University of South Carolina Libraries
, TftE SEMI-WEEKLY JOUBNAL. r FRIDAY MORNING. NOVEMBER 20, 1852. .3 . .. > ? THO. J. WARREN, Editor. 7.1 "77 ' ' Our Cotton Market. rm.-' ?,,?fnvnr?h]n nows from Europe has ' , v .me cuuuuuou u??w* w?? ??- 4 had the effect of depressing our Cotton market, and a decline in prices has taken place. We quote extremes at Tito 8|. j Later from Europe. r\ ?. The steamer Hermann arrived at New-York on Wednesday last, bringing four days later news from Europe. The lower qualities of Cotton had declined in Liverpool i to id. Sales of the last two days 8,000 O ott^t- bales. The Message. By the exclusion of everything else, we are enabled to lay this document before our readers. We have no time or room for comment, but bespeak for it an atten tire perusal. It will be found a plain, sensible clocu1 meat?-just such as might have been expected from our excellent Chief Magistrate The Legislature. The proceedings of the two first days of the session have been received, but possess very little of interest We shall keep our readers advised of the proceedings, during the remainder of the session. ? ? GOTEBOft'S MESSAGE. Columbia, Nov. 23,1852. Gentlemen of the Senate and Home of Representatives: 1 ? 11 * 1 II I ? Anottier year Das rouea rouau, ana urougni ^ the day when, as Representatives of the people, you have assembled together to deliberate upon the affairs of the Commonwealth. And before I proceed to treat of the subjects which, for the good of our State, I may deem proper to bring to your attention, permit me earnestly to request that you will join me in rendering heartfelt thanks and praise to Almighty God, for the many and undeserved mercies bestowed upon tis as a people during the past year. Although some portion of our State has trembled beneath the Bcourge of the "Pestilence which walketh in darkness and wasteth by noonday," yet we have cause for thankfuluess that we have been permitted to enjoy, in other portions, more than a usu al degree of health; and although we have been vaueu upuu t\j iiiuuiu tiic ucvdotduvii auu iuiu which marked the tracks of the Jate disastrous and unprecedented flood, yet wherever its desolating effects were not felt, a rich and abundant harvest will reward the labor of the husbandman. Terrible ha3 been the blow to the prosperity of our State by the destruction of crops and bridges on our water-courses, and as deeply as we sympathize with those of our fellow-citizens who have suffered, yetVe are bound to bow submissively to the afflicting rod of our Heavenly Father, and . render to Him the homage of grateful hearts for whatever mercies He has seen fit, iu His wisdom / and goodness, to vouchsafe to us, His dependant creatures. It gives me pleasure to inform you that the Message, still continues. The South Carolina * College, under the judicious and energetic management of its able President, is still progressing in its onward course of usefulness To the already able and efficient corps of Professors, has been added during the past year the services of Dr. Reynolds, whose high character, devoted piety, and elegant erudition, amply qualify for the exalted station to which he has been called, and I i which he has thus far filled with honor to himself, and usefulness to the Institution. The Military Academics still give evidence o' increasing usefulness, and bid fair to stand as enduring monuments of the wisdom and munificence of the State; in establishing so enlightened a plen of eleraosynary education. The students at the Citadel were suspended during a part of " 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 healthy region, in case this epidemic should again visit tlie city.? The addition to the Arsenal, ordered by the last Legislature, is completed, and, with the former building, wiK be of sufiicieiit capacity to accommodate all the Fourth Class, (say from ninety to one hnndred.) The last Legislature authorized the Trustees of the South Carolina College to build a Chapel i ?ll e ? piu?iucvi iucy uiu nut uitii upon it ior more 111:111 $10,000. This building, so much needed, has been contracted for by the Trustees at $22,000, and will be 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 ]>erceive from this statement that the Legislature will be or.ly called upon for the suin which it authorised the Trustees to use. As no annronria tion was made for this purpose and as the Trus-1 tees acting under the authority given them by the Legislature, have contracted for the payment of that sum after your adjournment, 1 recommend that at the present Session yoji make an appropriation to meet