University of South Carolina Libraries
v TI ^JP ^^"JJ j~^. 31L@ K~[SE*Y SERIES.] I'M*. A. CHIDES, SOUTH CAEOLIIVA, SATURDAY DECEMBER 7, CS39. :" if - ' - 1 . ., Qti&Jffl anuMM-LJM1JU-, tJ-!f- ^l??i'-.u?wm '.jJ---va-SU1MJJ i ?. iig^se=r.i4^.?gnmiiB!.c.^JBL?Lmi*J^?'JM^Hin?????pju-m.ju?uimbjj 1 .i'jui-j?a?s??mi.ffiJ .jMi>"gio?i ?mian zmnau)BoauM?^a.,i>>?Es^<.ii?iJi ruj?u-jEr?e3gna=?ii_u;<nJM??oypM . I*'"TZ3 oaMdse JOOT.BT.IL f Zs Published every. Saturday Morning, BY TIIOXAS W. PEGUES, I At three dollars in*advanco; three dollars and fifty cents in six months; or four dollars at the expiration of the year. Advertisements inserted at 75 cents per square lor ti e first, and 37 1-2 for each subsequent insertion.? The number of insertions to he noted on all advertisements, or they will he published until ordered to be discontinued, and charged accordingly. One dollar per square will be charged for a smglo insertion. All Obituary Notices exceed.ng six lines, and Communications recommending Candidates far public OP'oes of profit o" fust?or yu.Th.-g exhibitions, will be charged as ad-- .viiscnic.i' v. ?> T..1. XV^n ,T.;tJ l.r. r Accounts iJr Auverusing anu jo:/ i.?... ...? ? presented for payment, <pia'tcr!y. I Orr^All letters? \;; mail must be post paid to insure punttuu' aller.titin. " diO VK& W E. jbColumbia, Nov. 20, 1339. & At 12 o'clock to-day, His Excellency, Ik Governor Noble, transmitted to the GenMlora! ibaembly, by Col. Beaufort T. Watte,-the following Message, which was read by him in both louses. ' EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. m FcttOi ' CUi-.rnr, of (he Senate, and House of Rcprescntaticat: In tp..ing a retrospect of the past year, p,. our most devout gratitude is called into B lively exercise, to the Almighty Dispenser p of ail good, for the very abundant harp vests with whieh 11; lias been pleased to ?---J o, , ( cir' fl?r> hinshnndinnn.? A The teeming earth has brought forth in H great a IS the product.-; of th" soil ^^yjsuaily cultivate-!. But thesd'sigual hioss ^ ff^jiavt h on accompanied, in the course fl^^Kan Ah-Wise Providence, by visitations rain.!"';: and melancholy c ha rael r.? ^Vj)i$eaxe has afll et^d a port- our StAfo, and d;,.:th has consigned ? jtginb many emr.;- at a;:d vaiuab.: I." Jh^-mon. d::,ti.ogi;;.ii>jvi for their sir.nag v:> ^Eftues, great talents and public services. \j At a member of the Confederacy, fSouth Carolina must necessarily feel a i interest ig-tho legislation of the GenjtSjfah&oveminent; and in looking towards fhe' various important euo-o-'s which may k.^.V.nKI? nt ..nMrlu rlqv. I?..| SMV liiO di> Ill OKJUfi > y Ui UU j tiljeratioits of Congress ouvatlcnt: >a wi'I na arm^ot! hv ot>? topic >f vn?u magniTsv. roiVgUClV With f 11?: IV vr-jal or wo:\ as it shali ! .? tied. \ mean the Tariff quns , }>viiio Act of Is it wa? provided, that by a gradual "reduction .>f tiie d^'.ties they sli >u!d !); h^ouaht down. t'? *20 per c. uit. in 1612, fmich whi then lo their established rate, nless the annual, in tin meantime, shall .A>e altered S>y law, B it the same act con ^ains the pudge of Congress, that tire rej^K'.'jjrr shall bo reduced to the ecrvionv.cal V. of tlv- (joViomnciit. ioved, that a duty bbfow 20 per cent, up >n the K i,,n[)or^r,i'?!:s, \v< i'j';d nt'sc a suilicient rem urv for purposes of Movernlr.K^u. The main obstacle to this ^K^ductioiu : to T?.- f :u*vi i:? the string dis < DHhi:';>u is felt t iiieivasc 'ho-public oxH^^idilufes,*for she promotion of sect i- on! Jf these are t diminished accessary im\ they 'win, at MHn, atfoivl a convenient pretext i;?r to rc^-'ice imposts.. .If the |^^HHHu!:{.bo marie sensible of the cnorc which is annually exacted by this indirect mode of taxwould demand the repeal of H^^B^Krous laws, in a voice which th ir ^HB^^Hntatives would not dare to disrcHMf the Government would consent I Rt the system >f direct taxes, and ^^H^mptto draw sue.* largo sums from the ^^Broplc, it would -o>n ho d se >vcred that tax-paying ft^Bnmoat. endure th '!