The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-18 00:00:00

LATEST INTELLIGENCE. Cotton Supply Association.
(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

- --•-.0.-

SPAIN.

MADRID, JAN. 17, Evening.

Official intelligence received here announces that
yesterday the insurgents left Hava on the road to
Portugal. The Royal troops were taking many
prisoners notwithstanding the forced marches made
by the insurgents.

ROME.
ROME, JAN. 16.
Baron Von Hubner, the new Austrian Ambas-
sador, has presented his credentials to the Pope.

THE RIVER PLATE.

BUENOS AYRES, DEC. 12.

Exchange on London, 66.8. Ounces, 402. Wet
salted ox hides, 32. Dry American, 36. Stock of
dry hides, 47,000.

THE CALCUTTA AND CHINA MAILS,

SOUTHAMPTON, JAN. 18.

The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamer
Mongolia, with the heavy portion of the above
mails, has arrived here. She brings 81 passengers,
Australian gold, value £20,771; precious stones,
value 2,500 rupees ; and a general cargo, incliding
969 bales of raw silk, value £85,000 sterling.
Across the Bay of Biscay she experienced westerly
winds and a heavy rolling sea, and up Channel
west-south-westerly winds, with a heavy swell.
Twenty-two British war vessels were at Malta.
The Racoon and Redpole were at Gibraltar.
The British bark Express has gone ashore to the
past off Gibraltar.
Exchanges unaltered.

INDIA.

BOMBAY, Dec. 28.

A terrible accident has occurred on the Great
Indian Peninsula Railway, on the Thull Ghatt,
occasioned by a goods train rushing through a
station and being precipitated over an embankment
of 70 feet. Six lives were lost, the engines and
carriages destroyed, and the goods utterly damaged.
The Great Indian Peninsula Railway was opened
to Budmaira on the 18th inst.

Lord Edward Seymour was attacked by a bear
while out shooting on the 13th inst. in North
Canara. One leg was afterwards amputated. lie
did not rally after the operation, and died on the
20th inst.

A petition for the removal of Judge Anstey from
the Bench has been presented to the Bombay Go-
verment by many leading natives of Bombay.
Shocks of earthquake have been felt near Cal-
cutta and in the Punjab. _ _ _

The Nagpore exhibition has been opened by Mr.
Temple, the commissioner,. with great eclat.
The Indian budget is expected to be published on
the Ist of March.

The weather is cool and public health good.
The cotton and piece-goods markets are quiet.
Money tight.

FRANCE.

BOURSE, Jan. 17.—Two o'clock.—The market
is more buoyant to-day, and quotations are higher.
Threes are in active demand, with '.n advance of
17ic.—at 68f. 62ic. Credit Mobilier Shares have
improved 6f. 25c.—to 782 f. 50c. Italian Fives
show an increased weakness, the quotations being
62f. 25c.—a fall of 15c. The shares of the Societe
sGenerale have an advance of 3f. 75c. Railway
Shares are firm, without material variation in prices.
Three o'clock.—Realisations of profits have caused
quotations to recede and to leave off as follows :-
41 per Cents 98 10
Do. end month —
3 per Cents. 6B 60
Do. end month 6B 571
Credit Mobilier
Do. end month
Bank Shares 3650
Credit Foncier —
Italian Loan. 62 15
Do. end month 62 05
RAIL''

Roman —
Ottoman Fives 4O 20
Mexican Loan —
Do. Bonds —
Russian -
Austrian
Spanish Threes
Rome Debt
Deferred

Acct.

Orleans
Northern

- - ... 850 --
- - ... 1105 -

Lyons and Mediterranean
Southern
Western
Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard
North of Spain
Saragossa
Ditto to Barcelona
Roman

- - ... 853 75
- - ... 551 25

- - ... 528 75
- - ... 202 50
- - ... 410 -

- - ... 415 ---
- - ... 180 -
- - ... 218 75

- -- ... 105 -
- - ... 157 50

AMERICA.

The Inman steamship City of Washington arrived at
Queenstown at 12.15 a.m. to-day (January 18), with 143
passengers. $77,801 and £l,OOO in specie. She landed 17
passengers, and proceeded at 12.30 a.m.
NEW YORK, Jan. G (Morning).

