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MISCELLANY.
DUKE OF ALBA AT V BREAKFAST i.\ THF
CASTLE OF RUDOLSTADT,
in Ti! nit 1547.
Glancing over an old chronicle of ihesixteenth cen
tury, 1 find the fallowing anecdote, which fur more
then one reason deserves to he preserved from oblivion.
There wjr ■ Oerrnan Urly ot ancient family, render
ed iliuatriou* by the. heroism ot its members, (one of
whom was the German Emperor Guenther or Schwarz
burg.) who, by her resalute behaviour, hid almost
Caused the terrible Duke of Alba to tremble.
When lbs Emperor Charles (he Fifth, in the yesr ;
1547. sltet the battle of Mu*hlburg,| |>ataed 0:1 in his |
inarch to Franconia. Muabia and Thuringia, the wid
owed Countess Catherine of Schor7.hurg, a princess of
llennebcrg by birth, obtained a safeguard from the Ena
peror, guaranteeing that her subjects should suffer no
thing Iroin the violence ol the Spanish army, which
Lad to march through her territories. On the other
hand, she pledged herself to send h cad. heer, and oth
er victuals, nt ■ cheap rale, front Kudolstadt to theSail
bridge, in order to provide lor the Spanish troops, who
had In pass the river, Minnwhile she used the pre
caution to hsve the bridge, which was close to the city,
bo,ken off and erected again st greater distance from
her residence, lest the too great nearness of the town
might lead her rapacious guests into trinptalion. The
inhabitants us all the neighboring villages which were
within the route of the array, were also permitted to
bring their movable property into the Castle ol Kudol
stadt.
When the Spanish general, accompanied liy the
Duke Henry of B,unswick ami his two sous, approach
ed the city, he invited himself by a courier whom he
despatched, to 1 breakfast in the pal ace of the countess.
So modest a request, tendered at the head ol an army,
could not well he refused. The answer was, that she
would give what the kitchen could uflbrd; his excel
lency would be w elcome, il he would take it as it was.
Maan while she did not foi get to mention once more the
eafegurd, and to enjoin the strict ohseivance ofit on the
part of the Spanish general.
A kind reception and a well spiesd table awaited the
duke in the castle. He win compelled to acknowl
edge that the Thuringiun ladies kept a very good kitch
en, and preserve the honor of hospitality. Scarcely
had they sal down to breakfast, when a courier rails
the counices from the dining-hall, announcing that in
several villages, on lire way, the Spanish s Idlers had
used violence, and driven away ihe cattle of the peas
ants.
Catherine was a mother to her people ; harm done
tn the poorest of her subjects, was, also done, to her
self. Highly provoked by this brcack of promise, but
not losing her presence of mind, she eon.mads all her
•erv ,nls to arm themselves secreLely, and in all haste,
mid to bolt the gales of the castle. Nic hetself returns
to the saloon, where the Princes are still at breakfast.
Here she relates, in the most touching terms, the news
just hruutthl to her, and complains how badly they
hue kept the word of the Emperor, Her guests reply
with laughter, that this was the custom of war, and
that such little accidents could not he prevented where
an army was marching through. “Very well, we will
fee.” she replies in a passion. “The property must be
restored to my poor subjects, or by heaven*”—while
she raised her voice to the highest pilch—“Princes,
blood for cxen blood!” With this lac-mtc declatation,
she left the room, w hich in a lew moments was filled
with armed men. who, sweid in band, yet with the
greatest respect, planted themselves behind the chairs
of (he Princes, and stood in alteodsnce on the
guem At the entrance of this warlike crowd the Duke
ol Alba changed color; silence and etabarrassment
prevailed at the table. Cut uff from the army, sur
rounded by a superior and robust multitude, what re
source was there hut to be patient, and upon any con
dition to reconci|e Ihe iriilaled lady. Henry ol Bruns
wick was the first to recover himself, and broke out in
a fit of loud laughter. He pursued the most prudent
course, —turning Ihe whole proceeding into a joke, and
delivered a panegyric upon the Countess for the ma
ternal care and resolute cou age she had shown. He
begged her to Ire quiet, and look it upon himself to in
duce the Duke to accede to every ihingjust. Indeed
he prevailed upon the latter at once to despatch an or
der to the army to restore the otubn cattle withont de
lay to the owners. As soon as the Coutitcse ol Scbw
aizburg was suie of the restilut'oii, she kiuJlv (hank
ed her guests, who then very politely toik their leave
[Even.
HABITS OF VARIOUS AUTHORS.
llomcr, it ik said, had such an aversion to natural
music, tnat he could never be prevailed on to walk a
long the tianlis of a ißurmuriiig brook; nevertheless,
he sang his own ballads, though not in th* cbaractei
of a mendicant, as recorded by Zoilus.
Virgil wasso fond of salt that he seldom went with
out a boa full in his pocket, which he made use of from
time to time, aa men of the piesent day use tobacco.
Zoroaster, it is said, though the most profouud phi
losopher of his tune, theoretically, w as very easily put
out oflompei. He once carried his irritability so far
as to break a maible table to pieces with a hammer,
because he chanced to stumtde over it in the dark.
Suskspeare, though one of the most gorgeous of men,
was a great higgler. He was often known to dispute
with a shopkeeper for half sn hour on s rjuaiter ufs
pwiny. lit gave Hotspur credit for a portion of his
own disposition, win n lie makes nun say, “I would
cavil on the ninth part of a hair.”
