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9 mLLiAM wKIEAST.!'Pr?Prietore- ^it btjjctii)tut Jfamilji tlusjjajjfr: /or tjje |lromotion of tjje political, Social, Agricultural anb Commercial Interests of tjje Sontjr. Jszpebyeab, in advance. VOLUME 7. ~~ YORKVILLE, REPUBLIC OF SOUTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 28,1861. NUMBER 9. ?Jw fiMf inul Jfltaro. For the Yorkvllle Enquirer. ARGUMENTS FOR SLAVERY. TIIE BENEFITS OF AMERICAN SLAVERY BRIEFLY DETAILED. IV. The fourth general argument that ice adduce in defence of slavery, as an institution amongst us, is draicn from the l>en efts of it. As many of the opponents of slavery can see nothing good or beneficial in African slavery, which as a system we practice, it is well to consider some facts in connection with it, and thus learn whether or not the fruits and results of it are all evil and only evil. We aim to give an outline of the benefits which can be traced to our system of slavery. 1. It relieves the African of untold and most appalling miseries in his native land, amidst the burning sands of Africa. No man who has read the works of Moffat and Livingstone aod Barth, or even of Bowen and Thomas and Wilson, can doubt that the African at home, is more oppressed, degraded and imperiled, as to person and life, than he is in this our own country. There, three fourths of the population are in a state of most deplorable personal slavery. The masters, there, are allowed to inflict the most barbarous cruelties upon the person of their slaves, who have no protection, as to their bodies or lives, from either law or public sentiment. Not only are the slaves starved, but subjected to the most arduous forms of labor. Dr. Barth tells us he saw "three slaves yoked to a sort of plow and driven like oxen by their master." So cheap and numerous are slaves there, says the same traveller, that they are sold in many of the provinces, for prices ranging from one to thirty dollars. The alarming extent to which slavery is carried in Africa, the horrors of the system, as there practiced, are facts which any candid traveler discloses, and upon which we need not enlarge. Consider, too, the barbarities that are prevalent there, as heaped upon women who are reduced to the lowest grade of servitude, and allowed to be oppressed by even the male servants. Their limbs, their characters, their comforts, their lives, are at the pleasure of the stronger sex. Nor in most parts of Africa is there any safety for either man or woman, but all subject to the blood thirsty pas.sions or petty kings and chieftains. But three months since, it was authentically announced that an '-African chief celebrated his birth day by the sacrifice of two thousand of his subjects." Let this picture, which is a bright one for parts of Africa, be regarded as representing faintly the sufferings of the natives, and none can doubt that when subjected to American slavery they are relieved, benefitted and exalted, for thus they escape * > * < ii?? 41 a thousand miseries lainug upuu iucui iu their fatherland. 2. The condition to which the slave system of our country, when not abused, subjects the negroes, is eminently suited to their physical, intellectual and moral wants. Being naturally strong and capable of great endurance, their bodies are thus well adapted to the burdens and fatigue of menial service. Their color shows that summer heat will not strip them of any beauty, nor deprive them of any physical property which is prized by the white man. The absence of any nervous irritability gives to him, the negro, a complete exemption from those inflammatory diseases, so destructive in hot and damp atmospheres, and heDce the remarkable fact, that the ravages of the tropics, where slavery is profitable, and liable to be perpetuated, the yellow fever never reached the negro race. This same peculiarity renders them, to a considerable degree, insusceptible of bodily inconvenience, and even pains incident to the condition of servitude. So, also, his mental peculiarities are well met, by a state of slavery like ours. We need not inquire as to the causes of the negro's intellectual inferiority to the Caucassian race, but "certain it is" says a distinguished writer, "that the negro as we now find him, whether in a state of bondage or in his native wilds, ??KiKifo cnoli a wpstnpss of intellect, that when he has the fortune to live in subjcc tion to a wise director, he is, without doubt, fixed in such a state of life as is most agreeable to his genius and capacity." It is well known that the negro is deficient in judgment, and even in powers of invention; but is imitative, and by the aid of memory, can do what he has once learned by the direction of a masters' hand and mind. He is without foresight and very indolent, needing not only a controlling power to provide for him, but a stimulaDt to activity. A mere cursory glance at our system of slavery shows that it meets these very defects of the minds of the enslaved. Morally, the negro, of course, has the common depravity of Adam's race, but he is, also, possessed of certain distinctive traits which generally mark him. "He is not malicious, but inclined to be forgiving. Ilis passions and affections are seldom very strong, aud are never very lasting. He is superstitious and reverential, and consequently is verj susceptible of religious impressions, exhib iting, in many individual instances, a degree of faith unsurpassed, and a christian de portment free from blemish. He is passive and obedient and consequently easily gov- i erned." But he is naturally mendacious, i given to lyiug, and as a concomitant, thievish, and is also lascivious, lust being i his strongest passion. And thus it is ob- 1 vious that whilst many of the traits speci- ] fied, render the Africans happy, peaceful, i contented and cheerful, in a state that would l break the spirit and destroy the energies of I the native American or European ; many ] others of his moral peculiarities demand i the discipline and restraint afforded by our 1 institution. Hereunder this species of patriarchal government, the negro enjoysjust I as much liberty as is compatible with his i endowment and attainments, and is sur- 1 rounded by the very laws and restrictions, f that will best develope his energies, and 1 yet curb his passions and contribute to his essential necessities. i 3. Slavery confers upon the African so- '< cial advantages, to which he is a stranger 1 in every other condition. It introduces < him into the family, where he is protected | ' J *%* ? 