The daily phoenix. (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, December 13, 1865, Image 2
COLUMBIA.
"Wednesday Morning, Dec. 13,1865.
Thc Marketa.
Thc domestic markets of thc United
States present anomulies worthy of re?
mark. Thc ride that gold is the standard
of all values, for tho first time in thc At?
lantic States fails to hold good. Gold is
?worth hut 145 in New York, while all other
property is two hundred per cent higher
than in the years before thc war. If gold
regulated values, beef, which in 1860 was
worth ten cen te a pound, should now bo
worth fifteen; but it is worth twenty, and
tho same is the case with almost every
other kind of property. The fact is, pro?
perty, that is personal property, such as
thc produce of tho field, manufactories
Ac, is scarcer than gold, and is, therefore,
dearer. Five thousand millions of pro?
perty were destroyed by the direct ravages
of war, or were lost to the country hy not
being produced in consequence of the pro?
ducers having been diverted from the
avocations of peace to those of war, and
tho country is now short just thc amount
of property which has been destroyed or
would have been produced. Several years
of pcaco, prosperity and production must
intervene before this loss of property is
repaired and the products of agriculture
and manufactures fall to their old prices.
This desirable condition must be attained
the more slowly since hundreds of thou?
sands of those who were once producers
have been killed or disabled by the war.
Almost all of the goods offered for sale
in the South at this time, whether provi?
dions or manufactured articles, are brought
from the North, and yet we fiend that
prices in Richmond, (says tho ??mes,) aro
?actually, in many cases, lower than in New
Y'ork and Baltimore, and this, notwith?
standing the enormous house rents that
.our merchants are paying. Bacon, for
?asi?atc, can to-day be bought as cheap
in Bichmond as in Baltimore. The ex?
planation of this, like tho foregoing, is
easy. Our people want goods of all de?
scriptions exceedingly, as there is not a
man or woman in the State who docs not
need a new outfit of clothing, and scarce?
ly a house that does not require refurnish?
ing from top to bottom, while our barns
and cattle folds are empty; but our people
lack money equally as much. The money
irrought into the State by the sale of tho
tobacco on hand at the close of tho war,
and spent by the United States troops
since that time, has been spent for North?
ern goods, and has found its way hack to
the North. The South is out of cash, and
those who have large stocks of goods are
naturally anxious to sell, and to do so
must offer their stocks at a very low
figure. The goods being here, it is moro
expedient to sell them, even at a slight
loss, than to reship them North. This
derangement of the market will of course
right itself, hut possibly some persons
may bo hurt in the meantime.
There will be a proposition before tho
Finance Committee of tho Senato, and
probably before the Committee of 'Ways
and Means of the House, to reduce nation?
al taxation to a point that will yield no
moro revonue than what is sufficient to pay
the expenses of the Government, including
interest on the public debt and a sinking
fund for the principal. It is expeetod that
the proposed reduction will bo great
enough to allow of the repeal of the income
tax. There aro many reasons why thia
particular form of tax should bo withdrawn
at the earliest possible opportunity. In ita
nature, its collection is vexatious, because
the means which tho assessors are obliged
to use to get full and true returns are, to
a large degree, inquisitorial. It is, in fact,
tho most objectionable form of tax, and it
is only resorted to in Great Britton, from
which country we copied it, as a revenue
during the continuance of war. As soon
as the pressure for money is over, this tas
is taken off. The news that is likely to bc
dispensod with in this country will, there?
fore, bc hail jd with great pleasure.
Tle-re are, as wc learn, one Emigration
Society in Richmond, two in Petersburg,
three in Alexandria, and four in Newbern,
It is said that the Swiss Consul-General is
anxious to introduce into Virginia ant
North Carolina a large body of hiso .i
countrymen. Such would be a valuable
acquisition. The present Pr. isional Gov
ernor of North Carolina, we aro informed
recently directed his attention to the con
sideration of this subject, with a view t(
the introduction of white labor into hil
State._
Official information has been received
that twenty-six States have ratified tin
constitutional amendment, including tin
States of North and South Carolina
Louisiana, Arkansas, Georgia, Alabami
and Tennessee. The States of Kentucky
Delaware and New Jersey have rejectod it
Legislature South Carolina.
