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iCnnstitutranalist k Htpttblir.
~~ JAMES GARDNER, JR., )
and \ Editors.
JAMES M. SMYTHE, )
| (Correspondence of the Savannah Republican.)
Cotton Planters’ Convention.
Macon, Friday Evening.
Mean. Editor s:—When I closed my letter
this morning, the report of the majority ol the
Committee of twenty-one was under considera
tion. After debate it was rejected, and the fol
lowing report and resolutions of the majority of
the committee were substituted and passed by
the Convention, with but few dissenting votes:
A minority of the Committee of twenty-one
beg leave to submit the following Report:
The great and absorbing question of over pro
duction stands first in importance, and should
receive our careful attention. The depressions
in price to which we are forced so often to sub
mit, are attributed, generally, to this cause. To
ascertain whether this has lieen the cause, ag
gregates must lie looked to, and not the relative
production and consumption of any single year.
For the purpose of testing this matter, your Com
mittee have gone back as far as the year 1825,
and find that up to the year 1850, the production
has not exceeded the consumption. On this sub
ject, they present the following table, in which
is shown the average annual production and
average annual consumption of the world, for
each period of five years, from 1825 to 1850.
Production. Consumption.
Halt'd por an. Baled por an.
Average from 1825 to 1830.. .1,*#1,000 1.187.000
1830 to 1835...1,450,000 1,540,000
** “ 1835 to IH4O. ..1,019.000 1,943.000
** “ 1840 to 1846. ..2,661,000 2.414.000
*• •» 1845 to 1850. . 2,7V1,000 2,869,000
9.952,000 9,953,000
These results multiplied by five, will show
that the whole production in twenty-five years,
has been 49,760,000 bales, and that the consump
tion in the same time has been 49,765,000 bales,
or an excess over the production of 5,000 bales
since 1825. This is sufficient to show that we
must, look to other causes for the ruinous depres
sions in price to which we have so often sub
mitted.
The second point requiring investigation, is
the rapacity ol the world for over production.—
To this, your Committee concede there cannot
be a definite answer given ; they incline, how
ever, strongly to the opinion, that at fair prices
uiui with proper organization on the part of the
American cotton planters, the capacity for over
pioduction docs not, and never can exist.
The extraordinary increase in the production
of the world in the five years, from 1840 to 1845,
averaging 642,000 bales par annum, caused a re
gular increase in the stock us raw material leit
on hand in Europe at the close of each year, un
til, on the 21st of December. 1845, it had reach
ed 1,221,000 bales, estimated as sufficient lor
twenty-six weeks’ consumption. The average
increased production in the United States lor the
next four years, (embracing the crops of 1845
and 1848,) was 117,000 bales annum, and yet on
the 31st ofDecember, 1849, the stock on hand
in Europe was reduced to 646,000 bales, estima
ted as sufficient for only thirteen weeks’ con
sumption. The crops ol 1849 and 1850, not
equalling the average consumption of the last
five years, it may be safely asserted that the con
sumption is now being limited and curtailed by
u short supply of the raw material. To sustain
this view of the case, we make an extract from
a document read in 1850, by one of the Secre
taries of the Board of Trade, before the British
Association at Edinburgh ‘ l Great Britain now
is, and for many years has been, dependent not
at all upon the good will of the citizens of the
United States, to sell their produce to us, but
very much upon the inlluence of seasons, for the
means of setting to work that large proportion
of its population which depends upon the cotton
maiiiiiartiire for the feeding of themselves and
their families. In the present condition of our
cotton trade, any serious fulling otFin the amount
of the cotton crop in the United States, neces
sarily abridges the means of laboring among our
Lancashire, and Lanarkshire spinners and wea
vers. Such a falling oil is, in any year, likely
to occur. We have felt its inlluence twice with
in the last few years, are at this time suffering
under it, and arc threatened with another ad
verse season, the effect of which must be to de
prive of employment a large proportion of those
spinners and weavers whose labor is bestowed
on the preparation of coarse goods.” * * *
“ Our supply of cotton has hitherto been drawn
in very fluctuating proportions from British In
dia, Brazil, Egypt, our West India Colonies and
the United States of America. From this last
named country, the quantities were, for a long
series of years, in a rontinual condition of in
crease. From Brazil, our importations have sen
sibly lessened, without any reasonable prospect
of future increase. From Egpyt the quantities
fluctuate violently, and depend greatly upon
causes not falling within ordinary commercial
considerations. In the British West Indies the
cultivation of cotton has for some time ceased to
form a regular branch of industry, and it is hard
ly to be expected that, having thus ceased to be
profitable when prices iu Europe were uniform
ly at a higher level than they have been now for
a long series ol years, the culture to any impor
tant extent will be resumed in these Colonies.
From British India, the quantities received de
peud upon a different set of circumstances, but
of such a nature as to forbid any very sanguine
hope of great and pemianent increase in the
shipments.”