Peter Corneille, the greatest wit of his time, so far
•a concerns lus works, was remarkably stupid in con
cenalioo. a was also Addison, who la acknowledged
to havu been one of the most elegant witters that ever
Jived.
Samuel Rogers is an invetersts punster, albeit from
hts poetiy, one might suppose him to be the greatest
writer in Christendom. He lias one peculiarity that
distinguishes bint from all poets, past, present and to
come, i. e. three hundred ihou-and pounds.
Voung wrote Ins ‘Night Thoughts’ w ith s scull and
a candle in it before bun. Hia own scull was lu ki!y
in the room, or very little aid would have been yielded
by tbe other.
Dry den, it is said, was always cupped and physick
ed previous to a grand effort at tragedy,
Urmbo had a desk of forty divisions, through which
bis sonnets passed in saccesstun, before they were pub
lished.
Milton used to set leaning back obliquely in an easy
chair, with his legs (lung over the elbows of it. lie
frequently composed lying in bed in the morning ; hut
when he could not sleep, and was awake whole nights
not one verse could he make; at olher times his un
precedented effusion* were essy, with rsittin impetus
and tedium, as be biinsell Used to believe, ’Then,
whatever (he hour, he rang for bis da g uer to commit
them to paper. He would somei lines dictate forty lines
in * breath, and then reduce them to half the numtisr.
These mty appear trifles ; but sm h trifles assume a
sort of giealnets, when related of what is great.
Sriinio Caaexxas.—This is too good to hu lost.—
A quick willed tnp went into * bar-room and called
for something to drink in New Yurk.
“We don’t ull liquor,” said the law shilling land
lord—-we wiltgiae you a glass, and then if you want
lo buy a craeker we’ll sell il for three cuute.”
“Very well,” said the Yankee customer, hand down
your decanter.”
Th* --good creature” was handed down, anJ our
hero took a still horn, when turning trnnnd to depatt,
th* unsnsjiecting landlord hander) him Ihe dish of crack
ers, with Ibis remark,-you will buy a darker!”
“Wall, no, l guess not; you eell ’em 100 dear; I
ran get lot* on ’em, five ot ait for a cent any where
slat.”
neon ruiLOsornT.
For every evil under (be sun
There is a cure, or there ie none ;
If there ie one, try In find it,
If there ie uone, uever mind it.
An old maid, once
■•—Went into a fit so strong
Thai two young tailor* ewore*
They’d never seen in ell their livee,
So tight a fit before,”
The Washington “ Fountain” notires a
report that Col. Bomferd’s big gun is to be
brought so beur upon the Castle of San Juan
de Ulloa; that thi shells are nil enst and
irmly fur it, and that it has been shipped
from Boston lo llie Squadron off Vera Cruz.
THE POSITION OF MEXICO.
The New York Commercial Advertiser ol Thursday
•aye —the Courier dot Elate Unis ot this morning
has a long exposition of affairs within the republic of
Mexico, the materials of which, (he editor says, have
been derived from source* entitled to confidence, and
which, whether true or false, whether wholly or only
< in part correct, we think it proper to lay before our
j readers. Wo trurislate almost without abridgement:
” The calculations founded in the Tnited States on
the amhitinu* contests of Santa Anna and Herrera or
Comei Farias are no less erroneous than the hope cher
ished, in Mexico, of a civil war between tlie Northern
and Southern Stales of the Union on the übje. t of
slavery. At Mexico as at Washingtan tome just im
pressures exist in relation to the internal troubles of
the respective countries, but these just nnprcs-ioss, be
ing mingle and with more extensive errots, produce false
views and expectations. It shall he our endeavor to
throw light on the whole subject.
“ The latest accounts received in the United States
from Monterey declaring that a strong party hssariaeo
against Santa Anna in the army, and that he has left !
San Luia Polosi to w itch over the doings of the Con- 1
gross at the city of Mexico,in which ttm elections have
established a majority of Herrera’s pari Urn-. In dies - ,
assertions there are almost as many eirots as words.— |
The Corigre-s recently cho-en was convened lor the 1
single purpose of udopting a constitution; hut the ud- j
ditional function has been a signed to it of passing on !
the question of peace or war with the United States.— 1
This is the reason why Ihe President ad interim \
and his Minister, K jnn, have refused to act on the p n I
posal to resume m-g 1 lotions, submitted by the Govern
aent of the United States When the Gorigtess eojl
have agreed upon u coo-l lotion it will proceed, under
Ihe pruvi-i ns of that instrument, to the elec ion of a
President; hut until the const,tution is adopted that
other question will not he in o der, and thete is nlTpre*-
enl indication ol the manner lu which It will he deci
ded.
“ The pi eject of a dictatorship ascribed to Santa An
na, and hia want ol fidelity to (fie Federalist party, have
no belter foundation. When he left H ivan* he declar
ed his adhesion to the nlci of progression, and he has
not departed from his convictions and his promise-
ft is true that he took part witti the President ud inte
rim, hulas, m u cunliicl which orose between that
functionary on oue side, and honors Kejon and (smut z
Farias on the other. Ttrcse last, chiefs of the puras or
exultation , seeing the Tteasury exhau-led and the en
emy approaching, believed tile situation so critical as
lo justfy recourse to one of thosa extreme measures
bom which the suduetty ol Daulon did not shrink at
one of (ho crises id the French revolution ; menaces
were pul forth, in an official journal, aga n,t those men
of wealth who wriibiield contributions f,,, the support
of the country; commerce and property took the alarm,
arid the word pillage 11 w from mouth to mouth. It
undoubtedly was not pillage that entered into the plans
ol Farias and li-j >n, who arc honorable men. The
President halos thought it his duly to allay the tears
of the people, arid the two Minister-, whom he rharg
ed with tmpiudeuae sent tn their resignations. Sima
Anna approved the conduct us Salas, and hence the re
ports which have represented him as once more aban
doning the Federali-t parly. But this is a calumny.
