Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1842-01-14

the Improvement of Indigo, and that there
fore it is fair to suppose that like success
will attend their efforts. Both require the
same soil for their growth. And thus far,
the history of their success in Cotton is an
exact parallel will, their attempts TO improve
the cultivation of Indigo. If, in the follow
ing facts relative 10 the culture of the latter,
taken from the report of proceedings of the
East India Company, we substitute Cotton
for Indigo, and change the dates, we have
an exact account of what is now going on in
India in regard to the culture Of Cotton. Who
can mark the cxactness of the parallel be-
tween these two attempts of the East India
Company to "insure regular supply of ar
ticles essentially necessary to some of the
most important British manufactures, and
any longer doubt that the success which has
already attended one, is also sure to follow,
in due time, the othcrl
Extract from the Report of the Proceed
ings of the East India Company in regard to
the culture and manufacture of Indigo:
"About the year l7i7 most of the Planters in ia
maica, and other British possessions in the West
Indies, renqushed the ltlvaon of Indigo, and the
Spanish and French colonies, (where the best kinds
had been made,) continuing to export, the British
consumption of The finer sorts was chiefly obtained
from foreign sources in Europe.
JIden he British Prorinces Of North America
had broken Of their connection tei he parent state
and the Company's crrltorl les in India had become
greatly extended, another change took place. The
Courts of Directors made extraordinary efforts to
~
a"aif Sreseeing &at hey Succeeded he ~ssa
irouid at once be highly advantageous 10 India and
beneficial to this country by ensuring regular sup
ply IF an drticlce essentially necessary to some the
most important British manufactures. Influenced
by these views, the Court, in l779, entered into
contract with a gentleman in Bengal, who was en-
gagged in the cultivation, for supply at prices which
were intended 10 encourage the growth. Other en-
gagemcnts Oft same kind were successfully made,
until the year l7sS. At hat pelod, the Court taking
review of what had been DONE found that very heavy
losses had occurred under the existing system, but
that the indigo produced had arrived at considerable
degree of perfection. The result of the enquiry was
determination that the Company should cease to
purchase for at least three years. and that the trade
should be laid open TO their servants and other per-
sons under their protection, upon the payment If
hoped would create competition and operate towards
bringing the article to hgh state Of improvement
a. possible, at the same time that it would effect
red icton in the cost of manufacture.
As a farther aid in this rising trade, the Company
made large advances of money, secured on the
Indigo, on Ian of remittance to London and this
course was followed for many years.
In 1906, the Court fit to order that their COM
merce IN Indigo should be resumed in the following
year, by ready money purchases the amount of
three laos. and open to provisional extension in that
season; and with some lnterlnisslons the company
continued to purchase either in the same mode or by
contract, for expectation to London, to greater
less amount until short lime before the expiration
of the late charter.
tfs l. r.
TO rrai the superior produce Of americans this ,ras
all that contemplated; but happily more has been
1edtor'd India, for many years past has produced
indlgo OF qua'y surprising that of any other country
and has long been the Chief source of supply to the
rest of the world"
Accompanying the Report from which
extracts are made, is large number OF
papers in immediate reference to the subject,
called from the company's collection. The
following extracts from few of these docu-
ments, will show the success of the principal
measures pursued by the Court, in further
ance of their design, from the commence
ment of the Improvement in the production
of Indigo, until high degree of success was
attained, and the manufacture became firmly
established in India, and entirely suppIaned
in the United States.
Ina letter, dated March 1883, from the
Court of Directors, 10 the Governor General
in Council it is stated, Notwithstanding the
success and the advantages already gained,
the losses Of the company had been very
considerable, as follows:
Cost and charges, G30?07
Produced only 1885
Loss, SCH
Or cqua to % per cent.
"From due consideration Of these cir umslances"
say, the letter. 1--WE see The necessity for adopting
some other measures concerning this article, than
those that have been heretofore pursued"
I'VE have therefore, from due considoia' on of
the subject, come to conc ison to decline all further
concerns Indigo, for the term Of three years; dur
Ing which period, we permit OF It's being sent home
on The account of our servants and all others under
pnr protection, upon payment of freight and Com
panys charges. We are led 10 The measure of LAYING
opn this branch of trade in the hopes it will create
in individuals that kind of competition which will not
fail 10 operate IN bringing the article 10 its greatest
posi- lie perfection
Subsequent letters are principally in re-
ference to the efforts of the Company to i'm
prove the quality of the Indigo, for the pur-
pose of suppanting the American and other
kinds. In letter from the above to the
same, dated May 1871, the first acknow-
edgmenl is made of the marked Improvement
of Indian Indigo, and its effects upon other
kinds. The letter says:
'The measures you have taken for anording en-
couragement 10 the cultivation and manufac'ur. OF
indigo meet our entire appreciation, and we trus,
from the favorable prices that have been obtained at
our late sales, the planters will find their account
therein. 1t is with satisfaction We learn the article
owing TO its improved quality, continues rising in the
esteem OF the several descriptions of the consumers
and that there is prospect of considerable expor
TO the foreign markets The success apparently re
sultng from the trade is sufficient to induce us tc
acqulesce IN its continuance until the article becomes
more etlectually established"
The same letter contains the following
table of the quantities of Indigo, imported
into England, in the year 1889.
Spain, 3ls,7s2 lbs.
Portugal, 966i7 do
| America, S464l4 do
East Indies, 81 AGO do
| Oseud chiefly East Indies, 24O339 do
| Other por's, 1906 do
l953,557
The letter adds, that as the entries ar