The full report of the Public Debt shows that the official
statement, giving the total as 2,000,000,000, included the
coin currency in the Treasury; allowing this reduction,
tke Public Debt on January Ist was 2,716,000,000 of
dollars. _ _

Congress met yesterday, but the house, having no.
quorum, went into a Committee of the whole.
In the Senate, Mr. Sumner presented petitions from
citizens of Boston, asking indemnity from the British Go-
vernment for the loss of a ship burnt by the Alabama.
Tho petition was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, and both houses then adjourned till Monday.
The diplomatic correspondence between France and the
United States relative to the Mexican question has been
presented to Congress. On the 3d of November Mr. Seward
wrote to Mr. Bigelow to call the serious attention of the
French Government to the military proceedings in Mexico,
by which captured native Mexicans, while adhering in war
to their own Government, aro denied the rights which the
law of nations invariably accords to prisoners of war.

On the 28th of November Mr. Seward wrote to Mr.
Bigelow that he had received information from Romero
that General Urtega, Salazar, and numerous other Mexican
officers, who had been captured by Imperialists, had been
executed.

- - • -
Royal Astronomical Society.

-~-----

Last evening a distinguished number of persons gathered
together at Willis's Rooms, King-street, St. James's, on
the occasion of a "reception" given by Mr. Warren de la
Rue, F.E.S., the president of this society. The rooms pre-
sented an extremely interesting and imposing appearance,.
the various articles exhibited by members of the society,
and by many other well-known authorities in the scientific
world, being displayed with much taste and profusion.
Amongst the most conspicuous objects were some speci-
mens of art exhibited by the president himself, includ-
ing a series of astronomical photographs, some drawings
of planets and comets, and photographs of the total
solar eclipse of 1860. These attracted much attention,
not only on account of the name with which they were
associated, but in consideration of the skill displayed in
the works themselves. A large collection of microscopes,
emanating from various exhibitors, and showing the
powers of those instruments under numerous interesting
aspects, appearodto be the chief features which commanded
general notice. These, and indeed every species of appa-
ratus shown, partook especially of a scientific character ;
and more than ordinary interest was taken in the me-
chanical combinations witnessed. Some experiments in
electricity were also very attractive, and the car of a
balloon, the property of Mr. 11. E. Westcar, fitted with in-
struments used by Mr. James Glaisher, in scientific ascents,
and explained by that gentleman to the company, was
continuously surrounded by admiring spectators. The
photographic art was, as may naturally be supposed, most
liberally represented ; but the discoveries of science were
everywhere predominant, and/ the Royal Astronomical
Society may be said to have distinguished itself on the pre-
sent occasion, under the auspices of their president, by a
combination of arrangements which did infinite credit to
all concerned. The music 'provided for the evening was
performed by the Royal Artillery Bank, and the selection
comprised some of the most popular compositions of the
present day.

RESIGNATION OF MR. LAYARD.— We regret to
hear that Mr. Layard has resigned his place in the Go-
vernment as Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
Lord Russell, we believe, expressed his reluctance to accept
the tendered resignation, and it was proposed to make the
hon. gentleman a member of the Privy Council; but the
proffered distinction was declined. Mr. Layard retains
office until his successor shall be appointed. We under-
stand that the primary cause of the hon. gentleman's with-
drawal from the Government is the appointment of Mr.
Cioschen to a seat iu the CaWhet.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE CROPS IN THE
SOUTHERN STATES.

