Delaware State journal and statesman., 1861-02-15
COTTON IN INDA--wILL THE SOUTH
TAKE WARNING

AT the annual meeting of the AIanches ter
Uhaniher Of Commerce, held January u, Inc
Secretary read tho following letter from Lord
John Russell on coitongrowins in lulia.
FoRElGS OFrIcr, Jan ~. lsGl.
StR The uncertainty which must necessarily
exist ms to the effect that the present political
crisis in the United States may have on tho sup
| ply Of cotton, and the serious results which
might ensue ii that supply were to fall short.
appear to Lord John Russell to suggest the OK
pediency of making timely Inquiry as To the
possibility of obtaining from other quarters such
an amount Of cotton us may compensate for nrv
deficiency in the amount usually obtained from
the United States.
In compliance with the wishes Of the Cotton
Association of Manchester, the attention of her
AlhJesty's consnls was, some time since, called
10 the facilities which the countries wherein thew
resided offered for the cultivation of the cotton
plant, aud much valuable information on this
point has BEEN from time to time, communion F.
ted by the Foreign Department to the Cotton
Association, and it has been made apparent that,
with proper encouragement, IL vast supply Of
cotton might be produced for the British market
in many places not hitherto resortel to for that
purpose.
1t would seem, too, that even without more
than the ordinary encouragement of industry
offered by the prospect of sure market, no
etpAA eAAShhh u tuNNuu UNCUT ut once ue OOtnlu
ed, and it occurs to Lord John Russell that it
would be of great convenience and advantage to
the cotton manufacturers in this country, in an
tcipaiion Of deficient supply from the United
States, If they could obtain fair estimate of the
amount of supply which might at once be pro-
cured from other countries, il it were thought
worth while TO send and fetch it,
Lord John Russell, therefore, desires to place
at the disposal of the cotton manufacturers of
y IIn uUWE. 49,. r. l.
oonsnls residing in countries which, from the In
formation now in the possession of the Cotton
Association, offer prospect of immediate sup
ply, ii 1t were necessary to have recourse 10
them.
Lord John Russell would not indeed think it
right that her MNjesty's cousuls should he al
lowed to incur nny expenditure Of public money
on thls account, or IN my way to pledge tho
Government to the collectors or producers of
cotton within their districts that the fruit of
their labors would surely find British market
But the consuls might ascertain what amount of
cotton might he expected to be forthcoming in
their respective districts to meet any sudden de-
mand, or what amount might be brought into
the local maket il the native dealers had
reasonable assurance o. finding customers for il
at given time.
The attention of the consuls, Lord John Rus
sell cnnceiyes, might useiully be directed To these
he suggested by your Association in communicn-
ton with the General Cotton Association, and
also with the Chamber Of Commerce of Iiycrpool.
The practical knowledge possessed by the
members of the several associaions will enable
them at once to judge whether any beneficial
results would be likely to attend such an inquiry
as that which Lord John Russell, they choose
70 accept his offer, is prepared TO instruct her
Mnlcstys consuls at once 10 set on foot. Lord
John Russell is aware that in making this offer
he is departing in some degree from the usual
practice but it appears to his Lurdihip TINT
the vast amount of the interest at stake, not
only as regards the manufacturers themselves.
but as regards also very large proportion of
the labOring population of this country, warrants
him in informing the parties who, from their po-
siton, take lead in such matters, that he is
prepared aud anxious to afford them all the ns-
slstance, more particularly Mt the present time,
which the department under his superintendent
is able to render.
am, Sir, yeur most obelcnt humble servant,
Il. HAMMOND.
The President of the Manchester Chamber Of
Commerce