University of South Carolina Libraries
' ^ ^ I. l' ? ' ^ ' "' BY W. A. LEE AND IIUGII AVILSON. ABBEVILLE, S. C., NOVEMBER 3, 1865. VOLUME XIII. NO. 29. r . M_aML ! . ? * ._ THE ABBEVILLE PRESS. ' m j i'?j , m* - W. A. LEE. EDITOR. mjp The Press will be furoitbed weekly -to Aubsoribvrs'-for Three Dollars a year, in cyr* rent .foods. Payment to be made in advance. ? i ii > GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE. Executive Department S. C., ) Octobgr 24, 18G4. J To the Honorable the Senate and House of Representatives: Gentlemen : You bnvo convened, in extra leftsion, by order of ihe late Conveu>:? t? ?*? * - - - wuu, tur.me purpose oi considering the new anJ extraordinary^ conditio!) of our Stale, and providing, by wise and proper " legislation, for the welfare and' best intori -eats of South Carolina. As Provisional 1 CJovfcrnor of the State, and in tiie absence 1 jof the recently elected constitutional Ex- ( tcuiive, I consider it my duty to address ' you on the present occasion, and rccom ( mend for your consideration such measures ' as, in my judgment, the interest aud wel- ( Jure of the Slnte require; ( .Although I have not llie honor of dc? 1 riving iny nutiiority, as .Chief Executive * of ibe State, fiom yoU, or. the people of 1 South Carolina, yet 1 cau assure you, in I all frint-eiity, that no constitutional Cover- ^ nor of the State ha6 ever bad your inter ' tit*, your lienor and prosperity mole at 1 h?art, or has ever -devoted his J.iine and ^ energies more exclusively and zealously to r what he honestly believed would best pro e jnote the welfare and happiness of the c ritate. -And I may say, with equal truth, P that, althiu^h.appointed Provisional G*>v- ^ erour oTer South_Curolina, no one has felt a in- re respect :or the. inaiestv ol her lmvn h or been nioro willing to render obedience n lo the ?overeignty of her people. ' Afier the termination of our recentdis ?8troua and ruinous struggle with the Federal Government, it pleased the President u of the United States to select me, without " iny knowledge, or any nohuitation on the 0 jinrt of my friends, for the high and res- n ponuible position which.I now hold, to orjjaniae a {State Government for South" Car n' olina, and have her restored to all her civil FI And political rights a* a member ol the Federal Union. J felt deeply the delicate responsibility oi the station to wh.ch I lind been called, amf was fearful that, iy obey y ing the orders and carrying out the policj .ot the Federal Government, I should not "be able to protect the State ar.d savo the 1>eople from unjust exactiou and oppression. 11 Jut. ioo?l fortunately, the wise, generouu 111 and magnauiinotfc polic/ of President P' Johnson towards the Southern States has enabled ma to do l?nth omt ??...! ' ul ? ? ?? ) uuu icuuci uu my " administration pleasant and gratifying to a( jne. I have been greatly susuiuei), to; , f" by the honor, patriotism and loyalty ot the people. ' E Although I leceired my appointment ^ several moirJiii- ?fi?? 1J : ' x lUYI^IUOBI iGoveruors bad L*.eo commissioned, 1 h;vve m -the pluMsure of ioforiiiing you that Soutli. 80 -Carolina is now aa Jar advanced in her 8(1 jeeondrucUoo aa any other Southern Suite. al Instead of wasting liuie in trying to fill ^ all the civil office* of the State with my ?f personal or political fiiends and parti&au?, sa i determined to restore those who were in OI office at the nuapeitsion - of the civil gov- ul -ernmont, and who bad been, elected b'v the ni people or appointed by the L?giali# ure, and were familiar, witli their official du- t0 ita. I knew too well the .character of ** South Carolina to doubt, for a .moment, ai that her eons would prove loyal aiul Uue, after renewing their oaths of allegiance to ra the United States.' In this way, I re-es- 10 tablished ^ivil government at once in South P< Carolina, and greatly expedited her recon hi .aituution. An election formembers of the Contention, to reform our State Constitu- ^ tion, was immediately ordered. Mneris- raI I rates were authorised to administer the oAtb of allegiance to u to qualify the vo- H? ten in time for the election. 1 also re?