Camden commercial courier. (Camden, S.C.) 1837-1838, July 08, 1837, Image 2
' ?i rock standing boldly out, and running j
down, almost perpendicularly,an imWcrtse
distance' to the valley. 1 was especting
another monkish legend, and ray very
heart thrilled when the monk told me
that this was the , top of Abe hill on which
Moses had sat "doling the battle of the
Israelites and the A malekites, while Aaron
and Hur supported his uplifted hands, un'til
the aim went down upon the victoH?>us
arms of his people. From the height: I
could see, clearly and diotinctly, every
part of the battle-ground, and the whole
ale of Rephidim and tho mountains bevond
: and Muses, while on this spot.
* roust have been visible to the contending
: armies from every part of the field on
which they were engaged.
I stand upon the very peak
of Sinai?where Moses stood when he
talked with the Almighty. Can it he, or
is it a mere dream? Ca-n this naked rork
have been the witness of that great interview
between man and his Maker ? where
amid thunder and lightning, and a fearful
quaking of the mountain, the Almighty
gave to his chosen people the precious tables
of his law, those rules of infinite wisdom
and goodness which to this day. best
teach man his duty towards his Ciod, his
neighbor, and himself?
The scenes of many of the incidents
recorded in the Bible are extremely uncertain.
Historians and geographers place
the garden of Eden, the paradise of our i
first parents, in different parts of Asia : I
and they do not agree upon the site of the |
tower of Babel, the mountain of Ararat, and
many of the most interesting places in the
Holy Land; but of Sinai there is no doubt.
This is the holy mountain; and. among
all the stupendous works of Nature, not
a place can be selected more fitted for the
avliihitinn nf Almiirhtv nnwt>r. I hnve
" B"V I _ "
stood upon the summit of the giant Etna,
and looked over the clouds floating beneath
it; upon the bold scenery of Sicily,
and the distant mountains of Calabrie ;
upon the top of Vesuvius, and locked
down upon the waves of Lava, and the
ruined and half-recovered cities at its foot;
but they are nothing compared with the
terrific solitudes and bleak majesty of Sinai.
An observing traveller has well called
it "a perfect sea of desolation." Not
a tree, or shrub, or blade of grass, is to
be seen upon the bare anil rugged sides of
innumerable mountains, heaving tueir naked
summits to the skies, while the erurnbling
masses of granite all around, arid
the distant view of the Syrian desert, with i
its boundless waste of sands, from the
wildest nml must itre:?rv' the most terrific
and desolate picture that imagination can
eonceive.
The level surface of the very top, or
piniclc, is about sixteen fort square. At
one end is a single rock, about twenty feet
high, on which, as said the monk, the spirit
of God descended, while in the crevice
beneath, his favored servant received the
tables of the law. There, on the same
spot where they were given. I opened the
sacred book in which those laws arc re.
corded, and read them with a deeper foeling
of devotion, as if 1 were standing
nearer, and receiving thern more directly
from the Deity himself.
Providential F.scapk.?Yesterday afternoon,
as a gentleman was driving along
Chesnut-street, in a sulkey, he was thrown
out when opposite the Treinont House,
in consequence of the vehicle coming in
contact with a cart. The gentleman fell
upon the pitching at the moment an omnibus
was passing, one wheel of which
went directly over his throat. The byestanders
thought he was killed, but wonderful
to relate, he jumped up and seemed
none ihe worse for the perilous situation
anil pressure ho hail escaped from.
From ttio Boston Mercantile Journal.
It is well known that a very considerable
portion of the inhabitants of China
dwell in floating houses?or rather in
boats, with large and convenient cabins ?
where men, women and children may be
seen in abundance, having no other homo,
and gaining a slender livelihood bv some
occupation that does not require a residence
on terra flrma. In the neighborhood
of Canton, many of the owners of j
these moveablj dwellings, employ themselves
in rearing ducks: and the sagacity
which tlicseanimals exhibit is remarkable.
