Whence comes all this cotton?
--The most hopeful sign of returning prosperity which has yet come under our notice is the fact, heretofore noticed, that the Lynchburg commission merchants have scarcely been able to forward all the cotton — that great rival of gold — which has been consigned to their care. We copy a second article from the Republican on the same subject, confident that it will be pleasant reading to all who think seriously as to whence the South is to draw even money enough to pay her taxes:"This important product of the South has been coming in by the Virginia and Tennessee railroad in such quantities that it has blocked up all the lines of transportation heretofore open to it. The Orange and Alexandria railroad has been its main dependence, and such has been the demand upon this road that it was found impossible to carry the cotton forward as rapidly as it came in. Shippers will be pleased to learn that arrangements have been made by which the Southside railroad can accommodate their shipments of cotton, thus opening another avenue to the Northern market. By this route cotton is taken from Lynchburg to City Point, and there shipped on board of vessels for Northern ports. Two boats, the Ella Scott and the Pocahontas, went down to Robinson's mills yesterday with loads of cotton for the Southside road. The bridges below the city are being rapidly pushed forward, and we are glad to learn that it will not be long before this important line will be free from obstruction between Lynchburg and Petersburg, and prepared to accommodate any amount of freight or travel."