- tc Cored civil law throughout (he State, and n< -ordered the courts to., be opened. These a1 roerfsu res were .objected to by the military ^ jtutboritie*, as trauscending my powers^as P Provisional Governor. But the President 01 * snstain'ed.me in allthat I had rfonA i> ordered the military authorities not Co in- P terfere with my policy, of reconstruction. ft Like a ifiaa statesman and patriot, he gon- P fides in the people, desires to see them en- ai joyipg civil liberty add governing them- 0 selveS. Washington- ' had the immortal * honor of creating the American Republic, J1 Jiiid'ta^.ndi'ew? Jobnuon will be assigned, n -in hwl6rjr,\he glory of-having reconstruc- l< . led its broken and dismeftnbered fragments C without msrriag its civil -beauties. Like l< Wa-thington; too, he is, by hia just, wise ll jiod magnanimous policy, uniting and con- G ' so'idating all parties in the support of his ? ^ , ^to}0Utr^V- A* ' : ' *rhe Staje Convention assembled, and, & after a most barmatniou* session of fifteen* a day?? presented a new Constitution for the '' miore government of South Carolina. * This Conrtitution h more popular and c democratic) iu all of its .feature?than the ) -old one, adopted in 1700. The Pariah kj'%- J teas of repftt&tittion in the Senate, which * had beceme, by thegrowih of the upper i - ?OMtnr?in wealth and population, unequal 1 aod'tonjoat, allowing'one-, judicial District < . ; to have tea Senator, and^olhers of- equal < ? 4fat fltty wa? abolished,- * j??d repre*enta- < tfon ro Uje Swats; The just, e^joal and (MM arfl \a prpporlion H 'id. tfiff m??M of ?" tax?bl? prop 1 A.tto^r?t% poll tax is provided y'W&m&SK* io contribute *ora?tbing toward* Iba support of the Gov t . <rf ily^?^od,H9^^|^ :V ,:-V - which t eemed to preltfteeth^ hns been dispensed 'with. The members of the Legislature are required to vote viva voce in all elections^so that their constituents may know for whom they voted. The Chief Magistrate of the State i? to be elected by tl*n people for four years, and has a'qualified veto on the legislation of the two Houses. Such, gentlemen, is thcr now Constitution, tinder which you have assembled, and which, it is hoped, will inspire the people of South Carolina with new democratic zeal and energy in developing, intellectually and physically, the talent and resour* ces of the Strtte. It is true that, under the olif regime, South Carolina has given the Republic a bright; galloSry of names wliich Bhe mp.7 well bo proud of; but her material prosperity as rt State has not kept nilf'fl wifll lllflf nf ll?r S,.iillmcn Her population has beeD?rooving to the South west till there are, at this time, almost as n>nny native South Carolinians i living in oilier States as tliere are in this I State. They have drained the State, too, < :>f hor wealth and .energies. For the last I :hirty br forty years we hnvo likewise been . >b!ivious of all internal improvement in i >ur fruitless and vexatious supervision of < he action of the Federal Government. ( Agriculture-has been neglected, manufac- ? ures almost ignored, and commerce des- s )ised. Foreign immigration, which has t illed other fifnt.AA wiil> ivnolllt fliwl nrmii. I t Htion, developed their resources and made 8 fiem happy, prosperous and powerful, lias t ieen discouraged in South Carolina. Her t icbes have been exhausted by her depend- n nco on others for almost every thing she e onsumed or needed. We "tlavo been de- a endont on the Western States for our !; orses, mules, tattle and hogs, bacon, lard c nd beef. From the Northern Slntes, we p ave received the furniture of our bouses, fi nd the implements of our farms and plan- ? itions, the carriages in which we' rode, aud n ie clothes which we wofro. n This policy must no longer* be contin- ? ed. It should be the pride of every far- it ler apd planter in the State to raise, grow t1 r make tfverj1 thing which ho uses or ? eeds. Slavery has Deeh abolished, and tl ibor made more honorable R8 well as more v ecessnry. They who liavo heretofore u )ent their lives in mse and idleness will 0 forced to work. Planting and tl.o f< arned professions are 110 longer the only w onoruble means of livelihood for our ti nung men. They must become trades- c ten, manufacturers, nrtUans and mechan- e s. Immigration of industrious foreign-* S s must be encouraged. Then, inanufac- C, ires will sprint; up, commerce will revive, 1 6 id we shall become au