The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, April 12, 1853, Image 2
A
From th-i LancatitcXedge)-, Extra, April 7.
* Glftjrians News 11
Lan^trr I&ileemvd / Regenerated! ! Disenthralled
! d ike Railroad-Charter Secured ! !
' To day ha&heen ;a great and gala day f??i
! the people of Lancaster District', it being the
last day for recemng subscriptions to t!?e stock
r !...!/
E '?? *?v rillllUSiddUC UH'CUII^ ?tl3 HVIU
\r in the Cotu t'House, w hen all "seemed to fee;
that it WHS-jheiast'tlay 6f grace?that the Kail
i ;Ro?d.Charter *?u-t he secured to day?that il
must be either avRail Road to-day or never
n?\d, under this-sttte.of feeling, all went hearii
>]y to -work, and in good earnest, -adopting the
. lujotto of General Taylor, at the battle of Buena,Vistn,
L a n cits t e r District,' never surrenders.1
W.e. fought. liard and fought a-good fight) figlrtinj*
under the solemn belief, that, the-result ol
the battle-M ould be to us either life or death?
victory oiy.defeat, and wejl docs the sequel
tell, that tvecnme out of tliecoiitestiictoc-hi.us?
Large subscriptions-of stock, to the road M ere
y received, nnd not knowing,- precisely wliat
; amopn;, of stofck had been si^bsC^ibeil at other
v places where the Books \vere opened, .and in
'r order to secure tlj.e charter beyond nil doubt,
the following gentlemen, resolving in their owp
; minds thatihere.should be no failure, stepped
l forward and nobly did their duty. b_v subscribing
the fmllanee of the stock necessary to secure
the charter, iucluding .what is subscribed at
other places- .Their natnes are as follows:
f . T. K^Curejton, Dixon Barnes, Thonvas W.
Huey, Sif. P. Crawford, S. B. Massey, J. P.
> ..Crockett, H. $. Price, George McC. Wither;
spoonyR. Ti. Crawford, J. II. Witherjpoon,
t _^ym. Stevens, Jos.-A. Cunningham, J. B. Cou::
sart, James Robinson, R. II. Crockett, Jones
Crockett, J. A Has.seltiue, J. E. Cureton, J.
I E.'Adams, and S. B." Emmons.
Then let us all.exclaim, with hearts full of
1/ j"y and rejoicing, hail! all hail! to the noble
Spartan Band, who have so nobly come for
ward to. the rescue of the road, and thereby
i saved the Chapter.
r The Commissioners appointed at Lancaster
..Court House, under the Charter, to incorporate
l tire Lancaster Hail.Road Company, are request^
ed to meet at Lancaster Court House, on the
A^t^tJUondsj^ iu May next with a view of appointing,
the timefor.a general meeting of the
Stockholders, to organize the company. The
i Spartan Band, are also requested to meet at
the same time and place.
The Memphis Cmxvf.ntlon.?Among the
objects contemplated by the Southern ConvenC
tion, which is to assemble At Memphis on the
pP" first Monday in June, are the following :
The establishment of a continental depot ol
b cottOn, in opposition to Liverpool.
The direct exportation c f cotton by. the plant,
er, thus doing awny with middle men, middle
\ warehouses, middle commissioners, middle insurances,
and all that interminable medium
which eats up our substance and concentrates
fV our exports at Liverpool.
To build up a Southern importing market, in
i opposition to New York.
* -t i- ?M i -lis
loestaDiisn mrougn ruuruau uimuuco iuuic
K sympathy with the great West and Northwest,
? socially, commercially and nationally.To
have one or more lines of steamers to
ft. Europe.
To induce emigration through Southern ports
\ to pass to the West by a communication always
open, expeditious, and cheap; or to set;
tie on our fertile lands.
To stimulate manufactures and general in'
dustry.
To educate our children at fcome, to spend
f our wealth at home.
To aim at commercial and industrial independence.
f Melancholy Accident.?Yesterday morning,
a young man by the name of Thos. Scarborough,
(says the,Augusta Constitutionalist,
of the 7th,) was shot by the accidental discharge
of a revolver in the hands of hisyotfnger
brother. They were examining the pistol,
one of which they did not believe to be loaded.
They placed caps on the tubes, and were exploding
thein when the pistol was discharged.
' ... ? .? 1 . *J? tl _
The ball entered ine oreast on uie rigui, biue,
about one inch from the nipple, ranging across
the breast; but the precise location of the ball
could Dot be nscei tnined, because of the patient
not being able to stand the necessary manipulations.
We understand his life is despaired
of. This is but one of many accidents occurring
from the careless handling of firearms,
and should be a warning to persons never to
hold the muzzle of any firearm towards any
one under any circumstances whatever.
Wholesale Destruction* of Letters.?
