The Express.
London, England, 1850-11-08 00:00:00

MANUFACTURING DISTRICTS.

LESTER CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
PROPOSED MISSION TO INDIA.
MANCHESTER, Noy. 7.
_ _ _

•
A large and iellaential meeting of the Manchester
Chamber of CJellMeree and /Beautician's took Mee today,
"to wander the plan of a proposed mission to the But
lodise, the object of which is to aseartain, by an unbiased
but minute investigation on the spot, the real obstacles
which prevent an ample supply of pod totem from being
°Mimed thence, and the cams which impede the titmice
of Par sommeros with that country."
Toe meeting was attended by some of the Iriding mem-
bers of the chamber, iaoloding Mr. TIMMY Bexley (the
Presideed), Kr. John Bright, MX., Mr. John Aikia and Mr.
JameENT as a deputation from the Liverpool Clamber of
Comanem), Mr. Lewis Williams (Vices President of the
MeneheaterChanther),Mr. Alexasder Hen , M.P., Mr. W.
Brown. M.P., If,, John Potter (Mayor of ter). Mr.
J. 4. Frazer, Mr. W. R. Callender. Mr. Joseph &wipeout,
Mr. W. Brown, Mr. John Whittaker (of Rant), Mr. J.wes
Bei thaw, M.P., Mr. Thomas Aelatow, Mr. Alderson W. B.
Watkies, Mr. Barrett, Mr. C. Daffield, Mr. & P. Rib'neen,
Mr. Alderman Hieginbottaza (Aelthen-ander-Lyrae), Jana
Pilkington, Bpi, M.P. sad R. Ammon, Bel. (a deputation
from the Blackburn Cammeraial Association), and Mr. Philip
Daces.
The PRESIIMPIDENT, In opening the proceedings, said the
inaue el ied enlarged ing=igf
eatoa required and degundedahriaia
fres thet eleamine
exertions to supply the vast Wade connampt, and industry
of this district with the raw malarial! that woe indispensable
to our vary exietence sea manufacturing community. With the
*mortices that were being made in thh town the empathise
ofthe trade he had no doubt were .!early la aperobatiM. They
had the support of Olaagow, Liverpool, sad Blackbura, and
other important places, and be was glad now tome present
deputations from Liverpool and Black 4WD. and felt ao doubt
they would receive the support they required. I'o eleyend
upon one mum of simply for the raw material of this great
manufsetnre, he need not remind them was unwise,
muound, and improvident. (Hear, hear) They ought
to emancipate themselves from the position in which
they were placed al ',ion as poitible, and though
they owed the Americans a debt of gratitude for
that supply of bitten our own eolonit s did not give, yet
common prudence required that provision should be male for
a more full and certain resource. At the present dee we were
buying our cotton at an hammed cost perhaps of not lees than
10,000,0001. more than we ought to pay for the raw mate-
rial, and surely this elms should stimulate as to seek to
obtain it at a more reasonable rate. Most naturally in
seeking to do this we turned to India as the wane, being
the largest colony the British Crown pommy (Hier,
hoar.) We knew that if we could obtain a large supply of
Moo or other produce know manufactures the we must
pay for it by a large and extended export of manufactures,
and we should benefit otuvelves whilst we felt conscious
that India must be benefited to a much l irger extect even.
The supply of cotton we obtained from lataa at tile present
time was lamentably small—only one-t, nth in quaatity,
whilst the value was considerably ism; we did not pay one-
twentieth of what we paid for cotton from other sources.
(Hear.) They had long ben desirm that a commistion
of inquiry under the sanction of government should proceed
to India to inquire into the PLUM which had impeded the
growth of cotton ; but as that had been refused, they wen
under the aw.emity of sending out an inquiry themeless.
They had been fortune's in mewing with a geatlesta. who,
las the author of the Western Wori," was well known; a
gentleman distinguished for his eminent qualifications; and
me who, in every rupees, deserved the oonfideoce of the
chamber. He (the chairman) hoped to introduce
him to the Bombay Chamber of Commerce, and to
a&rd him every facility fir obtaiciag true. entree,
and unbiassed information. His inquiry would be
strictly ecoaomical ; and from time to tine ho would report
hie movements to the chamber. By thee, mars they
hoped to arrive at conelasious which would sot only benefit
Indio but lead to en increase of badness between this
ermat;ty and that great colony. Tne chamber bad not itself
hada to dispose of to any such peep me. but they would
have to appeal to the trade at large for ;he support which
they would require to (any out the scheme.
Mr. TIIOS. BOOTHMAN, the hon. secretary, then reed
the following report, which had beta oreparsid for this
meeting:
'• Report presented to a spatial general meeting of the
Chamber of C. mimes sad Manufwoure a at Msachester,
held en the 7th day of November, l"50.
"Before mitering rpm the consideration of the subject
to be submitted to the special general meeting now emus-
bled, Use directors take leave to tomcat a short resume of
the step taken in pommies of tin resolutions of the special
it moat meting held as the 17th January lan', of which the
following le a copy :
"That the feet of the continued dependence of the great
industry of this district, for the supply of its raw material,
moonily on a Miele source, calls for the eeinus consideration
of ail who are interested in the mcurity and prosperity c f the
cotton trade.