independent peo- tl e. . o The emancipation of our slaves will, in & 1 probability, abstract greatly from the S :tive labor of the country. Planters and I " rmers should dispose of a portion of their ft ndB to immigrants and rnpitalista from tl urope mid the North. This will increase fi e wealth and industry of the' State, and tl nder more valuable the lands .which re- J vi ain unsold. It will also have a whole ' J'i me check on the cdlored population, and j te rengthen our security from insurrections tl id violence. -Three-fourths of the Siate South Carolina uncultivated. Instead ?i a population of soven - hundred tbou^ tl ndr our territory ia sufficient- to support q1 le of seven millions, if propurly distrib- 1? ed in piauufactures, commerce and. ag? ti culture. / 01 It becomes your urgent duty; gentlemen, T i tmika immediate provision for the pro- " ctipn and government of the freedmen T id colored people who have been so sud- bi enly released from slavery in their igno f? nee nnd destitution' This is alike due w I humanity and justi6e, as well us the iin- F jrative necessities of societv. The neorrn o! - d- - r i? lost the protection of hie master, and tt ? must now ba protected by the law. ai bis is expected of you by the President w )d the Federal Congress, and will renlove b 1 pretence for military rule in tbe State, it i well as faoilitate your speedy restoration p< > the Union and Bplf-governroent. Tbe S sgro is innocent of all that be has g tined d id all that you have lost, and be is enti- d ed to your sympiathy and kindness, yonr h roteetion'and gaidance. The Convention tl rdered the Provisional Governor to ap- o oint a Commission for the purpose of pre- o aring and submitting to the -Legislature, r< >r their adoption, a code of law* Tor the o rotection and government of tbe freedmen c nd colored nn*nni T*' j- ---*jm.-m.rn wv^UIWVin IV IfUUli rder 1 havo appointed JUdge * Wardlaw Ii nd Mr. Burt, two oi the most eminent o irista in'the State, to compose this Com-* a nasion. Tlioy will, in due time, report y >*you the result of th?"ir labors. Tbe ^ lonrention also authorized the Legislature t >"e3tabli?\iA.JCourt io eaoh District for the o rial of aU cases io which freedrpen are Y5 oncerned. It becomes y&ur duty to see ^ bot the*e Courts are organized. s THe election of Providential electors has; p eretofore been made by the. Legislature > f South Carolina, contrary to-the true ? otent and meaning of tbe Faderal Con- J uiuuvii), Mia agiuast'iae usage in'All tne . iher Stafes, A a Ordinance was passed c >y the. .Convention, expreuivc ot their , udgmont to regard to ibis matter, and dl- \ acted the ProvUlonaJ . Governor to cxjro- < nnnicate Ibis Odi nance totba legislator* , kt Ks flnt session. In - obedience to thair \ >rdeir, I herewith send yon a copy of the . >dinrfnc?, which jroa at once, carry ( nto effect, by providing a proper mode of , sleeting electors of President and ViceE'rcuideot by the pjo'ple. " ' The election of If embert of Congress should be provided fcr at ?i ?arly a day at I'vwivn** n ?#* MftflBI W IDO IHgUfPV importance that our Kftfitottfttativoa in fr?|rt $9$4 b> in warty t?f*ak? tl?>r aeata, wri the firtt Monday in , dlerk oM&lpavioga Hou?o of Raprrftw-* LatWw to ''make a roll of tbo R?pre*en?.afwaa ?)?dk^f?ao% tliarcpn the. oameadT *H persons, aqd^ucb pettons only,. wbose cfedfentiaTs sbosr* that th?T were .re'gukrl* acoc^ce with thej^a of their. States respect"vbly, or the laws of the United States." It is therefore tlio imperative duty of the Clerk to call the roll of the members of tRe Southern States, whose credentials have been exhibited to him, and shown that they were regularly elected. lie has 110 more right, under this Act, to exclude the members elect from South Carolina than he Iia3 to exclude those'from Massachusetts. Tho Federal authorities have maintained that the Union never was dissolved, and that the Southern States have always been, and still ; are, members of that Union. In July, i 18G2, Congress passed an Act prescribing I an oath of office for all persons to take < who WArfl plne.f?