Year: 1866

From the Columbus (Ga-l SUM-


Much has been said and written respect
ing the amount OF cotton that would be pro-
duced in the United States the present year.
Some writer's have put it as high as two
thirds Of crop, while Others have consented
themselves with half crop. Gu. estimate
il 100000 to 100000 bales--what we
term little over the fourth Of a ,.rop--the
fourth of the crop Of 1861, which we set
down at 4, SOC, goo bales. This II high
figure and may possibly be over the mark.


In proof of the correctness of our esti-
mate, we will state few incontestihle facts.
Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, West Ten
nessee and Alabama have been the great
cotton producing regions. They have been
relied on for over three millions Of the
crop-we might say, three-fourths of the
cotton crop. What is their condition now?
In the rich and productive territories of
Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, West Ten
nessee, and the Valley of the Tennessee in
North Alabama, what Of African labor was
left by the Federal army is completely de-
moralized; and is composed Of the old, in
firm and women and children The larger
half of the labor that cultivated the crop of
1S60|6l are absent. Some are dead, some
are in the army, and many have congre-
gated in the towns and cities, seeking EN-
ployment more agreeable TO them than field
labor.


In South Alabama, it is thought, African
labor is in better trim. There the absent
from field labor are not so numerous. but
from the best information we can gather
from the productive sections of South Ala
barna, African labor is much demoralized,
and those who have contracted for planta-
tion service cannot be relied upon for more
than half the service they did perform while
in slavery. Even there one-feurth to one
third Of the labs,rers are absent from planta-
tion service


In Georgia, we are satisfied not more than
The third of the crop Of 1861 can be relied
on. Planters will make an effort, and pos
sibly large surface will be planted in cot
ton, but we believe the labor cannot be relied
on in the crisis OF the crop, and as conse-
quence grass will become master of the stir
alton, and much will have to be abandoned


In South Carolina, as also in Georgia, the
valuable sea island lands are In possession.
of the negroes, and but little can be expected
from that quarter. In the interior Of South
Carolina African labor has been greatly
demoralized by the presence of negro troops,
so much so, that but little labor will be got
out of those even who contract, and but little
cotton can be looked for from that State.


These are facts well known to all who are
acquainted with the condition in which the
war had left the cotton region and the dis
position Of the negro as a reliable laborer
under the present system.


We have been induced to write this arti-
Gle from having seen numerous speculative
opinions sent abroad by correspondents and
commercial firms whose opiEions heretofore
were entitled to credit, but whose present
want of knowledge Of the Situation total
ly units them to be reliable advisers. When
the planter could control the labor at com
mand, he knew precisely how many acres of
land hec could plant and successfully cultivate,
and il was an easy matter 10 estimate from
former data--the seasons being equal-with-
in few Thousand bales Of the amount of
cotton that would be produced.


Such is not the ease under the changed
labor system. Weare satisfied that not only
the prospective crop has been largely over
estimated, but that the stock of old cotton
on hand in this country has also been over
estimated. These are matters of serious inn
port to our people in pecuniary point.
Ever since the erroneous estimates have
been going forward, cotton has manifested
downward tendency abroad; and many on
this side of the water have sustained heavy
losses. We do not charge any one with
having Intentionally misrepresented in this
matter--we have more charity for them.
But we do charge them with ignorance of
the true state Of the situation.