Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-11-04
Adulterated Cotton.

A rather numerous party OF gentlemen,
entrusted with commissions to purchase cot
ton in the American ports for the consumers
and merchants of this country, will sail from
Liverpool tomorrow Saturday morning,
and it cannot be doubted that, after the recent
movement on the subject of fraudulent pack
ing, they 90 out fully deter mined to dis
charge their duty in this matter towards those
who have placed in their hands the conduct
OF a business OF vast pecuniary amount. BY
such a course they will not only render a
great service TO the cotton trade of this coun-
ty, but very materially promote their own III
terests by increasing The confidence reposed
in them by their principals.
An effectual prevention of further frauds
of the kind lately committed may be Sc
cured by the adoption of the following sug-
gestions:
To require planters to brand their names
or marks upon the bales in such manner, and
with such u material, shall render efface-
ment almost impossible; and to do this, not
only on the outside. but also on the inside. OF
every cover; aud, besides this, TO put lew
tickets, bearing their names, here and there
in the mass OF the cotton. Thus will certain
names or marks acquire high reputation
among consumers, while the rest will be re-
garded as doubtful or known rs dishonest.
The factor at New Orleans or Mobile will
hus become guarantor OF the condition Of
the bale sold by him.
The Manchester buyers also desire
l. To proclaim to the public the great in
crease Of aduIeratiOn within the last few
years, the enormous magnitude to which II
has attained, and the state oil feeling which It
has excited in Lancashire.
2. To adopt some more stringent written
conditions with sellers than have hitherto
been usual foi securing the payment OF dam
ages to those for whom the purchases are
made.
3. To agree upon some more effectual mode
of testing bales to their very centres than
any which has yet been pracused.
4. To consider whether public testing
house may not be desirable.
). To consider whether they, The agents for
British Purchasers, should not guarantee 10
their principals the honest packing Of the
cotton iOrw arded 10 them.
The honest planter and factor are in justice
TO themselves bound to secure the adoption
of adequate measures to prevent the repeti-
lion OF the frauds complained of abroad.
The Manchester Guardian observes ON this
subject:
OF all the American ports that of New Or
leans is the foremost in this low line OF sharp
practice. The fame il has won Is indeed out
OF all due proportion as measured by the re-
lative amount oi its Commerce. 1t is here.
then, that the main demonstration should be
made.
1t is estimated that there are in Liverpool
not fewer than 10000 bales of American
cotton known 10 be almost unusable. from
the abundant admiIture of sand. dust (min-
ute sand), and dirt. Probably the shippers
have reckoned upon getting 81 100000 for
this quantity. Let spinners set their faces
against it. Let them ensure such loss upon
it as shall teach an etiectual lesson to the
packers Of rubbish. This il not To be called
sely-packed cotton, for it's quality is no
secret; but there can be no cheapness in il at
any price. since il cannot be SO cleaned but
that so much sand must be carried forward
into tue spinning process, as must wear the
machinery in degree not to be compensated
by-a seeming bargain in Liverpool. Con-
sumers should be resolved To put an end To
the sanding OF cotton in every form.
We have only another word or two 10 add
here. The great body of cotton growers are
upright men; many of them h,gh- minded
as any men in the world. We. therefore,
our third suggestion they will act upon il.
BY so doing they will most effectively con
tribute To the putting down of a fraud In the
disgrace OF which they must feel themselves
to be Involved"