After continuing the argument at some length,
attention is railed to the immense increased con
sumption of their cottons mills, showing that in
ISUO. they consumed 56,010,733 lbs. and in 1849,
775,468,008 lbs., and remark : ‘‘lt is by no means
improbable that the consumption during the last
nine years would have gone forward at a con
stancy accelerated pace, so that it would by this
time have gone beyond 1,000,000,000 lbs. in the
year, but tor the check given to it in 1547 and in
the present year through, insufficiency in the
supply of the raw material.” * * * “This
increase has been concurrent with, and mainly
caused by. a continual reduction in the price of
cotton.” * * *. "On the other hand, the
continual fall in the price has acted as a stimu
lus on the producers (American) who have hith
erto made up, in general, by the extent of their
cultivation, for the diminished price ol their
crops.”—Thus it is seen that increased supplies
are greatly wanted, but their experience is, that
the surest means ol stimulating production in the
U. States, is to reduce the price. Your Committee
might furnish many authorities to show, that in
Great Britain the great head of manufacturing
industry, the idea that markets may not be found
for all the cotton goods she can procure the raw
material to produce, has long since been aban
doned. Even the Government is alarmed at the
prospect of their industry being seriously check
ed, not for the want of customers, but tor the
want of cotton. The most powerful efforts have
been made, and are still being made, to stimulate
the production of cotton in every country where
there is hope of success. How far they have suc
ceeded may be inferred from the fact, that in five
years preceding 1850, the production in India
and Brazil declined sixteen per cent, and in the
same time the supplies of Surat and Madras, de
clined twenty four percent. Thus, it will be
seen, that notwithstanding the extraordinary et
lorts made to stimulate production in every quar
ter, the U. States is the only country that has
continued to furnish increased supplies. But the
character of our increase for the last twenty years,
must give small consolation to those who appre
hend difficulties trom a short supply of raw cot
ton. Our per cent,increase has been regularly
and rapidly diminishing, as is shown from the
following table, the data of which we take from
Hunt’s Merchants’ Magazine, a work of hi"h
commercial character:
Total Per annum.
Increase per cent, in 20 years 177 or 8 85-100
“ “ 15 ” 119 or 7 66-100
« “ 10 “ 58 or 5 95-100
“ « 4 “ 15 or 3
Thus it is seen that the per cent, increase in
American cotton has been rapidly declining, un
til we are now down to three per ct. per annum.
Not so, however, with American consumption—
that is increased, in the same time, more than
nine cent, per annum. The per cent, increased
production in the world, for the last five years,
is down to an average of 1-80-100 per annum;
while the percent, increase in consumption has
been 3 80-100 per annum; and leaving out Eng
land, France and the United States, the increase
in the balance of the world has been 46 percent,
or more than nine per cent, per annum. This
state of things cannot continue; the rate of pro
duction must be increased, or the rate of con
sumption diminished—the equilibrium will be
found.
These calculations show, that the area for the
consumption of cotton goods is enlarging—that
the vast and yet unsupplied population of the
earth are rapidly maturing a comjietition, which,
without greatly augmented supplies of the raw
material, will at no distant day, be seriously felt
by the manufacture! s and consumers of England.
France and the United States. The commerce
ol every civilized nation is opening new markets
and embracing old ones for our benefit. To what
extent new markets already found have been
supplied compared with their wants,or how many
othe{s are yet to lie opened and supplied, youi
Committee have no means of ascertaining; but
ail inference may he drawn from the fact that
the largest five years’ average production the
world has yet furnished, is 2,791,000 bales pei
annum. That of these, England, France and the
U. States require for their consumption, from
2,000,000 to 2,200,000 bales; leaving not more
than one-fourth of the annual product to supply
the balance of the world, with a population, pro
bably ten times as large as their own. Under
such circumstances, it may reasonably be sup
posed, that with fair average prices, markets will
be found for all the cotton which we now have,
or ever will have, the ability to produce.
Having now shown that there has lieen no
overproduction, in the aggregate, and that there
is no reasonable probability that there ever will
be, your Committee will attempt to show the
effects of irregular production on prices and cen
sumption. Here,your Committee believe, may be
found the source of nearly all the fluctuations to
which this great interest has been subjected. To
illustrate the effects of irregular production, three
simple supposilions will be used, remarking that
extreme cases are selected, and a single year
used to establish a principle where, in practice,
several may lie required. Suppose that the crop
of 1851 should he 3,000,000 hales—that to manu
facture these, 300,000,000 dollars of capital must
be invested and 3,000,000 operatives employed
—suppose the capital and operatives furnished,
the crop manufactured, sold and consumed. Then
suppose the year 1852 yields only 2,000,000
hales. To manufacture these, only two thirds sf
this capital and two thirds of these operatives
are necessary. What is to become of the other
one third of each 1 To retain their position, short
time is resorted to, and this, it is found, starves
the operatives and destroys the dividend on the
capital. Then fine numbers only are spun; these
are found to be unsaleable and give an unhealthy
character to the manufacturing business. These
palliatives fail, as they ulways must, and the
equilibrium is restored by driving out one third
of the capital and labor, to seek employment in
.other pursuits, promising more stability.
Then suppose the year 1853 furnishes another
crop of 3,000,000 halos. What is to be done with
it ? The capital remaining is only sufficient to
manufactuie 2,000,000, and without maufactur
ing, it cannot be consumed. The result is in
evitable—the crop sells for a trifle, and, at the
close of the year, there is a surplus of 1,000,000
bales in excess of the usual supply, and this, per
haps, to be increased by a good crop in 1804.
