The Southern museum. (Macon, Ga.) 1848-1850, December 16, 1848, Image 2

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EniTED A>D FCiLISHCP WKEKI.V, BY IJ7LL/.1.7A It. II.IRHIXfI.Y. [rOR TRE SOUTHF.RR MUSEUM } Fleming In Hie (ouuirj. There is a mystery in all nature, From humblest flower to tile towering oafcy From gentlest breezes to tire sweeping gale; And blessed is lie whose mind is eapable Os solving even the smallest part ol it. There are periods in iny experience, When left alone amongst the forest trees In morning’s rosy hour, or evening s dim But pleasing time, I have more company, And sweeter converse and companionship, And purer lessons of instruction reap, Than if surrounded by the flippant crowd Os youthful chatt’rers, or the senseless jaw Os babbling politicians, whose delight And merit is to study ignorance : To prate of things as foreign to their mind’s Conception, as tlie great Pacific s shores Are from the Deuru, in Ilispania’s cliine. To rise at dawn, when nature’s thankful hymn Os praise to God for his preserving care, Is chanted by a host of joyful birds Os every species and of every size, From the cawing jackdaw to the sparrow, It throws a pleasantness about my path, That rivals all description from my pen. The cock, the faithful watchman on the tower, First lifts iris warning voice to echo round That day is coming o’er the Eastern hills— And threatens, if we dare delay an hour, Aurora’s smile will meet us unprepared To answer it with smiles becomingly. And, true enough, the canopy o’erhead, Which, but an hour before, with jewels shone As brightly as their distance would permit,— Becomes a little shaded ; o’er its face The fast appearing day lias thrown a veil, Os pure, transparent white, at first, so thin As merely to diminish in the sky The stars of lesser magnitude, hut soon The second vail is placed upon their forms ; And now, just here and there, a planet hold Defies thu meshes of the covering, and Still ventures to assist us with its light. The moon, meanwhile, lias transfer’d all her rays Back to the orb from whence she borrow’d them, And with a meek, contented countenance, falls Into obscurity, her menial worth Acknowledging, by calmly stepping off, When Sol, the undisputed emperor, Mounts on the platform of the peerless sky. And now the feathered legions of the woods Are up, each one assigned a station, where He may assist the service of the morn The forest flowers, wet by the dews of night, Put on their sweetest smiles, and lifting forth Their varied hues, bend to and fro their heads, Ready to join the rest of nature’s choir In the first hymn of joy and thankfulness. The trees awake from slumber, and the shrubs Shake off the drops collected in the night. The insects, also, Ije prepared to raise Their meed in harmony with the great song. While every atom of creation stands Thus ready to begin their welcome praise : The glitt’riug splendor of the sun appears; And ere the horizon has yielded half II is form, the grateful incense meets him there. The birds pour forth their sweetest melody— One great harmonious strain is echoed forth, From sweetest tenor to the loudest bass— And western zephyrs bow the reverend trees. What teaches this, oh man of thankless mind, To thee of duty and of self-regard ? If birds and beasts, far less endowed by God With goodness from his mercy’s bounteous store; If flowers inert, and trees inanimate, Conspire to praise their great Creator’s name : What should’stt/(o« do, for whom was everything Designed, forever thine; and thou wert formed In likeness even of tlie living God. And yet, unthinking man ! the morn, the noon Escape, the evening twilight settles thick, And thou dost yield thyself to slumber’s arms, And wilt not bend the knee or bow the heart, Nor even presume to make acknowledgement, As if thou didst not think that there doth live Sucli being in infinity as God ! Beware ! hell epeneth to receive thee, and The yawning vengeance of its quenchless fires Will teach thee, then alas ! too late to learn For good, that God’s existence is not vain ! W. V. 11. From the South Carolinian. Good Advice to Cotton Planters-- A Propose* Convention. Mr. Editor —The question is frequent ly asked, can we afford to raise cotton at live cents perpound ? I answer that in S. Carolina we cannot—the thing is impossi ble. To prove the truth of what I say, 1 submit below a comparative statement of the income, expenses, and loss for this year (1848) ot what I conceive to he a well conducted and economical plantation in this State. I will take occasion to remark here that the land is inferior to none in point of productiveness for cotton, and that the yield’per hand is far above the average for the whole State. On this place, grain and provision of all kinds has been raised in sutheient abundance to supply its wants, but nothing for sale. The negro clo thing too, for winter use, has also been manufactured for