Keowee courier. (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, December 07, 1850, Image 1
Bi-j i [ i i mi i i i nwrrrrn i i i i i wm i n i l"
"?to thine own self de truk, and it mu8t follow, a8 the niqiic the day, thou can'st not then he false to any man."
VOL. 3. PICKENS COURT HOUSE, S. C., SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1850. NO 2'.)
THE
KJEOWKE COUKIRK,
1'IHNTKD AND rUBMSIIKD WEKKLV BY
T1UMMIEH ct LEWIS.
W. K. Easley, Editor.
TERMS.
Olio Dollar nn<l Fifty Cents for one year's sul>
feCription wlion paid within threo months, Two
dollars if payment is delayed to the clone of the
subscription year.
All subscriptions not clearly limited, will be
Considered as made for an indefinite time, and
continued till a discontinuance is ordered and
h\1 arrearages paid.
Adterliscmcnts inserted at 75 cents per square
or the first insertion, ami 87 1-2 cts. for each
continued insertion. Liberal deductions made
to those Advertising l?y the yetxr.
CSgT All Communications should be addressed
to tbo Publishers post paid.
tlovcrnovN iflc^agc.
Executive I>ctwHTiiK.Yr,
Columbia, Nov. 2Ctli, 1860.
Follow citizens of llio Senate
and llouso of Representatives:
In rc-assoinbling to deliberate on tho affairs of
tlio Commonwealth, I am again enabled to express
our deep gratitudo to almighty God. not
only for tho general health of our people, niul
their complete exemption from Hie malady which
has so grioviously ntllicted portions of our common
country, but for a reasonable supply of tlic
products of the earth. If, in localitios, n scarcity
of bread stuffs to to bo apprehended, yet, may we
hope, that tho entire harvest within our limits,
will bo sufficient for the requirements of iho community.
Should the usual quantity for ex]>ortation
of tho inai.i staplo crop of tlio State bo not
furn'shed by tho planter, there are grounds for tho
belief, that its money value will exccod that of
the Inst season.
The following to n statement of tho public debt,
vi*: 5 ppr cent# issued for tho cnpilutofthoU.lt.
Bank f? 40,114 84
.Unndolph stock 1,'250 00
llovolutionnry debt, estimated nt 72,810 CO
0 per ctf, 18J19, duo in 1850, 3,729 81
0 per ets, 1889 " 1882. 175,420 65
5 per cents, 1839, tiro loan for'n debt,
due in 18BS, 471,111 12
5 percts, 1889, " " " 1808, 482.222 21
5 per eta, 1889, " domestic 1890, 482,222 23
6 percU, 1889, " " " 1870. 825,808.92
$2061,292 81
Tt will l>o percei /cd that tho only debt to be
provided for, at an early date. is the 6 per cents,
Amounting to $ If 5,42(5 66, and payable on the 1st
of January, 1822.
Since your adjournment, 1.1*73,487 8J of-Hio
"V domestic, and 28,260 80 of the foreign dobt lias
been cancelled by the Bank, besides $8,760 of the
Randolph stock, paid by the Treasury.
The income of the JBtato for the fiscal year terminating
on the 80tli of September, was
From Taxes, *318,881 C5
Other sources, 280,911 22
$000,202 87
Tlio balance in tho Treasury on tho 1st of October
lost, was ?69,428 -15.
Tlio nctt profits of tho Bank for tho past year,
including ?06,000, aa arrears derived from business
of former years, were ?301,826 60. From
this amount there has been transferred to tho
Sinking Fuud ?213,168301, and been paid ?73,453
11 for intorest on tho dubt in Europe, and
tho balance that tho Bank was in advnnco for intorest
and expenses?also tho interest on tho 6
per cota,(Firo Loan,) amounted to ?48,170 00.
Tho aggregate funds of the Bank
on tho first of October, were ? 0353,060 00
From this deduct Bank liabilities, viz:
T . inatM.li.iK Or..WWIfl
AOOUV3 IIIUIUUIII^ iUVjUUV
for bills lott, $1,760,098 00
Due Treasury, 00,428 00
DuoBauka. 208,091.62
Duo Doposit->rfl 012,71619?2,*77 0,981 80
Leaving tbo euni'of $3,682,725 20
An the anrplua of Funds in Bank.
Tlio present number of studenta in the South
Caroliua Col lego is ono hundred and ninety-fivo,
which is as many as can bo conveniently accommodated.
Tho very flourishing condition of tbo
Institution i9 high evidonco of tba confidence
which tbo public entertain for tbo capacity imd
fitness of tnoso to whoso especial charge it has
been committed. Aonually tbero leave this abod?
of literati r j nnil science, young men, nil strengthened
and improved in moral atui intellectual cul
ture, and many destiried to fill important ptattptys
in society. Its salutary influence on our pergonal,
and social relations find the character of the Com
>nonwealth, nlone furuiebos a conclusive reasap
foro nlargiugtho sphere of its usefulness.