Mcneilly. December ll, 1865.
SENATE.
Thc Senate met at lui a. ru.
Mesara. Buist, Thomson and Hemphill
submitted ronort? of committees.
Mr. Hemphill submitted the report of
tho Solicitor of the Northern Circuit, on
District officers and their offices.
Mr. Lawton offered a resolution, relative
to au cloction for Law Judges to fill the
vacancies now existing; which elicited
considerable discussion.
Tho House of Representatives sent to
the Senate a message asking leavo to
amend the message from the Senate in re?
lation to the adjournment of thi3 General
Assembly on Saturday, thc 16th instant, hy
striking "out "Saturday, the 16th instant,"
and inserting "Tuesday, thc 19th instant,
at 12 m.," winch was concurred in.
Mr. Buist introduced the following bills:
a bill to incorporate the Palmetto Savings
Bank; a bill to incorperato the Charleston
Savings Bank; and also, tho memorial of
Charles H. West and others, asking to be
incorporated as the Charleston Savings
Bank.
Thc special order for 12 ra.-a bill to
amend the Patrol Laws-received the
second reading, was agreed to, and was
ordered to be sent to thc House of Repre?
sentatives.
Mr. Lawton submitted thc following re?
port; which was ordered to lie on the table,
and to bc printed:
The special joint committee of the two
Houses appointed to nominate President
and four Directors of tho Bank of tho
State of South Carolina, ask leave te re?
port the following nominations, viz: For
President-C. M. Furman. For Direc?
tors-W. C. Dukes, C. F. Hanckel, .1. P.
De Veaux and J. J. Brabham.
Mr. Bratton moved the following resolu?
tion; which was considered and agreed to,
and was ordered to be sent to thc IIou.su
of Representatives for concurrence:
Whereas, The Bank of tho stab1 of
South Carolina is "at present, little moro
. than an office for deposits,''and will proba
I bly so continue for some time to come:
Bc it Resolved, That it be referred to a
joint committee, to consist of the Sena to
Committee on Finance and batiks, and the
House Committee of Ways and Means, to
inquire and report as to the number of
salaried officers, with the salary of each,
now employed by the Bank of the State
and its various brandies, and the nuinber
of officers ami the salaries of each, actual?
ly required in tho present condition of
affairs; and also as to the practicability of
retrenchment in the expenses of the Bank.
The President announced that ho had
received, through the post ellice, a com?
munication from the colored people of
South Carolina, in Convention assembled,
in Charleston.
At 1 p. m., the following message was
received from his Excellency the Governor:
ExKcvTivK DKPABTKENT Sou rn CAHOLIXA,
COLUMBIA, December ll, 1?65.
Gentlemen of the Sowie and House of
Ri -pi-esc ntcUives:
I communicate to you herewith the re?
port of tho Board of Visitors of tho South
Carolina Military Academy, with accom?
panying reports by Major White and
Captain Thomas.
Also, a communication, addressed to mc
by Captain Thomas, giving information
of the condition of the property of tho
Arsenal Academy. I recommend that
authority bc given to the Board of Visi?
tors, or some other proper persons, tn sell
the loose budding material remaining on
j thc lot, and such other property there as
I will deteriorate bj- exposure and may not
hereafter be needed. The property seized
and sold by the Spocial Agent of the United
States Treasury Department was not liable,
in my judgment, to confiscation, and upon
a representation of the facts to thc Treasu?
ry Agent for this State, or to the Secretary
of tho Treasury, it can hardlyJJO doubted
that tho proceeds of the salo will he paid
over to thc Treasurer of this State, for the
! uso of the State.
I Thc buildings remaining on the Academy
lot should bo rontod, and authority for
j that purpose given to tho Board of Visi
! tors, or some other suitable person.
I I also communicate to you certain re?
commendations of tho Board of Trustees
of the South Carolina College, requiring
your consideration.
I transmit you herewith a correspon?
dence between Colonel L. D. Childs and
myself, with reference to the. purchase by
him of the canal near this city around the
falls of Broad and Congaree Bivers.