On Wednesday last seven hundred bushels, or
about one million, of dead letters were de.
stroyed, in accordance with the usage of the
; Post Office Department. They were carted to
Monument Square, and spread over a lino of
two or three hundred feet when the match was
applied. The entire mass of combustible material
was soon iu a blaze, aud several hours
elapsed before the conflagration was completed;
the official attendants meanwhile raking the
burning fragments to facilitate operations.
The atmosphere for thousands of feet around
was filled with charred fragments. A large
number of persons witnessed the proceedings
with much interest.? Washington Republic.
Major Perry.?This gentleman amuses his
leisure moments in Court at the city of Washington
in fabricating ridiculous comparisons for
South Carolina "secessionists. A crazy man
comes into Court and announces that the Union
is dissolved, and for this intrusion he was prop
A ** cove t
criy stjii t iu jiTiBun. iiiv.1 v, .71.^u tuy ,
''there goes a secessionist, and straightway writes
this ridiculous absurdity to the Patriot. Every
drunkard thinks himself the only sober man in
n crowd, and every inmate of I Jed lam believes
the world gone mad. May not this be the Major's
predicament ?
We should not be surprised if he sues out a
writ de lunotico inquirendo against South Carolina
before he leaves Washington. Dr. Gardiner;
the Dentist, may probably furnish him with
the necessary certificates.?Black River Watchman.
Sir Walter Raleigh was the first discoverci
/>f the value of the Potatoe as a food for man
f)no day he ordered a lot of dry w eeds to b(
eoljected and burnt. Among these was a loi
of dried potatoes. After the bonfire, these po
tat0*3 were picked up thoroughly roasted.?
Sir Walter tasted and pronounced them deli
eious. By this accident was discovered i
species food which has saved millions of thi
Juiinan race from starvation.
The II on. Pierre Soule, of La., has been now
jug ted and confirmed as Minister Jo Ppnin.
Cljf (Tnmkn Wfekli) Jtonrnnl.
Tuesday, April 12, 1?53.
THO. J. WARREN, Editor.
Our Court
I Adjourned on Saturday last. Xo case of special inI
lerest, except that of the State vs. Capt. L. W. R. Blair,
I indicted as an accessor}* to the killing of Mrs. Jane D.
' Young, on the 11th of February last. ..The case was
I commenced on "Wednesday and occupied two days. It
' was conducted by Mr. Solicitor Fair and ably argued
' by Cols. A. P. Aldrich and B. F. Hunt, on the part of
i the State. The defence was conducted with great
ability by Hon. J. L Pettigru, Hon. F. I. Moses aud
non. James Chcsnut The Jury after a long charge
' from his Honor retired for about two hours and returnI
ed with a verdict of Not Guilty.
The attendance upon Court this term was unusually
large. y\
Rail Road.
It will beseen from an extract from the Lectyer which
we copy in another place, that a sufficient amount has
' been subsciibcd to secure the Charter of this Road.
It now becomes a question whether the project of
building a Plank Road from Camden to the North Carolina'
line sliould not be abandoued for tho present,
and our citizens unite with those of Lancaster in the
immediate construction of the Railroad. Wo will give
our opinion on the subject in our next.
China and Earthen Ware Store.
Wc ask the attention of purchasers to the Advcrtise1
roent of Mr. II. E. Nichols, in our paper to-day. His
Stock is one of the best in tho State, we have no doubt,
' and as he imports directly from Europe he can sell as
cheap as any one in the State. Those of our friends
, visiting Columbia would do well to give him a call.
Professor Miles' Oration,
* Delivered before "the Literary Societies of the South
Carolina College, December 7, 1832. We are uuder
obligations to George M. Fairlee, esq., for a copy of
the above. The reputation of the author for his learn1
ing and ability is a sufficient guarantee of its worth.
. ft
t Senator Butler
Will please accept bur thanks for his kind attention
in forwarding us a late Congressional favor.
1 - Forbearance.
There is no virtue which Temperance strives more to
inculcate than forbearance; and we are sure that no
' man who will follow closely Its teachings, and observe
' honestly its requirements, who will not experience
! abundant benefit- in this, particular. "Greater is he
that rulcth hisspirit than he that taketh a city."?
f These are words of immense truth and force, requiring
really more 1*0ral coqrago and" firmness than is frequently
supposed. The taking of .a city is an act re1
quiring skill to be sure, but oftener mere physical force.
Courage and energy may accomplish it easily, aud at
| the same time be tho very instruments of ministering
to personal vanity and gratification. An Alexander
might conquer tho world, and yet be a slave to his
own passions and appetite. He is only a free man
in the full sense of the word, who can rule his spirit.
