The Opelousas patriot. [volume] (Opelousas, Parish of St. Landry, La.) 1855-1863, 1855-05-12
~ COTTON PLANTERS.

- 80 &
i In accordance with . resolution passed by
the Commercial Convention whichssat in New
Orleans in January, there will be a special
meeting of the Committee on Direct Trade
held on the 4th of July next at Cooper's We'll,
in Mississippi, to take into consideration the
interest of the cotton growers, and to adopt
ways and means to secure that harmony and
concert Of action best calculated to further
that interest. w
The Committee Of Invitation, located at-
Jackson, Miss, have published q circular letter
setting forth the objects, and inviting delegates
from all the adjoining States, from among the
planters, to be appointed or selected at local
or sectional meetings.
We therefore hope to hear in due time Of
meetings and the appointment Of delegates to
attend said Convention, being held in st. Ian
dry, Avoyelles, Lafayette and other adjoining
parishes. The object to be attained is worthy
Of attention and effort. The interest Of the
cotton planter has suffered greatly from the
monopoly Of the Liverpool market, and must
continue to suffer until there are other rival
cotton markets in Europe.
We give below the address Of the Chairman
Of the Committee on Direct Trade, G. G. Bay
lor, Esq, who is now in Europe in search Of
such information as will further the objects Of
the misunderstanding that none but cotton
planters themselves will take q part in the pro-
ceedings Of the Convention, save the press, ex-
cept by q special resolution Of the planters
themselves.
Who will be the first to move in this mat
ter We hear our own beautiful and favored
country stigmatized as wanting in energy, Ell
terprise and public spirit. Let it no longes be
said. Ours is now emphatically a cotton
growing region, and cotton the most important
branch Of agriculture.
To the PLANTERS Of Mississippi and the nd
joining Cotton States.
Empowered by the late Convention at NewOrlcars
as a Special Committee on the subject Of Direct
Trade, the call for q meeting of cotton growers is
made Us the first step in a now fully organized effort
to throw off the Liverpool monopoly and its accom-
panying evils.
At the meeting Of planters to be held on the 4th Of
July next, at Cooper's Well, Mississippi, the subject
will receive arthorough investigation in detail, and it
is only necessary for the present to direct public at
tention to it.
The great aim Of the movement known as Direct
Trade Is to establish on the Continent of Europe a
new depot for cotton. This depot will relieve Liver
pool Of its surplus-excite competition-eXtend CON
aum.tioi-lower the rates of interest, and by direct
shipments reduce the charges and expenses; 1t is
proposed to institute a system of trade which look
to q legitimate commission alone for remuneration,
doing away entirely with the present unnecessary
charges which burden the planters cotton in all the
American and European ports. A special agent
leaves at once for Europe, to make all the necessary
arrangements to open credits and obtain the best fa-
cilitie5 to advance on cotton in NewOrleans at rea-
sonahle rates of interest. Every step being thus
taken to throw around the planters interests the best
securities Of trade, q plan Of action will be proposed
which will enable him to act with perfect safety.
1t only remains for the planters Themselves now to
decide whether the Liverpool monopoly shall longer
exist. The Committee Charged with bringing this
matter forward rely with entire confidence on future
results, and only desire that those interested will ex-
anime and ascertain for themselves the utility and
practicabiity of this reform.
H" Wv fr c, G, BAYLOR, Chairman,