Finances of the United States-Report of the Treasury. 507 ART. XII-AGRICULTURAL ITEMS AND STATISTICS, ETC. [The Hon. Mr. Moore, of Louisiana, in answer to a charge lately made in Congress against the sugar culturists, that they were a band of millionaire capitalists, whose interests were opposed to that of the laboring classes, set out many facts and statistics, from which we extract the following:-] SUGAR CULTURE OF LOUISIANA-AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS OF GEORGIA-SEA-ISLAND COT- 2d. The interest of the sugar planter is not opposed to the interest of the laboring classes; on the contrary, as I shall, I think, be able to demonstrate. When I speak of capitalists, I mean men who wield cash capital. I do not pretend to say that there is no capital invested in sugar plantations. The aggregate capital is very large, consisting, first, of the plantations previously employed in the cultivation of rice and cotton, changed to the culture of sugarcane, for reasons hereinafter stated; second, of the steam-engines, sugarmills, kettles, &c., &c., necessary to manufacture the cane into sugar, chiefly obtained from Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and New-York, which, at a fair estimate, must have cost at least $16,500,000, nearly all originally borrowed, and a considerable portion of which yet remains unpaid. THE 1st. There are no millionaires and few with others. One of the owners, who capitalists among sugar planters; the manages the concerns of the partnership, latter generally understand their own is a capable, attentive, and discreet perinterest too well to embark in so uncer- son. The accounts are settled annually, tain and precarious a business. and dividends of the profits, if any, made on making the settlement. For the crop of 1851, it was found that nearly the whole net proceeds of the crop had been expended in procuring the necessary supplies for the plantation, leaving but about five cents in the dollar to the proprietors for their own attention, industry, and interest on the capital invested. The balance went to labor, about in the following proportion, viz.: twenty per cent. to the manager, sugar-boiler, engineer, carpenters, bricklayers, coopers, and other laborers; five per cent. to physicians and others; twenty per cent. for pork, flour, and other provisions, principally from the State of Ohio. The balance was paid for clothing, hats, shoes, axes, hoes, plows, &c., principally from the eastern states; sugar-kettles, gratebars, &c., as repairs, from Tennessee; hoop-poles from Kentucky; horses and mules from Missouri; wagons and carts from Wheeling, Virginia, &c.; together with the cost of transporting those supplies to the plantation. This, too, was exclusive of the freight, insurance, and charges on the sugar and molasses to market, deducted from the sales by the factors before rendering the accounts on which our settlement was made. The freight alone amounted to about $2,300, paid principally to vessels owned in the New-England states. My friend [Mr. Meade] said that "in his opinion, for every dollar pocketed by the capitalist, about one cent goes into that of the laborer." Now, I beg leave to assure the gentleman and the House, that whatever may be the case in other branches of business, it will not apply to sugar planters in Louisiana; almost the very reverse is the fact, as I will show by a simple statement of facts. I am guardian to a minor who owns part of a sugar plantation in partnership It will be perceived by this stateme 1 that about twenty-five per cent. went to labor in Louisiana, and about seventy per cent. to labor in other states, over and above the freight and charges of the crop to market. It is true, that the season of 1851-52 was rather unprofitable; for, although the production was an average crop, the quality was inferior, and the prices low. Better results are anticipated from the crop of 1852. in Upon the subject of the agricultural prospects of Georgia, we find a paper the Savannah Republican which gives a very flattering view. The editor says: best adapted for irrigation. I have little doubt that forage crops could be made in water-meadows in this soil and climate more profitable than cotton. Five tons of hay would be a small crop to expect from a water-meadow. It would not cost five dollars a ton to cut and make it. You now, in Savannah, send to the North and pay thirty dollars a ton for it.'" A pretty general acquaintance in the greater part of Georgia, leads us to believe that her agricultural prospects are been. The State Agricultural Society, better at this time than they have ever "We had the pleasure, some days ago, the many similar associations in the of meeting an intelligent agriculturist several counties, the introduction of from the North, now on a tour through rail-roads, and the general spirit of imthe Southern States. He comes for the provement in all departments of induspurpose of informing himself of the con- try, have had a most beneficial infludition and prospects of southern agriculence. The lands in Georgia yield more ture, and not to meddle in any way with now than ever heretofore-not that they our institutions. A few years ago he are more productive, but on account of visited England and Europe for a simi- improved processes of culture which lar object. The subjoined extract of a tlement of