this call. Before I leave the subject of these your cherished Institutions of learning the one which has given to your history some of its bright*-st names, and the other, which, although hut in its infancy. becrins to show its nractical utilitv. bv irivinir tf *. C 1 t' ' c o to the State the services of well educated gentlemen, wlio, but for its munificence, might have grovelled for ever in obscurity?permit me earnestly to invoke for them a continuance of your care and liberality. I have endeavored, during the past summer, to inform myself thoroughly upon the subject of our Free School System, hut from the want of interest generally manifested, I have been able to collect but little information. There seems to be a general belief that it works badiy, except in large cities. Conducted as they are in the country, I do not hesitate to pronounce it an almost J.*A. 4.1 LI!- f. 3 . T movicwj cajjcnuimre ui me puuiio iuiiu ] yvi 1 Hiu far from being willing to recommend a discontinuance of the appropriation. The object ofextending the blessings of education to the poor is too just and noble a one to be abandoned. In some of the older States, more densely populated than our own, beneficial results have beeD seen from it. I am sure the system could be so altered and improved as to work well with us.? But to do this, it would require a thorough knowledge of the subject; and it appears to me that the only way in which you could obtain that i 1_-i? ?i.- : ?i_- /-i Kiiuwiirugu, wuiuu ue tu uuuiuu^ uie uuveruur to appoint a suitable and competent person to travel over the State for a year, and notice the manner of its operations, point out its defects, and suggest improvements. To do this, it must be made the specific duly of some one to collect this information, pay him for it, and require a strict performance of it at his hands. I feelcettain of the propriety of this recommendation, inasmuch as 1 am su.- taiiK d in it by high authority. One of my predecessors called upon all the Commissioners of Free Schools to make reports of the condition of thorn in their respective Districts, and to suggest such alterations and improvements as they deemed necessary. These reports were placed in the hands of Dr. Thornwell and Bishop Elliott, who, after a careful examination of them, recommended the plan which I have done. The Bank of the State, according to a Pmport made to me by its President, is in a highly prosperous condiliou. The capital is ?100,000 more than last year. The capital in use may be set down at $3,450,000 Deduct Fire Loan Loads 208,500 3,152,500 The profits are 309,405 Deduct Interest on Fire Loan Bonds 29,680 Leaves .279,725 which is about 9 per cent on its capita). The Charter of this Bank expires in 1856. The short time it has to run renders it proper! that you should consider the question of its re I charter at this Session. I think there are many ...u? -i?u t!.:., in. i rauiUUB wnj a nuuuiu uc iv;-tu(ii iuivu. j uio institution has proved itself to be highly useful, and safe as a fiscal agent of the State, and has aided materially in sustaining our people during the severe monetary crisis through which we have passed. As all human institutions are imperfect, no doubt but some instances of mismanagement have occurred in the conduct of its affairs. I be lieve the only mismanagements that has been complained of is an over indulgence of some of its debtors. I have not been able to learn, however, that the Bank has sustained any losses from this cause. In some instances a long indulgence has secured the final payment of the debt, and at the same time enabled the creditor to secure a competence to his family, when the sudden calling in of the debts would have resulted in heavy losses to the Bank, and brought ruin and bankruptcy unnn tVio dol\tnr Ur.^UVV.V? It is much mure creditable to the management of this Institution that it should have erred in this particular than that it should have proved a relentless creditor, by forcing sales of property 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 proef that they are incident t it, or that the system itself is a bad one. The Charters of many of the private Banks are about to expire; and in all probability appliBanking system, were the question of its introduction amonsrst us for the first time made, one thing is certain, it lias so completely intenvoven itself into all our habits of business, that to abandon it now would greatly embarrass the commercial interest, and probably bring ruin on the country. It perhaps would be wise to re-charter them all, yet some check ought to be placed upon them. I know of no other better than a strong Bank of the State. Another argument in favor of its recbarter, is the amount of taxes it saves to our citizens. During the past year, as I have already stated, its profits have amounted to $279,725, which, of course, has relieved our neoiile of that amount of i taxation. But above all other reasons why you ; should renew its Charter, the fact that the honor1 of the State is pledged to it should have greater | influence with you than anything else. When j the Fire Loan Bonds were negotiated in England by Ex-Governor McDuflie, the profits of the Bank were pledged as a security for the payment.