The following is an extract from the private letter of a missionary who has been twenty-five years in India: Bombay, India, August 8, 1851. The people of the Southern States little know what unprecedented efforts are being made in India to supply England with cotton and get possession of the market. Ever exertion is made to get the railroads through to the heart of the cotton country. Even now, great quantities of cotton are being transported over our country roads, five hundred miles, to the coast. I saw an order last week from an American merchant (Mr. S.) In Bombay to a native friend here, offering to pay him at certain rates for two thousand candies of cotton delivered in Bombay. The offer involved an outlay of $125,000. There are many firms in Bombay doing a fine business in cotton now, and making money rapidly. As soon as the railroads are finished cotton will be poured in vast quantities into England, for then the only existing hindrance--the great cost of transportation--will be done away. This year one of the great chieftains in Onde, Rajah Maua Sing, has given orders to his agent to buy all the American cotton see he can find in the Calcutta market. He heard of the difficulties in America, and determined to profit by them. Extensive cotton cultivation in India would soon elevate this country. It would attach it to British rule and bring great wealth. Al our English friends feel very much interested in the struggle that is going on in America, and they assure us of the warm sympathy of the people of Great Britain, notwithstanding what is said in the papers.
The division of families in the war is strikingly illustrated in the case of two of the most distinguished families in Kentucky. Henry Clay, the grandson of the statesman, is Assistant Adjutant under Brig. Gen. Richard W. Johnson, in Kentucky. His uncle, James B. Clay, is a violent Secessionist, now under bonds to appear for trial for treason. Another uncle--Thomas, ion the United States service--is responsible for the appearance for trial of James B. Clay. A brother, Thomas Clay, Jr., is on the staff of Gen. Beauregard. His sister's husband, with whom young Clay resides in Louisville, has lately entered the Untied States service, with tow other brothers, for the war.
When the friends of Mr. Douglas are called upon to affiliate with those who would betray the State into the hands of those who have taken up arms to subvert the government, let them recur to the declaration of the lamented Senator who, if he were now living, would scorn all terms which connive at the destruction of the Constitution and the Union. He said in his last speech: "But this is not time for a detail of causes. The conspiracy is now known. Armies have been raised, war is levied to accomplish it. There are only tow sides to the question. Every man must be for the United States or against it. There can be no neutrals in this war; only patriots or traitors."
Mr. Douglas saw even so far back in the rebellion that the Secession leaders themselves were determined to precipitate matters to that condition which could leave none the chance to remain neutral, even if they desired it ever so much. The case is well illustrated by the conduct of the Confederates in Kentucky, who have compelled her, by the avowal of a purpose to subjugate her, to defend herself against their assaults. So far as they could accomplish it in Maryland they attempted the same role, and it therefore behooves all Union men to recognize the fact, and make no terms with Disunion in sustaining the Government.
A Correspondent of the Chicago Tribune says: Whatever may be the facts in regard to the supply of the necessaries of life in the more Northern States of the Confederacy, there is little doubt that much suffering is occasioned in the Gulf States from the scarcity and high prices of food of every kind. An instance told me by a Nashville gentleman will illustrate this better than I can describe it. Joseph A. Acklin, of Nashville, has three large plantations in Louisiana, on which he has 2000 negroes, engaged mainly in growing and crushing sugar. For two months past he has had these hands on half rations. Full rations in the South consist of but little meat and plenty of molasses and sugar. Half rations, you can easily imagine, would be far from sufficient, when the half rations have to consist of salt meat at that. As a consequence, his slaves have been killing the hogs, cattle, poultry, &c, of Mr. Acklin, and dividing the fresh meat among themselves. Mr. Acklin ordered his overseer to flog all guilty of such thefts until the depreciations ceased. The orders were followed till lately, when the overseers declined to flog any more, stating that the negroes had stood by each other in a resolve to take no more floggings, and to steal meat when it was not given to them. The overseers considered it no longer safe to flog them, and desisted. Mr. Acklin advised them to let the negroes steal as much as they wanted, trusting to luck to weather the storm. Such a spirit among the slaves is greatly to be feared in a country originally with a small population, and now almost devoid of white residents. A gentleman lately told me that in parts of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia, he had ridden for miles and miles without encountering any white person, except unprotected females and children. To the inquiry, where are all your men? came the reply, Gone to fight the Yankees. It is the rural districts, and not the cities, which are doing the fighting for the South.
The official declaration of Lord Russell, received by the Persia and given in our last issue, to the effect that England, with renewed emphasis, declines to interfere with the blockade, must serve to extinguish every ray of hope on the part of the Confederates who have looked for relief from that quarter. And we conclude, therefore, that the contemplated mission of Mr. Mason to England will be only courting such mortification as might satisfy, could it be witnessed, all who have in times past been frowned upon by this specimen of concentrated arrogance. How, in the face of European demonstrations, men, proud as these, can be found in the revolted States to undertake such missions is a puzzle. The marked failure of those already sent over appears to serve no sort of purpose as a warning, and when we see such men as Slidell and Mason made the victims of a new "sell" on the part of Jefferson Davis, it is pleasant to know that retribution could not come to any two amongst them better deserving of such a fate.
One thing is certain. Only utter desperation could induce men having a reasonable share of just pride to submit themselves to such humiliation. Foiled at all points, they will return wiser if not more patriotic men. Dancing attendance on English Abolitionism will teach them, finally, that the Constitution of the United States in their best friend, a result they might have learned long ago if pride and prejudice had not blinded them for the time.
is a very good suggestion, made by a patriotic Yankee girl to the soldiers in our army. She says that as wool is scarce and costly, none should be wasted, and adds that it is the practice in many New England families to knit new feet upon the legs of old socks. She would not blame the troops for throwing the footless stockings away, if they had no one to mend them; but she says that, if from time to time, "a budget of legs could be sent home, the ragged feet being first cut off, the energy of home industry would soon return them as good as new." This is a hint that is really worth being practically improved.
Among the women of Maryland, with slight exception, patriotism lives. The following incident illustrates the influences of a loyal lady, connecting grand historic ideas and the old banner, which I quote from a correspondent:
I noticed Union flags floating in every section of the village. The people are loyal to our glorious Union. The ladies have been very attentive tot the sick soldiers, sending them all manner of comforts and delicacies. The citizens greet the soldiers passing in the cars with shouts of welcome. A touching incident occurred the other day that is worth of record. As a train of cars filled with soldiers was passing, a beautiful lady of the village stood at the foot of a tall flagstaff, with a musket at "present arms." The soldiers literally yelled with enthusiasm. That young lady is capable of the love and loyalty of the betrothed of Robert Barclay, Commander of the British squadron at the battle of Lake Erie. Barclay was dreadfully mangled in battle and on his return to England proposed to release her from her engagement. "Tell him," said the noble girl, "that I will marry him if he has only enough of body left to hold his soul."