The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-02
COMMERCIIL TOPICS.
The Foreign Cotton Competition
From the New York Daily Bulletin.l

From tue new 1Ork DaIlJ
Tho efforts of the government aud capitalists
OF England to exten1 the area OF cotton cult
vaiion III other countries beside the United
States, show no abatement OF energy and en-
terprise. In every part OF the globe where
cotton can be raised, English capitalists aud
brains stimulate its culture, and supply, as far
as can be, all the Deficiencies arising from the
peculiar situation OF the soil and the cultiva-
tors. TO emrncipate themselves from dcpen-
dcnce upon Amercln cotton is an object to
which English manufacturers attach high
degree Of importance. Upon the success OF
these eff0rts they regard the question OF the
monopoly of the cotton supply as dependent;
and to prevent the restoration Of the former
supremacy OF the United States in the produc-
tiou OF the great staple, they spare no expense
or trouble. The immense political influence oil
the government promotes the efforts OF private
individuals, and English officials and consular
agents in every part of the world to carry out
the designs OF tho Manchester Cotton Supply
Association.
The latest information relative to tn, cu,-
ture of cotton IN other Countries besides the
United States during the year 1868 are reas-
suring. A company has been foImed in Me-
bourne for tbs cultivation OF cotton and sugar
in the Fecjee Islands, the soil ana climate OF
whic are SAID to be- favorable tor the growth
OF these products. In the cotton province Of
trom 1927 arrools Ill 1S64-5 to Coz, 900 arrob Is
IN 1878. For the years 1853 yield Of no
less than 900 600 arrobas ls nntlcipticd. Tho
British consular agents in the United States
OF Colombia report that, Notwithstanding tue
admirable capabilities Of soil and climate, no
cotton is grown IN the interior. owing to the
incidence OF the natives, aud also owing to the
unsettled political condition Of the country.
But from the consular districts OF Madeline 4
small supply will be obtained. Tho cotton
tree is indigenous and perennial in this region,
and offers almost boundless returns. When
the crop IS picked the tree ls cut down, and
sprouts up again for next season. The tree
bears cotton tor twenty years. With settled
form of government offering security to labor
and capital, it is estimated that immense re-
turns could be procured from this region.
From India the exports for 1SC7-S show
decrease OF Sc 00O bales as compared with the
season last year. This falling off IS attributed
partly to the carly setting in Of the rainy
season in the central provinces, and partly to
large supplies sent to the Northwestern pro-
yinces and to Bengal for native consumption.
The area cultivated is larger, however, than
last year, and it is anticipated that later &C
counts may show an undlmlnlshed supply for
exportation later in the season. Lold Mayo,
the new Governor-Goneral OF India, in re-
Spouse to committee of the Cotton Supply
Association, promised to promote and extend
the cultivation Of cotton in India, and facilitate
its speedy conveyance to Great Britain.
Americans have still too deep an interest in
their great staple to be Indifferent to the efforts
that IL in progress 10 stimulate competition
with it by tho various cotton producing coun-
tries in the world. That these efforts are to
large degree succ ,ssful, and that they promise
no less important results in the future than in
the past, is only too apparent. But the contrast
between the &C. ion OF government and capital
lists of England and of these OF the United
States are not favorable to the American char
actar. II We are cvor t, recover our former
cotton asceuoeucy it VII manlfcstly BIZ through
Individual enterprise exercised irrespective OF
co-operltive or government aid. This course,
perhaps. ma be moro III accordance with the
prevailing typo OF Am rican character, but it is
cerlail that wiso statcsulans.lip demands OF
least the removal Of oil impediments to the
culture OF cotton III ito Southern States.