Under such circumstances speculators, seeing
no prospect of improvement, withdraw from the
market—the manufacturer is left without com
petition, and fixes the prices to suit himself-—tho
planter becomes discouraged, ami forces his cot
ton oil at any thing that is offered—unites in the
general cry, that the production is immeasurably
in advance ot the consumption —vies with tho
manufacturer in fixing the impression and mak
ing it universal, that large supplies and low prices
are inevitable for all time to come. This impres
sion being fixed, capital flows in rapidly, now
factories go up in all directions, old ones arc en
larged and improved, trade in Manchester be
comes healthy, new and extensive markets are
found for the consumption of cotton goods, and
in a few years, to the utter astonishment of all
the world, it is found that the picture has been
reversed—that an unprecedented increase in the
consumption has taken place—the surplus is all
gone—prieps move upward—a short crop is
made, ami capital is again driven out, to be in
vited back, by the same process, after another
long period of depression in prices.
These, your Committee believe, are natural
results of irregular production, and were it pos
sible to obtain such concert of action among
planters as would reduce the annual crop one
half, the same principles would govern, and the
same results be obtained ultimately.
If it be true, as your Committee have suppos
ed, (and as a careful examination of the produc
tion, consumption and stock remaining on hand
for twenty-five years past, they think will abun
dantly show.) that our difficulties have not been
attributable to over production, but to irregalar
production, then is it not important that we
should apply the remedy, if there is one? Irregu
lar production, it is conceded, cannot be preven
ted, but your Committee think that organized
concert of action will control its eflects. By
way of illustration, suppose that the year 1851
yields 3,000,000 bales, and that it is definitely
ascertained that the capital employsd is only
sufficient to manufacture 2,500,000 of these—
now, in the ordinary course of trade, the effects
of irregular production would be shown by great
depression in price.—But suppose the planters
refuse to send the crop forward to any greater
extent than is actually sufficient to supply the
demand for consumption, and retain under their
own sheds the other 500,000 bales. Such a
course would secure them fair prices tor the
amount sold, and control the natural effects of
irregular production for that year.—Then sup
pose the year 1552 furnishes only 2,000,000
bales; the ordinary effect of this, as has been
shown, would be to drive capital out of the man
ufacturing business, and lay the foundation for
subsequent low prices. This would be controll
ed, by adding the 500,000 bales retained from
the crop of 1851—supplying the manufacturer’s
demand—securing good prices for both crops,and
preventing the derangement which would have
resulted from a withdrawal of manulacturing
capital. Thus the principle might be run through
any number of years, and admitting that there is
no aggregate over production, every crop would
bring a fair price, because offered only in quan
tities sufficient to supply the demand. Such a
system as this would protect us against the con
sequences of irregular production, but it can
never be carried into effect by individual action.
There are no menus of procuring the necessary
concert, to say nothing of other insuperable ob
stacles.
If we would do any thing certainly and |effec
tivelv. we must organize a Cotton l’lanters’ As
sociation. This should be chartered by the States
of South Carolina, Georgia. Alabama, Louisiana,
and Florida, with a capital of at least $20,000,-
000 to be increased in amount, as the wants of
the business might require. The Association 1
should erect or purchase extensive warehouses
in Charleston, Savannah, Mobile, New-Orleans, I
Apalachicola and St. Marks, and establish at I
each ot the points a regular commission business, I
with a view to the storage and sale of the entire I
crop of the United States.
For the purpose of securing to themselves the •
whole cotton commission business, they should
sstablish a minimum price, which for the pur-’
;x>ses of this argument, we will fix at 10 to T>i
rents, according to quality and location,and aver
ting say 11 cents per pound. This should be
;uarantied to all their regular customers, and to 1
all parties holding cotton purchased of them, so
long as the said cotton remained in their ware
houses. The world should have notice that,
whenever the cotton offering was not wanted by
others, at or above the minimum fixed, it would
be wanted by the Association—that, when once
purchased, it would never be re-sold, until taken
at cost, adding storage, insurance, interest on the
investment, with a commission for purchasing,
and another for selling. The accumulation of
charges would induce the manufacturers to take
their supplies, before the company would be re
quired to take any; nor is it, indeed, likely that
they would ever be purchasers to any large ex
tent. Under such a system, the planter would
not crowd the market with cotton, as is now the
case, and speculators at the minimum price would
purchase freely and hold with confidence.
Another inducement for such an organization
may be found in its capacity for increasing the
consumption, provided the raw material is fur
nished. The bagging and rope necessary for
packing a crop of 2,500,000 bales, would require
about 50,000,000 pounds, or about 100,000 bales,
of the most inferior part of the crop. This
would be four per cent, of the entire yield. To
insure this large increase in the consumption of
the United States, it would only be necessary
to erect the machinery for manufacturing these
articles—sell them at a trifle above the cost of
production, and discriminate in the minimum
price fixed, to such extent as might lie found
necessary,against cotton packed in any other
material. This would insure the packing of the
entire crop in our own staple, and provide for
the employment of a considerable amount of
j labor in manufacturing the bagging and rope
i necessary. But this is not the only increase to
|be effected in the consumption; the guarantee
! which the manufacturer everywhere would have
I (incidentally) that his goods, when made, could
| never be brought into copetion with goods made
from cotton at lower prices than his own, would
. induce the production ol a larger proportion of
| coarse numbers—feeling that there could be no
i risk in stocking himself heavily, spindles would
not be stopped or short time resorted to because
orders were not in hand for work ahead—the
manufacturing business would be characterized
by greater regularity,and conducted with greater
confidence—the supplies of goods would he bet
ter and the consumption larger. Another in
ducement for such an organization is the great
saving of expense in getting our cotton into the
hands of the manufacturer.
