Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-08-14
MR.. BAYLIss' LETTER.
GRAND HOTEL. PARIS. July %, 1878.
Hon A. Dudley Mann:

GRAND HOTEL, PARIS, July %, 1878.
Hon. A. Dudley Mann:
DEAR SIR-Knowing that you have
always maintained deep interest in a
direct trade between the Southern States
of America and Europe, permit me to
call your attention to the city of Mem
phis, Tennessee, U. s. A., as an impor-
tant cotton market.
Memphis is situated on the east bank
of the Mississippi river, 800 miles
from its terminus in the Gulf of Mex
leo, with connections by rail or water
with the shipping at New Orleans; also,
Norfolk Baltimore, Savannah Mobile,
Charleston, Philadelphia, New York and
Montreal.
Through bills of lading can be had on
cotton to all of the important cities Of
Europe.
Insurance effected as desired Nego-
tiations are made without difficulty by
sight drafts on New Orleans and New
York, time bills, sight or short sight on
London, or in any way that is customary
We can ship either by rail or steam, as
oonsignees may direct; in fact, can
transact business on the same terms as
it is done in other cotton markets in the
United States.
Time at present from Memphis to Liv-
erpool by steam rs to 30 days; sail 60 to
Is days.
Memphis is now the third if not the Sec
ond cotton market in the United States,
the receipts annually near 500, 900 bales,
which receipts are composed almost en-
tirely of Arkansas and Mississippi cot
tons, and preferred by the spinners of
our country, as well as by Great Britain
and Germany.
Direct trade with Europe is what the
South has long desired, and immigration
to this section is what they most anx-
iously wish, but / merely propose now to
draw your attention to Memphis as one
of the importcnt cotton markets of the
world, and that it is to the interest Of
manufacturers to buy their cotton as
near the place Of production as possible,
and not to pay middlemen commissions
and profits only so far as their interest
is subseryed. Upon the same natural
laws of trade it is the interest of the
consumer to buy directly from the man
ufacturer when practicable.
Orders sent to Memphis direct by the
simmer can be as readily executed as if
they we're seut by dealer, and claim
that our cotton will suit in every particu-
lar for making all descriptions of goods,
the finer as well as the coarser qualities,
which know from experience, having
bought for the mills in our country as
we'll as for England for the past twenty
years.
Renewed efforts are being made in
our section OF country to establish
trade with the different countries OF Eu-
rome, and we are satisfied that 1t is the
interest Of those countries to cooperate
with us; and one mode is to appoint
consuls or vice consuls in our port ns a
procedure.
Memphis is now an established port OF
entry, and goods can be shipped d.
rectly here from any foreign country.
The charges for purchasing cotton
here are commissions q per cent; dray-
age, labor and shipping, 40 cents per
bale, which covers all expenses at this
point. We are in cable communication
with all parts of Europe.
Navigation of the Mississippi river to
the Gulf Of Mexico is ReUer ObstrUcted;
neither is rail communication with any
of the Atlantic ports.
Memphis is situated near the line OF
the great cotton belt, and from this sec
ton we draw our main supplies. Our
cotton has only to be known TO become
a great favorite in Europe, as 1t is now
with the manufacturers Of our own
country.
If some Of the rich governments Of
Europe will now make an effort to Sc
cure the trade Of the South, We think it
will succeed sooner or later.
Trusting that your former efforts TO
establish this trade may result IN great
GOOD 20 the Southern States and Europe,
/ am. yours truly, BRoNsoN BATLIss.
The Hon. A. Dudley Mann replies at
length, from which we take the following
extract:
May God speed you in your noble en-
terprise. You have re-exeited my larg-
est sympathy in its behalf. / solemniy
premise you al the aid that 80 peverless
an individual as myself can command,
Memphis enjoys an enviable location
upon the map Of the North American
continent Extended trade must center
there II the mighty producing and