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growth of cotton in India, and two years assuming that the quarrel was settled toafter he moved that Royal Commissioners morrow, the importance of new sources of should be sent out there to inquire and supply was more urgent than ever. Every report as to the feasibility of growing cot- one must see that, considering the loss ton in India. The Government of the day of capital which had taken place, the disopposed the Motion, and it was lost. In the organization of society, and the necessity following year, however, the Manchester of the Southerners to turn their labour to Chamber of Commerce sent a commissioner the growth of food and other necessaries of its own out to India; but, unfortunately, for their own consumption, the export of that gentleman died before he executed cotton from America would not be for years his mission. The dread of a cotton famine to come, if it was ever again, so large as continued more and more to stare them it had been. Various new sources of supin the face, and about six or seven years ply had been suggested, but he was not ago an association called the Cotton Sup- aware of any one of them that had yet ply Association was formed in Lancashire, produced as much cotton as would last the object of which was to obtain informa- our manufacturers from breakfast to dintion as to the capability of other countries ner time. There were only two countries to grow cotton, to distribute sced, and to that could grow cotton in sufficient quanendeavour to induce parties to embark in tity for their wants-America and Indiaits cultivation. In 1858 the hon. Mem- and under present circumstances India ber for Dumfries obtained a Committee to peared to be the only resource. But the inquire into the agricultural resources of quality of Indian cotton was inferior; and India. The House would see, therefore, manufacturers would never use it whenthat every effort had been made from time ever they could get a sufficient supply of to time to avert, if possible, the dreadful a better material elsewhere. The decalamity which they saw might some day mand for Indian cotton was therefore an or other arise. Nevertheless, the danger occasional one; and it was well known so much apprehended had at last been re- that no country would grow a commodity alized, and the country was labouring under merely to meet an occasional demand. a cotton famine. In other words, to thou- The result was, that whenever a demand sands of the most industrious people in the arose, the markets of India were world a famine of cotton was but another pletely swept, not of cotton grown for name for a famine of food. Some idea England, but of that which the people had might be formed of the extent of that fa- grown for their own requirements. The mine, when he stated the amount of the im- most important question to be considered ports from America. Last year the import was whether India could grow cotton suof American cotton amounted to 1,520,000 perior to the ordinary native quality, and bales; this year there had so far arrived equal to the great bulk of American cotonly 22,000. The stock of American ton. The Government had very recently cotton in the country this time last year appointed Commissioners to inquire into was 900,000 bales; this year it was only the subject generally. He had seen the 90,000. The total stock of all kinds at report of one of them, Mr. Cassells, on this time last year was 1,180,000; this the province of Bombay, which was de. year it was only 290,000 bales, which, at cidedly unfavourable. Mr. Cassells prothe usual rate of consumption, would be only nounced the experiments, which were sufficient for a month. In discussing the made at great expense by the East India question it was necessary that they should Company, to be total failures. He is of take an enlarged view of it. They knew opinion that India cannot materially imthat there was a whole year's crop lying in prove the quality of cotton, and that America, with the exception of a portion such improvements as have been made which had been destroyed, and which was were mere “cultivation in a flower-pot.' probably not much. But they ought to If that report were worth anything, it inquire what were their future prospects would, of course, be very lamentable; but even if they could obtain that. Some per- there was really nothing new in it. All sons had calculated that half the usual crop the evidence which it contained was known had been sown this year in America, but before, and the only novelty was Mr. Casothers doubted if there was so much; and sells' individual opinion, which he thought who could tell what would be the issue of he should be able to show was of little the civil war, or when it would end? Put- value. The Indian mind was at present ting it in its most favourable light, and in a similar state of darkness with the agri