/l W onnn;..t?J ' ' _ V-- fAJ any Uf 1 Cue of honor or profit under the Go^trn- i inent of the United State?. This outh ro- < quires the parly to swear that he has nov- 1 er borne arms against the United Slate9; t that he has never held or sought oflie'e un- < der ?ny power inimical to- the United o States ; that ho has given Ao aid, counsel or countenance to persons in hostility to 1 the United States; and that he has not i* yielded a voluntary support to any author- I it> hostile to tho United States. If this 1 >ath is to be applied to ineinbeis of Con- c Tress, it will, ot'course, exclude all from s south Caroliifa. It may, with truth, be a laid, that no man in South Carclina can v ake it without committing perjury! But C ho ConelUution of the United States pre- ? :ciibo3 an oath for members of Confess s o take, aud they cannot be required to v ako any other oath constitutionally. There s nay have beeu some show of propriety for '< xacting this oath when it was enacted, P midst the war between Hio Southern I States and the UnUed States; but there d an be none now, unless it be for the pur- '' ose of excluding the Southern people n rom all -office w'thin their respective n States, and Btill holding those Slates in ? nilitary subjection. I know that this is a ot the policy of jhe President, and I can- S1 ot believe that it will be the avowed pol- 81 ;y cf the federal Cungress. If the Sou? v hern members are present wheu the rdll is b fllled by States, theyjwill lnke a .part in lie organization of the llousc, anu may t! ote against the oath, being tendered to the lt ielnber9 wben they are sworn. ^ The Convention divided the State into 111 ?ur Congressional Districts, which you 31 fill respect and recognize as election Bis? o< rict8. It will b? jour duly, alio, at ?otne ci onvenient and proper time, duriug your c< xira seskion, to elect two United States n< l^nators, to represent tlie State* of South ?J Carolina iu the Senate uf tlie United jy tales. Titere are now two vacmviud in 1,1 ,iat body from Sou h Cu|o!in.t. In the d? rganization of the Sen^tf ot 'l'? United "i Jates'into three classes, the Sanr?tors from m otilh Carol.ua were 'drawn in the second lid third clus-e?. The second class >oat U1 ir South Carolina became vacant on the p* lird of March, 1805, qnd your election to II that vacancy will be for six yeats frmn tat djtte. Tlie third ela*s seat became ll icanl on tl.e ilmil of March, 1S01, and w i>nr election w ill -bo for the unexpired tli rraof that vacancy, which will be till in lird of March, 1807. V The subject of finance is one of great w Tibariassinent and serious difficulty .at !il ltd time in South Carolina, and wiU rent re great wisdom and sagacity in your ed igislatiun. The people are in a roost des- Fi tute condition, without money, and jvith al nt the ireaDs of .paying their taxes, bj heir gold and silvet* were exported du- in ng the war as a species of uommerce. U he State banks are all brokeu, and their of lis have ceased to circulate. The Con-, th derate money, with which ihe country dr as inundated, is utterly worthless. The to 'ederal currency is inaccessible to our peo fa !e. Their cotton has been destroyed, ?l>d lu jeir provisions consigned by' 'the armies, al id th^y have nothing to prooure msnev. h( ith. Under these circumstances, it would in a welljor you to consider-whether or not' ai is possible to defray the necessary ex- be anses of the State by issuing and selling ue late bonds, so as to avoid levying any tax - w ring the ensuing year. Tho present in- th ebtedne&s of the State is n?t large, and of er credit ought to be such as Ho aectye> te >e sale of ber bonds at fair prices: If you ti( anoludo to rais* money in this way, you .to ught to include the payment of the di- La jet tax, and which South Carolina now Si wes the Uni^d States, and > which her tl itizens will soon be called upon to pay.. tl It is important that the courts of Justice ti ) this State slfobld be once more fully a] pened, civil law "restored and proparly S dminiatered. This cannot be doneUill la ou fill the several vacancies oil the benob. a] Ton will bi.ve to el4ct,*? Chief Justice of be State, two-law Judgas afad one? Clmn- h ellor. Opening our'cotfrls, and the ad- e: r? mist ration of civil 'justice once more, ,ci r'ould have a nsost salutary influence on ociety, and do'rnore th?y? anything else to r (reserve tbq p^ace add quiet of tbe State.