The Liverpool market governs the American
market, and it matters not where the planter sells
his cotton, he sells in reference to what is the
sup)>osed net value in Liverpool, and the differ
ence between the price in our own sea porta
and the price in Liverpool, is the measure of
charges and expenses paid by deductions from
the price of the crop when sold. Taking the
period often years, from 1840 to 1850, it is found
that the average price in Liverpool was 2 05
100'ceuts per pound higher than the average
during the same time in the seaports of the
United States. Taking this as the measure of
charges and expenses, and estimating our pro
duction for the next ten years at 2,300,000 hales,
of 500 lbs. each, and the expenses may Ire stat
ed thus.
1,250,000,000 lbs. at 2 95-100 ets. per lb. 36,875,000
Add storage in' American
seaports averaging throo
months, 50 cts. per bale.. 1,250,000
Drayago on do. a 10 250,000
Mending do. a 5 125,000
Brokerage, extra labor, Ac.
Ac, a Id 375,000
Commission on salos a $55
per balo a 2J per cent.... 3,437,500 —5,437,500
• _ _ $42,312,500
Thus it is shown that, exclusive of charges in
interior towns, the expenses jraid by the planter
on a crop of the size supposed, would be over
43,000,000 dollars, or nearly seventeen dollars
per bale; and this, too, (so far as the larger item
is concerned) on a range of prices of only 7c.
and 7 mills in the American ports.
How far these expenses may be reduced by
concentrating our business in our own ports
and bringing the manufacturer to our own ware
houses for his supplies, and thus diß)>ensing with
intermediate markets, and intermediate agents,
may be seen by reference to the following table :
j Total ehargos now paid on 1,260,000,-
I 000 lbs $42,312,500
Deduct for necossary expenses us fol
lows:
For charges in Southern sea
ports, as per table above, 5,437,500
Froight from Southorn ports
to manufacturer's recoiv
ingp’ts, on 1,250,000,000
lbs. a}..., 9,375,000
Marino insurance on do., at
SOO per baloa 1 percont. 1,500,000
Small incidental charges, a
40 cents per balo 1,000,000 17,312,500
$25,000,000
Leaving a balance of $25,000,000, which, if
these estimates are correct, must constitute an
unnecessary charge ou the cotton plante.. and
might be saved by transacting our business with
the manufacturer at our own warehouses. That
the organization ol such an association as your
Committee have suggested would effect such a
revolution in the cotton trade, they think tnay
be shown. So long as the cotton remains in
their warehouses, it would he under a guarantee
that it should bring a certain ami lair price; the
benefit ol this would be lost as soon as it was re
moved. Under such circumstances, who would
ship it ? Would the planter or speculator re
move a bale ? What would lie the inducement?
Such removal would not only forfeit the guaran
tee, but render it certain that the cotton must
reach the manufacturer with an accumulation of
unnecassary charges, by which the net price
would be reduced. With strong inducements,
therefore, for its remaining, and a certainty of
loss on its removal, scarcely a bale would go
except to the manufacturer’s order. Effect such
a revolution and Liverpool would no longer be
the great cotton market o( the world and govern
prices for us—our own Southern ports would be
come the manufacturer's market—our own mer
chants would he their purchasing agents—we
should learn to do our own business, keep our
means at home, and this would bring the com
merce of all nations to our ports—the gold and
produce of all would be brought to our cities to
exchange for our cotton. We should become the
great importing as vvell as exporting section of
the country. Business would invite capital and
population—our property would be greatly en
hanced in value—we should be independent of
all sections anil countries, while all would be
made tributary to us. In conclusion, your Com
mittee will ask, can the necessary capital be
raised ? \V hy not ? Eight dollars per bale on
the production ol a single year would be suffi
cient, while they have attempted to show that
ten dollars per bale per annum, would be saved
in expenses, and there ean be no doubt that a
similar sum would be received l>v increased
price. If so, fifty million dollars a year would
be added to the cotton planters’ income. This
benefit would be common to all, and is deemed
sufficient to justify the subscription of $20,000,-
000, even it so much would be necessarily sunk
in the operation. But your Committee ean see
no reason why the capital should be lost; on the
other hand, the cotton commissions, &c., have
been estimated to be worth in the seaports,
5.437,500 dollars—the interest on the capital
would be equal to at least 51,000.000 more,
making 6,437,500 dollars, while the back storage,
receiving and forwarding, commissions on con
signments of other produce, and on vessels, with
a great variety of smaller matters, would hardly
fail to pay the expenses of conducting the busi
ness, leaving the interest and cotton commission
business as a dividend of nearly thirty-three per
cent, per annum to the stockholders.
Your committee have thus considered, as far as
Iheir means of investigation have allowed them,
the questions of over production, and our capaci
:y for over production, the influence of irregular
production, and the possibility of controlling its
■fleets, our ability to increase the consumption,
mprove the price, and save a large portion of the ,
wnual charges and expenses now paid. I 1
Be it therefor* Resolved. That this Convention j
respectfully recommend to the Cotton planters ,
of every county in the Cotton growing States,
the organization of county associations to act as
auxiliaries to a central association, to be com
posed of delegates from the county associations.
Resolved, That the great object of such associa
tions should be the collection and dissemination
of information on the subject of production and
consumption, and generally to aid and facilitate
a perfect organization on the part of planters.
Resolved) That in accordance with the views
set [forth in the foregoing report, a Committee
be appointed by the Chair to procure the passage
of such acts of incorporation as they may deem
necessary’, from thejfive States named in the re
port; which said Committee shall act as a Cen
tral Committee of this body, and may call a Con
vention of Planters when in their judgment it
may be necessary.
