New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1856-11-22
MISUNDERSTANDING or COTTON.

The following statement made on behalf of the Liv'
erpool American Chamber OF Commerce and the Cot
ton Brokers' Association, respecting the multitarlous
evils arising from false and dishonest packing OF cot
ton appeared in the London Times of the 18th ult.
The high sources whence the statement enanaes emil
ties it to widespread consideration. We trust the
Chambers Of Commerce to which it is addressed will
take such action as may be deemed eXpedient, and
that planters and others directly or indirectly inter-
ested will pay to it that attention its Importance de-
serves and should command. With this preliminary
we submit the document referred to-
LIVERPOOL, October %.
gro the Chambers of Commerce Of New Orlcnn<, Mobile
Charleston and savannah, and TO all concerned in the
trade of the United States: -.-
''The magnitude and importance Of the commerce
of Great Britain with the United States in the article
of cotton, is sufficiently known and to those who are
acquainted with the details of the trade it is matter
Of satisfaction that the machinery by which the dstrl
button of so enormous quantity Of material is effect
ed has up to this time worked so smoothly, owing to
the honorable character Of all concerned, from the
planter to the manufacturer.
But in order to sustain the character of the trade,
and to retain the mutual confidence which has hitherto
existed it is essential that every sample OF cotton Oh
fered in the market should fairly represent the qallty
Of the bulk from which it is taken as every deviation
from this rule tends to create dstrllst
.: OF late, however, so many instances OF careless
packing have occurred, causing discrepancy between
the sample and the bulk, that serious loss las been
sustained both by the manuiacturerand the merchant
and it has become duty to call the attention. not only
Of the American planters and factors, whose reputl
ton is thereby injured bat also Of the trade generally
to the present growing increase i'll the proportion of
irregular and false packed bales, and to invite their
serious consideration of the evils which must inevita-
bly, follow the continuance Of the practice, and to So
lict their assistance in checking it.
" In most cases, the irregular packing is only dis
covered when the bale has reached its ultimate des-
tination and is opened by the manufacturer, and the
trouble cost and Inconvenience of re-packing and
turning the bale and the trouble and difficulties which
attend prosecution of his claim have frequently in
duced him to bear the loss in silence. Similar reasons
have prevailed with the merchant to suffer the loss re-
sulting from such cotton, returned by the manufac-
turer, rather than resort to the tedious and often
useless process of seeking redress against the planter
abroad.
1t is on this account that so few instances have
occurred iii which the real offender has borne the con-
sequence Of his neglect, and, presuming this for
bearance, the evil complained of has, from careless
ness or otherwise increased to such extent that,
in large proportion Of shipments arriving in Liver
pool instances of false or irregular packing are dis
covered, and occasionally whole parcels, consisting of
20, so and even 100 bales are found mixed in the
bale and sometimes plated in other words the
outer layer, from which the sample is taken, is more
or less superior in quality to the interior of the bale.
is hoped that all parties will see the urgent ne
cessty of promptly cooperating to stop and remove
this serious and increasing evil which will otherwise
disorganze the trade, and destroy that mutual trust
and confidence without which such an extensive and
important branch OF commerce cannot be carried on.
THOMAS SttiLtR, Pres Amer. Chauljer Of Commerce,
THOMAS HAIGH, Pres Cotton Brokers' Association.
Every planter and merchant on this side should ey-
ert himself to detect and bring to punishment the
perpetrators of these fraudulent practices. II there
are no laws to reach Them the Legislatures of the
cotton growing States should enact such laws at the
earliest practicable moment. And, in the meantime,
a public exposition of the names and acts of the
parties implicated, would do much towards suppress
sing the iniqllity.
This false packing Of cotton has been known for
years. We have heard of logs and stones being pack
ed in cotton bales, together with other coutrvances
to increase their weight, all Of which calculated
to bring cotton planters, merchants and lUcors into
disepute, and to destroy that confidence which is the
very soul of legitimate commercial transactions
These discredItable instances were few for as a
class, the planting community Of the Southern States
stand and always has stood, unsurpassed for inteli-
gence honesty, and fair dealing. Of late, however,
it appears these occurrences ones similar to them
have become so numerous as to call for prompt and
Ciectua action. 1t is represented that the samples
do not, frequently, represent the bulk that serious
losses have been caused thereby that much damage
is being done to the reputation Of American planters
and factors in consequence; and al urgent call is
made for assistance on this side Of the water to nu
stop TO 4 growing evil.
We cannot doubt but that the appeal will be
promptly responded to. 1t ought to be, with the ut
most alacrity and with a rigor that will ensure
efficiency. If it is not, what inevitably follows?
Why, the whole planting interest, numbering in its
ranks hundreds of thousands Of as honest men as ever
will