* Thus it would appear that a refusal to re-charter this Bank, at least until these bonds are liquida ted, would involve a violation of the pledges, affect the credit, and tarnish the honor of the State, which every Carolinian should regard as sacred as his own. With; ul making a positive recommendation on this subject, I suggest to you the propriety of considering at this time whether it would not be wise, under existing circumstances, to increase I the capital of the linn It of the State. The great increase of all kinds of business, caused by our Railroads, calls for additional Banking Capital. Some of the large manufacturing establishments which have recently sprung up amongst us, have been greatly embarrassed during the past summer for the want of Bank accommodation. In tact, the complaint is very general on this sub-1 ject. No doubt this state of things will produce | applications for charters for more Hanks. Now, j a- the Hanking system has proved so highly pro ' fitable, would it not be wise to appropriate a large portion of it to the State, and thus in a measure free our people from taxation. Hut a still stronger reason for an increase, is to give it the power of acting as a chock upon the private Hanks. They are certainly much to he dreaded, if left entirely uncontrolled. When the condition of the country is prosperous, the temp tation to expand their currency, and thus increase their profits is almost irresistible. Such expansions cause all kinds of property to assume a fictitious value, and the whole countrv run ri.a in the wildest speculations. Scenes of great distress always follow such periods as these, and is genernlly hastened and rendered still more terrible by the sudden calling in of the debts, and the contraction of the currency. In fact the value of the nronort.v is nlmnct 4l-~ ? ?- I J?J ?- UIU mere)' of those who control the currency of the country. An expansion always runs it far beyond its value, and and a contraction far below. Even the price of our great staple can be affected by the Banks refusing to lend money freely, and thus seriously injure the planter. There should be some check upon this immense, this fearful power. See Mr. McDuffie'j letter to Col. Elmore, Bank Com pilaticm, p. 661. K v* I know ihat great fears are entertained as to the political power which a strong Bank of the State would wield?but these are rather imaginary than real, if you will reflect that it will be J entirely under the control of the Legislature.? Its officers are elected annually, and of course - - - - ? ? ' I could be removed it iounu exeruugiy anj muuence at variance with the true interests of the people. All the arguments which go to establish our fears that a corrupting influence might he cx ercised upon the politics of the country, would equally apply to private Banks. If there is any i real danger of such influences from moneyed monopolies, it is far belter that they should bo undei the control the State. The Bank of the Slate is directly responsible to the Legislature, while the private Banks are* perfectly independent of it, from the time they receive their charters, until they expire. If you, in your wisdom, should deein it inexpedient to increase the capital of the Bank of the State, so as to give it the controlling influence, prudence requires that yon should grant no charter to any private Bank with a capital of sufficient size to give such influence to it. No Bank should be chartered with a capital beyond a million of dollars. me J-umnnuc a^jiuin, uimuiAiiiauic n^uvu- , tion so creditable to tlie humanity of the Suite, demands your special care and attention. Justice requires that I should again report to you not only the admirable order of its arrangement but the devoted attention of its officers to the 1 delicate and laborious duties they are called upon 1 to perform. Dining the past year forty-four (44) new pa- : ticnts have been received, thirty of whom are pay patients, and twenty-eight of those