Newspaper Page Text
LOlii.l) BY THOMAS iJAVNBS
VOL. IV. .W 47.
lonbavb of yxCnion,
BY I’. 1.. ROBINSON, State Printer,
And Publisher (by authority )if th.' Laws of the I uited Stales.
OFFICE NEAR THE CORN EK OF WAYNE AND FRANKLIN STREETS.
i:\T.m thi ksday morning.
(O’ TERMS. —Three Dollars per nnnum. No subscription taken for le** than a
yenr, and no paper discontinued, but nt the option of the publisher, until all arrear
ages are paid.
Advertisements ron-picnou'lv inserted at the usual rates. There not limited
#bcn bunded in. will b< inserted till turbid, and chat . d accordingly.
CHANGE OF DIRECTION.—\Ve desire such of our sv.b cribers as may at any
time wish th* dirootii n of their papers change d from one |\> i Oilier to another, H
inform US in all cues of the plm 'to vhi- h the\ had b rn prexior. dy sent; as the
mere order to forward them to adi ferent offu e, places it alm<> t out of our power to
Comply. bocntiac we h:nc no means of a<c. rt i.ii m the dice from v hich thev arc
Ordered to lx'vh-m red. but by a search through our whole subscription book, con
taining several thousand names.
tMT INES. CORDIALS, LIQUORS &c.—THOMAS M.
’• COOK, (ar his old stand, opposite the Masonic Hal!,) has
just receive ! from Clvirlistoh a gvr.eial ns<oitment of such articles
as are usually kept for sale in his line, which he oilers lor sale* on
the' most accommodating terms for cash—among which are the fol
lowing :
WINES. LIQI ORS.
Cognitic Brandy
Champagne Peach do
Madeira Apple do
Poit Cherry do
Claret Holland Gin
Sweet Malaga Jamaica Rum
Teneriffe St. Croix do
Muscatel Monongahela Whiskey
Irish do
American, French Ac Dutch Cordials, assoited.
Also, Cider and Ale in bottles, London Potter, Stough’on’s Bit
ters, White Wine Vinegar, Loaf Sinjar, Gunpowder Tea, Butter
Crackers, Soda do, Sweet do, Ginger Nut <!•>, Sperm ('audios, Soap
in bars. Shaving and Toilet do, Salad Oil, Sperm do, Cavendish
To acco, Cut do, Havana Segura, Maccobov Snuff, &c.
PRITTS, PRESERVES, Spc.
Bunch Raisins, Soft Shell Almonds, Prunes, Citron, Preserved
Ginger in jars, Tamarinds, Fruits in Brandy, Capers, London
Pickles assorted. Catsup. &.c.
Also, Smoked Beef, Tongues, Dried Beef, Cheese, Table Salt,
Nu nv*gs, Mace, Cloves, Olives, and a variety of other articles too
tedious to mention.
Milledgeville, Oct. 17. 41-6 t.
CAPITAL STOCK *IOO,OOO, all paid in.—IVERSON 1.. HAR
RIS, Agent at MHledgi villi. of the Georgia Insurance and Trust
Ciiuipauy. will take l ire and Marine Insurance on the most rea
sonable terms. THOMAS S. METCALF, Prcs’t.
Wx. T. Gould. Secr'y
Directors of the Georgia Insurance and Trust Campari;,'. Nov. Ath, 1830.
Samuel Hale. Benjamin 11. It'arrcn,
David If. St. John, Elisha Morton,
Adam Johnston, Edward Thomas,
Jacob .Moise, James P. Stuart,
Solomon Knerland, Samir I II Pt c l:,
Hay* liowdre, Isaac T. Heard,
Pleasant Stovall, I! illiam H. Morgan,
Artemus Gould. Harper C. Hn/snn,
John M. Adams, John I'. Cowling,
Andrew J. Miller, Edward Paddfoid.
