The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-11-19 00:00:00

PROSPECTS OF THE COTTON CROP, AND ITS
PROBABLE EFFECT UPON THE MARKET.

We have been favoured by a correspondent with the
following circular from a well-known and highly-respec-
table house in Savannah, and commend it as worthy the
careful perusal and consideration of our readers who are
interested in this staple article, which has ruined its
thousands, and is so far become a speculative business,
that it baffles all statistical calculations, and laughs to
mockery the cautious prudence of many a clever, far-
seeing firm :
" SAVANNAH, OCTOBER 24. 1844.—Since our respects of the 9th
September, the weather has been extremely dry, and so warm, that
even as late as within the past few days, the mercury has stood at
84° in the shade. The effect of such a temperature upon the grow-
ing cotton may be imagined: it has ripened fast, and the bolls have
opened rapidly, but there appears none of the tendency to continued
growth and ' top crop' which a moist ground in these mouths in-
duces; nor is this needed ; there is quite as much cotton now open
as can be well handled, and if the weather continues settled, a better
picking will be had from this than we could expe3t, from the fruit
which usually matures after this time. Upon the important ques-
tion of the extent of the crop, it may be observed, for the first time
in many years, that frost can make little or no difference in the
result. That it will be ample, even to the largest wauts of an en-
larged consumption, there can be little doubt; but before assenting
to the unwieldy estimates put forth during the summer, it may be
well to inquire-Ist. Can a crop of over two millions and a half of
bales be produced, without a continued growth of the plant until an
advanced period of the winter? 2nd. If it could be produced, does
the amount of labour necessary to secure it exist ? 3rd. If the force
do exist, is it likely to be controlled and directed (to the inconveni-
ence of other departments of labour) to the degree of close picking
necessary to eke out a large crop, when the returns of value are
likely to he so much lower than ever known? 4th. Granting that
a much larger crop than ordinary is made and secured, is it likely
to appear under the encouragement of the prices we may expect to
prevail during this season ?—We have seen that in the crop of last
year (two millions) the growth of the plant continued until the
storms of December, after which, under the stimulus of high prices,
a large quantity of barely merchantable cotton was still picked
from the ground. It is never pretended that so large a quantity
as two millions and rr quarter of bales has ever been produced in
one season; the crop of 1842.3 (twenty three hundred thousand
bales) having, by common consent, been well indebted for its aggre-
gate to the stocks held over on the plantations from the previous
year, and even then it required all the motive of prices opening at
6to 8% and ending with 5t07, to bring out such a crop. We are
now at 4 to 6% cents per lb. for the Atlantic States cottons, and just
as we advance or retire from these figures, so will the numerical
result of the •crop be regulated at the ports. As a class, our planters
are not rich, and by far the larger portion of them will be compelled
to sell, he the prices as they may; but admitting, as we must, that
one-third or a fourth of their body are in easy circumstances, it is
not unreasonable to suppose that, with them, every additional de-
cline in price will be an additional argument for holding hack at
least a portion of their crop. That with even a small decline upon
our already low prices, we should probably see a supply of cotton
ample enough for all wants, we have already admitted: further
than that we think it unnecessary to go. It is certainly not probe•
ble that at a much lower scale of prices than those now prevailing,
the Southern exports to Great Britain will exceed those of 1842-3.
Although our navigation has been impeded by low rivers, we have
derived, chiefly from our railroad (which runs 106 miles into the
heart of our best lands), over 15,000 bales of cotton since our last.
These have been middling fair to fair in quality, and having been
offered freely in the continued absence of the winter buyers, prices
have declined to 6% c. for fair in round bales and 6$ in square,—
equal, at the current rate of freight and exchange, to 4,31,3 and 4,37 d
laid down on the quay in Liverpool, including . 11 charges and al-
lowances for loss in weight. When the rivers are fairly opened, we
may expect to lay down strict Liverpool fair with facility at 4%d
per lb.—Sea Islands will prove a very fair crop, not less it is
supposed than 28,000 hales for the two States, the increase being
chiefly in the maines and more common cottons. Planters hare
been so well occupied in picking, that they have not yet had time
to send any portion of their crops to market.—Rice is declining in
price under the increased receipts. All the arrivals of rough have
either gone to Charleston or been sent to the mills, no purchasers
for it having yet appeared. The samples exhibited shew a large
full grain, of good weight.—Freights are quiet at 7-16 d for square
bales, and %d for round, to Liverpool. We may look for more acti-
vity in this department when the rivers open. There are three
ships loading for Li erpool.—Exchange. The highest offers for
sterling made by s are 8% to 8i per cent. premium, which
sellers are general sed to submit to. The amount required
in New York and e here for remittances, will absorb the nego-
tiations against the early exports of cotton to a large amount, with-
out sensibly affecting the rate of premium."

