The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-02-20
THE COTTON CROP.

/.
The following statement this important subject is
present Congress We find it in the of the Charles
ton Mercury. Our planters may read it with the confident
assurance that it is entirely reliable:
WASHINGTON December o. 1856.
GENTLRMEN Believing as do that systematic effort
has been carried for yeas in this country and in Eng
land by SPECTATORS and manufacturers of great staple
cotton to swell the estimates of the annual production
order that it may be obtained from its honest producers
at less than its real and intrinsic value and DESTROYS if
can afford the planters of the South aid by which
they may be induced to realize better price, by holding
their crops until the demand forces fair and Just value
concluded send you the result Of inquiry which
for my satisfaction instituted here and which may
have fleet in accomplishing my object
that several estimates have recently been published
and sent England, varying from 100000 1900 600
bales neither of which, in my Judgment, will likely be
allied
1t will be recoeced that last year we had the credit of
making $500 bales and believe, about that quantity
went to the ports but it is well known that of that
siderable portion OF the crop of 1854 which had been
retained in Alabama Mississippi and Texas and perhaps
in part of louisiana in consequence of low rivers and
of transportation until long after the month of Sep
tember the usual time of making the estimates have
heard that portion estimated at less than 100000
bales and inclined to believe it would nearer APP
proach 100000 Be this as 1t may, 100000 bales
thrown into the market from the LIST September 1885, to
September 1856; and during in Europe for about
FIVE months Of the first of the season. with high rate Of
interest for money in England and higher of prices
for provisions than usual throughout the civilized world
and yet the whole crop Sold leaving extraordinary
accumulation in Liverpool and commanding at the very
last Of the Gales in this country about twelve cents per
pound.
In addition to this 1t very well known that the crop
olast year completely sold out at the
of the pr than has been known in many years
previous and the present season found Europe in peace
with serious falling off of the provision crop where
with no known reason why money matters should be as
stringent last year. with prices of almost everything
ranging higher than usual and Australia and California
y;aId; fhair enp " OfU nj
Bearing these facts in mind let me now refer to the
suit Of my inquiry among members OF Congress without
concert togeher) from different parts of every cotton
growing State in the Union, many of whom planters
and nearly all of whom left homo after the picking
was advanced and whose statements in writing, have
before me.
Ia Texas Gen. Rusk thinks the crop will exceed that Of
by 20 per cent consequence of increase of lands
cultivation and hands from immigration.
In Arkansas Senator Johnson estimates the crop at 10
per cent increase in consequence of extended cultivation
from immigration. Mr. Greenwood the same. Mr.. Rust
thinks the crop will be short in his district 20 per cent
the lands cultivated in 1885, but makes no estimate from
extended cultivation
In Louisiana Mr. Sandidge estimates the crop 20 per
cent. short Of the crop Of 1855
In Mississippi Mr. Bennett estimates the crop at
third less than the crop of 1856 Mr. Barksdale the
that is one-thrd short; General outman at third
short; Mr. Lake at one-iourth short and Mr. Wright at
one-fourth short
In Alabama Mr. Shorter estimates the crop onefourth
short OF 1856; Mr. Dowde one-thrd short; Mr. Harris
one-third short; Mr. Cobb at oneourth short and Mr.
Houston at Une-nalt snort
In Georgia Mr. Crawford represents the crop ut 37 per
cent short of last year; Judge Warner one-thrd short
Mr. Cobb one-half short; Mr. Stephens twothrds short
Mr. Foster at go per cent Short and Mr. Trip from BIZ to
so per cent short
10 Tennessee, Mr. Rivers Memphs) represents the crop
one-half short Of 1856 Mr. Wright onehalf short; Mr.
Jones one-hrd short and Mr. Ready middle Tennessee
as much rs last year.
In North Carolina, Mr. Crago estimates the crop at one
third short OF 1855.
In Florida Mr. Maxwell estimates the crop as short de-
ridedlv hut makes estimate.
In south Carolina Mr. Orr estimates the crop at one
fourth short of 1885, Mr. keitt at onethrd short Mr.
Brooks at onefourh short and Mr. Boyce and myself at
more than one-fourth short.
BY reference estimates it may be that Texas
will make twenty per cent increase excess; Arkansas
ten per cent excess Louisiana twenty per cent short In
Mississippi three estimates make the crop onethlrd short