the place, but not the summer, for the simple reason that it was thought more economical to buy at the present low prices. I call the attention of my brother planters, especially of South Carolina and Georgia, to the comparison; and ask, in all candor, if there is anything extravagant in the expenses, and if the in come is not above the average. This place contains in round numbers 550 acres, part of whieh, only four years ago, cost twenty-five dollars portiere, and 111 is on it forty negroes, twenty of whom Ire able bodied field hands, tlie test aged, and children,unable to work out. Now,if we estimate the negroes at three hundred dollars round, and the land at the mode rate sum of twelve dollars per acre, with the stock and plantation utensils, the in vestment will amount to at least $20,000, which sum, at legal interest, would afford the nett income of fourteen hundred dol lars—a sum far greater than is now yield ed by cotton planting, as the annexed com parison will show. Income for 1846. Bales of cotton raised, 120; weight, 350 each, 42500 lbs. ats cts pr.ll>.s2loo Births of young negroes 2, at SIOO each, 200 Whole income $2,300 Expenses and Loss for 1848. Wages of Overseer S3OO 00 Blacksmith acct., iron included 35 00 Medicine and medical attendance 30 00 Bagging, rope and twine lor 120 bales of cotton, 150 00 Blankets, 30 in number, at $1 12| each 33 75 Shoes 25 pairs, at $1 25 per pair 31 25 Cotton Osnaburgs, 300 yards at 8 cents per yard 24 00 Taxes, (State, poor and bridge,) say 30 00 Salt, 6 sacks, at $2 each 12 00 Nails, 100 lbs. at 5 cents per lb. 500 Hoes, 1 dozen 4 50 Sugar and coffee for sick, 75 lbs. at 10 cents per lb. 7 50 Annual wear and tear of land, say 5 per cent, upon estimated val ue. (G,600) 330 00 Contingencies, such as restocking the place with mules, wear and tear of wagons, See. 200 00 Cost of transporting 120 hales cot ton to market, at 75 cents prbale 90 00 Loss by death of old negro, say 100 00 Wholeexpenses and loss for’4B $1,383 00 If this latter sum be deducted from the income, wo have a balance of $917 as clear profit upon an investment of $20,- 000, or a fraction over 4j per cent. Out of this my own labor and trouble must be paid for, and my wife and children sup ported. If, for these nurposes, we allow four hundred and seventeen dollars, the income will be SSOO clear, or 2$ per ct. on the investment. Verily, we have fall en upon prosperous times, and are en gaged in a most profitable business ! 1 would sooner pick up chips for a living or even be an editor. Your own experience will tell you, Mr, Editor, that the above is the most favora ble statement as regards produce raided a».J loss incurred. It is far more favo-a ble than usually occurs to me. For last year, on the same place, I raised hut 101 hales of cotton, and lost three valuable ne groes by pneumonia. Then, again, the average of six bales to the hand is most unusual, exceeding, 1 believe, by 30 per cent. the general average of the State.— We all know if a planter does not make over 10 per cent, clear of all plantation ex penses, he is driving a poor, very poor business. Nothing less will pay for his his trouble and cover the risk of loss by death of negroes. Now, Mr. Editor, something must he done, and done speedily, else universal ruin will sweep like a hurricane over the land. What shall it he ? One says change your investment. Another says diversify your productions ; plant less cotton ; more corn ; raise your own stock, and keep out of debt. Good advice excellent! But can we follow the first portion at this time? I think not; because, forsooth, the de pressed price of our great staple, with the deranged s'ate of the finances of the woild, precludes ihe possibility of chang ing the investment, but at a ruinous sacri fice. The second can he followed, and should he at once. Every planter should determine for himself, without reference to his neighbor or neighborhood, to cur tail his crop one-third or one-half, and then the reduction in the amount planted will tell severely upon the amount of the next crop, and the price also. If the crop of next year could he reduced to 1,500,- 000 bales, does any doubt that the price would rise to 15, perhaps 20 cents per pound ? There is in political economy no propo sition, as a general rule, more true than that a deficiency in an article of general consumption increases its price in ratio greater than the deficiency, and Ihe reverse. The latter part of this proposition has been fully illustrated by the effects of the crops of 1547 and 1848, and the former by that of ’45 and ’46. It is familiar to us all that, in the winter of forty-six and seven, a de ficiency in the crops of the latter year of one fourth doubled the price, or raised it from five a six to lea and twelve cents. — And such will ever be the case, save when some great political outbreak, like the present in Europe, shall shake to their foundations the