This requires more true moral courage, firmness and
self-sacr.fice, than great military chieftains are commonly
found to possess. Unfortunately our bravest
men are often the soonest slain;' and alas! too often
the noblest spirits are the first to be humbled in the
dust. Appetite is a cruel tyrant, and ho is hot a freeman
who is led captive at its will. He that ruleth his
spirit must so discipline his mind, as almost by intuition
to discard every sentiment and feeling therefrom
of doubtful propriety or of a hurtful tendency. By
the term, "He that ruleth his spirit," we understand is
meant a perfect control over self) and a subduing of
the inner man under complete mental discipline, which
will naturally regulate all our words and actions, and
direot them into a proper channel. A man may acquire
great worldly fame?yea, by his extraordinary
military skill tako even a city, with as much ease as
ever Napoleon Bonaparte did?and yet that very man
may bo on obedient subject to somo gross passion
which enslaves every faculty and sentiment of his moral
parts: yes, tho willing captive to some unholy appetite
which eventually proves his final and eternal ruin.
Is such a man great in the complete sense of the word ?
Nay verily 1 though he may have taken a city! Is
such a man free? We think not?
"He is the freeman whom the truth makes freo,
And all are slaves besides."
Then he is "greater who ruleth his spirit than be who
taketh a city." The sense then in which this proverb
is to be literally received is, the good alone aro great?
that
"Virtue is the strength and beauty of tho soul
and more to be admired and sougl it after than all man's
boasted egotistic glory, which is at best but a vapour
that appcarcth but for a moment, and then vanisheth
away.
To bear aud forbear, requires greater strength of in
tellectual capacity than the mass of thinking humanity
arc apt to imagine. If wo could always keep one truth
in view?that we arc the same frail being that our erring
brother is?then would charity have its perfect
work upon our hearts, but unfortunately
"All men think all men mortal but themselves;"
and hcucc the great diflieulty in properly appreciating
the sentiment of the poet:
"To err is human, to forgive divine."
Santa Anna.?General Santa Anna, accompanied
by his wife and daughter, and a large suite of Moxican
officials passed through Havana on tho 28th ult, on
board the British steamer Avon, on their way to Vera
Cruz It is believed that on his return to Mexico, he
intends to reduce the republic to a dependency on tho
Spanish Crown. The luture inovemouts of that wily
politician will be watched with much interest here, as
well as in Mexico.
Darlington.?At an election lor Intendant and
Wardens of tho Town of Darlington, held on Monday
4th inst., the following gentlemen were elected:
Intendant.?Dr. T. J. Flinn.
Wardens.?Rev. L. DuFre, Dr. R. L. nart, Col.
T? W. Charles. Mai. J. A. Dargnn.
The Marion Star informs us that Judge Frost lias
had a hard week's work in the session sido of the
Court there, and not being able to reach the issue docket,
has ordered an extra Court. An extra Court will
, also be ordered for Partington?the time not yet fixed.
The Washington Union says that the paymcutsmade
out of the secret service money of the Treasury, for
. the secret inspection of customs, have been arrested
by Secretary Guthrie, as an improper and wasteful
? appropriation of the public funds.
An Escape.?William E. Murphy, who was sen.
tenccd to one year's imprisonment and confined in the
jail at Barnwell C. II., for boing engaged in tho killing
i of McDonald, broke jail and escaped on Tuesday ovenL?
ing last.
Monument to Gen. Worth.?Tho House of Assenv
bly of New-York lias ordered to a third rending the
bill appropriating $5000 for a monument to General
Wort!:.
Spring has Come.
How delightful is the Spring Season; when natur
assumes her wonted cheerfulness, having disrobed her
self of Winter's grey suit, putting on the varicgatei
colors of the season. With birds and flowers all seer
bright and joyous. The soul which cannot feel th
charms of Spring must indeed be cold and unhappy.Welook
forward with joyful anticipations to this de
liglitful- season, and may well exclaim?
"Come, gentle spring, ethereal mildness, come,
, And from the bosom of yon dropping cloud,
While music wakes around, veiled in a shower
Of shadowing roses, on our plains descend."
There is a melancholy pleasure in contemplating tin
changes of the seasons, aud how aptly do they illus
trate the changes in human life. Spring may well b<
called the bright and joj-ous clays of childhood?Sum
racr tlfe full bloom of life?and Autumn its sober anc
sedate time of reflection?Winter the stern season o
declining years. All of these have a deep and signifi
cant meaning. We have the spring, the soft sensor
of our youth. With buoyant hopes and joyous hearts
we gludly welcome its approach; but oh to how man]
does this season have but few charms ? The sprinj
lime of the heart with them is gone, and all is but one
unchanging Winter. Then may we not minister t<
such whilst,our cup may be full, are wo to have n<
thought for others around us? Yea let us think thai
our time to mourn may soon come, nud we shall neec
the sympathetic tear, and that it is not always Spring
Spring will soon pas3 away, and let its record secur<
for us an inheritance in that better land where Sprinj
oternal and never changing Spring abides. Our idea;
of happiness cannot be very correct if we confine then
to earth, for
"Such is life, awhile wo play
Enamored of each fragile flower.
