The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, January 28, 1851, Image 2

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Report of tho President ofthe South Carolina Railroad Company. Office S. C. Railkoad Company, i Charleston, Jan. 25, 1851. $ To the Stork holders of the South? Carolina Railroad Company: Gentlf.mf.n : The President and Directors of the Sonth Carolina Railroad Company, have the honor of submitting to you the following statement of the affairs of the Company for the past year: . The gross fbceipts of the road, it appears from the Auditor's Statement annexed, marked A, have been for the year 8012,720 25 And the expenses of management equal to 42 per cent 383,040 85 Nctt profit 8528,079 40 Less interes on Sterling and other bonds, and other charges, including $14,794 31 interest on instalments paid in'advance, and on notes and script now paid off.. 188,991 10 Leaving for nett income ... 8339,688 24 From these profits two dividends of 3 per cent each have have been declared, amount ing -to ..... 174,600 00 ] Leaving a surplus of 8105,088 24" to the credit of the Reserved Fund Account This result seems full of encouragement, for it has been accomplished under many adverse circumstances. For example, there has been a deficiency in the down freight of ?71,393' 29, cl?arly attributable to the combined effects of a abort crop and the break-down at the Watereee | Swamp.* From this latter cause alone, there was a loss of reveuue, as compared with last year, of 826,769 72-100, for the months of October and November, and an increased expen ditare for repairs, of $5,236 10-100. It seems, therefore, not unreasonable to infer, as there was an increase during the same period of 891,710 38 over last year, in the up freight and passage, that had it not been for the adverse circumstances alluded to, the income for the year would have reached $1,000,-000, and without any material addition to the expense of management Early in March last a call was made upon the Stockholders for 825 per Share on their stock, payable by instalments, with interest at l*?k rnfo r\f fi nn?? nanf In I* 1>II VlllPlitS IMV lUVt VI V pvi VVIikt UI4V VV. ?vr. X *V made in advance. It will be seen by reference to the Auditor's statement, marked B. that there had been received, up tothe31st Dec. 1850...8611,316 55 much of it in advance, leaving to come in 3358,933 45 on acconnt of the last two, and for arrearages on previous instalments. The del t of the Company, it will appear on reference to the Auditor's Statement, marked C, has been reduced within the vear from 83,515,507 01 To ..... - 3,173,6G8 05 Viz: Notes of the Company pd. up in full ------ $244,310 87 Scrip redeemed ---? 37,403 82 Interest scrip for Dividend, No. 9, paid off ? 8,935 00 Palmer, Mnckil. illop, Dent and Co, and ( others. - ? 51,189 27 $311,838 96 It will he observed that the Bonds Payable account for 7 per cent Bonds, predicated on Caqyien Branch Stock, is $159,000, against 8141,000 last year. 'Hie increase arises from i the issue made in January, 1850, of $27^000 of these Bonds, of which $9,000 have since been paid, leaving the addition of 818,000, as indicated by the account. The Bills Payable account, was also increased in January oflast.year, from $244,310 87 to $264,801 71; but that account has since been extinguished, and the Company have uo note or debt that is due outstanding. The Auditor's Statement, marked D, shows the receipts and expenditures of the Company for the year. It will be seen that the Chmpany have paid for iron, for relaying the Road $277,OOK. OA This is for the 5000 tons previously ordered, ,and for 1500 tons ordered since to complete the Road, all of w'.ich lias been received. Fifty-eight and a half miles of old road have been relaid with new iron, within the past year, at a cost of 340,790.49 for labor and timber, leaving 39 miles, (exclusive of five and twothirds at the Inclined Plane) on the Hamburg branch (above Branchville to be finished after the 1st of January, 1851, besides 10 miles ol a heavier, rail, the relaying of which may be deferred until a later period. As the condition of -the road, and the increased number and weight of the trains passing over it, seemed absolutely to demand the immediate reconstruction with the new and heavy rails that had been ordered, all the necessary preparations bad been made to accomplish it by the 1st of last month; but unfortunately the shipment* of the iron were delayed in the early part of the year in England, and subsequently, when orders were given for its immediate shipment, great difficulties and de lays were encountered in obtaining vessels to send it forward; the conseqonce was that it did not arrive in sufficient quantities to furnish employment to the hands, nnt'l just before the time when circumstances occurred to make it