governments of the Old World uprooting and destroying the time-honored but corrupt social, and, I might say, commercial systems of each. 1 fear, Mi-. Editor, that I weary you by the length of this communication, but the deep interest I have, and we all have, iti this matter, must be my apology for the tiespess on your patience. It is certain that unless we at once curtail our crops, we are ruined beyond redemption. I say again, let every man determine for him self that it shall he done, and it will be done; the thing will then he universal, arid we will next year reap the reward of our good resolutions in full pockets of shi ning dollars, and a plenteous abundance of every necessary of life around us. Let no one he selfish, enough to say that the crop planted will be small, and next year the price will he high; therefore / will be wise as a serpent , score in the seed and make my Jack. Such an individual should remem- ber that others are as selfish as himself, and will reason in the same wry, and con sequently the production will be heavy, and the price small. Admitting, Mr. Ed itor, that every man acts upon the resolu tion, and the price next year is a compen sating one, will not our own greediness for gain induce us to forget the effects of the curtailment in the produciion—plant largely another year, and produce the same disastrous effects that we are now feeling? 1 fear so. To provide against this state of things, I would respectfully suggest that the Legislatures of all the cot ton growing Staics impose a heavy tax, say of ten dollars per acre, upon every acre here etftcr planted to the task hand over and above Jive or six. This suggestion I know may provoke a smile upon the countenance of many. I myself have doubts of its prac ticability—the practicability of i’s adop tion, not of its opera*ion. ]f your col umns will be open forme, L will endeavor, at my leisure, to point out its advantages. It has merit, and great merit. In the meantime, Mr. Editor, I insist that we poor cotton planters hold a con vention to interchange opinions, discuss and mature some plans of relief. The manufacturers,stockholders and silk glow ers, have their cotiven ions, and why not the cotton planters? If so humble an in dividual as myself he allowed to suggest the time and place, 1 would say Thursday, Ist February, 1849, and Columbus, Geor gia, the place. I select tlie time as a lei sure one, and by time developements will be made as to the fu’ure condi ion of Eu rope, upon which we shall be able to act advisedly, &c. The place, because of its central position, the beauty of its loca tion, and tlie known hospitality of the Georgians. lam sure, Mr. Editor, you will help us in this matter. Your own deep interest in the agricultural welfare of the South will prompt you to keep the hall rolling. Call upon our Georgia neigh bors—upon Alabama, Mississippi, Louis iana, and every State that raises a stalk of the staple, to come up and toe the mark. Ask the editors of newspapers to exert themselves in the good cause, and we will succeed. If no other goes from South Carolina I will be there, if 1 have to ride a mule, provided anv one will meet me. A COTTON PLANTER. MACON, G A . SATURDAY MORNING, DEC. Hi, lf<46. J. I’. Robinson, nnd J K. Har mon, are authorized to receive subscriptions fur tlie Southern Museum, in any of the South Western Counties of Georgia. IEP We design, in the publication of our pa per, to encourage domestic talent, and wo should be highly pleased to see those of our friends who can possibly do so, favor ns with an article or two. We desire to make the Museum interesting to all classes, and therefore wish our correspondents to have their offerings of varied characters, “From grave to gay, from lively to severe.” Qj’Wo forward the present number of the Southern Museum to several of our friends, with a view of obtaining for it their support. Wc disclaim, however, any desire of forcing the paper upon any, therefore, whilst we shall be thankful for any patronage which may he extend ed to us, we respectfully request those who are unwilling to aid us in the enterprise, to notify us of the fact by returning the paper to this office; otherwise their names will be entered upon our subscription list. To Advertisers. —The arrangements now making to extend the circulation of our paper in this city and the surrounding country, already warrant the filling up of our advertising co lumns. The success of our enterprise has far exceeded our most sanguine expectations, and, in the first two weeks of its existence, our edi tion is as large as we contemplated publishing in the first volume. This is cheering to us, and we need but the aid of the advertising public, to make our paper of more interest to the mass of the people, and to improve its size and appear ance. No pains shall he spared on our part to render all of our patrons an abundant return for their support. We do not wish the