That, notwithstanding the many proofs that the climate
and soil of large portions of British India are well suited to
the growth et cotton, sad the many and costly experiments,
made by the East India Company, to promote its growth
withia the territories subjected to their rule—this chamber
is reluctantly compelltd to believe that up to this time no
sensible progress has been mad* towards procuring for the
manufeeterrn of the United Kiegdom a supply of cotton,
the produce of British Lithe; sad that proof is altogether
wanting to show that the efforts hitherto made by the East
India Company have resulted in auy increase ia the pro-
duction at cottoa in India.

" ' That this chamber is of opinion that the monomial
troaditioa of many parts of India is unfavourable to the exten-
sion and permanence of that iodustry without which lugs
and steady ezporta of cotton to this couttry cannot masons*
be looked for, and that it is essential to the security sad
well. beinp, both of India and of the cotton trade of England.
that a searchiog investigation be instituted into the causes
which have so limg baffled the efforts which have been made
to stimulate the growth of cotton in India.

.` That this ehisiber, contemplating the early expiration of
the East India Company's charter, is of opinion that a six till
commission of inquiry should be sent forthwith to India, to
examine into the condition of the country, especially within
the presidencies of Bombay and Madras, with a view to
ascertain what are the obstacles to the growth of cotton, and
to the extension and permanence of a profitable industry in
the cultivation of the soil; ant thz &umber is also of °pint in
that the report of such a eamenission • ould furnish valuable
Information to the brgialatare and the psblio be:ore the con-
sideration of the future government of India is again brought
before parlientent.
. . . .

"That the directors of this chubs be requested he pf
pan a psation for presentition tt the Home of Camases.
sad a memorial to L )rd JJha Burrell, urging the appoint.
mint at such a commission of inquiry. end to take such steps
as to them may seem desirable, to obtain the co-operation of
all parties concerned in the cotton treui, in the promotion
of this important object.
" la prosecution of the duty thus imposed upon them the
dilators forthwith transmitted a (4111:13011111i to Lord John
• couched in the terms of the resolutions, and prayieg
that through his lordship her Majesty's goverameut
be iodated to adopt the measure therein recommendaV
receipt was acknowledged by his lordship's secretary.
"Nampa as containing the report of the spatial mead
meeting were sent to the public institutions then is exit&
@nee, to which the subject might be of interest. The bead
has pleasure in stating that the Chamber of Commas et
Glasgow, and the Commercial Aseociatien of Illeddeness
costarred in the Mews of the chamber, and presenaliaM
mortals to the First Lord of the Treasury.
"A petition to the Conisons was also pryewdOl,
plead in the hurls of John Bright, Kit one tif **Mew
b. re for this borough, whish was presented on the fed of
May, and about the same time petitions to the eales point
were presented from the Glasgow Chamber of Commie,
the Blackburn Conunergial Association, and hem the sew
altanta and sainthetnraes_ tar Manchester, signed
_bp IS

