Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-03-23
THE COTTON CROP AND SUPPLY.
The receipts Of cotton at the various
ports up to the latest dates by mail have
been as follows, as compared with last


The New Orleans Times, in its review
of the week closing Saturday evening, has
the following speculstions in regard to the
cotton crop:
''With regard to the receipts, the total
| for all the ports was successfully reported
at little over $4,000 bales, As, 053 and
| A, 125, the highest of which was be-
low the lowest estimates previously made
at New York. Indeed, we have reason to
believe that 40, 900 to &c, 600 were tele-
graphed to Liverpool, although the correct
figures were, no doubt subsequently com
municated. The highest of the above
amounts, A, 125 bales, shows falling off
of 20, $50 bales from last week, or more
than thirty per cent; is, 485 accruing at
this port, and 2, 1856 at the other ports. 1t
| is now expected that for the current week
there will be less proportionate decrease at
this port, but greater at the others. We
commence the week, however, with a
very poor showing, the receipts proper to-
day being only 9lS bales, against 2, las on
last Saturday, and 1,201 last year, this be-
ing the first day on which our receipts
have fallen short of 1869, and reducing
the general excess over last year to 1877
100 bales-896, 401 bales against 698,6li.
The question of supply involves such
grave consequences that the receipts are
notified everywhere with unusual interest,
and an exaggeration of even few thou
sand bales, or similar error on the other
side, becomes the subject of sharp criti-
cism.
''The falling off in the receipts has I'M
doubtedly had considerable influence in
the advance of factors pretensions, and
the effect on the Liverpool market on
Monday is eagerly anticipated. Buyers,
however, are much less sensitive on this
matter, and constantly point at the Liver
pool and Havre quotations, to show that
we are much above the parity of those
markets. But when we add the natural
consequence of the heavy short sales at
New York for April and May, it is not
surprising that factors should continue
firm, notwithstanding the serious check
to the demand. In fact, the giving way
was mostly on trifling lots, which the
parties were anxious to close, and brokers
who had been diligent in their inquiries
reported that low middling could hardly
be had under 22@221c, which really
shows no decline. On the other hand we
heard of small list which was offered at
21sc. The receipts at all the ports
are now, in round numbers, 519,O00,
or about 80 u cent in excess of last
year, and if this ratio of increase con-
tinue for the rest of the season it
will give 100000 bales from this time
out, making the total 2, g14, 900 bales. 1t
is manifest that there are many chances
against realizing the popular Northern
estimate of 5000, 900, and that the advo-
Gates of 100000 find little in the situa-
ton to weaken their faith. The subject
has deeper significance than the result
of few wagers, or disappointing pride
of opinion, and may have little influence
upon prices, or affect them to the extent
of ten or fifteen dollars per bale. Closely
connected with this matter is the naviga-
ton of the tributaries, in relation to
which the accounts are rather discourage
ing. The Arkansas is reported to be
falling, with less than three feet at Little
Rock, the White river falling, and the
Ouachita again on the decline, while
nothing favorable has been received from
the upper Red river and the lakes"
The annexed table shows the visible
supply of cotton on the 18th instant, and