Levi Woodbury

Writings of Levi Woodbury, Ll. D. Political, Judicial and Literary: Now First Selected and Arranged, Vol. 3

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1852. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... In the subsequent tables the quantity of raw cotton has been computed in pounds ; and when stated in the weights of other countries by the authors referred to, the edition (1831) of Kelly's Cambist has been followed as a guide about the contents of the kilogramme, maud, picul, &c. The prices and values, when found in the denominations of foreign currencies, have also generally been reduced to dollars and cents, computing the pound sterling at $4.80; and the statements of all considerable quantities and amounts have usually been made only in millions and large fractions of millions. This has been done for convenience and uniformity, and was supposed to be sufficient, if not better, for the comparative and general purposes contemplated in the original formation of the tables. As most persons in conversation, and most authors, speak of " bales " or " bags," rather than pounds of cotton, whether referring to the crop, the manufacture, or the exports and imports of it, some further explanation may be proper, to show why the term has not been employed in the statements contained in any of these tables. It was early discovered, in the preparation of them, that many contradictions and errors happened, from the uncertain quantity indicated by different persons in the use of those terms, and which might be obviated by always making the statements in pounds, and giving in a note the amount computed to be contained in bales and bags in different countries, so that the pounds could, when desirable, be converted again readily into bales or bags. By pursuing this course of using only the term pounds, the great object of comparison between the quantities of cotton grown or manufactured or exported, at different periods, and in different countries, could also be more clearly and...