I regret to acquaint you that, from feeble health
which incapacitated liim from novcro bodily or
mental labour, Col. Preston tendered to the Hoard
of trustee?, attboir semi-annual meeting in May,
liia resignation as President of the College which
was accepted by that body. During his administration,
(his Institution has not only maintained,
but greatly increased, well-deserved reputation.
If, in mental training and advancement, its
graduates airf pupils will compare favorably
' with other colleges m the Union, in all that relate
to moral worth and gentlemanly demeanor,
it undoubtedly has 110 superior, if an equal. .
The Military Academies, continue to merit tho
public support. < Although tho ftv^togo number of
nJ A iMiiiUiiJSrvn in nKavlnethn Am- #l.r?
t.J|lUUI?, HV U)U Iinuiuuuu in viuuivowu, ivi mv
laat your, waa ninety, and tlio discipline is? known
to bo rigid, yol, durin" that period, order and quiet
nrar&ilod, and ioncitl tor expulsion uor uuopousion, !
hy way of punishment, was it found necessary to
resort, At the Academy in this placo aro 28 On- j
dote. Tit? stadias prose rihod aro faithfully pur- |
sued, and tlioguard and polico duties strictly ?*ecutod.
Tho health of the atudenta for many
years has bcOn uninterruptedly good. "With tuluitional
accommodations, tho number of Oftdcts
plight soon bo proportionally increasod.
In view of tho present ana futuro aspect of our
publioMfiiirft, I am warranted in recommending
tho oitablishment of depots for military stores 1
and instruments of war at Anderson 0. II., Hprtr- j
tanburg 0. IL, and Marion 0, II.; and that each
depot bo placed under tho ehnrgo of a limited [
number of of young men, commanded by a graduite
of the Oltftdel Academy, whose busmen* it :
sballheto instruct tho guard in all the practical I
lirnnrTiofl of tho Art - of war. fThliC titan rmvin& n i
?, two-fold object in view would, inUujxmlent oFita .
intellectual and moral advantage?, giro socurity
ht nil times to U?o lnrf;fi?t section of tV.ofitato, find
insure to our entire community political l^yclitu I
p; no ordinary magnitude, 1
V * mk'
A .. . ' ' \
Ab tho M<,stavy Academics wcn> originally designed,
among oilier things, to instruct our youth
in the ai t of war, tl>!s object, perhaps from a
want of duo attention to the subject, lias not
been fully attained. To demonstrate by practice
in the lield, tho lessons llicy have received in tho
recitation room, tho students must bo fure'shed
with all tho necessary means, in some of which
tho scholars are very deficient, 7*0 supply these
wants, I advise the purchase of apyroteeiiP'c la- I
boratory, engineering insti aincnts, and a batlcry
of artillery.
1 again commend to your noiicc tlio Deaf and
Dumb School at Cedar Spring, Spartanburg District,
under llic superintendence of Mr. Walker,
lite number of mutes in the State is supposed to
00 about seventy, of whom only thirteen are receiving
instruction. Impressed with tlio conviction
that the public are not well informed concerning
the advantages of Mr. Walker's Seminary,
1 have invited that gentleman to attend at tho
Capitol, wil'i a few of his pupils in order to satisfy
the Legislature of Ihcr progress aud his capacity
to l?<i,o.h.
A* the ytcts and Resolutions of tho Legislature
were not published until lato in March, 1
was not. infovmrd until that timo that T had been
authorized to appoint a fit and competent person
j to ascertain tho practical oporation of thu Free
I School System. From the lateness of tho season,
I it was soon apparent that !n despite of persevering
exertions 1 should fail in re.di/iug your ox
puci'iuons?a result wiucli was subsequently
verified.
In tlie belief (bat no nclion had been taken oil
llio subjcctof my rocoiumcmlnlion by (lie Legisluiuro,
i issued a Oircvilnii to the Commissioners of
Free /Scii'-jlei, pvoulruuudiug certain cilleries, a
copy of which witti their answers slinll be hud
bel'oro you. Tho infeVenecs, deduciblo from tlieso
I papers, nre: first, tliat tho nr??niit nystom si o
I cceds only where, with a dense ponuifilion. the I
I r..,wi. r?? ;.i....ii?i - i .
iimuo iui .AuumiMu.vi |<ur|jw?vs, wi'>arye?i i?y contributions
from oilier sources, arc ample; secondIv,
that the teachers, mainly from inadorpiato
comp.'isation, are, as ft body, unqualified for
tlioir stations; and th'rdly, that in tlio sections of
tho Stato in which tho population is?par.sc, tlio
public bounty is iuMgcny provided,
A profound solicitude for tho moral and intellect
ual welfare of tho people induced mo to suggest
to the Teachers (l<r0uehout our limits, tlio
propriety of assembling at Columbia, to consider
tlio subject of IVeo Schools, tlio preparation at
homo of elementary and other books for tlio ?jso
of our schools, tho bosi mode of insuring tho
progress of education, and other kindred matters.