And wrapt in hope's bright vision stay
iiio snort iiv u nour.
Messrs. Caramon &, Co., of New-York,have takei
the North-Carolina loan of $500,000 in coupon bond
for^rty years, at 6 per cent. Their bid was$105.02
beinPfiie best for the whole amount, Iho other bids ti
the amount of two millions, varying from $95 to $110
These bonds were issuod in aid of the Central Rai
Road, and arc specially exempted from taxation.
The Railroad "Crossing.?Yesterday, fo
the first time, the passenger trains of thcSoutl
Carolina Railroad passed over the Savannal
river and delivered the passengers and mails it
this city. It had been announced in the morn
iiig that an extra train would leave Charleston
bringing a large number of Cbarlestonhins an<
Carolinians, which, together with the noveltj
of the thing, drew out quite a large concoursi
of our citizens to witness the arrival of the tw<
trains. They came over in quiet, handsomi
style, and were greeted with a shout, which wai
cordially responded to by those within the cars
There having been no previous arrangement
there was no ceremony; and the visitors (then
were about two hundred) descended from th<
cars and quietly wended their way to the Ho
tels.
We cannot deny ourselves the pleasure i
affords us to welcome, most cordially welcomt
our visitors, and to express the earnesst anc
sinceie hope that their visit may contributt
much, very much, to cement still morecloselj
the interests of the two cities and States, anc
to cultivate more intimate personal and com
mercial relations between the people.?Avgus
(a Chronicle.
Early Vegetables.?We have receive*
from Henry Lyons, Esq., specimens of the cu
cumber family, which are very fine. One is i
n n.nr I'ihil In ,,o flin Qmn Hauda m.a ftint
t* uuit niuu fcw mo iuu wivia jljiuuacj ?rc vmtir
its name is. It is over a foot long, add appear*
to be a fine variety. Tho other is the greet
frame cucumber, well growu. Mr. L. is bard
to beat in garden products, whether as to time
or excellence of their varieties. We doubt il
there are any private gardens in the Southern
country to equal his, either in tasteful arrangement,
floral display, or tho extensive assortment
and rarity of his fruits. ? South Carolinian,
Judgf. Withers and the Grand Jurt.?
Mr. Elford, the Junior Editor of the Greenville
Patriot, writing from Anderson C. H., says
that the charge of Judge Withers to the Grand
Jury, at the opening of the Court at that place,
was the most concise^ yet comprehensive exposition
ot the functions and duties of Grand
Jurors that he has ever heard. Whilst speaking
of the discretion with which they were
clothed in acting upon the bills of indictment
submitted for their consideration, he said that
where an abusive fellow receives a good thump
for using language calculated to insult an un/itfl>ndln<r
m.in ho /rots pxactl v what he deservos.
and the Grand Jury would do right in such a
case to find " No bill.'"
Sknator Butlkr.?Araong the speeches
which the recent discussion brought forth in
the Senate on the Monroe doctrine, was that ol
our Senator, Mr. Butler, defending the faith ol
treaties. Its language was that of conservatism
against the new fangled doctrines that
would supersede the good old faith of the fathers
of onr political church from the heresies of
Young America. It is refreshing to fall bach
on the sound and healthy opinions of those
who tread as Senatorial councillors in the path
of honor and good faith in our international relations.
While the senate contains the expositors
and defenders of these opinions, we neec
not fear the predominance and undue influence
in that body of the manifest destiny partizans
and advocates.?Evening News.
' ?
Fihe.?At about a quarter before elever
o'clock last night, a fire broke out in the car
penters shop of Win. Jones, situated on th<
nothwest corner of Lynch and Beaufain streets
and althongh our fire department were prompt
ly in attendance the building and the entire stocl
of tools, with a quantity of materials, &c.
were destroyed. IIow the fire originated, o
whether the building and property therein wen
insured, we have been unable to ascertain.
We regret to learn that after the Vigilan
Fire Engine Company had put their engine up
one of its members, Mr. J. A. Dennis lost hi
life at Baker's Exchange, whither the Compa
!??'! haimj'iko/1 f/\ nKfoln enmn
11 V II (114 J C|'(H I VU IV WIOIII CVHiv I vi> vwHiuvgigc
1 from incauriously stepping back in the roon
and falling through the window, which wa
' open, into the street. His denth, we are in
1 formed, was instantaneous.? Charleston Cou
ritr.