1 irom enemies nuu iuuuuvcuicuwcs auu pi?- < vations, to which the poor of every country ] are subjected. The domestic regulations i and laws, existing in slave holding families I and communities, constitute the master, i both the friend and protector of his slave, 1 and interest demands that it should be so. I Hence slaves are exempted from extortion 1 and rude violence of which the free poor i are victims. The negro slave has, also, all 1 his necessary wants supplied, food and clo- < thing for himself and family, are always made sure, notwithstanding the fluctuations I incident to business and society. No anx- : iety is ever felt by the slave parent as to the | supply of bread fjr his wife and children. < Whilst the freeman is often a witness to i starvation, or at least pinching want, ap- I proaching his family, the slave can ever i feel at ease, for the bread and meat needful 1 for his household, are made certain by his interested master's efforts. When sickness, ' or infirmity, or age, comes upon the slave or his kindred, even then, no solicitude need disturb his mind, for the owner's hand will minister to these wants; and when dying, the enslaved parent need never be distressed about his wife or his children lacking fu- ' ture provisions. To these facts, which could be multiplied to any extent, we may J add the strong affection almost universally j existing between the master's family and ? his slaves, and also the opportunities for so- ( cial enjoyment allowed the slaves of the ' same and different families. Put all these < in contrast with the poor of the society of i any country of the world, and who can ' doubt that in these respects, the slave's ' condition is most advantageous. 4. The religious privileges, to which the | slaves are introduced, form a prominent i part in the benefits of slavery. From the ' darkness, horrors and degradation of Hea- ( thendom, they pass to the enjoyment of | Gospel and religious privileges and benefits. < All, who are conversant with the facts of i the case, know that the Southern slaves are ' surrounded by abundant opportunities for religious instruction. Besides the cate- , chetical teachings received at home, in not i - Anon nrlc orn nn fnnli! ca/1 1 cl 1cw luotaucco^ luvuouuuo ut? vuvvvutowu I by the Church, and in every community where a church exists, special provisions are , made for the accommodation of the blacks, | so that in most cases, the same Gospel that i is preached to the master can be, or is heard by his slaves ; and in numerous localities ; there are special arrangements made by which special services are enjoyed by the servants. Thus not only does the slave occupy the same Sanctuary with his master, but he stands at the same baptismal fount, and sits at the same sacramental table, and ; may cherish the same religious hopes, and when sick or dying, may have the same spiritual consolations administered unto him. To all of these privileges he receives j a cordial welcome, aod is never regarded' as an intruder, and yet they are gratuitous-1 ly lavished upon them, no price being demanded or expected from the slave. To indicate that these religious opportunities have been appreciated, improved and blessed, let it suffice to say that in the various christian churches of the South, there is a total colored membership of four hundred and sixty five thousand, being an average of one to every nine of the slave population. This surpasses the world in point of numbers. Besides this, says a late journal : 1 "It is a safe calculation, to say that three for every one connected with the churches attend divine service on the Lord's day. In the extreme Southern States there are more, for the owners and overseers require them, in many instances, to turn out to preaching. Then 465,000 multiplied by three gives us : one million three hundred and ninety-five thousand slaves in attendance on divine service in the South every Sabbath. "Millions of dollars have been spent, and hundreds of valuable lives lost, in the attempt to evangelize Africa, and yet slavery ?abhorred, cursed and reviled institution of slavery?has brought us five times ac many negroes into the Church as all the I missionary operations of the world combined. "These facts are food for reflection. Self! righteous and above the ways of humble ; godliness, as political preachers generally , are, one would suppose such practical rejsuits would stagger their self-conceit and overweening confidence that they are right ! in denouncing slavery, and God wrong in 'permitting it." 5. Slavery is a protection from pauperism, the bane for which the wisdom of civilized man has not yet prepared an autidote. [n America, affliction, old age and idleness ire the only sources of pauperism. Where the laborers are slaves, the master is compelled by law to provide against the former, ind is authorized to protect himself against the latter. Tn slavehol.ling communities, therefore, the poor Louse receives but little prtronage, and from the slave population