A eopv of tho proceeding of ilio convention,
composed, in part, of men dslingulshed for talent,
character ami usefulness, I lake great pleasure in
transmitting to yoih accompanied by tlio expression
of my hearty cwcuiiuuce in tlio conclusions
nl which It nrnvod.
The ascertained trulh, (hat over 20,000 persons
m ourpopiiiiuiouaijHgHOiv.iit'oi lln-ir alphabet,
is indeed well calculated to excite ge neral and
nrnioua'lnciulry concerning; tho eauso* or Hopa:,iful
a moral calamity. According lo tbo ollicial
reports of tho Hoards of Commissioners, in 18 IS,
it appears that tliero arc "l the Slate, 0!9 Krco
Sclioolp, 015 Teachers, and SQti'o Scholars, and
tlie appropriation for the support of Clio schools,
was >=87.600, equivalent (o about ?3D annually
for each Teacher, and 39 for every pupil.
South Carolina expends for tlic purpose of <education
nearly one-fonrth of her income derlj/oil
from taxes. It would seem, that if so large a t'isbursoment
wcro wisely and economically apportioned,
it inimit bccuvo all the benefits \vl)ien (Ito
wisdom of tiio Legislature designed: hut so fortunate
a rtiftU lift* ?ot been pro3uced.
Tn submitting tho whole matter /o your careful
consideration, I consider it my duty to rccoinmcnd
tho appointment of a general npei'itendent
offreo schools, and that tho several Hoards
Hoards of Commissioners ho nulhoiised and instructed,
whero tlio school fund is insufficient, to
raise, by assessment on llic general tax of their
respective Districts and Parishes n sum of money
equal in nmount to tliat appropriated by the Legislature.
Tho probablo effects oi' this duplication
of means, will be the Multiplication of scholars,
embracing perhaps all wlio may be entitled
to the public bounty; a higher grade of instructors,
and the establishment of tho right, in consequence
of his contribution, when every oitir.en
would feel u>at lio poeccJMXl,' of consigning his
child tollio mental guardianship of tho Stato.
Tho expediency of rovising our criminal ^'hIo
seems to bo universally conceded. Tho number
of offenccs punishable capitolly is unwise, and repugnant
to llio dictates of humanity. Many of
tho statutes of forco in ?9ouih Carolina in relation
to crimes, aro wholly inapplicable to (ho condition
of our society, nodi may add, form of Government.
Knactod in Great Britain, nt an early
{Mriod of hor history, but subsequently modified,
11 part with ft view to their adaptation to tho
spirit of tho age, and tho progress of society, yet,
in this #tato several of themarn unrepealed, and
others nro practically inoperative.
Undistinguished bv largo cities, a nparso population,
which tno is almqftt exclusively devoted
to agricultural pursuits, exemption from tho evils
of foreign emigration, and the class to which
transgressors of tho law belong, being substituted
by the slave, who is rarely guilty of>a hcinon* offence,
aro tho causes of the paucitfPof crimo in
our limits, and which have rendered nnnerossarv. I
Until now, any material changes in n code that, in
other communities, iho public safety would have
imperatively demanded.
Twenty-two primes, of which seven aro clergyable,
arc punishable with death; still, hanging is
an common spcctaclo in South Carolina. The
public whipping of a white man,??
I believe to bo ?> opposition to popular sentiment,
fn niyjudgmeot, it in inhuman, degrading and a
violation of tho rules of sound policy it* a southern
com?.\uoity. Unlawful trading and trafficking
with bl<*vJ?, by which a white person knowingly
inflicts upo 1 society, and especially his vicinage,
widespread and prolific ovils, is perhaps ono of
the. very few oflencec deserving of corporal punishment.
" .% '- " ? .
