The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-07-03

proceedings in Greece He confidently expected
they would do SO. and in saying this he bore tes
mony to the great ability and the peaceful sent-
ments OF Lord Palmerston
The House then divided, when there appeared
Content.-Present ......,,.... ..............Il3
Proxies. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. sc
1859
observation-disclosures .....'......'.....T
Proxies. ................5o
Majority against govcrnement ............ 81
Their lordships adjourned at quarter past three
o'clock.
In the House of Commons the 18TH debate of
some interest in ths country occurred on motion
made by Mr.. Bright, to appoint commissioner To
proceed to India 10 inquire into the obstacles which
prevent an increased growth of cotton in that coun-
try, and to report upon any circumstanccs that
may inJurously affect the condition of the native
cultvators Of the soil in the prcsidenccs OF Bombay
and Madras. The Times report says that he began
by showing the Importance of the object, to insure
an adequate supply Of the raw material for the cot
ton manufactures of this country, which employed
1900, 900 of our population, and an amount of pro
perty much greater than was embarked in any
other manufacturing trade in the united kingdom,
and which produced the largest proportion Of our
exports. The amount of raw cotton imported in
1900 was 90 900 900 lbs in lSi9 il had increased
to 754 100000 Our supply was from the following
sources, and in the following proportions: The
United States, 49, per cent; the British possessions
in India, TO- per cent; Egypt 81 per cent. and the
British West Indies, one-half per cent. The crop
in the United States liable To great fluctuations,
causing much loss to operatives well as manu-
facturers, while the consumption of cotton on the
continent of Europe and in America rapidly
increasing, apparently beyond the power of pro-
ducton; and an advance of Id. per 10. on raw cot
ton would amount to G. 900 900 sterling. Such
increase of the cost of the Material tended to
limit consumption, and involve the trade in embsr
rassmen.
Another consideration was, that the American
| % bOr. /
any cause slavery should be abolished in the Uni
ted States the cultivation of cotton would be great
| ly interfered with In these circumstances. there
! being no present prospect OF an adequate supply
| from our African, Australian, or West India colo
MES, il was natural 10 turn TO British India, and
| there were valid reasons for doing. India had
always grown cotton, and at this time the quantity
raised there not far short of the whole produce
of the United States The soil adapted and the
people habituated TO lite cultivation From l7SS 10
the present time the East India Company had be
slowed their attention upon India cotton, sending
| out cleaning machines, gins, and American plant
ers; they bad established experimental farms, and
had expended in their endeavors 20 promote the
! growth Of cotton not less than 100000 The Sc
lect committee of s+S had expressed its belief that
the soil and climate, and population of India, just
fed the expectation that this country might receive
thence large supplies OF cotton; yet up to this mo
inent there bad been no results. In considering
the causes Of this disappointment, he looked to the
condition of the people of India, which OF
extreme, abject, and almost universal poverty.
MIR. Bright read the testimony OF Rammohun
| Roy, and various writers, including one of the
American planters sent out by the East India Com
pany, to the depressed condition Of the peasantry
Of India, the ruin of the landed aristocracy, and
| the exactions on account of the government reve-
nue.. "The poverty of the people," Mr.. Shore said.
''was almost beyond belief" The report OF the sc
ect committee of s4s stated that the cultvators in
the cotton districts in the west and south of India
were in the most abjcct condition, dependent upon
money lenders, who extorted forty or fifty per
cent, and regulated prices at their own will. lie
hat b. al. byfl
eminent OF India 10 enable the ryots To carry
cultivation, amounted TO no less than T. 500 900
year. After anticipating and answering the OBJ
| lcctions which might be offered 60 his motion, Mr..
Bright suggested that there was precedent for IL
in 1922, when royal commission was appointed To
inquire into the condition Of the Cape OF Good
Hope, the Mauritus, and Ccylon, the commission.
ers being instructed TO inquire into the tenures OF
| land, the system of cultivation, &c In conclu-
| sion, he drew the attention of the House 10 the
enormous at the disposal of the East India
! Company, who, in fourteen years-from 1884 TO
ls47-hah collected revenue Of f3l6.0o0 900, or,
deducting interest for debt, EGO, 900 900 year
whilst the net revenue of Great Britain, exclusive
Of debt, but f25 ,000,OO0.
After some further discussion the motion
negatvcd.
From the London Chronicle, June 18Th.
| II can no longer be doubted that the American
cotton harvest of ISs9 seriously deficient. The
estimates which have been made OF the crop OF the
current year not of more favorable character;
and after fully allowing for the uncertainty and
agReration by which these calculation are usually
distinguished, we are compelled 10 admit that there
ia every reason TO anticipate n scarcity, and con
sequent enhancement Of price, OF that all important
staple. Whether we consider the effect that such a
contingency would produce upon the general trade
of the country the difficulties in which IL would
involve most important branch Of manufac
turing industry, the prospect IL equally gloomy
and unpfomising In any case II would cause great
commercial embarrassment; in the eyes Of all men,
except Mr.. Fsrraud and the Wool League, II would
be a national calamity. We are not, therefore,
surprised that considerable alarm has been created
on this subject among the una nufacturers, and that
they have been induced 20 turn their attention To
the facilities which other countries besides the Uni
ted States possess for the production Of cotton.
Hitherto we have been principally dependent on
America for our supply Of cotton; and OF late years
that Deepen iencc has increased rather than diinin
shed. ihc imports from other quarters have re
manned nearly stationary, and IN some instances
they have declined. The chief increase has been
from the United States. so great has been the pro
ductIon Of that favored country, that II has not
only satisfied the largely increased demand OF Eu-
rope. but IL likewise consumes in its own nanuiac-
tories much cotton made up IN England
quarter Of a century ago. The growth of cotton IN
the United States is Of 40 large an amount that IT
regulates the market of the world The american
cotton crop is, however, liable to the widest Hue
tusdons. By early frosts, or by foundations, II is
often diminished a. much as twenty or twenty hive
per cent Whenever this occurs there is CORE
spending depression in the English manufacturing
districts. Our commercial prosperity, in FACT de-
ponds upon the vicisstudes Of the American cli-
mate. Such is the unstable basis upon which the
mercantile greatness Of this country Is founded.
Ireland.
DUBLIN, Jusg Ia-THr CaoPs.--So far from there
beng any grounds, yet, for the reported reap
pcarance OF disease in the potato, all accounts agree
in representing the crop to be in forward and
houri-bng condition. The potato and corn crops
in Colleen and the neigbborbood of Skull look re-
marksbly well--tbere is appearance of blight NJ
yet. Many OF the poor farmers will have new po-
| tatoes in twelve dsys. The quantity of potatoes
this year far exceeds that Of last year.
Rome.
letter from Rome in one Of The Paris papers
mentions a plot TO sssassinst the Pope on Holy
Thursday, which was probably msrred by the rain,
which prevented hs holiness from taking part in
an intended procession.
Prussia.
Il The accounts from Berlin describe the health Of
the king to be 80 far restored that his majesty has