At the meeting of the Executive Committee, on Tues-
day, a telegram was read from the President of the Royal
Commission, Naples, announcing that the cotton exhibi-
tion, which was postponed in consequence of the preva-
lence of cholera, will be opened in that city on the 14th
of March, and it is earnestly recommended that the Eng-
lish makers of gins, agricultural implements, and other
machinery, should become exhibitors. A letter received
from Terranova states that the cotton growers in Sicily
much need proper implements for preparing the ground,
and that they aro to a great extent unacquainted with
the modern appliances of husbandry, which have proved
so successful in other countries. Tho exhibition of im-
proved implements at Naples might be of great advan-
tage to the Italian cultivators of cotton. The writer
believes that the cotton grown on the southern coast from
Pachino east, Comiso, Derillo, Terranova, Niscuni south,
and up to Licato, and more or less all along as far as
Trapani west, if properly attended to, would be the best
in Italy, as there is much analogy in the tempera-
ture of these shores of Sicily with those of Alabama
and Florida. The plain at the back of Terranova as-
similates strongly to some of the Texan plains between
Galveston and Houston, whilst the river Gola, running
through its centre, would, with proper machinery, afford
ample means of irrigation. The soil is fitted to yield fins
crops of cotton, such •as is known at New Orleans as
"Upland," and there is no doubt that Sea Island cotton
could be successfully produced if good seed were procured.
It is asserted that if prices should fall as low as 6d. per lb.
cotton could still be cultivated, and yield a handsome profit.
Hopes are entertained that the intelligent efforts of the
Members of the " Societe. Industriale Terranovese," includ-
ing the British vice consul, will greatly contribute to extend
the growth of cotton in this part of Italy. The quantity
of cotton exported from Terranova, as shown by the Cus-
toms' register, was, in 1863-4, 793,500 kilogrammes; but in
1865, up to September 12, it was 1,085,444 kilogramme;
showing a remarkable increase. A letter from Gallipoli re-
ports that a large extent of land has been prepared for cotton,
and that the results of experiments with New Orleans seed
Las produced an eager desire to obtain it fbr next sowing
season. A despatch forwarded by the Foreign-office was re-
ceived from her Majesty's Consul at Bosna Serai, describing
the result of experiments made to introduce the cultivation
of cotton in the Herzegovina. At first everything seemed
to promise an abundant crop, but the latter part of the sea-
son turned out unusually wet and cold, and these causes,
added to the inexperience of the cultivators, occasioned
a total failure. In an ordinary season it is confidently
believed the cultivation of cotton would be successful. A
letter was read describing a project to grow cotton in some
of the most fertile and suitable islands in the West Indies,
and soliciting the co-operation of merchants and consumers
of cotton. Further information will be supplied to any
parties disposed to join the undertaking. An application
for Sea Island seed, by a cotton grower in Nevis, West
Indies,was granted. —A letter was received from the hono-
rary agents of the Association, Bombay, forwarding a
sample of cotton grown from Egyptian seed, received from
the political agent in liattiwar, which was valued at 19d.
per lb. A grant of ploughs, made by the Association, to
be gratuitously distributed, was gratefully acknowledged.
—Papers were received from the Revenue Department,
Bombay, forwarded by direction of his Excellency the
Governor in Council, describing the successful attempt
which has been made in Candeish to introduce the superior
cotton grown in the adjoining province of Berar. Nothing,
it is said, can be more favourable than the present appear-
ance of the new Candeish Berar crop; it has had a suitable
season, and is growing with every prospect of yielding a
large out-turn. His Excellency in Council authorises a
repetition of the experiment, by other collectors who may
be able to adopt the plan which has been so successful,
of introducing seed of an indigenous variety, superior to
that in ordinary use. It was resolved to request the Colo-
nial Secretary to institute inquiries as to the effect alleged
to be produced by the policy pursued by tho Lagos Go-
vernment towards the interior tribes of that part of West
Africa, and which is described as preventing, by the re-
strictions imposed, the gathering and shipping to England
of supplies of cotton. A letter was read from the Spanish
Consul in Liverpool, advising the despatch, by order of
the Spanish Government, of ten bales of cotton weighing
2,5881 b, the produce of Fernando Po, which have been
sent as a present to the Cotton Supply Association from
his Excellency the Ministerfor Public Works. This cotton
is now on view at the rooms of the association, and its in-
spection by spinners and manufacturers is invited. It was
resolved, on the proposal of Mr. T. Bazley, M.P., seconded
by Mr. E. Ashworth, vice-president, that this handsome
present should be duly acknowledged, and a report upon
the cotton be prepared and transmitted to the Spanish
Government.