Imprisonment, unaccompanied by lr-1>or of any
kind, uxpnrinncn hfm demonstrated lobe of little
eflioacy us r lqoi.ns of reformation. Ths period
for which culprits aro copfin&d, soldom lasts ns
long'as tvroyo*r? f?r I"* wnut ?j??rri?v.it<?d ir.inn* I
Kros*ioi>a, is too short for tho mind, to Iks awa- !
kenedto the necessity of a virtuous course of oc* I
4W ' > v ' v )
Finoa arc noldom paid.- In perhaps two-thirdi, ^
of tho cases wi'ich havo been brfUgnt to ray no- I
tic?, the ploa of povorty or inability at tho time
to comply with tho requisition of tho Jaw, was cor
tain to bo urged. At (ho oxpiratioh orfhetorm
of their confinement, the benefit of the Prison
Bounds not is taken, by winch jn fonVmys tho imprisoned
nro released from jail.
To tho catalogue of punishments, hard labor
'or a corfnin class ofoffcnceg. my?t advantageous
ly bo added, or substituted for that of whipping.
X reeommdnd that the (natter of revising tho
jrimmai mw no ruivrruif ion commission 01 inroo
competent juri^H, vditfahnll Mcoivc a nda/v fu'ly
adequate to the important eervfao to bo perfonru80011
nflo^ yo-,ir *djodM&fr^ T opened n corr<;
poinK iii'M with Hi \ Indian l)oparirt)?n< At
Washington, In relation <? t?io adu^sion oftha
Catawbft Tndiatm inlMho Chickasaw tirlbo. The
^nvrir to mv application, whjck fcos not 10ccivcd
uiitil ilay, showed tlio cjustcuco of adverse
V\ S ? '
influences, thonroc~.* character ofwl 'chcar'iot !
now bo determined. 'i'Iio Chiokasaws and Chofl!taws,it
seems, own the same district of country;
wliilc tho former have expressed the'1' w illingnesH
to grant tlio roPltot which ha? h' on made, the
latter for pnnsiigued reason*, iuterposo objections,
Sinco August, no ferthcr information on the snl>
H i . ni') rc:icii<!u ii"s i fi'jiii11iiH'nr, niiiiougll
rImvc been nsoil to clicit ii. It mny theroK
r<-bo' >f "red that llio objections of the Choc- '
ln\T8 still rjkist.
Early in tho winter, fi considerable nnmber
of tho Catawba IndiAns n-'tufacd to this
State from Haywood Carolina,
and vory recently, UYo^P^pTulcr, except
fonr adults and six children, havo followed
their example. Tho headmen or
chiefs, according to tho report of tlio Inflmn
iir#A?f ?/\w ?'
to the removal of the tribe to the west, n-ul
prefer that a farm bo bought for their future
homo in the northern partof Greenville
District?a region oi country which
they hato examined, and of which thoy
highly approve. Good land might thore
be obtained for from $1 50 to $2 per nere.
An Appropriation of nbout ?1000, which T i
recommend, will probably be snHicicnt for j
Lho mirchnRO nfafnimnf siiiiiil?lr? n.wl '
implements of industry, and for the construction
of board bouses. To furnish them
with food nnd clothing for the next year,
an additional appropriation of &l 200 will
bo necessary. If tho proposed projcct
meets tho approbation of tho Legislature,
it would be advisable to make provision for
tho sale of the present nominal residence of
tho Indians in York District. if
Tho dictates of humanity, and an abiding
senso of the dovotedness and scl^i^es of
their ancestors to South Carolina, denfnntt
that another effort bo mado to h>inor in
?O *"
gether in Ibis State those sons of tlio forest,
and by mental culture nnd instruction in
farming, to meliorate their condition, morally
nnd physically.
I again invite your serious attention to
the anomalous condition of tho proprietors
of the Indian Lands, having paid in almost
every instance a full equivalent for their
property, tho Legislature,in IS 10, directed
that air annual ren I, now reduced to a hall j
cent per aero, should bo levied on the !
same, in order to reimburse the Stale for
the 8Um of *5000, it had engaged to expend
for tlio purchase of a tract of land
for the Catawba Indians, and for the nav- I
merit of that tribe of?*;2.">00 each year thereafter
for the space of nine years. By this
enactment tlicy arc mode to occupy n position
inferior to tlmt in which their fellow
cilizcns'are placed. They correctly affirm
that the appropriation by the Stale was to
accomplish a public and not a sectional pur
pose, and that to the plan of executing the
'agreement* of Nation Ford, they were
not, in strictness, an assenting party. I
therefore repeat (he recommendation in my
last message of the last year, in the firm j
conviction, that the facts and arguments
therein buhmilled, will be carefully and impartially
reviewed.
In the present critical condition of our
federal relations, tho highest public considerations
require of the constitutional authorities
an investigation into the speediest
unci best mode of disclosing nnd improving
iho natural pifts which' have been so boi'nli
fully bestowed upon South Carolina.?