- r, We have been, living without law long mougb, and have suffered enough from u awless violence. . % *-? w The Act to prevent the collection of t! lebts, known as the bIrt law, was wholly a in necessary at tbe ciime it was passed, but s dow a matter.of prime necessity to the r community. This Act shdald -be oontin- { aed, with. p rmiasu>u, however, to collect < the interest on debts das. There are many widows and tnlnor children whose, sole \ lubsUtence depends on tbe payment of in* ( ceVest dui ibdtn on their estates. >'v j The re-oTga1i?eaision of th? bjUitia ie a ^ measure of the highest im^orUnce, Under j ex iaii ug ci rcuuis,ta nc?a. I have received j$ lDioromuon irom in* Secretary t)f HUUhjEB At Washington, (hat a?*?pn-*aa opr ?^TP Government is organ ized,?lltbe federal L troops would be withdrawn fKtfOSooth j Carolina. - We' must iben rely oo the lay IHtU for the protection of the. Slate agaiast intnrfeetioa and dome?iio vioUtuoe.^TK" wj a matt^r-of WPPM WDsideraUop, feow?r-1 4r, "fjttfftrtf we abould not desire to retain, for the 'present* <n portion of tb? Jfcfcra* I ' ' ' ' less'likely to have any collision with them than with the militia. "J'ho colored garrisons, which weio at- ono time stationed throughout the country, have done inflnito mischief, by inducing the negroea to believe that all the Innds* of ihoir former owners wero to bo divided out amongst them. This has made them discontented and unwilling to make contracts for tho enduing yaav. In many portions of the Slate, there are serious apprehension* of disturbance at tho beginning of the next pear. Strong garrisons ought to bo conLinued in Charleston, Beaufort ana Georgetown, where there ib such a preponderance sf the negro population. But theso garrisons should not bo permitted to exercise >ny civil jurisdiction, and should be aub>rdinato to civil law. Otherwise, their irPRAUPP tconlfl !?o vw |'IVUUUVI*U Ul IUUI U 111 IB* :Iiicf than good. You wilT take such ac,ion in this matter as in your judgment iliall seem best for the Slate. The education of our young mon and >oys, during, the past five yejirs, br?B been adly neglected. Your College, which lias >een the pride of the State for more than lalf a century, is*closed, and should be at mce re-opened* The .buildings are all tanding and uninjured. - The Professors re ready <o resume their lah?>rs, and the ouns nren are anxious to commence their "ollege course of studies. I hopo you trill make the necessary appropriations for ustaining'the institution. . Biy, it may be ?ell, under existing circumstances, to conider the propriety of converting the Coljge into a University, and ranking it, in art, a self-sustaining institution. Give the 'rofessors moderate salaries, and lot them epend for further compensation ?n the tu.ion fund. In a University, the student lay pursue such a course of studies as will iu?t wniriouie ;o the particular profession r business which ho expects to follow iu Iter life. In a College, lie is required to pend fom years in a regular coucse of udies, many of which will.*bo of noserice to him io after life, and for which'he a? no taste or talent. In consequence of io impoverished condition of the country, lere arc very few young men, now, able ? defiay their expenses for four years in bll^ge. Having been so long io ^lto arly; and their education neglected, they rc not prepared to enter College. Mon ger, being advanced in manhood, they innot aflord to go through a College jurse of stu>ji($ before commencing the Jtive pursuits of life. The University stem of education will meet h11 these oh c'ion*. ' It would bring io your iustita on of learning three tim-.'S as miny stu enu sl you could nulled iu a College, and i this way the salaries of the Professors ight be paid put of the tuition fund. The State Military School-, in Columbia id Charleston lmv? 1 _ -?i iiov moo ucvu oua~ Mid- d, and the buildings of the former cro all destroyed by fire during tlie oc^uincy of the town by Geii?