Every morning they arc allowed to I
leave their habitation, and indulge in their j
acquatic amusements; and sometimes five
or six hundred of those noisy creatures
are seen sporting on the waters near one
of these floating duck pens. They never
_ a c? e -1
eiruv iut irom meir nomes?anil the sound .
of a little tinkling bell seems to produce
upon them a magical effect. The moment
the first sound of the bell is heard, the
ducks hasten towards their home with astonishing
swiftness, and the commotion
thus instantaneously produced in their
ranks, is amusing enough, each one apparently
anxious to outstrip his companions
in the race?and such a scene of
shoving, swimming, flying, and gabbling,
is seldom seen among ducks in any other
part of the world, than in China. This
prompt obedience on the part of those stupid
waterfowls, is the result of education
?and the means used,although exceedingly
efficient, are very simple. The last
dnck which reaches the boat, is invariably
seized by the duck-master-general, and is
compelled to undergo a severe druhhine, |
with a bamboo cane?and the fear of rhis
punishment, which they are exceedingly
desirous to avoid, ensures the most per-1
feet order and obedience among these ani-I
mats, which have been considered among i
the most stupid of the feathered creation.
This raode of managing ducks, is some-,
A
what* similar to .the just and humane expedient
resorted to on board of some of the
English ships of war, and for aught we
know, American also, to induce the incn to
hasten on deck with all possible despatch
when all hands are called to quarters, or for
any other purpose. A boatswain's mate is
stationed at the hatchways, and those whoj
happen, through negligence, indolence or
accident, to be at the lag end, arc sure to
get a severe "starting."
Dangers.of moderate drinking.?Do
not say that 1 exaggerate your exposure'
to intemperance. Let no man say when J
he thinks of a drunkard broken in health
and spoiled in intellect, 44 I can never so
fall." He thought as little of Tailing in '
his earlier years. The promise of his
youth was as bright as yours; and even
after he began his downward course, he
was as unsuspicious as the1 firmest around
him, and would have repelled as indignantly
the admonition to beware of intemperance.
The danger of this vice lies in
its almost imperceptible approach. Few
who fall by it, know of excesses. Youtli
does no* Sec or suspect drunkenness in
the spam.. v, bv-vcrage which quickens all
its susceptibilities of joy. The invalid
does not see in the cordial which his physician
prescribes, and which gives new
tones to his debilitated organs. The man
of thought and genius detects no palsying
poison in the draught which seems a spring
of inspiration to intellect and imagination.
The lover of social pleasure little dreams !
that the glass which ani nates conversation
will ever he drutrk in solitude, and
will sink him too low for the intercourse
in which he now delights. Intemperance
comes with noiseless step, and binds its
first cords with a touch too light to he
felt. This truth of mournful experience
should be treasured up by us nil, and
should influence the habits and arrangement
of domestic and social life in every
class of the community.?Dr. Channing.
Cons mimical ions.
toR THE CoUKIKR.
11 Behold. how Doctors Jisaijrep,
And soundest Casuists, just like \ oil and me."
Mr Edit<?r.?I observed in your "Courier"
of the 24ih inst., "Crisis No. 1. by
.1 Young Planter," whose remarks go
conclusively to attribute the pressure in
our tnonoy market, to the measures of
oUr o\Vti government, blit seems to imply
a willingness to stand corrected if lie is
in error. This is gentlemanly.
I am a plain illiterate man but hope
like the " Young Planter," "that I will
not be deemed arrogant" in offering a few
remarks, as to my opinion on that subject.
I agree with him that the pressure began
first in England, and there is no doubt, as
he says, "of the relation and affinity that
exists between us ; hut I cannot concur
with him "in assuming that the administration
is responsible to the country for
the present state of thing's," for the following
reason's.
And first of all, 1 know of no policy
in this government to drcan the specie
from Europe" nor lias it directly done so.
except in that so justly cxcreised with
Franco, and lor which 1 hope the Young
Planter" is not prepared t ? censure; and
as 10 the "specie being locked up in certain
Pet Banks," and not used for the legitimate
purposes of the Government under
the acts appropriating it, i unqualifiedly
deny.
if ow is it "invested in the most unhallowed
land speculations in the west?"
hare assertions are neither triumphs or
proofs. Has not the Administration done
all that could be done, to prevent these
"unhallowed speculations t" Was the
specie tyrcular calculated to favor them?
