1840.] 
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 thing in 
this way to frighten us. Truly it is difficult to learn an Englishman any thing, on 
account of his strong prejudice of pride and conceit of the kingdom of Cockney- 
dom and its subjects. They are likewise very expensive in their management 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 the 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 possible. 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 means 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 the 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 countries. 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 and worked on 
a short or long voyage for two-thirds the expense of a British or colonial one! 
The Americans carry less men and work them harder, but their provisions and 
treatment are generally far better than onboard English ships. At this present 
time American ships are taking freight from India and China for 4 to £5 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 effects of monopoly and high duties? 
The entire growth of cotton in British India and Ceylon may be safely put 
down, after much inquiry on the subject, at 800,000 bales of 390 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, where the workmen are very ingenious. They are much 
superior in quality, as regards strength and durability, to any other. Their manu- 
factures consist of longeloths, (selling in the markets under the style of Corahs, 
piece goods, &c.,) towels, sheets, 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 be 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 