Nov 17—41
H&.J. SIIoTWELL. yji-con, f.'u—The subscribers
• (former partners of Ellis Shotwell, N Co.) have resmnedtlioir
ousioi K>liu<ler the above firm, ar th, ir old stand opposite the Brick
Tavern, and will keep a gene:; 1 'smtment of Drugs. Medicines, Sur
gical and Instrument-. Paints n Oils, of all kinds. W indow Glass, as- '
sorted sizes, Glass-\\ .ire tor o .'furniture, Perfumery. Fancy Articles,
Brushes of every tiescription, Botanic ami Putent Medicine's Carpen
ter's preparations, ak» Ips tlr.ih »■ tu- V., —u. —<„fr 9t
nud a great variety <4 Al iscell itieous Articles, which thev have'received
a la r fcc supply of, ami intend keeping their stock constantly replenished,
so as to be able at all ti nes to supply Dealers. Physicians, Planters
•nd others who may favoi them w ith their custom.
Intending to he permanently engaged in this business, the subscri
bers from their long experience, hope to render it worthy the patron
age of old and new customers. Orders by letter will meet the same
attention as if made in person.
N.B. Gaideti Seeds, assorted, wurrtnted fresh \ liberal discount
made to r.s'tintrv dealers. 11. &.J. S.
Oct. 11, 1837 39--ts
/fll HUD'S St. Croix Sugar, 20 do Porto Rico do; 10 do New
Orleans Sugar
4(J bbls double refined Loaf Sugar
• 23 “ single *• •• •• 10 boxes White Ilavann th do
150 Bags Green Coffee. 50 do Java do
10 Casks Rii e. 50 bbls N 0.2 Machete!!.
50 bbls. No. 3 Mackerel: 50 half bbls No! &2 do
150 bbls Phelps & Barbers Gin.
100 “ N. E. Rum, 75 do N. Whiskey. 20 Monobg. do
3 Pipes Cog. Brandy, 5 doll Gin,
2 Punceons Jamaica Rum,
20 half &. quarter Cask Wine (various kinds)
50 “ Baskets Champaign (i'ancy Brands)
50 doz. bottles choice Mada. Port &• Claret W ines
100 Dimijolins ass’d. sizes, 250 Kegs Nails &. Brads ass'd.
100,000 Pounds Sweeds Iron, well ass'd; 3,000 do Plough .Moulds,
1.000 “ Nail Rods, 1.500 do Band Iron,
1.000 “ Hoop Iron; 1,000 do Scroll do
1,500 “ German Steel, 1.000 do Cast Iron
1.000 “ English & American Blister Steel
10,000 “ *• Castings, ass'd
50 kegs White Lead,
500 gal’s. Linseed Oil.
500 do Lamp Oil. winter strained,
50 hhds. Molasses. 10.000 bush. Sall,
50 Boxes Sperm Candles, 30 do Tallow do
100 “ 8z 10 ifc 10 zl2 Glass. 50 bags Shot.
1.000 pounds Bai Lead. 150 cask-Dexter Lime, fresh
150 “ Thomaston Lime, fresh: 25 do Plaster Paris,
400 Pieces Gilroys heavy 11 jmp Bagging,
10.000 pounds G.ind Stone..
SALT, One /foliar per bushel, for sale by
June 27. [2l-tf.] NICHOLS & DEMING.
V\ LI ABLE LANDS FOR SALE.—The subscriber offers forsale,
on accommodating terms, three squares of first ratePINE LAND,
in the 9th District. Dooly County, ten miles from Drayton, near the
road leading to Traveller's Rest, mid about six miles from the Rest.
There is on the premises, a new Log Dwelling House and Gin House,
and other out Buildings, Negro Hous-s, &c.. as well as about one hun
dred and seventy acres of Cleared Land, wlm li i- mostly rich ami in
good repair. The settlement has several fim: Spiiugs of cool water on it.
The termswill be liberal, and may be known by applying to JAMES
M. EVERETT, near Drayton, Dooly County, Georgia, or to
CH \RLES 11. E\ ERETT, Fort Valley, Houston Comity.