ibsolutely none, and a slave beggar is unknown. G. The contribution made by slavery to the commercial advantage of the world, may, also, be reckoned as one of its bene Sts. The results of negro slavery in the South are such as no system of labor yet {dowq upon earth could have accomplished, [t has explored regions under whose miasmatic influences the white man sickened ind died. It has drained swamps and made habitable the pestiferous marsh. It has jouquered the pestilence and opened to a growing world a garden of hitherto unknown comforts and luxuries. The staple productions of the South, rice, sugar, cotton ind tobacco, could not possibly be successfully cultivated by other than slave and legro labor. Climate and disease which Dring no detriment to the negro, because of ;he physical peculiarity already named, Danish the white man from the low lands where these articles, essential to the commerce of the world, grow, and any system jf labor subject to strikes and caprices would be disastrous to these staples. Hence, the commercial argument for slavery is in strength, proportionate to the value of the products of it to the world, and this none ;an deny to be almost paramount to every Dther object, contributing more to the material wealth of the world than all else besides. Such are the benefits of slavery as turnishing an argument for it to PHILEMON. Jv f'tftrtrtl THE STONE-MASON BY WM. HENRY PECK. A few years ago, in New York, and after the sun had set in the month of June, a poung and honest-hearted stone-masou was returning homewards in the upper part of i . _ 1!_ _ ^1 I L. ;ne City ; waiKingsiowiy, as one uiucii weared'with day-long toil; but with an eye, front ind step that showed his native born wealth )f heart and mind He had a bold and landsome manliness of face and air that seemed more proud of the great sweat-drops standing upon his bared brow, all stained with stone-dust, than if they had beeu diamonds set in gold; and the gleam of his 3lear, brown eyes was as steady aod observant as an eagle's He carried bis coat up)n hisarm, and, cap in hand, slowly pursued his way, regardless of the clouds of dust jften driven into his face, by the rising even ing breeze, as some exquisite dashed by in (he stylish vehicle, to partake of the pleasures of the Bloomingdale road; and if he, for a moment, turned his glance upon the Jaudy, or the purse-proud man of money, it was not to euvy or esteem the human, but to admire the animal forced to admiuisL - - n f H itino no oai>\ a LUI'lUIllS piUilMiica J lliuu^uauiuicouo oumu well-known aud praise-worthy person, in the enjoyment of the riches gained by patieoce, industry, and honesty, roiled by in the evening drive, George Useted's mauly face would smile his approval, and his lips murmur bis favorite motto: "'Time, Faith, and Energy!' He was as I; and I may be as rich and esteemed as he." And grasping his heavy hammer in his strong right hand, he drew himself more erect, and forgot the fierce struggle of the sons of toil, for food and home, in this crowded city Thinking of the future, and much too of the preseut, his attention was suddenly fixed upon a carriage hurried towards him by two frightened and unmanageable horses, as they snapped the reins in the terrified clutch of the driver, and dashed furiously aloog the avenue at fearful speed. It was an open carriage, and George could almost see the ashy pallor of mortal terror whiten the faces of its inmates; who, besides the liveried driver, consisted of an elderly gentleman, a young lady, apparently his daughter, and a flashily dressed young man. He had not time to follow his first imr\i?1c/k rnklnK tiroa frt fhrnxiT Vll msolf the maddened animals, for they were hurling by, straight as an arrow's flight and almost as fleet, towards a newly excavated cellar, deep and rock-pointed, when he hurled his massive hammer, with an aim so true and a strength so great, that the iron head smote the skull of the nearer horse, and, crushing deep into the brain, laid him dead within a few feet of the rocky pit. The weight of the dead animal checked the other, until George Useted had sprung to the bit. "Get out," he exclaimed, "or this horse may yet drag you into the pit " IIis advice was hastily followed by the inmates of the vehicle; the young lady saying, as her feet touched the ground : "We owe our lives to your courage, sir, and cannot be too grateful," at the same time offering her hand. "I would take the pledge with great pleasure," said George, with a frank smile, as he glanced from the tiny-gloved palm to the lovely face of the owner; "but this brute is ready to dash away in an instant, and will surely plunge into the cellar." A few moments sufficed to calm the animal ; and, as the party stood viewing the I . !_I\. 1 1 UL.J. narrow escape iroui a pmuiui uuu uiuuuy death, the elder gentleman said : "My daughter speaks truly, young man. We owe our lives to you. May I ask your name ? Anything that we cau do in return " "I ask uothing in return, Mr. Wheaton, and my name is a small matter. I am amply rewarded in being the means by Heaven's desire, to save you from an ugly fall." "You koow our name," said the young lady ; and drawing off her gloves she again extended her hand. "It is but fair that we should know that of our preserver." George blushed to the eyes as he clasped the soft, snowy white hand in his own, and said: "To grasp a lady's hand, the hand of such a lady as Miss Annie Wheaton, is a noble reward for all I have the fortune to < do. My name I mustat present withhold." "Your language is that of a gentleman," began the flashily dressed young man, and with a drawl of exquisite self-esteem ; but with a fierce sharpness unusual to the young mason. George broke in with : ''And my dress, what of that, sir?" "Aw?of