Resolved, That it is distinctly understood, that
the action of this Convention, in arranging for
procuring charters, is not intended or expected to
commit any Cotton plenter to this or any other
i mode of operation.
i Resolved, That we deem it expedient to hold a
Cotton Planters’ Convention composed of dele
gates elected from the county associations.
> Resolved , That for the furtherance of said or
s ganization, we, the members of this Convention,
i pledge our efforts to incite the planters to act.
1 Resolved, That some gentleman competent for
■ the task, and willing to undertake the labor, be
i elected to visit and canvass the cotton country
■ generally, thereby perfecting an organization
f that will command the respect ofthe world.
■ On motion of Mr. Bankston, of Georgia—
i Resolved, That iu the opinion of this Conren
■ tion it is greatly for our interests to introduce
• slave labor into our manufactories.
1 On motion of Mr. Aicher, of Virginia—
i Resolved, That it is the unanimous opinion of
I this Convention, that the extension and encour
f agement of Southern manufactures are indispen
i sable to the pros{ierity of our country, and that
I we recommend to all Southern men to extend
i to their manufactures their influence and patron
-1 age.
1 After the thanks of the Convention had been
■ tendered to Governor Moseley lor the able and
dignified manner in which he had discharged his
duties, and to the Trustees of the Methodist
Church for the use of the building, the Conven
tion adjourned sine die.
AUGUSTA, GA.
SATURDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 8.
THE LARGEST CIRCULATION IN THE STATE.
07" Our carrier for the lower route is sick.—
Such of our subscribers as do not get their paper
this morning, will please send to the office for
a copy.
Message of Governor Towns.
Upon reading this able document, various points
were suggested to our mind, which we thought
of embodying in a subsequent editorial article ;
but wc have since thought it unnecessary, as
our readers either have read, or will no doubt
read, the Message itself, which is a clear and ex
cellent State paper, full of truthful views and in
teresting information, set forth in a strong, forci
ble and lucid style.
Every citizen of Georgia must be gratified at
the prosperous condition of our State. Subtract
ing $300,000 of the amount of the State’s liabili
ty (which sum has to be paid out of the proceeds
of the State Road,) from the whole amount,
leaves the indebtedness of the State $1,370,-
681 13.
We think the views of the Message, on the
subject of taxes, are wise and proper, and trust
that this subject will not fail to receive due legis
lative attention. The taxes, in many instances,
are excessively unequal, and therefore unjust.
We shall, after a while, recur to this subject
again, when we shall enter into particnlars.
We must express merely our concurrence in
the views of the Message upon the subject of the
Western and Atlantic Railroad. This we will
bring more fully before our readers in a day or
two, when we shall publish, at least, portions of
the Report of the Chief Engineer of that Road.
We cannot too strongly express our gratifica
tion at the suggestion of Governor Towns, that
the State should extend its aid to private enter
prize in establishing direct commercial commu
nication between Savannah and foreign ports.
South Carolina has made appropriations, to aid
the enterprize of her citizens, of a similar charac
ter. It will, no doubt, redound greatly to the
benefit of the commerce and prosperity of
Charleston, and indeed the whole State.
We look upon this to be a question of vast im*
portance. It is difficult to eradicate long estab
lished prejudices, and change inveterate habits and
customs. A helping hand, on the part of the
State, would work wonders in opening this new
road to wealth and greatness and commercial in
dependence to Georgia. A hundred thousand
dollars, in appropriating which the State would
run no risk, would give a grand impetus to this
noble undertaking. We are glad to see the many
evidences which have been given, on every
hand, that the people of the South are awaken
ing to their true interests in this matter. We
wish to see it agitated till the public heart of this
section will throb with pleasure at the prospect j
of whitening Southern ports with the sails of her i
own extended commerce, founded upon her pro- !
ductions, the richest and most valuable upon
earth.
The accomplishment of such a work is worthy j
of engaging the most ambitious efforts of our
Southern capitalists, and men of practical enter
prize and capacity for usefulness.
We pass the various other topics of the Mes
sage, which have, doubtless, engaged the atten- !
tion of our readers, and close these few remarks
upon it with the expression of our opinion, that j
it will add to the character of Gov. Towns as a j
statesman of enlarged, wise and liberal views. '
In closing his administration, we have no doubt j
that the judgment ofthe people, upon his acts as :
Governor of Georgia, will be, well done, thou j
good and faithful servant.
California Gold.— The amount ol gold export- j
ed from California to the 15th September ofthe :
present year, was $60,010,920; and the steamer :
Oregon, which left San Francisco on the Ist Oct.
had on board about $2,200,000 —making the total
export to that date about $62,230,000. The ad
vices brought by the steamer Cherokee hold out
the promise of steady and increasing supplies of
gold. Labor and machineiy were becoming bet
ter organized and directed, and more thorough
examination was constantly bringing to light new
discoveries of the precious metal. Silver has al
so been found under circumstances which seein
to warrant the belief ol its existence in quantitie
to justify the labor applied to its acquisition.
By an arrival at New-York on Sunday, dates
from Port an Prince to the 16th of October have
been received. The country was quiet. Th#
Emperor had returned from Cape Haytien, and
would undoubtedly accept the proposals of the
English. French and American Consuls, and
make peace with the Dominicans.