From several quarters the suggestion ha
1 been made of a World's Temperance Conven
' tion to be held during the great Exhibition t
come oft" during the summer in New-York.One
proposition is, that each Stato appoin
some man. to represent her in making the ar
rangements; a nil-that this Committee have a
j early meeting in New York, to fix the time am
i issue the call.
For the Camden'Journal.
0 Mu. Editor r?I enclose you the Report of a <
.. Committee appointed by a -Convention asscmX
bled at Lancaster C. 1L, in September 1850, to" 1
? promote the construction of a Plank Road from :
D Camden to Monroe, in N. C.' This valuable <
document was prepared in January 1851, was i
lost in the 'mail, and only recovered in April, i
1852. For this reason it was never laid before i
the public. I trusty now that the necessity is (
upon us, that you will publish.it in your next I
paper. At some subsequent time, another chap i
ter may be added to the history of Plank ltoads, r
B and the progress <ff decline and decay in our j
Town within the two years which have elapsed ?
since the date of the Report. ' f
A SUBSCRIBER. r
t * \
' Flank Road from Camden to Monroe, N.C. \
f * February, *1851." <
The Committee appointed by the meeting of ?
1 citizens of Union county, Lancaster and Ker- (
> shaw Districts, held at Lancaster Court House ]
r in September last, to report an address to the r
; couiitryiiitercsted in tins proposed I'ianK ltoaa, fi
3 now beg leave to perform that duty. t
> The improvement of a country by these roads (
> is of quite a modem origin, and it is fortunate j
t for the country now proposing to build one, that r
1 we have the light of experience before us, affor.
ded by the works of other companies. From - j
3 their operations, we may learn the actual facts, g
j cost of building, expense of repairs and working \
, the road, and the profits to be derived. J
, The Committee desire to be entirely candid ih
i the facts which they intend to state in their rc j
port, and to mislead no one by extravagant spec- r
illations, figures of speech or strained facts. With 5
this view they will exclude from the compufa- a
lion which will be submitted?the amount of f
travelling done on some of the roads built in the
i Northern country, particularly New York; be- .
s cause the amount of travel done on some of these (
, roads, neverhas beendonc in the Southern coun- j
d try: for instance, over n short road in New-York,
i. 80,000 two horse wagons passed in one year. No j
j interior town in the Southern country can have j
that number of wngous to arrive at it in oiie '
year. From all the facts before the country, it j
r would be extravagant to suppose that over 60,- <
a 000 two horse wagons could arrive at the largest j
i of our interior towns, to-wit: Columbia, Augus- |
i tn, Macon, Columbus, or Montgomery.
It is a proposition now well settled by actual |
, facts, that every improvement in the mode of ,
4 tranannrtatinn in a country, facilitating fllld <
f cheapening the carriage of products to market, <
j adds to the value of that country; and enhances |
j the value of land along the line of such improve- (
3 ment in the first place, and the remoter situated ,
5 lands ultimately. This result alone would be
sufficient to pay the cost of building our road. ,
> But this proposition is more .particularly true of
> a cotton growing country, which has a large, ;
3 cumbrous, and in proportion Jtb bulk, a light ar- j
. tide, to carry to market; involving,ihe loss of '
much time from the farm, of horsepower and .
t drivers, and the wear and tear of wagons and
; gears. This result, adding to the value of the ]
1 lands, has .arisen in every country where a canal
; or rail road has boenbuilt in America; the same 3
r reason- will operate in the case of Plank roads, <
[ and the result must be the same. )
Taking this point as settled, then every owner 1
. of land along the line of the proposed road ought
to lend his aid to it.
Turning ffom the land owners, the question
I to the planters and farmers trading to Caiuden, ^
will be, what value is such a road to us? i
| The road from Camden to Monroe, sixty-five ]
. miles, consists of a very heavy sand for first
^ ten miles?almost a dead level?equally bad in ^
( wet and dry weather, and very severe on teams
I accustomed to clay lands. The rest of the road
mm'nlv oonsists of a heflvv tenacious clav. nar- a
ficularly above Lancaster Court Hcase, with some t
| pieces of hard good road, and some beds of sand.
This clay in wet winter weather, makes a road >]
that is very dreadful to travel through, wearing ^
out horse power, and wagons, and "gears, and r
consuming much time, and sometimes becomes t
almost impassable. In March and April 1850,
all travel on it ceased, because of the impossi- a
bility of getting along on it at all; and farmers t
ceased to bring their produce to market till after
they had pitched the crop'of 1850. .
The Ptynk road is safe and good a^ all times, 1
and saves'this waste of"time, means and money. 1
It will save time to the planter.' On'the pre- '
sent roads, he hauls six bales of cotton to market .
with four horses; on the plank road, he would
1 haul the same load with two horses?a saving
alone of one-half his labor. On the present road, ?
ho would make 15 to 20 miles a day, according
to the state of the road?on the plank road, he
could make 30 miles a day, steadily and without v
failure?a saving of one-third in time.
