The cotton-planter of these eight years received 18. 5d. which, from the diminished value of money, was equal to at least one-half more than it now is.

The second period, though less favoured in point of actual receipt, was equally so by the inferiority of every description of expense, and by the non-imposition of duties, as the gross proceeds of sale averaged a fraction more than 18. 8d. per lb. The clear receipt was therefore about 9d. Had the (W. I.) planter not been favoured, as he fortunately was, the fate which now seems to impend over him would have been then accomplished, and with less destructive effects to the state. It has been his lot to have his hopes raised to the highest pitch, and then, by a refinement in cruelty, to have them dashed away with the rudest violence.

The expenses were somewhat increased from 1796 to 1802, about the middle of which (in 1799) a duty of 88. 9d. per 100 lbs. or of a fraction more than 1d. per lb. was imposed on British cotton wool; while, strange to tell, 68. 6d. per 100 lbs. or about three farthings per lb. was laid on American produce in American bottoms. The average price was 28. 71d. If the whole expense amounted to 18. 2d. which it certainly did not, the planter netted 18. 5d. which was quite equal to his wants or his wishes.

The diminution of charges during the short-lived peace of Amiens, remedied, to a certain extent, the smallness of the price, which was only 28. per lb. They were about 10d. per lb. which left 18. 2d. for the proprietor.

From the renewal of hostilities to 1808, while 28. per lb. has been the average price of cotton wool, every thing has happened to diminish the planter's funds. For, immediately on the breaking out of the war, a duty of 10s. 6d. per 100 lbs. or 14d per lb, was laid on British, and 7s. 10d. per 100 lbs. or three farthings and a fraction, on American cotton in American bottoms.

In 1805, this highly improper distinction in favour of the lat ter ceased, and the duties were increased to 16s. 8d. per 100 lbs. or 2d. and a fraction per lb. on British, and 178. 8d. per 100 lbs. or about 24d per lb. on American produce.

Both, however, are on equal terms when the latter is imported in British bottoms. The duty on British produce was in the following year raised to 16s. 10d. and has continued steadily the same; that on American cotton was first (in 1808) raised to 178. 10d. per 100 lbs. or 24d. per lb. and lately to 20s. 5d. per 100 lbs. or about 2 d. per lb. when imported directly, and 21s. 1d. per 100 lbs.

or a fraction more than 21d. per lb. when imported indirectly. The former inequality, when imported in British shipping, is still retained.

The Brazilian cotton growers enjoy similar privileges, when they employ British vessels; but pay 11. 5s. 2d. per 100 lbs. or 3d, per lb. in their own shipping.

The British cotton proprietors have therefore been receiving only 10d. per lb. during that period, which, however inadequate, is superior to his present receipt, and would not have been so high had the average been made only for the three last years, excluding 1808 and 1809 for the reasons already assigned. It has been shewn to have been no more than 1s. 11d.

Before this part of the subject is closed, it may be worthy of attention to refer to the table, in which a statement is given of the quantities of cotton imported into this country. From 1804 to the present time, the British have steadily averaged about twenty millions and a half of pounds, while America vacillated from ten millions and a half to forty-seven millions and a half, as caprice dictated. The increase is going on; and early in May, it was one-fifth more than it had been last year.

The Brazil cotton has suddenly increased from seven milliong and a half of pounds to about twenty-three millions and a half. That from India, &c. from about four and a half to fourteen millions and a quarter of pounds.

These facts need no comment; they speak for themselves on terms too unequivocal to be misunderstood.

Importation of cotton wool.-Some idea may be formed of our cotton manufactures by a glance at the report of cotton wool imported into this kingdom during the two last years; an article which we know the (British) markets are not glutted with, neither does it form an article of exportation in its raw state: the great increase of the cotton manufacture from its cheapness over that of linen, must in some measure be a compensation for the defalcation of the manufacture of the latter, at least by an equal provision of la bour, although the trade is diverted into a different channel from the original.