perms and firma On the 18th of Joao Mi. Wright brew&
the following proposition before the lime of Commons
" That an humble address be promoted to her Majesty,
may*" her Majesty tv appointmmadinion to proceed ii
Inslia to inquire into the obstacles width prevent ao =reseed
growth of cotton la that country, sad to report upon any
clrowasteetes that may be found inausiewsly to effect the
essoewhei eed industrial audition*w native population,
being *Woe of the soil within the yneitlensiesimp of Bom.
lay Mil Maine
" yew &non have to espies that
this man was nsweinetal. Yoke lem
ma by the
Prot** if the lewd if Claw* se do lest* the wow
rdZ% etths=d lb. lam India
*dr pat°l2:ll.
bilks at the ISOM
= lelorsEe sialstert witf
1. eh issperlint. teem ter *doh in the
et *ls hoed se ****, isykoatisa
*Wale derby es
" Toe diodes iled that the quoin of Mho aultimo
tics is lona moot be allowed to amber son the
shall seadestly appresines Ile at et
Cilriat erame leveled la 4 ; wad *ay hew thimplos
awake* 'soldered fie reeds*** el frarlatfti ea
kg /ft ender the useisa if the eit==her. maw a
kWh Birdied by we dies* Woe** in lee *OS
ita s w
the sesutaindeg
_rasps*, et the erestry;
they sew scow to the eminsien Set sash a wane is MI
endrirh*estessbilierita Illidhases los that **Wow
errenyearsta have beta wa=dhet wite Ahossiiss
an3s" :CM; hr,:g2ineatill."yrl
minima( ea lee nos
h* we the .1.1.6. won
moue ma iniumest App.* et alien k
Lnywhteenotious whisk liiiviirs* sari Ile
el *threat. at Ile elan
within*. et Ida=mati
" Tiler ressontsolpitevet
g= Sol eassisa *Geld be givia to the
and that Wei for se men* pus Oka a doe

Interest in this laportaat eabject, it should now proceed, by
means of a eearahing investigation into the &meal facts cois,
nested with mitten cultivation in India, to ascertain. beyond
&pate, how far the aerticultural resources of India may
hereafter be relied upon for the supply of the raw material
he the Your
part of the industrial pursuits of this king-
dom. Your directors, in urging this noon, are of opinion
that it is maddest with the past efforts and with the cha-
racter of this chamber, and that it is demanded by a regard
to the interests which the chamber was establiaboa to repre-
sent."

The PRESIDENT sleet called upset the scerstary to read
the resolutions to be submitted to the meeting :
I. "That the report of the direeton be received."
2. " That this chember in 'pedal general meeting
assembled, expremea its satisfaction with the arrangements
referred to in the report, with a view to a full and impar-
tial inquiry into the obetaelis which prevent an icercemd
growth of cotton in India, and hereby gives its cordial sanc-
tion to the mission about to be undertaken by Alexander
Mackay, Esq., In whose ability, experience, aid integrity
this chamber has *wire cluadence."

3. " That Ws sbaemb recognising with mach &mom
the interest always manifested by the Chamber of Commerce
of Bombay la the qu s..ian of an increased growth of cotton
is Indis, authorises its president to address a letter, on its
behalf, iatrodesds' Mr. Mackay to the members of that in.
fluent's.' sawasiMies, and recommeselleg hies to their good
°Wes aad mimeses in the proseeetasa of ►is important
mission."

4, "That this Chamber tamely the following gon.
tlaaaen—The Mayor of Manchester, the Mayor of Sal-
ford Joba B_right, EA., M.P., Jams Kershaw, Kg.,
PAP Yr rapiint of the Cimetber et COISIOUTCS

