University of South Carolina Libraries
COLUMBIA. "Wednesday Morning, Dec. 13,1865. Thc Marketa. Thc domestic markets of thc United States present anomulies worthy of re? mark. Thc ride that gold is the standard of all values, for tho first time in thc At? lantic States fails to hold good. Gold is ?worth hut 145 in New York, while all other property is two hundred per cent higher than in the years before thc war. If gold regulated values, beef, which in 1860 was worth ten cen te a pound, should now bo worth fifteen; but it is worth twenty, and tho same is the case with almost every other kind of property. The fact is, pro? perty, that is personal property, such as thc produce of tho field, manufactories Ac, is scarcer than gold, and is, therefore, dearer. Five thousand millions of pro? perty were destroyed by the direct ravages of war, or were lost to the country hy not being produced in consequence of the pro? ducers having been diverted from the avocations of peace to those of war, and tho country is now short just thc amount of property which has been destroyed or would have been produced. Several years of pcaco, prosperity and production must intervene before this loss of property is repaired and the products of agriculture and manufactures fall to their old prices. This desirable condition must be attained the more slowly since hundreds of thou? sands of those who were once producers have been killed or disabled by the war. Almost all of the goods offered for sale in the South at this time, whether provi? dions or manufactured articles, are brought from the North, and yet we fiend that prices in Richmond, (says tho ??mes,) aro ?actually, in many cases, lower than in New Y'ork and Baltimore, and this, notwith? standing the enormous house rents that .our merchants are paying. Bacon, for ?asi?atc, can to-day be bought as cheap in Bichmond as in Baltimore. The ex? planation of this, like tho foregoing, is easy. Our people want goods of all de? scriptions exceedingly, as there is not a man or woman in the State who docs not need a new outfit of clothing, and scarce? ly a house that does not require refurnish? ing from top to bottom, while our barns and cattle folds are empty; but our people lack money equally as much. The money irrought into the State by the sale of tho tobacco on hand at the close of tho war, and spent by the United States troops since that time, has been spent for North? ern goods, and has found its way hack to the North. The South is out of cash, and those who have large stocks of goods are naturally anxious to sell, and to do so must offer their stocks at a very low figure. The goods being here, it is moro expedient to sell them, even at a slight loss, than to reship them North. This derangement of the market will of course right itself, hut possibly some persons may bo hurt in the meantime. There will be a proposition before tho Finance Committee of tho Senato, and probably before the Committee of 'Ways and Means of the House, to reduce nation? al taxation to a point that will yield no moro revonue than what is sufficient to pay the expenses of the Government, including interest on the public debt and a sinking fund for the principal. It is expeetod that the proposed reduction will bo great enough to allow of the repeal of the income tax. There aro many reasons why thia particular form of tax should bo withdrawn at the earliest possible opportunity. In ita nature, its collection is vexatious, because the means which tho assessors are obliged to use to get full and true returns are, to a large degree, inquisitorial. It is, in fact, tho most objectionable form of tax, and it is only resorted to in Great Britton, from which country we copied it, as a revenue during the continuance of war. As soon as the pressure for money is over, this tas is taken off. The news that is likely to bc dispensod with in this country will, there? fore, bc hail jd with great pleasure. Tle-re are, as wc learn, one Emigration Society in Richmond, two in Petersburg, three in Alexandria, and four in Newbern, It is said that the Swiss Consul-General is anxious to introduce into Virginia ant North Carolina a large body of hiso .i countrymen. Such would be a valuable acquisition. The present Pr. isional Gov ernor of North Carolina, we aro informed recently directed his attention to the con sideration of this subject, with a view t( the introduction of white labor into hil State._ Official information