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revenue, and we are ready to admit another principle deducible from the first, that the Post Office ought to be supported entirely from its own incomes. With these two principles and with judicious legislation, we do not despair of arriving ultimately at the best results. By the Postmaster's (Mr. Johnson's) late Report, it would seem that the new system has worked badly, and does not promise for the future a sufficient ratio of improvement. There will be a falling off from the net revenue of the last fiscal year, $1,328,977, about 45 per cent. when the next accounts are made up, in July 1846; and for the following year the deficiency is estimated at $1,000,000. Mr. Johnson proposes a return, to some extent, to former principles; he would have the scale of postage range at 5, 10, and 15 cents, according to distance, on a single letter of a quarter of an ounce, until 1848, when the present system shall again go into operation.

In reference to the Postmaster's suggestions about returning to former rates on printed matter, and limiting the number of editors' exchanges, we, as a matter of course, from our connection with the press, entertain different opinions. It does appear to us, however, on principle, that the smallest possible tax ought to be imposed upon the daily bread" of mind: intelligence ought to travel with the winds, and with as little interruption.

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We had prepared notes for an elaborate article on the Post Office systems of the old and new world, and exceedingly regret that want of space on the present occasion restricts us to the meagre observations made. We shall however recur to the subject in ensuing num

pers.

Art. XII.-COMMERCIAL JURISPRUDENCE.

LAW IN LOUISIANA.

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THE theory and practice of law in Louisiana, are both peculiar to he State. We have the corner-stone of Roman jurisprudence, upon which is built our temple of Themis. Lord Holt observed, "that the aws of all nations are doubtless raised out of the civil law; and ve take them as they are, with no pretended improvement of ours, save that which the advanced age of the world requires. Of all sciences, law is the most progressive; but reason is immutable, and the ivil law is based entirely upon it. There is little need, therefore, of hange in principle. Pothier, the perspicuous expounder of Roman aw, is as high authority at Westminster Hall as in Louisiana; and, lisguise the fact as much as they may, who think the common law he gathered wisdom of a thousand years, the civilians were a thouand years in advance of them, and gave the light which they arrogantly assume to themselves. The beautiful proportions of our sysem must strike the observer with feelings not dissimilar to those proluced by Rome's great church. There is a symmetry about it that he piecemeal monument of common law does not present.

We would raise the noble science of the law still higher than it now s, either in England or America; and we believe this may be done y proper means. Universities for the education of students in the

SOUTHERN AND WESTERN STATISTICS.

73

profession, such as the new Constitution of this State provides for, will do much to give it character at home and abroad.*

We think that our code is more nearly perfect than any other known system of law; but still our legislators have an arduous duty to perform in lopping off from it some of its excrescences. We can exalt our work to a loftier pinnacle, and the law department of the university about to be established will do it. But we do not make this essay without object. We believe that many of our distant readers feel a deep interest in our laws, from obvious reasons-their nature, extent and operation-and we purpose giving a succinct view of them in our succeeding numbers

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SOUTHERN AND WESTERN STATISTICS, COMMERCE, AGRICULTURE, &c.

1.-AGRICULTURE OF THE SOUTH AND SOUTH-WEST.

COTTON. It is now discovered that the crop will exceed in amount the low estimates which were indulged in certain portions of the country. For this reason, and in consequence of the panic in relation to railroad schemes and breadstuffs in Europe, heavy markets and low prices may result. Such a state of things would greatly discourage our planters who have been anxiously looking for a return of former prosperity. The great cry for the last few years of over-production has been ringing in their ears, and the Convention at Memphis, in an able report, endorsed it, and recommended a scheme of reduction. In answer to a similar recommendation, we have before us a paper from the State Agricultural Society of South Carolina, embodying views widely at variance with those of the Convention. Without pretending to give any opinion upon the subject, where such great authorities disagree, we will make a few extracts from the paper:

"Your committee are fully convinced that there is not now, as is supposed, an over-production of cotton; for there cannot be an over-production of an article which is annually consumed. That this is the case with cotton, appears from the

statistical table.

"The situation of distress in which we have been, and possibly still are, is not the result of over-production. It resulted from the visionary speculations of great financial and commercial schemes. Many indulged in fancies, illusory as the South Sea scheme, and to the full as impossible as the discovery of the famous El Dorado. Such men gave to everything a fancied value, which increased as their imaginations expanded-credit was unnaturally extended, until debt exceeded every possible means of payment. Hence the revulsion of 1837 and 1838, and the prostration of much real but more fancied wealth.

"At the present moment, we are recovering from that by natural and proper means. Our cotton, at low prices, is paying annually our debts, and compelling us to reduce our luxuries and to pursue a just economy. The currency is gradually expanding, through the operations of our well-regulated banks, so as to meet the wants of the people; and had it not been for the unprecedented drought and consequent loss of crops, wherewith it has pleased God to visit us, we should in the next year have reached a point of comparative safety and ease from the past pressure.