heretofore under treatment have been dimissed, either entirely 1 cured or greatly benefitted. The buildings are . i _ A-II i.?, T now noi only iuii out cruwueu. ? no? |'aiuvularlv 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 the age have shown that the original buildings was impropeily constructed, but the additions which are hereafter made can be done in accordance with those improvements which will greatly remedy < the defter. If the Legislature will grant a further appro- 1 priation, it is proposed to enclose with a wall four acres of the lands belonging to the Asylum on the east side of it, and erect suitable build- < ings to accommodate the female patients. For this purpose the Regents, Physicians and Super < intendent ask an appropriation of thirty thousand dollars. This will enable them better to i provide for the reception of pay patient8, which j will greatly relieve the State of the the burthen of the Institution, perhaps to a sufficient extent i i .1 1 I even 10 re-tmourse n ior mo amumn ui mo appropriation, as for the want of such accommodations, many wlio are able and willing to pay highest, are carried to other Institutions. All ] must feel it to be the duty of a State to provide for that unfortunate class of our fellow-creatures < who have been deprived of reason. Yet none can feci that duty with the degree of intensity which their helpless and deplorable situation dc brnno-ht inCOn- _ tact with them. I am sure, if you an could be c-yo witnessea-fc^ their suffering*, von would feel yourselves called upon by every consideration of , humanity and Christianity, to place within their J reach all the means that science has discovered < for their cure, and to make your Institution not , morelv a orison house, but reallv an Asvlum.? " J I ? ?? -- 7 " ?/ ^ ^ f/ ^ Those who have watched this Institution with a ( paternal care, and have no interest apart from . its good, who have carefully considered its wants, , ask this appropriation at your hands. 1 trust . you will not re use it. , A memorial from the Directors of the South { Carolina Institute is herewith transmitted, to j which I invite your attention. This Institute, | established for the encouragement of all the in- ( dustrial pursuits of the country, was incorporated l?y an act of the Legislature in 1850. One ( fair wjis held previous to its incorporation, -md 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 Suite has lieen in the great race of the improvement of the mechanic arts, this exhibition of mechanical skill _...i :?>u.. ,.f ?i.;? HIIU w 1111:11 Hi*: iciim vi (,111a iimububv have developed, must be a source of pride and satisfaction to every one who has the real interests of his country at heart. They have clearly shown that there was no want of talent or energy on the part of our mechanics, hut that it only required some stimulant of this kind to spring it into life. These exhibitions are common to all those States which have been most remarkable for'their improvements in the mechanic arts, and limn cnnnSfArl flirt f in ?*f i/?n In ? lint f/iitniru r?f f 11. .11 IKItU IVIA-I'VU I'uitivumi VI U?*..I Legislatures. This Institution has boon established by the private enterprise of its founders, to effect a great public good ; and while it rellects credit upon their public spirit, deserves ycur patronage.? Since it was founded, the articles offered for ex hibition have been so numerous that no hall can Ik* found of sufficient capacity to contain them. The necessity of building another has induced ! them to call upon vou for aid to construct it. By giving this aid, you adopt tin* most enlightened plan of encouraging ail the industrial pursuits of the country ; but more particularly the mechanic arts, which have heretofore been too much neglected. Encourage your own mechanics, by bringing the results of their talent and enterprise into notice, and it will l>c seen that our State will rival any other in useful improve merits. Neglect them, and you will find that the)' will seek some more favored region, where their skill will be appreciated and rewarded The Attorney Ceneral, at my request, has drawn up a report on the subject of Prisons and Prison Discipline, to which lie has added a report on the Criminal law. As it contains much valuable information, and many important suggestions, I herewith transmit, and invite your attention to it. Without pretending to enter fully upon the subject, I will state a few reasons to show there oiiirht to he a change in the management of prisons, and also in the manner of executions. There is no preparation made for the separation