Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-01-08
Cotton Fabrics.

Before the war spun cotton was selling at from
90 cents to 81 10 per bunch and ordinary cotton
cloth at to 10 cents per yard Now the former is
81 IS to 81 80 per bunch, and the latter 90 to 25
cents. We are glad that the factories are still able
to turn out these fabrics and we know that all the
materials they use, except cotton, much higher
than formerly; but then cotton can be obtained at
to cents per pound and labor is cheaper than
heretofore. Under these circumstances it seems to
us that thirty to forty per cent on former prices
would be fair profit for the manufacturers; as it
is more than 100 per cent is paid by the people for
these fabrics before they reach them through the
the manufacturer or the merchants realizing the
greatest profit but we do know that those who need
and must have these fabrics are paying enormous
prices for them.
We again urge our readers to start the cards,
spinning wheels, and looms, and manufacture their
own cloth. We know cards are scarce, but let them
all be gathered up and used. The spinning wheels
and looms be made at home Cotton is cheap.
Spin it, and then weave it into cloth. We can well
remember the day when the hum of the wheel and
the trcddlcs of the loom heard in almost every
dwelling. We must also have more wool and more
flax. Let no moro sheep be butchered, but save
them all for their eeces and let considerable crops
Of flax be put in next spring, for the staple will be
needed for cloth, and the seed for oil.
W. G. BRowsLow-This deluded man. whc has
done to fan the flame Of discomfort and hostil
ity to the Southern Coniederacy in East Tennessee
than any else recently arrested by the civil
authorities of Knoxville Tenn, and put in prison
on u charge of treason Since his Imprisonment the
runor went abroad that he refused to eat any thing
desiring to starve himself to death. This he denies
in letter to the Nashville Patriot asserting that
he has no idea Of committing suicde that his health
is good except cold, and that he eats three full
meals day, sent him by his family. In the same
letter, however, he attempts to cast reproach upon
the Confederate authorities by insinuatng tha they
have been guilty of breach of faith towards him,
by inducing him to return to Knoxville under
pledge of protection and safe passport beyond the
Confederate lines, and then suffering him to be ar
rested by civil process
The facts are briefly these Believing thatit would
be better to get rid Of Brownlow and send him North
than to ALLOW him to remain, and not aware that it
was the intention Of any to arrest him by civil
process, the government proposed to Brownlow to
deliver himself up at Knoxville and that he would
be protected and furnished with the necessary pass
ports beyond pur lines. This was done. The time
appointed for his departure was fixed and an escort
provided; after which, the civil process was served
on him without the knowledge of the military au-
thority, who offered resistance to the civil pro-
cess, but delivered him up. On the 27th Dec. the
case was brought before Judge Reynolds ofthe Con-
federate Court when the District Attorney laid be.
fore the Court letter from Mr.. Benjamin, Secretary
of War, explanatory of the design and purpose Of
the Government to act in good faith to Mr.. Brown
low. Judge Reynolds Immediately dismissed the
case and ordered his release. 1t is understood that
he will be conveyed across the lines by the military
in short time. His release caused great excite
ment and discomfort among the soldiers stationeda at
Knoxville. .f.as -- '' -''' s'5
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