strong and just, that we cannot doubt that Congress will make a liberal appropriation of land in its behalf, provided those interested in its accomplishment will bring the subject in a proper manner to the consideration of that body. There is now in existence a charter for a railroad from St. Louis to the Southern boundary of this State, by the way of the Iron mountain: two routes have been surveyed in that direction. Let the citizens of Missouri interested in this route move in the matter without delay, and memorialize Congress for a grant of land to aid in its construction. There is a general railroad law, as we are informed, in the State of Arkansas under which her citizens may form a company at pleasure to act in concert with the citizens of Missouri. And we trust that our Southern neighbors will take the lead in a work that will not only be the means of improving the richest part of their own State, but of building up a great commercial city at the only point on the west bank of the Mississippi, from the Gulf to Cape Girardeau, that can be regarded as safe against the encroachments of the river. If we suppose a railroad in existence from Helena to the Western boundary of the State of Arkansas, and another to St. Louis, that point will then command the trade of a larger scope of country than any other between St. Louis and New Orleans. And the people of Arkansas will neglect their best interest if they fail to do everything in their power to build up a great commercial city within the limits of their own State. ARTICLE II. (From Hunt's Merchants' Magazine.) COFFEE: AND THF COFFEE TRADE. In an article published in the August 1850 No. of the Merchants' Magazine, with the above caption, statements were made to show that the production of coffee was not on the average equal to the constantly increasing consumption, and that it was not likely to be increased unless stimulated by long-continued higher prices than had ruled for many years. The large crops of Brazil and Java in 1850, having given rise to some doubts of the correctness of these statements, it may be well to review the past, and to look forward to the probable future course of this important article of trade. The short crop in Brazil in 1849, and the extremely favorable weather after the blossoming season (September to November 1848) had produced the greatest growth of new wood ever seen, (coffee is principally grown on new wood,) so that the trees were in a better condition for bearing than ever before known. The blossom in 1849 was most abundant, the season throughout favorable, but what is of the greatest importanco, the picking season from April to July, 1850, was uncommonly fine, enabling the planters to secure the most abundant crop ever known, and far exceeding their most sanguine expectations. Such a combination of favorable circumstances had never before occurred, and is not very likely to happen again. The export of the crop-year July 1st, 1850, to July 1st, 1851, proved the greatest ever known, being 1,884,636 bags, or 302 millions lbs., leaving a considerable quantity in the interior to supply the deficiency of the crop of 1850, caused by the excessive production of 1850, which prevented the growth of new wood and exhausted the trees, as is the case with all those bearing fruit. The crop of 1851, was all secured by August last, therefore the probable result is very nearly ascertained, and is estimated to be, from careful inquiry, only one-third to one-half the previous crop, say 1,000,000 to 1,200,000 bags, added to which, the old coffee remaining over, will make the quantity for export, July 1st, 1851, to July 1st, 1852, from 1,500,000 bags, to 1,600,000, or fully 300,000 bags, or 48 millions of pounds less than the previous year. The following table of comparative export of three consecutive crop-years proves that there will be an average annual decrease of 119,263 bags in 1849, 1850 and 1851, compared with 1846, 1847 and 1848, and confirms the opinion, that Brazil has attained her maximum, instead of continuing to be largely on the increase, Europe. 843,485 as it was from 1830 to 1845, caused chiefly by the abundance and low prices of Blacks. Crop, 1846 ...... United States. Total. 66 1847 ...... Average per annum... 913,459 ...... 55 per cent to Europe, 443 per cent to the United States. Crop, 1849 538,181 573,151 1,111,332 The probable stoppage of the slave trade was assigned as a reason, why the production of coffee in Brazil could not be increased, as the planters could not keep up the stock upon their estates without annually purchasing 5 to 10 per cent of new blacks. The slave trade is now effectually stopped, and there is no possibility of its being renewed, which will surely prevent any increase in the cultivation of coffee. On the contrary, a decrease may be expected, until the planters can, by greater care of their blacks, maintain their stock, or introduce free labor; either will require many years to bring it about, if ever done. The causes of this great annual loss of blacks, are the great mortality until acclimated, the very small number of females on the estates, and that but few children are ever raised. The coffee districts being at some seasons very cold and rainy, are not at all congenial to Africans. From