Page images
PDF
EPUB

sisting of iron teeth and pullies, by which the mill, with a little assistance, feeds itself. These mills are worked by horses and oxen, or by water. They were some time past introduced into Beaufort district; but not answering the expectations which had been formed of them, they are but little used.

Barrel gins are either worked by oxen or water; and may be said to be nothing more than foot gins, to which greater power is applied by complicated mechanism. This consists of a large driving cogwheel, working a small trundle wheel. This smaller wheel gives motion to a large cylinder or barrel, round which from eight to twenty-four sets of bands are passed, communicating with the pullies of as many cotton gins; which are fixed in rows on each side of it. A negro is stationed at each of these gins, to feed it with cotton; besides one who superintends the whole; and the larger kind of these mills will gin out from six to eight hundred weight of clean cotton in a day.

"The saw gins are used particularly for extracting the cotton from the green seed, to which it closely adheres. This mill is worked either by oxen or water, and consists of an horizontal cog-wheel, or a water wheel, working a band which puts the pullies of the saw-mill in motion. One of these pullies turns a cylinder, round which is affixed from twenty to forty circular iron plates, about three-fourths of an inch distant from each other, serrated at the edge; which continually revolve between iron straps, into the compartment where the cotton is placed; and thus tear the cotton from the seeds, as the space through which they revolve, is not sufficiently large to let the seeds pass through. Another pully moves a cylinder with a set of brushes opposite each saw; which takes the clean cotton from the teeth of the saw, and discharge it from the gin. "One person besides the packers, and those who drive the oxen is sufficient for attending this gin;

and the cotton cleaned by it daily may be from six to nine hundred weight.

"After the cotton be thus ginned, by these different machines, a number of hands is employ ed in picking from it any dirt or bits of seed, which may remain in it: it is then packed up in bags, weighing from 250 to 300lbs. and is ready for market. As the nicety of its preparation more than its bulk, is the object with manufacturers, it is well worth the planter's attention to be careful in having it gathered clean from the field, and otherwise cleansed from all trash, broken seeds, and stained wool, which may remain, after its having passed through the gin. Cotton, prepared in this way, will assuredly command a ready and good price; as, in the extensive spinning machines which are established in Europe, the smallest particle of trash or seed breaks the thread, and interrupts the progress of the manufacture.

"Such is the growth of cotton in South Carolina, and the mode of preparing it for market. But it is not all of the same intrinsic value, as that raised on lands adjacent to the sea and salt water, called island or sea shore cotton, being black seed, it is preferred to the green seed cotton, which is raised in the interior of the country."

After discussing, very fully, the agriculture of the state, the author proceeds to make some few remarks on negro slavery. On this delicate topic it is but justice to all parties to hear what a shrewd and candid judge has to say in defence of negro servitude.

"In the pursuits of agriculture, slaves were introduced into this state; and importations from Africa soon supplied the planter with as many negroes as he was able to purchase. This gave a rapid increase to the settlement, and riches of the lower country; when, otherwise, its richest lands would not have been worth the cultivating. They, consequently, became a vested property in their respective own

ers, by the laws of the land; and however paradoxical it may appear, their owners, on obtaining their independence, and a right by the constitution and government of this state, and these United States, thence flowing, to be protected in their persons and property, had an indefeasible right in them: without the reach of laws to alter, unless by their own consent, or by suitable compensation. Notwithstanding, however, this barrier, which has been, and will continue to be placed against any innovations respecting this property; many are the efforts which are not only tried individually, but collectively, to weaken this right of property; and, ultimately, to change its very nature. The impropriety appears greater; as these attempts flow, not from our own citizens, for they know their rights and interests better; but from those of the Northern States; who are less acquainted with them. With as much propriety might we request them to dismiss their horses from the plough; as for us to dismiss these people from labour. For in both cases, lands of excellent quality, which are cultivated by them, would revert to a state of nature. And with the same reason might they be asked to give the money out of their pockets, in order to equalize the situation of every person; as the people of the southern states be requested to make changes in this property, which would materially affect the fortunes they possess. And notwithstanding this impropriety, societies have intruded so far, as to send addresses to the different branches of our legislature; recommending certain modes, which they deem most eligible for us to pursue in this respect; and all this for the good of the whole family of mankind! The reception which these addresses have met with, renders any further comment on them unnecessary. This much, however, may be said; that, if it be an evil, it will sooner, or later, effect its own cure; and if it be a sin, it is the happiness of

those who are not engaged in it, tø be safe from any of its future calamities.

