University of South Carolina Libraries
s? .tineI, she Is not i.*r oil*. Tliis " kind genh yes was accorded?she left the room witlt n light and buoyant step, exclaiming; ' Now and then some unaccustomed spirit lifts ine above the ground with cheerful thought.* "Yes, I presume their does," exclaims Nannlo, contlng from behind the d >or, wearing one of her merriest smiles," Well, Janez, you seem a saint when most you play the devil. Why I never beheld so disponding a countenance, you were the personification of 4 Patience on amonuinvnt,"' [To be Continued.] GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. Columbia, Nov. 23, 1852. Uentlemen of the Senate and House of Representatives: Another year has rolled round, and brought the day when, as Representatives of the people, you have assembled together to deliberate upon the affairs of the Commonwealth. And before I proceed tc treat of the subjects which, for the good of our State, 1 may deem proper to bring to your attention, permit me earnestly U roquest that you will join me in rendering heartfelt thanks and praise to Almighty God, lor the many and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us as a people during tin past year. Although some portion ofoui State has trembled beneath the seourge ?1 the "Pestilence which walkcth in darkness and wastotk by noonday,*' yet \vt have cause for thuuktulness that we have been permitted to enjoy, in other portions more than a usual degree of health; and although we havo been called upon tc mourn the devastation and ruin whicli marked the tracks of the late disastrous and unprecedented Hood, yet wherever its desolating effects were not felt, a rich and abundant harvest will reward the labor o the husbandman. Terrible has been the blow to the prosperity of our State by the destruction o! crops and bridsres on our . O " " " "V^', VVMIOW) and as deeply :is we sympathize with those of our lullow-citizens who have suffered, yet wo are bound to bow submissively to the afflieting roil of our Heavenly Father, and render to Him the homage of grateful hearts for whatever mercies lie has seen fit, in His wisdom and goodness, to vouchsafe to us, His dependant creatures. It gives mo pleasure to inform you that the same flourishing condition of our different institutions of learning, noticed in my last Annual Message, still continues. The South Carolina College, under the judicious and energetic management ol its able President, is still progressing in it* onward course of useful now^To the already uble and efficieiiC^TgJJjf^Professors, has been added diflj^^HWffl&*?Ni<i the services of l.)r. ltoyB^MWflRwWigli character, devoted pict)^Ml)KVIH({VCMdition, amply qualify aJii" ~1i lie "to of tne wisdomTWtWphliitiWflib^f titio State; in catabliahing^o^tKghGMNt*^ plen of elemosynary education. The students at the Citadel were suspended during a part ol the past summer and fall, in consequence of the prevalence of yellow fever; but in future, steps will be taken to prevent the disbanding of the Corps, by encamping in some healthly region, in case this epidemic should again visit the city. The addition to the Arsenal, ordered by the last Legislature, is completed, and. with the torinor building, will be of sufficient capacity to accommodate all the Fourth Class, (say from ninety to one hundred.) The last Legislature authorized the Trustees of the South Carolina College to build a Chapel provided they did not call upon it for more than $10,00u. This building, so much needed, has been contracted for by the Trustees at $22,000, and will bo of sufficient size to accommodate 1600 persons. The Trustees have paid $4,000, (the first instalment,) out of the Tutition Fund, and have contracted to pay $10,000 after the adjournment of the Legislature, and the balance when the building is completed. You will pereciro from this statement that the Legislature will be only called upon for the sum which it authorised the Trustees to use. As no appropriation was made for this purpose and as the Trustees acting under the authority given them by the Legislature, have contracted for the payment of that sum after your adjournment, I recommend that at the present Session you make an appropriation to meet this call. Before I leave tho subject of these your cherished Institutions of learning, the one which has given to your history some of its brightest namos, and the other, which, although but in its infancy, begins to show its practical utility, by giving to tbu State the services of well educated gentlemen, who, but for its munificence, inigbt have grovelled for ever in obscurity?permit mo earnestly to invoke for them a continuance of your care and liberality. I have endeavoied, during the past summer, to inform myself thorough!'.' un on tUo subject of our Free School System, bottom the want of interest generally inrimfcsted, I have been able to collect but little information. There seems to l>c a general belief that it works badly, except in large cities. Conducted as they are in the country, I do not hesitate to pronounce it an almost useless expenditure of the public fund; yet I am far from being willing to recommend a discontinuance of tho appropriation. Tlio object of extending the blessings of education to the poor is iW too just and noble a one to be abandoned. In some of the older States, more densely populated than our own, beneficial results nave been seen from it I am sure the system could be so altered and improved as to work well with us. Hut to do this, it would require a thorough knowledge of ?