The New York herald., 1851-10-14
Cotton Cultivation In Western Africa.

From the Manchester Eng Guardian, Sept. 20
meeting Of the directors Of the Manchester
Chamber Of Commerce, was held at the boardroom
on Thursday morning, to receive a communication
from Captain Edulphus Swinton, gentleman who
has interested himself in promoting the cultivation
of cotton on the western coast Of Africa, in dis
trict subject to the dominion OF the negro tribes
adjoining to Sierra Leone. There we're only eight
OF ten members Of the board present
The President, Mr.. BAILEY, observed that the
public were aware the question OF obtaining more
abuI dant supply Of the raw material had re-
ceived the attention of this chamber for some
years past, and two years ago Captain Swinton ad-
dressed a letter to them on the subject. His CON-
municaton was acceptable; and he (the President)
supplied him with some cotton seeds, which he
took out to the coast Of Africa, and which he had
distributed among the chiefs and other influential
parties on the western coast who were now dis
posed to cultivate cotton article to be sent to
this country in exchange for our manufactures.
Captain Swinton being now present hi inself, he
would call upon him to state such facts as had come
to his knowledge.
Captain SwISToN then spoke he said that he first
went TO the coast Of Africa in lSi7 and in walking
alorg the eoast in the Sierra Leone colony, he saw
quantity Of cotton bushes. He collected some,
and brought the cotton to this country. At that
time he did not know that there would be any de-
fciency in American cotton; but he thought that
at all events, the African might be made arti lie
CT commerce. He Afterwards, when in England,
report Of the observations Of the President Of
the Manchester Chamber Of Commerce on the def
cheney Of the American crops, and thereupon he
wrote TO the chairman. On his return to Africa,
he interested the kirg Of Sherbro' in the matter,
whc was his principal friend there, and induced him
to grow cotton, Offering him a stated price for all he
would grow. The next thing to be done was to in
duce the people to exert themselves, AZ they were
naturally indolent IL they once began 1t, there
would be no difficulty % inducing them TO 70 with
the cultivation. Whenever he captain 5winton)
had gone up the country hundred miles or so from
the sea border, lie had generally taken with him
bag Of be teeds, and distributed them 70 the head
a -. -. - - -.
likely to see that they were sown. He had also
collected small quantities wherever he could meet
with IL, in different districts, supposing that there
might be difference in the texture and fibre
This cotton (show wing sample on the tablet had
been grown - miles from the coast close TO the
borders Of the Cooseeah territory, the limits Of
which were the respective frontiers Of the colony Of
Liberia and Of sierra Leone lie had received the
following letter since last he went inland from Az
fsybah Caulker, the hing Of Sherbro';-
Dear sill have received your cask Of cotton
seeds, and viii no: fail to have some Of 1t planted
this season, and have already prepared three farms
for IL, besides giving great deal to my people :;
and hope next season, when ytu come, that you
will reap the benefit Of good crop. But must
beg you to bring many more Of the eeds, that
may extend its cultivation through the couatry.
wherever suitable and hope will be for the ben
/ eft OF both parties.F
This letter was dated from Bumpey, the chief
tounsnd residence Of the king dom Il was written,
at his dictstion, by a secretary, Gan Englishm an
I probsbly,) the king himself not being able to
| speak English, nor to write. All the samples Of
I cotton now exhibited had been grown within the
territories Of this King Of SherbrJ.
Mr.. BAZIEY observed that Capt Swinton had
brought two samples, one Of a nsnkeen color,
about equal in staple to our ordinary East India
I cotton, and not very likely o. be generally useful
in this country but the other sample was clean.
white cotton, such as the board now saw quite
equal in quality TO fair Orleans cotton, and ifthcy
| could receive il in quantity, II would enter very
largely into our manufactures The better quality
Of cotton was peculiarly free In staple and
10 be clean and exceedingly strong. aud wouli be a
| great boon to them II they could have large sup
/ plies Of It,
The secretary, Mr.. BoorHu.S. asked whether
/ Captain Swinton had any idea OF the amount Of
cost required for labor
! Captain SwiNToS thought very trihing: Ia the
colony of Sierra Leone the highest wages given
were a shilling day, but more generally nine
/ perce and that VI the country would be paid In
| Manufactured goods, and would not cost he shouli
/ think, more than sixpence
| in answer tsMr. AsHToN, the captain said he had
not yet had an opportunity Of seeing any cotton
produced from the seeds be had introduced; but hs
had plants that had come cut OF the ground in
seven, or ever three days growth In one of his
letters he Fsid, after Mentioning that DR. Peyton
lad collected two thousand pounds ef the native
cotton " lie has planted IS acres many of the
| plants saw OF only two TO seven days growth Ia
bis garden, and they al appeared ost vigorous and
btsltby" In reply 20 question, Cap ain S~inton
ssid Dr. PeJton was the only missionary who hal
yet made any efforts 70 encouiags tae cultivation Of
/ cotton.
Could large quantity Of the Indigenous cotton
be obtained ~ shoud say BOT at present (repsd
/ Captain Svinton), only from the trees scattered
/ here sDd there ever the coast but everyvhers
where haze been, within hundred mileso Of sierra
! Leore, | have met With them
! Then 10 secure large suppues Of cotton from