> ; n. The' very t ui, timt each man in the community r "<$uid tiien knew the precise ajnou.it of ft uti which he paid, establishes the soundV' ;e|j of the proposition, that in a popular H government, direct taxes are to be prcR L*jiT3jed to those which are indirect. But ^fifci^ehange cannot now be introduced OUl I'^'.iuuu ju' iaio.il'/a, mo u'.i|U9C" I^^Vnlof the Tariff, upon such modilicaH ;is as will conduce to the peace, harmoand integrity, of the Union, is solemnH B'oqnu^l. as well by the dictates of r as of patriotism. The past liisD 1\ of our country will indicate the evils H^Hiich are to be avoided?evils of a menjH^btg aspect. The planting States will endure protective duties. They will |^Kt, that duties shall be laid exclusively Hj^B^^veuuc, and lhat no more revenue raised, than is required by the |^H^^fl^al wants of the Government.? |j^nH^of this section contend for a fl^^^HHA^lorcm duty upon all importaMMSHH^^ra^ale graduated with referdiminisood expenditures, and the demails of the Government. ^^^BtCrom the CompNollcr's Report, the j^M^lbwiug abstract is Nbtnincd, exhibiting the condition of the Finances of the Slate, on the 1st October, 1830. The undrawn balances of existing appropriations amount to 8108,139 23 The usual and necessary appropriations lbr the year 1840, - - 8282,420 00 Making, 8390,559 25 I To meet the payment of j which, there is cash in the two Treasuries, i October 1st, 1839, 8113,037 08 'And nett amount of taxes tube collected in IS 10, 290,000 00 Mak ng %W3,um us ! Which will leave only a balance of ! about 812,500 in the Treasury, on the 1st October next, without the prospect of | any receipts until the taxes shall be collected and paid into the Treasury, in j May sod June 1341. It is important to know the precise situation of ihe State, in relation to the jdebtsdueby it, and the funds belonging ' to it, to meet those debts. For '.his purpose, I have caused a statement to be I prepared, giving this information, and j herewith communicate it. From this doi oiimonf t!m fnllmvincr <rr*nf>ral result is oh tained: j Aggregate amount of funds belonging to the State, - ?3,63o,83o 21 Do. of debts, due by the State, 3,o39,213 81 Balance in favor of the Slate .8591,586 4a But it is proper to state, that in the amount of debts, due by the State, is incl'iscd the Dcposite of 81.o5l,422 o9 cl i r Ci, "ir,ur :us revenue >i mu uuucu oiaies, : . i.'! . iho above liabilities, the v = msibio tbr t!ic two millions r for the rebuilding oi Ciiarjc.sl .il, and ibr the guarantee ci fiio two millions ! )an, for the Louisville, Cincinnati, and Char'esl >n Rail Road. The Bank of the State <>f South Carolina is in a .sound condition, and under the prudent management of an cilidont Directors, and al)!e and assiduous oflieors, 1? .n -rtsyair c mvnv I c mfidence. Tiie nr. : > :.i tins -vmn, the present year, are 3c lo.ooo, which sum has been carried to the Sinking Fund, now amounting to SmsotT/ 3b. $ Too, ooo of tliis amount wiii b -apolh d, on the 1st January next, i ; . ; ..dors of the (?percent. Stock of this State, created under an act of the Legislamiv, parsed in one thousand eight hundred and twenty, and redeemable on the aluve mentioned day. I herewith submit the Annual Statement of the Bank. The true condition of tlic Banks of the Slates, is. at all times, a subject of 'loop interest to the people, but more especially at a crisis like the one in which we are now placed. For the puro xc, therefore, of exhibiting to the public their present situation, I applied to them for statements, shewing their respective liabilities and assets. With a praiseworthy promptitude, each of them responded to the call, by furnishing me with reports on the several p >iiits of enquiry, which I now lay before you for yoiu information. The country was just recovering from the shock which the revulsion of eighteen hundred and thirty seven had produced, which another crisis m our momentary affairs, accompanied by the suspension of specie payments by some of the Banks, has again thrown the business and commerce of the community into confusion. The frequency of these suspensions, demonstrates the ex istcnce "of some inherent vices in the Banking -system, or mismanagement by those who control its operations, and administer its affairs. It becomes your duty, as the guardians of the rights and interests of the people, to take cave that the Republic receive 110 detriment. You are urged by every consideration