^fr the subject; owl it appears to me that the only way in which you could obtain that knowledge, would he to authorize the Governor to appoint a suitable and oon>* * * patent person to travel over the State for a year, and notice the manner of its oper stions, point out its defects, and suggest improvement*. To do this, it mnst be | made of some ono to col loft this ufl liiui for it, amU Ife (K. J j 1 v u.'<A H. Ji. Vu?piire ft ettict performance of it at hi* I i hands. 1 feci certain of the propriety of this recommendation, inasmuch as I am sustaiucd in it by high authorif. One of my predecessors called upon all the Commissioners of Free Schools to make reports of the condition of them in their respective Districts, and to suggest such alterations and improvements as they deemed necessary. These reports were placed in the hands of Dr. Thorn well and Hi shop Elliott, who, after a careful examination of thcin, recommended the plan which 1 have done. The Dank of the State, according to a Deport made to ine bv its President, is in ' a highly prosperous condition. The capital is ^100,000 more than last year. The capital in use may l>e set down at $13,450,000 Deduct Fire Loan Bonds 298,500 3,152,500 ! The profits are 309,405 Deduct Interest on Fire , Loan Bonds 29,080 I Leaves 279,725 p which is about 9 per cent on its capital. | Tho Charter of this Bank expires in r 1850. The short time it has to run ren! dors it proper that you should consider . the question of its re-charter at this Ses, sion. I think there are many reasons . why it should he re-chartered. This In[ stitution iias proved itself to he highly useful, and safe as a fiscal agent of the , State, and has aided materially in sustaining our people during tho severe monetary crisis through which wo have passed. [ As all human institutions are imperfect, ( no doubt hut some instances of misman( ageinent have occurred in the conduct of } its affairs. 1 believe the only mismnnagc. meats that has been complained of is an I over indulgence of some of its-debtors.? j. I have not been able to learn, however, that the Bank has sustained any hisses from this cause. In some instances a Ions; I indulgence has secured the final payment of the debt, and at the same tunc cna' bled the creditor to secure a competence to his family, when the sudden calling in of the debts would have resulted in heavy i losses to the Bank, and brought ruin and ?.?viw>?w fUVM VII to 10 ??111 III Utiin" v , tiblo. Such expansions cause all kinds of 11 | property to assuiuc a fictitious value, and 1 the whole country run riot in the wildest 0 speculations. Scenes of great distress al- I ways follow such periods as these, and is >' generally hastened and rendered still more 0 terriblo by the sudden calling in of the 1 debts, and the contraction of the curren- * ey. In fact the value of the property is H almost entirely at the inercy of those who control the currency of tho country. An expansion always runs it far beyond its 1 value, and a contraction far below. Even the price of our great staple can be efi'.-cted by the Banks refusing to lend money freely, and thus seriously injure tho plan- t ter. a There should be some chock upon this immense, this fearful power. t I know that great Mars are entertained * km to the political power which a strong 1 t Bank of the Bute would wield?but thme 1 AW rather imaginary than real, if you will reflect that it will be entirely under * the control of the Lcgmlatnrt'.-im officers ? j , *Ni>e Mr. McDufli?>,? Idtto^flttjh^prc, a B? nk Com lot inn, f. p W w bankruptcy upon the debtor. i It is much more creditable to the man- > ngement of this Institution that it should 1 have erred in this particular than that it ' should have proved a relentless creditor, < by forcing tunes of proj?erty at a ruinous ! sacrifice. If any real abuses do exist, they ' ought most certainly to be reformed. The ] existence of them in a system is no proof ' | that they are incident to it, or that the sysj. tern itself is a had one. The Charters of many of the private 1 Hanks are about to expire; and in all probability application will l>o "jade to you for a reucwal of them. Wlniie\?e^.may be thought of the policy of the Hiking systfcm, were the question of its inChWuctioo amongst us for the first time made, 1 oitfc thing is certain, it has so completely them all, yet some check ought to be placed upon them. I know of no other better tiian a strong Hank of the State. . Another argument in favor of its recharter, is the amount of taxes it saves to ! our citizens. During the past year, as I have already stated, its profits have a! mounted to $279,725, which, of course, has relieved our people of that amount of taxation. Hut above all other reasons why you should renew its Charter, the fact 1 that the honor of the State is pledged to it should have greater influence with you ' than anything else. When the Fire Ix>an 1 Bonds were negotiated in England by ExGovernor McDuftte, the profits of the ! Hank were pledged as a security for the , |/?j iiicuu aiius hwoiiiu appear ttiat a refusal to re-charter this Bank, at least 1 until these bonds are liquidated, would involve a violation of the pledges, affect the credit, and tarnish the honorof the State, which every Carolinian should regard as , sacred as his own. Without making a positive