•••
Clamber of Commerce at Liverpool, the President of the
Chamber of Commeree at Glasgow, the President of the Com-
mercial Association of Blackburn, Messy Ashworth, Esq.,
Thomas Anton, Esq., &vice Shorreek, Beq.—to set se a
committee, with power to add to their numlear, for the pur-
pose of superintending the financial arrangements necessary
to give effeet to the foregoing resolatioes; and suthorists
them to take sun clips as may be needful, from time to
time, to bring began the Cumber and tee public the facts
and results of the inquiry when furnished by Ur Mackay
daring the progress of his investigations in India."
6. "That this eltamber earnestly and conB.lsutly appeal to
the spinners, manfacturars, merchants, and otheninterested
in the secueity and swesesi of the cotton trade, for their cordial
support sad liberal pecuniary aid in the imp irtant under-
taking 11041 determined upon, in the full belief that it Is
maculated more than any other measure within the power
of the chamber or the trade, to ascertain the facts with
erg ird to the industrial condition of the population of India,
and to 'remote the removal of whateve r obstacles may be
found to exist to an increased supply of cotton from India,
sad to a more sztesmiee consumption of British manufac-
tures in that country."
Mr. BRIGHT, M.P. in moving the resolutions which had
been drawn up by the direams, sold the more experience he
Led in cocnectioe with this subject, the more be was con-
vine. d of its impugner. There might be people out of doors
who wool doubt whether the Lhambir was keeping within
its own haulm in attempting such a proceeding as they now
contemplated. But if there was one question more than
another which could legitimately be brought under the nails
of the Chamber of Commerce, it wu that which now agi-
tated the minds of all thinking persons connected with tie
trade of this diarist—namely, where we could obtain a per-
manent and steady supply of that raw material upon whin
the capital of the sante/ha and labour of the workman were
to be profitably employed. (Cheery.) Nothing bad ben
got by their previous emulous but this—they knew that
nothing could be known. H- had applied to parliament for
the appellee:tent of a committee simply to inquire into the
causes which retarded the growth of cotton in ladle, and
into the industrial condition of the cultivated population,
particularly of Bengal and Madras, but it was refused. They
did not ask for any beauty to be given to the cotton growers,
or anything in the shape of protection. (II ar, bier.) Yet
he observed that a nobleman who ought to know better than
to maks statements whOh were unfounded—namely, the
Marquis of Granby—at a meeting recently held in s very
benighted put of the country, had stated that he had
thought it very inconii.tent that Ls (Mr. Bright) should
be in favour of free.trade, seeing that he had asked go.
'enema to grow cotton f.r us In India. Now, that was
so idea which they had never contemplated. (Hear ) The
cue which he made out in parliament was a good one, end
the speech which he made was not answered in that debates.
Toe only thing really mid against us was, that they were
not unanimous is Msacheeter. But when were they nom
nimous 7 (Hear, hear.) Were they so when the corn laws
were repealed ? Why, if nothing was done until all were
tennis us, nothing would be done henceforth for ever.
(Loud chem.) The ease was a very simple one. In 1847 the
trade of thi. comer, suffered to a very considerable extent
from enmity of cotton, and is 1850 it had niff.red to a
seercely smeller extent from the same cause. (Heir, hear.)
The fluctuations in the supply were extraordinary and
alarming, diff. ring In two years even as much as 25 vett
pent. ; and therefore ft wee necessary that we should obtain
a more abundant supply from different source.. (Hear,
hear.) But what if there should be no crop at all some
time) They kuew that slavery was connected with this sub.
jut in America, and they regretted that the raw material
should be derived from labour carried on under one of the
most atrocious and wicked systems ever known in the world.
(Cheers.) But suppose that system should come to an cud,
and that it would do so was very certain; for io this last
session of Congrees we saw the critical position in which it
stood. Concessions had been made to the free pasty ; and
in the Fugitive Slave Bill a concession had been made to the
southern states; but that measure was stirring up is the
northern states a realist adverse to slavery infinitely more
strong than existed there before, and was %wiliest to the
abolition party multitudes of men who never cared about the
slave previously. Then the time mast come when, by con-
vulsion and civil commotion, or by a jest and benevolent
polity on the part of the government of the Confederation,
slavery shall be put an end to, and the cotton crop must
stiffer from that event; and thus the greatest act of justice
that ever was done by say nation in the world might be the
cause of the greatest misery and disaster to the vast popular.
lion of this enatry connected with the industry of the cotton
trade. (Hear). Sir 1. C. Hobhoun opposed the measure
in parliament ; but we eminent man then (who was, ass
there no longer) was la favour of it, and that was the late
Sir R. Peel. Two yean ago, whin he (Mr. Bright) moved
for a committee to inquire into the growth of cotton in
India, the Kist fedi' Company Waled up as usual sod
opposed it. Sir Robert Peel said he thought it was very
important, and a proper subject to inquire into, and
he asked a certain member of parliament, who was in-
ffunfial with the But India Company, not to oppose it.
On the last occasion he (Mr. Bright) wait again to Sir It.
Peel, before bringing the motion forward, and asked hie
opinion upon it; and he said his impression was entirely
(securable to it, (Applause.) And only ten days before the
accident which terminated his career, Sir Be Peel had re-
mised his satifietion with the motion and the object of it.
He said, however, that there was • difficulty in the way;
that it came so near the political, and the political questions
of India it was necessary to touch with tenderness. But he
eeptersed his surprise that the interests of India 'head
lane been to long and so etrannly amtleeted by the gnaw
leg power of that wintry. The course of this asienher,
thoraces, was now clear; but he would not absolve genes
meat of their day:to make the inquiry hereafter. The*
eouunission, however, would be quite as independent !end
Impartial as that which they had asked govermasat to send
on He knew Mr. Mackay, and he was quite satiated that
if he moat oat under the sanction of this chamber, he
maid musts the duty confided to him with impartiality,
lemffilidinn and Bdißty. (Applause.) The inquiry
vas net a political one; but if it should happen in
as onamination of this pant that questions of finance,
ed ffie tenure of lead, or of the fiscal affairs of
India should come up, they could net that their eyes
to these circumstances. (Hear.) Ws wanted cotton,- and