His energy, enterprise and ability to
command capital furnish the best guaran?
tee that this immense water power would
be speedily developed; and whilst he would
make it profitable to himself, its develop?
ment will rebuild Columbia and expand it
far beyond its former proportions. The
capital and population which it will bring
here, will not only rebuUd and enrich
Columbia, but it will bo beneficial to the
whole State, by furnishing its citizens with
an improved market, and in replenishing
its treasury by largely increasing its tax?
able property.
The canal, for many years past, has been
of no use to the State or its citizens. Since
the destruction of the Greenville and
Columbia Railroad, last winter, some boats
have been placed on the river, but they
will doubtless be withdrawn when thc road
is repaired. But. to guard tho citizens of
the State against loss from tho recurrence
of such a casualty, and to retain to them
all the advantages promised in the con?
struction of tho work originally, if a sale
is made, it should bo made on condition
that the citizens of the State shall forever
enjoy the privilege of navigating the canal
with boats to the crossing of Bridge street,
in Columbia.
The construction of a new dam, and tho
widening and deepening of the canal to
increase the How of water sufficiently to
make it available for extensive machinery,
will require a heavy outlay of capital.
This, I am satisfied, can bo commanded by
the gentleman seeking to make the
purchase, and I recommend that two or
more Commissioners be appointed to ne?
gotiate the salo and convey the title, with
tho reservation 1 have indicated. The
Legislature, in it? wisdom, may determino
that it is prudent to tlx a onnimum below
which tho property 8hnll not bc sold, bat
I believe it would be best not to trammel
the Commissioners. Tho first object
should bo to get some one to take vigorous
hold of this great work, and begin to im?
prove and build up the State. Tho water
power which may be obtained through this
canal, and which is now unimproved, is
far "?rester than that at Lowed or Law?
rence, and why should not its energetic
development make Columbia a greater city
than either?
I transmit to you herewith a communi?
cation from his "Excellency B. F. Ptrry,
Provisional Governor, on the subject bf
the war debt of this State, to which I in?
vito your attention. JAMES L. ORK.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, SOUTH CAROLINA,
December '.), 1H65.
To Ms Excellency (for. On:
MT DEAR SIR: I received, two weeks
since, a telegram from the Hon. William
H. Soward, Secretary of State, in relation
to the repudiation of our war debt, in tho
following words: "Upon reflection, South
Carolina would not care to come again into
the councils of the Union encumbered and
clogged with debts and obligations which
had been assumed in her name in a vain
attempt to submit it. Tho President trusts
that she will lose no timo in making an
effective organic declaration, disowning all
debts and obligations made or assumed in
her name or behalf in aid of the rebellion.
The President awaits further events in
South Carolina with deep interest."
In reply to this despatch, I stated that i
? it was impracticable, now, to make any
! such "organic declaration," as our State
Convention had been dissolved, by my ad?
vice, after having done all that tho Presi?
dent had requested te bc done, and that I
was opposed to keeping :> revolutionary
body, like that of tho Convention, in exist?
ence longer than absolute necossity re?
quired. I further stated, that our war debt
was a very small one and could not be sepa- !
rated from tho ordinary current expenees I
of the State-that South Carolina had been
refunded, by the Confederate States, a ?
large portion of her expenditures on ac- I
I count of tba war -and that no one in the I
I State hud any right to complain of being I
I taxed to pay this debt, as they were all |
i guilty in incurring it. I stated, moreover, j
' that tht; estates of widows and orphans
had been invested in this debt, as the
i safest investment which could be made for
j them, and t Lat- it would now bc gross inj us
! tice to this innocent and helpless class to
j disown tho debt.
Yesterday I hail the honor of receiving
! the following communication from Mr.
Seward, through the mails :
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, November:}!), 1863.
i To His Excellency Ti, V. Perry, Provisional
I Governor of lite State rf South Carolina,
j ColumJda.
SIR : I have the honor to acknowledge
? thc receipt of your telegram, of the 27th
I instant, informing me that thc Convention
; hail been dissolved, lt was impossible to
! adopt the President's suggestion to repu?
diate tho insurgent debt, and to inform
you, that while the objections which you
urge to the adoption of that proceeding
j are of a serious nature, the President can
I not refrain from awaiting with interest an
j ofiicial expression noon that subject from
! the Legislature. I have thc honor to be,
\ sir, vour obedient servant,
WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
You will please, sir, lay this communica
I tion before the Legislature, for their action
; in reference to tho "ofiicial exprt ssion*'
? which the President is'"awaiting with
interest." T have the honor to be, your
Exceller' most obedient servant,
B. F. PERRY,
Provisional Governor South Carolina.