Apart from her agricultural and commercial
wealth, the auvancement of mnnufao
tares in all -their branches, isominently
worthy of special attention. Contrary to
early impressions, which had engendered
opinions inimical to privileged bodies of every
description, a dispassionate examination
of IhoBTOjcCt, in Connection with the probablo
result of passing events, has induccd
mo lo bo favorably impressed with the
scheme of adopting a liberal policy towards
associated capital for rhfcnufaotur?tier and
oilier enterprising projects. In the gran-!]
ting of charters of incorporation, under prudent
and salutary restraints, T/ill bo found
a powerful instrument in furtherance of that
object.
The history of the Ndw England Stales,
but especially of Massachusetts, and thercceiitexnericnco
of Georgia, afford gratifying
eviuenco on this subject.
A generous rivalry botween the Southern
States in tlio business of manufacturing
having sprung up, it remains to bo seen,
whether South Carolina, so highly favored
by nature, ahall occupy a conspicuous
place in tho exciting contest. All that Is
asked, on this head, of the law-making pow
w, is io erect, no Darners Against the freedom
of onterprize, and to removo suich as
check industry and divert capital from channels
it would otherwise seek.
Every raw material for supplying the
wants and promoting the corn tort Of the
people U procurable io our borderland,
pc-ihf.ps, in every Uiclrict thoro is a largo
portion of the white population, whosO energies
if aroused by an influence stronger
than that which profitless farming imparts,
ff?/Uia icnu maieniHiy toaugment tho public
wealth, It is nn erior to supposo that
sfo nro deficient in the pecuniary means so
essential t6 the fulfilment of our highest nspiratioiu!
Strictly speaking, thei o are no
capitalists among us. Men whose profession
Ik is to deal in tnonied seciuitics.nre
rarely found in an agricuitnrdl community.
Still, in otxr metropolis ami towns, whoro
tho mercantile interest predominate, and
ftmmu/ ilwfc nlon(ni*a art/1 f?i himavo
fuvj/iHiiium .uiu Iiiiiuvin KllUU^IIUIIt
ftio thero is unappropriated. wealth
always ready to abandon its hiding places,
and by its sogncious application, to fertilize
tho soil from whic h it waaoriginvlly tnkon.
If South Carolina cannot recover tho many
millions of dollars which tho want of legislation,
or tho improvidence of her ruler# lite
d?tveft f?'Omho? shored, lot no expedient bo
v
*4*
uncssayed, in future, lo erect on the ruins
of mistaken policy, u structure that will cn
ure to the benefit of posterity. The absence
of largo capitalists, or the cneral
diffusion of wealth in the State, constitutes
a valid reason for employing associated man
ulftcture on a scale commensurate with the.
exigency of the times, but especially, to !
nriiitnl nrynlncf <1w? r?v51o .vt"/... 1
^ ..^..nii.v n \ v? uo vi uu|;viiviuiwu Uli
communities, who o friendship and social
support, wo shall, perhaps, never n^ain enIny.
By encouraging men of s'e d rmeans
and of all pursuits, (o mule wiih their more
fortunate brethren in (lie laudable (ask of
physical amelioration, auspicious moral results
will ensue between the parlies; preeminently
conducive to private and public j
prosperity"
Experience lias disapproved (ho opinion,
that to the community greater injury was
to bo apprehended from companies titan individuals,
engaged in matr.ifncturing pursuits.
The death of the head and owner
of a mill is very certain to be the precursor 1
of its destruction. The property involved j
experiences a sudden depreciation, owing I
to the skill and practical knowlcdfirn tlmf. !
X o- -----rendered
it profitable. These consequences
seldom follow in (ho case of joint slock
companies, where the ordinary s?fo guards
have been provided. The deprivation of a
singlo mind may be keenly felt, bnt is rarely
irreparable. If this, however, were an
undetermined point, the high and patriotic
end in view cannot succeed but by tliu powor
of concentr.'itod means. In tliese days
of progress and reform, supposing the will
and ability to exist, isolated exertions aro
tQo tardy and uncertain, 'lho establishment,
on a scale sufficient to ensure sue
cess, of various brhrcbe* of industry, will
require n very Iftrgc outlay. This the pooplo
fire prepared to furnish, unless the Leg
islaluro compel them to encounter risks
beyond the ordiuary chances to which all
undertakings arc subject.