The Presbyterian, a religious| paper published
in New-York, mentions that since the] Ist of
May, a period of six months, sixteen clergymen
belonging to the Presbyterian Churuh have died.
English Speculators are making money in
London by engaging females to wear the Bloom
er costume, and deliver lectures and addresses
upon it. They call themselves “Americans! 15
New-Orleans Ballet Troupe.
This company of fine musicians give their last
entertainment in this city this evening at Con
cert Hall. They brought forward last evening
the burlesque opera of Cindarilla, which gave
general satisfaction to the audience and kept the
house in good humor. It will be repeated this
evening, and as the proceeds are for the benefit
of Sanford, let him have a bumper, for he is de
serving of one.
Official Vote for Governor —As counted
and announced in the Legislature Tuesday after
noon :
Cobb 57,397
McDonald 38,824
Cobb’s majority 18,573
The Two Biglers. —lt seems that the Cali
fornia democrats win the “banner” from the
democracy of Pennsylvania. The proportionate
majority for John Bigler, chosen Governor of
California, is larger, according to the vote thrown,
than that of his brother, elected Governor in the
Keystone State.
Virginia Election.— ln six counties, in the
I 14th Congressional district, Gen. Smith, whig,
has 152 majority, but in Lewis county, Beale,
democrat, received two-thirds of the votes (Killed,
and is elected, as the counties to be heard from
are all usually democratic.
In the very llou rishing village of Cleveland.
Oswego comity, (N. Y.) containing a population
of over 1,200 inhabitants, there has not been a
death of either old or young since November 4,
ISSO, nor has there been a fire, nor a case of as
sault and battery, nor any open breach of the
peace.
A Revolutionary Soldier. —A day er two
since, we had the pleasure of conversing with
one of the time-honored relics of our Revolution
ary Soldiery—Mr. John Haimes, a resident of
; Murray county. He states that in April last he
j reached his 113th birth-day ! In appearance he
; is rather above the middle height, large frame and
| does not appear older or more infirm than most
! men do who have attained their three score and
ten. He relates many Revolutionary incidents,
and says that he was in four engagements under
Gen'l, Marion, and fought also at Uutaw and
the “Cow Pens.” His wife is still surviving and
looks older than himself. He visits this (dace
soliciting charity of the citizens—his pension be
ing insufficient to support him.— Cussvdle Stan
dard, C>th Out.
Girard Rail-Road. —We are gratified to
learn that Maj. Hardaway, the President of this
road, has during the past week received addition
| al subscription in cash and in contracts for gra
| ding to the amount ot 850,00(1, from resideats
] on the line of road from Girard to Chunnennug
; gee. This is cheering—it looks like action, and
what is also cheering is, that the people on the
route take a deep and lively interest in the en
terprize.
Now is the time for Columbus to move. Be
fore this article will be published a meeting of
citizens on the call of the Mayor will have taken
place. We hope its action may be commensu
rate in spirit and energy with the crisis that has
occurred in the history of Columbus. It is time
tor all true men and good citizens to put their
shoulders to the wheel and push along the noble
work of the regeneration ot our beautiful city.—
! When we learn the proceedings of the meeting
| we shall recur to this subject.— Columbus Tunes,
sth mst.
[Corresjwndenrc of the Savannah Rejmbliian.]
Mii.ledgeville, Nov. 5,1851.
The House and Senate were yesterday en
gaged in counting out the votes in the Guberna
torial election—a full list of which you will have
by this mail. It was found that the Hon. How
ell Cobb was somewhat ahead of his op(>onent.
and he was therefore declared elected Governor
for the ensuing term of two years. A commit
tee was appointed to inform him of his election,
and request his acceptance of the same. It is
more than likely he will accept. Both branches
then adjourned till ten o'clock this morning.
The committe reported that Mr. Cobb had ac
cepted the appointment to which the jiopular
vote of Georgia had called him, and would be
ready at twelve o'clock to take the oath of office
before both houses.
A message from the Senate, with a resolution
to bring on the election of United States Senator
i to-morrow morning, was, by motion of the Hon.
j Charles S. Henry, laid on the table. The action
| of the Senate was considered rather premature.—
1 The House took a recess till twelve o'clock M.
j In the meantime the Chamber was crowded
j with the beeuty and fashion of Georgia. I have
1 rarely seen so splendid an asseblage. At twelve
j the Senators came into the hall of the
House of Representatives, and immediately afte
j wards His Excellency the Hon. Howell Cobb,
j Governor elect, accompanied by His Excelleii
j cy George W. Towns. The new Governor then
j proceeded to deliver his Inaugural Address,which
is one of the ablest and most eloquent which
jwe have ever listened to. It has created a gen
eral admiration. On its conclusion, he took tile
oath of office, aud immediately left the hall,
and the vast and admiring assemblage dispersed.
Both houses have adjourned till to-morrow
morning at ten o’clock. W.
Tennessee Bonds.— We understand that V. K.
Stevenson, Esq.. President of the Nashville and
Chattanooga Railroad Company, negotiated in
this City last week, 5250,0u0 of the Bonds of
the Company, guaranteed by the State of Ten
nessee bearing ti per cent, interest, at j>ar:
Stoo,ooo are said to have been taken by an em
inent Banking House in Washington, and SIOO,-
000 by a firm in this City. The State of Ten
nessee has always showed the most scrupulous
good faith with her creditors, anJ her present
financial condition is very prosperous—this will
account far the readiness with which these Bonds
were sold and the fair price obtained for them in
the present condition of the money market.—
Charleston Courier, Ith inst.