has been received that twenty-six States have ratified tin constitutional amendment, including tin States of North and South Carolina Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, Alabami and Tennessee. The States of Kentucky Delaware and New Jersey have rejectod it Legislature South Carolina. Mcneilly. December ll, 1865. SENATE. Thc Senate met at lui a. ru. Mesara. Buist, Thomson and Hemphill submitted ronort? of committees. Mr. Hemphill submitted the report of tho Solicitor of the Northern Circuit, on District officers and their offices. Mr. Lawton offered a resolution, relative to au cloction for Law Judges to fill the vacancies now existing; which elicited considerable discussion. Tho House of Representatives sent to the Senate a message asking leavo to amend the message from the Senate in re? lation to the adjournment of thi3 General Assembly on Saturday, thc 16th instant, hy striking "out "Saturday, the 16th instant," and inserting "Tuesday, thc 19th instant, at 12 m.," winch was concurred in. Mr. Buist introduced the following bills: a bill to incorporate the Palmetto Savings Bank; a bill to incorperato the Charleston Savings Bank; and also, tho memorial of Charles H. West and others, asking to be incorporated as the Charleston Savings Bank. Thc special order for 12 ra.-a bill to amend the Patrol Laws-received the second reading, was agreed to, and was ordered to be sent to thc House of Repre? sentatives. Mr. Lawton submitted thc following re? port; which was ordered to lie on the table, and to bc printed: The special joint committee of the two Houses appointed to nominate President and four Directors of tho Bank of tho State of South Carolina, ask leave te re? port the following nominations, viz: For President-C. M. Furman. For Direc? tors-W. C. Dukes, C. F. Hanckel, .1. P. De Veaux and J. J. Brabham. Mr. Bratton moved the following resolu? tion; which was considered and agreed to, and was ordered to be sent to thc IIou.su of Representatives for concurrence: Whereas, The Bank of tho stab1 of South Carolina is "at present, little moro . than an office for deposits,''and will proba I bly so continue for some time to come: Bc it Resolved, That it be referred to a joint committee, to consist of the Sena to Committee on Finance and batiks, and the House Committee of Ways and Means, to inquire and report as to the number of salaried officers, with the salary of each, now employed by the Bank of the State and its various brandies, and the nuinber of officers ami the salaries of each, actual? ly required in tho present condition of affairs; and also as to the practicability of retrenchment in the expenses of the Bank. The President announced that ho had received, through the post ellice, a com? munication from the colored people of South Carolina, in Convention assembled, in Charleston. At 1 p. m., the following message was received from his Excellency the Governor: ExKcvTivK DKPABTKENT Sou rn CAHOLIXA, COLUMBIA, December ll, 1?65. Gentlemen of the Sowie and House of Ri -pi-esc ntcUives: I communicate to you herewith the re? port of tho Board of Visitors of tho South Carolina Military Academy, with accom? panying reports by Major White and Captain Thomas. Also, a communication, addressed to mc by Captain Thomas, giving information of the condition of the property of tho Arsenal Academy. I recommend that authority bc given to the Board of Visi? tors, or some other proper persons, tn sell the loose budding material remaining on j thc lot, and such other property there as I will deteriorate bj- exposure and may not hereafter be needed. The property seized and sold by the Spocial Agent of the United States Treasury Department was not liable, in my judgment, to confiscation, and upon a representation of the facts to thc Treasu? ry Agent for this State, or to the Secretary of tho Treasury, it can hardlyJJO doubted that tho proceeds of the salo will he paid over to thc Treasurer of this State, for the ! uso of the State. I Thc buildings remaining on the Academy lot should bo rontod, and authority for j that purpose given to tho Board of Visi ! tors, or some other suitable person. I I also communicate to you certain re? commendations of tho Board of Trustees of the South Carolina College, requiring your consideration. I transmit you herewith a correspon? dence between Colonel L. D. Childs and myself, with reference to the. purchase by him of the canal near this city around the falls of