On the present road, he founders or cripples .
a horse, or so uses him up, as to unfit him for !'
i service for some time;#on the plank road, his 11
animals are always in good condition, and ra ''
' ther improve than fall off, on the road. The
T wear and tear of wagons and teams on the e
present road is very heavy?on the plunk road 0
. it would be a mere trifle. 8
The calculation allowed from cxpericnco %
is, that three days in ten is saved in hauling
; to market on a plank road, double the load ^
> with the same animal power. The plank road 1
l increases the certainty of getting to market, v
and without accident, and so is equal to an in- 1
surance. These are "fixed facts," derived from 1
I the experience of the Fayetteville and Wes- r
> tern Plnnk Road Company, now in operation
i in North Carolina, according to the Report of 1
their President, as well as from other compa- ^
nies. *
I As an example, take a planter, thirty miles 1
. from Camden, with 50 bales cotton to carry to I
3 market. On the present road he would make
eight trips?of one day and a half to get to 1
. Camden, half day to sell, and one day to re- t
i turn home?three days ; then he looses twen- t
ty-four days hauling to market. On the plank i
r road, with the same team, four horses, he <
? would make four trips, of two days each? t
equal to eight days; then between the two <
t roads there is the saving of sixteen days of 1
i wagon and team, driver and boy. This, at the ]
s low rate of two dollars and a half per day, is i
. equal to forty dollars; and he would have paid \
i Toll on the road, at three cents per mile, sevn
en dollars twenty cents. I
s But the saving is largely more to the plant- i
. er, in giving to him the time to improve his '
> lands. I
It follows from these facts, that it is greatly <
?t,n i,tnrnct nnil .idvniifAfrtt of Averv nl.mter 1
Iu u?u mtvivwv O- ? J I
s of cotton, between Camden and Monroe, to ]
aid in the building this road. 4
0 All other producers for market arc equally |
_ benefitted. In truth the facility and certainty i
t of getting to market by a plank road, would
.. induce and justify the bringing to market many ,
n of the smaller products of the farm, which now <
J cannot and do not come at all, because they
will not bear the expftnse of transportation.
The next enquiry is what would be the cost
)f building this road.
Here we have facts again to puide our jtidg
nent. The Tayeltoville and Western llbad;
is fur as laid down, including the expense .of
crossing a cr.cek with a bridge, and the build ng
the necessary toll-houses, cost 81465 per
nile, according to the Report of the President
nade in April last. But we do not regard this
ts a1 safe fact for us to rely on, because we find
abor and material to be cheaper in North Caolina
than with us; for instance,that compaiy
obtained their plank at sixty-seven cents
)er hundred feet, and the stringers, (or timber
>n which the plank lays) at thirty-one cents
ier hundred feet, delivered along the line of
oad. We know that the plank and stringers
? 11 I m n ho in Qnutli Porultnn onrl tlioi*nfni>a
ve make our calculations upon the prices in
South Carolina of such lumber, and of labor;
ind upon such data, we calculate that the cost
>f the road will be about nineteen hundred dolars
per mile, which, at sixty-five miles, will
nake the whole cost, including toll-house and
ill fixtures, to be one hundred and twerftyhree
thousand five Hundred dollars, say $124,)00.
We do not believe that under any p.ro>er
management, the. road can cost $2000 j?er
nile. m -
The cost of grading, judging again from
^orth Carolina experience, will ^amount to
5150 per mile?equal to$9,?50, say 810,000.
i-Ve may fairly calculate that the owners of the
ands through which the road runs, will be
villing to gr ide the road and take the value
n stock, which" would leave only 8114,000 in
noney to be raised ; and that 100 men in Kerihaw,
100 meirin Lancaster, 30 men in .Union,
md 20 men in Lower Mecklenburg, at 400
inoK ann fnorlili* noaomnlidk
vsC*(i i vouuj avtuiiipiiou,
* The next enquiry will be, independent of,
ind in addition to, .the^general benefit t<> the
:ountry by building this road, will it support
tself and pay a fair dividend ?
To sblve this question, it is necessary to
tnow the present trade froin the country
hrough which the road will run, to Camden,
lo get at these facts,one of this Committee
as personally applied to every merchant in
Camden, and ascertained from their books the
precise number of wagons which brought loadsto
this place for trade?from 1st September
1849, to 31st August 1850| one year. From,
this investigation, the following facts are derived.
The country above Camden sent to
that place in one year up to 31st August 1850,
20,700 bales of .cotton, (known now to have
been a short crop) in 3,450 wagons at G-bales
to wagon, and other produce generally in 1150
wagons, y.; v
Taking these data, we make the following
;alculation: " INCOME.