the state, it was the custom have been introduced. In the early setprivate letter from Columbus to a friend in this city, embodies some of his im- of farmers to make the most they could pressions in regard to Western Georgia : out of their lands in the shortest possible "Though the soil of Western Geor- time, and when they were exhausted, to gia, to a northern man, observing super- this way, the lands were soon worn out, abandon them and go further west. In ficially, seems poor and unpromising, the stubble of the corn and other evidences and Georgia became an old-looking show it to be greatly productive, and state, before she had attained to her that the crops of the last year at least threescore years and ten. were heavy and profitable. The roads, A more judicious system, however, which have been almost impassable has been adopted within the past fif from the heavy rains early in January, teen years. The lands thus exhausted are now nearly dry, and cotton is moving and abandoned have been bought up in rapidly to market. At least two hundred large quantities by wealthy planters, wagons must have entered Columbus who have the means to rest and improve to-day. The country is evidently pros- them. While cultivating the richer pering and improving. Every where I lands, they devote much of their attenobserve a great deal of land being clear- tion to restoring the poorer descriptions ed and preparing for the coming sea- and thus, within the past few years, son. A great many new houses, stables, lands which were abandoned as worthand negro settlements are building, and less, have been made to yield abundant I have seen several new churches in crops. the woods. Extensive hill-side ditching and swamp draining is going on, and I have noticed guano in the returning cotton wagons. The country people with whom I have conversed, are the most busy, hopeful, and ambitious that I have seen at the South. In the mean time, other improvements have been made. More substantial and elegant country residences have been put up; churches and schools have been multiplied, and the comforts and conveniences of life have been increased. In times past, the farmer was content "There is one agricultural operation with any kind of a house, so it afforded that will, I think, eventually add much him shelter from the weather. to the wealth of Georgia, which seems there is a disposition in many parts of Now not yet to have been thought of. There the state to build up homesteads, in the are frequent water courses, and the English sense of the word. He has ceased sandy soil is exactly of the character to turn his face to the west, and has come Agricultural Prospects of Georgia-Sea Island Cotton. 509 to regard Georgia as his abiding place. as this country. The intelligent London The result of all this is, our people have correspondent of the National Intelligenbecome attached to the soil, and consequently they are now improving their farms, embellishing their homes, laying off pleasure grounds, planting orchards, and establishing homesteads to be handed down and kept in their families. Altogether, the prospects of the state are highly encouraging. Great as our advancement has been in material wealth, it has been at least equaled by the improvement which has been going on in the social and physical condition of the people. We spoke a good deal in our last number, of the position, history, and prosperity of Florida. The following, upon the subject of the culture of Sea Island Cotton there, may very well be appended :— The high price of long staple cotton, and the peculiar adaptation of the soil and climate of East Florida to its successful cultivation, are attracting the attention of the cotton-planters of the neigh boring states, and numbers are arriving on every steamer from Georgia, South Carolina and Alabama, in quest of cotton lands. No culture in the world can be more remunerative than that of the Sea Island on the rich hommocks of East Florida, at forty to fifty cents per pound, which is about the average price the cotton shipped from the St. John's the present season has brought in the Savannah and Charleston markets. It is calculated that Sea Island cotton ought to bring double the price of the short staple, to compensate for the great trouble of ginning and preparing it for market, and the less quantity produced per acre-so that when short staple brings ten cents, long staple ought to bring twenty cents, to be equally remunerative. But when short staple pays well at the present prices of nine to ten cents, the production of Sea Island must be "coining," when, instead of twice, it brings more than four times as much-or forty to forty-six cents per pound. cer remarks, that the "rapidly increasing consumption of this article in the United States, the improving condition of the social relations of Europe, and the augmenting wealth of Great Britain, and her Oriental and Australian empire, combine to indicate that consumption in the aggregate must continue to increase, and occasion serious considerations to all connected with the cotton trade, respecting the future supplies of the raw material. The Economist estimates the consumption of cotton for the year 1852, as follows: The stock of cotton in the ports of Great Britain, at the close of 1851, was 494,000 bales; it is expected to be considerably less at the close of the present