necessary to transfer the force to the VVateree Swamp. The work is again progressing, however, with spirit, and the remaining 39 miles will be new ironed by 1st April, or aery soon afterwards. The motive power of the road has been increased within the year, by the addition of 5 new Locomotives. (3 for passengers, and 2 for freight;} by 5 passenger, 1 baggage, and 187 freight cars. The Locomotives are lighter than those heretofore used; of superior construction, and in every way admirably adapted to the road. They cost $7,500 each, and with charges ad dad amount to 838,668 59. The passenger and baggage cars have given equal satisfaction. The former cost on na average $2,000 each, the latter 81)000; Amounting together, with charges, to $12,548-1 36-100. The freight cars were delivered mostly un- i iler previous contracts; those from Hacker and Co. are superior to any others on the road.! The property in Car Account, stands charged in the statement referred to, witu 190 freight) cars; this was the number paid tor, but 137 only were received within the past year, as previously stated. Tiie freight and passenger depots, which, when we last met were already far advanced, have since been finished, according to the oiiginal plans. There has been paid within the past year, on account ot the depots and fixtures, including $2,000 for a house and lot purchased adjoining on the east, the sum of $17,995 73; and there is an unadjusted balance due to the Contractors, of about $9,500; and the brick, amounting to about one million and a half, which was furnished by the Com - ? pany, and lias nut jet been ctiargea up. The totsil cost of depots, and lands, after crediting the account with $15,000, less broker's commissions for a house nnd lot at the corner of King and John-streets, sold, will be from 120,000 to 3125,000. Early in July last, a contract was made with a highly responsible nnd efficient Company for grading the 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th sections of a -xmUg--pi eviuusly "Adopted by~lTie ik>aiHt for avoiding the present Inclined Plane at Aiken, the 5th section being reserved for tho Company's own hands. The route was adopted after the fullest consideration, from a survey made by G. B. Lythgoe, esq., the Company's own Engineer and Superintendent of the road, and under advice of some of the most eminent Engineers of tho country. It leaves the old road near Mrs. Schwartz's at Lower Aiken, and ruuning to the left crosses the present Plane ahout 800 feet from its summit, and intersects the old road again near the Graniteville Station, making in I.. l-I-j:-. nnannii r miles lis WllOle UISl<UlCU'Cri7,C7W 11, *T\jU01 vu being 1800 ft, or a little over one third ol a mile shorter than the preccnt'road. The route is a straight line for five miles, with the exception of a curvature of 1 1-4 inches in 50 feet at , the lower end, and another of 700 feet on a level near ,Mrs. Schwartz's where the radius is 2000 feet The grade is 5*2 8-10 feet to the mile, and the estimated cost 8110,000. The period stipulated in the contract for the completion of this work, is from the first of April to the 1st of July next. An eliicient foice of 139 hands has been at work on it since August last, and the progress already made ia the work warrants tin. expectation that the contractors will lie up j to their time. Great efforts will be made to complete the whole, and have it in readiness for the business I of the ensuinfr season. A heavy rail, of the ? o | bridge patterns, and weighing "70 lbs. to the yard, has been ordered, and is now on the way for ironing it. In August a contract was madeH'or building work shops opposite Tivoli Garden, according to plans and specification^ furnished by J. L). I'etsch, superintendent of machinery and motive power. The contract for bricklaying, carpenter, and slater's work is 81G,G84 The bricks and lumber are to be furnished by the Company, and estimating them at the actual cost, without freight, the amount will be 88,235 Making .... - 821.219 The work is far advanced, and will be completed about the time specified in the contract, say 1st April next Machinery for the shops of the latest and most unproved invention and construction, is now being selected by an agent sent on to tlie North for the purpose, and will be received by the time tl e shops are ready The report of the General Superintendent of the road is herewith submitted. It sets forth the condition of the road, with the character and extent of repairs done upon it, and the cost of keeping it up The principal item in the repairs for the L'amder^ranch, it will be cee'ii, is for re-building the road across the Watereo Swamp. The tresscl work over that swamp gave way early in October last, while an engine and train of VZ cars, loaded with cotton, were passing over it; and as the caps