The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-01-04
BALTIMORE.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4, 1859.

Our commercial readers are doubt familiar
with the fact that the British manutacturers-in
view of the gradually increasing price of cotton
for some years past-have formed a "Cotton-sup-
ply Association" for the purpose of encouraging
and increasing the production, outside of the
UNITED STATES, of the great staple of their trade
The means by which the contemplated end is to be
attained do not appear to have taken any very
definite shape, the Association having as yet prn-
cipally confined itself to general inquiries and TO
the distribution of seeds and prize essays in those
parts of the world where the growth of cotton would
seem theoretically to be practicable deputation
OF the most conspicuous members of the body have
however, attempted lately to impress upon the
British Government the proprety of appointing a
commission to develop the cotton resources of India
and it is to this fact and to the comments which
the movement has elected, that we would direct the
attention of those among US who are interested in
the general question. Indeed the production and
price of cotton are matters involving so largely
the interests of the whole UNION, that none of us
can be said to be entirely without concern in what
really affects them.
The London Aheneum, in a recent number.
reviewing work, called IA handbook of the
Cotton Trade" lately published by Mr.. ELLISON
condenses into few paragraphs the opinions
which experience justifes, in regard to the capa-
piliues OF India as cotton-growing country II
treats the fact as conceded, beyond peradventure
that down to this time the cultivation of cotton in
the British possessions in the East has been an
utter failure, and disposes summarily of the
grounds upon which the friends of the movement
attribute such failure to temporary or removable
causes. The real cause, it contends, and we think
demonstratively, is the unfitness of the climate
which is subject to great extremes of heat dryness
and moisture. In support of this conclusion, it
cites the high authority of DR.. RoYLE and Mr..
ELLISON, and further argues that any artificial
means-such as irrigation for MISTAKENLY which
some of the difficulties referred to might be par
TALLY obviated, are too costly for practical app
cation. 1t is disposed therefore to regard the
Association-in its direction towards India at all
events-as likely to waste good deal of money,
without any other result than that of illustrating
the folly of meddling with the laws of supply
SO far as The AHeneu1n represents intelligent
opinion in England--and we are acquainted
with no journal whose position in that
respect is higher-the article in question may
be regarded absolute surrender of public
confidence in the Indian Empire as possible rival
of the Southern States of this Republic in the
growth of such cotton as is required for the finer
and more valuable fabrics Such have been the
convictions of many of our political economists
for some time past-but it is satisfactory to have
them confirmed in quarter where interest is not
likely to mislead the judgment. Certain it is,
that the experiments which have been made have
been many and active Large amounts have been
expended in the attempt to render them successful
Labor, skill, and machinery from the UNITED
STATES have been employed in their prosecution,
under the ablest and most scientific auspices
with all the power and resources of the East India
D.. Company to back them. When therefore the re-
suit is stated by The Autenem, in broad language,
as absolutely nothing'-it must be admitted
that the conclusion seems to carry the weight of
an established fact. We trust that our Southern
brethren will take their triumph coolly, and not
regard their independence of India as an additional
reason for dissolving the UNION, and sending the
Hdnderer to Africa for another cargo