<-it| Sherman, is for you to determine what coursg you ill pursue in regard to tlic.se schools. "In em .have been educated many of your ost vitfuiiUe and eminenlly practical men. ery few have graduated at the Citadel bo have not beeu successful in after c. The Congress of the United States passt an Act, during the war, authorizing ihe reed men's Bureau to take possession of i lands wuicb wgre^roluntaiily abandoned r their owners for the purpose of going to the army,- or aiding the rebellion.? nder a most unwarrantable construction ' this Act, ^ large portion of the lands of e lower coyntry, where the planters were iven off ' by the Federal TroopB, or forced . leaVir by imperative orders of the de do Governments, StfUe and Confederate, tve been seized and appropriated, as tandone'd lands. In many instances, thg imea of widows and minors, and qjd men, capable of serving in the army, And never ding, in any way, the rjiballton^JiMve ten taken possession of, apt} k&p^ fpr itUe te of the negroes, whTTijUhp' proprietors are starving wandefrJt* kira re? routrliout iIia SMa. t' itiVi ' justice Riii^kindneaf w|i|cti . haa'charae-' rized evercl every act^rf'Ws I ?n, ihe President has?i>^fred:tli(Ss<Jlaq(iik , i be restored to the proprtofcw on-A*k king tlie oatb of allegiance to ttie UuitetT Lates, or receiving a special pardon where tey fall within tbe excepted classes under le Amnesty Proclamation. The Conven on ortlored tjVe ProVioional Governor ta ^point a suitable agent to' represent tbe late at Washington, Tn regard to these inds, and other matter*, I immediately ppointed the lion. William Henry Tre*Ht, * gentleman well known to you for' is high character, talents And diplomatic Kperienoe, Hra report, will be commuuiEtted to youi aa soon as H it received. As soon *? the Convention, adjourned, communicated to the President aud Se'outary of State copies, of the neV.Constituion of South Carolina. 1 have the pleps-, ire of .informing you that President John-' oil has expressed to me his gratification af he amendments made in our "Constitution, ind bis confident hope that we si.juld oon be, onoe more, M a.united, happy and irosperous people, forgetting the past, and ookittg only Iq the future welfare of oar common country*" ^ * There i% one mutter of erabarriBBsment n your legislation, under tbe newCon?ti,ution, which I think it my duty to' bring o-^yoerBetfce* Th* .-ObasfcTtutional Gor smor will -not and oat> op* be Inaugurated ||ttjji&jkfirst week of your rejmUppjfw^on. the QomUtution retiree ill AcU (A jk? ^ i.<w .yvv^MiVI ?Vf IW SgttWluro. H be doe* not approve thom, he must return'them witli bis object Sons: aod thon, to booome ft IftW, tbey must be r>??ed ^ by ?*majof;Uf of^tbe Vttoie leriire sen t? lion of both 'Although 4hi BUif CWtitUoo acknowledged tbo a* ihortty nod exigence of tbe' FrofWona Governor by several- ((ftl^r ordMMaatf yet tbey omitted to acihoriso bhn to ?c ?Mang?*wamm?Ia?it?mm whole representation of both House", unless you aro disposed to recognize tlio Provisional Governor hs Governor of tlio State. But evea with this recognition, I think it would bl^afu to 6ee that your Acts are passed, by the constitutional mnjority required, in the nhsonce of the approval of the Governor. This, will place beyond controversy any Acts \vlroh yon iriny see proper to pass at your extra session, in the^ absence of your nowly elected Constitu- < tional Governor. ' ] The State Works at Greenville, for the ( purpose of manufacturing arms and muni- , ticms of.war, have not been . in,operation ' since tlio surrender of General Johnston. ' They were unprofitable, and it is >iot likely J that you will bo disposed to continue them. L I understand that tho buildings and machinery aro well adapted for a cotton fac ^ tnrv on/1 f? o r 3 . .w. v y f..u %..? * ?MVU ia ? vv/ui|i.tuy OI J*CU ? tleinen from diilorent parts of tho Shite i who propose to purchase them for that ? purpose. I would rectmimend'salc of tlip j entire properly, with all tbe machinery np- ^ pertaining to the samo. It wonlj be well i to dispose of the Columbia canal foi the 1 same purpose* - ( Tlie Stato Road, over the Saluda Moun- ( tains, is in a most dilapidated condition. The former lessee of the road was released T from his contract by the Legislature last session, and tho Commissioners of lionds ^ for Greenville District were authorized to s let k out for the present 3'ear to the lowest $ bidder, for keoping itlrt repair. 'J'his wns j( not done. No toll has been collected over the road, or work done on it, fur tVo or H I thrde' years past. It should be leased or ? sold. The State House requires your iiqmcdi ate attention. Something should be done j to preserve the building, in its present unfinished state, from ruin suid destruction. 