Mr. Thayer to Mr. Seward.
[Extract]
Alexandria, Egypt, July 20, 1861.
Sir: * * * * * * * *
Mr. Haywood, secretary of the Manchester Cotton Supply Association, is expected here daily on a mission to Egypt and India, relative to the prospective deficiency of cotton produced by the pending conflict in the United States.
Mr. Haywood, while here, will endeavor to induce the Egyptian government to extend the cultivation of cotton. It is believed that the crop in Egypt could be increased tenfold if the government would tender its aid. Carelessness in allowing the small canals of irrigation to be obstructed is said to be a cause of the comparative meagreness of the average yield of this important staple.
This year, owing to the unusual height of the last overflow of the Nile, the crop promises to exceed considerably that which preceded it. In expectation of a scarcity in England, some of the commercial houses of Alexandria are sending agents into the interior to buy up the cotton in advance of harvest. But so well understood is the condition of the cotton growing region in the United States, even by the poorest fellahs, (peasants,) that it is difficult to persuade them to sell on terms which heretofore they would have been delighted to accept. The ruling price, at the last quotations, of Mako, which ranks next to Sea Island cotton, is 275 piastres ($13 75) per cantar (a quintal;) but some of the largest cotton growers insist on $17 00, and are holding back for that unheard of figure.
The following information is derived from intelligent men whose business connexions in Egpyt give authority to their statements in reference to this important question. I also communicate some tabular statistics which are appended to this despatch.
The cotton crop of Egypt commences to be gathered about the middle of September. There are two qualities, the Sea Island and the Mako.
The Sea Island cottons are divided into two kinds. The first is that of which the seed is new, and which is sown for the first time in Egypt. The second is that which has been sown for the second time. The Sea Island, after the second planting, are changed into fine Mako.
The Mako are divided into three kinds, which in commerce are called fine quality, medium quality, and inferior quality.
It is very difficult to give an exact statement of the number of quintals which Egypt annually produces. But, according to the official tables of exports, the total amount of crop is valued, on an average yearly, at from four hundred and sixty thousand to five hundred and fifty thousand, divided as follows: [Page 424]
| Quintals. | |||
| Sea, Island, 1st kind | 2,000 | to | 2,500 |
| Sea, Island, 2d kind | 1,000 | to | 1,500 |
| Mako, fine | 100,000 | to | 140,000 |
| Mako, medium | 300,000 | to | 380,000 |
| Mako, inferior | 47,000 | to | 56,000 |
| 460,000 | to | 550,000 | |
The prices during the six months ending June 30, 1861, have been—
| Piastres per quintal. | |||
| Sea Island, 1st kind | 450 | to | 500 |
| Sea Island, 2st kind | 320 | to | 390 |
| Mako, fine | 250 | to | 360 |
| Mako, medium | 230 | to | 270 |
| Mako, inferior | 180 | to | 230 |
According to the statistics of exports, (they) have been as follows:
| 1859. | 1860 | 1861, 1st six months. | |
| Quintals. | Quintals. | Quintals. | |
| For England | 325,401 | 311,253 | 264,876 |
| For Austria | 78,372 | 41,080 | 22,020 |
| For France | 98,672 | 78,302 | 117,656 |
| For Italy | 200 | 160 | 20 |
| For Spain | 620 | ||
| For Antwerp | 156 | ||
| Total | 502,643 | 431,415 | 404,728 |
The tabular results of the last six months indicate that England will absorb a far larger proportion of Egyptian cotton than heretofore.
As before remarked, a favorable expectation prevails respecting the new crop, because the waters of the Nile have now almost reached the level of the same period last year. But this expectation may fail, for the goodness of the crop depends, not solely on the overflow of the Nile, but also on the winds, which are more or less auspicious at the time of the efflorescence of the pods.
Thus far the disturbances in America, which have produced various fluctuations in the price of cotton, have not as yet caused an increase of more than two dollars (40 piastres) per quintal.
An informal application has been made to me in behalf of various Greek and Italian residents of Alexandria, who desire to enlist in the military service of the United States, if means shall be furnished to transport them thither. I replied that I should, while appreciating their benevolent wishes to our country, await instructions from my government before giving them any encouragement.
The 4th of July, in Alexandria, was observed in the usual manner. The flags of all the fifteen consulates were raised for the day. The minister of [Page 425] foreign affairs of the Egyptian government also paid me his annual visit in honor of the occasion, during which he expressed his wishes for the permanence of our Union, and his opinion of the hopelessness of the cause of its domestic enemies. He appeared quite astonished at the magnitude and efficiency of our military operations.
At a dinner, given by the vice-consul in honor of the day, which was attended by the consul general of the kingdom of Italy and other distinguished residents of the city, the occasion was enthusiastically commemorated.
* * * * * * * * * *
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
U. S. Consul General for Egypt.
Hon. W. H. Seward,
Secretary of State, Washington, D. C.