of sound policy, and a just regard to the welfare of the country, to probe the evil to the ; bottom, and, by the application of the prosper remedies, to bring back these moneyed corporations, to a healthy performance of their functions. Indeed, the Banks are as much interested in the investigation and reformation of these defects, as the community; for, without an efficient re mcdy, the Banking svstem must terminate in convulsion, which it is the interest of all to avoid. If, however, the mischief recoiled upon the Banks alone, then it would be a matter which would not concern the public. But, unhappily, the whole community are the victims of the evils which ensue. The derangement in the currency, consequent on the refusal of the Banks to redeem their bills in specie, affects the price of the great staples of our country, which arc the instruments of ail our commercial exchanges. The value of property, of every chscription, the disturbance of the relations between creditor and debtor, and iii fact, tlie whole business of society, in all its relations, experience the disastrous effects of this depreciation in the currency. This is not an exaggerated picture of the evil. The suspension, by the Banks, is a departure from the purposes for which their charters were granted, and a plain violation of those duties, which are enjoined upon them, in the terms of their creation. The previous History of the country, in relation to the chartered companies, enforces the necessity of placing new safeguards to prevent the evils which have been felt. All charters, which confer exclusive privileges on certain persons, intrench upon the equal rights of the rest of the community. Itiscertain, they renin i-i? to roa? ra iPil lprrnl ennflmoi'tc: and yet ilie charters, by which artificial persons arc created, are held up as con laining all the regulations concerning them within the competency of the Legislature. It might be wise and politic, to prevent future evil, for the Legislature to pass a general law upon the subject of all charters, subsequently to be granted, reserving the right t<? make such further provisions, as may be required to keep thrm within the limits of their appropriate duties, and compel them to fulfil the objects of their creation. In giving you " information of the condition of the Stalp," I should feel that I was justly obnoxious to the charge, of r? o it I t\/s f ? ? ? rr nrto r\ f 4 li n moc4 irYt nnrhi n! ttuu^ vu?/ vi kill/ ill wok iiii|mm ?unt branches of industry, were I to be silent on the subject of Agriculture. This pursuit of the great mass of the people, has claims upon your fostering care and attention. Ilia the source of our wealth, and ! power, and furnishes the means of our {commercial exchanges. Yet its importance seems never to hare been realized ; by the constituted authorities of the State; i f.?r it is a lamentable truth, that while | other branches of industry have received 'an impulse, by wholesome laws, the great :{interests of Agriculture hare been passed : by almost with silent contempt. It is now " time lor the Slate to dismiss from her counsels this cold indifference, and to take such action on the subject, as will prni mote its success which have retarded the 1 progress of the State in population, wealth, and importance, none is more prominent than the utter neglect of this primary purisuit It cannot be doubled, that ?\>?uilh (Carolina once possessor! n soil of unsurpassed fertility, Put this rich gilt of u kind Providence, has been, in a great measure, lost, by a most pernicious course of husbandry. A large portion of this once flourishing region* blessed, too, with a propitious climate, lias been reduced to sterility. Yet, nil hope of reclaiming and restoring to its wonted productiveness, our exhausted soil, is not in vain. It is a Imncficient provision of a good Providence, that beneath the surface of the earth, arc to he found substances of the most fertilizing qualities. Their discovery. however, requires tliK application of science, and means seldom possessed by individuals. It is, in such a case, that a tvise and patriotic Legislature should extend its aid. But to subserve fully, the interests of Agriculture, tire Legislature