Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-05-07
AMERICAN INTERESTS.

!.
The extraordinary condition Of our country at the
present time, without money or sound credit, aad
with oil the elements Of prosperity in il, induces
to address few observations our friends engaged
IN the cultivation of cotton; and perhaps the views
shall present, may apply to other Articles the pro
duce of our soil.
viii here remark, that have been an actor and
close observer Of and in, the affairs OF this and other
countries for the last twenty years. My pur-
suits aud condition in life have led me to watch the
march OF Improvement at home and abroad-Grcat
Britain in particular, with her vast and colonial pos.
Sessions. and colossal power, has been constantly
before me. The proceedings of Parliament, the Eas,
India Company, and individuals engaged in extend.
Ing the possessions OF the British Empire, have
observed with deep ard abiding interest.
III known to many persons of the Southern, and
IN nct all the States, that effort is now I'M pro
gress to increase the quantity and improve the ounl
ty OF cotton IN British India and that persons oil skill
nrd intelligence in this branch of agriculture have
gone from several o. our cotton growing States to
lndG Tor the purpose OF carrying out the views Of
the East India company, and the British Govern
men'. wish now To call tho serious and candid
attention OF the cotton planters to a few facts touch
ing this great interest, IN the hope that they NAV
Ee aroused from their iancied security, and look at
/ their true situation.
In order that We may understand our own posi-.
uon, II would Toe well 10 examine some of the re-
uatkaoie revolutions that have taken place in the
world, through the instrumentaity Of commerce
within the last two centuries
lheSe changes have not been confined 10 this con-
tlnent or that of Europe, but have extended and
! become OF late years marked and striking IN the
East ne immense productions Of the soil in
The East Indies have assumed an Importance that
may well engage the attention Of u.s. in this new
world.
These revolutions have not generally been pro-
Iuced or achieved by the sword, but by the intro
ductlou oi the mechanic arts nd ngri
cultural products which have been transferred from,
one country 10 another, and with them the power
ci producing at cheaper rates, arising from more &c
ma climates, better soil, greater skill or cheaper
laooti ana perhaps as Is the in some instances
all these advantages combined. This admiration 10
produce the same articles at lower prices in dffe
rent countries, has been carried extent tho
seems almost miraculous, besides having been of
the highest importance IN point OF civilization u,
mankind. These commercial enterprzes nre The
great missionaries, il may so speak. thst have,
opened up the way to the introduction of Christi
an'ty, winch, think, has always been preceded by
an introduction of the common arts of life
TO proceed with my illustrations Of the impog-
lance and increase of commerce with rs changes
lea Tor example was first brought TO Eng In nd bout
the year 1860 and now more than 10000, 600 pound
revenue Of SIS, 100000.
Ihtre are also 10000 900 pounds imported into
the onned States, which IS now admitted free o.
DUTY Coffee was introduced few years earlier
than Tea, into Europe; the consumption of which,
upon the continent is much greater in proportion
IMAM That ct Tea. We import and consume nnnu
ally nearly 90OOO,O00 pounds of Coffee, and with
out duty. Sugar, which has become almost n ne
| cessary OF life, was not in common use NJ a much
earlier period than Tea and Coffee. Rice, which,
mas become one OF the great staples OF South Caro-
una aud Georgia, and very important one to IN %
whole country, was brought to the former State from.
| India not earlier than the year 1900.
These four great articles oil European and Amer
can consumption, rith that yet more important pro
duct, Cotton, are all natives OF the East. The soil
oil south Carolina, but fifty years SINCE produced
more than 100000 pounds OF Indigo, which, NJ
! mat period, constituted an immense commerce, and
brought TO her people wealth. IN the commodities o.
loreien countries. Now, what has become OF Ter
Indigo plant Why, its cultivation has been trans
TERED 10 Bengal. And the cotton OF India, trans
planted to the soil of South Carolina and has he
come her most valuable production.
! IL may be asked how this transfer of the Indr,,
| culture was made And how the quality was I'M
proved, and the quantity increased TO the large a.
mount OF nine millions Of pounds for exportation,
| which commands The markets Of the world 2 This
revolution was accomplished through the aid fur
n,shed IN money TO the cutivators, by the British
! Government, combined with the perseverirs indus
/ Try and talent Of Individual enterprise and power.
Precisely the same means were then adopted as re
CARDS the cultivation of Indigo as are at the present
time IN progress IN regard TO the growth OF cotton