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by some enthusiast personally surmounting the obstacles which ignorance threw in the way of success. There was no instance of Englishmen trying the cultivation of cotton after the manner of Indigo planters; but, fortunately for India, it had produced one

cultural mind of England twenty years ago. | India: the first was by English superinThey all recollected the predictions, that tendence and capital; and the other was if the Corn Laws were repealed, the land would go out of cultivation. The result of the repeal, however, had been that the agriculturists had become an intelligent and scientific body, who would now be the first to laugh at their former delusions. Notwithstanding that under English super-enthusiast cotton-grower in the person of intendents Indian indigo, which used to be the worst in the world, had been converted into the best; notwithstanding that India now produced the best coffee, the best opium, and even, he understood, the best tea; notwithstanding that a great improvement had been effected in Indian wool, flax, sugar, and many other articles, the Indian mind was still imbued with the notion that the country could not produce good cotton. It was deplorable to observe the ignorance which prevailed on this subject even in the highest quarters. The Governor of Madras wrote to the Cotton Supply Association a short time ago to say that the black soil of India would not grow cotton from American seed. A few months afterwards came Mr. Cassells' official Report, contradicting the Governor of Madras, and stating that in the province of Dharwar alone 170,000 acres of cotton were grown on Government land, from American seed, on the black soil. Mr. Heyward, the agent of the Cotton Supply Association, stated, at the same time, that there were, in addition, in the same province, 100,000 acres grown on the black soil, from American seed, on free land. The fact was, that in Madras, and in the Nizam's territory, cotton was raised on the black soil, from American seed, to great perfection. He (Mr. Smith) did not blame the Governor of Madras for expressing the opinion; no doubt he was the mouthpiece of other persons, and knew little of the matter himself. He hoped, however, opinions on these subjects would not, in future, be expressed from such high quarters, without previous inquiry. Earl Canning also told the Association that the Indian ryots had nothing to learn in regard to the cultivation of cotton. Why, these ryots were the most wretched and poverty-stricken of any race of cultivators, in comparison with whom even the Irish cottiers were prosperous. They had not money enough even to buy seed, and had to borrow it at an interest of 40 or 50 per cent, and their agricultural instruments were of the rudest description.

There were only two means of growing cotton or any other article successfully in

Mr. Shaw, the collector of Dharwar. Mr. Shaw was strongly impressed with the value and importance to India and to England of the growth of an improved quality of cotton in India: he had seen the experiments made by order of the East India Company, by the planters brought from America, and those of other persons, and was convinced, notwithstanding their failures, that he could grow good cotton from American seed. What Mr. Cassells said was impossible, he (Mr. Smith) would show, Mr. Shaw had accomplished. With great difficulty Mr. Shaw prevailed on the Government to allow him to try the experiment; he commenced by superintending the cultivation of twenty-five acres with American seed, which he afterwards increased to 25,000 acres. Mr. Shaw had great difficulties to encounter in overcoming the prejudices of the ryots, which could only be accomplished by great firmness and perseverance. He found the country dealers would not buy from the ryots the cotton grown from American seed, and he was obliged to buy it himself. Then the ryots complained of the great loss of growing American seed, inasmuch as their cattle, which fed upon Native seed, would not eat American seed. Mr. Shaw took the opportunity of a great gathering of the ryots on a rent-day to address them on the subject of cotton-growing, pointing out to them the advantage that the American seed produced nearly double the quantity of cotton which the native seed yielded; and to prove that the cattle would eat American seed, he offered to put down 100 rupees, and they might subscribe amongst themselves a like sum: they should then bring the first cattle they could find, and if the cattle would not eat the American seed, they should take the 200 rupees; but if the cattle did eat it, then he (Mr. Shaw) should take the 200 rupees. This offer excited all the interest in the 2,000 or 3,000 people assembled that he wished: they were pleased with the idea, and retired to consider it; but returned declining to subscribe the 100 rupees, though they were unanimously confident that the