Santa Anna has continued frithful to his partv and 1 s
policy, though he has refused idueiioti to its excesses.
He marches hand in hand, an tn speak, w-tlh General .
Almonte, who is the bund of union between him and 1
Salas OB the one hand, and between him and Krj n ;
and Farias on the other. He is n t laterally or atiso
lately with either of tbea four men, hut they are all,
with him.
“ As to the disaffection of the army, this rumor is of
all the most improb.file and untrue. The most nu
merous and most devoted psrtizans of Manta Anna have
always been found among Ihe officers and irnopa, be
cause his military qualities are tbo-e which give most
brtbancy to his character. Trie army belongs to San
ta Anna not only through the influence ot its honorable
sentiments, but also thtuugh that ol us worst, personal !
devotion and interest. In a military chief the mourner- |
able officers of Mexico have a repre-enlative and a Je- 1
fender; in a civil ruler they are incltued to ar ean ad
versary. From oue they are sure of employment and
pay—from the other they have reason to fear inactivi
ty and diminished compensation.
“We believe, then, lhat the position of Santa Anna,
in the post which he occupies as generalissimo Zand
his most intimate friends affirm he covets no other) is
firmly established. Far from being reduced, his army ‘
is strengthened from day to day, and be has tor In- lieu- i
tenants men of proved capacity ; among them are Gen- 1
eials V illanil! and Alcoita, whose military skill la equal, \
it is did. to that ol the most renowned European coin- I
manderj—Generals Uorlazar, Mtnon, Tornjon and !
Guzman, win* command 10,000 cavalry, posted in the 1
vicinity of San,Luts Polosi—and General Don Fran- j
cisco Perez, whose bravery is proverbial.—To these
bold hearts and able head* we must add General Gin- 1
ahzo, who has recently teturned to Mexico an 1 at once
made an offer of bis services to Manta Anna. All are
invaluable auxiliaries to the generalissimo, and the
struggle with them will lie desperate and terrible.—
The battles that have as yd been fought, sangutnarv
as they were, must he regarded as only the prologue to
the drama lhat will bo played when these great actois
come upon the scene.
“Much is the true military situation of Mexico and
Santa Anna. It deserves, as every one mv see, to be
taken into serious consideration. But If the struggle 1
should ks arduous and Irving for the American atnrv \
under the wall* ol San Lina Poto*i, that will be still j
, more so in wdiich it ninst engage on the rente from Ve
: ra Gtuz to Mexico, the route which seems to he resolv- [
jed on for Ihe uew campaign. On this route exist nit- 1
! ural obstacles which a handful of brave men cou’d ,
| make tmpiegnable. The pa-a callrd “ Ihe national !
1 bridge,” between Vera Gruz and Jalipe, und the rocky 1
j defiles between the latter city art I Perose, woulJ prove j
sepulchres lor (he Americans, over which their valor
could make ita way only by tilling the n with eirp-es.
Do not humanity and reason exact that both Amort
cans and Mriic.ins make one more elf ot for a peace
ful adjustment, before they plunge headlong into a can
diet for which an many lives must pay I
| ‘On this branch of Ihe subject we maat begin by de-1
, daring lhat, according to the information we have re- |
1 reived, the Mexican Gongtess, which must now have
bilore it the overture* ol (he United States Govern
ment, will meet ibern with a unanimous refusal.—
There was in Mi zico no doubt of this result, and it ia
well lo dismiss all the tl< lusion here in regard lo il.—
Bui il does nut follow that the Mexican people are re
: solved on war at all hazarda arid in any ease, and will j
blindly reject every proposition having peace for ilsob- ,
jttcl. We believe lhat a large purliou of Ihe Mexican
people have an adequate sense of Ihe evila that follow 1
m the tram ol war, and that a majority of them would .
tejuice al the establishment of peace on a Irani* h nor- i
able to both parties. But in proportion as Mexico hat
been ao far unfortunate in tliu progress of the war, so 1
do honor und self-love end more Irmn her, and the j
men who overthrew Henrra because he listened to the
overtures of the United States, while the arbitrament 1
of war bad not yet been invoked, must feel that they
cannot now lend an ear to lire same overtures without
subjecting themselves to self-ieprost h und the rrpruach
j cs of their countrymen.
“We conclude lhat this is 1 great error—a scnli
! mrnt of dignity carried tn ezccse. Mexico has indeed
been less fortunate than her antagonist on Ihe Heir of
’ Palo Alto and Monterey, but morally she has not fsl
i leu. The defeat of Arista and Ampudia has exalted
. the Mexican name in the estimation ol Europe and
even of Americana almost a< much u* a victory could
i have done. Though Ihe Mexicans luc lost much
they have not loat their honor, aud then statesmen are
in a better condition now than they ever were lo make
thst submission to necessity which the greatest nations
hsve at times been fotced to yield. Thu is ihe true
and wise puint of view from which they ahould look
upon the question. But if they chose another—one
less exalted and less wise—it does not follow that con
sideration should nut be given lo that other. The sense
of honor must he re-peeled even in tie excess.