of the different classes of prisoners. The youth who for the first time has been convicted of some small offence, and upon whom the punishment of imprisonment might have so saluta ry an effect as to bring about his reformation, if left alone to the workings of his own conscience, is confined with the hardened felon, and, of course, subjected to his pernicious influence. The debtor, who is pel haps more unfortunate than criminal, is herded with the felon and murderer. Good sense, as well as justice and good taste, revolt at this state of things. A change ought to be tuadc in the manner of Executions. All public executions are demoralizing to the community, and fail to produce the effect upon it they were intended to produce. A morbid euriositv collects thousands together to ! witness them, and when the criminal is^rought forth for execution, the natural sympathies of the crowd convert hiiu into a hero or martyr.? j Thus, much more of pity than terror is inspired by the exhibition. Or where, by frequent recurrence, they become familiar, from some strange perversity of human nature, a vulgar taste is inspired for them, which is revolting to witness. It is a familiar fact, that during the Reign of Terror in France, when the streets of l'aris were flowing with the blood of innocent victims, the populace actually clamored for more executions, when each individual was not sure but tr.at his head would be the next to be brought to the guillotine. If it is intended to strike terror to the h^art of the multitude, by witnessing executions, the very publicity of them defeats this end. Much more terror would be inspired by the | knowledge, that at the tolling of a bell, or some j other signal, a human being, within the narrow ; compass of Jus cell, was inuncea 11110 eternity, unsustained in his last dark moments by the sympathies of a surrounding multitude. If the punishment of whipping is to be continued, that, too, were better done in private, I doubt exceedingly, however, the propriety of this mode of punishment under any circumstances, Reformation of the culprit (one of the important ends of punishment) is seldom or ever effected by it. If one spark of good, upon which a hoj>e of reformation can be built, is left in his heart, it is entirely extinguished by the degradation of a public whipping. If he is already hardened in crime, and lost to all sense of shame, no other effect is produced upon him beyond the physical pain inflicted by the lash. I think that the general feeling of our people is decidedly opposed to 1- :..l t. .... ,.t, .... It LUIS rilUUf Ul |Mim>IIUIUUL , nv HlUVsli ClKfcb lb IO exceedingly difficull for the Executive to resist t!.e earnest appeals and poweiful influences brought to bear upon him either to remit or change it. But I will not trespass 011 your time by pursuing the subject further. I ineicl} wi-h to draw | your attention to.it. This subject, together with the revisal of our whole Criminal Code, requires 11 more careful examination than you would probably be able to give it during a short session of the Legtdnturc. I therefore recommend thai j you appoint, or authorise the Governor to appoint, a Commission, consisting ot the Attorney General and the Solicitors, or some oth ir competent persons, to take the whole subject of our Criminal Law, Prisons and Prison Discipline, under consideration, and report to the next Legislature such changes as may be.expedient or necessary. In this manner, all the facts and statistics necessary to f^r.n a. correct judgment on tin* ciibWt will be brouirlit before vbuDV those who are most familiar with them. By a joint resolution of the last Genera! Assembly, I was requested to communicate with the Governor of Georgia on the subject of the 'obstructions to commerce and intercourse be , tween the two States, and to take such other steps as would lead to a full exposition and understanding of the rights of all parties concerned ind to a frank and friendly settlement of the j whole mat lor On the 6th o! May I addressed j i letter to Ills Excellency Governor Cobb, in accordance ^ith the spirit of the said j..?iiil resolution, and ri'.juestod tin; Attorney General to look nto the matter, and report to me what were the legal rights of the parlies couc<-rii'd. I have re eeivvd as yet no direct reply from Governor Cobb. My letter to him, together with the eoirespondetice between the Attorney General and the Executive Secretary of Georgia?the statement of the Attorney General, and the result of his legal investigations of the ease embodied in the form of a Report, are all herewith transmitted. T think it hmvni-pr nrnnnr fn stuff* thnf tht> question of the boundaries between the two States has lost much of its interest at present, since an arrangement h.