Heligoland

Iceland

*Portugal

Bags. Bags. Bags. Bags. Bags. Bags. | Bags.
182

15 5,177

70,450 71,190 1,827 143,467,146,212

182
5,192 4,824

182

368

2.745

Import. in 1810 187,650 313,102 48,323 549,075 428,873 148,037 27,835 do. 1809 125,870 266,952 36,051 428,873

Increase 61,780| 46,150:12,272|120,202|

Total increase 120,202 bags, not including, during the same period the importations at the ports of Bristol and Lancaster, which amounted to 3,449 bags."

I give the preceding tables, for the purpose of showing what exertions Great Britain is making, to render herself independent of the supply of cotton from the United States. Should peace arrive to-morrow, Great Britain, by means of the East Indies, the West Indies, and Brazil, could nearly furnish all the cotton required for her immense manufacture. The plain inference is, that if we do not manufacture our cotton at home, we cannot dispose of it abroad. I know of no manufacture that can be set up with such decided advantages, as that of plain coarse muslins, shirting muslins, and nankeens; and calicoes printed by roller-work. The raw material of the woollen manufacture is daily becoming more scarce and dear; the raw material of the cotton manufacture is daily becoming more plentiful and cheap, or may be made so. You cannot suddenly raise sheep to answer a great demand; you may raise cotton sufficient in one season. Let the cotton-growers look to this it is their business, because it is their interest, to push the cotton manufacture at home to the utmost. Great Britain is very wisely endeavouring by all means in her power to become independent of America, as to the importation of raw cotton: why should

* Including the Brazils.

Increase.

Decrease.

not America pursue a similar policy as to manufactured cotton? until the cotton manufacture is established here, peace will bring but little relief to the cotton-grower of the southern states. T. C.

CULTIVATED AND UNCULTIVATED LANDS OF GREAT BRITAIN.

The following table, is from a report of the committee of the house of commons in 1795, but I do not know of any thing more authentic since.

General view of the extent of the island of GREAT BRITAIN, and the proportion between the waste and uncultivated, and the cultivated parts thereof.

73,285,628

Of the value of the waste lands of England, were they cultivated to that degree of improvement, of which they are capable, it is difficult to form a correct idea.-We shall submit, however, some data as the basis on which to ground future calculation. Allowing that there are twenty-two millions of acres of uninclosed lands in the kingdom, the whole of these may be divided in the following

manner:

Lands incapable of improvement

proper for plantations

Number of Acres.

1,000,000

3,000,000

The million of acres, stated to be incapable of cultivation, are here estimated as of no annual value.

The three millions of acres, fit for plantations, may be computed to be worth eight shillings per acre, or in total, 1,200,000 per annum; (annual produce and not rent).

The fourteen millions of acres of upland pasture, when improved, may be calculated as worth five shillings per acre of rent, or 3,800,000l. per annum.

The three millions of acres, convertible into arable land, would, when inclosed, average, at least, ten shillings per acre, or 1,500,000l. per annum.

The million of acres convertible into meadows, or water meadows, may be estimated at 17. 10s. per acre, or 1,500,000/. in total. The total annual produce would then amount to 20,700,000%.

POOR OF ENGLAND.

In one way or other about one ninth of the population of Eng. land, in 1812, received parish assistance. The returns of the amount of poor rate are to be made duennially to parliament. In 1803 the poor rates amounted to somewhat more than 51 millions sterling. I have not seen the return for 1813.

GENERAL STATISTICAL TABLE, 1812.—No. I.

The following table has been formed, after much labour, expressly for this work, for the purpose of general reference. We are aware that it is incorrect in many particulars, but on the whole it may be accepted as approaching pretty nearly to truth, so far as facts can be discerned in the varied statements of the learned and scientific. And it may serve the ordinary purposes of our readers.-Niles' Reg.