recoinmen, dntion on this subject, I suggest to you the propriety of considering at this timo whether it would not be wise, under existing circumstances, to increase the capital of the Bank of the State. The great increase of all kinds of business, caused by our Railroads, calls for additional Banking J Capital. Some of the large manufuctur- ' ing establishments which have receutly 1 sprung up amongst us, have been greatly ' embarrassed during the past summer for 1 the want of Bank accommodation. In 1 fact, the complaint is very general on this 1 subject. No doubt this state of things 1 ! will produce applications for charters for | more Banks. Now, as the Banking sys- ' tern has proved so highly profitable, would I ! it not l?c wise to appropriate a large por- 1 i tion of it to the State, ar.d thus in a niea- 1 sure fre?- .uir^pcoplu from taxation. But a still stronger reason for an in- ' crease, is to give it the power of acting as I a check up0n the private Banks. They 1 are certainly much to be dreaded, if left ' entirely uncontrolled. When the condi- 8 tion of the country is prosperous, the } temptation to expand their currency, and c llilltt llwnr nynfife ol.n/xul .-I- t J. ? V ? - * try elected annually, hikI of course could jy removed if louud excitingly any in-1 luence at variance with tlio true interests A the people. All the argument, ?Inch 50 to establish our fears that a corrupting influence might he exercised upon the [K)litics of the country, would equally apply to private Banks. If there is any real danger of such influences from moneyed monopolies, it is fur better that they diould be under the control the- State, fue Bank of the State is directly responsible to the Legislature, while the private Bunks aro perfectly independent of it, From the time they receive their charter*, until they expire. If VOU. in vour ivisilnm tliniiM .loon. 5? j - j j ?- ?f?w?av>u|oilv\uu UWUI II# I inexpedient to increase the capital of the I Hank of the State, so as to givo it the i controlling influence, prudence requires that 3*ou should grant no charter to any private Hank with a capital of sufficient size to give such influence to it. No Hank should be chartered with a capital beyond a million of dollars. The Lunatic Asylum, that charitable Institution so creditable to tho hum nity of the State, demands your special care and attention. Justice requires that I should agnin report to you not only the admirable order of its arrangement but the devoted attenlon of its officers to the delicate and laborious duties they are called upon to preform. 1 hiring tho past year forty-four (44) new patients have been received, thirty of whom are pay patients, and tw.-nty-eight of those heretofore under treatment have been dituissed, either entirely cured or j greatly benefitted. The buildings arc now not only full but crowded. Iwas particularly struck with the want of room in the enclosed grounds. They are altogether too much confined either for the comfort of the patients, or the degree of exercise which might conduce to their final cure. The improvements of tho ago have shown that the original buildings was improperly constructed, but tho additions which are hereafter made can be done in accordance with those improvements which will greatly remedy the defect. If the Legislature will grant.'a further appropriation, it is proposed to enclose with a wall four acres of the lands belonging to the Asylum on tho east side of it, and erect suitable buildings to accomodate the feinalo patients. For this purpose Lbe Regents, Physicians and Super intenJent ask an appropriation of thirty thousand dollars. This .will enable them better to provido for the reception of pay patients, which will greatly relievo the State of the burthen of the Institution perhaps to a stilKcient extent even to reetnburse it for the amount of the appropriation, as for the want of such ^accomodations, many who arc able and willing to 5 pay highest, are carried to other Institn- ' lions All must feel it to be the duty of a State to provide fov that hntbrtunato class of our fellow-creatures who-have been deprivedreason. feel . duty with tb<> : intensity e<l upon by every consideration of humanity and Christianity, to place within their rench all the means that science has discovered for their cure, and to make your Institution not merely a prison house, but really an Asylum.?Those who have watched this Institution with a paternal care, and have no interest apart from its good, who have care ully considered its want*, ask tins appropriation at your hands. I trust you will not refuse it. % A memorial from the directors of tlie South Carolina Institute is herewith transmitted, to which I invite your attention. This Institute, established for the encouragement of all the industrial pursuits of the country, was|incorj>orated by act of the Legislature in 1860, One fair was held previous to its incorporation, and two since that time, which have given a most gratifying evidence of its success in promoting the great object for which it was established.?When we reflect how far behind our State has been in the great race of the improvement of the mechanic arts, this exhibition of mechanical skill and ingonuity which the fairs of this Institute have developed, must bo a source of pride and satisfaction to every one who has the real interest of his country at heart. They have clearly shown that there was no want of talent or energy on the part of our mechanics, but that it only required some stimulant of this kind to spring it into life Theso exhibitions arc common Lo all those States which have been most remarkable for their improvements In the mechanic arts, and have received the particular patronago of their Legislatures. ( This Institution has been established >y the private enterprise of its founders, o effect a great public good; and while it eflects credit upon their public spirit, ' VAtlf rvutwinoMA 1 v- ^Iivivnuur. UIUVC IV ?