The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-10-26
VIscoUNT PALMERsroN, G. C. B.
CHAMBER OF Com. AND MANUFACTURES,

MANCHESTER, September ~, 1851.
Sin: have now to report the result Of our ex-
animation of the samples of African cotton trans
mitted, by direction of the right honorable compa-
ny, to this chamber for an opinion thereon. The
quantity is too small to permit the quality to be
tested by actual working; and had the quantity
been large enough for that purpose, another diff
Guilty would have interviewed, in the cotton not
having been separated from the seed, which it
must Of course be, whenever it may be sent in n
merchantable shape. This latter point is one OF
extreme importance to the cultivator of cotton, in
asmuch as difference of from ten to fifteen per
| cent. in the value will arise from the treatment
which the cotton may receive in the separation OF
the fbres from the seed. With reference to the
samples sent by their lordships, am fortunately
in position to give a nearer estimate of the mar
ket value Of the cottons than | should have been
under other circumstances. Had we been obliged
to state our opinion from that which we have
separated from the seed by hand, we might have
gone somewhat astray; because cotton pulled from
the seed by hand, will show u more favorable
staple than if passed through any cleaning ma
chine. had, however, heard of samples Of AZ
| rcan seed cotton having been sent to this town q
short time ago, and had been the means of having
| a portion thereof cleaned by machine, OF the
merits Of which l have high opinion, whilst
| another portion passed through recently invent
ed machine which is now being made in Man
chester. On application to the party alluded to,
found that the samples transmitted by their lord
ships were Identical, in name and quality, with
those which he had received; and as they, by hav
ing been passed through machinery, gives a justel
index of the value Of the quality Il may Be ex.
pected TO be when brought to market for nianufac-
turing purposes, quote the prices which he, a
broker, has this day assigned to each respectively:
Accra, Z! pence to pence; Abassa, I'D, I'D, to
s,d.; Secundi, 7sd. to SD; Providence, Sd. to
Sad. per lib. As respects the usefulness Of this
cotton, nothing could be more desirable than the
quality which these samples represent We do
not need any large increase Of the finest qualities
Of cotton our most pressing want Of such quail
ties as enter into the manufacture Of the coarsest
and heaviest of our fabrics, and this want the cot
tons now under review are admirably adapted to
supply. Our trade could not receive any greater
boon than large import Of them, if sent to us free
from seeds, leaf-stems, and other extraneous mat
tiers; whilst correlative result would arise in
Africa, If such an intercourse with this country
could, by any means, be established. We there
fore receive, with the greatest pleasure, the copy
of President Roberts letter to Viscount Palmer
ston, Of the 9Th of July, which you kindly sent to
the chamber, because we see in the sentiments
expressed therein strong grounds for hope that,
ere long, such community of interests may
arise between this country and Africa, as will at
once minister to the steady employment of our
own people and provide the lkeliest of all means
for spreading civilization there.
l have the honor to be, sir, your very obedient
humble servant,
THOMAS BooTHMAN, Secretary.