And how? That the Administiaiion has
had in the remotest manner any thing to
do with the "unhallowed speculations,"
demands proof, conviction and punishment;
else unprejudiced minds will not
believe one word of it.
Again he says "now let us consider in
addition to that, the destruction of the
Bank of the United States, the removal of
the Deposites, the Treasury order, requiring
the payment of the Custom House
Bonds and Post Office dues in specie; in j
I act, the very agitation oi the delicate
subject of the currency, the endless cant '
about Bank rags and the hard money system,
has a tendency to impair confidence."
Was hot the United States Bank an unconstitutional,
aristocratical monopoly,
in dimatrical opposition to the rights of
the Slates and the very genius oT our free
institutions? I hope the "Young Planter"
will answer these questions, and
shew us the constitutional right of any
such monopoly.
If he does not, I for one, on republican
principles, will contend that its destruction
was a genuine republican measure,
and that it was not so delicate a subject"
when our liberties were at stake under
the influence of a moiiicd aristocracy.
IV ! I -I - - -
now uiu inai measure " impair conlidence"
among our people, 1 would also
like to know. As it respects the removal
of the Depositcs, i cannot for the soul of
me, understand why that should destroy
confidence. It did not take one dollar
out of the country, and it was an act regarding
the rights of the States, whose
people paid their own quota of the money.
Then why should it destroy confidence,
to disburse it from the .State Banks (Pet
Pa . a) any more than if it had been disbursed
by the Bauk of the United States?
I would be proud to learn, where there
was any reasonable difference.
I think there are other strong reasons
that could be assigned for the destruction of!
confidence, if it is really destroyed. It has.
been hay day with.us for several years past' a
and our profession has kept pece with it.? g
Cotton was selling at high prices, and wc con- { s
ceived we were going on svvimingly. This a
created a spirit for speculation and Banking ?
to a dangerous extent. The Banks issued , a
two, three, or pferhaps four tithes the atootint \ t
that they could redeem with specie, which [
afforded a fucility for ruinous speculations; \
many planters and fanners anticipated great s
prices for their cotton, and involved lhem-'c
selves to the amount of two or three crops c
yet to be grown; the Factors contending for ! i
a monopoly in their business, advanced J |
large amounts of paper money borrowed of j
the Batiks, and credits were extended in eve- 1 i
ry direction; down goes the prices of cotton I
in Europe, like a thunder bolt, (the cause of <
which I am at a loss to account for) and then I
comes the tug. Many merchants having ' I
purchased cotton largely, are consequenly i
involved in ruin; the factors having advanced i
larger sums to the planters than their whole |
crops on hand would justify, were compelled I
to stop payment at (he Banks; the Banks <
aware of the critical situation, at once stop <
issuing thf>ir bills, and affording the planters
and factors mbre facilities at their Banks,
and all are in a desperate dilemma: and to
cap the climax of those difficulties, the spe- j
cie circular, intended as a check on the ''unhallowed
land speculations in the West,"
the ruinous flood of' Bank rags" into the
Treasury, and unwarranted issues of more
bills, compelled all the Banks, the United
States Bank with the rest, to close their doors
against redeeming their own bills with spe- 1
cie. Without any other cause, one would
think, this was qtiite enough to destroy confidence
Now, how in the name of soldiership
and sence is the "Administration responsible
to the country" for all this?
Again the voung Plan;er says: "'/ill these
measures together with the failure of the
American importing merchants to remit specie
to Europe as usual, forced the people of
England and their Banks, to act on the defensive.
and consequently when the Bank of
England had to contract her discounts, the
very fact ?f curtailing, had an immediate
and sensible impression on the cotton market."
Huw the "administration is responsible
to the country" for the regulations the
Bank and people of England may adopt, is
to me unaccountable: every one has a right
to do their business in their own way.