should not continue its operations to a Geological " Survey alone. Willi this sh uld be connected an Agricultural Survey. While fhe former would bring us ;.cnusii 111f-il tt-iib all the substances which enter into the compo-i.ion of that portion of the earth to which we ran hare access, the latter will elicit a inass of information, in relation to every thing (hut iconcerns agriculture, which cannot fail to ibe highly useful. In other countries, the Utility of agricultural surveys has been fully proved, by the valuable rrstihs.? But, in carrying into effect such surveys as have been mentioned, the value of tite : results would depend upon the selection iof an individual, possessing the highest qualifications, combining a profound knowledge of the subjects of investigaiion, a j sound discriminating judgment, and an untiring zeal and industry. The expense of such a project, should not be weighed against the incalculable importance of the end proposed. Being deeply impressed , with the practical usefulness of such surreys, I earnestly recommend that you provide for their accomplishment. But while the development of the physical resources of our country should claim so large a share of your serious attention, popular education ought to hold the first place in your estimation. It is knowledge, intellectual, moral, anil religious, that constitutes the man. Without its possession, wealth would he a curse, instead of a blessing. Besides, the stability and permanence of our republican institutions, have their only guarantee, in an intelligent, moral, and religious population. Hence, this import lant subject has commanded tho warmest regard, of those who have preceded us* tii . . _/ .1.. l! I i lie CsiauiisMintiu ui uie v/imcgr, uuu | ilic adoption of the Free School system, are enduring monument?, to the memory of those, by whose sagacious "{forts they were brought into existence. The foi'mer, from small beginnings, has risen to a proud eminence among the literary institutions of our great Confederacy, and is annual ly .sending f-?r?li a band of well cdneatcc! youths, the future glory and ornament of their country: the latter, although based upon the soundest principles of a free government, lias not yielded all those benefits which its intrinsic excellence so justly deserved. At your last session, commissioners were appointed, in every election district of the State, to examine and revise the Free School system, and to report to the Executive such amendments, or alterations, as lltsy might deem useful. Many of these commissioners, with a very commendable zeal and ability, have discharged Che important duty assigned to them, while others have tailed i to make reports. In obedience to your J resolution, I have placed the reports which ihave been made, in the hands of a coinmission of two gentlemen, Professors Elliott and Thorn veil, to be examined by them, and a system to be advised and suhmitied to yon, at the present session.? Their report, as soon as prepared, shall he transmitted to you, with the teports ^nf the district commissioners. ; It aflords me unfeigned pleasure, to announce to yc\ that the College continues to answer tfie high expectations of the Slate. It is rapidly advancing in a career cf prosperity and usefulness, which . must redound to the lasting benefit of the country. It steadily increases in numbers, although the standard of admission is higher than formerly. I ardently recommend this noble institution to your parental anil fostering care. The State ran only expect to maintain its wonted high charar.ii r, by an cnlighted population, well grounded in solid learning, and a lofty moral elevation. In a free government, there exists a just jealousy of standing armies. The liiit ry of all nations justifies this feeling. Its records are replete with instances of their danger to liberty. Our ancestors had a practical knowledge on this subject, which led them to guard, by constitutional restrictions, against their introduction. Hence, the reliance of the framcrs of our constitution, on the Militia, and the provision for organizing, arming, and disciplining it. Hence, the recognition ol the great political truth, that a well regulated Militia, is essential