public to judge of the Mis Ki'M from the published issues —there are many leading features which we have, as yet, been unable to present to our read ers, by which we expect to enhance the value of our paper. Nor have we been furnished with an exchange list, to make our selections, which together with other circumstances, needless now to mention, have prevented a variety in the news department. In order to make these additions, it is desirable that we he aided by the mercantile class. Still, we do not beg for their patronage ; we are confident that the pub licity given to their advertisements will amply justify the expense, and we think that our mer chants need but the knowledge oftheir interests, to act in accordance with them. Thanksgiving Dav. — liis Excellency Gov. Towns, has issued a proclamation appointing Monday, the 25th inst., as a day of Thanksgiv ing and Prayer. The anniversary of the Birth of the Savior could not be better observed, than by a general tribute of gratitude to the Giver of every good and perfect gift. (HpIInNHY Clay and Lewis Cass will, it is said, be elected to the U. S. Senate. The elec tion in Kentucky will be held early in January. The Legislature of Michigan must, by' law, elect a Senator in ten days after their meeting, unless they postpone the election by joint resolution. Mr. Allen is also expected to he re-elected, the House of the Ohio Legislature should be a. hie to organize. The State of Missouri is about to construct a levee along the west bank of the Mississippi) from New Madrid to the State line of Arkansas, dista nee of 54 miles. Tlie Influence of Woman. It was an auspicious era, in the world's histo ry, when female intellect was delivered from the bonds of ignorance, and declared suscepti ble of cultivation, and upon an equality in natu ral endowments with the mind of man. Many illustrious men, have been of the opinion that, as the “weaker vessel,” woman was designed to be inferior in intellectual powers—to be the servant, rather than the equal. However ho nest these may have been in their belief, and however strenuously they may have advocated* and endeavored to prove the truth of the asser tion, the history of modern times, the expe rience of our own age, most clearly furnish un deniable evidence to the contrary. Although it has been, comparatively, but a few years since a female education was considered essential, there are a host of witnesses, who have distin guished themselves in every department of Lit erature, and in every exercise of the mental abilities, 1o offer their testimony in behalf of woman’s right to a thorough and practical edu cation. In the list of American women, we could point to many, whose depth of thought, beautiful imagination, and refinement of expres sion, at least compete with, if they do not excel, the most extraordinary efforts of masculine wri ters. Nor is the proof of this equality alone depend, ant upon experiment. The Holy Scriptures, in recording the creation of Man, give tlie strong est argument, and in the most explicit terms.— As remarked by a learned writer, woman was not taken from the head of man, that she might become his superior—nor from his feet, that she might be his inferior—hut from his side, thus indicating her perfect equality; not the ruler, nor the subject, but the participant in the joys or the sorrows of our race. The social state has placed her to preside over affairs around the domestic hearth—distasteful to the natural capacities of man —where the harmony and peace of the family are especial objects of her guardianship. But this is not all; the earliest impressions upon the human mind, the first tutoring of the world is confided to her. She is to plant the seeds of virtue or vice—of in dustry or idleness—in the soul of the infant. The new-born mind, fresh from the hand of its Creator, spotless and pure, is to dawn beneath the genial rays of a mother's piety, or to he seared and blighted by her negligence, and vi cious example. She is to stereotype upon the yielding suffice, lessons of reverence and god liness : to write upon its first pages with tlie pen ofholiness, a record of its obligations to its creator, and its future blessed immortality—or feed the sinful evidences of its fallen nature, and to nurture, for a fuller and more distant de velopement, its proticness to evil. How important, then, if these responsible situations are to he filled by woman, that she should be educated—fitted and prepared for them ! By educat on we do not mean every thing that is generally classed under that head, by no means. The spirit of imposition, by which no profession or vocation is uninjured, has devised systems and brandies, which it wi re far better if they remain unlearned.