course," stammered Mr. Tom Smythe the one addressed, and starting back, "if you ask it?you know?the garb , of a laborer." "In which dress are found many more j genuine gentlemen, Mr. Smythe, than can be discovered in such a glossy jacket as yours. My language is not necessarily that i of a gentleman because it may sound smoothly to the ear; and such as it is, I owe it to : myself and the public schools of New York; i in which one may learn as polished English as may be gathered behind fast horses and before theatrical curtains. Good evening, < Miss Wheaton, and the same to you, Mr. Wheaton. I am happy in having done you i a service." "But, young man, I would reward?I mean do something to prove my gratitude? something more substantial than words," said Mr. Wheaton, hastily. "You have already given uie more; for the gratitude of the eyes is more substantial than that of the lip or purse, in an hoDest man's opinion ; for it is copied in the soul." "At any rate," said Mr. Smythe, "you've butchered my horse, and I'll remember you by that!" "For shaine, Mr. Smythe!" exclaimed Miss Annie. "He grieves justly," said George, as he turned away. "Ilad the hammer hit him, an iuferior animal would have been killed." "Insolent fellow !" muttered Mr. Smythe, as he gazed after him. "Still, I am glad the hammer did'nt hit me?'pon my soul I am ! A carriage passing by was hailed, and the party conveyed home, while the driver remained to extricate his vehicle. Thinking .ess of the future, and very much of Annie Wheaton, George Useted U-J i i.i? t i reiiuuuu ulo iiuiuuii; i uluu, auu, us was mo unvarying custom, placed his week's wages, for 'twas on a Saturday, in the lap of his widowed mother. " 'Tis all there dear mother, excepting a dollar I have retained to buy an old work on stODe architecture. Perhaps next week I may giveycu hundreds " "Hundreds, my son !" exclaimed Mrs. (Jseted, raising her pale and pious face in surprise. "I said perhaps," said he. "On Tuesday the committee appointed to examine the plans, submitted for the building of that great church you have heard me speak of so often, will meet to decide which of the many is worthy of the 3500 prize. I have two there." "Ab," sighed his mother, "your father wasted much time in such lotteries." "Lotteries!" cried George, indignantly. "It is not the money prize I wish, but the name-prize. Nor is time wasted in contending for such, for contention is improve ment." "If you had any influence with any prominent member of the prize-adjudgers " "And truckled to them for a prize," said George, "and gained one?how miserable the gain. If I lost it?how beggarly the reward! No, let me win or losse, simply as George Useted ; and if I loose?try again." "Your father's friend, Mr. Wheaton," said his mother, "is chairman, you told me of the committee. I wish he knew you George." "I am glad he does not," said he. "And now I will go secure that book." He returned within an hour, with a large and time-worn volume, many years out of date, which his mother no sooner saw than she said : "The very same old book Mr. James Smythe, brother of that rich man on Monroe street, gave to your father a few days before James Smythe died. Your father opened it only once, and saying it was full of impossibillities put it on a shelf, where it remained until I was forced to sell it with evervthinor T ennld snare, to nav for w J o - ~ r > z j your father's funeral. It brought me but a few cents." "The parchment covering, alone, is worth more than that," said George. "And I know I shall find many excellent hints to suit the architectural tastes now coming into fashion. Was there not much bitterness between Mr. James Smythe and his brother John?" "Yes; they had not spoken for years before James Smythe's death." "But people say John Smythe gained all his wealth by the death of his brother," said George. "And very true; for James died, as they say intestate?making no will. John was heir-at-law and got every dollar. Surely he cl ngs to it fast enough, though he has a foolish son, Tom, who spends much of it? on the credit of his father's name." ! "Well, I see written on the parchment 1 of the inside ; 'Bind me in gilt when you i ] a.i l. f c?_ t :ii i :_ ~a nave reau me mrougii. 00 i win uegiu ut once. I have often glanced through it when it was tossing about the 'old book' store on Nassau street." The prize committee met as appointed, and with Mr. Wheaton in the chair, proceeded to examine the various plans for church-building before then}. Among the examiners was Mr. John Smythe the father of the flashily dressed ' young man we have seen. Mr. John Smythe held in one hand a highly pretentious chart, bearing the signa- ' ture of Thomas Looply, and in his vest he 1 had a note promising to pay John Smythe 1 the sum of $5,000 providing a certain contingency?also signed Thos. Looply. That 1 tacit conticgency was that the first prize 1 and the contract of erection should be a- 1 warded to Thomas Looply, Esq?a rich 1 builder and a vain architect, without one tenth of the talent of one-half of those whom he employed. < Mr. Smythe urged the adoption of this plan strenuously, and called all others rub- I bish ; but there was another plan which i gained uuiversal applause, bearing the name I of George Useted." I "I should be proud to be the designer of t that," said Mr. Wheaton, after a critical j examination. < Mr, John Smythe whispered to Mr. Wheaton: "There is a tie in the votes, or will be.? Your vote will decide the matter. Give it for Looply." "His plan is ridiculous. Would you have s a church like a tenement house !" said Mr. 1 Wheaton. i "I will tell you plainly Mr. Wheaton," 1 _ * J T _! O .. * L _ _!