to the safety of a I'reo Stntv; and certainly our ancestors were not deceived, in their estimate of thp dependence which might be reposed in its c&rLr.cv. F r the purpose of defensive warfare, it will not be hazarding too much, to assert, that Militia arc equal, if not -uperi.tr, to mercenary troops. The noblest and highest motive that can actuate toe bosom of man, impels the citizen soldier :o draw bis sword, to rope! the in i? ... i.:- .....t ... ,l..r?,wl ..li . ami fireside. It may be conceded iliat, for purposes "f foreign conquest, regular troops are more available. But, happy for ns thai it is so: this great Confederacy of R publican States, is. friun its charact? r, pacific, and never can ue prone to engage in wars merely for winning glory, or acquiring foreign dominion. From these considerations, we learn the vast importance of a well regulated Militia. To prepare them to fulfil the high desti nies for which they are intended, carc should be luken, to train and discipline them m times <T peace: hut this duly applies more especially to the officers. I am aware ilial freemen will not submit to ilios- rigi-i rules, which are applicable to the regular soldier: nor is '.bis required. The idea is not entertained, that the private militia-inan can, or ought to be, subjected to the same degree of rigorous discipline, as a soldier, in the regular ranks. Indeed, it is questionable, whether lite attempt to give the private militia-man the automation precision of the soldier, should i - i- ..ii i. t.? IJIZ HltlUf Ul Uil? II i ."5 III/l Ul HUI L?U I" 11L essentia! to the perfection of our systffn, that any such attempt should be made. But the rate is widely diflcreut with the militia ofiicers: they rnav be instructed, and brought to a high degree of discipline in the military art. /.ml if the ofiicers have attained to a respectable degree of knowledge, it will not be difficult for them, in a period of actual service, to train their men, in a short lime, in all the duties of the soldier. South Carolina has acted on the assumption of this idea, and 'all her militia laws look particularly to a body of well trained and disciplined ofiijcers. And perhaps no instrument has been more useful in accomplishing this tern', than Btigadc r.nrampments. It will be readily admitted, that these assemblages arc attended with much inconvenience to the ofiicers and sergeants. But liberty can only he maintained at the expense ol great sacrifices, and eternal vigilance. Exemption from inconvenience, would bean inadequate compensation, for the ease and inactivity of despotism, which would follow the introduction of standing armies, in the place of the Militia. Nevertheless, the Legislature should seek to render the performance of this duty as little onerous as possible, consistent with (lie great o!> ject to be effected. Perhaps the system hears with mure oppressive weight on the - sergeants, who are compelled by law in serve a limited time, no matter what m ; be their means. To alleviate the burden as much as possible, ! wruM rc]:c?t ihr jrecommcnd/tjon of my p'.Tik.vcs'mr, thitiV 1d| j rations should ho issued to lite officers and . | sergeants, s:t Brigade Ibicarn [merits. i l*% jherewith trnu-nnit il.e Report. of the AJ- _ ; > | j is tsrn l and insjriTirr (Ictural, for Itie j\ar i c0,'\ *i'-V ifcoi #. 1'er hap - nothing on' ihits tljc progress of jcivili'v?*' it /mm; strikingly, ihim \vcll?7'' i const- :1 higinvays throughout a cbiin"f * try; ; it/rely nothing rondures more to * i ilie case atitl comfort of the citizen.' In a . ?. community iike ours, where the articles. - ' transported by the planter to "market, are ** heavy and bulky, the necessity is^loubly urgent, to construct such highjyaysAg will 'Jy facilitate ttse transportation. ThcTrpairs I of the roads, by t!ic exisiim l.iv. J, depend upon the labor of the inhabitants, fo/ynot more than twelc days in the yg>tr. Thesystem operates uneijually. While the labor bestowed upon certain portions of the rn; ids i>> cnfTifMpnl In mninlnin llmm in good order, in other portions, the samelabor would be wholly insufficient. From ? the face of the country, its tmevenness, > and the nature of the soil, more labor will be required in some sections, than in"others. Again, those portions of the country, which lie more contiguous to the : i market towns, from tlio greater amount of travelling over them with heavy wagons, and often from the nature of the soil, and irregularity of surface, require vastly more work to put ami keep them in good order, than in oilier portions, more /. remote, and tnore favored, in the circumstances mentioned. Ilence, one portion y. of the inhabitants, is subjected to a great- ; v ;" er degree of labor, than another, and not exclusively for their otvn benefit, hut for;-.