"The extension of the production of cotton is met by a correspondent demand. Nearly one-half of the population of Europe, especially France and Germany, have not now the comfort of a cotton shirt or cotton jacket. It has, therefore, this field as an untried market, but one which is every day opening more and more to our enterprise. To this must be added, that perseverance on our part will drive all

An University shall be established in the city of New Orleans. It shall be composed of four Faculties, to wit: one of Law, one of Natural Sciences, and one of Letters. It shall be called the "University of Louisiana," and the Medical College of Louisiana, as at present organized, shall constitute the Faculty of Medicine. Arts. 137, 138.

competitors from the field; and when they turn their attention to some other branch of business, they must be common customers. Our American cotton, and very probably our American manufactures are, in time, and that a very short one, to be used by every civilized inhabitant, and also many a savage one of the world. "But if the production of cotton in the North American Stats were reduced onehalf, the amount of misery which it would cause can hardly be realized. The cotton planter supports millions of human beings, and clothes hundreds of millions more. Let him extend his philanthropic labors, he will be benefited by them, and countless thousands will call him blessed. At this time, every indication points to an increase of price, such as the opening of the Chinese trade, the general soundness of the currency, abundance of the poor in England, the possible repeal of the duty on raw cotton in every country, arising from competition among the manufacturers, and the unprecedented demand for machinery in England, on the Continent, and in this country.

"If, however, the cotton crop is to be given up one-half, to what else can the planter of the South so profitably turn his attention? To grain? He already, in ordinary years, produces twice as much as the Middle States, and about one-eighth more than the West. In Indian corn alone, the produce of the South, by her last census, was 300,000,000 bushels. If the planter of cotton is engaged in an unprofitable business, much more is the grain raiser. The interest on capital invested in agriculture at the North is less than three per cent.; here it is about four per cent. That the rice and tobacco culture might be profitably extended in this State, and will be in the South-west and Texas, is true. Millions of acres in South Carolina, including the lower country, are admirably adapted to the raising of rich grasses. This might be added as another branch of industry, from which reasonable profits could be realized, and might very well be added to the cotton planter's income. The business of tanning, and the manufacture of leather, might be, and ought to be enlarged. In this State, all the means of a successful pursuit of this branch of industry are at hand, and within the reach of everyone. Hides, lime, bark, and mechanics (slaves) are abundant. A few years ago, the capital engaged in this branch of industry in Massachusetts was $14,000,000, while that of cotton was $13,000,000, and wool less than $11,000,000.

"Another great inducement to South Carolina to persevere in the cultivation of cotton (where, in reference to quantity, it can be advantageously grown) is, that it is now highly probable that very many planters in Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas, will in future direct their attention to tobacco and sugar. Their lands are well adapted to these productions, and the reduction of the duty on American sugar in Great Britain, is one strong reason why the culture should be extended. "For these reasons, your committee disapprove of any scheme which would have a tendency materially to abridge the quantity of cotton produced. Indeed, they trust that it will continue to increase, and carry its blessings, as it were, on the wings of the wind, until every inhabitant shall fully realize the benefit of cotton fabrics for all the purposes to which wool, flax, silk and hemp have been heretofore devoted. W. B. SEABROOK, JOHN BELTON O'NEALL."

The following tables were annexed by the committee to their report:

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Import and Consumption of Cotton in Europe, reduced to Bales of 300 pounds each.

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From the above it appears, that in 1811, the imports exceeded the consumption 75,984; 1842-54,340; 1843-295,000; 1844-69,374.

1841.

777,610...

DEFENSE OF THE GULF OF MEXICO.

Stock 1st of January.

1843.

1844.

926,102........ 1,239,000.

.......

1845.

1,321,726

1842. 863,421. Importation.-It will be seen (says the circular) that there is a decrease from the United States of about 200,000 bags, and from Egypt of 60,000 bags, while from the East Indies, there is an increase of 55,000 bags, and a trifle from the Brazils, which leaves, on the aggregate, a deficiency of about 200,000 bags; but the excess in the stocks at the beginning of the year, made up the aggregate supply fully to what it was in the previous year.

The above is extracted from the circular of Coleman & Stotterfoght, dated Liverpool, 31st January, 1845.

2.-AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS OF LOUISIANA.

The Chamber of Commerce, of New Orleans, have lately presented to the General Government an elaborate paper, showing the resources, the products, the wants, We have read the paper with much pleasure and the necessities of Louisiana.

and instruction. The Chamber informs us that

"The agricultural productions of Louisiana may be considered as confined to cotton, sugar, molasses, and rice; the latter, however, to a limited extent, and far short of what is required for consumption. Corn and hay are raised on the plantations for their own consumption, and some of the former even for sale, but to so small an extent as not to be worthy of note. The quantity of both grown in the State is far from being a full supply for local consumption, and large quantities from other States are annually consigned and sold here. The same in regard to potatoes, peas, beans, onions, &c. Other grain than corn is not cultivated in the State."

