The Portland daily press., 1862-09-30
A Substitute for Cotton.

We copy the following from Wilmer G.
Smiths European Times, in addition to what
we have published on the subject.
twill be remembered that two or three weeks
back legal firm in London, Messrs. Phillip &,
Son, wrote to the London Times to say that a
client OF theirs had discovered a substitute for
cotton, and that he was willing to confer with
any duly authorized person or number of per-
sons on the subject. In consequence of this
invitation, our townsman, Mr.. j. ii. Wrigley.
who has long been at the head of one of the
first cotton houses in Liverpool, wrote to the
inventor, or presumed inventor and the result
was a correspondence which Mr.. Wrigley has
published. The gentleman, man of business
in the city of London, who believes he has dis
covered substitute for cotton,appears TO have
met Mr.. Wrigleys advances and inquiries in
the most frank and ingenious spirit, and he
proposes certain conditions which will be found
elsewhere, the most important of which is that
committee be formed who shall guaranty him
certain sum Of money 10 be agreed upon,sup-
posing the article, whatever it may be, to real
ize the expectations held out Mr.. Wrigley
declares that hehas seen several ssmall spec
linens" of the material, and it possesses the
necessary color, length and flneness, but he is
unable TO state whether an equally essential
element-strength---is present. This import
ant point has yet to be solved, but it is clear
that very near approach has been made tow
ards the realization of the want.
1T never rains but 1t pours.r The public
had hardly recovered from the surprise which
this announcement created, when Mr. David
Chadwick, Secretary to the Cotton Supply As
sociation of Manchester, presented himself in
Liverpool, with another specimen substitute,
and this new fibre-for Mr.. Chadwick and his
principal, a foreigner, know nothing of Messrs
Phillip or their ciient--can be had, it is decar-
ed, in unlimited quantities-can be worked
alone, or be fixed with wool, flax, silk, cotton,
or alpacca-can take all dye colors, including
those of the most delicate shade, and the in
ventor is willing to disclose his secret on fair
and reasonable conditions. From another
quarter we learn that gentleman residing at
Mappiston, near Ashboun, has patented ma
terial which is said to be equal to Sea Island
cotton, and can be produced at from 3D.. to 3D.
per pound. The materials used in its produc-
tion are said to be Russian hemp, Rhine hemp.
Rheay bark fibre, jute, China grass and fax and
tow. Several hundred weights have been spun
by cotton machinery, both alone and mixed
with cotton, and the experiment has been
found to answer perfectly. The yarn shows
smoothness and tenacity. Whiteness and
strength are also shown in the first stage of
preparation.
1t is evident from all these statements that
the time is not distant when much of the dis
tress which now exists in the manufacturing
districts will be arrested by the production Of
a material that will once more set in motion
the machinery which has been too long idle.
Some of the inventors may, as regards cheap
ness and durability, even improve on the cot
ton, the loss of which has been so keenly felt,
and it is evident IRON these preliminary an
nouncements that enough has been already
accomplished to warrant a belief in the proba-
bility of complete success. The fibre shown
yesterday in the Exchange News Room, and
to which Mr.. Chadwick at present stands spon-
sor. was very much admired, but whether it is
superior to the other new combinations with
which it will have to compete, experience and
practical tests alone can determine In the
meanwhile there promises to be keen race to
be first at the winning post amongst those who
have devoted their attention to the subject and
such announcements as we have cited are ex-
tremely encouraging in the present circum-
stances of the country, and more especially in
the present position Of affairs in America, for
the contest so far from showing signs of dimi-
mutton, is daily increasing in strength and fe-
rocty. The latest accounts by telegram, last
night, show that the continent during the ap-
preaching winter is likely to be seriously con
vulsed by the want of cotton. The riots in
Moravia indicate very uneasy feeling.