Broad and Congaree Bivers. His energy, enterprise and ability to command capital furnish the best guaran? tee that this immense water power would be speedily developed; and whilst he would make it profitable to himself, its develop? ment will rebuild Columbia and expand it far beyond its former proportions. The capital and population which it will bring here, will not only rebuUd and enrich Columbia, but it will bo beneficial to the whole State, by furnishing its citizens with an improved market, and in replenishing its treasury by largely increasing its tax? able property. The canal, for many years past, has been of no use to the State or its citizens. Since the destruction of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad, last winter, some boats have been placed on the river, but they will doubtless be withdrawn when thc road is repaired. But. to guard tho citizens of the State against loss from tho recurrence of such a casualty, and to retain to them all the advantages promised in the con? struction of tho work originally, if a sale is made, it should bo made on condition that the citizens of the State shall forever enjoy the privilege of navigating the canal with boats to the crossing of Bridge street, in Columbia. The construction of a new dam, and tho widening and deepening of the canal to increase the How of water sufficiently to make it available for extensive machinery, will require a heavy outlay of capital. This, I am satisfied, can bo commanded by the gentleman seeking to make the purchase, and I recommend that two or more Commissioners be appointed to ne? gotiate the salo and convey the title, with tho reservation 1 have indicated. The Legislature, in it? wisdom, may determino that it is prudent to tlx a onnimum below which tho property 8hnll not bc sold, bat I believe it would be best not to trammel the Commissioners. Tho first object should bo to get some one to take vigorous hold of this great work, and begin to im? prove and build up the State. Tho water power which may be obtained through this canal, and which is now unimproved, is far "?rester than that at Lowed or Law? rence, and why should not its energetic development make Columbia a greater city than either? I transmit to you herewith a communi? cation from his "Excellency B. F. Ptrry, Provisional Governor, on the subject bf the war debt of this State, to which I in? vito your attention. JAMES L. ORK. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, SOUTH CAROLINA, December '.), 1H65. To Ms Excellency (for. On: MT DEAR SIR: I received, two weeks since, a telegram from the Hon. William H. Soward, Secretary of State, in relation to the repudiation of our war debt, in tho following words: "Upon reflection, South Carolina would not care to come again into the councils of the Union encumbered and clogged with debts and obligations which had been assumed in her name in a vain attempt to submit it. Tho President trusts that she will lose no timo in making an effective organic declaration, disowning all debts and obligations made or assumed in her name or behalf in aid of the rebellion. The President awaits further events in South Carolina with deep interest." In reply to this despatch, I stated that i ? it was impracticable, now, to make any ! such "organic declaration," as our State Convention had been dissolved, by my ad? vice, after having done all that tho Presi? dent had requested te bc done, and that I was opposed to keeping :> revolutionary body, like that of tho Convention, in exist? ence longer than absolute necossity re? quired. I further stated, that our war debt was a very small one and could not be sepa- ! rated from tho ordinary current expenees I of the State-that South Carolina had been refunded, by the Confederate States, a ? large portion of her expenditures on ac- I I count of tba war -and that no one in the I I State hud any right to complain of being I I taxed to pay this debt, as they were all | i guilty in incurring it. I stated, moreover, j ' that tht; estates of widows and orphans had been invested in this debt, as the i safest investment which could be made for j them, and t Lat- it would now bc gross inj us ! tice to this innocent and helpless class to j disown tho debt. Yesterday I hail the honor of receiving ! the following communication from Mr. Seward, through the mails : DEPARTMENT OF STATE, WASHINGTON, November:}!), 1863. i To His Excellency Ti, V. Perry, Provisional I Governor