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**v.- "vKEOWEE COURIER. " TO T1IINK OWN SELF IIK TUUE, AND IT MUST FOLLOW, A3 TIIK NIOHT THE DAT, TIIOU CAn'BT NOT T2TSM BE FALSE TO ANT MAN." VOI,. 1. PICKENS COURT HOUSE, S. C., SATURDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1819. NO 31 TIIK | swering ccrtnin questions The replies I satisfv th?nn ?~"*K n?' " ' ni'iUiTlDIi tODRlDK, FBINTKD AND FUBMAIIKD WKKKt-Y BY VT. H. TR1MMIBR. J. W. N0RU18, JB., ) E. M. KEITH, \ Ldltor8tkikiwn. One Dollar nml Fifty Cunt* for one year's subscription when paid within three months, Two dollars if payment is delayed to the close of the subscription year. All subicriptions* not clonrlv limited, will bo considered as made for mi indefinite time, and continued till a discontinuance is ordered and all arrearages n?i<1 Advertitementa inserted at 6 cents per square for the first insertion, and 87 1-2 cts. for each continued insertion. Liberal deductions made to thoso advertising by the year. Iw All Communication* should l>e addressed to the Publisher post paid. GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. * ULl UKUl I MILITARY AFFAIRS Immediately after the adjournment of the Legislature, I visited the Arsenals, and subsequently nttended as many of the regimental reviews, in the parishes and upper districts, as my civil engagements would per.nit. I regret to acquaint you that I found the military condition of the cn?*~ .1 -_i n dmvv ?icjjiuinuiy ueiecuvc. jnoi only the ordinary means of dcfence, but measurably all the materials of war, were wanting. The martial ardoo, too, ^rliich, it is admitted, distinguishes our people,seemed to be wtutin&T, and the not unfrequent exhibitions of listles3ness and indifference by tho officers, as well os privates, plainly showed that the absence nfcxciting influences, was operating injuriously upon tho true inteicsts of the OUIIC. It '13, perhaps, unnecessary to assure you that South Cnrolina must, hereafter, exist as n military people The history f our country, for the last ten years, affords abundant proof that, as long as the Union endures, there is to be no peace for the slaveholder. An p.f^rnnl warfare against his rights of person and property, under the associated influence of the people and States of the North, and the central power, has been solemnly and deliberately decreed. For this reason, it U essential that Ihe community, of which he is a member, should be pre pared at any moment, tor every emergency. TJ,? t? I - J i ' .. ,.v .uvtouiua nilibil IIIV IK'3l UUHpirU to put the State in a condition of defe ce, to insure An efficient military organisation, and to arouse the vigilance, the pride, and the energy of the citizen soldier, should indicate your path of duty at this time. By a resolution of your last session, iL. n .... me governor was required to increase the number of small arms in the Arsennls, to 12,000, fit for service and not to permit a reduction below it, by ordinary issues. To carry into effect this important resolution, tho Legislature neglected to put one dollar at my disposal. Indepen dent of $5000 dollars for the purchase and distribution of arms, and #15,000, the amount that was in the Treasury, to the credit of the fund, for the same object, iindop iYin 'Ol T U?..? ?1 1 ...... ...-V ui U1I, I Iinrc I:XJH!I1UC'U and contacted to pay for muskets, rifles, | swords, and musket accoutrements, ftlO,000 of the appropriation for 'military contingencies.' Having received from the War Depart ment, the quota of this State, for *47, '48, and the present year, there have been deposited in the Arscnnis, acquired fron that source, and by purchase since i1, j conomenceMcnt of my administration, the number and character of arms specified in exhibit A. The cleaned musk'ita, of which the nuttbuir ill, proportionhllv. verv larrw nnrl ? 0 - I ----those that have always been in good order, show the aggregate that you will find in exhibit H. Deducting tVe repaired guns, which are very suitable for distribution, there wilt exist a deficiency of arms in the arms in the arsenals, absolutely required for Cublic service, which, I /rust, will readily o supplied. Of other military weapons and materials, the number needed is detailed in exhibit C. to whifK r ...VI* A IVIUI y %-MI. To what extent it is advisable to diftribute the public arms among the poopie# is a question for your decision. The repaired musketa and rifle* nro the only guns that I hav consented nhould be withdrawn from the arsenals, and to this rule, unless otherwise directed by the LeciHlature. I crenerallv adhere. fn order to nscertain the opinion of the military on several points of drop public interest, I addressed a circular to the major flenorali sf thtfSl^te, requesting th?m to conveno aboird of officers, in their res. peetlte dlrWonf. for th<* purpose nn oi me board arc herewith forwarded. Of such of their recommendations as I approve, and to which I nsk your notice, a statement you will find in the paper mark ed M. 1 advise also the adoption of the following measures, viz: 1st. That with the consent of city council, the magazine be icmovedfrom .w, .Muovai sue co tne citadel Square, witliin the corporate limits of Charleston. 