“And this principle should be understood and acted
on by the Government of the United Stairs. It would
do itself honor by exhibiting (oletanre, patience aud
delicacy proportioned to the just sensibility of the Mex
icans. The A moncans ate so situated that the virtue
of fordeannee has become one of the necessities snd
also one of Ihe glories of the pari they have lo play.
1 But, eiy the Americana, w hat do you require of u 1
I wire we have offered lo re-open (.egociations and
1 twice our offer hs* been scornfully rejected. Our re
ply is, ‘make the offer a third tune, and if necessary a
fourth. Tha more frrqmnl you reach forth the olive
branch the more you ennoble your victories and justi
fy yoot conqueats in tha eyes of Eutope, which wt h
justice or without it, accuaea you of boundlezi ambi
tion and rap icily.* ”
[ This idea is developed at some additional length in
the Gourrier’s ar icle, but we atop here, what fallow*
being only cumulative.]
Loksof Eie I T , M’ lrig Seiners
On the mo ruing of Ihe Bih inst,, the United -'late*
luig Somers, Lieutenant Gonirnantlg Raphael Senims,
wa- underway, off bln Verde, blockading. ‘I’Ll win I
wan blowing fre-h, and gradually increasing in atrmgth,
but a vnnael heaving iu reght, determined her *fiicor*
to stand out for Iter in order to see what she was, when
a heavy squall struck her, and ere she could recover,
another followed quickly Upon its he- Is. The ling was
hove down upon her beam ends, and in fifteen minutes
was al the bottom.
Two offi era, Acting Master Glemsen and Midship
man Mi llion, are supposed lo have perished, anil about
thirty of the erew. The remainder of the officers and
crew were saved by the gallantry of lire officers of the
English vessels and those of the French, lying under
Blcrificioe, who, notwithstanding the danger neceasa
nly attendant upon going out such a distance in the
height of a gale, and in an open heat tn such a sea.
fearlessly, and moat nobly risked tberr own lives, and
saved many of those who were struggling with death.
Thosa- who have h-en arved were brought up and plac
ed on board the various vessels of this squadron.—
Some 1 learn are very seriously injured. Mr. Ilynson.
1 understand. Is the voting geotleinrn who accompan
ied I, cut. Parker, of (lie Somera, upon the bold anti
gallant expedition in which a Mexican vessel was burnt
uni r the walla of ihe Gastle of San Juan de Ulua.—
In t is alliir he was badly burned by t ie explosion of
p -wder, und at the lime of the terrible loss of tire Sorn
e a was incapable of assisting himself. The service
lias lost a good support.
There seems to be some fatality attending the brigs
upon tins station —three gone within a few months.
ANTICIPATED MOVEMENTS OF THE
ARMY.
Mr. L t Msnzrx, of the New Orleans Picayune, who
was on his way to join the Army at Tampico, saye in
a letter written at the Brazos on the Gtil instant —
It was utv good fortune to meet this morning an old
friend in a gentleman direct from Monterey, wltogsve
me the and its for what follows. My informant left Mon
terey on the -7lh November. Gen.Tavloi had relum
ed from S*|n||<), and eipreaaed himself pleased with
the ap|iearanee us the city, which was in quiet poseer-s
----ion ol the tro >ps. ,V< demonstration against General
Worth had been made by the enemy, althotoli only at
Ihe distance of twenty miles from him. His scout*
had discovered about 3,000 Mexican cavalry, said to
have been sent from Sn Luis i'olo*i lor (he putpose
of giszmg their horses.
Gen. Wool lira been ordered by Gen. Taylor to oc
cupy forthwith the town of Parras, a sin ill but beauti
ful place seventy miles northeast ol Saltillo. General
Wool would have no oppnsiiion at Psrias, as the in
habitants were prepared to receive hun peaceably.—
His troojm are represented to beta (be finest health
an I discipline.
The ultimate plana of (Jen. Tsylnftiad not of course
been fully developed, but sufficient was known to ren
der it quite certain that something like the following
outline was to he adhered to. He had received iotel
-1 grace from ihe Government of the call for additional
troop*. Hi- would therefore occupy all the post*, town*
&c , either immediately ur remotely, on the line of op
erations lo Tampico.
1 Lieut. Col. Riley now occupies Mount
| Morales with tilt;2d Regiment U. S. Infant
ry. (sen. Taylor would himself take up his
| line of march for Victoria, where rumor has
it, Santa Aun t lias 10,(MM) choice troops. —
; This city is indispensably necessary to Gen.
Taylor, in order that he may secure Ins lines
of communication iu an attack on San Luis
Potosi. Santa Anna knows its importance,
and will no doubt resist its possession by our
troops, lint 1 shall not speculate. General
Taylor intended to march, as soon as provis
ions could he hastened up—which would
probably be by tile 10111 December—with the
dd, 4th and Till Infantry, the Dragoons un
der Col, Harney, who had arrived tit Monte
rey, Bragg’s battery, and two regiments of
volunteers, which latter had not beeu desig
nated.
It would seem lhat General Tavlcr him
self attached some importance to the rumor
of Santa Anna’s 10,000 troops, as he heads
in person the expedition against Victoria.—
After taking ibis point, which he most assur
edly will do, it is thought lie will make no
further demonstration until desired (enforce
ments reach him from Tampico.