— Nor do we allude to the most popular method ol education, combining, as it does, much that is useless, with a very small portion of available knowledge. It is the education of the heart, and the corresponding enlightment of the miff’d, with pure, pract cal, and necessary information. It i« that education which is calculated to in struct them in the objects of their creation; in the duties and tlie obligations of the station which the foresight of Infinite Justice lias as signed them ; and the means by which they may act in unison with the designs of the Eternal; promote the enjoyment of their own privileges and comforts, and contribute to the happiness of others. These arc things not to he learned in a day.— Nor are they to he found in the resorts of fash ionable seekers of amusement, nor among the gay and the trifling—nor yet in the institutions of outward accomplishments and superficial in struction. All these are most eminent means of disqualifying woman for the duties naturally im posed upon her, and change her destiny from being the most potent power to impart gaud, to an evil destroyer, scattering abroad with a reck less hand, the germs of vice, whose fruit can alone he fully recognised in eternity. Woman is not only the equal of man—his companion and help-mate—and the'being to whom the first impressions of infancy are confi ded—but also the preserver of the union and the harmony of society. She it is, whose approba tion can nerve to fire the spirit of the coldest temperament; whose frown will dispirit the most ardent ambition; » hose pleading tear will melt the ice-clad heart, and draw from the close embrace of a frigid nature, the warmest and most sympathetic sentiments. She is the ruler of mankind—if riot by holding the reins of polit ical government, nor by pre-eminence in evan gelical and sectarian power,—still, she governs, bv the most potent of all sceptres —moral sua sion. Her power in controlling man is almost unlimited ; and while, as a general rule, she is inclined to he mild and generous, she can be woise than tyrannical—for her dominion is such, that none will fail to acknowledge it, and few will venture to disregard it. In view of these facts, they who are to occu py this all-important position, have no time to spend upon whimsical and temporary accom plishments, and shallow, imperfect, and unne cessary systems of instruction. So great an end must be difficult of attainment—and yet, unless it be arrived at, the design of the Almighty has not been carried out, and woman is perverted from the most perfect creation of Deity, and the most powerful means of instilling virtue, into a vain, foolish and degraded creature. In short, theonly study of woman should he —herself! A theme sufficiently complicated to admit of the most profound research, and contin ued investigation—and important enough to de maud the whole of her leisure time and atten tion. It is not necessary, nay, it is utterly su perfluous, to crowd her mind with the Litera ture of obsolete ages, and with theoretical fan tasies of speculative brains. She is nut to fulfil her duties by theory, but by everyday practice ; why then, withhold from her a tangible, useful education ? She is never to roam over the fields and converse with the inhabitants of the planets or stars —why, then, consume her time with the relation of pure speculations, and imaginary truths, when she lias to acquire so much, which she must either use in her daily life, or feel her unpardonable deficiency ? Why instruct her in the polish ofan education, while she is ignorant of its elements ? Why teach her to execute the most beautiful pieces of elegant embroidery', and at the same time leave her unknown to the most simple lesson of domestic duly ? Why teach her to mimic the tawdry colors and motions of the butterfly, and suffer her to remain untaught in the objects and end of her creation ? These are solemn enquiries—we feel them to he such—and we address them to those who have charge of the female mind ; and most ear nestly recommend a more universal attention to the practical education ofyoung wnmun. They are to be wives, practically—mothers, practi cally—guardians ofyoung intellects, practically: and should they not be aware of these facts, and, by a practical, tangible, and available educa tion, prepared for the discharge of these respon sible duties ? The President’s Message. —This public document was received by last Saturday’s mail In accordance with our previously expressed intention,we do not insert it in our paper—more particularly because its extreme length renders it inadmissible. Asa matter of record, nnd for the benefit of those who have no disposition to read twelve columns oftlie Museum in one con tinuous article, we liavg prepared a brief detail of the President’s recommendations, and the substance of his statements. The Message opens, as it is proper and just that it should, with thanksgiving to the Al mighty, for the many and boundless blessings bestowed upon us during the pust year. It nexts alludes to the Mexican War, its pro secution, and tlie peace concluded between the contending