1846.] THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE. 515 



States in the cultivation of cotton. The nature of English and native capitalists 

 is too monopolizing, obstinate, and prejudiced in its effects to perform any thmg in 

 this way to frighten us. Truly it is difficult to learn an Englishman any thmg, on 

 account of his strong prejudice of pride and conceit of the Itingdoin of Cockney- 

 dom and its subjects. They are likevvi.se very expensive iu their man;igeniant of 

 business, which is a great drawback to success in a full competition. It is difficult 

 for an Englishman to make an estimate, unless based on large, and, according to 

 his fashion, generous and liberal principles. He does not know how to cramp and 

 economise like the Scotch, and never likes to do any thing in a small way. The 

 consequence is a cumbrous and most expensive government of his Indian king- 

 dom, but yet full of energy and power, which inspires confidence. The " Honor- 

 able John Company" can borrow money of the native and European capitalists at 

 five and six per cent., when other parties, as merchants and others, have to pay 

 seven, eight, and nine per cent. Singular facts in favor of John's honor, and like- 

 wise of his penchant for manufacturing offices, places, and jobs for his darling 

 young scions of nobility and gentry. 



The consequence of operating on these principles is, that he meets a fearful 

 competitor in his son Jonathan, who, in tlie first place, constitutes a cheap and 

 liberal Government; secondly, sells his lands cheap ; thirdly, taxes his children 

 lightly; and fourthly, encourages emigration as much as passible. An expensive 

 Government will always oblige the ruling power to levy heavy taxes to pay its offi- 

 cers and other contingencies, which will press on the moans of subsistence of the 

 poorer and middling classes of its subjects. It prevents the consumption of foreign 

 products by lessening the facility of free competition with other nations, in, some 

 degrees favorably situated for performing what they themselves could do much 

 cheaper by their heavy capitals. An instance of this is palpably evident, now ope- 

 rating throughout the British possessions in tlie east and west in the article of 

 shipping. To assist to raise the several heavy revenues of the British Government, 

 the East India Company, and the colonies, they are obliged to (or they do) lay 

 heavy duties on the provisions, timber, and other articles from foreign countries 

 used in ships and shipping. This of course induces the shipowners, in conse- 

 quence of the great increase of expense, to ask a monopoly of shipping for their 

 own crafts between their own possessions and from foreign countriss. It need not 

 be stated that this makes them careless, extravagant, and, consequently, monopo- 

 lizing and lazy. It is a fact' that an American ship can be sailed anil worked on 

 a short or long voyage for two-thirds the expense of a British or colonial one I 

 The Americans carry less men and work them harder, but their provisions and 

 treatment are generally far bettor than on board English ships. At this present 

 time American ships are taking freight from India and China for 4 to £b per ton 

 to America, while English and Company's ships to India and Britain are asking 

 and getting 5, 6, 7, and £8 per ton to their several destinations. And yet the 

 American profits are better, because they sail much faster, and load and unload 

 quicker. Can any thing plainer exhibit the effijcts of monopoly and high duties? 



The entire growth of cotton in British India and Ceylon miy be safely put 

 down, after much inquiry on the subject, at 800,000 bales of 300 pounds each. 

 The disposition of this crop, more or less, is nearly as follows: 



Shipped to China from Calcutta, Madras, and Bombay 230,000 bales. 



Shipped to England from the same places 200,000 " 



Manufactured in India by hand looms 570,000 " 



The manufacture of cottons in India is still in a vigorous state in many parts, 

 particularly in Madras, whore the workmen are very ingenious. They are much 

 superior in quality, as regards strength and durability, to any other. Their manu- 

 factures consist of longcloths, (selling in the markets under the stylo of Corahs, 

 piece goods, &,c.,) towels, siieots, bedticks, coverlets, tablecloths, maskelto net- 

 tings, &c. 



Cotton seeds are used in India as food for cattle before and after they have been 

 pressed. They make a good deal of oil from them for use in medicine — applied to 

 the skin for clearing it of spots and freckles, and also, I believe, for burning and 

 other purposes. Some years ago small quantities of oil were made in our southern 

 States from the cotton seeds, and I do not see why it should not bo made in an ex- 

 tensive way, for the purpose of lighting, oiling machinery, and other purposes. The 

 seeds must be dried before pressing. The oil has been said to contain too much muci- 



No. 4. 4 