>Uft . on inlet!, the articles ottered for exhibition lave been io numerous that no hali can 1 *} found of sufficient capacity to contain hem. The necessity of building another ' las induced them to call upon you for lid to construct it. By giving this aid, 1 'ou adopt the most enlightened plan of ' neouraging all the industrial pursuits of . he country ; but more particularly the nechanic arts, which have heretofore been 1 00 much neglected. Encourago your 4 >wn mechanics, by bringing the results of I heir talent and enterprise into notice, and 1 will be seen that our State will rival any 1 ther in useful improvements. Neglect ' hem, and you will find that they will seek 1 ome more favored region, where their ' kill will bo appreciated and rewarded. ' The Attorney General, at my request, lis drawn up a report on the subject of I 'risons and Prison Discipline, to which lehas added a report on the Criminal * w. As it contains much valuable in- ' armation, and many important snggesions, I herewith tmnsmit, and invite your .Uention to it i Without pretending to enter fully upon i hcsubjuct, I will state a few reasons to t how there ought to be a change in the I nanagemcnt of priaona, and auto in the I nanner of executions. i There is no preparation made for the i operation of the different classes of pris. j tiers, The youth who for the first time H ias been convicted of some small offenee, i nd upon whom the punishment of im- i irisonincnt might have so salutary an i T.1-. _ . 1 111 effect it* to bring about his reformatio led aluuo to the workings of his own < science, is confined with the Laidi felon, and, of course, subjected to his nicious influence. The debtor, wh< perhaps more unfortunate than crimi is herded with the felon and numb Good sense, as well as justice and g taste, revolt at this stato of things. A change ought to be made in manner of Execulions. They are derm izing testhe community, and fail to proc effect npo* it they were intended. to' duce. A morbid curiosity collects tl sands together to witness them, and w the criminal is brought forth for execul the natural synipaties of the crowd con him into a hero or martyr.?Thus, m moro of pity than terror is inspired by exhibition. Or where, by frequent re rence, they become familiar, from ? strange perversity of human natur vulgar taste is inspired for them, whi< revolting to witness. It is a familiar that during the Keign ofTcrror in Frn when the streets of Paris wore flo\ with the blood of innoceut victims, populace actually cliamored for 11 executions, when each individual was sure hut that his head would be the ] to be brought to the guillotine. If i intended to strike terror to the heart o multitude, by witnissing executions, rnrt' J.si.!,. fit tsiiv.il j V.'I n ivrin uvivnw ltll? Much more terror would be inspired the knowledge, that at the tolling of a or some other signal, a human Ik within the narrow compass bf his cell, launced into eternity, unsutaned in last dark moments by the sympathie a surrounding multitude. If the punishment of whipping is t continued, that, too, were tatter don< private; 1 doubt exceedingly, liowr the proprety of this mode of punishr under any circumstances. Reforms of the cujprit (one of the important < of punishment) is seldom or ever eflfo by it If one spark of good, upon wl a hope of reformation can be built, is in his heart, it is entirely extinguished the degradation of a public whipping, he is already hardened in crime, and to all sense of shame, n* other cflfc produced upon him beyond the phyi pain inflicted by the lash. I think the general feeling of our people is < dodly opposed to this mode of punishm so much so, that it is exceedingly dill for the Executive to resist the car appeals and powerful influences broi to bear upon him cither to reruit or cht it. Ht^?will trespass on your tini subject further. I me id^^^Bkyour to it. Uph<-r with the revisal of ki k'odc, requires a n to give it during a s sessioBiM^Ke Legislature. 1 then. ' J01' appoint, or auth< tUjflnjLu appoint, a Cominisi BL" Attorney General yfl .-r'px: .. Kit cootpc ^^^^ tltcttdjole^b^ct of i Writ of "Habeas Corpus^ which wai 'used by him. These proceeding* wen ktituted by the Britbn Consul, it is s inder instructions from his Governnv jo test the constitutionally of UieAct. I think it here proper to state, that -eira was at perfect liberty to depar my moment Uiat he could get a vease .runsport him beyood the limits of 3tate. In truth, in consideration of lad that his coming into the State ' voluntary, the Sheriff of Charles with his characteristic kindness, pro* *1 for him a plaoc in n ship about to hr Liverpool. Karly in April Pareira' ictualty rehiaaed and on his way to ihip, having himself aignod the dripe irticle*, when, by interposition of the E dinS^ci as" bo expedient ortwRwrry. In this r tier, nil the facts and statistics necoa to form a correct judgement on the ject, will bo brought