parties. One ts the most important events oftlie War—says the Message, in sub stance—lias been the vindication of our capabil ities to carry on a foreign war with success, and the value of our republican method of raising ar mies—from the citizen soldiery. An erroneous opinion, entertained by various European gov ernments, lias here been refuted—viz : that the people of the United States could only wage a war of defence; that they lost their bravery and efficiency, when attempting the offensive. It has also, by this, and other evidences of our military and civil greatness, j laced us in a more commanding and enviable position than tve have hitherto occupied—besides the addition of a la ge area of territory' to our possessions. By the annexation of Texas, and the recent Treaty, we have acquired—together with the settlement of the Oregon question—l,l93,o6l square miles, or 763,559,040 acres. This esti mate exceeds half of the size of the Union be fore this acquisition. The area of the United States, including these territories, is 3,252,574 square miles. Tlie President recommends the immediate creation of territorial governments—and a satis factory settlement of the slavery agitation. According to official information, large mines of gold have been discovered within the limits of the conquered territory—as also a most pro ductive mine of quicksilver. A geological and tnineralogical survey of New Mexico and California is considered necessary. The apprehensions entertained by our states mt n that our power would he crushed by increa sing territorial limits, have been dissipated by experience. The Tariff of 1846 has increased the public revenue. The constitutional treasury has been success ful in its operation. If the appropriations made by Congress shall I not exceed the amount estimated, the means in the Treasury will defray the expenses of the government; pay oft'the next instalment of 3,- 000,000 to Mexico, and leave a large surplus—• If the appropriations are increased, the payment of the debt will lie postponed. The Executive then goes into a long history of the American System ; its inappropriateness and utter hostility, as he believes, to republican institutions; the importance of the present un restricted use of the Veto—and closes with a summary of the measures which have been car ried out during his administration. We have glanced hastily at the Message, and in some instances we copy its language in the above paragraphs, and iri others express its sentiments. Os course, we are net to tell our view of the President’s arguments—therefore we neither condemn or approve them—that is of an enlighted public. The Times. —According to everybody ’s opin ion now-a-davs, “the times” cannot he other, wise than dull. Cotton low, money scarce, and growing “beautifully less.” Now, one of the best preventives for hard times is prettily ea sily obtained. Mind your own business ; never go in debt ; try to tel! the truth, and work hard, and our word for it, you’ll never know anything about “hard times.” Imagination is a great thing—and when one has nothing else to do hut to imagine himself at the point of starvation, why, troubles and crosses will be as plentiful a s blackberries. Let every one fancy himself get' ting rich, and whether it be true or not, is matter of no consequence. Keep your mind less on making money, and you will make more of it, and what is better, cankering care won’ 1 dig into your face, and you’ll have more real, so lid happiness. That is what you seek for. Connubial Bliss. —The Point. Coupee Echo, of the 25th ult., announces the marriage at Baton Rouge, ofCol. Bliss, to Miss Bkttv Taylor, daughter of the President elect. (£j"Land Warrants were recently selling at Washington City for $16!). In New York the selling'price is sllO. Brokers give $lO7, wilt a fair demand. (EFTlie U. S.store ship Fredonia, sailed from New York for California, on the 7th inst. Cotton Planters’ Convention. We direct the careful attention of the reader to tlie article over the signature of “A Cotton Planter,’’ in to-day’s paper. It is a plain, sim. pie, and substantially correct statement of the “profitable business" in which Cotton-growers areengaged. Itis much the same, in this re gard, as our article of last week, and recom. mends the application of the same remedy which we then proposed ; the reduction of the staple produce. It is a gratifying fact that the peo pie are turning their attention to this matter Itis an evidence that they know what will be for their benefit, and, au sensible and judicious practical philosophers, they will adopt the best plan of consummating the desired reform. Al though we coincide with the writer in most of his positions, we doubt capitally the expediency of a Planters’ Convention. This method ofap plying means to discontinue public evils, We are by no means partial to. We have no faith in such a Convention. It will create a kind