cattle would not touch American seed. | Smith) thought that these facts, which he Mr. Shaw then ordered the people to bring hoped the hon. Member for Manchester, the first cattle they could find; a number whom he saw in his place, would confirm, were brought, and quantities of American settled the question of India being able to and of Native cotton seed were placed produce a quality of cotton equal to ordibefore them. It happened that the cattle nary Orleans; and what was most imwent first to the American seed, and then portant the House should know was, ate the Native seed. The people appeared that the quality of cotton known as orso astonished at this result, that Mr. dinary Orleans formed the bulk of all Shaw thought he had settled this seed the cotton consumed in this country; question for ever; but no, though the so that if India could supply a similar cattle had eaten the American seed, the description of cotton, she would be able ryots declared it would kill them all; but as to meet all our demands. Unfortunately none died in consequence, the great objec- Mr. Shaw had been compelled to quit tion to the planting of American seed was Dharwar on account of ill health, and thus overcome. But Mr. Shaw had now to since his retirement no Englishman had encounter the prejudices of his own country-supplied his place, the result was, that men. The American planters having de- although the production of sawginned clared that Mr. Shaw's experiments had cotton had increased from 25,000 to failed, and that the cotton he grew from 300,000 acres, the quality sold as AmeAmerican seed was inferior to that grown rican seed cotton had deteriorated from from Native seed, samples were sent to Bom- being grown along with native seed, and bay, and the merchants there agreed in opi- mixed and adulterated with native cotton; nion with the American planters. Mr. Shaw nevertheless, with all its deficiencies, it still maintained that his cotton was of a sells in the Bombay market 40 per cent superior quality, and the Government, in higher than native cotton. Now, what order to put it to the test, ordered 500 Mr. Shaw had done could be done again, bales of native cotton to be purchased and and he (Mr. Smith) maintained that under sawginned and sent to Bombay with 500 English superintendence India could grow bales of Mr. Shaw's cotton grown from any quantity of cotton. Then the quesAmerican seed and sawginned. The two tion was, why did she not grow it? parcels were sold by public auction, and the India will never successfully grow cotton Bombay merchants, true to their opinion, till she can compete with America. India gave a higher price for the cotton grown was placed under great disadvantages from Native seed, than for that grown in this respect. America possessed rich from American seed. When Mr. Shaw land and cheap carriage, while India had heard of this result, he felt, to use his own expression, "fairly done up." The laugh went against him, but he had only to wait a few months and the laugh went the other way. The cotton was shipped from Bombay to Liverpool; it had now reached a place where its true value was understood, and now Mr. Shaw reaped the reward of his perseverance and skill: the Native cotton for which the Bombay mer chants had given the highest price sold by auction in Liverpool at 3d. per lb., and Mr. Shaw's cotton grown from American seed, for which they gave the lowest price sold at 61d. per lb. Now, it happened that the hon. Member for Manchester (Mr. A. Turner) purchased some of this cotton grown from American seed and valued at 6d. per lb.; he tried it weight for weight with ordinary Orleans cotton which cost 6d. per lb., and the result was that the Indian cotton produced three per cent more yarn than the American, and of equal quality. He (Mr. J. B.

poor land and dear carriage. Again, the Indian soil was exhausted, it having been merely ploughed with a stick for ages, and the ryots had also for ages grown from the same seed over and over again, so that the wonder was the quality had not become more deteriorated. Mr. Heyward, the Secretary of the Cotton Supply Association, saw land picked up with a pickaxe which produced 300 lb. per acre of clean cotton, more than three times the quantity produced by Indian ploughing. With English superintendence and the English plough, they would, no doubt, succeed in growing as good cotton as they had succeeded in growing good flax, which, instead of growing as formerly, only eight inches in length, with English ploughing attained the length of three or four feet. Then again, as regarded irrigation. The East India Company tried it to a small extent, and the land produced a smaller crop of cotton. That was very strange. But the fact was the land was irri