*L _ n 1 _ _1_ /,i.L ~ , saiu oonn omyme, wim a uerce iouk, "tue t job in Looply's hands will bring me 85000. I You owe me much past due, and to-day you 1 ask me to endorse for you to such amount i as will keep you from bankruptcy?no use 1 to mince matters. The prize to plan and I coutraot to erect, must be given to Looply? t the award will throw a fortune into his hands and mine. The prize for the name, and the contract for the profits." "Cast your votes," said Mr. Wheaton, with a pale face, as he remembered that 1 John Smythe could beggar him. I "Six for Looply and six for Useted," I said the secretary, after the balloting. 1 "For the prize or the contract ?" I "For the prize, the contract to be award- 1 by the winner of the prize." i "Your vote decides it," said Mr. Smythe, < with a meaning glunce at Wheaton. I "Gentlemen," said Wheaton, "among all ; the plans submitted but one name is genu- ] ine, unless this of George Useted may be a i true name?personally I do not know him. A man bearing that name died several years I ago. The other names are, for the time as- i sumed. Mr. Thomas Looply, in parading I his name, seems to have imagined his riches I and influence would award him the prize, i and, of course, the contract. Gentlemen, | Mr. Looply has made a mistake. I award < the prize to the plan of George Useted. Mr. i Smythe, though a debtor, I am an honor- ' able man ; you may make me a bankrupt, but you cannot make me a rascal." i Furious with rage, and writhing under the scorn of all present, John Smythe hur < ried away to brood upon revenge. When George Useted heard of his success the next morning, or rather read the n?mp in f.limnrninir nnners. he hastened to Mr. WheatoD, aod said: "A few days ago I would not tell you ray name, because I feared that the service I had the fortune to render you might bias your opinion in my favor, undeservedly as regards the merits of my plans; both of which have drawn a prize. You were known to me, because the poor know many of the rich by sight and name, and especially a3 my mother has often told me of your kindness to my father." "You are one of nature's aristocracy, all others are sham nobilities," said Mr. Wheuton. "We must become better acquainted. You have the right now to award the contract, which is a very lucrative one." "I know it, and therefore give it to my father's friend," said George. "I hate heard that you are in some pecuniary emKorraomanf " "True; a very bitter-hearted man holds many of my notes, and swears my ruin," said Mr. Wheaton. "This man, John Smythe " "Is that your enemy's name?" said George. "Take courage, or rather defy him. Last night I purchased an old volume, once his brother's, and not waiting to read it through I tore off the parchment cover.? The inside proved to be the last and only will of James Smythe." "I knew he made one?for I and my uncle witnessed it." said Mr. Wheaton.? "But have always suspected John Smythe destroyed it." "No. I have it," said George, "and John Smythe must now account to vie for the property bequeathed to my father five years ago, amounting in all to ?160,000." One year after this conversation, George Usetcd became the husband of Annie Wheaton. John Smythe and bis flashy son emigrated to the West, stripped of the wealth they had so long enjoyed. ' The uprightness that had distinguished ! George Useted as a stone-mason, never left 1 him when a rich architect, and he still as- i serts that a man and not the purse makes 1 the gentleman. Columbia. It occurs to us that there will be much i fitness in selecting Columbia in our State as tho Capital of the Confederate States of America. Far be it from South Carolinians, to claim any especial honor on account of the course unitedly pursued by our people, against a dominant hostile party at the | North, in the late step of Secession. The t position of our State is no higher, no lower , than of the other States with which she is ' acting. Not on this account then do we , olaim the seat of Government. ( But there is policy in locating our Capital on a point of observation (as it were) | towards the great Atlantic Coast, yet not < near enough exposed to depredations at any ] time from that quarter, as to render the c spot in the least insecure. Such a place is j Columbia, in a far higher degree even than , Washington City. The situation of Columbia, again, is one g of extreme beauty and salubrity; and it is i nAvfointn 1 rv? r\A*fnnf * V? ? f att/iVi nrio. _ uciw*iuijr liujjuiiaui tuat duuu vuaiawvuno- j tics should attach to a place where all sea- t bods must be used for purposes of Govern- \ ment, and where the genius of the South, c and perhaps of all countries, will some day r seek to educe and adorn it# capabilities.? c There are few locations superior to Colum- t bia on these scores. c Then at Columbia, which is something, o we have a truly noble structure which would e be no inapt beginning of a Capitol for the c South,?a Capitol of granite, simple but everlasting. t And, still more, there is something in 1 the name of Columbia, wbioh would be, to t curselves as well as to the world, embracive r af high memories and broad suggestions; a and the very sound of the "Government at a Columbia" would sooo ring to the skies f with as clear an intonation as ever that of earthly court. Such are a few views in favor of Columbia, South Carolina, as the Seat of Government of the South. As to accessibility, in ihis age of Railroads it is scarcely a ques:ion to be considered.?Edgefield Adver! iser. JVrMrs. From the Edgefield Advertiser, 20th (net. The Ports in Charleston Harbor. Mr. Editor:?There has been so much said about the Fortifications in Charleston Harbor, so many idle rumors and so many ncorrect statements, it is difficult for any one ;o form a correct opinion of their strength mAn!TTo in r> rw 1 nnf vntiiKnArl Ceam il pusiuuu. iiaviu- juai icbutucu iiuuj ;hese places, I