of distrustful feeling between farmers, even if a universal attendance be secured. But we have much reason to doubt that such will be the case. The manufacturers can afford to have such con sulfations upon their affairs, because they are comparatively speaking, hut few, and mostly large capitalists. Farmers are a numerous, and less monied class, and therefore have no time to spend in such assemblages, especially if they are far from home. We think a Convention un necessary—because all that it can effect, may be done without it. Let each farmer, engaged in the produce of Cotton, reduce his next year’s crop one-half, and otherwise employ the re mainder of his land. Then the experiment will either pioveour assertion tiilse or true. It is running no risk to do so at any rate, for the planters eunnot do worse than raise Cotton at 5 cents ! Still, if the people demand a Convention, let them have one. We hope it may end in devi. sing something for tlie public good. But we have a word to say to those who will not attend this Convention. Let those of your neighbors meet together who wi I, and adopt such reso u tions as they see proper, but do you determine to plant but half your usual crop. Let every one adhere to this, and Cotton will bring from 12 to 15 cents per pound—trade will be brisk, and everybody satisfied. Will you try it ? Central Ituilrounl. It will he seen by reference to the advertise ment in another column that a dividend of $3 per share of this Company, lias been declared. By the reports recently published in the Geor gian, vve learn that the affairs of the Company, under the present able and efficient officers, are in a prosperous condition. The project of run ning a road from Washington to intersect at sonic point on the Central, is not urged at present— the Southwestern Road having the preference now. The Superintendent "ives the following infor mation in relation to the business of the Central Road : Total amount of earnings for the year, : $516,252 64 The expenses of maintaining and working the Road for the same period have been, : 266,450 01 Leaving a balance,as net profits,of $249,38!) 63 And an increase in the gross earn ings of the Road over the pre vious year of : $132,38!) 09 The following shews the average increase and decrease oftlie business of the road for the year ending November 30, 1848i Decrease in up Height, : 4 per cent. Increase in down freights, 101 “ Decrease in through passage, 10$ “ Decrease in way passage, 3.J “ Increase in total earnings, Western ami Atlantic i£ailroad. We learn from the Report of the Chief Engi- | neer, the following particulars in relation to this ! Hoad : A contract was closed on the 22d day of March, 1848, with Allen Cochran, John D. Gray & co. and Asa Bates & co., for all the graduation, bridging, superstructure, tunneling, brick-work, depots, water-stations, turn-outs, turn-table, en gine-house, and such other work as might be required on the whole or any part of the road, between Dalton and Chattanooga, to be com pleted and ready for use by the first day of Oc tober, 1849. The contractors have entered up- I on their work with a fair prospect of completing j their engagements in due time. The contract was made payable in the bonds of the State of j Georgia. It iscalculatcd that at the opening of | the road to Chattanooga ten or twelve engine* 1 will he in operation. The motive power now . on the road is in good condition. During the year, the Nashville and ClintM- ; nooga Railroad Company has been fully organ ized, its stock freely taken up, and a portion of . the road located and put under contract. It is to j connect witli the Western and Atlantic Railroad at Chattanooga, and is destined to make our great State work a most valuable property. The Memphis Branch Railroad from Kingston to Rome is nearly completed, and anew steam boat is to be put upon the river, so that an in- - creased business may be expected from the vak- i ley of - the Coosa. The debt of the Road on the first day of Janu ary last, amounted to the sum of $42,1G7 43 with a cash balance in the Treasury 0f51,878 7-> and the debt chargeable to the road on the 39th of Sept last, amounted to $30,455 25, with a cash balance in the Treasury then 0f520,058 3*. The gloss income of the Road, for the y® ar ending 30th September last, was $115,585 3fl, and the current expenditures for the same time were $62,022 91, which shows a balance of $53,562 39, being an increase of $15,755 46, over the profits of the previous year. The State now owns eight engines, which arc barely sulficient for the present transportation, and there is reason to believe that the increase of business will warrant the purchase of at least two more during the next year. There are also on the Rond and belonging 10 the State, four passenger, two baggage and eight platform cars, which will be sufficient for the transportation of passengers and way-freight th° ensuing year.