Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-01-08
From the Charleston Mercury.
THE COTTON CROP.

WASHINGTON, Dec. %, 1856.
Gentlemen believing, as I do, that a
systematic effort has been carried on for years,
in this country and in England, by specula.
tors and manufacturers of our great staple,
Cotton, to swell the estimates of the annual
production, in order that it may be obtained,
from its honest producers, at less than'its
real and intrinsic value; and desirous, if I
can, to afford the planters of the South some
aid by which they may be induced to realize
better price, by holding their crops until
the demand forces a fair and just value-I
have concluded to send you the result of an
inquiry, which, for my own satisfaction, I in
stituted here, and which may have some eff.
feet in accomplishing my object.
l see that several estimates have recently
been published and sent to England, varying
from 100000 to 5000, 1000 bales, neither
of which, in my judgment, will likely be re.
allied.
1t will be recollected that, last year, we
had the credit of making 3,50O,OO0 bales,
and, l believe, about that quantity went to
the ports; but it is we'll known that, of that,
a considerable portion was ofthe crop of 1854
which had been retained in Alabama, Mis-
sissippi, Arkansas and Texas, and perhaps in
a part of Louisiana, in consequence of low
rivers and want of transportation, until long
after the month Of September, the usual
time of making up the estimates. have
never heard that portion estimated at less
than 100000 bales, and, I am inclined to
believe, it would nearer approach 25O,O00.
Be this as it may, 3,500,000 bales were
thrown into the market from the lst Septem-
Der, 1855, to September, 1856; and during
war in Europe, for about five months of the
first of the season, with high rate of inter-
est for money in Eng aud, and higher rate
of prices for provisions than usual through
out the civilized world, and yet the whole
crop was sold, leaving no extraordinary ac-
emulation in Liverpool, and commanding,
at the very last of the sales in this country,
about IL cents per pound.
In addition to this, it is very well known
that the crop of last year was more complete
ly sold out at the commencement of the pres
eut than has been known in many years pre-
vious; and the present season found Europe
in peace, with no serious falling off Of the
provision crop anywhere, with no known rea-
son why money matters should be as strin-
gent as last year, with prices of almost every
thing ranging higher than usual, and Aus
tralia and California yielding their usual sup
ply of gold.
Bearing these facts in mind, let me now
refer to the result ofmy inquiry, among men,
bers of Congress (without concert together)
from different parts of every cotton growing
State in the Union, many of whom are plan
ters, and nearly all of whom left bo1e after
the picking season was far advanced, and
whose statements, in writing, l have before
me.
In Texas, Gen. Rusk thinks the crop will
exceed that of 1855, by 20 per cent, in con-
sequence of increase Of land in cultivation,
and hands from immigration.
In Arkansas, Senator johnson estimates
the crop at 10 per cent. increase, in conse-
quence of extended cultivation from immi-
grafton. Mr.. Greenwood the same. Mr..
Rust thinks the crop will be short in his dis
trict 20 per cent. on the lands cultivated in
1856, but makes no estimate from extended
cultivation.
In Louisiana, Mr.. Sandige estimates the
crop as 20 per cent. short of the crop Of
1856.
In Mississippi, Mr.. Bennet estimates the
crop at one third less than the crop of 1855;
Mr.. Barksdale the same, that is, at one.third
short; Gen. Quitman at one-third short; Mr..
Lake at one-fourth short and Mr. Wright at
onasfourth short.
3 IL Alabama, Mr.: Shorter estimates the
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