The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-08-20
COTTON AND THE WAR.
LETTER FROM WILLIAM IL. CHASE.

Hon. J. NORTON of Florida, Richmond VA
My DEAR GENERAL-You will see by the papers that the
factors and insurance Offices Of this city, well their
constituents, the planters, in favor of holding back
their crops from market long the and blockade
continues. The planters will burn their If serious
invasion of the cotton should take place think
would be well for the confederate government purchase
the entire crop Of cotton and pay for treasury of
denominations Of five dollars and upwards The cotton
could be held back at the charlottesville planter re-
ceiving from the government half the OF city
storage. The staple could thus be held by
the government at small risk aud charge, without
the intervention Of agents Office holders; and the
treasury notes thus issued would gene
raj crcuation the banks well indiv iduas receiv-
ing them in payment Of debts and in the general opera
tions of trade This, for obvious reasons would be
powerful means of bringing the war to close; and the
cotton afterwards sold would be the basis of redemption
Of the Treasury notes At all events the universal senti
ment is that not bale of cotton should be suffered be
sent to markets outside of the Confederate States until
their sovereignty and independence has been recognized
by France, England Spain and the United States, and
peace restored upon just and honorable terms.
The refrigeration OF the Union Is mpossblity and
the the statesmen Of Europe and the United States
understand this and appreciate the power of the conee
rate States TO assert physically and morally and forever
to maintain their independence and sovereignty, the
they will be impeed to yield to the necessity of
securing and the restoration Of affairs to their
raj condition. This is a growing sentiment amongst
conservative men in the North and West outside the
walls Of Washington. Persistence in opposite course
by the federal executive and Congress, long be
maintained be acquiesced in by Franco and England
for the process would be too exhaustive Of the vital
terests OK the former and too damaging TO the commerce
and manufactures Of the latter.
France and England cannot remain neutral in the war,
and the very moment they from state of ncutrai
ty they must assume, by inevitable consequence
Of hostility towards the United States as the Power
wagng war Of conquest, alike in intent and nature
mpotc unjust and damaging to the interest Of the world
lmpoltic, because impossible OF subjugaon and
for refrigeration. Unjust because opposing the indie
feasible right of people to change their government
and political relations right acknowledged by Eng
land in the case of the thirteen colonies; as acknow
lodged by Europe in the OF France Naples and
Rome right, indeed as old as that of civil govern
fhp
government could never have been made, and without
which the latter could not be maintained They who deny
these propositions aim at once at the subveson of civil
government, for which they would substitute the govern
ment Of the sword
That persistence in the by the North must be da
magng the great commercial and manufacturing inte
rests of the world, one think will deny. Ordinary
wars would produce this effect; but how much greater
must the disastrous effects be when trade manufactures
agriculture and navigation paralyzed and reaction
prevented by the South acting in sefdefence and holding
firmly in its grasp the great material basis upon which
In great degree all those interests founded? aud
where the paralysis threatens especially fatal the
cotton manufacturers Of England France Spain and the
The crops everywhere are beginning to burst forth in
abundance-corn, cotton, sugar and the minor products
were never more promising. Never people more
blessed this score and they will gratefully offer the
fruits for the support of the great of freedom
right in which they are engaged The people throughout
the land have nm abiding faith the wisdom of the Con
federate Congress and in the ability patriotism
and rmness of President Davis his Cabinet and Generals
Our cause must triumph and such people deserve that
1t should. VIM II. CHASE.
The New Orleans Crescent Of the 10th says-At this date
last year had received at levee 67 bales of new
crop This should have received fully 800
1000 bales Picking is progressing rapidly several
plantations The cotton housed without being ginned
Inc scarcity OF baggng and rope compes this to
be followed irrespective Of the intent not to send cotton
10 market until the Southern c6nfederacy Is recognized.
The New Orleans Pcdyue in response to query as to
wnethcr tne export of cotton through Mexican ports is
not m violation Of the law Of the Confederate States,
which prohibits such eyportation "except through the
seaports OF the Confederate States calls attention the
fact that such expectation is permitted express terms
by the act itself The provso the fifth section cnacts
that nothing in the act Shall be construed to pro-
hio the expectation OF cotton TO Mexico through its
terminus frontiern In view Of this orepng INTO one of
the cotton States of the Unon says the cawtne il is
understood that the British manufacturers are making
Mexican ports How far this may affect the policy Of the