2d. That the city council of Charleston paying onc-tlurd of the purchase money, that the lot, the property of Dr. Waring, on tho South side of the Guard House square, be bought at a fair voluation, and that there be erected thereon Cljn cnriinofn ' * "* i WlllO| (II1U U SUll\4vlC UUll* | ding for fixed ammunition. fld. Flint for the purchase of nrms and munitions of war, and to meet extraordinary expenditures, $50,000 be appropriated, and $30,000 for the contingent fund, subject to the draft of the Gov ernor. j I ovniviiMi'ilAL bUKVKT STA.TI8TIC8. j j In a State so strictly devoted to the j culture of the earth as South Carolinn, it i* surprising that no inquiry by the constituted authorities has ever been instituted to ascertain her agricultural resources, and indirectly her capacity for commercial and manufacturing enterprise. Of this knowledge, easily acquired, nnd imnortnnt. If if* 1 r , * ?> MV 1UVVI \/OWJ uu UUllbUIl* ed, to every class in society, probably not one member is accurately possessed. It is from this cause mainly, that only 2,600,000, of near 20,000,000 of acres, of our arable grounds, are annually in tilth; that ?o the best soils the plough is a stranger, tnat the intrinsic value of the pine lands, comprehending over 0.000,- | HAA nf ?*? /?" 2? * 1 v.i nbKo, ?a uimpprecinica; ana that the swamp region, of 200o square miles, generally well adapted to the most valuable crops, continues unsubjected to a '.rial of its productive powers. I tit, therefore, wonderful that the spirit of em igration should, at times. lm\ 3 beer awakened; that sections of the state should retrogade, or remain stationary iri popu I union; and that a feeling of disquietncss has been generated, which time, under ihc circumstances that exist, is incapable of subduing? If full and authentic information, for their guidance, were in possession of the people., the prominent motive being withdrawn, but few would elect to dissolve the ties that connects j it !*1- ? " * * " " uiciii wun nome, Kindred nnd friends. It is personally known to me, that there arc millions of acrea of fortil* highland, suitable to the richest crops of the world, still in a state of nature; that where I from exhaustion, extensive tracts have i been abandoned, the means of resuscita-1 tion are at hand; and that an immense i area of swamp and low ground, value- 1 less in its present condition, is ready to reward the effort of ordinary industry. My late tour through the northern districts has codvinceu me, that whilst the railways and other roads, in the progress of construction will effect a radical change in our Agricultural habits and practises, they will introduce the people of the middle nnd lower cuntries to a region unsurnnea/k/1 1 1 * fnwowi ??ji mo HHiijricu oeauiy anu grandeur of its mountain Keener}*, purity of water, invigorating atmosphere, and for the various purposes of extensive r.r.d profitable farming, and other industrial occupations. To ascertain with correctness the resources of a country which a benificent Being has so prodigally endowed, is among the paramount duties of the rcD resentaiivee of the people. Their development and improvement, when ascertain edt might properly be entrusted to the people themselves. As insepernble from the enterprise, should the wisdom of the Legislature determine to prosecute it, I recommend the careful collection of statistical information on nil the branches ot industry. By the possession of facts and materials, lucidly arranged and methodized, we fih.ill he furnished with complete data as to the present state of the population, white nnd colored; eonoenvng agriculture, commorco, Navigation, manufactures, trades, finance, health, and indeed of whatevor may l>e interesting or instructive to our /?Ut7Ana an/1 IT-J*. ouu vi v t luiom. wu'.icr our political organization, and in the condition of sociaiy which tho Southern Statvu exhibit, the viiluo of this knowledge will soon become m nifest and duly estimated. It will tend materially to facilitate many of the most important duties of the public functionary; enable the Legislature to adjust and regulate the various interests of Kociciy, *nu loreiiuce n ehnc* of details, on m ittors requiring their action, into rorder and system. Nor will the