August 30, 1837. 35—t.) 1
171 OR SALE—The I’laxtatios whereon I now live, viz: The
. Standing Peach Tree Settlement, containing between 800 and n
1000 Acres ol Land, on both sides of the Peach Tree Creek, and on both
sides of the Cliattahoochie River ; between 1 and 200 acres of the first
sate low grounds; a great part of the uplands lies well, and is good
for cotton, as well as small grain; 200 acaes of cleared land, the best
es well and spring water, a good framed two story Dwelling House, a
Kitchen, Dining Room, W ell I louse, a good Store I louse and out 11ouscs,
fcc., a first r ite Saw an I Gri .t Mill, a Ferry on Ri
ver, five public roads leading from the premises, a Post. Office at the
place, and the Mail Stage passing from Decatur to Rome three times
a week ami back, quite a healthy and elevated situation for a town; and
as the Rail Road is now locating from the Tennessee to the Chattahoo
rhic Rivers, ami going into op ration, ami in all probability will bo the
Central Rail Road to Maron. &<•., ami the Branch Rail Reads from
both Athens and Columbus will intersect the Ccmrnl Rail Hoad near
or at this place, there is several beautiful situations for a Town or Vil
Jagc ; but under all the above prospects of advantage, the subscriber, on
the account of moving to the limestone water for his health, he being
labouring u"der the Dyspepsia, and having purchased laud in Walker
county, is desirous of selling the above, settlement to any gentleman or
company of gentlemen who would wish to pitrsha.se the nbove settle
ment, with a view of erecting a town near where the Rail Bonds may
one day or other intersect.
The Subscriber has also a very valuable Plantation of Land of up
wards of 299 Acres, two miles lower down the River, with over one
hundred Acres of cleared Land, ami in a liigh stale of cultivation, an
excellent Dwelling Ifoure, Kitchen, Corn Crib, Negro Houses, &c.
well watered, perhaps as good, if not the best land on tin: Chattahoo-'
ebie River, The whole of the above Premises, if soon sold, may per
haps be got for less than one fourth of the real value, as the Subscriber
is. by many of his friends ami physician;, advised 'o move to the lime
stone water for his health. J. M. C. MONTGOMERY’.
AM \LE ft FEM YLE TEACHER W YN I’ED-To take charge
•of th > Franklin, Heard Comity, Academy, for the year 1838.
A gut cman and his lady would bo preferred. Application must bo
made to the Trustees in person. Liberal wage; may Im expected.
WM. B. W. DENT, Secretary of the Board of Trustees.
The Columbus Sentinel and Augusta Constitutionalist will
please pnldi-h the above weekly, for five weeks. 11 5*
/ c C iT »
©IWO ol' 31WM®
| BY AUTHORITY.]
LAWS OF THE VNUT.II SI XTF.S, I’Assl I> AT Till'. FIRST SESSION OF Till:
TWENT V- FI FT It CONGRESS.
[Public —No. I.]
An Act to postpone the fourth instalment of depositc with the
States.
Er it enacted by the Senate and I louse of Representatives of the
I niter! States nJ America in Congress assembled, That the trans
ter ot the fourth instalment of deposites directed to be made with
the Suites, under the thirteenth section of the act of June twenty
third, eighteen hundtad and thirty-six, he, and the same is hereby
postponed till the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred
and tliirty-.'iine; Provided, That the three first instalments under
the said act shall remain on depositc with the States, until other
wise directed by Congress.
JAMES K. POLK,
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
RH. M. JOHNSON,
President of the Senate.
Approved, October 2d, 1837,
M. VAN BUREN.
[Public —No. 2.]
\n act to authorize the issuing of Treasury notes.
Tie it enacted by the Senate and ILduse of Rcprcsi ntatircs of
the I uited Sta'cs of America in Congress assembled, That the
President of the United States is hereby authorized to cause Trea
sury notes for such sum or sums as the exigencies of the Government
may require, but not exceeding, in the whole amount of notes issued,
the sum of ten millions of' dollars, and of denominations not less
than fifty dollars tor tiny one note, to be prepared,signed, and issued
in the manner hereinaftei provided.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, Tiiat the said Treasury notes,
authorized to be issued by the first section of this act, shall be reim- i
bursed and redeemed by the United States, at the Treasury thereof,
after the expiration of one year from the dates of the said notes I
respectively ; from which said dates, lor the term of one year, and !
no longer, they shall bear such interest as skall be expressed upon I
the face of the said notes; which rate of interest, upon each seve- I
ral issue of the said notes, shall be fixed by the Secretary of the
Treasury, by and with the advice and approbation of the President;
but shall in no case exceed the rate of interest of six per centum
per annum. The reimbursement herein provided for shall be made
at the Treasury of the United States to the holders of the said notes
respectively, upon presentment, and shall include the principal of
each note, and the interest which may be due thereon at the time of
pay ment. For this reimbursement, at the time and times herein spe
cified, the faith of the United States is hereby solemnly pledged.