I recommend the passage of n general
law concerning charters of incorporation for
agricultural, commercial, mnnufneturinrr.
and mechanical purposes, and (ho iirproVc*
mcnt of navigation, containing ilio following,
among other fundamental provisions,
viz:?first, tlmt tho capi'td of each company
shall be limilcd to a designated sum, to
be subsequently increased, if nocessftvy,
by a spccial act of tho LcgUlulvc?tseoondly,
timt the members of the corporation
shall be liable, jointly and severally, in
payment of id) debts and coulnicts made
hv sno.h c.nrnnriilinn. fr? Jin cnmnoll/r/l <<->
-J ? -r~ "" 7?make
good the amount of capital slock subscribed;
bul that, afterwards, they shall be
liable only as a company; and, thirdly, that
on the application of a company, formed
for any of (ho objects named, to tho Secretary
of Stale for incorporation, ft charter
shall bo grar.Cvd, if, in hie opinion, and that
of tho Attorney General, tho requirements
of the law havo been faithfully complied
with. Ifad such n law existed ono year
ago, two mills, one for the manufacture of
cotton goods, and the other for paper,
would have been added to the number so
profitably worked in the <Slale. Doth proinn
(a il ie ooi/1 Itotio o
JVWVJ, 1VIO Oil IV4 y Ultig Oil IV/V uugu (lUilllUUIlCU)
and thefunda set npait for their prosecution
lmvobocn otherwise appropriated.
It may hero be appropriately remarked,
that a charter providing for payment by
the stockholders of tho amount of cnpilal
(obo raised at specified limes, say, in ono,
two, and three years, would not bring tho
individual corporations, under obligations
to pav creditors in n shorter tirr.o. &ul>
stnnlially, the principle settled in tlie ense
of the Executors of Ilivslett vs. Witherspoon
was, that whatever by the terms of
the charter, the corporation hat7 ndertaken
to do, the Courts would, in bo?j..lf of creditors,
oblige iiio stockholders to poiform. ,
As auxiliary to tho importimt public
scheme so briefly brought to your attention,
I also suggest tho expediency of reducing
tho legal mte of interest. Ront for
tho me of money, which is wisely pcimitted
in nil countries, is rcgulattd bv the
avornge i nto of profits. These'mainly depend
on tho price of labor. Tho profits of
capital.beforo 1748, nnd between that year
nnd 1777, eannot bo ascertained. The
principle reason nlledged for tho reduction
of tho interest on moneys lent, from 10 to
8 per cent, ?n tho former , year, was tho
"abatement of Iho value of the farmer'u 1
property, produced by the war then raging
between France and Spain," and in the latter
year, from 8 to 1 por cent, that the foreign
trade hod been much ncglccted, in
consequence "of the great interest nnd profit
which had been made of money at homo."
and that it would render "the attainment of
money easy to Iho poor and industrious."
Tho average rate ot interest on cti|)iUil in
South Carolina for tho lust ten years has
scarce!)' equalled six per cent. It is nearly
certain that, in reference to ngriculluro, It
bas been below that estimate. In probably
no State in liio Union, wbcro tlic pursuit
of husbandry is so general and engrossing,
is there a larger investment in bonds,
stocks ant! otlier monied securities. The
result of this state of things is, that money,
instead of being actively invested in new
undertakings tor the reproduction and increase
of capital, rcmuhis almost ontirely a
burijen upon the land. Tho temptations
to five without activo exertions nro also improperly
multiplied. It may indeed bo
safely assorted, that tho capital in these
ways employed is greater than the interest
on the capi.al dcriyed from tho cotton husbandry.
. The amount invested in ftartk
stock alone is equal to it. May it not, then,
bo asked^whethor wo ourselves Imyc not
hnrn wnvi "ft Aiir tirvrnV*-i vifiirt.
" "" ?} 7 w v " ^wv?^,vv. *vv<vvt I
f .
/
IB!
lions? Tho prosperity of tho southern
community depends oil ilu? strength of tho
tie which unites the master and slave, and
that again depends chiefly on tho profits
of agriculture. Every dollar not actively
employed, directly or indirectly, in the
main business of our people, or some other
industrial occupation, is of little worth in
vMiiiiiuui'^ tiiu rename wenilll OI I lie OlillC.
Vho moral cft'ect, however, is much more
serious. IJy dimii.ishing the sources of direct
production which enrich the streams
of industry and progress, you multiply the
number of that class among* us, whose bond
to the community might be cancelled in a
day.
As long as the interest of money is legally
forccd beyond ihc point which,;r unrest
rained, it would usually reach, an equality
between it and the profits of capii'd
can scarcely ensue, especially, as the latter
require skill, labor and management, while
ihe formal* is acquired, without exertion of
body or mind.
The widow and the orphan wh > arc in
capacitated for llic business of Southern
agriculture, have generally their entire
property in bonds and stocks. A poi I "on
of our male population likewise, from ma ny
causes?the high rate of interest for the
use of money being the prominent one?in
changing iheir avocations, have given the
same direction to their capital. They find
it easier and more profitable to deal in pa
per sconrtucs, than to encounter the hazards
of cultivating the ground, or of manufacturing
or commercial enterprise. This
is a nal ural feeling, but for our pubii J rulers
to encouraged it by law, is opposed to
sound policy, and at tins juncture, obviously
detrimental to the interests of society.
