Arkansas intelligencer., 1858-05-07
Consumption of Cotton.


In the Senate, on Monday, the 22d ult.,
the Vice President presented a communica-
ton from the Secretary Of the Interior, trans
mitting the report of John Claiborne, appoint
, ed by the Commissioner of Patents special
agent to collect information upon the con-
sumption of cotton in Europe. According to
the reporter OF the National lntellgencer, the
document runs in the following order: France,
Swi zerland, the Hanse Towns Russia, the
Zolverein, the Austrian Empire, Sardinia and
Belgium. The following is a synopsis OF the
Instructions given to the agent under twelve
distinct heads which the Secretary tells him
are intended rather 10 aid than restrain ilves-
tgation:
Ist. Ascertain the amount Of cotton con-
sumed in The MANUFACTURES of each city, dis
trict or county, either in Europe or any other
portion of the earth where cotton is manuiac-
tured, the amount of capital invested, &c.-
Aggregate results for each county or district
are desirable as far as practicable.
ID. The immediate sources from whence
the establishments procure their supplies of
raw material, the nearest seaport where they
might be furnished direct from the United
States, and the diminution of cost which might
be effected 10y any change in the course Of
trade.
. Sd. If direct trade were established, what
are the commodities we should receive in ex
change! Would they DO sutiioiont in amount
to furnish adequate return freights !or vessels
employed in trans sporting cotton.
4th. What proportion of the supplies fur
nished to those establishments is in the shape
,,f
ascertain the price Of each, in order to show
what profit is made by the manufacturing Of
the warn.
9th. What is the quality, grade, or mum
Der of the yarn principally used; and is it such
as could be produced by the unskilled labor
on plantations or in southern cities.
9th. To what countries do the manufactur-
ers Of Europe generally send their yarn and
goods; and what dmInuton of ey 'ense would
result from manufacturing or opening in our
own country and shipping direct to those
countries.
7th. What duties are levied on cotton or
yarns, respectively; their effect on the CON
sumption of each; the probability Of procur-
ing their remission or modification, and the
probable effect on consumption of such remis-
sion.
Sth. What are the agencies in each coun-
try which are now tending either to advance
or check the consumption of cotton.
9th. What modes ofapplying cotton to the
use Of man are now IN use III Europe; To what
extent used for mixing with wool in making
cloths, cordagc, for any other purposes.
l0th. What proportion of the cotton goods
consumed in each country Is imported, and
what supplied at home,
llth. Examine the subject in its financial
aspect; inquire how, in the actual operation Of
commerce, merchant could have his or ltrs
for cotton executed, and pay therefor at the
ports of expectation.
Il. Direct attention to the subject OF the
production Of cotton in foreign counlrie<, with
view,of ascelttining whether our planters
may appreheud any formidable competition
from any such source; what are the obstacle,
in tho way of >mch foreign productions and
are they such as are likely to be removed
hereafter.