before you by t who are moat familiar with them. Bya Joint resolution of the Inst Got Ah scmbly, 1 was requested to coma cate with the Governor of Gcorgin on subject of the "obstructions to contni and intercourse between the two 8t and to tako such other steps as would to a fiiil exposition and understandin the rights of all parties concerned an a frank and friendly settlement of whole matter" On the Oth of May 1 dressed a letter to His Excellency < ernor Cobb, in accordance with tho s of the said joint resolution, and reou? the Attorney Gsneral to look legal ri of the parties concerned. I have rece as yet no direct roply from Gove Cobb. My letter to him. together ' the correspondence between the Atto General and the Executive Secretary Georgia?the statement of the Atto" General, and the result of his legal it tigations of the case embodied in the 1 v/i (i ?xu oil iicicniui ITUU ted. I tliink it however, proper to atite, the question of the boundaries betv the two States has lost much of its terest at present, since an arrangement been made l?v tlw President of the S< Carolina Railroad Company with the authorities of Augusta, by which a passage across the Savannah Hive secured to the Company. 1 foci it my duty to call your atten to certain proceedings which have gr< out of the enforcement of that law of State, which requires the Sheriff of CI leston to seize and imprison colored I man who are brought to that port. } win remember thut the British Consul Jressed a communication to the Legi Lure in December 1850 on the subjec s modification of this law. A Commi was appointed by the ilouso and Ser to report upon it at the next session of Legislature. These Committee repoi id verse to any modification. On the 2 >f March, 1852, Manuel Percira was ;>risoned in accordance with tiro law uded to. The vessel in which he sa was driven into the port of Charlestoi listress. This was looked upon as a rumble case upon which to make an i? is so strong an element of aymptby 1 onnected with it Accordingly, a l ion was made before Judge Withers n, if irii Consul lie was again consigned to the 11 X)!i? custody of the Shoriu. A lew days alter t incd this the British Consul insisted no longer v per- on his detention, but voluntarily paid hie I > is passage te New York. This statement t nal, of Mr. Yates, together with the letter of a ?rer. the British Consul, are herewith ''ana- f txsl mitted. ( While these proceedings were pending ii the the Sheriff of Charleston had my instruc- g >ral- 'ions not to give up the prisoner, even if a r luce wri' ?f Habeas Corpus had been granted, a I considered that the "Act of 1844" enti- C t,ou_ tied "An Act more effectually to prevent r jien negroes and other persons of color from I entering into the State, and for oilier pur- ? Ter^ poses," made it my duty to do so. * luch On t e 19th of May, Keuben Roberts, I the * c?i?re<l seaman, a native of Nassau, nr- t cur- r've<i 'u the steamer Clyde, from Barnco i. r ome 8^?"^ ?f Charleston, in conlbimity J p a with the laws of the State, which has been c h is in ^orce 9'nce 1828 ; arrested and lodged f fact, in district ja>'? where lie was de- I ,nce, biined until the 26th of May, when the c k.jn ' Clyde being ready to sail Kobcrts was x tjie put on board, and sailed the sanio day. I nore ^Ie ^uno Writ in Trespass, % not ^or ^ssau't nntl False Imprisonment, from > next Court, was served upon Slier- f jt js iff Yates, laying tlio damage at #4000. ( Ctjic The Act of 1844, 1 take it, was intcn- 1 tj)0 ded to prevent all interference on the part c cml of any power on the face of the earth with S I ' the execution of this police regulation, i bell wh'ch 19 80 essential to the peace and safe- ? siiur ol,r community. Had the Legisla- 1 was tore which passed it ever dreamed that J the Sheriff was to be subjected to the an- I s of "oyance of being dragged beforo the Fed- I eral Court for doing his duty under a law . of the State I ain sure it would have pro? . vided for his protection. As no such pro 5 ,n vision has been made for so unexpected a 3Ver' contingency, I recommend that you so amend this Act of 18 44, that it may meet ?n any case that may arise. e * It is certainly wrong to tolerate this *7 I interference with the laws enacted for the 1)10,1 protection of our institution. In the gen0 oral distribution of jrowcr between the y Federal and State Governments, the right to make their own police regulations wns .l clearly reserved to the States. In fact, it ^ '* is nothinur more nor less thnn ?!.? ~c s,cnl self-preservation-?ft right which is above I f . all Constitutions, and above all laws, and t " one which never was, nor never will be, !cn|i abandoned by a people w ho aro worthy I to bo free. It is a right which has never I nest j.ct attempted to' be denied to any I ,?',t people, except to us. 1 inge 'pj10 complgint against this law is very t strange, and the attempt to bring us in ( o by conflict with tho General Government 011 1 rely account of it, is still more remarkable, 1 This when, so far from its being at variance ' our with laws of tho U. S. it is only requiring I nore the State authorities to enforce an art of 1 juld Congress approved February 28th, 1803, 1 hoi t entitled flfflfct to prevent the importation I store of ccrtaHNfllpns into certain States, where > srise by the talfUicreof their importation is j 1 uon, prohibited;-4?TSee 2d Story's Laws I". S., 1 and page 886.) Jiy refen ing to tliia Act, you itent will see P'*'1}1'" 'n. ^,c ,un'on ' SfifiujpL 1 >?? ? *ba irHy r?jpntf(wit. if any doubt should bo enter- ' nan- tained by you, as to its constitutionality, t sary I beg leave to refer to the able opinion of sub- the Hon. J. McPhorsou Berrien, deliver- 1 hose ed at the time he was Attorney General < of tho United States, which I herew ith I leral sond you. ' luni- On the subject of the modification of < , the this law, I am free to say, that when Her ? icrco I*. Majesty's Government, through its I atcs, Consul, made u re?]