or crossties, resting upon the piles, and supporting the frame work above, some 10 feet iu heigh t, were not fastened to the piles either by dowell pin, tenon, or otherwise, the whole su perslrueture, wbeu it commenced Calling, fell to tlio abutment of the bi idge at the river, a distance of 3 1-4 miles. The force engaged in relaying the road on the Hamburg branch, had just then for the first time received a sufficiency of iron to keep them in full employment, and were progress ing rapidly in laving it down, with the view of finishing the whole road by the first of January, 1851, as first contemplated. When the breakdown in the Wateree Swamp took place, the Company had no alternative but to abandon this important work for a time, and devote the whole force to the icconstruction of the road over the swamp, while the waters were low. By extraordinary exertions on the part of the superintendents, carpenters and men, the road was re-built and open for passengers in little over 6ix weeks from the date of the accident; and in less than two months the freight trains were passing over it. The cost to the Cotnnnny, in labor, materials, and provisions, in re building tin* road, was $5.?36 10. But the chiei loss lias been. u9 before slated, in the revenue, and ii: the loss of the profitable use of two engines, and some twenty-six freighting ears, in the Wateree Swamp, and oti the Camden side; but more than all in the delay in relaying the Hamburg branch. Wo also refer to the Repot t of the Superintendent of Machinery and motive power, for the condition in detail of the engines and cars in service; their number and value; the repairs; the work done in the work shops, and the machinery on hand. By the inventory appended to his Report, there appeared to be in service, 31st December, 1850, thirty-seven locomotives, (five having been recently condemned) valued at % ... 8205,91s 00 Fifteen passenger cars, (4 baying been recently condemned,) valucd at - - - . 27,842 86 Nine omzgage cars.fl having been at 7,400 00 { And 427 box, platform, and stock (fifteen having been condemned, and 33 broken up during the year,) valoed at - 182,000 00 8413,257 36 The work done in the shops, in repairs, and, including three pas Benger cars re-built, it seems 0'-' therwise, has been for the year. - 825,157 00 While the expenses of the establishment appear to be, for labor, as per pay rolls - - - 60,735 76 Overtime provisions, ?kc. - - - 2,500 00 803,235 76 The tables annexed, marked 1,2, 3, will show the Receipts of the road for freight, passenge,&c. for each month Of last year; the comparative receipts of Cotton for 1849 hnd 1850, anil fur each year from 184?igtf850, inclusive. It will he seen frotn these flbles, that while the receipts for the first six mbtiths of the past year were short 61,652, bales, Jtficreceipts for the six months ending 31st'. December, 1850, show an increaseover the corresponding months of tiie previous year, of 6,591 bales, making the total decrease in the year 55,061 bales. Besides the usual current business of the road the motive power of the Company has been severely taxed, especially in the last six months, in transporting large quantities of iron for other companies, besides the iron and timber fur its own road, and brick and furober for its own workshops and other purposes. For the last six months employment has been furnished constantly, for at least three engines and sixty cars for these purposes alone, and comparatively lit tie compensation for the transportation for oth er Companies, while that done tor our own purposes adds materially to the expense, but nothing of cout$e t? (he revenue. Presuming upon -a continued increase of business for the ensuing season, four freight and two light passenger engfnes, and two passenger and baggage cars each, have been ordered.? Two of the fieight engines are expected immediately; the other two later in the season, and the passenger engines not until the 1st of July. Th?? passenger cars have already been received ?one of them from Hacker Co. the other from a Northern maker. They bo h compare well with those previously received. The expenditures required for the currenl year, apart from the ordinary purposes of tlu Road, will he principally for the lucined Plane and Work rfiiOUS. The receipts, other than those of the Road will bo from balances due on instalments, anc the amount to be received from the Greenvilh Company under the existing -agreement with them for the Flange Iron from our Road. The agencies at the different points have undergone examination at the close of the year, by Committees from the Direction, and all have been found right and satisfactory. By a Resolution of the Stockholders at their last meeting, the report and resolutions from the Committee on Proxies were releriedto the Hoard of Directors for their consideration and action, and the Hoard have had the same under consideration; but while they comprehend the dilliJ culty which the Committee on Proxies labor under, they could not, as they conceived, undertake to make an arbitrary rule, the effect ol which illicit be to deprive many absent Stockholders of their votes. It was therefore resolved, That the subject be referred back to the Stockholders. All of which is respectfully submitted. II. W. CONMER, President. Thirty Firit Con^rewSecond Senlon. Washington, Jan. iiO, 1651. Sbnatr.?Mr. Hamlin presented a petition, praying the repeal of the fugitive slave law, which was laid on the table. On motion of Mr. Downs. 