On motion of Mr. Arthur, thc different
sections of thc message were appropriate?
ly referred.
Reports of committees were submitted
by Messrs. Dozier, Williams and Sullivan.
Adjourned.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
At the hour to which the House was ad?
journed, tho Clerk called the roll, the
Speaker took the Chair, and tho proceed?
ings were opened with prayer by Rev. Mr.
Martin.
Message No. 2 was then receivod from
his Excellency Governor James L. Orr, and
was read by the Speaker.
The Senate returned to this House a bill
to amend the Criminal Law; which was
read the third time, and tho title changed
to an Act.
Messrs. D. Wyatt Aiken, Siegling, Jas.
R. Aiken, Mikell, Black, Bonham, Youmans
and Anderson, submitted reports of com?
mittee. Adjourned.
The Washington Republican eaya, we
take great pleasure in announcing the fact
that, in pnrsuance of the President's pur?
pose to bring thc Government back to the
good old constitutional times of free ?peech
and a freo press, an order has boen issued
removing tho telegraphic censorship upon
the press everywhere within the bounda?
ries of tho Uuitod States.
COUNTERFEIT SMALT. BILLS. -It is said
I that two per cent, of all thc fractional cur?
rency received at tho Treasury is counter
! feit. This comes to the Department from
i bankers and others deemed experts in
! judging money, and two percent, escaping
, the detection of such parties gives some
! idea of tho extent of this kind of counter
I feiting. _
TRAUE WITH THE SOUTH.-The immense
amount of freight that is daily carried
North and South by tho National Express
and Transportation Company is an evi?
dence that the South is rapidly assuming
her former commercial position.
It is gratifying to see such sterling
energy displayed hy this company ami
their employees, who, to a man, work as
though they weie veterans in the business;
and it shows that the men engaged in this
enterprise, although unaccustomed to
labor, arc faithful in the execution of their
arduous duties. This company now gives
employment to hundreds who formerly
occupied more elevated positions.
[ Washington Constitutional Union
A Letter from General Lice.
A public meeting was held at the Court
House in Staunton, Va., last Monday, to
consider and inaugurate a plan to aid in
raising an additional endowment for Wash?
ington College, Lexington, Virginia. The
following lotter from Gen. Lee was read:
LEXINGTON, Va., November 22, 1865.
MY DRAB COLONEL: The friends of Wash?
ington College are malting efforts to ad?
vance its usefulness, and to elevate it to
the position of other institutions of tho
present day. For many years it has stood
still, content to dispense in a quiet way its
benefits to tho youth of tho neighboring
counties, while other colleges, with en?
larged means, have been enabled to keep
pace with the progress of science, civiliza?
tion and improvement.
1 am aware that yon nre acquainted with
the design of the Board of Trustees to
extend the course of studies, so as to pro?
mote the education of tho industrial
classes, and fit them for the several pur?
suits of life, and have promised your
generous aid. But I wish also to ask your
influence, with others, in extending ? thc
knowledge of the project of the Board,
and giving it the weight of your approval
and encouragement.
Thc citizens of Virginia are accustomed,
to sec your undertakings prosper, and
have confidence hi what your judgment
approves. Should they know that your
sympathy and assistance ar? engaged in
behalf of the College, its friends will bc
encouraged to persevere. With much
respect, vourobedient servant,
K. E. LEE.
Col. M. G. HARMON, Staunton, va.
COTTON.-The following facts ab..ut
cotton is taken from thc New York Eceninn
Post:
Thc .-tock of ctlon in the Southern
States at the end of thc rebellion, with thc
cr?n> of 1*00, amounted to-bales.
Tlie consumption of the factories North
of the Potomac from Mav 1st to November
1st, 1863, was 10,000 bales per week for !
twenty-six weeks: 260,000 bales.
The export of cotnou from Mav 1st to i
September 1st, was not less than 70,000 !
bales; from September 1st to November i
7th, it was 1 Cfi. IM IO bales.