>cctful request lo our I lead Legislature to that effect, 1 wan anxious f g to that it should bo made. It was with i id of pleasure that I transmitted liin first coin the rnunication to the last Legislature. I ] [ ad- would hare made a recommendation of its I Jar- modification a special point in my first 1 pint Message, but that I thought it indelicate I *tod to do so, aa the matter was already before i ghta tho Legislature, and committees had bee 1 ] Trod appointed to report upon it. Another i mor reason for the neglect of this recoinmenda- < with lion wm the then excited state of party < mey politics, which might hare precluded the \ f of possibility of a cahi consideration of the i mey subject. But for the proceedings institu- i ivos- ted in tho premises, I would even now re- ] form commend a modification of the law so as < smit to require Captains of vessels to confine their colored seamen to their vessels, and < that Preve,,t their landing under heavy pen- < rcen ^ties, for while I think the 8tate has a < jn. perfect right to pass whatever laws on this I has BU^jcct't >nay docin necessary for its safo- J >u'Ji )'el l',e "P* 1 t'10 "go requires, that < ej,v while they sliould be so formed as to be | free adequate to our protection, they shouhl be i r ^ at tlio same time as little offensive as possible to other nations, with whom we have < fritn lly relation s < But since an attempt has been made to i ">wn defy our laws, and bring us in conflict i our with tho Federal Gorcrninent, on a sub- > ,'*r~ ject upon which wo are so justly sensitive, I ^ our own self respect demands tho we should > uu? auaujonejol or uuie ol that law, which I < I " wu enacted to protect ua from the influ- I * *1 ence of ignorant incendiaries. 1 It give* mo pleasure to inform you that lteo the Railroads of our State are rapidly t lR progressing. The Columbia and Char- t ' lotte Railroad, and the King's Mountain * Road, are completed. Although heavy < . damages were auatained by the Greenville I Railroad from the late freshet, they will ' ..*~T soon bo repaired, and under the energetic > . management of its President and I>irec- i II Jn terr, will ere long be completed. The ) R* Manchester Road is also progressing rap- c idly. Already do we see the potent ef- ? WM foots of these Itoads in developing the re- c sources of the State, and sonnging into j life the energies of the people. The proe- f T*" perity which follows in their track i* no a 5longer problematical. Living witnesses of ? ' it are ail around ua. Yet thw grand ays- ? en^ tern, which is to bring wealth and proe- ti perity to us, and energise into notion re- * Pe- sources which were heretofbre dormant, o t at ha* just begun. If we would realise their 1 to full ofleota, they must be extended, until Q the the rioli oommcrce of the miohtv v*1Uva e the of the Watt it poured into cWfeaton.? tl *m This can easily be effected, by pursuing a a don liberal and enlightened policy towards xir- them?a policy worthy of the age in ? sail which we lire. The golden opportunity a waa to command this traoe is within oer reach, b the Charters have been granted by the sere- a ing ral States through whioh it will pass for a rit- the Bine Ridge Road, which is to cross e . . *' ' ?. . . ' ho Rabun (iap, and extend through (3fi(< r on and Franklin to Calhoun, where it till intersect the Kuoxville olid Dal ton load. Through Knoxviltc a communicaion will be opened with Cincinnati!, (as t Charter has been granted by Tennessee or a Road to the Keutucky line, and a Company is formed in Kentucky to carry t on to Cincinnati.) A road is now in process to connect Calhoun with Chatta* looga. From Chattancoga to Memphis, t road has already been built, and the Chattanooga road connects it with Nashille. A road is also about to be made ?twecn Nashville and Cairo. Thus you rill perceive, that if the Blue Ridge road i built, commencing at Anderson Court louse and extending to Calhoun, Charleaon will be connected by a system of onds, not only with Cincinnatti, but with demphis and Cairo, two important points >n the Mississppi river and at a distance rom each other equal to the entire treadth of Tennessee, and nearly one third if Kentucky. All the immenso trade vhich the Mississippi and its tiibutnrics >ring to tins important point, together villi that of the fertile regions through vliioll flii>sn runila nn.t tln.ii- nnnuxmi coders pass, must find its outlet through Charleston. At a single glance you must wrceivo the magnificent prospect it pressnts. It would be a suicidal policy in our ?tnto not to secure this gigantic commerce, low tliat it is within its reach. Hut to iccurc it, the Legislature must subscribe iberally. So great are the advantages it resents, so great the prosperity it will jring, the State' could well afford alone to mild this only link which is now wanting n this mighty chain. Hut there is no sail for this.?Charleston, I am informed, will subscribe half a million, and eVen norc, if necessary. Enough has already >een subscribed 111 North Carolina to sc:uro the Charter of that State, ami Tcnlessec, by her general system of liberality o her roads, gives $8000 per mile. As leeply interested as all these States nro in his grand scheme, none arc as deeply so is South Carolina. 