'WOODSIDE BOATS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

In crossing from Woodside last evening, and on a
late occasion, I was astonished to find that there was
no one on board who interfered to put down the
quarrelling, cursing and swearing, of some three or
four individuals whose location there is now needed to
carry out the excavation for the intended new docks.
The Commissioners have appointed police, who are
ever anxious during the day to prevent gentlemen smok-
ing, for fear of discomposing the olfactory nerves of
their wives and daughters ; and it is, certainly, not
too much to expect something like decency kept up on
the Sabbath evening. when their less fortunate, but,
perhaps, equally respectable, neighbours, are, from cir-
cumstances, occasionally compelled to cross.
Woothicle, Nov. 18!h, 1944.

SOMEBODY.

MISS MARTINEAU.—Mr. William Howett has pub-
lished a letter corroborative of the statement that Miss
Martineau ha• been cured, by mesmerism of a painful
dkorder, which was fast sinking her to the grave.

NEW LANDING SLIP AT THE NORTH DOCKS.—Mr.
Hartley, the dock surveyor, has submitted to the Dock
Committee the model of a landing slip, which it is intended
to erect at the river wall of the new north docks. It will
be 14 feet wide, and so constructed that steam vessels can
run alongside at any time of the tide, and land cattle, car-
riages, &c. with the greatest facility. The slip will be
constructed almost like a tunnel, in the water side of
which large, doorways, ten feet wide, will be made at dif-
ferent inclinations, so as to suit the rising and falling of
the tide, whilst, when the water suits, cattle, &c. can be
landed on what may be called the roof of the slip, which,
we believe, will be on a level with the sea-wall. It is
altogether very unique, and affords another proof of the
skill of the•dock surveyor.

Cuniovs CIRCUMSTANCE. —Last Saturday week, a
gentleman, after crossing the river, unfortunately fell into
the water on the other side, but was fortunately soon
rescued. During his fall, a pocket-book, which contained
a large sum of money, slipped out of his pocket, and a
reward of £l5 being offered for its recovery, a few days
ago it was restored by a poor man, who had picked it up
on the shore at Southport, whither it had been carried by
the tide. The fortunate gentleman has thus recovered all
his money.
THE FARMER'S ALMANACS.—This almanack and ca-
lendar for 1845 is already published, and is replete with
useful information. It is edited by Cuthbert W. John•
son, Esq., F.R.S.. and W. Shaw, Esq., both celebrated
agriculturists. The calendar, appended to the almanack
for each month separate, contains a vast body of useful
practical information, both as regards the farm and the
garden, also judicious and scientific observations on the
weather, chronological events, &c. There are also copious
remarks on artificial and other manures, grain tables, the
heads of acts of parliament affecting agriculture, treat-
ment of the diseases of live stock, fairs and markets in
England and Wales, and in Ireland, lists of officers of
state, and members of parliament, &c. The advertising
sheet contains descriptions, illustrated by wood-cuts, of
nearly every modern improvement or invention in agri-
cultural implements, designs of farm-house and cottage
aralitecture, &c. The price of the volume is extremely
moderate, and no farmer ought to be without it.