year." But the vastly increasing demand for the long staple cotton, now used exclusively for all the finer fabrics, and the limited extent of territory on which the best quality can be successfully cultivated, will advance and maintain it at a much higher rate than the present. But even at present prices, this culture is immensely profitable, and will soon bring all our best lands in East Florida into cultivation. These lands are advancing in price as well on account of their intrinsic value as their limited extent. Their facility of access to the Charleston and Savannah markets add greatly to their value; the land carriage to the navigable waters of the St. John's, in no instance exceeds twenty miles, and for the greater portion is much less. The durability of the hommock lands of Alachua, Marion, Levy, Hernando, and Hillsborough counties, has been as well tested as their fertility, many of them having been for twenty or twenty-five years in successive cultivation, without exhibiting any appreciable falling off in There is no probability that cotton of their productiveness. The causes of this either description will be lower than at extraordinary fertility and durability of present for many years to come-on the contrary, there is every reason to believe, that the prices will range higher, and that the increased production can scarcely keep pace with the increasing demand. This is the general impression of far-seeing observers in Europe as well land, from whose appearance, as compared with soils of similar promise in less favored latitudes, such results would not be expected, it is not our present purpose to investigate; let it suffice that experience has fully established the facts, and these facts are much more im portant than any theories by which they might be explained. A bright prospect is opening before East Florida, and many years will not pass by before her increased wealth and population will astonish those who are unacquainted with the value and extent of her undeveloped resources. Her soil, her climate, the value of her productions and position constitute elements of prosperity eqalled by no state in the Union, and must in time produce their natural results. The following is the circular of the Southern Central Association of Georgia in regard to the convention proposed to be held in May next, at Montgomery. At a meeting called by the Execu tive Committee of the Southern Central Agricultural Association, in Macon, Ga., on the 21st of October, 1852, attended by a large number of the State Society of Georgia, and by delegates from Vir. ginia, S. Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, Tennessee and Louisiana, the following resolutions were adopted :— Resolved, That the members of the Agricultural Association of the Slaveholding States, to be organized as hereinafter recommended, be composed of such citizens of the same as, taking an interest in Agriculture, desire to become members thereof, and of Delegates from State and Local Agricultural Societies; and from States or parts of States. Resolved, That such persons as above designated, are recommended to convene at Montgomery, Ala, on the first Monday in May next, and to organize an Agricultural Association of the Slaveholding States, under such provisions as to them may appear best calculated to fulfil the purposes of their organization, which shall hold its meetings, in succession, in all the slave-holding states that may participate in the Association. Resolved, That a Committee of Correspondence, to consist of seven, be pointed to carry into effect the foregoing resolutions. ap Acting under the third resolution, the undersigned respectfully invite your attention, and solicit your co-operation and influence in promoting the great and important interests involved in the subjects which will engage the attention of the contemplated assemblage in Mont gomery. To us it is manifest that great advantages may reasonably be expected to re sult from periodical meetings of persons or representatives of persons cultivating the soil of the South and West, having a common interest in the Institutions, Productions, Commerce, Manufactures and Education of the Planting States. The chief objects of such an Associa tion, it is presumed, would be to improve our own agriculture, yielding peculiar productions through the agency of a nor mal labor, requiring a distinct economy, and dependent on a climate of its own: To develop the resources and unite and combine the energies of the Slaveholding States, so as to increase their wealth, power and dignity, as members of this Confederacy: To enlist and foster'those scientific pursuits which reveal to us the elements and character of our soils, instruct us in the presence of those magazines of fertilizers which Nature has with so bountiful and considerate a hand provided for the uses of the industrious and the enterprising; and search out the histories and habits of the insect tribes which destroy (it is believed) annually a fifth of our crops, and supply us with a knowledge of them which may enable us to guard against their future ravages: To promote the mechanic arts, directly and indirectly auxiliary to agriculture, and by a generous confidence and libe ral patronage, raise those engaged in them to a social position, always the just reward of intelligence, industry and good conduct: To