The Grammar of Matrimony. —ls you are
a very precise man, and wish to be certain of
what you get, never marry a girt named Ann,
for we have the authority of Lindley, Murray
and many others for the assertion, that “ Ann is
an indefinite article.”
Gin Houses Burned in Marengo. —The Gin
House of Ogle Tayloe, near Macon, with con
tents—so bales of Cotton—was consumed by
fire one night last week. R. E. Bohanon, of
Dayton, packing cotton one night last week, and
had his Cotton Press and 15 bales of Cotton
burned up. His plantation is near McKinley.
The Gin House belonging to the estate of Jacob
Mitchel, near Linden, was burned down last
week. Contents 35 bales of Cotton. a total loss.
—Mobile Register, 3 d inst.
ftj JHngntlit Crlfgrapjj.
Reported for the Constitutionalist fc
Elections. | *
Charleston, Nov. 7
Maryland. —The Democrats have elected
the State Officers, and a majority of the H
of Delegates.
New York. —Half, and probably the wl
Whig State ticket elected.
New York, Oct. 7
Cotton.— Sales to-day 500 bales. Mark--
quiet. Rice — lso tierces sold at 3a 3 j.( 6c
Charleston, Nov 7
Cotton.— There has been an active demand
to-day, and the sales reach 2200 bales at C to » ■
cents. The market i» firmer and prices full a j
sustained.
Commercial.
Augusta Market, Nov. 7—p. M.
COTTON.—We have no change to notice in prices
There has been a good demand aud the sales m*!,. w
at yesterday’s rates.
SAVANNAH, Nov. 7.— Cotton Arrived s in ct , n
30th ult., 4,959 bales Upland (3,736 per Raihoad in
from Augusta, and 50 by wagons.) and 62 do ,v» i
ands. The exports for the same period ainuun- /
2.400 bales Uplands and 60 do. Bca Island-. v j z • W
York. 1.565 bales Upland; to Philadelphia. 34 9 W*
Upland; to Baltimore 216 bales Upland ; and to Char *
ton, 60 bales— leaving on baud and on shipboard IT
cleared, a stock of 12,273 bales Uplands and 59 h do v.
Island, against 22.250 bales Upland and 31 j do *
Islands at the same time last year. ‘ *
On tbe Friday following the close of our la-t w**-k'v
report, the market opened with a fair demand, at son '
er prices; the sales of the day footed up 663 br.\»i. q.
Saturday anti Monday, we noticed no new feature in
market, the sales for the two days summing up 1..
bales. On Tuesday, the accounts per Franklin w c
published, representing the Liverpool market in a.]
and languid state, with prices in favor of bin-'.
This news had the effect to check operation* in; .
market; the sales were limited to 411 bales, at f, r *
prices. On Wednesday, there was a fair demand,
sales amounting to 83V bales ; the extreme rate- oi\: }
day previous were scarcely maintained, but there « u
no decided reduction in prices. Yesterday, th'- m, ,
amounted to 456 bales at prices, ranging from »;* t *
cents. The stock on sale is unusually small, and ti;
ers tind it difficult to operate to any extent.
We renew our flotations of last week, there being lu
decided change in prices. We quote :
Ordinary to Good Ordinary a 6}
Middling to Good Middling 7i a 7}
Middling Fair 7]* *
Fair to Fully Fair
The sales of the week amount to 3,403 bale-, at the
following particulars : 2 at tty. 28 at 6s. 41 at 7
7s. 59 at 7}. 121* at 7|. 323 at 78 at 7 9-16. 304 at 7f
at 7 11-16. 914 at 7j, 737 at 7s. 40 at 7 13-16, 56m at » .4
at Bs, 5 silks at ''j. and 16 bales silk Mastodon at v ct-
Corn. —There have been no arrivals during the week.
The stock is ample, and the demand limited. We quote
65 a 70c., wholesale.
Flour.—We have no chango to notice in this arti.-i*
during the past week. The sales have been confined t>
unall lots for city consumption.
Salt. —We have no large transactions to report -
Holders are asking 90c. The last sales of important*
made at So cents.
Frtights. —To Liverpool, last engagement* $d , noth
ing offering at present. To Boston fc. for Cotton, R •
last engagement $1 per cask To New York 15 n- 1,1.4
per hundred for Cotton. 62| cents per cask for Rice. j..
Philadelphia jc. for Cotton. 50c. per Cask for Rice.
Exchange. —Sterling nominal. Domestic—the Laid*
are sailing Sight Checks cm all Northern cities at y
prem.; and purchasing sight to 5 day bills at sc. prom.
30 day bills, ja J din.; 60 days, al£ dis.,aud 00 day.,
discount.