think I can give you some 'acts which, if not new to you, may be of nterest to some of your readers. From the 'act that Martial Law has been declared on ;he different Islands, and no one allowed x) visit the forts, many of the Charleston, ans apprehended an attack on Fort Sumter n a few days. I am sure, however, this s a mistake. Gov. Pickens, acoompanied by two of lis staff, Gen. Dunovant, Col. Gwyn, Lieu:enants Hartstein and Hamilton, and some half dozen others, amoDg whom was your lumble servant, made a personal examinadon of the fortifications on Wednesday ast. The little steamer Edisto first took is to the much talked of Floating Battery m the wharf at the foot of Hoyle street, (I :hink it is.) It would be difficult to give pou a correct opinion of this Battery on paper; some of the New York papers have l very correct drawiug of it already, which [ saw yesterday. It is about 80 feet x 30 feet; one side and the two ends are plaoked up with 3 iuch pine plank some ten feet high?the other side is the Battery and to be presented against Sumter. It is made if 12 inch pine sills about 20 feet long placed perpendicular, or uearly so, the top -_j- i : ...i,,,* JLiUS IL'UIJIM^ UVUI mis waiuij su buao auv/1/ striking the side will glance downward ; short heavy timbers, about 6 feet long, are framed to the ends of these sills projecting over the Battery; these form a right augle with the side, and shot striking this will of course glance over. This Battery-side is to be made several feet thick with Palmetto logs, which they are now laying transversely and spiking firmly to the sills.? There is to be water enough let in the bottom to render bombs harmless in case any are throwu in, and some cotton is also to he taken in to form a protection for the Magazine and the men not employed at the guns. This Buttery when completed, which will probably be some two weeks yet, is to be Boated out quite near Sumter uoder command of the former Lieutenant, now Capt. Hamilton of S. C., and from his confident manner aud experience we may expect a decided impression. There ha'e bee;, so ?iany rumors about Floating Batteries I have said more than I inteoded.? It was currently reported there were five in process of construction out of cotton bags, that Gov. Pickens had purchased 500 bags for the express purpose, &c., &c. Cotton bags will never do for breast works, they would take fire and burn up every thiug. I never saw or heard of but the one Battery above alluded to. Our steamer next took us to Castle Pinckncy. You remember a detachment of volunteers took this dace rather bv surprise. The party had ladders to scale the walls, but when they arrived, but three ladders were loog enough, and one of these broke Fortunately no resistance was made, and the Sergeant in command quietly surrendered. One of the officers who took part in the affair, said he saw one of his men throw his gun overboard and seize a ladder, such was the haste to scale the wall. This is a circular fortress, wall about 16 feet high and 10 thick, some dozen cannon mounted, several bearing ou the City.? This Fort is of considerabe importance to tho City?it can defend or destroy it?but is of no use in the contemplated attack on Fort Sumter; although some of the soldiers think they could reach Sumter, and even Cel. Gwyn is reported to have said, be wished to make Castle Piuckney play a part in taking Sumter. Not meaning to express any opinion of my own, but I only say. if the history of distance of shot and shell in similar engagements be examined, it will be useless to fire at Sumter from this Fort. The distance is 2 miles and 3 furlongs. The Fort is at present under command of a German Volunteer Company from the City, and every (liing is ready, cat and clean. The steamer next landed us at Fort Johnson, where there is a Mortar Battery consisting of two large ten inch Mortars placed behind a heavy bank of sand. The men engaged here will be entirely protected from the shot of Sumter, but not from shell. The distance from Sumter is 2250 pards. We next visited Cumming's Point.? These two last mentioned places are to the South of Sumter?Moultrie to the North )f it. At this point several Batteries have ceen erected, both mortar and cannon.? 3ne in particular is to be an experiment, [t consists of a heavy sloping roof, the near iide to Sumter resting on the ground, and s covered with Rail Road T iron as close is the bars can be laid. Shot striking this vill of course glance over. Under this hedare three eight inch Columbiads bearng directly on Sumter?the distance 1254 rards. The port-holes, in consequence of he sloping roof, are necessarily very large, )ut a large iron door is so arranged as to lover the hole while we are loading and aised when ready to fire ; and this can be lone in double quick time. Immediately o the right of this, and behind a high bank if sand, are three ten inch Mortars. The ither Batteries at this place point in anothr direction and command the ship chanlel. The steamer next took us to Fort Moul- ( rie. In so doing we passed within a few lundred yards of Sumter, most unquesionably a formidable fortress, and if well i nanned as strong as it looks. It is a hex- i igon with one corner cut off. It covers i ibout three acres; the largest side is 312 i eet; the other four sides about 190 feet each. On either corner of the long side ' are Bastions with Barbette guns, this be- i ing the only accessible side for a storming i party. This side too is full of loopholes < for musketry. The gate is also on this side i about the centre. The walls are about 34 i feet high and cannon have lately been < mounted on top, 13 can easily be seen bear- i ing on Cumming's Point?one in particu- ' lar has been depressed so as to fire down | within a hundred feet of the Fort. The < men are easily seen actively employed on ] the out side, moving stone and strengthening the side next Cumming's Point. The < lower port holes appear to have been re- s ,I1?J n.n . UCUUJf liiieu wiuu oauu. iuu jjuwauao oic ? entirely exposed to rur shot and shell, and < in case of attaok wii! soon be destroyed.? 