COTTON-WOOL, 



VII 



In the import of every year there was generally 

 among the consignments some good clean cotton ; 

 but the greater proportion was not suitahle for 

 spinning in this country, and was therefore re- 

 exported to the Continent. The following papers 

 will be found to contain details of the various 

 measures which were pursued for the improve- 

 ment of Indian cotton, down to the year 1827, but 

 unfortunately without the desired success ; and 

 also of the renewed efforts which have been made 

 since that period. 



In July 1828, the Committee of Privy Council 

 for Trade directed the attention of the Commis- 

 sioners for the Affairs of India, in conjunction 

 with the Court of Directors, to the possibility of 

 improving the cultivation of cotton and tobacco 

 in the East-Indies, and requested to be furnished 

 with the fullest information, as to the state both 

 of the culture of those articles and of the trade in 

 them. 



The Court of Directors accordingly presented 

 a summary report of the endeavours which for 

 thirty years past had been unsuccessfully directed 

 to these important objects.* This led to a re- 

 commendation 



* See Appendix to Report of the Select Committee of the 

 House of Lords, 1830, page 113 of Collection. 



