Alexandria daily gazette, commercial & political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1808-1812, 1808-12-28


immense. while our total imports are made
quate to one half the usual monthly con-
sumption; as the stocks OF this article nave
become more depressed, the spectators
continue purchasing with increased spirit,
and many Of them have already realised
considerable profits we tiacretore quote an
advance on all descriptions ctcotton OF from
4d to Sd per lb. above our last months rates,
which has principally occurred Within the
last ten DAYS but we must beg leave to re-.
mark, that such unexanpled advances are
scarcely eyer so well maintained as when
they are gradually established, and some oc-
currence may perhaps shortly take place to
put stop to further speculations we are,
however, of opinion, that prices may yet De
driven considerably higher, although they
have to encounter an extremely bad trade IN
Manchester"
West India cottons have advanced near
" in the same proportion as American, and
the recent arrivals have fully brought the
annexed prices, with every appearance OF
much higher being realised"
s IL cottons we have great stir; and
should we not soon have arrivals from the
Brazils, prices must be enormous"
Here the Liverpool merchants tell us, not
only that the prices are extremely high, and
may be driven much higher, unless some
occurrence (to Wit, raising the embargo)
may perhaps shortly take place, to put a stop
to further speculation bat kiat the t0tal IN
ports are inadequate. to enc half tie usual
aseatt!y consumption. Now, sir, whenceis
enc half of the usual consumption ofcotton
to be supplied 70 tho British market. The.
Liverpool merchants seem totally at a loss
for a supply from any place but the gentle
man from Connecticut Mr.. Fiilifouse) has
pointed out several places OF supplv--tlc
East and " est Indies ard csen Africa has
been rascrted to. They have supplies from
all these places now, and vet the liverpool
merchants tell you, that the whole imports
are not equal To one half the monthly con-
sumption. I therefore have no confidence
in the statement made by the gentleman. =
With respect to the Illustration OF his posi-
ton, by stating the supposed analogous case
OF lis butter merchants, slla,. MAKE no re-
ply. Us fallacy was ably demonstrated by
the gentleman from Georgia Mr.. Craw-
ford). | will only Incidentally remark,
however, that it is the first time lever re-
collect 10 have seen tia. gentleman IA de-
bate, when it appeared to ne, that he did
not know III which side his oav,a bread was
blttered.
But.the gentleman tells us, that the provi-
dent British government, has sent cotton
seed to Africa, to ensure a supply Of cot
ton; that cotton is ala ANIMAL plant, and ct
course. a competent supply may be produced
from that quarter. am inclined 70 think
that this proTident government does not re-
" much upon this resource. Because
imagine the whole quantity Of seed sent
thither would not be equal to the oGal from
one good South Carolina plantation; and
although cotton IS certainly an annual plant,
vet the conversion of the labor OF society
frcra one occupation to anether, is not the
effect Of an annual effort. It is one Of the
most difficult operations 10 be performed on
society. | therefore feel no apprehension
Of a supply from this source, at least for
many wears. If Great Britain should be
cut of from one half Of hersopply of cot
ton it would certainly place the many thou
sand manufacturers employed in the various
branches Of the cotton business, in q state
OF great distress and must commandsthe
attention CT the British government.
speech to De continued.
House or REPRESENTATIVES.
WEDNESDAY. N1gember 50.