The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-02-13
Sixty Millions.

The receipts of cotton in this city have
reached 600, 900 bales. This is within 50,
900 bales of the whole receipts of last year
up to the 1st September 1868. Less than
one-half the crop last year came in after the
lst of February, he season being earlier,
and the rivers in better condition tor navi-
CATION, we should not be justified in presu-
ming that the present receipts do not exceed
one half the whole crop due at this port.
There is no such a decline in the daily
receipts, however, as would give us any rea-
son to doubt that our original estimate Of
900, 900 bales will not be reached. The
high prices and great bouyancy Of the mar
ket will operate to stimulate the country
people to ship as rapidly as possible.
These prices are Certainly very encoura-
cling. Seventeen thousand bales were sold
day before yesterday at advanced rates.
This was perhaps, regarding the money
value, the largest sale ever made in one day
in New Orleans. as the 900, 900 bales ~receiv-
ed have exceeded by several millions the
value of any previous years to date. Sixty
millions of dollars of one product of our
Southern industry lave thus been exehang-
ed in this city in four months and shipped
abroad. This enormous business has sud
denly changed the condition and prospects
of our planters. From the dependency
and the widespread desolation of the war,
they begin now to. rise rapidly to a degree
of prosperity and independ nee which in
some respects equals and in others exceed,
that which they enjoyed in the ante bellum
days. If their aggregate receipts and their
means of luxurious indulgence and extrava'
gance are not so large, neither are their
debts, their liabilities, nor the temptation tc
invest in uncertain and fuctuating values as
great. They have or ought to have more
money to expend in the improvement, anc
furnishing their plantations than they eve'
had. Few Of them have any debts to pay
A large portion Of he sixty millions already
realized from the crop ofthis season has gone
into the country. This is shown in the con
slant drain upon the banks for small notes
which are being drawn hither from every
part ofthe country. 1t is quite obvious tina
our planters have protited by the sad expe
rience ofthe past years, and are not disposed
to part with their hard earnings as easily anC
as improvidently, as in the old flush times
In fact, it would appear that they were
uOdiolIIS VI HuttSttJ th'CoehiS h"IN1 II
they were won't to expend in luxuries anc
.extravagance. The trade ofthe city, though
improving, does not equal the just expecta
tons excited by so large and profitable 8
crop. The question is constantly asked
where are the millions that the crop has re
allied; why are they not manifested in
largely increased demand ar d consumption
ofthe goods, groceries, utensils, etc, which
are usually so eagerly sought by the agricul
tural classes? >s-. 8
This question can be better answered in q
few weeks, when the planters, having com
p1eted their labor contracts and broken uF
their ground for the coming crop, will begir
to repair to the city to lay in their supplies
and seek investments for their surplus cash
We have little doubt that the spring sersor
will be one of great activity and prosperity
in every department of trade. and that thu
large sums which have been drawn into the
country for their splendid crop, will return
in fructifying streams to ~enliven, stimulate
and foster every branch Of our commerce
trade and industfy.-N. O. Times