The requirements of the mills North of I
the Potomac from November 1st, ls<V>. to
November 1st, 1S66, when the crop of 1866
can reach them, will bc not less than
three-quarters of their spinning capacity,
or 12,000 bales per week for liftv-two
weeks: 624,000 hales.
The requirement of the South for eigh?
teen months from May 1, 1863, to Novem?
ber 1, 1Sf)?, will be not less than their re?
quirement for twelve months in 1860,
130,000 bales; making a total of 1.270.000
bab's.
If we deduct 1,270,000 bales from the ;
quantity available as above stated, -
bales, we have-bales to ho, exported
from November 7, 1863, to November 1.
1866.
Thc consumption of cotton in England
from April 13 to October 26, lsr,.",. bas been
47,000 baies per week, or for twenty-eight i
weeks, 1,817,249 bales.
The export from England from 13th
April to 26th October, has been 22,600
bales per week, or, for twentv-eight weeks,
632,722 bales; total for twentv-eight weeks
60,600 bales per week-1,949,971 bales. !
These bales average about 370 pounds j
6 ich.
The lowest estimate of cotton to be re?
ceived from all countries, except the United ,
States, in 1863, made in January last, was
2,750,000 bales.
Tho amount of cotton at sea from India,
and thc possible receipts from all other
ports, being now well known, it has become
evident that England will not receive from
other countries than the Unitod States in
the year 1865 over 2,100,000 bales. Eng?
land's position on the 26th October was as
follows: Stock iu Liverpool, 303,000; stock
in London, 41,000, Possible arrivals before
December 31: From India, if all arrives
which was at wea, 217,000; from United
States, 200,000; from Brazil, 40,000; from
Egypt, 50,000; from West Indies, Ac,
20,000. Total suppl v, Oetobor 26 to Decem?
ber 31, 1865, 871,00(1 After December SI,
but little India cotton can arrive unt?
April.
THE LAST CONFEDERATE.-Only one Con?
federate soldier now remains at the Fair
Grounds Hospita!, Sergeant Thomas W.
Hives, of Company G, Forty-third Alaba?
ma Regiment, Gracie's Brigade. Sergeant
Rives received his wound at Appomattox
Court House, on Sunday, Apr? 9. 1865,
about fifteen minutes before tho Sag of
truce was hoisted, and within a few yards
of tho famous apple tree under which
Generals Grant and Lee signed the articles
of surrender. He is still suffering from
the wound, which was very severe. Al?
though tho hospital diet is very good, yet
he longs for a change. Let some of our
kind hearted ladies prepare some little
delicacies, thoy best know what, and take
or send thom up to him. Wo were as?
tonished to learn last evening from his
own lips, that, during many long and weary
months of confinement to his quarters,
only a few, a very few ladies, had darken?
ed tho door of the hospital.
[ Pittsburgh Express.
Gov. Brownlow's late course in rejecting
tho votes of several counties, on tho
ground of their illegality, causes much
excitement in Tennessee. In the Legisla
laturc, an excited discussion arose on a
resolution offered by Mr. Brandon, of
Stewart County, which was intended as a
censure of Gov. Brownlow. Mr. Brandon
was a rebel Colonel, and was wounded at
FortDonelson. He was sustained n his
assault on tho Governor by Herod, Steele,
Garrett and other copperheads. The reso?
lution was tabled by a decisive vote. Bran?
don and others were very bitter in their
denunciation of the Governor.
AFRAID TO LACOU.-Ladies sometimes
repress their laughter to avoid revealing
the discoloration and imperfection of their
teeth. F air ones, we would advise you to
try the Fragrant Sozodont. It will remove
at once, all impurities, arrest the progress
of decay, and whiten such parts as have
already become black by decay, and leave
thu breath as fragrant as a rose. t
Local Items.
Mr. E. Pollard has opened quite a varied
stock of goods-sweet, sour, dry and wet
in old Brick Bange. Look out for the neat
little "iron front."
Special attention is called l<> tho auction
sale of handsome furniture, this morning,
hy J. G. Gibbes, Esq., at the house adjoin?
ing Dr. Miot's. Some of the articles are
worthy of attention.