20,700 bales cotton, at 12 bales instead of six, to load,
jives 1725 cotton wagons.
125 cotton wagons, the whole way 65 miles"
and return, at 3 cents per mile, is $2,827.50
1000 cotton wagons, half distance and return,
at same, 1,980.00
LI 50 wagons, general produce, 65 miles and
return at 3 cents, m "4J485.00
Increase to be expected, 250 wagons 65
miles and return, , 975.00
3tago, . 200.00
Pleasure carriages 100, average $3, 300.00
SVood wagons from Camden 1000 at 25cts, 350.00
$11,017.50
ANNUAL EXPENSES.
President, $1,000
rreasurer, , 500
fhree Gate keepers at $150, 450
merest at b per cent, on cost
000, 1,440 9,300
'or repairs and accumulation $1,627.50.
In the foregoing calculation, there are. neccs
arily, some items open to conjecture; and as
he truth may be below what it is estimated
it, so it may be above the estimate, to: wit:
rhe increase of wagons on the road is put
lown at 250?we believe that it Will be very
nuch larger, and of course thereby increase
he income.
The wood wagons to Gatnden are put down
1 1000; there is every reason to believe that
hey will be nearer three thousand.
If to this be added, the probability, derived
rorn the experience of other companies, that fourorse-wagons
will he discontinued in use, after
rial on the road, and two horse wagons substiuted,
then a very much larger income would
>c derived by the Company.
On the other hand we ought probably to add
>ne thousand dollars, contingencies, inputting
he road into operation.
We submit this calculation as one made up
nth entire candor, and believe that it may be
elied on.
The Committee submit that there is nothing
i this calculation to deter any one from gong
into the Company; but, on the contrary.'
nuch to cheer and encourage us in the belief
hat the cnterprize i? practicable?within the
asy means of the country to accomplish, without
embarrassment?that it will pay a reasonible
profit?aud that it will be of immense ad
milage to the country.
It is believed that the citizens of Camden are
ully sensible of the advantages of this road to
he Town. It is apparent that the causes which
vould induce Camden to contribute to build
his road, are different from those which would
rnpel persons who send their products tosthat
narket.
Camden desires to trade with bor neighbors
ind friends, who have marketable products.
3ut those friends have other markets at which
hoy can sell, than Camden; then that Town
nust afford faeitities to that trade, or it will
eave the town and go else vhere.
In plain terms, look at your position. Conmbia
has stretched forth her grasping hand
o Charlotte, to snatch-from Camden that
rade which benefits not her, but whose loss
ujures Camden. This Railroad taps the sourses
of the trade of Camden. Dry them up en;irely?withdraw
the trade of one half of the
jountry now trading to Camden from her markets,
and what becomes of her commerce?
Dwindled down and fled from her; and with
t, necessarily, the population, and all the advantages
which flow from that source.
Without some cfTort made by Camden, the
:rade from Union county, lower Mecklenburg,
ind upper Lancaster, must go to Charlotte.
We say must, because it is a well ascertained
fact, that the facilities of the Rail Road will
jraw all trade to it within twenty miles, unless
prevented by conteracting causes. A large
part of middle Lancaster, the River and Waxhaw,
by crossing the Catawba river, can reach
the Rail Road to Charlotte by as short a route
js the road to Camden?no doubt this trade
will go where it is the interest of the people to
carry it. It is plainly then to, the advantage
of Camden to make it the intercstof this trade
to seek her.markct?and that is to be done by
giving it facilitieS?lhis plank road now pre
_
sertfs tlii> only opportunity of affording these 1
facilities. * - - ^
But drive off* this trnJe by omitting these
helps, and hrtw does your Town stand? Deprived
ofone half its trade ? Every merchant,
every owner ofrcal Estate, every mechanic in
Camden, can answer for himself/whether the
destruction of one half the trade of the Town
will injure his business or-his propeity. We
should insult their understand!ng!*>by arguing
so plain a proposition. *' - .w..;The
incidental advantages to Camden would
also be great. Many articles would come to
that market, which now cannot be brought, be
cause of the distance and time necessary- for
transportation. Can it be-doubted that a large
trade in the leaser products of the soil, and
poultry, egg3 arid so lurth, would be advantageous
to the town ? would be profitable, both
to the producer and-the market which-exchanges
for them ? -lire day has gone by to doubt
that proposition. ?-?>
It is known to the citizens of Camden,"that
fire wood is getting scarce- near the Town?
that even now pine is resorted to for want."of
other wood. On the plank road, a team hauling
a double load in a shorter time tharf on the
ordinary road, would induce fire wood to be
brought to market from -a much - farther distance,
than can n,ow be done?no doubt that
it would be hauled Irom 10 to-. 12 miles distance
on that road. The reduction in the price
of wood would be felt and acknowledged by
every housekeeper in Camden. -. . . *
But it is objected, from a very sensible source,,
" that every facility put into the hands of an
up country merchant strengthens him as a
competitor, and when goods can be bought at
a man's own door, who Ijves. between Lancaster
and Charlotte, as cheap as they can be
hmmlit.in-Cmndmi. will, fundi a man huv in
Camden, the more especially as he would boyfor
cash in Camden, but on credit of one year
at home."