Again, "when thev (the English) fail to
receive from us ihe payment of our debts for
the manufacurcd fabric, of course they
could not susiain the high prices for the mat
rial." We have the ''material," say cotton,
and let them take it in payment. And
a:ain, "there is at this m incut, as great a
demand for cotton as ever:" then, for heaven's
sake let them have it, as we still have
a crnnrl float An Knrwt nnsl wnnlil lil.'o h\ niPPt
this "great demand." Nay, nay, but we
must send the specie first, and hire them to
take the cotton afterwards. when it is in
"such gieat demand." This puis me in
mind of a cltil I I once saw, who wanted a
wino-glrtss, and cried forit; his father thought
the glass wOuhl he it] danger if the child got
it, and offered it a d dlar to quiet it; but the
child would not take the dollar until he got
the glass first, but the father held on to the 1
glass until the child took the dollar and was <
quiet. Just so we mu>t do with our cotton,
and then pay balances in specie, of which
there is said to be 75 or SO millions in the 1
country, and not one thiid of that amount is ,
locked upby thegovernmeftt in the pet Banks,'
the remainder being just about enough to pay
off what we have overtraded, and thereby
take "the responsibility to the country" off
the administration's shoulders!!! To be
serious, "I really think that the honorable
l\l r I t1 t^f.lhf.nn h.ia )i:i/l n? miwli unrl
a little more hand in causing the distress abroad
nrity in our country, than the adminis
tvaxiim that is so "responsible io the country"
for it. My reasons for thinking so, are simply
ihese.
The English are a cunhiug calculating
people, and have long, and perhaps justly,
inimical to our tariffs of protection, and
have been long striving to break down our
manufactories, by pressing in their fabrics at
a heavy rate; but Mr. Calhoun's vote last
winter, to sustuin a heavy tariff until the
year 18-12, and a considerable tax afterwards,
has given all their hopes a datnper. They
little thought or expected, that the man,'who
at one time, thought the tariff so onerous as
to put South Carolina out of the Union with
all the concomitant evils thereby resulting,
rather than pay it, would vote for its eontinu- 1
ance up to 1842, when our constitution
would warrant is repealed at any time, with- '
out making the "administration responsible
to the cotfntry."
AN OLD FARMER. j
FOR TIIE COURIER. '
THE CRISIS?No. II.
ft has llPPIl flffinitolv ,la/<orU!nn.l ll.nt
WW.. 'J klllllCU IIIUI |
the importations into the United States, I
the fiscal year, 1836, exceeded the aggregate
amount of our exports, sixty-one million*
ol dollars. And when the balance
of trade be against us, we regard it a selfevident
proposition, that the balance of
specie cannot be in our favor. How preposterous
then the idea of attempting to
retain the precious metals on this side of
the Atlantic. The policy is absurd, and
the measures adopted must prove totally
unavailing; yes, it will go back in spile
of the government. We already have
frequent accounts of shi| ments to Eurooe.
I ~ w I
and not less than five millions have been
remitted by our importing Merchants, since
the pressure, and even the suspension of
our Banks. 1
There is, perhaps, no subject in the ,
whole range of politiral economy more
abstruse than the system of Banking and '
the currency. It is not to be comprchrn- 1
ded in all its bearings without more study ,
nd laborious research than the people [<
enerally are disposed to devote to the
ubject. Hence it seeins to be conlided !
ilmost exclusively to the disinterested,
inancial management of our Statesmen?
tnd it is only at times like the present,
hat the people can be aroused to take a
>ropcr interest in this vital question.
iVhat public indignations then will be vilited
upon those rulers, who have contacted
us, so unexpectedly to the present'
jatastrophe, under the specious, 44 cxpe- j
i neiil'* of the 44 old humbug.** That the
policy of the administration, have, in a
rreat measure, brought about this alarm- {
ng conjuncture, we have no doubt. And
the people arc not to be duped by the declaration,
that it was produced by overtrading
and speculation, as maintained by
the advocates of u metalic currency. We
acknowledge the prevalence of a most j
unbridled and dangerous spirit of enter-1
prize and speculation, but this I consider!