5.000 extra cop ies ol the report of the Secretary of' War upon tne inundation of the lower Mississippi, were ordered to lie printed. Mr. Berrien reported back the bill to ascertain and settle private land claims in California, with a substitute for the same, und it was fixed for Monday next. Mr. Pearce reported a joir.t resolution for the purchase of the works of Alexander Hamilton. Mr. Clay submitted a resolution, which lays i over, directing an enquiry by the committee j on commerce into the expediency of making I more effectual provisions Dy law to prevent me I employment of American vessels and seamen in the African slave trade, and especially us to tho expediency of granting sea letters or other evidence of national character to American vessels clearing out of iirazilian ports for the western coast of Africa. Mr. Seward introduced a joint resolution di-. reeling that in the purchases of inanufactuied steel by the government, American manufactured steel shall have the preference. The bill from the House to reduce the postage on letters, dzc., was referred to the committee on post-oliices and post-roads. The Senate then took up the bill providing the payment of the claims of Americau citizens for spoliations by the French prior to 1800. Hunter addressed the Senate till V o'clock, in opposition to* the bill. And then, on motion of Mr. Seward, the Senate adjourned. in the House, Mr. Hammond presented the petition of one hundred and nine farmers, mechanics and workingmen, of both political parties, citizens of Baltimore county, Md., representing die greatly depressed condition of cot1 ton manufacturing, and other interests of that ! county, which they belive arises from the want i of a proper modification of the tarilF laws; and ! praying that laws may bo modified by C'on i *i - ?r [gross, which was reierreu 10 uie cuiiiuuiicv ui I ways and means. ! The bill was then taken up, having for its object to ensure the prompt execution of the act I parsed last session, granting bounty lands to olticers and soldiers, who have been engaged in the military services of the United States. ' Mr. McCleland, of Illinois, moved an amendment, which excited considerable discussion, for securing to registers and receivers of the sstisral la id offices, for their services in locatiug oHIitary ana bounty laud warrnts, from persons applying to locate the same, a fee at the rate - of twenty-five cents for etch forty sores so ? located; provided that the salarv nf each of such registers and receivers shall in no case exceed three thousand dollars per annum. An amendment to the amendment giving a more extended operation to the former, the Speaker ruled was out of order, it being applicable to other laws than that to -which the bill before the House referred, and to cases which th# act of September last does not embrace. The chief ground upon which the payment of the fee was supported, was the tho additional duty which the bounty land law imposes? the wants requiring six times the labor ordinarily required when other lands are applied for. During the debate on this bill the Secretary of the Interior was attacked and supported; the routine of the pension office was copiously animadverted upon, and the inefficiency of the department condemned. The hour of three o'clock having arrived, a iiiuuuu was uirtur iu nujuur ii. l ne vtr/tu iiiiu nays were then called for, but a sufficient number of members did not vote for taking the question in this wav. A division was then moved, and there being 93 in the affirmative and 49 in the negative, the House adjourned till to-morrow. Thecamden journal" ; THO. J. WARREN A O. A. PRICE, Editors. TUESDAY EVENING, JANUARY 28, 1851. A FALSE REPORT. We understand that it is reported in Ihe upcountry, that the small pox is prevailing in 'Jamden. This report is untrue, and without the least shadow of foundation. Camden was never more exempt from disease of any kind. The proper authorities have adopted efficient measures to prevenet th approach of small pox to our town, and if there is a case nearer to us than the infected Districts in North Carolina, we are not aware [ Of It I Of one thing our country