8! If the State is no>. ,A?ln to procecd with it the work and complete it, jou should pro- ii villa fnr lioninr* t? c '* * ..-w ..o.iog Kiiipuriuv rum HHOWnjrt over the building. so ns lo preserve it ami make it usoful. If coverf-d, it ini?ht be " used for your session?, and life accuimuo? ? d all oil of the public officers. tl The Hunk of the Slate, like nil similar t| instilulioiits, is in a. most embarrassed and crippled condition by the loss of its ad vaiiceinentb lo the late Con federate^ Slates. V I have not had the pleasure of seeing the tl report of the Presideut. This document hi will ho submitted to you in proper lime, ^ and then, you will be able lo lake such nctii)ii in reference (o the bank as its condition requires. Whatever may be the Rtate l of our finances, I am sure South Carolina al will never sully her honor by any act of repudiation. If we have lost everything a| else, let us, on that account, be nj'>re careful of maintaining the honor of the State. ,nl The admirable codification of ihe Statute B' Laws of the State by the lamented Petigru if has not j'et been adopted by ihe Logisdalure. I would recommend its adoption, and the appointment of su editor to-super vise its publication, and make the necessary ;"( verbal alterations, to adapt it to tiro present ly condition of South Carolina. It is a work m greatly needed by the profession anil the jn people at large, and will be an enduring m monument to the fame of one of South x Carcliuit'a most highly gifted mid beloved sods. oj I have received several official commu- jc ni^tions from the Northern State?, with fi( public documents, asking a renewal of the ~ exchange of Dwelt book", which I hope will be acceded to by the Legislature. 1 have b< also recwiyeJ from .the Department of the w Interior, at Washington,, sisty-seven copies ht of the Acts of Congress, passed sinc<M860, for official distribution. * & 1 te I have received communications from . the -PostmHRter General, stating that the uiails would be. carried over all the rail re roads in South Cnrolina as soon as the rv r* ? * j-rcfiwuueiiv was nssut'VU Of ineir responm? bility ; and that be wouTd reccive reasona- , ble'offurs for carrying the mails from the u railroads to al! the county, seats or Court .Jlopsos till the 1st of January, wrben peroinnent contracts would be*made. There hiSfc been some -difficulty in regard to the' BC ippomtmeiit of postmasters in South Caro- d< 'IttftJ?J havQ informed tho "Postmaster- 1 '< would be impossible to fill hUj^ps^ntinents if he exacted' the whole oaw sent till' another generation hud risen State. . . . - I have r&eived a communication from s' the Secretary of State, enclosing informa- 1 tinn .forwarded by our Consuls abroad, in ^ reference to tho spread of cholera, and r?- Q questing that,the Slate would rigidly en? force her quarantine laws. 1 gave these, papers to tlui Mjiyor of-the city of Charles- li | toif. You will take su?b action as in rour-in I ' " ' 0 ' I * *" judgment nmy bo necessary to prevent our ^ State'being.visited by this terriblo scoutge. ( In conclusion, I would urge you, gentle- r men, to look only to the future ii^ your legislation^ and'-forge^.M> far as you can, the * past. There is'much to hope for and live .for yet in South. Carolina. .We should ? congratulate ourselves nnd the eottntry that ? civil wir has censed, and pence is restored , to the land. No longer are our citizens to be forced from their homes and familit* * aud offered a bloody sacrifice on the field ] of battle. No longer is our beloved State < to be ravaged and desolated, and our towns j and "Villages committed to \he (lames. A raerpiful .froH^euce has once mom' blessed ' our land with ah abundant ?crop, <uid/no 1 ,loijger4iav6 we any appreheuiiops of want i una narTiiton, : are to tne enjojiurut ( of tie?}it).i-70ur young rota, oolite arid gal*. j laot soMi<Sr*, are pefteeatyif renaming their former vocation#, ai.d exerting "themselves ' i ifl.rrtstorihg^lho St^lo her ?ronteii prpt; deadly f6ud^fli?TdUgrocii? par p?opla M > in' oUter 'SUW**W > divibionB. ' Soatli^rolihA'^eiited.a unit ?R?e aruoprj onireck** I UnioD-4 xiid. will- be *?