But

"Should we for a moment inquire, what is the situation of negroes in Africa; we shall find them generally in a state of slavery; liable to be sold for the luxury of their princes, or, as following the chances of war. Some few are stolen from their parents, and others are taken by deception and fraud. But the great mass, which have been brought to South Carolina, only exchanged one slavery for another; and that too, with many advantages in favour of their present situation in this country. There, they are subject to the uncontrouled pleasure of princes; and are sometimes even slaughtered for the ceremonies of their funerals. Neither life nor property is secured to them. force, oppression, and injustice, are the great engines of their government. Here, laws are passed for their security and protection. They are worked by certain tasks, which are not unreasonable; and when they are diligent in performing them, they have some hours of the day to themselves. Hence they are encouraged to plant for their own emolument; raise poultry for their own use, or for sale; and are protected in the property which they thus acquire. With good masters, they are happy and contented; and instances are known, where they have declined an offered freedom. It is prohibited by law to work them more than certain hours of the day, during different portions of the year; and their owners are liable to a penalty, if they do not feed and clothe them in a suitable manner. Should they treat them cruelly, they are amenable to a court of justice for the same. If a slave be killed in the heat of passion, fifty pounds sterling is forfeited to the state:*

[blocks in formation]

and if wilfully murdered, one hundred pounds sterling is forfeited in like manner by the person offending, and he is rendered forever incapable of holding, exercising, enjoying, or receiving the profits of any office, place, or emolument, civil or military, within this state. And in case such person shall not be able to pay the said penalty, or forfeiture, he is liable to be sent to any frontier garrison of the state; or to be committed to prison, or a work-house, for seven years; and during that time be kept at hard labour. Their importation has been prohibited since the year 1788; not, however, without struggles in our legislature, respecting it. But, nevertheless, numbers of them have been introduced into this state, both by land and water; and that smuggling, which Mr. Edwards, in his history of the West Indies sagaciously predicted would happen in such case, has actually taken place in a great degree.* What the different importations of negroes, into this state, from time to time, may be, is not in my power to relate. But the census, which was taken of the population of this state in 1801, by direction of the federal government, gives us the number of them, about that time, amounting to 146,151; since which period, their numbers have no doubt increased, as well by births, as by smuggling.

Had not this agricultural strength been furnished South Carolina, it is probable, in the scale of commerce and importance, she would have been numbered among the least respectable states of the union. At this moment, the extensive rice fields which are covered with grain, would present nothing but deep swamps, and dreary forests; inhabited by panthers, bears, wolves, and other wild beasts. Hence, the best lands of this state, would have

* See Edward's History of the West Indies, 4to. vol. II. pages 115, 116. And also page 503, et seq. of the appendix of the same volume.

VOL. I.... NO. 1.

been rendered useless; while the pine lands, from their barren natures, although they might maintain the farmer, would have done little towards raising the state to its present importance. At its first settlement, the fertile lands in the upper country were not known; or if they were, surrounded by Indian nations, they offered no retreat to the calm exertions of the farmer; where wars interrupted navigation, and unopened roads, would arrest from him the profits of his industry. But, should it be asked, why the swamps and low lands in the lower country, cannot be cultivated by whites, and without the labour of negroes? I would answer, these situations are particularly unhealthy, and unsuitable to the constitutions of white persons; whilst that of a negro, is perfectly adapted to its cultivation. He can, uncovered, stand the sun's meridian heat; and labour his appointed time, exposed to the continual steam, which arises from the rice grounds; whilst a white person could barely support himself under the shade, surrounded by such a relaxing atmosphere. He can work for hours in mud and water, (which he is obliged to do in the rice culture, in ditching and draining,) without injury to himself; whilst to a white this kind of labour would be almost certain death. Should these observations be founded on fact, (which it is believed they are) they sufficiently justify the present condition of this state, in the kind of property to which we immediately refer. And, while we lament the iniquitous passions, which originally introduced slavery into this state; it is with satisfaction we can assert, that their condition is far ameliorated to what it

formerly was. They have their houses, their gardens, their fields, their dances, their holydays, and their feasts. And, as far as is consistent with our government, they enjoy privileges and protections, in some cases, superior to the poor whites of many nations; and in others equal to the mildest slavery

in any part of the world. It may be said, this is still slavery. True. But, as was observed, it is preferable to the condition of the peasantry of some countries. How many tracts of land are there on this globe, whose inhabitants cannot boast as much good? How many thousands are there, who labour from morning until night, and from season to season, for at best a beggarly subsistence; whose tenure depends on the will of a prince, at once master of their fortunes, and of their liberties? With them, the father may in vain attempt to raise up his son for his support and comfort; but when the time arrives, and with increasing years, he comes to useful manhood; he is torn from the presence of his parents, and the endearments of his relations; to swell the pageantry of a court....or to confound the liberties of his country.