Should Gen. Butler’s health admit of it,
he tt ill lit; left at Monterey in command; oth
erwise Col. Smith, of the Rifles, will be de
tained forthat purpose. Geti. Butler’s wound
was not improving; indeed it is said to be
getting worse. The air of .Monterey is con
sidered unfavorable to wounded invalids, aud
the surgeons have advised that all such should
leave the country if practicable.
It is said on good authority* that Santa
Anna, fearing the Congress about to assem
ble at Mexico would not carry out bis meas
ures, or fully sustain liitn, had detached and
marched to the capitol 7000 men, under the
pretence of putting down another outbreak
of the populace, being well aware that Gen.
Taylor cannot attack him in Ins stronghold*
at Man Luis Potosi for some two months or
more.
It is now conerdod, by the officers of our
army generally that the Mexicans will fight.
Sinn 1,11 l Potosi is in a strongstntc of defence,
and is daily being strengthened still more,
and it ntuy he that the battles of Palo Alto
and Rrsaca, and those of Monterey, were hilt
specimens of what may occur before San
Luis. Officers believe that a harder light
than any one yet is before them. San Luis
Potosi is one of the richest cities in all Mex
ico, being directly in the mining districts,
anti you may depend upon it the Mexicans
will make the big stand there.
In closing I will add that Mai, (Jen. Pat
terson had left Camnrgo with the Alabama
and Illinois regtroents, and was conveying
these troops down to the mouth of the Rio
(irtinde, intend ini; to go to Tampico by wa
ter. Having duly reported his intentions to
the commanding gent ral, an express was de
spatched and arrived in time, ordering (Jen.
Patterson to go to Tampico by land. (sen.
P. and stall'lint e aimed a! Motamoros.
In another letter dated Rru/.os Santiago,
Dec, 10, Mr. U'midkk suys—
(Jen. Shields, wko is ortlercd to take com
mand nt Tampico,is here, waiting an oppor
tunity to embark. Some four hundred of
the Alabama troojswill leave lit re for Tam
pico by water; tic remainder of the regi
ment will go by land.
(Jen. Pillow gees bock from this place to
take command ki (Jen. Patterson’s column,
; which marches for Victoria. Gen. Pillow
, was on his way home, hut owing to letters
received from above, developing something
of the future operations of the Army, as well
ns letters from liome rendering it unnecessa
ry for his return, he goes back to his comaiid.
Ilis health, too,is greatly improved.
Another letter from the same gentleman
written nt the Brazos on the 1 Ith inst says:
A rumor winch needs confirmation, hut
which was believed generally, however*
reached this pi are three days ngo, stating
that sixty Government wagons, with provis
ions, specie, Arc. for our Army, had been rnp
tured by Canales somew here between Cam
nrgo and Mu r. No particulars stated.—
Whether this iie true or not, 1 understand
that it is not improbable, as the incautious
and unguarded way in which the trains too
often move would render their capture on
ditficult tiling.
From what I see and hear in certain ijuar
ters, 1 am more and more inclined to believe
that Santa Anna intends to itarrass General
Taylor, and that a stand will be iniule a
gniust him that will require lighting, and not
long lirst.
Three companies of the new regiment of
Mounted ltilh mi n, at the Barracks in New
Orleans, were under orders for Tampico and
were to sail on the 16;li or J7ih inst.
For the boston ll.iily Advertiser.
THE SUPPLY AND CONSUMPTION OF COTTON
Foit tsie.
Within a (ew months there h;s been a I trge
advance on the previous prices of cotton. Tuis
lias not beet: caused by a scarcity of that coni
moiityin the markets of consumption. It is
true that tli: stocks in Korop ‘ have decreased,
but they are larger than at any firmer period
except the two or three past years. They are
so large that if our crop should fall below any
of the estimates which have teen made of it,
stdl the supplies for 1847 would lar exceed the
quantity required for consumption. II tins is
correct view of the case, then the late rise of
prices, predicated us it has been on the belief
that* the supply for lt-dd w ill 101 l short of the
consumption, cannot, upon commercial piinci
pies, be permanently maintained.
In tbe season of JB43 —1814, there was, as
will long be remembered by many persons who
di a t extensively in cotton, an augmentation of
some thirty or forty percent, on its previous
prices. This advance was not a natural, a le
gitimate one ; it was caused, lirst, by the circu
lation of grossly erroneous estimates of the crop,
as was subsequently shown by its returns ; sec
ondly, by an ignorance of, or by an utlter disre
yard to, those tacts in the ease, a knowledge of
w hich should regulate the prices of commodi
ties, namely, the eitcnt of Ike supply as eompar
cd with the demand fur them.
Under the influence of the misrepresentations
or mistakes of persons dediug in cotton, prices
in IB4J—IB-14 were enormously increased, but
they were not long maintained. Nor can the
I de advance in prices be long maintained, so
far as it may reasonably be attributed to the cur
rent belief, on the part of a port on of the com
munity, that the supply of cotton will fall short
of its consumption.
Toe early estimates of tbe co'ton crop, which,
for obvious reasons, arc never entitled to much
confidence, were extremely discouraging ; hut
not more so than tho-e which have generally
b'-en placed before the public by parlies who
have an interest in laising the pticesof tlmt sta
ple. As the season advanced, every estimate
j from the cotton region has been more favorable
! than the’ preceding ones. Accordmgto a state
meat made up by a responsible and respectable
house in IS ivannali, which appeared in tbe papers
some weeks since, the out-turn of the crop was
then placed at 2,175,U0(J bales. A continuance
ol fiue weather lor picking, together with rapid-
I ly increasing receipts ol cottoa at the ports of
shipment, seem to encourage a belief that the
crop will transcend the rjoality.