of lite State rf South Carolina, j ColumJda. SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge ? thc receipt of your telegram, of the 27th I instant, informing me that thc Convention ; hail been dissolved, lt was impossible to ! adopt the President's suggestion to repu? diate tho insurgent debt, and to inform you, that while the objections which you urge to the adoption of that proceeding j are of a serious nature, the President can I not refrain from awaiting with interest an j ofiicial expression noon that subject from ! the Legislature. I have thc honor to be, \ sir, vour obedient servant, WILLIAM H. SEWARD. You will please, sir, lay this communica I tion before the Legislature, for their action ; in reference to tho "ofiicial exprt ssion*' ? which the President is'"awaiting with interest." T have the honor to be, your Exceller' most obedient servant, B. F. PERRY, Provisional Governor South Carolina. On motion of Mr. Arthur, thc different sections of thc message were appropriate? ly referred. Reports of committees were submitted by Messrs. Dozier, Williams and Sullivan. Adjourned. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. At the hour to which the House was ad? journed, tho Clerk called the roll, the Speaker took the Chair, and tho proceed? ings were opened with prayer by Rev. Mr. Martin. Message No. 2 was then receivod from his Excellency Governor James L. Orr, and was read by the Speaker. The Senate returned to this House a bill to amend the Criminal Law; which was read the third time, and tho title changed to an Act. Messrs. D. Wyatt Aiken, Siegling, Jas. R. Aiken, Mikell, Black, Bonham, Youmans and Anderson, submitted reports of com? mittee. Adjourned. The Washington Republican eaya, we take great pleasure in announcing the fact that, in pnrsuance of the President's pur? pose to bring thc Government back to the good old constitutional times of free ?peech and a freo press, an order has boen issued removing tho telegraphic censorship upon the press everywhere within the bounda? ries of tho Uuitod States. COUNTERFEIT SMALT. BILLS. -It is said I that two per cent, of all thc fractional cur? rency received at tho Treasury is counter ! feit. This comes to the Department from i bankers and others deemed experts in ! judging money, and two percent, escaping , the detection of such parties gives some ! idea of tho extent of this kind of counter I feiting. _ TRAUE WITH THE SOUTH.-The immense amount of freight that is daily carried North and South by tho National Express and Transportation Company is an evi? dence that the South is rapidly assuming her former commercial position. It is gratifying to see such sterling energy displayed hy this company ami their employees, who, to a man, work as though they weie veterans in the business; and it shows that the men engaged in this enterprise, although unaccustomed to labor, arc faithful in the execution of their arduous duties. This company now gives employment to hundreds who formerly occupied more elevated positions. [ Washington Constitutional Union A Letter from General Lice. A public meeting was held at the Court House in Staunton, Va., last Monday, to consider and inaugurate a plan to aid in raising an additional endowment for Wash? ington College, Lexington, Virginia. The following lotter from Gen. Lee was read: LEXINGTON, Va., November 22, 1865. MY DRAB COLONEL: The friends of Wash? ington College are malting efforts to ad? vance its usefulness, and to elevate it to the position of other institutions of tho present day. For many years it has stood still, content to dispense in a quiet way its benefits to tho youth of tho neighboring counties, while other colleges, with en? larged means, have been enabled to keep pace with the progress of science, civiliza? tion and improvement. 1 am aware that yon nre acquainted with the design of the Board of Trustees to extend the course of studies, so as to pro? mote the education of tho industrial classes, and fit them for the several pur? suits of life, and have promised your generous aid. But I wish also to ask your influence, with others, in extending ? thc knowledge of the project of the Board, and giving it the weight of your approval and encouragement. Thc citizens of Virginia are accustomed, to sec your undertakings prosper, and have confidence hi what your judgment approves. Should they know that your sympathy and assistance ar? engaged in behalf of the College, its friends will bc encouraged to persevere. With much respect, vourobedient servant, K. E. LEE. Col. M. G. HARMON, Staunton, va. COTTON.