The following communication, forwarded by the Foreign
Office, was received from her Majesty's :Minister at
Washington, being a memorandum relative to the present
and prospective condition of the cotton crops in the
Southern States. The despatch, signed Frederick W. A.
'Bruce, and dated Washington, December 18, 1865, states
that there is no doubt that this is as accurate a report as
can be made at present :

" In May last the Government of the United States put
forth a statement, to the effect that, as far as their agents
and officers had been able to ascertain; there wore about
2,500,000 bales of cotton then stored in the Southern States
From all that I can learn, and I have taken pains to know
the views of the principal planters and cotton facto-rs in
South Carolina, Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, there
was not at that date in the whole of the South more than
1,200,000 bales, and of this between 100,000 and 200,000
bales are so damaged as to be quite unfit for the manufac-
ture of any fabric. The crop gathered this autumn is never
estimated at over 500,000 bales, and the best authorities
agree in supposing it to' be more nearly 350,000 bales.
With regard to the crop of 1866 it is more difficult to form
a true estimate. But so completely has the system of
labour been disorganised by the emancipatiwrof the slaves,
that the most sanguine speculator does not give more than
1,250,000 bales, and I consider that 1,000,000 is an out-
side computation. I visited several plantations in
Louisiana, where the system of free negro labour has
had a comparatively long and fair trial, as a great por-
tion of that State has been in the hands of the Fede-
ral authorities for the last three years. Those people
who have had most experience of free black labour
assure me that there is the greatest difficulty in getting a
fair day's work out of the negroes they employ. A negro,
has no idea of the sanctity of a contract, and will, as far a
in him lies, evade the performance of his part of it. Tho
means in the hands of the planter to enforce its due execu-
tion on the part of the labourer are very slender. Sum-
mary dismissal for idleness or negligence is out of the ques-
tion, as there is no other labour in the market, or not in
sufficient quantity to be available to be put in competition
with the negro. Added to this it is probable that at least
one-fourth of the old negro labour is already lost to the
agriculture of the South. The mortality among the black
population has been very large, and to this loss must be
added the great number of the more intelligent hands who
were impressed, or who enlisted into • the Federal armies,
and those who, escaping enlistment, have swarmed into
the largo towns, whore they find employment much more
suited to their taste than
.that of field labour. There has
likewise been more or less emigration to the North.
I very much fear that we must look forward to a still
further decrease year by year, and ultimately to the
almost total extinction of the race. With regard to the
cultivation of cotton by white labour, I believe that ex-
cept in the more southern parts of Louisiana it will be
found possible and profitable, and will no doubt be eventu-
ally managed. But the introduction of white labour must
be a very slow and gradual process, under the most favour-
able circumstances, and although the Central Government
may do much to retard, it is powerless to accelerate the
influx of white immigration. As long as the Southern
States aro treated as conquered provinces, denied repre-
sentatives at Washington, and kept under martial law,
they will not present much attraction to the labouring
population of the Northern States or of Europe, and the
same interference with the action of the civil governments
of those States which will repel white immigration will
keep alive the present antagonism between the planters
and the freedmen, and prevent free black labour from being
used to the best advantage. Under the most favourable
circumstances it is not expected that more than half the
old amount of labour will be performed by the negroes,
and it will take some time before the influence of white
immigration upon the cultivation of cotton is felt. It is,
therefore, the opinion of those most capable of forming
a true estimate, that not more than, on an average, one
half of the old crop of cotton (crop in 1859, 3,851,481
bales ; in 1860, about 4,000,000) will be produced for
several years to come—say 2,000,000 bales per annum.
But, under existing circumstances, taking into con-
sideration the present prostration of the South, the
ahnost total destruction of stock, agricultural implements,
&c., and the great want of money to purchase these agri-
cultural necessities, 1,000,000 bales for the crop of 1866 is,
lam convinced, a most favourable estimate. It appears,
too, that there is increasing activity in the cotton manu-
factories of the North, and that they are likely to require
more cotton than before the war. There is no wan export
duty of two or three cents a, pound ou the raw material,
and it is not unlikely that this will be seriously increased if
the European demand is likely to elevate the price to the
disadvantage of the Yankee spinner. Whatever the amount
of cotton in future produced in America—and. I believe it
will eventually be as large each year as before the war— it
is not likely that it will ever again be nearly so cheap as in
the old days; indeed, the only temptation to white immi-
grants to undergo the enervating effects of agricultural
labour in the South is the very high money reward pro-
mised by time extravagant price of cotton. To recapitulate—
Bales.
Stock of cotton in South on May 1,1865 1,200,000
Crop of 1865 350,000
Crop of 1866 1,000,000
Probable average for many years to come 2,000,000
(Signed) " W. lircuENs, Captain, R.E.
" Washington, Dec. 18, 1865."
This concluded the business, and the committee ad-
journed.