This argument wears the appearance of
strength and truth, and therefore, '-it-is \vorth
while to examine it. . - J- ~ vV
It is-not correct to say that the up country
merchants can sell as cheaply as is done in
Camden?because that merchant must pay additional
expenses in getting his stoek^tp his
store bouse : but even-if the.fact was. so, that
the goods can be bought as cheap up the fcoun- ^
try as in Camden, the man who brings4iis cotton
to Camden would purchase there _ia preference.
upon4he common feeling and principle
that any. thing bought aiaa-y from, home is
better than that which can be had at homealso,
because it would save hijn a ride of some
Oiilcs to go to the store?aIso;-because people
will think, in spite^jpf facts, that-the merchant,
at charges, 4.QO, much?-also> because of
the common weakness ofhuman nature, to buy
things abroad which one would not think of
buying at home.
As to the part of .the objection relating to
the purchasing upon credit or cash, it is a matter
of daily experience that any- .one who cari^
get credit-at. home in the up-country, cam get
it in Camden. - ' >v The
objection has" the show of reason, but
certainly not the substance.
But we conclude,-respecting (Jimden, with
the proposition that the citizens of thai-Town
are alive to their own interest, and, as intelligent
men, will protect that interest. We
would ask them to consider one other idea, to
wit; if only one half the cotton goes- down
your Railroad which now cpes^downj^tbeing
withdrawn to the Charlotte Kail road,) ana only
one half the goods and merchandize come up
the Road which now do,. (being forwarded by
the Road to.Charlotte) and much of travel by
passengers being transferred to the Charlotte
Road, will that Branch?pay a.-profit?. If not,
will it be to the interest of the Snath.Carolina
Railroad Company to continuea.Branch in operation
which fails to-pay a. profit,upon 4he
money invested in it, and thus becomes'^a burden
upon their income from the other parts of
the Road? ' .
Upon.thfc whole subject, the Committee are
of the opinion that this class of Roads is exactly
adapted to the wants and habits iof our pen
pie} and do no violence to whatthey have been
accustomed to. Our.people-are used to carry
their'own crops to market,^.nd prefer to do so
?they prefer to sell their*own. produce ar.d.
buy-their oivn supplies, upon the common
sense opinion, that they can do this better for
themselves than any one can do it for them ;
and^ being freed from the uncertainties of time
and accident, these roads would be used more
extensively than the ordinary roads?many
\yould travel on them who would not travel the
ordinary roads?they will promote, travel and - .1
intercourse.
We understand that* the ^ Fayetteville and
Western road has even exceeded the expectations
of its friends in North Carolina since the
Report of the President in April last, and gives
the promise of great usefulness to the country,
and fair profits, with universal satisfaction.
JNO. M. DESAUSSURE,
C. J. SHANNON,
JAMES J. WILLIAMS,
" THOMAS W. HUEY,
Committee.
The IIeai. ofthe Vice Phesidnt?From
passengers per the Black Warrior, who left Ma*
tanzas a few days since, we learn that the situation
of Mr. King was considered as almost
hopeless; he was failing very fast and unless a
speedy improvement was manifested, he must
sink under his disease. Still it is his intention
(if his life should be prolonged) to return home
and proposed leaving Matanzas for Mobile on
the 6th inst., in the U. S. steamer Fulton, Lieut
Murray Commanding. Alterations were being
made in the accommodations of that steamer
which add much to his comfort On the 25th
ult. the oath of office was administrated to him
by Judge Sharkey* U. S. Consul at Havana, in
presence of a number of friends and relatives
?he was so extremely weak at the the time of
the ceremony as to be. incapable of standing
without support.? . - .:
Policy ok.Santa Anna.?In a conversation
at Carthagena," immediately before his recall,
Santa Anna expressed considerable solicitude as
to the. future relations between Mexico and
the United States. At the time dopatches were
placed ib his hands announcing his recall, these
exciting topics were resumed. The GeDeral
grew warm, and expressed himself in his usual
dear and decided maimer. He spoke of the
ingratitude of the Mexican people towards himself
and dwelt long upon the position of the United
States especially in reference tojthe Tcbaun.
tepco route, in which matter the interlocutor
thought Mexico must yield. At the close of
the conversation Santa Anna expressed himself
thus pointedly :
"Return in the next packet, and in giving an