friends may rest as* I sured; if we should ever have the disease amongst I j us we shall consider it our imperative duty to ' 1 make it known through our columns, as soon as I the fact corne* to our knowledge. II There will be a meeting of the Southern ' | Rights Association for Kershaw District, on the first Monday in February. JOHN CANTEY. President. . j Our Market. i On Friday last, our Cotton quotation, for tlis best qualitv, was 13J?since then, the market has 1 -.? J :?t. - .1..?!!..? n? I UtftJIl CICUUJ) Willi a uc^iitir III ]/! IUV9* VII Saturday, sales were effected at 10 to I2?. Since ! i the last news from Europe, prices have lowered We quote for yesterday and to-day, 10 to 12 7-S extremes. Our market, in other respects, is still one of the host in the State. Country produce will command the highest prices, and Groceries and Goods ol all descriptions, as will be seen by our Prices Cur rent, (corrected semi-weekly) are sold ou the most reasonable terms. Iii Charleston, the Cotton market may be said to | have been brought to a stand on Saturday last, | so little was done in the article, and prices for the present must be considered nominal. About 400 bales were sold within the range of 12$ to ]3$<\, and a small lot of strictly choice as high as [3?c. Census of Kershaw District. * The following numbers have been kindly fi*r^ nished us from the returns of Mr. Joseph E. Nef> ties, Assistant .Marshall, showing the p >puiation of our District: J Fkf.e Inhabitants. Slaves. In i860?1.^96 In 3850?9,578 1840?4,938 1840?8,040 i tnon-nsp. 058 Increase. 1,538 Showing an increase in the free population, including white and colored, within the last ten years equal to 15^. and in the slave of 19^ percent.? The owner's valuation of Real and Personal Estate is as follows: Real Estate, - $1,153,004 00 Pesonal Estate, - - 4,183,938 00 Total, - - - $5,634,943 00 The number of death? in the District for the ' year 1850, was 180, including white and colored. Rail Road Report. We have been necessarily compelled to exclude i several articles intended for this evening's paper, j to make room for the Report of the President of thp Rail Road Comnanv. It contains much that * I J is interesting relating to the operations ot our Rail Road during the past year. Southern Bights in Virginia. We have received the Address of the Southern Rights Association of the University of Virginia, o the Young Men of the South. We are proud to see such a spirit manifested by the students ol this Institution, the number who have signed the Constitution is over 130, and the Resolutions which were passed unanimously, are of the right stamp, to-wit: the 3rd. Resolved, That compromises and remonstrances having failed to check the onward march of fanaticism, our only safety now, neeiii3 10 De in -iniaic /icuon, iu euppuu ui which, we pledge "our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." We hope in this noble band of young Southern Patriots, many Washington's and Henry's may be found fearless advocates of justice and equal rights, who are not afraid of being charged with "Treason" or of meeting the "Traitors" doom. (?r We lntd the pleasure of 6eeing iu our city the Editor of The Camden Journal.? He has added to his vacation, filled with credit, that of member of the liar. May his efforts, both in Law and at the Press, receive a rich reward wherever ho labors, then we may be sure of a good Price.? Char. Eve. iVetw. The Hon. Judge seems to be a lawyer, a poet and a wit He is deep in the first, elegant in the second, and brilliant in the third?but we must member that good Porter is always sparkling. South Carolina and her Position. The Southern Press under this caption, has recently administered to the National Intelligencer, a few wholesome lessons, which we hope may benefit this compromise Organ, at least, so fai as keep it in check, and teach it a practical lesson that some things can be done as well as others. The organ of the "Northern Loyalists" must know that some people hare as much intelligence as others, and although it may continue busily engaged in its vocation, as the Press very properly remarks, "in magnifying Northern Loyalists, and abusing Southern Malcontents," it will prove love's labor lost, and a useless experiment in attempting to palm off its rile slang upon us; the warning given to the South, intended we suppose, for South Carolina's especial benefit, abused villafied and misrepresented as she has been by the Intelligm. rer and the whole tribe of Northern adherents, the portentous language of the following: ("Let Southern Malcontents read and see that there are 6trong men in the North, as well as in the South.") tup hnnp mav mppt thp samp rpsnnr.Rp. lbi't tins given when Lochiel was warned "of the day." To the Intelligencer as the organ and expositor ?;f Northern Loyalists, whose