we rut have It from somewhere; sad if we could 'have
it from India by any jest sad moral means, it would
be an admirer equally to the Indian popularn se te es
If, therefore. Mr. Mackay dimmed any obstacles, that
must go. (Hear, hear, hear.) If that obstacle shall he
the Nest India Company is ite rear form, it wed
be removed, and they asset resolve that. If N twee
possible to effect any imperement in the asignl
tore of India, it must be door. (Chem) Bat cab IMPS
people so frightened for the Bast India Corn
Thompson used to say that when he was in Italie be hoed
that the only idea the natives had of that tripwires, that it
was some mysterious old wear, who lived a liqr way off.
(Laushtar.) And they were see a Trap wq ea The go-
vernante wan one entirely et
aSego sad halt w
twestrtsur directors knew whams du the i
tusintry. Now, he (Yr. Bristle yealtwe ipso bpo
ditties. It would be sees theilletwess IMO=
that in the various itewspepeee eel aesedelail as StWaley
there would be articles is probe of tie siNiNNININNI
Ben India ; be pat In la the me dlieliosibeil
ammo, istded to imam as implodes cats lbw we
so gavermeat se able as that et the Bat lalles.
Still they weld not blase the Measheatet Olisalow of
Comtism" for appointing the essandaa whisk they
propeed. The Bast India at hid sod Of
mbel, In not having portant a waft hiss Of
Issibk skill sad capital WI Wrier et the
oesstsy. fiestethsse it was sell Med the =Nees odd de
mak& wed that sothiq mid
alit Ilmaa. Dal we
hod Awed that they made pod lER ; aid be liWollft
milli% wader a bibles. yam et seveioneat, 1110 all
alga be sae to Wine" the hod, eisemille wealth, te
beat ans large eapetell te Ildeenaloy tii•
il
mai Nip Impel= et
thieette NI the isseraNetwelq Waft II k ags
(Chula) New, topeseattai es thed thembst trintsgrae:
Simp utast Reaaleetariee, red lasediwo' of thh •• •
Im (sem Ma hip IN e
sad 'repeated *Oh allmsbe ken
itodidawa. mod eras Sewn, le awe
the owe whith w thereelet el
TM Meisel the lime wadi be IA to eowadtlek
bolts wens wt two yam jestWq he about
the Ike the psesses et midair the agar
eary sod todadlai the travelling expo., twe
year Nib= is India, moms et latiepeisee,# N

was oessidareil that seam of 3,00 W. would be seeeleary—and
tar the ram, be belles= the whale of the expenses of the
esilmeakind mown be hone, a eum whisk he believed amid
see be emmeasil Is a mere advassegeous waster by this
aommenlip (Apeisum.)
Mr. BIZET (a member of the deputation from Liver-
pool) eseemled the nad&
Mr. Ms% el Liverpaila, Mr. Benhaw, M.P., Mr. Remy,
MP , asd Mr. Brown, M.P., ermined their oonesmenos in
the movement, sad the nealsdime were unanimously
adopted.
Mr. J. Baaszew moved, and Mr. RIMY seconded a
vote of %basks to the deputations who had attended from
Liverpool sad Blackburn; and It was adopted unanimously.
A vote of thanks was also gives to the Praidest, aid the
meeting separated.