The cotton crop of the State is estimated at about 350,000 bags of 400 pounds each-varying however with the season.

The amount of sugar produced for the last five years reached 685,000 hhds., of 1,000 pounds each, being an average of 137,000 hhds. a year. For every hogshead of sugar, the yield of molasses is about 50 gallons.

Horses, mules, hogs, and provisions sufficient for consumption are not raised in this State, except to a small extent in the western districts. Louisiana is dependent upon the West for all her bacon, pork and butcher's meat, all breadstuffs and grain, and horse and cattle feed. The amount of hay from the East and West received annually, is about 60,000 bales.

3.-MILITARY AND NAVAL DEFENSES OF THE GULF OF MEXICO.

In March last, Maj. Wm. H. Chase, United States Engineer, published a memorial in relation to this important subject, and although his suggestions were thought to be on too extensive a scale for the wants and resources of the country, his remarks are deserving of serious attention. We would recommend the memorial, from the great ability with which it is drawn up, to general perusal, and at the same time would call attention to the admirable paper of Lieut. Maury, on a similar subject, first published in the Southern Quarterly Review, and lately republished in the Southern Literary Messenger. Mr. Chase says:

"The military defense of the Gulf coast within our limits commenced when Mr. Calhoun was Secretary of War, and urged forward by that distinguished statesman, has not been disregarded by the Government, especially since the present able Chief Engineer has been its military adviser. The approaches to New Orleans and Mobile have been occupied by strong works. The naval position at Pensacola is already surrounded with fortifications, the completion of which rests with a small redoubt in the progress of construction."

We give the following other extracts from the body of his memorial:

"Considering that war steamers would enter largely, if not exclusively, into our naval forces in the Gulf of Mexico, it is important that convenient depot for coal should be established. Deposits of coal could be made at Bahia Honda and at Key West. At Tortugas a three years' supply for thirty steamers coul be constantly maintained. A position for a coal depot at some point on the west ern coast of Florida is certainly necessary. Tampa Bay would probably affor the requisite depth of water for heavy steamers, and convenient sites for the depo and its defense. Thus held, it would also give protection to vessels seeking re

77

uge from an enemy. A coal depot would be established at Pensacola, and at Mobile Point, under the protection of Fort Morgan. Another depot for coal would afford great facilities to steam operations if established at Ship Island. A strong battery, but not costly, would protect the harbor. This depot would be easier of access than the one at Fort Jackson on the Mississippi, and would afford supplies not only to the light steamers cruising along the coast, but to those of the heaviest class. A depot at Fort Jackson would be necessary to enable the steamers descending from Memphis to take in a full supply of coals before proceeding to sea.

"It is in place here to exhibit a statement near the truth of the cost of the public works, military and naval, already completed within the Gulf of Mexico, and those necessary to be executed:

At Fort Livingston (may be completed in one year),.

Jackson (in course of repairs),

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St. Phillip,

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$300,000

700,000

51,000

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Dupré,.
Pike,

Wood,.

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Morgan (in course of repairs),

Pickens,.

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Probable amount expended at Navy Yard, Pensacola,.
Sundry additions and improvements, exclusive of docks,..

For three Dry Docks,.

Total for Pensacola,

A Dry Dock at Key West is indispensable,..

Store-houses in connection therewith,.

Two floating docks of some description must be arranged for Tortugas,
say of iron,....

Store-houses in addition to what may be afforded by the works..
Establishment at Memphis,

Total of naval fixtures indispensable and necessary to be accom-
plished as soon as possible,.

To which add, in time of war, 30 steamers of war of 2,500 tons burden, built at S. Louis, Cincinnati, Memphis, New Orleans, and Pensacola, roughly but of great strength and speed, completely armed and equipped, at $100,000 each..

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120 000

25,000 400,000

410,000

1,100 000

740 000

335.000

334.000

150.000

$4,564,000

$ 600,000 1,000,000 2100,000

$3,700,000

$500,000

200 000

300.000

500.000

1,000,000

$6 200 000

12 000,000

$18 200 000

1 500,000 1,500,000 200,000

Grand total of military means necessary to be applied,.

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Grand total of naval means, of which $12,000,000 are for a movable force, and belongs as much to the Atlantic coast as to the Gulf,

Total of naval means already applied,...

Grand total for Gulf defense, part of which can be applied directly to the protection of the Atlantic coast, while the whole acts indirectly in accomplishing the object,.....

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"This large sum (though not too large for the interests to be protected) would be applied to more than one half the surface and population of the United States,

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