Sue. 3. Jnrf be it further enacted, That the said Treasury notes
shall he prepare d under the direction of the Secretary of the Trea
sury, and shall be signed, on behalf of the United States, by the
Treasurer thereof, and countersigned by the Register of the Tieasti
ry ; and that those officers respectively shall, as checks upon each
other, and to secure the public safely, keep separate, full and accu
rate accounts of the number, date, denomination, and amount of all
the notes signed and countersigned by them respectively; which
| said accounts shall he carefully preserved and placed on file tn the
i Treasury Department; and, also, similar accounts, kept and pre
served in the same manner of all the said notes redet med, as the
same shall be returned and cancelled ; and the Treasurer shall fur
ther account quarterly lor all such notes delivered to him for signa
i tore or issue by the Register. The Treasurer and Register of the
Treasury are hereby authorized, by and with the consent and appro
bation of the Secretary of the Treasury, to employ such additional
I temporary clerks as the dutif’s enjoined upon them by this section
may render necessary : Provided, Said number shall not exceed
(our, and with a salary of not mote than at the rate of twelve hun
dred dollars to each per annum.
Sec. 4. And be it furthir enacted, That the Secretary of the
I reasury is hereby authorised, with the approbation of the President
of the United States, to cause to be issued such portion of the said
Treasury notes as the President may think expedient, in payment
of debt., due by the United States to such public creditors or other
perscns as .ma v chaase_ tojureiv.e sicli notes in payment, as afore
said, at par. And the Secretary of the Treasury is further authori
zed, with the approbation of the President of the United States, to
borrow, from time to time, not under par, such sums as the President
may think exp' dient, on the credit of such notes.
Sec. 5. And be it farther enacted. That thesaid Treasury notes
shall be transferrable bydelivety and assignment endorsed thereon,
■ by the person to whose order the same shall, on the face theteof.
I have been made payable.
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the said Treasury notes
shall be received in payment of all duties and taxes laid by the au
thority of the Lnited States, of all public lands sold bv the said
I authority, and of all debts to the United Stales, of any' character
| whatsoever, which may be due and payable at the time when sai
I Treasury notes may he so offered in payment. And, on every such
| payment, credit shall.be given f»r the amonnt of the principal and
i interest which, on the day of such payment, may be due on the note
| or notes thus civen in payment.
| Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, T t .at any person niakino-nay-
I ment to the Unite') States in such Treasury no cs, into the bands of
■ any collector, tecciverof public money s, or other public officer ora
genr, shall on books, kept according to such forms as shall be pro
scribed by the Secretary of the Treasury, give duplicate certificates
of the number and respective amount of principal and interest of each
and every Treasury note thus paid by such person ; and every col
lector, receiver of public moneys, or other public officer or agent,
who shall thus receive any of the said Treasury notes in payment,
shall, on payment of the same, receive credit both for principal and
interest computed as aforesaid, which on the day of such last men
tioned payment shall appear due on the note or notes thus paid in,
and he shall be charged for the interest accrued on such note or notes
from the day on which the same shall have been received bv him in
pay nn nt as aforesaid to the day on which the same shall be paid by
him as aforesaid.
Sec. 8. And be it further enacted, That the Secr.etaiv of the
Treasury be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to cause to
be reimbursed and paid the principal and interest of the Treasury
notes which may he issued by virtue of this act, at the several time
and times when the same, according to the provisions of this act,
should be thus reiinbut sed and paid. And thesaid Secretary is fur
ther authorized to make purr liases of the said notes, at par, for the
j amount of the principal and interest due at the time of purchase on
; such notes. And so much of any unappropriated money in the
I 'Treasury as may be necessary for that [im pose, is hereby appropri
( ated, for paying the principal and interest of said notes.
Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That a sum not exceeding
twenty thousand dollar-, to be paid out of any unapprojiriated money
! in the 'Treasury, be, and the same i> hereby appropriated, for defray
< ing the expense of preparing, printing, engraving, signing, and otb
| erwise incident to the issuing of the Treasury notes authoi ized bv
I this act. s
Sec. 10. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall
falsely make, forge, or counterfi it, or cause or procure to be falsely
made, forged, or counterfeited, or willingly aid or assist in falsely
making, iotging, or counterfeiting, any note, in imitation of, or pur
porting to be, a Treasury note aforesaid; or shall falsely alter, or
cause or procure to be falsely altered, or willingly aid or assist in
falsely altering any Treasury note issued as aforesaid ; or shall pass,
j utter, or publish, or attempt to pass, utter, or publish, as true, any
j false, forged, or counterfeited note, purporting to be a Treasury
i note as aforesaid, knowing the same to be falsely forged or counter
feited, or shall pass, utter, or or attempt to pass, utter, ot
! publish, as true, any falsely altered Treasury note, issued as
| aforesaid, knowing the same to be falsely altered, every such per
| son shall he deemed and adjudged guilty of felony, and. being there-
I of convicted by due c.mise of law, shall be sentenced to lie imprison
ed and kept to hard labor for a period not less than three years, nor
more than ten years, and be fined In a sum not exceeding five thou
sand dollars.
Sec. 11. And be it further enacted, That if any person shall
make or engrave, or cause or procure to be made or engrtved, or
shall have in his custody or possession any ntebdic plate, engraved
| after the similitude of any plate front which any notes issued as
| aforesaid shall have been printed, with-intent to use such plate, or to
I cause or stiffer the seme to be used in forging or counteifoiling any
| of the notes issued as aforesaid; ot shall have in bis custody or pos-
I session any blank note or notes engraved and pi loted after the sinii
i litiide of any notes issued as aforesaid, with intent to use such blanks,
j or cause or suffer the same to be used, in lot ging or counterfeiting any
of the notes issued as aforesaid ; or shall have in his custody or pos
j session any paper adapted to the making of notes, and similar to the
j paper upon which any such notes shall have been issued, with intent
I to use such paper, or cause or suffer the same to be used in foruingor
counterfeiting any of the notes issued as aforesaid ; e very sue h per
son, being thereof convicted by dim course of law, shall be sentenc
ed to be imprisoned, and kept to hard labor, for a term not less than
three nor more than ten years, and lined in a sum not exceeding fi re
thousand dollars.
Sec. 12. And. be it further .enacted, That the Secretary of the
'Treasury be, and lie is hereby, authoi ized to make tmd issue, from
lime to time, such instructions, rules, anti regulations, to the several
collectors, receivers of public monies, depositaries, and all others
AaL 7st u-iCn 3 iL-LEs, G 3 /'i, r 3?£2 uIJSESOAY T?3O MS ilfo !¥<><, 7, 8537.
flier CottscicHrc fiur Coseutrff—Otir JPfirlej.
uho may bo authorized to receive the s .id Treasury notes on behalf
of ynd as agents in any capacity for the United States, as Io the safe
keeping, disposition, return, and cancelling of the said notes so paid
to and received by tin m respectively, and as to their accounts and
returns to ti.e Department ol all such r. ceipts, as may seem to him
best calculated to ptomote the public interests and convenience, and
secure the United Slates ami the holders of the said notes against
hand tmd losses: 1 loviued, i l.at nothhig heroin contained shall be
so constrted -.s to ant unize the Secretary of the 'Treasury to rc-is
sue any of said notes, but upon the return of the said notes, or any
of them, to the'Treasury, the same shall Im cancelled.
Sec. 13. And be it further enacted, 'I hat it shall be, and hereby
is, made the duty o! tlie Secretary ol the Treasury to cause a state
ment tube publish, d monthly, of the amount of all Treasury notes
issued or redeemed, it), pursuance of the provisions of this act ; and
that the powi r to issue Trcasm v notes, conferred on the President of
the L nited States by this act, shall cease and determine on the thirty
first day of De: ember, eighteen hundred and tl.irtv-eight.
J.AML,*, K. It'll*., i ' ; kcrol the House <>t Renresentativcs.
RIL ?•!. .1 ()11 VtsON, President of the Senate.