people ,themselves be less benefited. To know all that concern# the land of their ttrth, is a matter of pride and deep interest. If thfrMuW oftn agrKultur*! evplorstion ' j ... uiiuui vurxjuna, in all the elements of strength and prosperity, occupies a higher rank among the members of our great political family, than is now generally conccdcd, contentment, with its inspiring concomitants, will impart increased energy to the arm, and infuse new blood into the veins. The late geological survey having laid me iounualion tor the graduates of our oollcges to eroct a superstructure upon, concerning an important branch of knowledge, a practical and more satisfying effort should now be made to diffuse the benefits which an acquaintance with the i rssources of the Stntn nre sn nni?.._ latcd to bestow. Under this conviction, sound policy and the public good induce i me to advise, that a competent parson be chosen to make a thorough agricultural and physical examination of South Oaroi lina, and to collect full statistical information on every industrial pursuit, with the addition of vital statistics; further, that the task of collecting statistical information be renewed every ten years, RAILROADS AND OTHER rUDLIC HIGHWAYSThe railways in tlns?tate, already finished and in progress, furnish strong evidence, that the foresight and enterprise of our citizens have been awakonnl rm this important question of industrial progress. When Greenville, Spartanburg, and Abbeville, shall have been connected with the great Western Columbia branch, it is supposed that not an avenue of communication, which can profitably be opened and maintained by steam power, will remain unestnblished. To consumate a nurnose so intimatt*lv pnnn??.in<l ?:#i. ii _ j wV..?ivwiw vt ivii tui; prosperity of llic State, I trust that the fiower cf the Legislature will not be with>eld, should assistance be required. The three principal railroads under contract, and the lesser ones on which operations may shortly be expec'od to commence, with the Columbia and Hamburg Road and its branches, will exhibit, when I wtujyicicu) ci nut wutk 01 railways, to nn extended line ol 591 miles, in a terrjtorial area of 30,000 square miles. Except the main trunk, the great work will have been executed by the planter and his slaves, and at a cost, too, probably lower than any similar undertaking in the United States. As these iron roads will soon have monopolized the public or general traffic, it becomes important, in view w. w>iiiiiuiiiu?iiiuii, nun me carnage ways of the State should be rendered as efficient as practicable. Plonk Roads in localities, nnd a better scheme for working and keeping in permanent repair our common roads, suggest matter of no '-i dinary inserest. If the forr?t> .? be a question for the people to determine, the latter is ore for legislative decision. The positive and collateral benefits of good roads are too obIttAnn ? ? * n1 "* uuun iui opt^iai uuimneiH. i icy increase the demand for the products of Industry; create new markets; developo commerce; save labor and time; diminish expense, and exercise accumulative moral and political influence on society, which has rarely been properly estimated. From long personal examination and inquiry, I have arrived at the conclusion, that our present road system is radic.allv . J burdensome (o the people, and utterly unsuited to the end it was intended to accomplish. I therefore submit, with great deference, however, the elements of a new plan in the paper marked It, which I feel assured will he attentive'y considered by your Honorable Body. Substantially, it is the same that was presented to the n?A t r v? OIIU UIUIIU OUIJ UI Viewborry, 1822. drainage law. board to remcve obstructions in streams. I suggest the expediency of instituting r commission, consisting of scientific aru practical men. to <linrt?st t.h* ??? ' -- ?p J/HII ciples nnd details of an efficient drainage law; also, the institution of a board in each district, parish, or precinct, somewhat resembling the Board of Commissioners of Roads, to supervise and enforce the removal of those obalructions in the streams from whioh the general health of tho country so frequently suffers. 1. The necessity for n comprehensive law of drainage arises from the inability of the proprietor, in many instancos, legally to reclaim his or relieve him??ff of the malaria r.t L!r,g from stagnant water. It ofttimes happen*, that his own premibos do not admit of the fall necessary to carry off the water, and, if obliged to conduct it by the proper chrnnel to the land nf h\a nmnrliK/M* c? lSokU */v " " ?v?gnwui j ii\> ikiviq iu mi nunuii as for a nuisance. This puis it within the power of the latter, if he be obstinate, capricious, or lacking in public spirit, to defeat any measure, of whatever degree of affricolturol profit, and to fasten up<$ a whole coromonUy a pestiferous annoyajico Hiwmr easy rtmoral. 