15s. Though liquor and many other articles are reasonable when purchased in any quantity, yet they are retailed at the taverns and small spiritsshops at an exorbitant rate. Hence a glass of brandy or rum and water is than half a dollar; and every thing else in tion.

never sold for less

propor

POPULATION OF CHARLESTON.

145

CHAPTER XXXÌ.

Population of Charleston Society-The PlantersExtravagance and Dissipation-Money Lenders -Long Credit-Charleston Races-Jockey Club -Race Course-Balls and Concerts-Amusements of the People-Rifle Shooting-Duelling -Sullivan's Island-Outrages at CharlestonRiots among the Sailors-Consequences of the Embargo-American Seamen enter the British

Service.

THE present population of Charleston is reckoned about 28,000: of this number, not more than 7,000 are whites, the rest are negroes and people of colour, the majority of whom are slaves. The following statement will exhibit the progressive increase of population in the State of South Carolina since its settlement in 1670.

146

SOCIETY OF CHARLESTON.

Charleston has been described as the seat of hospitality, elegance, and gaiety. Whatever it may boast of the former, it is certain there was very little of the latter on my arrival in that city, though it was the season for amusements. But the fatal fever which had prevailed the preceding autumn, and carried off great numbers of the people, added to the general stagnation of trade occasioned by the embargo, seemed to have paralysed the energies and damped the spirits of the inhabitants, and prevented them from partaking of those entertainments and diversions to which they were accustomed at that season of the

year. Genteel society in Charleston is confined to the planters, principal merchants, public officers, divines, lawyers, and physicians.

The planters are generally considered as the wealthiest people in the state. This may be true with respect to their landed property and slaves: but they are not the most moneyed people; for, except upon their annual crops of rice and cotton, which produce various incomes from 6,000 to 50,000 dollars, they seldom can command a dollar in cash, and are besides continually in debt. The long credit which merchants and traders throughout Charleston are obliged to give the planters and other people of property in the state, is the subject of universal complaint among the former; and whatever credit the Carolinians may deserve for

EXTRAVAGANCE AND DISSIPATION.

147

their "unaffected hospitality, affability, ease of manners, and address," so flatteringly mentioned in every edition of Morse's Geography, yet the payment of their debts can never be reckoned among their virtues.

When they receive money in advance for their crops of cotton or rice, it is immediately squandered away in the luxuries of fashion, good eating and drinking, or an excursion to the northern states; where, after dashing about for a month or two with tandems, curricles, livery servants, and outriders, they frequently return home in the stage coach with scarcely dollars enough in their pocket to pay their expenses on the road. If their creditors of ten or a dozen years standing become very clamorous, a small sum is perhaps paid them in part, unless the law interferes, and compels them to pay the whole debt and as much for costs. Thus the planter proceeds in his career of extravagance, which in the midst of riches renders him continually poor. With an estate worth 200,000 dollars he has seldom a dollar in his pocket but what is borrowed upon an anticipated crop: hence may be truly said that he lives only from hand to mouth.

it

In the town of Charleston, where they for the most part have handsome houses, they live for the time being like princes: and those strangers who visit the city at that period, and have the means of

148

PLANTERS' SPLENDID POVERTY.

being introduced at their houses, are sure to meet a hearty welcome. Every article that the market can supply is to be found at their festive board. The wine flows in abundance, and nothing affords them greater satisfaction than to see their guests drop gradually under the table after dinner. Hospitality is indeed their characteristic as long as the cash lasts: but when that is gone they retire to their plantations. There they are obliged to dispense with the luxuries, and often with the comforts, which they enjoyed in town. Every thing is inade subservient to the cultivation of cotton and rice for the next year's round of dissipation. With hundreds of slaves about them, and cattle of various kinds, they are often without butter, cheese, and even milk, for many weeks. Fodder is frequently so scarce, that the cows, horses, &c. look half starved, and are driven into the pine barrows and woods to pick up a few mouthfuls of rank grass. The habitations of many of the planters are also in a dilapidated state, and destitute of the comforts and conveniences of domestic life. As to their negro-huts, they frequently defy all description.

This mode of living among the planters, of which the brilliant side only is exposed to public view, is followed more or less by most of the gentry in Charleston, and has led strangers to give them the character of a free, affable, and generous