The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-06-13

pOlucO-eCOnOmlCal
questions which England has thus far vainly en-
deavored to solve, is that which relates to the pro-
duction of Cotton. Where to grow Cotton plants
cheaply, and at the same time to an extent suffi-
Gent to supply the demands of her Lancashire
manufacturers has long been the uerata questio
which she has exerted all her efforts to decide
She fears that she may not always continue on
good terms with the UNITED STATES, or that the
supply from Southern States will not keep pace
with the demand, and SO she has been endeavoring
either to introduce to foster the culture of this
important plant wherever the climate seemed ia
vorable to its growth, and the soil adapted to its
production. All these various efforts have been
conducted under the auspices of the Manchester
Cotton Supply Association, supported by the d.
rect patronage of the Government India was at
one time favorite field for the experiment, but
Notwithstanding the encouragement that was given
to the ryots to engage in its cultivation, with
view to export, the ardty of the soil, and the alb
sence of facilities for irrigation, have caused the
project to result in failure. To grow Cotton sue
cessfuy it is essential that the plants should have
regular but moderate supply of moisture, and
that they should not be subjected to extremes of tenn
perature. Hence it is that Cotton always succeeds
better the sea coast than in districts further
inland. Since the attempt to produce Cotton of
good quality and to an extent that would justify
the expense of supervising it during all the periods
of its growth, has been measurably abandoned in
India, the attention of the Manchester manufac-
turers has been more particularly drawn towards
the Cotton growing districts on the West Coast
NOD
that large supplies of this important staple might
be obtained from Liberia, but these hopes have
never yet been realized. The Liberian colonists
prefer the healthier and more lucrative traffic in
palm oil and dye woods to breaking up the vr-
gin soil at the risk of being stricken down with
those malarious diseases which are common to the
low lands upon the sea-coast where the Cotton
plant thrives best. Nevertheless, in spite of these
drawbacks and discouragements the knowl
edge of the fact that Cotton can be sue
cessfully cultivated in Western Africa has induced
the English merchants to expend large sums of
money in testing it, experimentally, at various
points along the coast. The expedition recently
undertaken by DR.. LIVINGSTONE, had chiefly for
It's object the encouragement of the culture of Cotton
by the natives The last letters that were received
from him did not, however, leave the impression
that his prospects were very hattering. On an
other part of the Coast of Africa the perseverance
of single Cotton manufacturer seems to promise
eventually somewhat better results. As long back
as twelve years ago, Mr.. CLEGG, of Manchester,
first sought to encourage the export of Cotton
from Sierra Leone. Finding after years trial,
that the raw material was only to be obtained
there in insignificant quantities, he renewed his
attempt in another quarter. Changing" says
the Boston advertiser, ''his field of operations to
''Abbeokuta, the yearly amount steadily in
creased until, in 1851 he received 35, 4l9 lbs,
''besides 10000 destroyed by fire; and in 1853
CHS receipts to April 18th were Sc, 47O lbs, and
'for the whole year 1875 bales" But, not
withsanding the energy and perseverance which
Mr.. CLEGG has evinced in prosecuting
his enterprise it is evident from a new movement
which he has recently instituted, that he has be-
come conscious of the utter futility of relying
for his supplies upon native labor. Much of the
Cotton he has heretofore received, has reached him
at desnltory intervals, and although it has gradu-
ally increased in amount from year to year, he has
failed to convince the native Chiefs that sit is
''their interest to employ their people, instead of
making war upon each other for the sake of get
'ting colorado right, or pretext, for selling into
slavery the prisoners taken in such marauding
expeditions" He has dread moreover, he says,
of attempting to carry out his plans by the aid of
Europeans lest their presence in the country should
result in the revival of slavery, or take from the
native planter that quality of sef-reliance which
he seeks to foster and encourage. He desires
therefore to restrict the planting of Cotton in
there is project on foot in Massachusetts to en-
courage the emigration of our Free Negroes to
Abbeokuta, and we are told that some of them
have already expressed willingness to engage in
this enterprise, but that 'more are wanted" The
Rev. j. B. SMITH, colored clergyman, is now
beating up for recruits at the Eastward but with
what prospect of success we are not Informed
Some of the Boston papers speak highly of Mr.
SMITHS intelligence and trustworthy character
and appeal to 'the colored citizens of Massachu-
''setts to give the subject fair hearing and lend
cit their support believing, says The AdUertiser
that the enterprise contains practical solution
'or some of the greatest social and political ques-
"tions of the day" Whether that be so or not,
we doubt very much the practicability of inducing
many of our free negroes to migrate to Africa for
the purpose Of civilizing the ignorant natives of
Abbeokuta, knowing as we do how few there
are who embark voluntarily for Liberia where
they may certainly enjoy equal rights and privi-
eges and where they settle at once in the midst of
people who speak the same language as them
selves.