CHARLESTON, Nov. 7.— Cotton. —The market ex
hibited no new feature on Saturday last, the first day
the week under review. The transactions were couth'
ed to some 1200 bales, ami prices continued decideJ/y
weak. Thus stood the position of affairs, when ad vim
from New York reached us on Monday, advising a d
dine of jc. in that market, which was followed by the
unfavorable accounts by the Franklin, which cam** to
hand on Monday. During these two days the transac
tions showed a very unsettled and depressed mark :
which closed on the latter day at a further reduction in
prices, which, however, was principally felt in the Mid
dling and lower classifications, the higher qualities hav
ing been but slightly affected, in consequence of then
scarcity. A good business was done on Wednesday at
about corresponding rates, if we except the cla>* of Cut
ton denominated Fair, which suffered very little depre
ciation, owing to the limited quantity on sale, anl
such may also be said of the sales of Thursday. The
week closes at the subjoined quotations, and by com- r 1
paring them with those current on the Ist instant—tL* (j
date of our last issue—it will be seen that all qua.,
ties are j to jc. lower than they were at that period
The transactions since our last may be classed as fol
lows, viz: Saturday 1200; Monday 540; Tuesday 1734,
Wednesday 1402; Thursday 1033. making an aggregate
iu the five days of 5909 bales, agaiust the receipt in the
same time of 7.345 bales. The actual sales comprise 1J
bales at 6; 41 at 6j: 48 at
at 7j; 131 at 7*; 136 at 73; 913 at 7s; 121 at 7 9 10. 944 at
7f: U>o4 at 7]; 409 at 7s; 1120 at b; 653 at 8$; and 1 1
bales at We quote Middling to good Middling.
a 7|; Middling Fair. 7j a 7j; and Fair 8 a Bsc. We Lav«
no quotations to offer for the extreme grades, as there
is not enough doing iu them, owing to their scarcity. tJ
establish a market.
Corn.—' The receipts since our lasl have beeu limited
to some 1200 bushels, which had not been sold when
closed our report. There is a fair supply on the mar
ket, with an unusually' limited demand at this season
Laron. —This article has been very much neglected
since the date of our last report, at least so far as Sides
and Shoulders are concerned, as we have not heard of a
single transaction of the least magnitude, and at pre
sent our quotations are nominal.
Coffee. —There has been a fair demand for Rio de
scriptions this week, and upwards of 1,200 bags hare
been sold at prices ranging from to Sj}c. for prinw
quality.
Freights. —We quote to Liverpool. Cotton in square
bags at 5-16ths, and not very' brisk ; and 3 50 per tierce
for Rice ;to Havre, Cotton j a lc.; Rice, s2j t> 100 lbi j
The rate to New York has been 25c. fc> 10U lbs. for Cot
ton, and 75c. per tierco for Rice; the limited nuin!**r
packets in port, however, has enabled a transient vessel I
to obtain 5-16ths and but we learn that sub** I
quently engagements were at the former rates. W
quote to Boston 25c. for Cotton, and 75c. asl for Riw. f
the latter the present asking price.
MONTGOMERY, Nov. 4. — Cotton. —There i* no
ceptible change in our market. Planters manifest In
disposition to sell, and buyers show no disposition w
advance the figures. The few sales effected are cuutn.--
to small farmers aud in small lots. We quote 6 tot;
for Middling to Good Middling.
The late rains have had but little effect on the riv
—within the last week, however, a competition h«
grown up by an increase of small boats, and freight
have lowered a little—up freights $1.50 per bid
GRIFFIN, Nov. 6.— Cotton. —The sales making
to be at 7$ for Fair.
Slipping intelligence.
SAVANNAH, Nov. T.—Arrived, barques Rhodes.^
Nair, New-York; Maria Morton. Bulkley. New-YorlJp
Departed, steamer John Randolph, Philpot, Augu^
CHARLESTON, Nov 7.—Arr. ship Zelie, Buret *
Pierre, (Me.;) ship Camden, Sherwood. New York; brig
Sami. Brown. Baker. Baltimore; schr. Geo. Ham**
Sommers. Philadelphia: schr. Alice, Philips, Baltin: •
schr. J. R. Raudell. Blackwell, New York; schr h cU ‘
siugton, Foster, Philadelphia.
In the roads, ship Fortitude, Lord, New York.
Cld. ship Alliance, Tucker, Havre; ship CatliAriu .
Eekerman, N. York. .. ..
Went to sea. line ship Catharine, Eekerman. N »
line schr. M. E. Wells, Griffin, New York.
MARRIED, ,
On the 6th inst. by Rev. Dr. Ford. Mr GtOßu
Blythe, and Miss Mary Ann Parr, all of this city-
OBITUARY.
Died, at her late residence, near Augusta, on ‘
Nov. 2d, Mrs. Eliza Selina Meigs, relict of the *
Daniel Meigs, of this city. # . *,,4
For many years, the subject of this brief notice
lived in comparative retirement, and had confined
social intercourse to a few chosen friends, iu her uu
diate neighborhood. Though, from this cause. h,i e
almost unknown to the public, yet to those who k a
her, she commended herself, in no ordinary degre •
her many virtues. Her child-like simplicity. “ er ‘
tionate and grateful disposition, the native retin ,
aud delicacy of her character, and her unaffected g
ness, secured for her the sincere regard and coruia
tachment of the little circle iu which she move -
them she will be truly lamented and long renaem
Iu Newnan. Ga.. on the 27th ult., at the
Mr. B. H. Mitchell, Mr. Samuel Boram. of Typu
fever, aged about 25 years. , |
In Atlanta, on the 30th ult., Willis Bcel. Esq •&K'-
about fifty years.
NEW YORK AND AUGUSTA. |
JUST COME to hand, a large lot ol ■
varying from 50 cents to $6,50 each. A ’
assortment of CARPET BAGS, Traveling BE
RETS, Leggins, and Hunting Suits, with a
variety of little fixings, that only want to be s * t ‘
be duly appreciated. i’ERRIS A 1 A L L
OCt 25