If lite larger portion of 'he capiial, so
selfishly and unpatriotically appropriaied,
were in advancing n judicious system of
interriid improvemento, in draining and embanking
the swamp lands; in iron and plank
roads, in commerce and mechanic arts, in
mills to convort our various and abundant
raw products into fabrics, nnd the diversified
materials, which' the progress of civilization
and refinement 1ms rendered so essential
to human enjoyment, and in the cs
utonsnmcntoi a uireco iraue net ween south
Cnrolina nntl the commercial nations of
Europe, wo should soon, not only bo enabled
lo enlarge (ho domain of our people,
over the physical obstacles that so injuriously
circumscribe it. but results of a political
diameter would follow of incalculable magnitude
to the Slnto.
In nineteen Stales of tho Union, tlic
authorized raie of interest for borrowed
money i3 0 per cent,, in six, it is 7 per cent.,,
in four, 8 per cent, and in one, 5 per cent.
What the regulation is in California I am
uninformed. Of the old thirteen Slates, a
higher rate tuan (J percent, is allowed, besides
our own, only in New York. Georgia,
and New Jersey. New York being the
cnmmoroinl cmnniinm rnii" nnnnlru r?n,l
- ?i? ? ?"?
the vccent settlement of a largo portion of
Georgia, nrc causes which hnvo sustained
in those States a demand for money, and
given it n value, which does not exist in
&oulh Carolina.
As germane to tho general subject under
consideration, I trust that ? may bo excused
for repeating my recommendation
concerning a drainage law, and the establishment
of a Board to remove obstructions
in streams.
The imminent peill in which our peculiar
institutions are placed, thereby rendering it
necessary on the part of tho South, not
finlv fn Klif ofirnnwllmn nvwl r?Ai.riAl
, yv.u Uv.vufi..>v? ?..1W 1^-1 JJCl,uate
them, have induced me to advise the
passage of a law exempting the homestead,
and one or moro slaves from final process.
On this subject, it is incumbent on mc
merely to remark, that such an enactment
wuulu measurably chock tho spiiit of emigration,
increase the value of slave property,
encourage all classes of society to possess
it, and insure tho unfortunate, especially
tho widow and the orphan, n perpetual
dwelling place, nccompanicd by the means
ol making Jilo aupportablo, if not comfortable
In oidor that it may not operate
Erejiulicially upon creditors, tho law should
e prospective in its operation.
The public safety demanding the prompt
execution of tha resolution of tho Xegisliluro,
passed in 1848, to increase tho number
ot small arms to twelve thousand, 1
havo purchased largely of muskets and rifles,
and caused several thousand musket
accoutrements to bo manufactured, principally
in this Town. Tho actual number of
small arms and other implements of war on
hand at the timo I entered into office, and
~ A 1~ i -- ~ '
oim>u Jim, inn# inu j\ ini-imia uy my oruor,
you will find in Exhibit A.
At an oirly period of tho present yenr,
I visited tho most vulnerable situations in
tho State, in order to provido for them the
means of safety. Tho result has been the
orcction of Magazines for fixed ammunition
and depots for a?ms at Georgetown and
Beaufort. As Charleston is not in tho condition
of defence which her exposed condition
and commercial impovtnnco entitle
her lo bo placed, I suggest tho expediency
of furnishing her artillery companies with
two additional batteries, and again voqucst
that instructions bo given to rcmovo the
magazine from its present site to the Oifadol
square. Full information on tho lattor 1
subieot accompanies t* is communication.
The $tnto being much in need of field (
picces, I recommend that the Governor bo 1
Authorised to purchase, with a view to bo 1
deposited in tho Arsenals, six 12 brass i
pounders, six 0 pounders and six 4 poundas.
Having boon subjected, during my ofu. j
cial term, to the mortifying necessity of
procuring military supplies from abroad, I
trust that this stigma on tho enterprise and
sagacity of the State mny shortly be blotted
from its histoiy. The establishment, in
our limits, of factories for small arms and
munitions, and foundcrlcs for iron ordnance
and bronze field pieces, is dictated by
sound policy and an enlightened forecast.
I have to infoi m yon, that 1 have rccciveil
from Mr. A. Hyde, the agent for the State,
the sum of $2,500 40, being nearly the entire
amount duo by the Federal (lovern-mcnt
for expenses inci" rod by tho State in
mustering (lie Palmetto Regiment into sorT..