-ts been made by the President of the South Carolina Railroad Company with the city authorities of Augusta, by which a fice passage across the Savannah River is secured to the Company. I feel it my duty to call your attention to cor tain proceedings which have grown out of the enforcement of that law of our State, which require.-, ;ho Sheriff of Charleston to seize anu im i.tisoii colored Seamen who are brought to that port. You will remember that the British Consul addressed a communication to the Legislature in December 1850 on the subject of a modification of this law. A Committee was appointed by the House and Senate to report upon it at the next session of the Legislature. These Comraittcs reported adverse to any modification. On the 24th of March, 1852, Manuel Percira was imprisoned in accordance with the law alluded to. The vessel in which he sailed was driven into the port of Charleston in distress. This was I _ - I 1 _ _ p I I. I _!_ . _ i jookcu upon as a xavoraoie case upon wmcn 10 make an issue, as so strong an element of sympthy was connected with it. Accordingly, a molion was made before Judge Withers for a Writ of "Habeas Corpus," which was refused by him. These proceedings were instituted by the British Consul, it is said, under instructions from his finvnriim/int tnct rlin AnnQtitutmnnllv nf flu* Act. I think it here proper to state, that Pereira was at perfect liberty to depart at any moment that lie could get a vessel to transport him beyond the limits of the Sate. In truth, in consideration of the fact that his coining into the State was involuntary, the Sheriff of Charleston whith his characteristic kindness, procured for him a place in a ship about to sail for Liverpool. Early in April Pereira was actually released and on his way to the ship, having himself signed the shipping articles, when, by interposition of thd British Consul he was again consigned to the custody of the Sheriff. A few days after this the British Consul insisted 110 longer on his detention, but voluntarily paid his passage to New York. This statement of Mr. Yates, together with the letter of the British Consul, are herewith transmitted. While these proceedings-were pending the She: iff of Charleston had my instructions not to give up the prisoner, reveu if a -writ of. Habeas Corpus had been granted. I- considered that the "Act of 1844*' entitled "An Act more effect- I ually to prevent negroes and other persons of | color from entering into the State;- and for other purposes," made it my duty to dp so.' /' A On the 19th of May, Reuben Roberts;, a color- m ed seaman, a native or JNaasnu, arrived in the J steamer, Clyde, from Baracoa. The Sheriff ot'^fl Charleston, in conformity with tbe! laws of the State, which lias been-in force siuce ^1823; arrested and lodged him in the district jail, where lie was detained until the-20th of May,; when the Clyde being ready to sail Roberts was' put on board, and sailed the same day. - -MmOn the 9th of June a Writ in Trespass, for Assault and False. Imprisonment, from the Federal Court, was served upon Sheriff Yates, laying the damage at $4000. . e / . The Act of 1844, 1 take it, was intended to prevent all interference on the part of any pow- ** er on the face of the earth with the execution of this police regulation, which is so essential to.the_ peace and safety of our community." Had theLegislature which passed it ever dreamed < that the Sheriff was to be subjected to the^annoyance r.e ,i i i.,.r.vw, *i.? Ul UCJIIj? Uid^CU UCILFIV tuc X CULUOI VUUIt IVf * doing liis duty under a law bt the State I am sure it would have provided for his .protection. As no such provision has been made for so nnex- Jt pectcd a contingency, I recommend that you so amend this Act of 1844, that it may meet any case that may arise. : , It is certainly wrong to tolerate this'interference with the laws enacted for the protection of. our institution. In the general distribution of , power between the Federal and State .Govern- ^ inents, the right to make their own police regu-^ , latious was clearly reserved to the {States. In j fact, it is nothing more nor less than the right j. of self-preservation?a right which is above all Constitutions, and above all laws, and one which never was, nor never will be, abandoned by a* people who are worthy to be free. It is a right ^ which has never yet been attempted to be denied y to any people, except to us. "5 The complaint against this law is very strange, find iIia tn brinrr us in conflict tfith the *** " ??i o ? . : General Government on account of it, is still more remarkable, when, so far from its being at variance with laws of the U. S. it is only reqni- i ring the State authorities to enforce an" act of Congress approved February 23th, 1803, entitled an Act to prevent the importation of certain persons into certain States, where by the lawj there- * of their importation is prohibited."