-The following facts ab..ut cotton is taken from thc New York Eceninn Post: Thc .-tock of ctlon in the Southern States at the end of thc rebellion, with thc cr?n> of 1*00, amounted to-bales. Tlie consumption of the factories North of the Potomac from Mav 1st to November 1st, 1863, was 10,000 bales per week for ! twenty-six weeks: 260,000 bales. The export of cotnou from Mav 1st to i September 1st, was not less than 70,000 ! bales; from September 1st to November i 7th, it was 1 Cfi. IM IO bales. The requirements of the mills North of I the Potomac from November 1st, ls<V>. to November 1st, 1S66, when the crop of 1866 can reach them, will bc not less than three-quarters of their spinning capacity, or 12,000 bales per week for liftv-two weeks: 624,000 hales. The requirement of the South for eigh? teen months from May 1, 1863, to Novem? ber 1, 1Sf)?, will be not less than their re? quirement for twelve months in 1860, 130,000 bales; making a total of 1.270.000 bab's. If we deduct 1,270,000 bales from the ; quantity available as above stated, - bales, we have-bales to ho, exported from November 7, 1863, to November 1. 1866. Thc consumption of cotton in England from April 13 to October 26, lsr,.",. bas been 47,000 baies per week, or for twenty-eight i weeks, 1,817,249 bales. The export from England from 13th April to 26th October, has been 22,600 bales per week, or, for twentv-eight weeks, 632,722 bales; total for twentv-eight weeks 60,600 bales per week-1,949,971 bales. ! These bales average about 370 pounds j 6 ich. The lowest estimate of cotton to be re? ceived from all countries, except the United , States, in 1863, made in January last, was 2,750,000 bales. Tho amount of cotton at sea from India, and thc possible receipts from all other ports, being now well known, it has become evident that England will not receive from other countries than the Unitod States in the year 1865 over 2,100,000 bales. Eng? land's position on the 26th October was as follows: Stock iu Liverpool, 303,000; stock in London, 41,000, Possible arrivals before December 31: From India, if all arrives which was at wea, 217,000; from United States, 200,000; from Brazil, 40,000; from Egypt, 50,000; from West Indies, Ac, 20,000. Total suppl v, Oetobor 26 to Decem? ber 31, 1865, 871,00(1 After December SI, but little India cotton can arrive unt? April. THE LAST CONFEDERATE.-Only one Con? federate soldier now remains at the Fair Grounds Hospita!, Sergeant Thomas W. Hives, of Company G, Forty-third Alaba? ma Regiment, Gracie's Brigade. Sergeant Rives received his wound at Appomattox Court House, on Sunday, Apr? 9. 1865, about fifteen minutes before tho Sag of truce was hoisted, and within a few yards of tho famous apple tree under which Generals Grant and Lee signed the articles of surrender. He is still suffering from the wound, which was very severe. Al? though tho hospital diet is very good, yet he longs for a change. Let some of our kind hearted ladies prepare some little delicacies, thoy best know what, and take or send thom up to him. Wo were as? tonished to learn last evening from his own lips, that, during many long and weary months of confinement to his quarters, only a few, a very few ladies, had darken? ed tho door of the hospital. [ Pittsburgh Express. Gov. Brownlow's late course in rejecting tho votes of several counties, on tho ground of their illegality, causes much excitement in Tennessee. In the Legisla laturc, an excited discussion arose on a resolution offered by Mr. Brandon, of Stewart County, which was intended as a censure of Gov. Brownlow. Mr. Brandon was a rebel Colonel, and was wounded at FortDonelson. He was sustained n his assault on tho Governor by Herod, Steele, Garrett and other copperheads. The reso? lution was tabled by a decisive vote. Bran? don and others were very bitter in their denunciation of the Governor. AFRAID TO LACOU.-Ladies sometimes repress their laughter to avoid revealing the discoloration and imperfection of their teeth. F air ones, we would advise you to try the Fragrant Sozodont. It will remove at once, all impurities, arrest the progress of decay, and whiten such parts as have already become black by decay, and leave thu breath as fragrant as a rose. t Local Items. Mr. E. Pollard has opened quite a varied stock of goods-sweet, sour, dry and wet in old Brick Bange. Look out for the neat little "iron front." Special attention is called l<> tho auction sale of handsome furniture, this morning, hy J. G. Gibbes, Esq., at the house adjoin? ing Dr. Miot's. Some of the articles are worthy of attention. THE BURNING OF COLUMBIA.