1 It is the impression of many that the Fort | is bomb proof. This is entirely a mistake. > Only the case mates are bomb proof. They have a well of water into which motf of i the bombs will perhaps fall or roll, bat i there arc many other places where they < will do execution. I was told by an officer 1 that they could throw a shell now a dis- i tance of a mile within 16 yards every time, i Upon our arrival at the wharf on Sullivan's Island we found Lieut. Minis, with a ; detachment of the Edgefield Rifles. They ' were looking well and were all in fine i spirits. Every thing was busy in Fort Moultrie, Capt Calhoun and several Lieutenants drilling in artillery exercise. The gun's are very heavy, 42 and 64 pounders? only ten, however, are bearing on Sumter, and of these only two are Columbiads.? These are improved 64 pound cannon ?the barrel of one of these alone weighs over 9 thousand pounds. They are about 22 inches in diameter at the breach and about 8 feet long. The other guns in this Fort, some dozen or more, command the ship channel. The Barracks here are also exposed to shot and shell, and would soon be J J O 4 4 uesiruyeu. ouiue iweuiy utrgruca aio uuw employed makiDg a bomb proof shelter for the protection of the meu serving the guns. The cannon point just over the wall, which is about 14 feet thick. Between each gun are large embankments of sand and palmetto logs, but the embrasures are large, near four feet, and it looks like many balls might come in and dismount the cannon. Anderson has the same size guns, but it takes at least five men to work one of these guns. He has at most not more than eighty men, this will be 1G guns. He will be assailed from five points, and if he serves the guns on top, his men will fare but indifferently, and bis cannon will soon be dismounted. mi ? \f J 1 uere is uiau a muoijucu iuuilui ^ i/u Sullivan's Island, but as Auderson can't get the distance of this, I shall say no uiore about it. He is doubtless better acquainted with all the other places I have mentioned than any of us, for he has a large glass aod he uses it constantly. Col. Gregg's Regiment of Volunteers could be easily seen drilling on the Beach, in front of the Moultrie House, and I exceedingly regret that our time would not admit of our visiting that place and seeing our Edgefield soldiers. I will say for the benefit of those in suspense, there is no probability of an attack just now, unless something unusual turns up. Maj. Anderson receives his letters and papers regularly from Washington. People should be quiet and uot complain that Sumter is not attacked. They may rest assured that it will not be child's play If they think so, I would advise them to go and take a peep at it. Besides it would be highly improper for the public to be made acquainted with all the details concerning this matter. We must trust to those in authority. Their reputation is at stake, and they will doubtless act conscienciouslyand for the best. MARION. The Inauguration of President Davis. The Montgomery Advertiser gives the following graphic description of the inauguration of the first President of the Confederate States: The proceedings of yesterday will form an ever memorable epoch in the history of the Confederate States of America. On that day, Gen. Jefferson Davis, the first Chief Magistrate of these States, was invested with the robes of office, and in ascending to the highest position in the gift of his countrymen, indicated in his inaugural address, which we publish elsewhere, the line of policy which he will pursue in the nrlminiofrnH/m nf tho tincarnmpnt Never did Montgomery present such an appearance as on yesterday. Although notice that the inauguration would certainly take place on Monday, had gone forth through the press only the Saturday before, the streets, dwellings and Capitol Hill were literally thronged with visitors, who had come far and near from this and neighboring States to witness the imposing ceremony of the natal era of the Confederacy. All ages, sizes, sexes, and conditions were out to give variety and spice to the occasion.? The ladies seemed to be present in larger numbers than the men in honor of their 1 gallant President. The assemblage could not have numbered less than ten thousand 1 persons, all animated by a common desire 1 to maintain the dignity, honor and indepen- ' d' "ce to the Confederate States. Great ' God! whatman, or set of men, however 1 powerful, could stem the popular current in the great States of the cotton belt? For years the dead bodies of time-serving politi- " ciaDS had dammed up the mighty depths [ of Southern patriotism, until at last the ' voice of the people has swollen to an irre- ^ sistable volume, and borne men and par- 1 ties before it as drift-wood upon the bosom 1 of the majestic ocean. 