THE BURNING OF COLUMBIA.-An inter?
esting account o? the "Sack and Destruc?
tion of the City of Columbia, S. C.,*' has
just been issued, in pamphlet form, from
thc /Vi ?TH ix steam power press. Orders
can be tilled to anv extent.
Pereons desirous of sending packages by
the Southern Express Line lo Charleston,
are informed that the wagon leaves thc
office of thc company in this city, (Taylor
street, near Richardson,) every day, at 1
o'clock.
CLOSING OF MAILS. -The Charleston mail
closes daily at i o'clock p. m.: Charleston
way mail, 3 o'clock p. m.: Northern mail.
i o'clock p. m.; Greenville and Columbia
Railroad mail, Sunday, Tuesday and Thurs?
day, at 1 o'clock p. m.
Weare informed that two hales of cotton
were stolen from Mr. O'Neale's yard, on
Monday night. As cotton bringa such a
hin- price, it is an inducement to tin
thieves. We also h arn that several other
persons have lost a hale or two within the
last few days.
W. S. King. Esq., a special traveling
agent of tba: old and reliable paper, the
Charleston Courier, is in this eily, and will
remain for a few days on business con?
nected with that office. Ile eau he found
at Xiek. rson's Hotel, Room 52. The Ow?
rie)" has been greatly enlarged and other?
wise improved within the hist few days.
We are pleased to state thai C. .T. Dollin,
Esq., has resumed his duties as agent of
the South Carolina Railroad Company,and
will give any information in h.- power with
reference to business matters. Mr. Bolliu
has acted as agent of this company for
fully twenty years, and has always given
perfect satisfaction, and we are confident
that the withdrawal of his resignation will
meet with universal approval.
AN EXTENSIVE MANUFACTURING ESTAB?
LISHMENT CONTEMPLATED.-By reference to
the Legislative proceedings published in
this morning's paper, it will be seen that
our enterprising and public-spirited citi?
zen, Col. L. D. Childs, has opened a cor?
respondence with his Excellency Gov. Orr,
with reference to thc purchase of the Co?
lumbia Canal, and that he proposes en?
gaging in manufacturing on an extensive
scale. This matter is of great importance
to our entire community-tho merchant,
the proporty owner and tho laborer-and
wo hid the Colonel 1-od-speed in his con?
templated mammoth undertaking. In this
connection, wc think it well to direct the
attention of capitalisis North and South
to the magnificent water-power which can
be easily obtained in and near Columbia.
An examination of the different places
might, be found to boot Lu .ouse advan?
tage. _^__^_
PRICES TFMBLINO.-Our advertising co?
lumns, during the last few days, have given
the pleasing intelligence that groceries,
dry goods, etc., are boginning to tumble
from their stilt-like proportions to a really
reasonable figure. For instauco, Mr. Ri?
chard Caldwell informs the public that he
will sell prints at 23 cents per yard; good
brown sugars at 15 cents a pound, and
shoulders at 25 cents. Messrs. Shiver A
Beckham offer their calicoes at a figure
very nearly as low. Messrs. Kenneth A
Gibson, C. H. Baldwin and several others
aro about on a par with the above prices.
While this morning, Mr. A. C. Davis offers
flour at $13 a barrel, and other goods at
proportionate rates. And Mr. A. L. Solo?
mon sells jackets at $1.75 and $2.00; pants
at $2.00 and shirts at $1.
Wo hopo to bc able in a short time (if
affairs go on in this healthy style) to
greatly enlarge the J^lornir, and reduce its
advertising rates to such au extent as to
keep pace with this "march of improve
ment," and give all our dealers-large and
small-an opportunity of keeping thc com?
munity constantly posted on what they
have to dispose >f. Certainly "thc good
time coming," tb :t we poor Confederates
looked and longed for, has almost arrived.
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.- Attention is call?
ed to the following advertisements, which
aro published this morning for the first
time:
Mounce A Calhoun-Silver Coin Wanted.
A. C. Davis-New Store and Now Goods.
" ? -Flour.
C. D. Brahe A Co.-Leather, Ac.
F. H. Due -Tinsmith's Tools.
Chas. L. Guilleaume-Groceries, ?Vc.
Levin A Teixotto-Sugar-cured Hams.
" " -Ready-made Clothing
" " -Furniture Sale.
James O. Gibbes-Dry Goods, Groceries.