2. The second measure is nearly as essential as the present road system. Water courses are choked up, lands overflowed, bridges carried away, and entire sections of country protrated with disease?formerly only m the summer and fall, but latterly in the winter likewise? all arising from inattention '1 v?/ IV/?n <*111.1 j timber, rnfted down and lodged in rainy j seasons, An inconsiderable portion of I the tax laid to replace the bridges, would j bave removed the causes by which the ' disaster wns occasioned. Perhaps a | tenth part of the physicians' fees, arising from diseases generated by putrid water, wouM clear these streams of all the obstacles that impede their natural current. The crops lost by overflow, would, in one 1 I year, ueiray the expense of presenting ' It for a quarter of a century; not to sp?uk | of land too low p.r.d '.vet to be culivated, j that might be gained by removing obi structions and allowing the streams to ! deepen their own channels. 'Die adoption by the State of the [ scheme I have so brie.flv ;r fully carried out, would not only replace sterile fields and an atmosphere poisoned by malaria, with a productive soil and a healthy climate, but greatly reduce the revenue now expended by individual in visiting other regions to avoid disease, or In ..w.vAJuomuiions impaired by protracted illness. COLONIAL HISTORY OK SOUTH CAROLINAThe papers herewith submitted, will ! put vou in nrwsAsstnn f w. ?CI V UrlllUIYing 1 information on u deeply interesting sub. ject. They sliow tlmt n rich mass of authentic materials, illustrative of the early history of our State, and of the public character of several of her citi I zens, haa been brought to light. The exi nmination by n public-spirited citir.en in | the State offices; the discoveries in the j archives of the Senate by the clerk of | that body, and by the special acent of j cne of my predessors, charged with the | duty of ascertaining the number and | character of the documents in relation to j South Carolina in the Colonial DepartI ment of England, are, in my judgment 1 sufficient to justify the adoption of prompt I measures bv nr? ?? '- * .... vmi^iuciicu jiA'glbHUlirP, ! to rescue from oblivion those precious re; lies. I accordingly recommend, that the Governor be authorized to appoint nn agent to mnke, in the first place, an index of the manuscripts on this subject in our State offices; and to copy as many as are becoming illegible, or may be in a decay , .... ?wi w?rus 10 visit Liondon, j Paris arid Madrid, for the purpose, under the auspices of the ministers of the United States, at those oapitals, of a thoro' inspection of historical records, concerning the State, that are known to exist, and might be found in the Colonial or other Departments of England. France and Spain, nnd to select and transcribe such of them as are worthy of preservation. Cbnsus or 1649. The returns of the Census-takers you will find in the office of Secretary of State. The accompanying abstract makes the present white population to be 200. 385, an increase in the last ten years of 23,269. Thr> increase between 1820 and 1839, was only 6174. ESTABLISHMENT OF THUS MERIDIAN I.I NEB. By the letters of Professor Williams and report of Capt. Parker, you will be fully informed concerning the matter entrusted to their execut on. Prevented by official engagements from commencing ins latK>rs at desirable time, local difficul- j ties greatly retarded the operations of | the latter, llis elaborate communication, j however, is more than an equivalent for ; the apparent tardiness with which the task assigned him hru? been accomplished, j Tnadvising your ncquiescene in the sugg< <tions at the conclusion of his report, I T wA'il/l ---1 ** ? nv WU nai.tivi ii;UUI!1IIIUI1II lilllll, IUT II1B convenience of the surveyors in the upper distriots, another point of observation, with a view to ascertain the variations of the magnetic needle, be established at Oreenville. nrvioiAV TH? ? VI inr vniMIOAb UUUE. I repot therr jommendation of one of my predecessor}*, on this subject. A division of the labor among the /Solicitors, would be a very ready mode cf effecting the object. The punishment for certain cflfences is not only indeterminate, but unjustifiably severe. Not less than 12 crimes are punishable with death in South Carolina. If, in your opinion, the soheme of a Penitentiary would be a wise and salutary modification of our presont system, 1 i would respecfully suggest, whether the absolute requirement oT nil the funds at command, to put the dtato In a proper condition