The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-09-12
w A s HI N CT @ N.
THURSDAY EVENING, SEPT. u, 1914.
COTToN.GROWING IN TEXAS.

COTTON-GROWING IN TEXAS
We derive the following valuable tables from
the New York Republic. 1t will be seen that
Texas exported to the United States in l843,
sides what was shipped directly to Europe and
consumed at home. Doubtless the bulk of the
crop, however, was entered at New Orleans for
reshpment to Europe, the ports and harbors of
Texas not being adapted to the accommodation Of
the first class merchant ships.
Texas exhibits this rapidly growing production
of cotton in spite Of the daily and yearly appre-
hension Of Mexican invasion she has labored I'M
der, which has deferred emigration, and even
caused many to desert the country. Had she
enjoyed unbroken peace since her declaration Of
independence, there is little doubt that the pro-
duction of cotton in that republic would have at
this time exceeded that of Mississippi, and per-
haps it would have equalled half the crop of this
country. There is far more perhaps twice as
much, cotton land in Texas as there is in the
United States and there is not only more, but
better-better than our cotton lands ever were,
before they were exhausted and worn out I'm
less all who have ever seen Texas have con-
spired to palm the grossest falsehoods upon man.
kind, its fertility is unbounded and unequalled-
not merely a few choice spots near the rivers and
streams, but all of it, everywhere, hill and vale,
is rich beyond expression. Now what must be
the consequence of bringing such lands into equal
competition with the exhausted lands of the
Southern States Can not any one see that the
result in ten years, perhaps less time, must be
cessation of the growth of cotton east of the Mis-
sissippi! The consequence is inevitable. The
Texans have new lands admirably adapted to
cotton, and Of the very first quality-whie our
own Southern States have lands exhausted or
worn out, and which, when new, were far infe-
rior in fertility and adaptation to those of Texas.
Even now, as every Southern man knows, the
lands of Alabama have very materially deterior-
ated under the system of cotton cultivation, and
those of Mississippi and West Tennessee are
giving way, being deserted and falling in price,
because they can not stand the competition of the
fresher lands Of Arkansas. Admit Texas into the
Union, and these lands would be deserted and
become valueless.
But it may be said that the same thing will
result whether Texas be admitted into the Union
or not, since cotton is likely to be the staple Of
that country. But the difference is this. II
Texas is admitted, she can compete with US not
only in the English, but in our own market
while if she remains independent, we can shut
her out Of the American market, besides having
an equal chance in foreign markets. The Amer
lean market already consumes between four and
five hundred thousand bales, and yearly increases
in Importance.
The amount grown in Texas, at present, is
insignificant, but, under the circumstances, is
very considerable. 1t must be remembered that
there has been but little increase in the popula-
ton of Texas since the declaration of indepen-
dence but three years of peace under the qua
ranty of the American flag would give her pop
ulaton equal to or greater than that of Misss-
sippi.
II is now eight years since cotton planting be-
came extensive in Texas, and the latter figures
represent very nearly the present whole Texan
crop. large portion of the cotton of Texas
finds the European markets through the United
States ports, in opposition 10 that Of our own
growth, but burdened with an additional freight
and commissions, and to the q per cent. deduct
ed from the drawback. Notwithstanding these
disadvantages, the import Of Texas cotton into
the United States has progressed as follows:
Imports Of Cotton from Teras into The United
States. t.F fss
Pounds. Value
1886, 379,O37 $33,076
1887, l,0S2,466 l44,87O
1888. l,49I, 293 l56,24O p
II 1889, 100000 24O,130
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