the foregoing it is certainly reasonable to assume that the average crop of Brazil will not for many years exceed the present estimate, say 1,600.000 bags of 160 lbs., or 256 millions ĺbs. The Java crop is the next in importance to Brazil. This has been on the decrease for several years past, as it ceased to be a profitable crop. The greatest production was 1,100,000 piculs, or 146 millions lbs. The crop of 1850 proved more abundant than for several years, yielding 850,000 piculs. Advices from Batavia to August last state, that the crop of 1851, then coming to market, would be 240,000 piculs short of the previous one, say 600,000 piculs, or 80 millions lbs. The chief cultivation of coffee in Java is under the direction of the Government, otherwise it would have fallen off still more. The private planters who at one time produced about 400,000 piculs, will this year have but about 80,000. The labor being free and hired, private individuals stopped raising coffee when it became unprofitable, and in many instances abandoned their estates altogether. In Brazil the reverse has been the case, as planters were obliged to employ their slaves, and could not raise other crops. The cost of raising coffee in Java, with shipping charges, is estimated to be 10 cents per lb. on board; in Brazil, 8 cents; Cuba, 93 cents; adding to these prices freight, insurance, and other charges, the cost in the United States respectively, would be 12, 10 and 11 cents. These prices being much above the average rates from 1842 to 1848, it is not surprising that the production in Java should have fallen off so much, in Cuba* still more, and that Brazil should have ceased to increase. In the meantime the consumption of the United States has increased with rapid strides. 1845, the import from Brazil was about 500,000 bags, in the 12 months ending 31st ult., it was about 100,000 bags, or 160 millions lbs., and the stocks now are not larger than at the same period of 1850. Brazil coffee constitutes about three-fourths of the whole consumption of the United States, therefore the total must be 200 million lbs. at least, and the annual increase may be safely estimated at 7 per cent, at prices not excessive. The increase in Europe is generally estimated at 2 per cent per annum, but in the following table of consumption, the average estimates of European writers for 1848 are assumed, which are believed to be below the actual wants. The estimates of production are from the best sources. The production of coffee in 1851, which furnishes the supply for 1852, is estimated as follows: Brazil, 1,600,000 bags of 160 lbs. Porto Rico .... St. Domingo Laguira, Porto Cabello, Maracaibo, &c........ British West Indies... .lbs. 256,000,000 80,000,000 15,000,000 15,000,000 45,000,000 30,000,000 7,000,000 45,000,000 5,000,000 2,000,000 5,000,000 10,000,000 10,000,000 525,000,000 In 1825, the export from the North side of Cuba was about 32 millions lbs., it is now barely 5 millions. Consumption of the world- The estimates for Europe by the average of various authorities in 1848. That the consumption in Europe is steadily increasing there cannot be a doubt. By a statement of stocks, arrivals, and deliveries of coffee in the north of Europe, England and Trieste, published in the Economist of September 20, 1851, it appears that the deliveries for consumption in 8 months had been 210 millions lbs., exceeding the same period of 1850 by 56 millions lbs. It is also remarked that the deliveries are likely to continue on even a larger scale the remaining 4 months of the year, which would make the total for the year 315 millions lbs. To this is to be added Sweden, Russia, Marseilles, Genoa, Naples, Sicily, Corfu, the Archipelago, Smyrna, and Constantinople, say fully onefourth part of Europe, or 105 millions lbs., making the total 420 millions lbs., to which add the estimate for United States, &c., 200 millions lbs., making the total for the world 620 millions lbs.; agreeing very nearly with the preceding estimate. From the foregoing statements, estimates, &c. the following deductions are made, viz: That the production of coffee is now 15 to 20 per cent less than the consumption, which is annually increasing. That the production is not likely to increase on the average of years, as it has not been a profitable crop to the planter on the average of the past ten years. That in Brazil, even should higher prices rule, it is not likely that any material increase can take place for many years, or until free labor be introduced. That in Java there might be some increase, should prices rule at about 30 fs. per picul, but many years would be required to raise the production to what it formerly was, as it requires 6 to 8 years to get a new estate into good bearing. That the producers of articles of necessity are entitled to a fair remuneration for their labor, when not more than equal to the demand, cannot be denied. That the present ruling prices both in the United States and in Europe, are not equal to the cost of production and incidental charges. That the production not being equal to the consumption, prices should rise, so as to equalize them, and to encourage an increase of production to supply the regular increase of consumption of so favorite and necessary an article. |