of defence, does not present an #b*facle in the iy?y of establishing such an institution, at this time, not easily sur? mounted. DUTIE8 OK 8TATK OKKICKR3. He who is elevated to a station of hon. or, in the gift of the State, is morally, ns well as legally, hound, faithfully, to discharge its functions Tl?5? ??? i. - 0 A IIIO V/CUI \JUiy UQ done in person. If aid be needed, let it be proeured; but to constitute t e nssistnnt the chirf, and to devolve upon him the burden of the office, is to shift the responsibility upon a stranger, not elected j by the Legislature, nor amenable to law. j An anxious desire to fulfil rny obligations, as Chief Magistrate, has, from the apparent HP'rlPft nf iilli/M-o rnn?nl?<tl" wt.m~--1 ( ^ ... wvuv?c| iv |/vuicuij jjiauru ; me in an embarrassing fit nation. Under the constitution, the powers of the Governor of South Carolina arc very limited, yet, by law, they are made so numerous, that to execute them with fidelity requires (ha unwearied exercise of nil Ills energies. But exclusive devotion to his [ official engagements will be found weak and insufficient, unless the offlceit, espc* cially those connected with his depart! mont, a^e always at (heir posts. It ia i worthy of legislative inquiry, whether a certain long1 continued practice in several public stations, tho result probably of in? adequate compensation, is not operating injuriously on the public interests. To other matters chiefly of domestic concern, 1 shall claim your attention in a f<*w rlux'a ~ WII ITEM A RSII B. 8EABROO&, From tlio South Cn*x>linmn. WINDIiVG UP TIIE BANK. As the proposiiton to wind up the bank will evoke much discussion, we think it I hut fair to the public to publish thn bill which has been reported to the two IIous es by the special joint committee of the Legislature, at this session, in accordance with the recommendation of the Governor. Whereas, The Getoeral Assembly hnth determined that it is inexpedient to renew j me C'liarler of the Bank of the /State of j South Carolina: And whereas, Such dei termination renders it wise and prudent that that the affairs of the bank should be placed in a state of preparation for the approaching end its existence: Sec. 1. Be ii enacted b>/ the Senate and House of Representatives now met and sitting in General Assembly, That instead of the present number of presidents and fUrpntAVC tllO util/l o?wl ?*o I VI vaav ctiiu uciim uuu llO MM MilUJI" es, there shall be elected by the General Assembly, as heretofore, one president | and four directors, who shall go into office at the expiration of the present term of j the president and directors of the Bnnk i at Charleston; and the president shall receive the same salary as heretofore: and i each of the directors shall receivc a salary t a1. - 1 1- C ? i 110111 me imniioi one mousand. Sec. 2. The new board of directors shall coed act the business and affairs of the bank as heretofore, excepting that they shall m.-ike no new loans of money; thai they shall reduce accordingly the number of salaried officers at the bnnk : and its branches; and mrv substitute an agent, one or more, in place of the brunch es, taking care to require ample security wherever funds are entrusted, and giving such notice as they may think reasonable io sucn oinccrs ns may be dispensed with, to enable them to find other employment. Sec. 3. The board of director shall collect the business paper, together with all bills of exchange, and they sluill apply the same, together with the cash asset.?, stocks and other convertible of the bank, to meet the engagements of the bank and of the State, ns they may accrue; and as to all other debts due to the bank, th? board are authorised to extend the tii. i of payment to any debtor desiring it, to ft term or years not cxceedltfg tori {"provided ample seccrity be taken for tlic pay-, ment of the debt and legal interest, (the interost annually,) and the principal in not less than equal instalments, in each year, , of such extended term, and in case such security be not given the debt shall I forthwith be collected ..t due COiii nv of lawr. Sec. 4. The board of directors shall apply any funds which may remnin in their hands, to the purchase and extln* nruisliment of the ffr?r#?ir?n #lnK? ? www* State, whenever the snnv< lay he had or under pnr; nnd if the -ipie cannot f>Q had, then they shall invest the said funds, for the lime, upon tho security of stocks of thU -State, and shall apply to the Gen I eral Assembly for further directions in ?h?? premiss. _ T^?r3Er~!? Ocn DKLBOA-nox.?Our Washington correspondent informs us tbnt, as far as ho eould learn, no member of the South Carolina delegation was present at tho caucus to nominate officers for Congress, ? Carolinian.