rather a consequence, and not a primary \
or even collateral cause. . And the reader i
can well imagine, what influence' the'forty ,
millions of dollars employed in specula-,
tions in public lands in the West, may |
I # . .i ! ? a. J I
nave nan in losicring mis spirit, it ?avc i
an impetus to this spirit of speculation,
which caused every species of property,
suddenly to assume an artificial value. '
And behold the effects of the reaction ;
thousands who were in affluence are now I
in poverty. Certain visionary the"RIstsi
backed by the President in making war'
upon the currency, arc uprooting the foundations
of social order, and pr6slrating at
one mighty blow, the living energies of
the most prosperous nation on earth.
This project of a metulic system in the
United Slates, is based upon principles,
subversive of our free institutions, and
incompatible with an enlightened political
economy. The scheme is impracticable.
Let us here consider the vast trading capital
of the United States, and the probable
proportion, that the specie in our Hanks
would bear to that capital. And suppose
ibis immense capital was brduglit down
and restricted to our circulation in specie,
would any one require a Prophet to foretel
a mighty revulsion. We think not.
And whenever that principle of a metalic
currency is efficiently applied to our system,
desolation and misery will overspread
the land. This trading capital afloat, is
founded upon civi lization and integrity,
and is sustained by confidence?it .wives j
employment,facilitates business,and there- j
by conduces to the general happiness of
mankind. Col. Benton's proposed cur-!
rency is unworthy of the age in which we
hvc. Amidst a blaze of political light,
we arc in darkness. 'May common sense
revive again and predominate, that the
honor and integrity of the country may be
preserved.
A YOUNG PLANTER.
? na?wnii ,tn m _- ? ^?
<?omwcrcfnl Gottrfer.
C A M D K N, S. C. JULY 8, 1837 1
Several Communications intended for j
,1.! 1 1 ? *iii v
iins iiumoer, nave neon tinavoiaauiy crowd- i
id out. Tliry shall have a place in our next. 1
Josf.en Doby, Esq., was, on Tuesday
last elected to deliver the next fourth of
July Oration.
We have understood that the match race
between Col. Hampton and Johnson for
10,000 Dollars will be run at this place on
the day previous tt> the next regular Races.
Experienced sportsmen who have
visited our course, speak of it as one of
the best in the Union.
William Kennedy, Esq., was on Saturday
last, elected Captain of Beat Company
No. 1. We would be glad to sec at
each election for officers of our Beat Companies,
the same determination evinced to
place the command in the hands of competent
individuals.
A North Carolina paper informs us of
the death of the venerable Nathaniel Macon.
We are happy to learn that Col. James
Ciiesnijt. ir. has bee n Iirevnilnd nnnn tit I
r.~ -r
furnish ijs a copy of his Oration for publication.
Errata.?I the second column third
line of "Asure Demons" (by a Lady) in
our last paper, for mad, read markf.A.
We regret the mistake 'which destroyed
the sense of our fair correspondent's quotation
as we feel indebted for her interesting
communication, and Will ever he
proud to grace our columns with her effusions.
We hope they will be repeated.
Monsieur Cliabert the great Eire King,
who withstood the effects of live coal and
boiling lead, has at last been consumed by
the influence of i.ove, which seems to ]
have melted the fair object of his adoration
into "bone of bis bone and flesh of
bis flesh." A nobleman set op pretentions
to her hand rind person, relieied his disnp- (
pointmcnt and broken heart by a m.ite 4
pii.l, not compounded by the skillful Doc- ?
tor, but administered to "his brain diseas- 1
sd" through the medium of his own pis- t
tol, and the gallant and polished Doctor <
Julian Xavier Chabert, King of Fire bo- i
7
/
came King of Heart*/ We trust the oven
of matrimony will-never prove too warm
for the happy cjriiple.
FOURTH OF rULY.
We do not recollect for several years
to have experienced so great a display of
enl^ii^siasm as was manifested on this occasion.