ends and interest* it subserves so admirably, we say, "down toothless* insnlter ire'll trust not thy tale." Your "strong men in the North" are those who neither fear God, nor regard man; whose strength may be found,in endeavoring to counteract the laws of nature, and to a perversion of all the principles of justice and humanity; these are your "strong men;" very strong? too strong for law ; wedded to their blind fanaticism, they are unwilling that othere should live in the enjoyment of their own opinions, even in this "glorious Union." Go and preach to your "etroug men in the North prate as much as you , please about the "local disloyalists;" abuse, villafy, an i misrepresent, and grossly attempt further outrages upon South Carolina, it is an easy task for an adeyl to perform. The Intelligencer, lias served its time at this trade for lo! these many years, and ' is graduating with the Jirsl honors of the season, having served its masters long "with a spirit so 1 loving and loyal; indulge your imagination toils ' utmost capacity ; do your best to destroy the per. petuity ot' this Govern men I as a glorious Union? you are succeeding finely; a few more threats, 1 and an adherence to the established order of'tho i day?oppression to the South?and the work is accomplished?the die is cast, and the Rubicon? will be crossed?a few years longer, it may be, and "The conflict is done, A nation has fallen,oppression has won! A nation has fallen, yet how noble that fall, ' Fame lives in her ruin, and glory's her pall." 1 Such may be our fate, and the Intelligencer will ' have the satisfaction of knowing, that in common iriih rnhpr rppr.>ants to the cause of iustice and k I J~~ I equal rights, tlit-y have done their p?>rt to l>rin^ this result about?and of course will share lately in the spoils. ^ . "The Intelligencer may stuff its columns with ^ silly conjectures about the climate, geography, or aristocracy, of South Carolina. lie may call her mad?irresponsibly made; but there is not a man inutile Union, who has any knowledge or human ndture, or any knowledge of history, who will not ' t$ru away with contempt at the display of such Kolidity or hypocrisy." , jt . f South-Carolina Rail Road. J: We are authorized to state (says the Mercury,) ^ I that the Committee appointed at the last annual * ? meeting of the Stockholders of the South Carolina Railroad Company, "to consider and report to the next meeting of Ihe Stockholders what number of Directors is provided for by the charter, and the amendments thereto, and also what are the provisions as to the mode of electing the President,'' are prepared to report to the Stockholders, That fifteen Directors are to be elected by the Stockholders, and will form the Direction of the Company, and that these Directors from their own body> elect the President of the Company. The receipts of cotton at New Orleans on the 16th inst. were over nineteen thousand hales, considerably exceeding those of any one day for the pest, or for several previous years. Tho Waekly News. * The first Number of this excellent Family Paper has been received. Published in the city ot Charleston by Messrs. Paxton & Co. at Two Dollars per annum. and edited by the Hon. Benjamin F. Porter. There is no excuse now for Southern people to complain of a want of gooi Litera\ lure at home, the "Weekly News," and "Southern | Literary Gazette," are superior to any Northern Weeklies that are received at the South. Woare plad to see the "News" in such a handsome dress. We confidently hope the pride of our citizens will notallowthe.ee admirable Weeklies (th'e "News" and "Gazette) to fail for want of patronage; every family ought to take them. ^ ^ , * I Edgefield Advertiser. The last Number of this excellent paper, contains the introductory af Col. Arthur Sirokins, the newlyinstnlled Editor, judging fromjhe specimen, if this be a fair samplr, we may reasonably hope to be favored with many more ot the same sort of capital editorials. Wo wish our brethren abundant success. ^ . r For the Camden Journal. ** T x! 4U. T. i iU. r.iu : . . 1 nonce II tilt; nisi journal, uie luuowiug in?terrogatory propounded to the nominees for ' the State Convention, viz: "In tlie event of no other Southern Stflte co-operating with South Carolina, in resisting the aggressions of the North, will yon go for separate State action !* To which I unhesitatingly answer No. t -4 I have never douMea the right of n State to secede, whenever her rights under the ConstitnI tion are infracted by Federal legislation?but | the policy of doing 60 is another and a different affair?and I am not prepared to advocate a measure that in my opinion would (dace -SJft Carolina In a position she could not soctaM^ and whioh would protract, if it did mately prevent the formation of * mSSSm Confederacy. -UWterexisting ciHAtMfrne&e, I,