Washington telegraph., 1857-01-28
THE COTTON CROP OF 1856.


The cotton crop of 1856 has led to an
indefnity of speculltions, estimates and
letters, which differ as widely as the inte-
rests of the buyer and seller are supposed
to be asunder One side has endeaYored
to impress the belief, both here and in Eu-
rope, that the crop would be fair average
one; while the opposite has maintained
that the crop would prove short one We
have taken the side Of the short-crop men:
and have, from time to time, brought for
ward evidence and data TO sustain our posi-
ton OF the verify of the predictions we
have INDUCED in we have always been sin
cerely convinced, and now we are quite
confident the future will develope the fact
that we did not shoot wide of the mark.
Not long since, as our readers are aware,
the members of Congress from the cotton
growing States met together iu Washing
ton for the purpose Of comparing notes in
regard to the crops in their respective
States and districts We have the detail
ed result OF that conference now before us,
embodied in letter from the Hon. John
Mcqueen, of South Carolina, which ap-
peared in the Charleston Mercury of the
9th ult. The letter is long one, but
we shall condense it within measurable
compass, giving all It's valuable substance
at the same time
Mr. Mcqueen sets out by stating: "Be-
lieving, as [ do that systematic effort has
been carried on for years, in this country
and in England, by spectators and manu-
facturers OF our great staple, cotton, TO
swell the estimates of the annual produc-
ton in order that it may be obtained from
its honest producers at less than It's real
and intrinsic value, [ have concluded to
send you the result of an inquiry, which,
for my own satisfaction, [ instituted here,
and which may have some effect in accom-
plishing nay object.
He then refers to estimates that have
been published and sent to England, that
the crop would vary from = 800, 900 t. s.
800, ,000 bales, neither ofwhich he thinks
viii be realized; that Nlast year we had
the credit Of making $500, 900 bales
and although probably that amount reached
the ports, still at least 200, ,000 bales we're
of the previous years production, having
been retained in various States in conse-
quence Of low water, lack of transportation
ETC., which rendered it impossible to send
it to market; and that, Notwithstanding
the war Ia Europe, high rates of interest in
England, and higher prices for provisions
than usual throughout the civilized world,
the ''wbole crop was sold, leaving no ex-
traordinary accumulation In England, and
commanding, at thevery last of the sales in
this country about twelve cents per pound;'
flso4 tho = .EfScI
completely sold out at the commencement
Of the present than has been known in
many years previous" and that everything
in Europe and elsewhere betokens a pros
porous business at high prices.
Recommending the reader to bear
these facts in mind, Mr. Mcqueen proceeds
to give the results of his inquiry among
members Of Congress from different parts
of every cOttOn-growing State in the Uni
on, many of whom are planters, and near
ly all Of whom left home after the picking
season was far advanced" and from whose
statements, in writing, he proceeds to make
up his calculation.
As the data the honorable gentleman
submits is extremely interesting, even if it
be not entirely worthy the attention of fac
tors, buyers and sellers, we give it in full
In Texas, Gen. Rusk thinks the crop
will exceed that of 1855, by 20 per cent,
in consequence Of increase of land in cul-
tivation 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 Ir.
Rust thinks the crop viii be short in his
district 20 per cent. on the lands cultiya-
ted in 1855, but makes no estimate from
extended cultivation.
In Louisiana, Mr.. Sandidge estimates
the crop as 20 per cent. short of the crop
of 1855
In Mississippi, Mr.. Bennett 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 one-fourth short.
In Alabama, Mr.. Shorter estimates the
crop at one-fourth short of 1855; Mr.
Dowdell one-third short; @Ir. Harris one
third short; AIr Cobb atone-fourth short,
and Mr. Houston at one-half short.
In Georgia, Mr. Crawford represents the
crop at 373 per cent short of last year;
Judge Warner one-third short; NIr. Cobb
one-half short; Mr.. Stephens two thirds
short Mr. Foster at 60 per cent. short,
and Mr. Frip from 374 to 80 per cent
short.
In Tennessee, Mr.. Rivers (Memphis)
represents the crop one-half short of 1855
Mr. Wright one-half short; Mr. J ones one
third short, and Mr. Ready (NIiddle Ten
nesree) as much as last year.
In North Carolina, Mr Craig estsmates
the crop at one-third short of 1855.
In Florida, Mr.. Maxwell estimates the
crop as short, decidedly, but makes no
estimate.
In South Carolina, Mr. Orr estimates
the crop at one-fourth short of 1855; Mr.
Keitt at one-third short; Mr.. Brooks at
one-fourth short; and Mr.. Boyce and my
self at more than one-fourth short