. -i . . * * *
viuu. 111 reunion 10 our cinnn inr norscs
lost dr-ing the Florida war, a bill was introduced
into the Senate by Judge Butler,
Hub as this occurred only a short time before
the adjournment of Congress, it was
not diposcd of; The liqi'dation of this
claim, though undoubtedly a just one, cannot
be relied upon. The want of voucher?,
and an existing arbitrary rule of the War
Department, which is rigidly enforced, nro
serious obstacles in our way. The correspondence
between Mr. Hyde and myself, ia
herewith transmitted.
ftl,nCin.
fw'iivi vm clival vuv> -wdj/biuu ul t uia vluaf
a large quantity of clothing, designed fov
Ihe use of the Palmetto llegimcnt, was
burnt at the National lb idge by order of a
United Slates officer. This was done in
the confusion of a sudden conflict with tho
enemv. The Stale is therefore entitled to
receivo from the Federal Government tho
full value of that property. The accompanying
letters contain all tho information on
the subject in my possession.
There were appropriated, at your Inst
session, $2,500 for tlio purchase of arms,
?22,500 for the military contingencies, ami
*10,000 for the Contingent Fund. The
larger portion of these sums, with $2,430
8-1, received from the Bank, being the balance
of the Contingent Fund to the credit
of the Slate, at the termination of Govern-or
Mel)udie's administration, and the amount,
already mentioned, us having been
put into my hands by Mr. Hyde, amounting
in the aggregate to $40,033 30, has
been expended for arms and pulling the
Slalc in a position of security.
To defray ihc expenses, equal to about
io nnn innm fr\i? fUn
?|'<sjv\svy iiiuui l cu iui biiu lUIIUini vui3c\|UIC9
of our li\Lc Senator John C. Calhoun, I
was com trained to use that amount of tho
Fund for the A/Hilary Contingencies, by
which my conhncl with Messrs. Glaze it
Rndcliflc, of this place, entered into in
March, lias not been fulfilled. Tho sum
due that lit m by the Slate, J. trust, will bo
promptly paid.
Perhaps this is the proper plncc for requesting
your consideration of tho Act of
Congress, passed in 1811 entitled "An net
iv/ cijjj'i vjii iiiiu liju piuufuua ui CHO snics OI
the public lands, and (o grant pre-emption
lights.' The share of South Carolina, under
that law, you arc aware that, for const *tutional
reasons, she has steadily refused
t) receive. At present, it seems advisable*
that the Comptroller bo directed to apply
for the amount due tho State. I scarcely,
need say to you, that the Fund for the Military,
as well as Civil Contingencies, subject
to the draft of the Governor, ought, for this
year, to be largely increased.
In pursuance of a resolutiun in rcfcrenco
to the collecting, arranging, and indexing
oftho rccords, which relate to the Colonial
and Revolutionary History of South Carolina,
I employed Mr. John S. Greer, of Columbia,
to executo this important and in*
tercst'ng task. Papers of considerable value
have been found in tho oflices of tho
Clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives,
Sccretaiy of State, Treasurer anil
Comptroller General. The accompanying
report from Mr. Greer will acquaint you
with tho progress ninde in the service assigned
him, the manuer in which it has
been pcrfoimed, nnd the probable time
tbnt will bo required to completo the examination
of the records.
In the spring of tho Inst ycrr, tho Rov.
Thomas Curtis of the Limestone Springs,"
tendered to mc a rough nnd massy body
of granite fromaquan/ owned by him,
with a request that it should represent
South Carolina, in t'ao Monument in the
course of erection at tho Federal Capitol, to
tlio 'Tothcr of his Country." I subsequently
caused to bo conveyed to Columbin,
where, under tho sV'Uful hands of Messrs.'
Boyne & Sprowls, it wns converted into a
block of the necossarv size, adorned with
the arms of the State, and otherwise finished
in a style that has commanded universal
commendation.
Your resolution of 1848 oquesting ''thu.,
Governor to causc suitable medals to bo
prepared, with proper device#, to bo presented
to all tho commissioned officers of
the Palmetto Regimont, and all the noncommissioned
officer* and niivates," haft
been carried into effect. Tho names and;
tho rank of tho members of the regiment,,
wlio have received these momorials of tho
gratitude of tho State, comprising. 62 com -,
missioned, and 121 non-commissioned ofR*
ccrs,nud 280 privates, you will find in tho
paper marked P. Of this document, I
liavo caused * copy to bo entered in tho
books of tho lixecutivo Department, in
which tho papers of that gallant corps
have been recorded.
As CuhUo Pincknoy, with JLho threo a?
zees around it, is deemed by the General.
Government essential to the safety of Charleston,
in tho event of a foreign war, my
application for its retrocession to tho State,
hns boon unsuccessful.
Tho report of Oapt. Parker and Professor
Williams, conccrninff the variations of