THE COTTON TRADE. 261 



FRANCE. 



Cotton constitutes, in value, more tlian two-thirds of the 

 domestic exports of the United States to France. By virtue 

 of the treaty of 1822, it is imported, like all other "articles of 

 the growth, produce, or manufacture of the United States," 

 on the same terms, whether in United States or national ves- 

 sels ; but the importation must be direct, and the origin of the 

 article duly authenticated. A ministerial decree of December 

 17, 1851, enlarges the provision of the treaty relative to the 

 direct voyage, so far as to extend the equality between the 

 vessels of the two nations when importing cotton, even should 

 the American vessel touch at a British port ; but, in that case, 

 the captain is required to exhibit a certificate from the French 

 consul at that port, stating that no commercial transaction 

 there took place. 



The French government is directing its efforts to the de- 

 velopment and extension of the cotton culture in its colonial 

 province of Algeria. To that end, in December, 1853, an 

 aggregate value of 20,000 francs, in prizes, was offered by the 

 emperor to the most successful cultivator of cotton in that 

 province. The result is announced as most favorable. In De- 

 cember, 1854, the entire sum was divided between three 

 rivals, whose merits were judged equal two of them being 

 French colonists, and one an Arab a gold medal to each 

 being also awarded. To the meritorious of the second rank, 

 a silver medal to each was presented. The amount produced 

 in 1854 was 180,552 Ibs. 



Next to Great Britain, France is the largest importer of 

 American cotton; and what Liverpool is to the former, 

 Havre is to the latter. At those two points the importations 

 are concentrated, and thence distributed to the different" mar- 

 kets of either empire or reexported to foreign countries 