But it is said that the crop is short. This we
admit- But what docs that term imply but an
out-turn below an average one? Seven vears
‘since tin* crop amounted to 2,177,835 baies. —
■ The cultivation of cotton, as is shown by antiu
1 al returns, has increased at the rate of about
; seven per cent, per annum. The cotton produ
cing ulnlity of tlie country inay, then, be con
si lered as equal to something more than 3,UU0,-
I 000 bales. That, however, would be consol
i ereil as a redundant crop. If, however, we take
| 2 500.000 bales, which is only 122,000 more
than the crop of 1842 —1843, then 2.200,000
bal s may reasonably be considered as a very
short crop. Nevertheless, in order to he with
in bounds, we shall assume 2,100,000 as the pro-
I duct of the present season.
Tne cotton season ends th” 31st Angus*, and
we shall, then tare, take the stocks on hand
here ami in Europe at that dat , in fotining an
estimate of the supply lot 1 “4H.
Supply of Cotton Jar Europe and the I'nitcd
States, Jar 1846.
Stock on hand in the ports ol Europe, Hales.
31st August, 1846, 1,057,123
- Do. in U. States ports, do. do. do. 107,122
I in j orts into Europe from countries
oilier than the United States, 400.000
Crop of ifie United Slates, 2,100,000
3,664,245
Consumption.
Greet Britain, 1,620.000
France, • 400 000
I Continent of Europe,
exclusive of France, 300 000
United States, 460,000—2,780 000
Stork oil hand 31st August, 1817, 884.245
Tile conum|)tiuii of Europe is based upon
tho e xpectation that prices will not bo augment*
! ed beyond tliose paid, the past six months, by
the manufacturers of Great Britain and France,
i If there is any considerable advance on these
| piiers, it is pit tty certain there will be u dmiin
i tailed cons nnption. 11. L.
November 13, 1846,
For the Boston Daily Advertinpr.
’ TUB SUPPLY A. CONSUMPTION OF COTTON,
f Mr. Uditor: —A writer in your Journal un
der date of the 13th iust., allti informing the
public of a fact, which had uKwiv acquired
some notoriety, viz: thut an advance in Colton
had taken place, iiiideHiikn to show that “up
on commercial principles, tno lute riso in prices
cannot lie permanently maintained.”
For this purpose he assumes, notwithstand
ing die mass id evidence against ii, that the
pre-cut crop a ill amount to g 100,000 bales,
and thut with this crop, added lu the produc- j
lion in other countries and to the stocks in ull
die ports on the 31m August last, and catimut- j
ImU tlm consumption of the wmld nt only 2,-
780,0110 bales for the twelve following mouths,
that the stock on the 31st August, 1817, will
bo 884,215 bales. This is well as farm ii
I goes, but let us look n little further, iSuppoa-
I mg the crop of the ptesent year to have reurh
-1 <*<! its various points of destination by the 31st
August, 1817, there mud necessarily be a lapse
of three or four months before supplies can Is: j
derived from anew crop. Taking therefore I
the consumption at the figures assumed by the I
writer above idlud’ and to, uy in round numbert, j
at 23!2 000 bules per mouth, it would amount
from the 81st August to the 31st December,:
the usual time lot taking dm stock in Europe, 1
to 1)28,000 bales or 44,000 bales mure than bis ■
accumulated stock on the 31st August, out of j
his abundant supply tor 1847. We will allow ;
100 000 bales ot the new crop, the growth of
1h47, to reach the different ports of eonsump-1
lion by the Ist January, 1348,and in that case,
he stock iu all the ports on the 3ltt Dccem her,
1647, will amount, agreeably to 11. L’s. own
figures hi 56,000 bales, against a stock in the
purls < f Europe mi the 31st December, 1645,
of 1,219,000 bales.
It appears tome therefore that your intelli
gent correspondent could not have thoroughly
< x unified tli s important subject, when he made
the assertion alluded to in the first part of this
communication.
it would he very ra v to so into other argu
ments and statistics to show, not only that the
lute advance in prices is well fain led, hut that
it is like v to he permanent from the fact that
the consumption has overtaken the growth. —
But I will not trespass upon your valuable loom
to prove what must be so apparent toevery one
1 will only allude in conclusion to the critical
j position the Cotton Manufacturers throughout
1 the world would be placed in, should any seri
i ous diaster occur to our next crop; and venture
| the opinion that a liberal augmentation of pri
j ces on (he r pait at. this lime would be judici
ous policy, in order to stimulate the production
of Cot lon wherever it can be grown, the I>w
rales for a few years past having unquestiona
bly led to an abandonment of its culture to u
considerable extent. S. IE F.
November 28th.
From the Savannah Republican, Dec. 21.
THE COTTON CHOP.
P kicks. — We give place in another column
to two articles which originally appeared in the
Boston Advertiser, touching ‘‘the supply and
consumption of cotton.” It will ho seen that
the writers from the same dull thaw entirely
different conclusions, in regard to the recent
advance in prices and the probability of iis lin
ing sustained. Both proceed upon the assumed
fin t that the present crop may reach 2,100,000
bales; and yet the stock on hand on the 31st
August, 1847, w ill, it appears, he scarcely, if
at all, sufficient to supply the demand until (lie
crop of that year can reach the market. ’1 he
opinion now generally prevalent is that the e 9
lunate of 2,100,000 for the incoming crop is de
cidedly above the mark. In the last number
of the Merchants’ Magazine, we find the annu
al estimate of Prof ssor McCav, whose usual ac
curacy is admitted hv all. From this paper,
we learn that the average crop in the United
Star s from 1841 to 1345, w as 2,122,000 bales.
