Mr. HENDERSON. Mr. President, perhaps it would be improper in me to advocate anyincrease of duties whatever on the bill now pending, for the reason that I think the duties are high enough generally; but if there is to be an increase at all, I cannot see why there should not be an increase on this article. The chair manof the ComFinance labors under some mistake in reference to the gradual rise in the price of hemp. Hemp in March, 1865, if I remember aright, could have been purchased in the western markets at from 145 to 155 dollars per ton. Pressed hemp is now worth from 300 to 310 dollars, and the tow of hemp is worth perhaps as much in the market at StLouis or Cincinnati today as the finest article of hemp undressed in March, 1865; but if the Senator intends by his remarks to leave the imPression that this increase of price is in consequence of themanufacture of the article in this country he is sadlymistaken. The manufacture of hemp in this country has not increased much, if at all, since1865, in the sense used by the Senator. The price has been controlled by the demand. During the war hemp ruled very low. In this respect it differed from unost raw materials. During the same time the manufactures of hempruled, and for the same cause. While the demand for cotton and woolen fabrics was othe demand for the hemp product was ight. The very fact that gave us cheap cotton tended to advance the price of hemp. At the close of the war there was a large quantity of cotton in the southern States that had to be baled, and all efforts to procure a substitute for baling cotton having proved unavailing, when the rebellion closed the article of hemp had a demand. It was needed for the bagging and rope necessary to bale the cotton of the southern States. I am satisfied that this tem rary demand which has put up the price of emp will very soon materially off. [. do not look to a very large cotton crop in the southern States this year under the system it now seems likely we shall adopt. My imPression is that there will be a very small growth of cotton, and I think the facts will demonstrate it whenthe autumn of the Present year shall have arrived. I believe the House bill proposes a duty of 45 dollars a ton on . nila hemp.