into com-