The day was ushered in by the firing
of cannon and the ringing of bells,
proclaiming the return of the birth day of
a great and grateful people. At an early
hour the carriages were seen rolling thro'
our streets to the spot appointed for the
presentation of a sword, to Col. JOHN
C-HESNUT, late Captain of the Florida
Volunteers; where, already were assembled,
a very large concourse of the citizens
of both the town and District; all
anxious to behold the ceremony, and by
their presence and applause, to consecrato
the gift.
At 10 o'clock the Florida Volunteers
were escorted to the ground by Copt. IIolleyman's
Company, under the inspiring
influence of a full Martial Band. As soou
as they arrived to the appointed place, tho
congregated mass which had assembled*
crowded tort)liftd?Col. John Chesnut ma
king lus appearance at the same time at
the entrance of the Court llousc. As soon
as the bustle had subsided, Adjutant Murray
approached, and in a very handsome
manner prefaced the presentation with
the following appropriate remarks.
MAJOR MURRAY'S ADDRESS
SIR,?I appear before you on this occasion,
as the humble organ of the corps
of Florida Volunteers, who, at th^ir country's
call rallied under her banner with
chivalric promptness, to protect beauty
and innocence from the scalping knife of
the ruthless savage. In selecting you their
commander, they felt, Sir, that your military
skill, patriotism and prudence would
reflect honor not only on yourself and the
Volunteers, but on your District and State.
Their expectations were more than realized?and
as a token of these sentiments,
and to gratify the spontaneous burst o?
feelings of our patriotic Fellow Solders :
and as an inadequate tribute to your worth
I am directed to present you a sword?
and although 1 feel sensibly the honor
conferred 011 me, as gratifying to my pride :
I should have shrunk from the duty, if I
was not conscious the expression of friendship
and nflectien, needed not the 0111a
ments of Speech to convey to you their
deep sense and obligation, for the service
you rendered us as an Officer, gentleman
and friend.
Soon after our return from Florida, n
meeting of the Volunteers tvas held, and
resolutions unanimously adopted, expressing
their approbation of the patriotic and
soldier-like conduct of the Officers during
the Florida campaign. On that occasion
All were so deeply sensible of the value
of your services as Captain and friend,
arising from your high, honorable and
chivulric deportment as a Soldier and a
gentleman, evinced, in your attentive, cool
and deliberate bearing on all occasions:
and more particularly, when danger threatened,
they felt secure under your guidance,
and was proud thai Kershaw district was
so ably represented in the commanding
Officer of lier Volunteer Sons. These
sentiments express the esteem, applause
and good will of all who shared with you
the hardships,privations and dangers of llto
campaign. At this meeting they all, with
one consent determined to present you a
Sword. Many'Obstacles prevented our oL?
taining it ere this; and it is n source of joy,
that time has not diminished their esteem
and confidence in you. As a corps and as
fellow citizens, they bid me tender to you
their fervent wishes for your long life;
that it may continue, exerted for the good
of your country; that you may enlarge
the respect and affectionate regard already
so deservedly possessed throughout our
District. And to assure you, whatever
may be your destiny, you will always have
the undoubted claims to the best feelings
and wishes of the Florida Volunteers. I
feel more than I can express; the pleasure
and honor conferred on me, in presenting
to you in their behalf, this Swoftp, which
they feel confident, will ever prove ready
in defending your country's glory?and
with theso sentiments we hope you will
accept it.
As soon as the applause subsided, Col.
Chesnut responded with his usual eloquence,
as follows.
COL. CIlrSNUTS REPLY.
I receive, Sir, with profound gratitude,
this valued Gift of a Gallant Corps.
I feel most sensibly, in all its force, their
generous friendship?and am well aware
how much I owe to their kind partiality.
I am grateful, too Sir that my destiny
placed ine with those, hv whom error of
judgement is so readily overlooked, and
honesty of priciplc so liberally appreciated.
The approbation of the enlightened and
virtuous is the Freenyin's highest reward,
with the patriot, next to the stern moral
obligations of duty, it is the strongest incentive
to a course of action honorable
ind useful?with the soldier, it prompts
to efforts the success of which give eharrctcr
his profession, and honor to his
country?That my efforts, feeble as they
vere, have been deemed worthy of so