*"- ' the bcnef.t of perhaps a more numerous class, who have expended no labor, on ' ^ these roads. To remedy this inequality,,. ! nnr! iniosliV/v nrnspnf? :i ttifTiPillf nopstiort. I J ' J 1 i If, however, the twelve clays' labor, most faithfully expended, which the inhabitants are bound to bestow, would place "the highways in a serviceable condition,Athe inconvenience complained of would be the less regretted. But, from the difficul ties already pointed out, this amuunt of work, however faithfully executed, would, 4 in many places, be insuliicicnt to effect the ol-ject. Hence, it often dinppens, . that the planter has to encounter such.a wretched slate of the highways, as. to cause great damage of vehicles and horses," and much consumption of time; and, in many instances, the "bad condition of the roads presents an utter obstacle to further progress. It is probable that the induce- jr rnent which the Legislature, by a late act, . has held out for the formation of companies, to establish turnpike roads, will fail of its purpose, as men cannot be persuad-^ ed to vest money in any enterprise, with- , v out a fair prospect of a profitable return, in the shape of interest, or dividends. I trust your wisdom will be able to devire some remedy, for those great evils. Be- ^ fore leaving tbe subject, I would recommend what has already been pressed upon , / your consideration, by one of my predecessors, that the Commissioners of the Roads, throughout the State, should be \ allowed to commute labor, for money, in all cases where the person liable to road . *' duty, might prefer it: The money thus raised, to constitute a fund, to let out, in contracts, for repairing, and keeping in repair, certain portions of the roads; The Legislature, in 1S37. by an Act; entitled "An Act to lend the credit of the - _ State to secure any loan wltich may he >4^1 made by the Louisville, Charleston and Cincinnati Railroad company," authorized the company to borrow two millions of j_n i i Li~J ii.. J'-!/i- .fi UUIIHTS iiiUl jJXBUgi; I (IB iiUUI OX WXC SUUVJ I'J secure the payment of the principal and interest; and. as an indemnity to the state, the estate, property, and funds within the state, which the said company then pos- >* scssed, or might afterwards acquire, wercj pledged and mortgaged to the state for the ^ performance on the part of the company, of such contract, in priority and preference of any other debt which the said company might then, or at. ,mv other time * owe.' Hut, at the same time, ? he company was allowed in case it should purchase the Railroad ot the South Carolina Canal and liailroad company, to mortgage the said road to the said South Carolina Canal & Railroad company, for any sum not exceeding two-thirds of the purchase money; and give to the sv.id South Carolina ' Canal and Railroad company, a lien there- g on. in preference to liib mortgage of the i State.'. The Louisville, Cincitmed,' and |Charleston Ri'lrend company dri chase t!?e South Car line canal and rail . read. A large balance, of about e-hC. 0,000 of i he purchase money, still remains due: for which a lien upon the road exists, and for which the road is liable to be sold, to raise money in case of the fiilure of the. > Louisville, Cincinnati arid Charleston rail , , road company tr make payment. 'ilcs' sum is due the first day of Janifcify *?*}, As the South. Carolina canal and^witroad . is the principal security whipjs^nc State * }Av possesrer, for its guaranteed d,o two mi!lions loan, it r.-y-y bo highly-important for. the stale fo look to the sufficiency of its ilien.<? Jt :vf!ns thr.t the Louisville Cinein- HH n r-r! roudeompasv car.-, ri"'