Approved, Oolobcr 12th, 1837.
M. VAN BUREN.
REPORT
ON EMBANKMENT OF THE SAVANNAH RIVER
SVr'AMP LA?;OS, Stibi.Ai: Ito the Senate es the Stale
of G or«fa, Ni r. '.27.."', I /.A ■L f //1? ,/' BLACK,
Chair;.,-an, Andrew J. ifitirr, an.l M. Hall McAllister,
Sidj-Comniitte, appointed to make report, bp bill or otherwise,
thereon:
The Siib-Committee, to whom was referred, the report
made to, and adopted by, the Legislature of 1835, relative to
the practicability and utility of Embanking the Savannah River
Swamp Lands, ami the means by which that desirable object is
to be attained, together with the correspondence of the Slate
Geologist upon that subject; have had the same under their
consideration, and beg leave to present the report and corres
pondence above a hided to, -as papers containing' all their views
upon the subject under consideration, as to the utility' and prac
ticability of lite project; and y our Committee ate decidedly of
opinion, that the only practicable plan ofconsnminatihg a work
of such great importance to the country, is that the State of
Georgia should loan her credit to the projectors, for the purpose
of raising money to go on with the work. In doing this, the
State will be but redeeming a solemn pledge, giveti advisedly,
and after much debate, in 1535, to die land holders upon the
Savannah river—a pledge, lit the redemption of which, not only
these land holders, but the cities < f Augusta and Savannah,
and every individual who trades to either of those marts, are
deeply interested, lor the reasons urged in said report.
Your Committee beg leave to suggest, that many' practical
and intelligent gentlemen, engaged in mercantile pursuits, and
who entertain an extensive foreign correspondence, assure your
Committee, that a loan of a million of dollars, or more, could
be readily obtained, on the faith or endorsement of the State
of Georgia, from capitalists io England, for forty or fifty
years, at the rate of three per cent per annum ; and in Hol
land, the same amount of motley for lite same, or a longer
| period of time, may be obtained at two per cent. This is not
mere speculation, but ascertained fact ; and foreign capitalists,
who find it difficult to obtain approved borrowers upon so ex-,
tensive a scale, would anxiously embrace an opportunity of
making as safe and permanent an investment of their dormant
; capital, as the faith tmd credit ol Georgia would offer. If the
■ hollow and tottering powers of Italy ; tlie unsettled government
i of Portugal ; the weak and degenerate throne of Greece, and
the turbulent and insurrectionary republics, of South America,
are accotnmod Jed and sustained by the private capital of Eu
rope, bow gladly would tltc.-e caj italists put their money at
i interest, upon the faith of the settled and permanent govertt
i ment ot Georgia: ami litigih oj Hute, instead al' tieiog' tut <>b
stacle, would, we are informed, be an additional inducement to
, the investment.
YourComii'ittee suggest, forthe security of lly State, lhatthe
money so raised, shalise retained by the State in her mmhands,
and loaned out at eight per cent, to her citiz ns, either through
the Central Bank, or some other agent appointed for the pur
pose. No part of the principal should, under any circumstances,
be expended on the work, and a sufficiency of the home interest
reserved atmually to defray the European interest.
Tuns, the work of Internal Improvement wi 1 go on—the
people will be accommodated with an extensive loan of money,
on easy’ terms, ami the State left perfelly secure from loss; for
cantioi) and prudence, could tkvis'? no means, so effectual to
secure the Government from loss, as the retention by 'lie State,
in her own hands, of the very money raised upon her credit.
But if there are those who, from an abundance of caution, would
make assurance doubly sure, let a pledge of the lands them
selves,be required, as additional security to answer for any pos
sible ultimate deficie cy.
Under this view of the case, your Committee cannot under
stand how any rational man can object to the plan, as hazard
ous to the State, or list less to the people.
One million of dollars will yield aiitimilly, at fight per cent.,
an interest of > 80,030; thirty thousand of this sum, should be
resorved by tiie State to pay the European interest, which
will leave annually, $50,000 to he appropriated to the woik.