The crop of 1846 w as 2,103,000 bales,orl9,ooo
short of tbe general average. Prolessor Mc-
Cav, afiei reviewing tbe whole subject, gives
die 101 l nviog as the basis of Ins estimate, v.z :
Receipts. — A (New Orleans, 20 per cent,
less than last year. A’ Mobile, 10 per cent,
less than ln-t year. In Florida ports, a fraction
more than last year. Georgia and Carolina 25
per cent more than last year. Ail other pla
ces. a fraction l<ss than last year.
From this data his average estimate is for a
crop of 2,000,000! But even this, we are in
clined to think, is over the mark. He puts
down the receipts at Mobile, for instance, ut an
average of 375,000 bales, whereas tbe Mobile
and Montgomery papers declare that the host
informed judges do not go over 350,000 —while
many fall as low in their estimate as 315,000
bales. The average tor New Orleans is put
down at 850,000. while the receipts up to Dec.
11th, are only 224.000, against 325 000 last
year. The season, it must he recollected, lias
been one of the finest ever know n, both for sa
ving the crop and getting it to market. The
roads have been in superior order, and the plan
ters have been pressing their produce into mar
ket, iu order to take advantage of the enhanced
prices. This we know to he true in regard to
Georgia, and .we find it confirmed in tlie Mem
phis Enquirer, of the 9.b inst., so far as regards
that region. That paper says : ‘‘For several
days past tlie quantity offering has materially
and miuished, and ice incline to the opinion that
the hulk of the crop fn this region is in.”
In the Atlantic States, the extension of our
lines of Railroad, united with tlie other causes
noticed, Ins tended materially to swell the re
ceipts thus far. by enabling m my persons to get
tiieir produce to tlie sea-ports from three to six
weeks earlier than formerly. Thu same caus
es have operated to bring to the All antic ports
considerable quantities of Cotton which hither
to found their way to the ports of Florida. From
these data we think the following estimate of
the present crop would not be lar from the
truth :
Receipts at N. Orleans & Texas, 825,000 bales.
“ Mobile, 335,000 “
•• Florida, 115,000 “
“ Georgia &■ Carolina, 600 000 “
“ Otlie: places, 25 000 “
Estimate for 1S 1C and ! 47, 1,000.000 “
If we take this estimnla ns our basis, or even
that of Professor MeC'uy, we will find that the
slock on hand in Europe will be so short ns not
nnlytoKusta.n present prices, but to compel
the manufacturers in work short time in self-de
fence. To show that we are not too low in our
’ e-tiin ite of the crop, we extract from the
Charleston Evening News of the 28tli olOclo
: her, tin’ following:
Receipts at N. Orleans &c Texas, 725,000 bales.
“ Mobile, 325,600 “
“ Florida, 125,000 “
“ Othtr ports, 000,000 “
_____________ <
Total, 1,775,000 “
In a recent number of dm same paper a wri
ter over the signature of “‘Fair Play,” remarks
that lie regarded the foregoing as u fair and im
partial estimate at the time of its appearance,
1 Inn that since then ficts iiuve come to light to
show that even it was too high.
The wiiter says that the planters have been
sadly deceived in regard to the turn out. The
j Colton has proved to be overloaded with seed
: and ihe yield from the gln-houso is not at all in
I proportion in that anticipated even when dm
Cotton was taken from the field. He ulso udds,
that in consequence of the short provision crop
of last year, particularly in the Atlantic States,
mi n usual proportion ofHand bus been ocrti
! pied with small grain to the exclusion of die
I great staple. From tin sc considerations, “Fair
Plav gives the following as u more correct es
timate than the foregoing :
I or New Orleans and Texas, 700 000
•• Mobile, 300,000
“ Florida, 125,000
“ Atlantic, 575,000
Total, 1,700,000
Both these estimate!, wo confess, are lar be
low the figuies generally recognized by com
mercial mun as correct. We give them, iiow
ever, in order that those more deeply interested
in the matter may examine the subject and form ]
their own judgment in regard to it. In no event
ought present prices to recede, even if the crop
be put down at 2,000,000 bales, which we liurd
ly think it can possibly reach.
These views may be crude, or even incorrect,
but should any of our readers differ flora us us
to die premises or die Conclusions, we will j
most happily give them an oppoitunity of being 1
heard through our coluinus. 1
Col. Bankhead, who has so long and on
acceptably commanded at this post, yester
day received orders to join his regiment,-(the
2d Artillery,) now in active service in Mex
ico. These orders are granted in compli
ance with Col. 11.’s reqoest, Jong since ex
pressed to the War Department, hut it was
deemed inadvisable to grant them at that
time, as his services here could not be dis
pensed with. Col. Bankhead Ikis, since the
commencement of the war, despatched from
this port nearly four thousand troops, regu
lars and volunteers, to the sent of war uml
California, and now goes to head his owrr
regiment, and lead it to new honors and fres It
victories.— N. T. Courier.