-An inter? esting account o? the "Sack and Destruc? tion of the City of Columbia, S. C.,*' has just been issued, in pamphlet form, from thc /Vi ?TH ix steam power press. Orders can be tilled to anv extent. Pereons desirous of sending packages by the Southern Express Line lo Charleston, are informed that the wagon leaves thc office of thc company in this city, (Taylor street, near Richardson,) every day, at 1 o'clock. CLOSING OF MAILS. -The Charleston mail closes daily at i o'clock p. m.: Charleston way mail, 3 o'clock p. m.: Northern mail. i o'clock p. m.; Greenville and Columbia Railroad mail, Sunday, Tuesday and Thurs? day, at 1 o'clock p. m. Weare informed that two hales of cotton were stolen from Mr. O'Neale's yard, on Monday night. As cotton bringa such a hin- price, it is an inducement to tin thieves. We also h arn that several other persons have lost a hale or two within the last few days. W. S. King. Esq., a special traveling agent of tba: old and reliable paper, the Charleston Courier, is in this eily, and will remain for a few days on business con? nected with that office. Ile eau he found at Xiek. rson's Hotel, Room 52. The Ow? rie)" has been greatly enlarged and other? wise improved within the hist few days. We are pleased to state thai C. .T. Dollin, Esq., has resumed his duties as agent of the South Carolina Railroad Company,and will give any information in h.- power with reference to business matters. Mr. Bolliu has acted as agent of this company for fully twenty years, and has always given perfect satisfaction, and we are confident that the withdrawal of his resignation will meet with universal approval. AN EXTENSIVE MANUFACTURING ESTAB? LISHMENT CONTEMPLATED.-By reference to the Legislative proceedings published in this morning's paper, it will be seen that our enterprising and public-spirited citi? zen, Col. L. D. Childs, has opened a cor? respondence with his Excellency Gov. Orr, with reference to thc purchase of the Co? lumbia Canal, and that he proposes en? gaging in manufacturing on an extensive scale. This matter is of great importance to our entire community-tho merchant, the proporty owner and tho laborer-and wo hid the Colonel 1-od-speed in his con? templated mammoth undertaking. In this connection, wc think it well to direct the attention of capitalisis North and South to the magnificent water-power which can be easily obtained in and near Columbia. An examination of the different places might, be found to boot Lu .ouse advan? tage. _^__^_ PRICES TFMBLINO.-Our advertising co? lumns, during the last few days, have given the pleasing intelligence that groceries, dry goods, etc., are boginning to tumble from their stilt-like proportions to a really reasonable figure. For instauco, Mr. Ri? chard Caldwell informs the public that he will sell prints at 23 cents per yard; good brown sugars at 15 cents a pound, and shoulders at 25 cents. Messrs. Shiver A Beckham offer their calicoes at a figure very nearly as low. Messrs. Kenneth A Gibson, C. H. Baldwin and several others aro about on a par with the above prices. While this morning, Mr. A. C. Davis offers flour at $13 a barrel, and other goods at proportionate rates. And Mr. A. L. Solo? mon sells jackets at $1.75 and $2.00; pants at $2.00 and shirts at $1. Wo hopo to bc able in a short time (if affairs go on in this healthy style) to greatly enlarge the J^lornir, and reduce its advertising rates to such au extent as to keep pace with this "march of improve ment," and give all our dealers-large and small-an opportunity of keeping thc com? munity constantly posted on what they have to dispose >f. Certainly "thc good time coming," tb :t we poor Confederates looked and longed for, has almost arrived. NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.- Attention is call? ed to the following advertisements, which aro published this morning for the first time: Mounce A Calhoun-Silver Coin Wanted. A. C. Davis-New Store and Now Goods. " ? -Flour. C. D. Brahe A Co.-Leather, Ac. F. H. Due -Tinsmith's Tools. Chas. L. Guilleaume-Groceries, ?Vc. Levin A Teixotto-Sugar-cured Hams. " " -Ready-made Clothing " " -Furniture Sale. James O. Gibbes-Dry Goods, Groceries.