SIR HENRY POTTINGER'S INTENDED VISIT TO LIVER-
POOL—We rejoice to say that it is the intention of the
merchants of Liverpool to entertain Sir Henry Pottin-
ger (our plenipotentiary in China) at a grand public ban-
quet at the Town-hall, in testimony of the immense ser-
vices he has been the honoured instrument of conferring
upon the commercial and manufacturing interests of this
country, by the opening of the East India and China
trade. This deserved compliment originated with the
East India and China Association, who invited the pre-
sence of the mercantile community generally, and their
hearty concurrence was immediately obtained. The
Mayor was called upon, and requested to preside at the
entertainment, and also if possible to procure the use of
the Town Hall for the occasion. The Town Hall Estab-
lishment Committee met on Friday, and acceded to the
Mayor's request. We learn that the gallant baronet will,
on his visit, be presented with a massive service of plate
by the great body of our wealthy fellow-townsmen. Se-
veral firms put down their names for £5O each, and even
up to Friday only, £B5O had been subscribed. The com-
pliment is highly creditable to all who have taken a part
in paying it. Yesterday a general meeting of the mer-
cantile interests was held to forward the object in view.
Mr. Sands (in theabsenceofthe Mayor, who wasrequired at
a meeting of magistrates elsewhere), occupied the chair,
and there were present between thirty and forty gentle-
men. A copy of the nate calling the meeting was read,
from which it appeared that a deputation from the re-
spective mercantile associations consisting of C. Turner,
G. C. Arbuthnot, Christopher Rawson. T. Ripley, John
Crossthwaite, Win. Stewart, Jos. Shipley, T. Chilton,
George Kendall, George Beley, James Byrne, Edward
Pilcher, and James Bateson, Esqs., had waited on the
Mayor, to express their desire that a public dinner should
be given to Sir H. Pottinger, and that his worship had
consented to preside. Mr. C. Turner spoketo the effect that
the important services rendered by Sir H. Pottinger in con-
ducting the war with China to a successful and honoura-
ble termination, and the favourable footing upon which
he has been instrumental in placing our commercial rela-
tions with that country, entitle him to the highest com-
mendation ; and that in the opinion of the meeting it was
desirable to demonstrate such feeling by entertaining him
to a public dinner."—Mr. Todd, in seconding the resolu-
tion, said it was unnecessary to make any long speech on
the occasion, as Sir H. Pottinger's merits were well known.
He had by his conduct conferred lasting benefits on this
town, and on the country at large. The motion was
unanimously carried.—Mr. William Brown said that no
man had rendered more effectual services to his.on to the
country
than the gallant knight, and moved a resolution
effect that these proceedings be communicated to Sir
Henry ; and that they await his reply, in which be should
•
name the day when he could conveniently attend. This
was seconded by Mr. Ripley, and carried.—Mr. John
Crossthwaite moved the appointment of a committee, with
power to add to their numbers, (consisting of a great
number of gentlemen whose names were read,) " to make
beyond
the preliminary arrangements, and adopt such other pro-
ceedings as might be deemed necessary to carry the pre-
ceding resolutions into effect. Mr. Samuel Holme, in
seconding the resolution, said that he was not himself a
ere abilit, and humanity
yall praise ; and
merchant, but as one of the tradesmen of the town he was
n
eevqiunaeleldy interested.by
ysirH.
The greatger w
Pottinger
he would suggest, that if the dinner were given in the
large ball-room overhead, and the tickets were of mode-
rate price, respectable tradesmen, who
were so intimately
connected with the commercial interests, would attend,
and he trusted they would have a highly influential as-
semblage on the occasion.—Mr. Sands said the ball-room
would contain only from 400 to 500, but this was a matter
for the consideration of the committee.—Mr. C. T. Dun-
levie suggested Lucas's Repository, or the Amphitheatre.
It was agreed to leave the arrangement to the committee.
The motion was agreed to.—The thanks of the meeting
were then given to his Worship the Mayor for the use of
the Council Chamber, and for his kindness • agreeing ta
take the chair; ouct the meeting separated.