1 therefore reoomnend that you subscribe a million dollars 0 this road, or even more, if it be ncccslary to complete it. Even if the stock lever paid a dollar of interest, it would be a judicious expenditure on the part of he Legislature. Hut from the fact thai it must inevitably be the great thoroughfare over which he commerce of five or six of the largest States of this Union will pass together ivitli the immense amount of travel, which 'rum its position it will command, there :annot be a doubt that the stock will pay 1 henvey interest and thus make the investment a profitable one for t e State. \nd if we add to this consideration the r?..? >i..i :? _.:ii ?; -i - ? mvv nine 11 ?iii greatly increase 1IIC UIIS1icss, and consctptentiv tho profit* ot the wads already built, in which tho Statu uis a large amount <>f - t<4k, you will see i further inducement for fostering tho euerpriso. I trust no sectional feeling will be wrought to bear on this question. It is a State matter. It is true that the interest jf Charleston will be more promoted than my other section of our State, but tLo areallb whjch will be pourod into bcr lap, will bo radiated throughout Its entire extent There is also, I * believe, a projeet on foot to extend the Charlotte lload so as to xrmmnnd a portion of his trade. These two projects cannvt interfere with each Jtlier, and they ought not to be eons'dersd antagonistic, but ratber assisting each >lher iu carrying out a grand plan of improvement. When application is made for assistance to extend this road, the tame lilterality ought to be extended to t. The State ? n iot expend too mi c'i money in tbe construction of llailroad?, providing they are judiciously l< tented, tnd economically built ; for every dollar aril! bo returned four-told to its citizens >y the advantages tliey atlbrd. Nor will t be necessary to tax tbe people for this suritose. Itorrow the moncv ntul the \*cU themselves will noon uny the inlerrst, ami gradually liquidate the debt, liy ? joint resolution of the last General Asuinbly, a Commissioner waa appointed to nquire into the feasibility of decjieniiig, shortening, or in any other manner improving, the Channel of the Bar mii?1 nth ?r approaches of the Charleston Harbor When the Commission held its first neoting, we found that the Chamber of Commerce already bud the matter under lonsidorntion. 1 feel it due to that enightenod and public spirited association mblidy to acknowledge the kindness nnd rourtcay extended to the Commission, in >lacing at our disposal the information ivhich it had already collected. The Chamber of Commerce bad mem>rialized the Congress of the United States, sailing its attention to this work as one of rational utility nnd importance, nnd asking in appropriation for the purpose of carryng it out. The Congress of the United States appropriated $50,000. The Coinniaaion took no part in this memorial, but unptoyed a portion of the fund allowed ?.? u?.i> .\.-f *l- - * y .on uwiu ui "jcimj mo eijmjiwe ot a >rehminary survey. The result of this survey has afforded he most gratifying assurance of the praoicability of opening tho liar. I must alio acknowledge the courtesy and kindness 4 the officers of the coast surrey, who >laoed at our disposal the maps of the larbor, and c-oopt rated with the Commisiou in carrying on the Survey. The vast mportance of the work to the future proslerity of Charleston, renders it an object >f peculiar interest to tlie State, ft is carccly possible to estimate the amount :f expenditure its vast importance would ustify. There is, however, no need at resent for the Slate to make any further ippropriation for this purpose, as the Fedral Government has taken it in hand. It rill perhaps, however, be well to continue he present Commission until the work is dually commenced by the Government r the United States, The report of Prof. Riche, the report f the Oommimkm, together with an acount of the expenditure of a portion of be fund appropriated by the Legislature i herewith transmitted. In pursuance of an act of the last Legdature, the State Convention met at the ppointed time. The proceedings of that iody, together with the expenseajMnrved, re herewith transmitted to you ftfiptordnee with its requat. Perhaps tMNi new r waa a body assembled under eircuov strtneew of so nuuli ci??l>:irriiM>ikaiit, inut winch cailod tui an exercise of such pi u' donee, sagacity, and devoted patriotism on the part of its members. The same causes of complaint against the Federal Government which called it into life, still existed in full force. No ovidence had been given that its onward pre gress towards a consolidated despotism was stayed, or that any barrier had been erected against that tide of fanaticism, which, with fearful rapidity was rolling on, threatening the overthrow of the institulions of the South. No security was afforded us that we should not forever remain in a state of vassalage to the Federal Government, paying far beyond our just proportion of its expenses, and reciving far less than our share of its expenditure. Nor do I believe that any