The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-05-13
First Arrival OF Dahomey Cotton I'm Nam
chester,

We have more than once called attention to two
exceedingly interesting and important communi-
cations from the late lamented Mr.. Duncan, the
African traveller, who penetrated from Whydah,
the port Of the kingdom of Dahomey, to its capital
and himself astonishcd at the obvious capabili
ties of large tracts of country for growing cotton Of
an exceedingly good color and very useful quality.
He seems to have found favor with the sable mon
arch of Dahomey, and having one evening ex-
pressed wish TO have little OF the native indigo
nous cotton, which he had seen growing in the
neighborhood, he was almost ''smothered" by the
immense quantities which were brought to him the
following morning. His letters, which were speed
lily followed, alas, by his sudden and untmely
death, intimated that he was sending samples Of
this native cotton TO England, consigned, we be-
lieve, to the Manchester chamber Of commerce;
but months after the time at which it should have
come to hand having elapsed without tdings of it,
all expectation Of receiving it was abandoned, when
a communication was Unexpectedly received from
Brest, in France, announcing its arrival there's and
it reached Manchester only on Thursday last. Its
adventures not little remarkable.
Mr.. Duncan had put about 10 Id. Of the cotton,
Just in the state in which the natives had gathered
IL from the pods, without attempting to remove the
seed, into a small keg, such is used to smugge
tobacco and as at that time there British YES
sci at the port Of Whydah he shipped il on board
French vessel called the Aristide, bound for st.
Malo. In the homeward trip this vessel lost her
captain by death, and was afterwards overtaken by
a storm, and was ultimately driven by stress Of
weather into Brest. Here the keg was landed; but,
there British vessel there at that time, it
despatched TO the British Vice Consul at st.
Malo, that he might take means TO forward ii TO
its destination. He kept il some time by him,
waiting for an opportunity of sending IL either to
London or Liverpool; but, none such offering, he
at length determined 10 send il 10 a stage nearer
home, and accordingly il was put on board small
weasel bound for Guernsey or Jersey; and, once
there, il was not difficult to find conveyance TO
London, and thence 10 Manchester.
So far can be Judged from this sample, the
withOul a M the advantauea of AR
and systematic culture, exhibits two excellent
qualities IL Is OF clear good color and its staple
is fine IL is intended TO have some Of II ginned
by different machines and then 10 exhibit Il to the
trade and especially 20 hose skilled in the discrim-
nation of the various shades of quality and value;
but already, believe, there is little doubt that
il a few gins and packing press or two sent
out to Whydah n present 10 the King Of Daho-
mey, on condition that he should have all the cot
ton ginned, cleaned, and packed in bales, ready
for expectation, there would at once be a very con-
siderable supply Of this valuable product coming
biher from that part of the world. We are assured
that the King of Dahomey, who, like more civilized
sovereigns Is extremely DESTROYS of increasing his
revenues, would give every encouragement 10 the
cultivation and export Of cotton, If a remunerative
price could be secured. This would not be diff
part of the world. II IL said, too, that the king
would even gladly give up his slave hunts, IL the
cotton and pam-ol trade could be made certain
source OF income.
Already the latter article has become 30 much
sought after that the supply lie scarcely equal the
demand, and vessels are kept waiting at Whydah
for some time before they can fill up their cargoes
exclusively with OIL If TO this be added an abund-
ant supply Of cotton the vessels will load more RAJ
pidly, filing up with either article il can be OBJ
tanned, and the trade will consequently become
more remunerative. Should the supply Of cotton
eventually prove large the accounts would
fairly warrant us 70 expect, may, ere many
years have elapsed, find the west coast Of Africa
competing 10 very considerable extent with the
United States in the supply of this important raw
material of our great staple manufacture.
Ihanchesfer Guardian.