With $40,000 of the last named sum, at h ast sixty able bodied
slaves could readily lie purchased—which would leave SIO,OOO
per annum, over and above the purchase of slaves, with w hich
they w ould be overlooked and provisioned. Thus, in less than
six years, near four hundred negro men, would be placed upon
the bank of the river, the immense aggregate of whose labours,
would in a comparativi ly short period of time, restrain the w titers
within tlieir natural channel, and redeem from inundation, a
vast body of lands, surpassed in fertility by no other on the
habitable Globe.
In these calculations, your Committee have endeavored to
keep far within the limits of probability, and, in all in
stances, tlieir estimates arc below, rather than above, the true
point.
Within six years from tlie date of the loan, near 400 slaves
could be purchased and distributed upon the Savannah river
bank, whose labors would be fully sufficient to effect the de
sired object. The balance of interest, amounting to $50,000
per annum, accruing on the tiuexpired loan for 35 or 40 years,
then to come, would be readily yielded up to the State of
Georgia by the corporation of lanrl-!«ohlers; as their only object
in applying for tlie credit of the State, is to effect the salvation
of these lands, which, if effected, will be not only a private,
but a great and lasting public benefit. That object accom
plished, the projectors desire to turn over the remaining in
terest of the urn spired loan to the State, to be applied either
to the abolition ol taxes, toother works of Internal Improve
ment, or to any other object of general interest; and they
would only ask permission to retain in their hands the slaves
purchased with the excess of interest, in order to repair such
breaches in the work as time or accident might procluce.
Your Committee beg leave to say, that while they ardently
desire to prosecute this great w ork to a successful completion,
they are far from being exclusive, selfish, or sectional in their
views. They believe that the principle of aiding works of im
provement w ith the credit of the State, should be recognized
in Georgia as a general principle the benefits of which should
be accessible to all who may desire to partake of them. But
while the principle is recognized as general, your Committee
believe that the only practicable way of effecting the eomple
lion of such works, is to keep every project, plan, or proposed
worn ol improvement, separate mid distinct—each proposition
resting on its ow n merits, as to utility and practicability.
Your Committee ask leave, respectfully to refer to the sub
joined Report, adopted by the Legislature of 1835, mid also,
to the correspondence ol the State Geologist, in exposition of
tin; utility and practicability of the proposed embankment.
REPORT OF MR. BLACK OT-' SCRIVEN.
The joint Committee from the Senate mid House of Repre
sentatives appointed to take into consideration the utility mid
[irm tabilily ofsrving the swamp lands on the Savannah River,
by means of embankments or otherwise, have bad the subject
tinder constant consideration, and beg leave respectfully to
Report:
the country in which we live, arid to which we arc*bound by all
the ties which consecrate our homes, is a work to the success
htl completion ol which the wise and the good will anxiously
contribute. National success is certainly the result ol indi
vidual prosperity, and that system of Internal Improvement
wlnch vvill most probably eventuate in tlie achievement of the
ihaf to improve the condition, physical as Well as moral, of
one, will as surely conduce to the consummation of the other.
1 hat Georgia possesses vast, and as yet unexplored, natural re
sources, is evident to the most superficial observer: —the facili
ties and advantage- ol her location, the variety' and fertility' of
her soil, the salubrity’ o! her climate, the extent of her territory,
and the genius mid character of her people, point to her as a
State, destined l-elore the lapse of another century, to occupy
a proud tmd enviable position among her emulous confederates.
Ol the numerous objects of Improvement within our limits, the
Swamp Lands which lie along the western bank of the Savannah
river, present claims upon the consideration of the political
economist, which may' well arrest his attention; and your (Com
mittee, by the direction of the Legislature, have earnestly di
rected their enquiries to the utility and practicability of saving
them from the iniindiitions of lite river. That part of the
swamp which your committee deem worthy of attention, is to
be found betv <>e Augusta ami the bead of tideway on the
Savannah river; i s average vvidt+v i» -übuut oue mile, .andlire
probable length, from one hundred and thirty to one hundred
and silty miles. These lands, at present comparatively worthless to
the planter, and of little avail to the State, are believed to be in
ferior in fertility to no part of the habitable globe. The soil,
which is alluvial, is a rich mould, formed originally of decom
posed vegetable deposites, believed to be altogether inexhausti
ble, ami extending down to the depth of from 4 to 5 feet.