gated as for rice, and it was a wonder that cotton grew at all. If the land was drowned, the seed would necessarily rot; but if it was irrigated in the proper season, and in a proper manner, the cotton would increase four-fold, and the quality would be greatly improved. Mr. Varey had produced three crops in the year by irrigation of a quality superior to the best Orleans. It was absolutely necessary to establish in India permanent agencies, in order to inspire confidence in the minds of the ryots. At present there were native bankers in all the districts, who made advances to the ryots whenever they needed them, and obtained possession of the crops to pay the balances due to them, so that although cotton had risen in price the ryots had not participated in the advance, it had all gone into the pockets of the dealers and merchants. If we looked for increased supplies from India, we should be disappointed until there was a competition of buyers, and an assurance to the ryots that they would be able to sell their cotton, at a profit not only in any given year, but for some years to come. The greatest obstacle, however, to the increase of the supply of cotton from India was the want of cheap carriage. In America cotton could be carried for a thousand miles down the Mississippi for one-eighth of a penny per pound, but to bring cotton from Berar to Bombay would cost 2d. per lb. That district, hitherto inaccessible to us, was the finest in India for cotton, and, if properly opened up, could alone supply all this country would require. He would remind the House that shortly before the Marquess of Dalhousie left England for India a deputation from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce waited upon him to urge upon his attention the growth of cotton in India, and the interview seemed to have made a great impression on his Lordship's mind. At any rate, his apology for seizing Nagpore was that it would supply us with cotton. Whatever opinion might be entertained of the merits of the Marquess of Dalhousie's policy, every one would acknowledge that he was a man of great abilities. In his celebrated minute on quitting the Government of India he states, that the importance of supplies of cotton was urged upon him personally by the Chamber of Commerce at Manchester, and he adds

"The essential interest of England requires that the territory of Nagpore should pass under the British Government, for the possession of

Nagpore will materially aid in supplying a want, upon the secure supply of which much of the manufacturing prosperity of England depends." But the mere possession of Nagpore was of little use if there were not easy means of conveying cotton to a port of shipment. The Marquess of Dalhousie, therefore, ordered the river Godavery, which runs 100 miles through the cotton district, to be surveyed, with the view of its being made navigable. An estimate was formed of the expense, the work was approved by the East India Company and ordered to be completed; it was commenced; but unhappily the rebellion broke out, when it was suspended, and he (Mr. J. B. Smith) believed that very little progress had to that day been made in its execution. He (Mr. J. B. Smith) had recently received a letter from Liverpool, informing him that a new kind of cotton had been shipped from Bombay to Liverpool, called Hinginghaut cotton. Now, Hinginghaut was on the Godavery, and this cotton had therefore to be carried about 600 miles upon the backs of bullocks, at an expense of about 2d. per lb., to Bombay; whereas if the river Godavery had been opened, it might have been sent to the port of Coringa for half a farthing per lb. Nothing could more forcibly illustrate the impossibility, under ordinary circumstances, of India competing with America, than this fact:-It was only when Indian cotton was selling in Liverpool at 10d. per lb., which ordinarily sells at 4d. per lb., that the merchant could afford to pay 2d. per lb. for carriage from Hinginghaut; but let us see what would be the state of things in ordinary times. American cotton at the place of growth would be worth 3d. per lb. The carriage to a port would be d., total cost 31d. Indian cotton at Berar would cost 11d. per lb., carriage 2d. per lb., total cost 31d. per lb.; but when the two kinds of cotton reached Liverpool, the American cotton would fetch 5d. per lb., and the Indian cotton only 4d. per Ib. But supposing the Godavery were made navigable, the merchant, instead of 1d. per lb., could afford to give the grower 24d. per lb. to induce him to grow a superior article equal to American. Add to this carriage d. per lb., and the total cost would be 2ğd. per lb. as against 3d. per lb. for American cotton. The opening out of the Godavery, therefore, would enable the Indian successfully to comThen pete with the American grower. with regard to English agents establishing themselves in India, it was folly to