- trge and lojn^fcj, p. glory-mul prosperity of tlio American RepulTlic. And 1 earnestly pray that till yo.ur legislation nod deliberations inay? tend lo this great purpose, under tbe guidance aud protection.of Almighty Ood. , P. F. PERRY. THE PUBLIC DEBT. For the first time, says the R'ohtnond Times, we havo an official announcement jf a "decrease in tbo public debt," which i'as produced mingled foelings of satisfac* .ion and surprise. The Nation states that Secretary MtCullocb'o official schedule of be public debt of tbe United States to SAil. ?l <* uvj/iviuuvi, uauiuiis me orst positive Iccreasc in the grnud total since the beguiling of llic civil wnr. The amount i* low $12,500,000 Ies3 tl/an at the ?Joie of \ugustf-and $255,000,000 lest tlmo the (3,000,000,000, wbicli wa9 generally cseeiuod a lew months ago the minium toal on the settlement of the wnr. The figires wore: )u August 31, 1865. . .* .*2,757,$89',571 September . 30, 1805. 2,744,947,720 )ecrease.- $12,741,845 )n the present stolllecuient, the unpaid requiitiona on the Treasury amount to only 1,220,000. On the conclusion of tCe war i May they were $40,150,000. The balncoa then in the Treasury were $25,148,no . ii ? * ? - \j~ , iuupr are now ?BB,977,230. The actual decrease in the public debt i September, in the faco of continued envy paymoutsin 'settlement of the clong expense* of the war and the disbandig of tho nrmyj ia mainly due to tbe large iterna) revenues of ihe month and the n-.eipts in yold from import?; thfc latter eing s*> far in excess oi the wants ol'the old interest charge on tie public debt lat they were eonvei tefl into currency Jby jo fhIo of $12,000,000 or $16,000,000 old in the open market. Wo should n6t t mko hfutc to congratulate the country oa l'e arrest of the public d?bt in August, ud its first evidence of decrease ib Sepsmber, if we had reason to suppose that ny considerable claims1 ngninst the Qornment had been postponed, or tlwir Washington purposely delayed s bpt the _ /idencos of the promptness, and eren v ixiety, of the-Secretary on these point* e all ngainst any such suspicion*. Nor lould we rejoice so soon at theaa results, we had reason to^believe that the Octo;r receipts from taxes and customs Would 11 off so materially as to render'it imprac :ablo for the Secretary to make an equal* good-exhibit at tfc,e end of the present ontli. The*e?idencea ef the first week i the month areia the opposite.dirtotion. ho internal rere*bpes continue to pour ini the Treasury at the rate of tl.OOO.OOO ? - $2,000,000 per Jay, aed the gold cuaims 6f the first week are oret $8,000,000 * junl to nearly. $4,000,000 in currency, be Noveiriber'interent oq the public debt jing already anticipated, Che Secretary ill, no doubt, continue bis. sales of gold itil the close npproach of the first of Jan- ? try, when the next instalment of gold in* re-t falls.due. And altogether, weregard as quite certain that another moderate ductiononthe total of ^be debt, and a ve' considerable settlement of legal tender iper, will appear on the sndceedingsehede." The Prtndent and Slate War Dchlt. be annexed dispatch frooaPreiidetitlohn>n, show^ bis position o*K fetal*/ War ibte: ' ' fo W* tF". Holder Provisional Governor of Worth Carolines ;/>;?/ Every dotlar or tb? Stale &$t cr?ated to id the rebellion agavotfc tfcfr, Untied 8tat?a iould be repudiated, fio%lly ft (id forever, 'lie great mass of people ?bouid not e taxed to pay a debt to ?id ib carrying n a rebellion wbicH tbia orftect, if Hot t6 bemselvea, were oppond 16 'fet thete vbo lave given their naroea for the obligation f the State, lost to that pe|r<p($4?> tried o eetablifb in violation of. Qonftituion, and the will of the paojftfcThay niiat meat llmlr fut? It Ir ?' *> ifc " ? nd can't be reeognixed bj tb? peoj^e of rrj* State profeMingtberatelri^tfc.lji toy I,to tbe Government of the.Uuitad Stat* od tbe Union. . . I repeat tbat'tbe tyyal ,6# Vorth' Carolina ahould b?rjixht>noiraUd fam & >aym?ni of erjjr/^'cojMr of Jofefrfcroni? caused to aid in carrying on ;tyMbX?fe?|?en. L troat ?nd hope Uie'peop?g..?iMa^ Cbr^. . j!imm will w**b their ha?daof ertnjking l>.2? n?rtu tfr. .tiWtUjli? f ..'. A rebel lie* w bicb ***** ' :d by tbe strong nrzn of the VoBMMjjj,,,... in ?*rryfbgoutU?e 6b I ?g*tk?? tojftjETbjr tU CoDRtTtultoD ^