‘I hade of New-York. —Tht‘ Express of
Tuesday says—
File receipts at the Custom House, are
not, we think, exactly calculated to show
that our free trade Tariff is so much more
productive of revenue than the old law of
1842. It was generally supposed that there
was a large accumulation of goods in the
warehouses, and that their release under the
new duties, in a mass, would give the ’Treas
ury increased means; hut the event has not
confirmed the hope. All the goods in bond
outlie Ist of December, released previous
to the 12ih instant, gave the Treasury an in
creased receipt over the previous period in
16-15 of £16,013, which is a mere trifle to
wards giving us a revenue of $30,000,000
from Customs in a year. After this great
increase of $16,013 from the revenue Tariff
receipts of two weeks, and the “accumula
tions” waiting to come in, the effects of the
new bill appear to have stopped, so far as
immediate cash receipts are concerned, for
upon the Hih we have a further increase of
$2,917, an increase for a week that means
nothing,—as we have, for weeks in succes
sion, under the old Tariff, recorded a week
ly and continuous increase over previous
weeks, much larger.
It will be found, as we proceed, that the
new Tariff will not he productive of revenue;
but on the contrary will admit a class of
goods at reduced rates which, while they se
riously injure our labor, w ill not increase the
revenue as has been calculated. If the new
Turifl has any good qualities over the old
Jaw, they have yet to be shown.
To look for increased cash receipts soon,
is idle on the part of the Treasury, for many
‘ reasons, in the first place, the specie clause
1 goes into operation in a few days, making
the payment of duties more difficult. This,
by drawing from the hanks needlessly their
j metallic basis, will make money dearer, and
i no man w ill has ten to take goods out of bond
! at the season when they are unsaleable, but
will prefer to increase his money in the more
rapid manner of shaving notes, of which
(‘there lie no lack, as soon as the troubles
| come upon the money market, that are inev
itable when the foolish Sub-Treasury act is
| carried out.
For nearly two months the trade of New
York, in goods paying duties, will be inac
tive, and no business man will withdraw his
goods at the present rates of money, but will
let them lie in warehouses, their cheapest
place of deposit, and when trade does in
crease, he will release them in small and
convenient lots that will not incommode hiui,
but will keep the Treasury empty.
All things considered, the Tariff and Sub-
Treasury are in operation at a tune most in
favor of the merchants, as they tire now idle
and easy Comparatively in their finances,
w hile the Treasury is empty, with large de
mands upon it, which must be met before
the close of Congress.
The requisition on Pennsylvania for a
second regiment of volunteers for the war
with Mexico, will be very promptly met.
The New-York Franco Ainericaine of
Monday says a letter lias been received from
the city of Mexico, dated November 17, ill
which it is affirmed that the elections have
taken a turn decidedly favorable to peace,
and that the overtures of the United States
will be taken into serious consideration by
the Congress.
This differs from all other accounts.
From the so w- Urltant Picayune.
MrxirAX ArFAiss—Having conversed wiili gen
tlemen who srrivrd here on Thursday from Havtnt,
we learn that there If a prevailing impression an imp:
i those who know baota Anna in lhat city, that he I.
| far from desirous of hazarding an action with Ibe
troops of ihe United Slates—lhat he is at heail averse
to the war, but has not yet secured such a hold ns to he
able In act counter to lha univeisal desires of Ins coun
trymen.
ft appear* to be understood in Havana that Santa
Anna has made a demand upon the clergy of the coun
try for a loan of two millions and a half. His sinceri-
Iv in ihis is grievously suspected ; arid he is even
charged wnh secretly instigating the reply of the cler
! gv, lhat thp money cannot possibly be procured. Santa
1 Anna persista lhat it is absolutely necessary for the
, prosecution of the war, and upon the refusal of the
clergy he raav found Ins excuse with his countrymen
for not assuming active and oiTonsive hostilities.
VVe learn further lhat Gen. La Vega, before leaving
Havana for Vera Crnz on the liiitish steamer, receiv
ed from his Government Ihe command of a brigade,
and was order, and to repair at oucc to join ths army it
ban Luia Polosi,
We have not vet received Mexican papers hv this
arrival at Havana, and are looking at events in Mexi
co through the spectacles of those whose sympathies
. are ntlu'ally excited in fivoc of our enemies. Wetook
with much curiosity for frank and explicit cxposi | i |,n *
of lha tuinora which have been circulated In all p* 1 ’*
ol Mexico in reeard In the dissensions in her armies ns
well as her civil councils. At present every thing is
envelo|>ed in u mist.
Tea and Coffee* — We lire informed
(any* the Washington Fountain) that six et
the members of the Committee ol W uys a |l(
Mi nns, three whigs nml three democrats, arc
inflexibly opposed to recommending a nn
ten nml coffee for war pur|os(fs; and the
opinion is openly expressed by the
fluential democrats, that if n bill be introdui
ed for that purpose it will not receive sis y
votes in the House. .
On the other hnnd, the N. Y. Journa 11
Comnterhe say* it learns by letters rota
members of Congress, that the probability ‘
that a majority of both Houses will be J ,ul ”
renry to pass n bill, in acconlunoe w *• 1
President’s recommendation, imposing <> ‘ *
fy on the importation ! ‘lea and Uo te,
least during the yenr.-rHalt. American.
The steamship Southerner,
has been examined by naval officers
view to her purchase by the Govern
The result has been perfectly satisfactory
the examining parties, and the pro 11 ’ •
that ihe vessel will he mustered m ’
States service. The price demanded U**
hy tint owners is sl7 o ,000, 1 ■