The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-01-06

promoting a commercial intercourse. Since
the commencement OF his government, Mehe
gies towards the deveOpement Of the natural re-
sources which were considerable, ofthe country
which he presided. Whilst directing his attention
TO tire cutting OF some canals in the vicinity OF Bag
dad he had decided on having q regular steam CO
nunicaiiOn between Bagdad and Bussora. In order
to carry out this object the Pacha had directed MIN
Colonel Moss oud Bey), being the chief Of his STAFF
to visit the principal commercial towns of Europe
for the purpose of efecbng the purchase Of sundry
steamers which the central government had decided
upon procuring. This, therefore. the object of
his official visit to England; but, whilst carrying
out the especial aim Of his journey, he had thought
II might be advantageous TO his own country, Ms
well as To the enterprsing spirit OF this commercial
community, were he TO endeayor TO drect the pub
lie attention TO the many commercial capabilities OF
the country from which he had come. lie had,
therefore, sought an interview with this assocs
tiOn and would be most happy to answer any ques-
tons that might be put 10 him. Bagdad was Git
mated on the river TIgrs. about zoo miles above
its junction with the Euphrates although the actua
distance between the two rivers tie Vicinity OF the
town was twenty-five miles. From time immemorial
Bagdad bad been place OF considerable trade IL
was not 80 extensive now as at some former periods
OF its history, but the decadence OF the country was
mainly attributable TO the maaumlnistraton OF the
government, which was formerly too much toe faSe
Of other par,s Of the Ottoman empire. Happily
however, a new era had arison in Turkish history
and of energy, intelligence and prebity we're now
selected 10y the imperial government as the repre-
sen'ati 9es Of the Sultan in the various pachal NJ
The soil of the province of Basdad as 1t was an
GENTLY called MesOpotama, wherein stood the oapi-
tails of Babylon and Nneveh, was Of fine alluvld
quality, extending hundreds OF miles Ii was how
ever, from want OF enterprise, 40 unculLlvete0 that
III the language OF the country il was called "the
desert" Ii bad, however, nnthing III common with
the usual acceptance Of the word desert
there were no interminabie d stricts OF burning
sado, refusing every attempt at CULTIVATION, but
on the contrary, "the desert OF the province oil
ID dad ,slA I'm 6FutQ
raj attempts. On its wiling soil grew luxuriantly
all descriptions of corn, rice, cotton. (Sea Island
had been tried aud proved good) max nemp, ana
many oil bearing seeds, such as sesame ana tne mu
berry. The present Pacha had himself planted near
ly half million of the latter trees aud when 1t
was considered how extensive was the trade in silk
from Persia this act of the Pacha showed his strong
desire to make his country an exporting oae. In
order likewise, to show the diversity OF the soil he
(tbe ColoneD might mention that the apple tho
pear the date lin abundanee), the hg and the Or
ange, besides other European esculents, thrOve well
there. The growth of wool was likewise enormous;
but from the lack of enterprise it was allowed to
fall ungatt cred from the backs OF the sheep.
He had entered into these details a. to
the capabilities Of the soil in the hePe of
demonstrating that, with the introduction Of fresh
capital, considerable remuneration would result.
Even with a small capital, q quick and ample return
would be obtained Manual labor WAS cheap. ard
people most willing to work If they were he ad
ed by proper oveTseers. The rights OF property
we're rightly maintained by the Turkish government.
and contracts between tho natives aud English Zen
were registered by the Consul, which gave them the
same validity as if effected IN England. The Turk
sh government also, was most tolerant N religious
opinions; and the acknow lodged virtues Of the Turk
ish character, namely, probity and bookkeeping,
were we'll maintained in his Uhe Coonels) country.
At present there was wide field FOR the engineer 1t
Bagdad. In Order to fertilize and bring under cul1
yaon the soil of the district the cutting OF canals
and every form of irrigation must be very prominent
features. The outlay for such operations would be
exceedingly moderate, for the ground was 6at TN.
incumbered with stone and rock, and Of q clayey
nature; and from the near vicinity OF the two
rivers, the Euphrates and Tigiis, the com
rnand Of water vas great. Every canal and fresh
moae OF irrigation would soon repay itself, from
the very fa,t of the greatly improved value it would
give to the contiguous land. In former times the
greatest attention was devoted to these branches Of
agricultural Improvement; but unfortunately they,
from sundry causes had become neglected still tae
remains OF many q noble line of canal existed which
could lie rendered available in the present day and
Mehemid Peshid Pacha had devoted considerable
portion OF his activity ana the resources OF al his
excbeguer TO the extension Of them. The object
which the sub inc Porte had ia view III establishing
steam communication between Bag0ad and Bussora
was this love Bagdad the produce o. the sur
rounding districts was at present ed iowa the
TigTis on rats; the river, unfortunately not being
al present sufficiently navigable for oeeper mode
al conveyance. From Bagdad to !ussora, how
ever, the river Yielded greater facilities for
navigation, and could accommodate steamers OF
eis the heavy and onerous charges OF towage, with
the consequent serious and often disastrous loss OF
time, were obviated but, above all, security 10 the
property embarked on the Tlgris was obtained.
Tins was extremely desirable from the fact that the
lnks of tie river were at times subjected 10 occa
sional nroads Of the rowing Arabian tribes, who ie
We'd kind Of black mail OIL all parties who fell INTO
their hands. Steam, however. would ensure safety
from all such attacks, and would promote what was
the wish o: the Sublime Porte-a STEADY ameliora-
ton Of the country, and sn extension OF trade to
India, Arabia and even Europe.
In the course Of conversation which followed,
the Colonel stated that Mr.. Rassam, British Vice
Consul at Mossul had tried the experiment OF grow
ing cotton and had succeeded not only IN fact, but
in commercial point OF view. NO company had
81 vet been formed at Bagdad; but all that was re-
quired was little capital to commence with, and
he had no doubt that cotton cultivation might sue
coed, and he believed for this purpose EljDO0 to
10000 would be quite sufficient, Tor which
monthly interest might be paid. Tins was supposing
the money were expended in irrgating the gardens
and lands In the neighborhood OF Bagdad.
Mr.. CIEGG, director OF the association, put seve'
raj questions to the Colonel as 70 the growth OF cot
ton in the neighborhcod Of Bagdad and the Colo
mel stated that small quantity was at present pro
duced and used by the inhabitants for their own con
sumption but Tor want Of proper means its prepare
Mr.. CrroS did not think il advisable at present
that any public company should undertake The
experiment, but thought the natives themselves
should be induced TO commence the growth oil
cotton az much possible, but on a small scale at
first and the experiment might be undertaken az
forwards on q larger scale, If they succeeded He
referred 70 the cultivation Of cotton on the West
Coast Of Africa ss beng on alarger scale than was
generally supposed, and thought the time was come
when Chambers OF Commerce and associations like
this shoald do al In their power TO encourage such
undertakings. He thought IL very desirable some
individual should he induced 10 60 to Bagdad TO see
what could he done 10 induce the people 10 cultivate
the cotton plant. Evidently, what they required
was not money 20 much a. instruction and gut
dance. - -,
After =ome remarks from Mr.. VIM. Glib and
others a vote OF thanks given TO Col. Mos oud
Bey for his attendance and the information he had
given. and the meeting then separated.