change had taken place in the feelings and own ions of the people of our State. An almost universal feeling of indignation at our wrongs arid a burning desire to redress them prevailed. But discord nnd party strife, which have blasted the success of many a glorious cause, had raised its head among us nnd paralyzed our strength. Ono party believed that the time had como when every consideration of policy and duty required thnt the State should act, even though it should standalone. Another party liclicved thnt the separate action of the State would I o ruinous, an<l that tho co-operation of the other Southern States whose interests and destiny were the sHine as ours, could and would" bo obtained. No doubt but thnt both parties wcro honest in their convictions, that tho policy recommended by each would redound to tho welfare of our State. Tho discussion of these conflicting opinions produced tho bitterest party feelings. Amid the convulsive throes of this fierce strife, tho question of our wrongs was almost forgotten. Thus did our Stato present tho mournful spectacle of a pcoplo whose common wrongs nnd common dur.gors should have united in the closest bonds, completely prostrated and paralyzed, not by the force and power of the enemy, but by their own internal strifes. It was too plainly seen that any action tinder existing circumstances, could end in nothing but self destruction. Many a bold and gallant heart that had never quailed before the power of the Federal (iovemincnt, grew faint at tho i- ---? ?-? illlU KIKHUK iruui IIIV lllUUglU OI civil strife. Tito people had, by a large majority, passc<l their verdict against separate accession, in the election which had boon recently held for members to a Southern Congress. L' nder these circumstances tlio Convention met The only course which wisdom and patriotism con Id suggest, was pursued, namely, to heal the wounds which iiad lately been indicted and rc-nnitc the State. 1 can but congratulate you on tlio happy result. The members ot that Con volition, net u a ted by a spirit worthy of the pahmest days of our Common wealth, dc' *crinine?l to bury all bitter tceling* that bad been generated by the conlcst, and act with an eye single to the good of the State, under the circumstances which then existed. Nor do I think, in effecting this 1 | great <>l t, that Any sarrilku of pvimi- | pie was inmlfldi The principles which g | iiavo ever l?eeii held dear amongst ui, \ were not only re-ntiirmod, hut set forth in j the solemn form of an O.dinnnco. Hut sincerely as I feel the gratification ' of announcing to you that the Stafc lias * l?eeii united, I mmt call upon yon to r< mcmlier that o?r safety has not yel l*v ? secured. 'Hie storm whndi. one day ? r | other is destiuued to burst upon us is sti 1 brewing. The great features of the Con promise, which induced our sister Soiii' ern States to a?*pt it, has heew opei v ! violated. In one of the Northern Stat. ? the Fugitive Slav.t I,aw has Ix-en waft'tit , and in all the others it is hut a dead l< ter. A brutal murder of a slavrhold. r has been the result of an attempt to lei claim a slave under this vaunted law.? i lie *pmt of mi*chief i* working with ! fi-nrfiil energy. Agitation still poe* on , with cc?nol?>!? activity. Kvery element whicli can he made to operate en pub ic opinion, in put in action against o?r institutions. Kven that powerful weapon, the J literature of the country, is employed to direct its polished but poisoned shafts a- v gainst them. It is true that nothing has been done by Congress, since your last session. against which we can complain. Judging however, from the elements which aro at work, and from tho history of tho past, we cannot hope that this cessation from hostilo acts nguinst our institutions will bo of long duration. Amid all our prosperity, and tho still greater prosperity which we would enjoy if left alone, he heart sickens at the contempfctfion of * ? that fierce fanaticism which is at work, and which hangs like a pall upon our future. Uowever strong may be my convictions as to the propriety of an attempt to stay the coming storm by the separate action of the State; and however deeply I [ mnv deplore the decision to which our penp'e hnva come unon this subject, Clod forbid that I should fan iuto ft flare e those I expiring embers by now recommending it to you. Our destiny, for wc?l or woo. ia , connected with the whole Bouth, Furth- 1 er aggressions (which will surely come) will convince our Ron hern States that the institution upon which not only the pros- i pent v of the South, bet Republicanism ' C itself depends, is no longer safe in the^n km. Then we msv hope that thev will W rise in the majesty of their strength and spirit, nod, in conjunction with ua, either force our rights to be respected in ttiH* 1 ITuii.n ? -V- 1 - o - I'm |>inu? ? a ooumern l Confederacy amon^t the nations oflhe earth. Jk In Uie moantmie, let us unite, heartand hand, in oarrying out those great schemes , of internal improvement, by which tho wealth and resources of our State will he ^ 0? developed, and thus give it all tho power and strength of which H is eanaWe. J JOHN II. MBA NR. 1 _ HI m m II An empty bend and a ftaTt purse, are more respected then the wen of scna?>t ? whose purse hits been lightened by the , unavoidable shafts *4 misfortune. .. If there Is sny person to whom yon I feet s dhlike, that is the person of whoto-^Hj yon ought ncvor to speak, 9 1 , - m