"This is what may be seen on the theatre of human life; continually chequered with good and evil, happiness and misery. The philanthropist may seek perfection and happiness among the human race; but he will never find it complete. The philosopher may plan new laws, and new systems of government; which practice too often declares but the effervescence of fancy, and unequal to the end proposed. Nature, governed by unerring laws, which command the oak to be stronger than the willow, and the cypress to be taller than the shrub; has at the same time imposed on mankind certain restrictions, which can never be overcome. She has made some to be poor, and others to be rich; some to be happy, and others to be miserable; some to be slaves, and others to be free. The subjects, or people, on which these principles are enforced, may be changed by industry, intrigues, factions, or revolutions; but the principles can never be altered; they will shew themselves again, with the same force on new subjects; unchangeable in their natures, and constant in their effects. Se woods may be

cut down, and the lands on which they grew may be made to produce grains, which nature never planted there. But, withhold the hand of cultivation; and nature immediately causes weeds and plants to spring up again: and, in course of time, covers them with her dark retreats, and stately forests."

We have marked in italics the passages in this extract, on which the friend of negro liberty will beinclined to meditate. We should have been much better pleased with our author, if he had admitted the iniquity of the traffic, and urged these considerations rather to account for and excuse, than to justify the practice. Had he insisted on the enormous evils which would accrue even to the blacks themselves, from general or partial emancipation, rather than on the abstract right of the planters, to the persons of the blacks, as to the persons of their hogs and sheep, he would have gained a favourable audience, even with the greatest enemies of slavery, and have taken the strongest ground even with its friends.

We have next a very good account of the manufactures, inland navigation, and foreign commerce of the state. For this purpose, he has consulted the public offices, and procured the most ample and authentic documents.

Then follows a political view of the state, its constitution, laws and revenue; and a topographical account of Charleston, and other principal towns; and some particulars of the literature, and manners of the people.

On the whole, this publication is a valuable addition to our slender stock of information, and we sincerely hope that Mr. Drayton's laudable example will be followed by other ingenious men.

B.

For the Literary Magazine. Two COMPENDS for the use of the Philadelphia Academy....1. Of Elocution; 2. Of Natural History. By

[blocks in formation]

Philadelphia, H. Maxwell, p. p. 254.

MR. ABERCROMBIE has for some time past, been engaged as the instructor of youth. The Philadelphia Academy under his care, has, we have no doubt, promoted the interests of religion and literature in this city. The duties of the teacher in science, may be very properly united with those of the preacher from the pulpit; and in both capacities Mr. A. deserves no small approbation. In prosecution of the plan of education which he has adopted, the Compends now under examination were written. These are two....The first on elocution... the second on natural history. In the endeavour to reduce these to a concise and systematic order, the writer has availed himself of what has been written on these subjects by many excellent writers. Mr. A. has not however implicitly followed these authors, but has thought for himself, and in several instances has discovered considerable originality. His style is always neat and perspicuous, and occasionally elegant and elevated. The Compend of Elocution, we think, is more successfully executed, than the one of Natural History. The former is divided into two parts. The first part, on the art of reading, includes the following subdivisions: On the voice, of reading, of accent, of emphasis, of modulation, of expression, of pauses....The second part, on the art of speaking, includes the following subdivisions: Of tones, of looks, of gesture. In treating these, Mr. A. has succeeded in conveying instruction in an easy and impressive manner to the young. He concludes the Compend with the folwing sentences....

"CONCLUSION.

"Thus have we endeavoured to delineate those outlines, which no❤ thing but good sense and taste can fill up.

"These few hints, however, if duly attended to, may suffice to aid and direct your efforts for improve. ment. Though, after all, it is im possible to acquire a correct and judicious pronunciation, a command of the various modulations of the voice, and strict propriety of ges ture, merely from rules, without practice and an imitation of the best examples: which shews the wisdom of the ancients, in training up their youth to the study and prac tice of ELOCUTION, by the assistance of the most accomplished teachers, who exemplified the rules which were given to form the speech and action of their pupils.

"Yet, the more distinctly these outlines are marked and remembered, the easier will be the finishing: and if, instead of leaving so much taste, as is generally done, we were to push, as far as possible, our inquiries into those principles of truth and beauty in delivery, which are immutable and eternal; if we were to mark carefully the seemingly infinite variety of voice and gesture in speaking and reading, and compare this variety with the various senses and passions, of which they are expressive; from the simplicity of Nature, in her other operations, we have reason to hope, that they might be so classed and arranged, as to be of much easier attainment, and productive of much certainty and improvement, in the very difficult acquisition of a just and agreeable de, livery; which, when once acquired, gives a polish to the character which irresistibly captivates and arrests the attention of the hearers and beholders. The accomplished speaker at once regales the eye with a view of that most noble object the human form, in all its glory, the ear, with the perfection and original of all music; the under standing, with its proper and natų,

« PreviousContinue »