?(SeC 2d Story's Laws U. S., page 886.) By referring to this Act, you will see that the plitintifF-iff the action alluded to, was prohibited by it from enter- . ing into this State. I deem it unnecessary, however, to enter fully into the argument."If any doubt should be entertained by you, as to its con- . stitutionality, I beg Wave to refer to the able J opinion of the Hon. J. McPherson Berrien, de- ? livered at the time he was Attorney Gefieral of 1 the United Slates, which I herewith send"you. On the subject of the modification of this law, I am free to say, that when Her B. Majesty's Government, through its Consul, made a'respect-: FuU request to our Legislature to that effect, I wa3 4 anxious that it should be made. It was with pleasure that I transmitted Irs first- communication to the hist Legislature. I would h/ive made a recommendation of its modification a Rjiecial f point in my first Message, but that I thought it indelicate to do so, as the matter was already < ] before the legislature, and committees had been appointed to report upon it. Another reason for the neglect of this recommendation was the then excited state of party- politics, which might have precluded the possibility of a calm consideration of the subject. Hut for the proceedings instituted in the premises, I would even now recora- I mend a modification of the Taw so astoreqaire Captains of vessels to confine their colored sea- -3 men to their vessels, and to prevent their landing under heavy penalties, forwhilc'I think theState has a perfect right to pass whatever laws on this subject it may deem necessary for its safety, yet the spirit of the age requires, that while they should be so formed as to be adequate to our protection, they should be at the same time ft3 little offensive .as possible to other nations, with whom i wo have friendly relations. Hut since an attempt has been made to defy our laws, and bring us in conflict with the Federal Government, on a subject upou which we are so justly sensitive, our owu self-respect demands that we should not abate one jot or tittle of that law, which was enacted to protect us from the influence of ignorant incendiaries. * It gives ine pleasure to inform you that the _ Railroads of our State are rapidly progressing^ The Columbia and Charlotte Railroad, and the' * King's Mountain Road, are completed. Althoughheavy damages were sustained by the Greenville Railroad from the late freshet, they will soon bo repaired, and under the energetic management of its President and Directors, will ere long be *> completed. The Manchester Road.is also progressing rapidly. Already do we see the potent effects of these Reads in developing the resources of the State, and springing into life the energies of the people. The prosperity which follows in? their track is no longer problematical, Living witnesses of it are all around us. Yet this grani^ system, which is to bring wealth and prosperitflv^ to us, and energize into action resources which ^ were heretofore dormant, has just begun. If we \ would realize their full effects, they must be Qptondnd until the rich commerce of themiorhtv valleys of the West is poured into Charleston.? This ean easily be effected, by pursuing a liberal and enlightened policy towards them?a policy worthy of the age in which we live. The golden opportunity to command this trade is withimour reach. Charters have been granted by the several States through which it will pass for the Blue Ridge Road, which is to cross the Rabun : Gap, and extend through Clayton and Franklin ? to Calhoun, where it will intersect the Knoxvillo and Dalton Road. Through Ivnoxville a com munication will be opened with Cincinnatti, (ss a Charter has been granted by Tennceseo for a Road to the Kentucky line, and a Company is formed in Kentucky to carry it on to Cincinnati.) A road is now in progress to connect Cfrlhoun % with Chattanooga. From Chattanooga to Memphis, a road has already been built, and the Chattanooga road connects it with Nashville. A road is also about to be made between Nashville and Cairo. Thus you will perceive, that if the Blue - Ridge road is built, commencing at AndersonJ > 4n