1 The procession formed on Montgomery ^ street, where Gen. Davis took his seat in a ^ magnificent carriage of Col. Tennant Lomax, drawn by six beautiful greys. On the j same seat in the carriage sat Vice-President Stephens, and opposite them were Captain g George Jones, of Alabama, and Rev. Basil j Manley, of this city. Then followed successively in carriages, the Congressional, j State and City Committees. The citizens D on foot and military escort formed no in- ( considerable portion of the procession. As the procession moved up Market st., amid the roar of cannon, the inspiring strains of martial music, and the cheers of a the multitude, the scene was grand beyond ? description. f The vast crowd had soon filled the doors, 1 windows and portico of the Capitol, and 3pread over the ground in front, when the inauguration ceremony began, as arranged 3n the front steps. The President oocupied i seat on the portico, with the Vice-President seated at his right, and Hon. Howell Cobb on his left, Gov. Moore occupied a seat on the platform immediately below; where were also seated the members of Congress, facing the President's stand. The ceremony was opened with an impressive prayer from the venerable Rev. Dr. Manley. The Hon. Howell Cobb, President of the Congress, administered the oath of office, md the President delivered his inaugural lddress, in a calm and forcible manner? -uo lUillJCUOO WUUUU17C UUW UUU IUCU UidUlfestiog their approbation by vooiferoa8, applause, as be would strike the key-notes of Southern independence. The ladies wreathed him with flowers, and ten thousand hearts beat high with joy, admiration and hope for the administration 3f the new President No man, not even Gen. Washington, was ever called to preside over a people with more general acclamation and confidence than Gen. Davis.? His past services and spotless private and public character, are the surest gup.rrntees that he will not disappoint the jnst expectations of the couutry. The Military Act. The Charleston Mercury calls attention to the subjoined order, showing the construction put by the Secretary of War up30 an "act to provide an armed military force," and suggests that State exchanges should publish it for information: Department op War, \ Januaary 17, 1861. j To Adjutant General Gist : You will proceed forthwith, so soon as eight companies of Infantry and the Rifle companies thereto attached, in the Infantry brigade, shall have been reported to you, to organize the same into regiments, to be umbered in the order of the date of organization ; and you will divide eaoh regiment into two battalions, having reference, as far as may be, to territorial neighborhood of the companies. One rifle company, howevever, to be attaohed to each battalion.? You will further order, in each regiment, an election for Colonel, Lieutenant-Colonel and Major, to be held within ten days from the acceptance of the last company composing said regiment. The election to be held nnder the provisions of the "act to provide an armed military force," and each company to vote for three field officers.? When more than ten companies are reported to you in any brigade, yon will altaoh said companies to others in similar positions in other brigades and organize them into appropriate bat.allions and regiments as hereinbefore directed. D. F. JAMISON. Casting a Monster Gun.?Another monster gun was cast in the Fort Pitt Works, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, last week. The ''Floyd," the heaviest piece of ordnance, we believe, that the world bos ever seen, was fifteen-inch bore and forty-nine inches in diameter, at the breach. Its weight in rough was 78,000 pounds, and when finished about 40,000. The gun cast has a twelve-inch bore, the same exterior diameter of the "Floyd," while it is six inches longer, and will weigh, when finished, twenty-five tons. The furnaces were taDDcd at 121 o'clock, and twentv-four minutes later the mould was filled, and the casting complete. The total amount of me* tal used in the "run" was 78,100 pounds. The new gun will be named "Union," and will, it is believed, thnw a ball over six miles. Napoleon's Tomb.?With permission of England, the French Government has repaired the tomb of Napoleon at St. Helena. The tomb has been completely restored to the condition in which it was at the period of the deposed Emperor's interment; and Longwood, the house in which he died, has been put into a state of substantial repair. Longwood is unoccupied and unfurnished, and the premises have been allowed to fall into decay; but the wall and roof have now been restored, and will, in all probability, stand for many years. We learn that Mr. Stroup, who is the proprietor of the Iron Furnace in Bibb County, Alabama, has gone to Montgomery with proposals to cast cannon for the State of Alabama. Thus, in every department of manufactures, very soon, we shall prove ourselves independent of the North. Who will go into the manufacture of coal oil in the Warrior aod (Jahaba coal helds f Although these things cannot be done in a day, it is well enough to think of them now.? Tuscaloosa Observer. "Merely. "?Lincoln asks at Indianapolis?"But if the United States should merely hold and retake its own forts and other property" * * * would that be coercion or invsion ? Let Lincoln, for example, "merely" retake the Augusta Arsenal without invasion?or coercion?or both! Its a small matter "merely," but he will have a lively time of it, whether done by invasion or coercion, or not.?Macon Telegraph. Refused to Honor the President Elect.?The Duquesne Greys, a leading nilitary company of Pittsburg, held a meetng on the evening prior to the arrival of >Ir. Lincoln at that city, and unanimously -.A- -J 4a 4a1*a in 4 li A fnwmn 1 MrtOnflnn reiuscu tu w&c patb m buu AU&UJOI I^WJ/WWU icoorded him. The Greys, it will be renemdered, acted as a guard of honor to the Prince of Wales on his passage through Pittsburg. One Absalom W. Woodruff, a"leadng Republican lawyer," in Patterson, New Tersey, got off the following sentiment in . speech at a Republican meeting, on Frilay night: "He only wished to his God to have conrol of hell for three days, in order that he night rain fire and brimstone on Sooth Jarolina." A Boy's Composition on thesAons. ?There are four seasons; spring, summer, .utumn and winter. Tbeyareall pleasant, some people like the spring best; but as or me, give me liberty, or give me death. ?inis?tho end."