direct, as far as may be done, public sentiment against the barriers which have been artfully raised to cut off our commercial intercourse with distant countries, save through such outlets as are supplied by Northern marts, exacting tribute upon what we produce and consume: To exert an influence in establishing a system of common school instruction which will make Christians as well as scholars of our children; which, in arming the rising generation with the instru ments of knowledge, will instruct them also in their proper uses; impressing upon them, from first to last, that (espe cially under our form of government) private worth constitutes the aggregate of public good, and that no one can disregard his duties to those around him without positive injury to himself. These constitute the main purposes for which we appeal to the individual Southern Central Association-History of the Cotton Gin. 511 and aggregate interests of the Slave- its long grated windows, as in the time holding States to meet us in an Agricultural Convention, in Montgomery, on the first Monday in May next. Your attendance is respectfully and earnestly requested. W. C. Daniel, De Kalb Co.; George R. Gilmer, Lexington; Thomas Stocks, Greensboro'; J. Hamilton Couper, Darien; James M. Chambers, Columbus; Asbury Hull, Athens; John P. King, Augusta. The following highly interesting communication from the Hon. Garnett Andrews presents some facts connected with the early history of the cotton gin in Georgia, that cannot fail to be interesting. Cotton having become of such vast importance, not only to the producers, but to the world, every thing relating to its history is of interest. Therefore, I am induced to give a little information I lately obtained in relation to the great staple. I rode, a few days since, six miles below this place, to see my old friend Thomas Talbot, and his kitchen and barn. Mr. Talbot is eighty-three years old, in full possession of his faculties, and is living where he settled sixty-two years ago. Whitney, the inventor of the cotton gin, settled a plantation adjoining him, on which he placed one of his gins, the first that was used in Wilkes county-perhaps the first in the state. He and his partner, Durkee, erected a gin house and a large cotton house-the latter to hold the cotton they expected to receive from customers to gin. The gin house was grated, so that visitors might look through and see the cotton flying from it without seeing the gin. He suffered women to go into the gin house to see the machinery, not apprehending that they could betray his secret to builders. Lyon, who lived some eight or ten miles above this place, by dressing himself in women's clothes, procured admittance, and came out and made his improvement, the saw gin. Mr. Talbot says that Billy McFerran, a little Irish blacksmith, who died a few years ago in this country, made the saws, the first that ever were made. Durkee, Whit ney's partner, being dissipated, and inattentive to business, sold out his place, and the gin and cotton house coming into the possession of Mr. Talbot, he moved them to this place. The former is now his kitchen, and still has of Whitney. The cotton house makes a large and commodious barn. Mr. Talbot says that Allison or Ellison, who had been connected with Whitney in business, told him that the latter got his first idea of the invention from a gin used to prepare rags for making paper, and which he saw on a wrecked vessel. On the place sold by Whitney, was erected, in 1811, a cotton factory, and, I presume, the first in the state. The prime mover in the enterprise was a Mr. Bolton, of Savannah, a merchant, who spent his summers then in Washington. Mr. Talbot had four shares. The factory had one hundred and sixty spindles, cost $1.700, and made fifty yards of cloth a day, which sold from fifty cents to one dollar per yard. The weaving was done by hand-loom weavers, who were obtained from Long Cane, in South Carclina. The factory proved an unprofita ble affair. In this connection, it may be interesting to say, that during the war of 1812, cotton was hauled from this country to Baltimore and Philadelphia, and the wagons loaded back again with goods. Wagoners are now living in the country who used to drive the teams engaged in this service. I cannot close this communication without a word about my aged and highly respectable friend, in his character of planter. Some of the land now in cultivation by Mr. Talbot, was old when three-fourths of Georgia was in the pos session of the Indians. Originally of a strong soil, as Wilkes county generally was, Mr.Talbot, by paying some attention to improvement, has not only preserved but much improved some of his old lands. But that to which I wish particularly to direct attention, is his regret that he had not commenced hill-side ditching long ago, before the creeks and branches had carried off the best of his soil. The walnut, locust and other shade trees in his yard, planted by his own hands, have the appearance of aged trees. His servants, some as old, or older than himself, with their generations of children, grandchildren, and I do not know how far to go in the great-grandchildren line, give to the white-headed citizen the appearance of a patriarch at the head of his tribe. He has had born on his place one hundred and nine children, but has kept no record of deaths. |