To reclaim such kinds, and reduce them into successful culti
vation, your Committee believe would, in all probability, result
in vast am) inestimable benefits, not only to that region of coun
try, but to the whole State of Georgia. The people of Augus
ta and Savannah would be among the first to experi
ence the advantages of such an operation; and the poor of
these cities, who are dependant for support upon their daily
supplies, would be enabled to procure tlieir provisions at one
hall tlieir present price. Corn, which is the first and material
item in the supplies of a family,instead of commanding, as it does
now,from 80 cents to one dollar,would be a drug at 25 or 37 1-2
cents per bushel, am! rice, wheat, rye, oats, and all the bread
stuffs which arenow grown in this country, would be reduced
in price in proportion to the increase of the supply’. Your
Committee do not exagerate fltes.e probable results, for they
are assured by men who are experienced in agricultural pur
suits, that these Swamp Lands are capable, with proper cultiva
tion, of producing from fifty to one hundred bushels of corn per
acre, and other grain in the same proportion. For even now,
under every disadvantage, and when, from fear of freshets, the
farmer cannot venture to pitch bis crop before the first of May,
and semetimes not before the first of July, from 30 to 60 bush
els to the acre are considered a moderate return. If, then, they
were saved from inundation, it is evident, and every farmer
knows and will acknowledge, that the advantages of early pre
paration and early planting, would in all probability with mode
rate and usual seasons, ensure the supposed increase of produc
tion,
In addition to these articles of prime and necessary consump
tion, the great staple commodities of sugar cane and cotton
would be diligently cultivated, and for the same reasons as
above, would yield an additional increase. Cane will now’ ripen
up to ten and fifteen joints, and short staple cotton return from
1000 to 1500 weight, in the seed, to the acre, on these lands;
mid it' the fresh water was not permitted to retard the cultiva
tion, mid molest the growth of these plants, the husbandman
w ould assuredly gather a much more abundant crop. Horses,
hogs, cattie, ami stock of all sorts, w ould then be raised at home
from our overflowing barns, and a considerable portion of the
large amount of money which the drovers of the West now an
nually draw out of the State, would be saved to our people, and
retained in the country. Our exports of raw material would be
greatly increased—the farmer mid the merchant would receive
from that increase, additional wealth—the price of real and per
sonal estate in Augusta, Savannah, and the intermediate coun
try, would be enhanced, and all the beneficial consequences of
plenty or prosperity, in their thousand various ramifications;
would be felt and acknowledged by the rich and the poor.
If the waters were at all times confined to tlieir natural chan
nel, those who are at all conversant with that stream, will at
once perceive that the navigation of the Savannah river would
be, in a short time, most materially improved. The sand and
■mud bars, which are at present the chief obstruction to the pas
sage of steam and pole boats, would, in a little w hile, be washed
away by the direct, confined, and therefore violent rush of the
w aters, and the bed or channel of the river would be consequent
ly deepened-s-good wagon roads would be made through any
part of the swamp, over which the best steamboat wood could
lie supplied at one half its present price, at almost any point on
the river; and of course freights, which are now enormously
high, would be lowered in proportion to the increased facilities
ol transportation. The miasmatic and sickly region of the
swamp would be made dry and salubrious, and tlie health of the
neighboring inhabitants consequently improved. Thus, all
classes of people—the boat ow ner—the merchant—tlie farmer
—the citizen, and every man from the up country, who trades
either to Augusta or Savannah, would reap almost incalculable
advantages from the successful completion of such a work. Your
committee hope and believe they have established, even from
this imperfect view of the subject referred to them, the great and
absolute utility of saving these river swamp lands, and it only
remains for them to enquire into the probable practicability of
such a project.
If the final and complete success of the past affords any crite
rion by which to judge jf the probable termination of future ex
periments of a similar character, and if well known facts are
permitted to influence the opinion of your committee—then there
can be very little doubt of the entire practicability of restraining
the w aters of the Savannah river to their natural channel, by
embankments. The dikes of Holland—the artificial banks of (he
riverPo, in Italy, and the levees which effectually confine the
Mississippi, one of the most powerful rivers in the worll, for two
hundred miles above New Orleans, to her original bed, are in
disputable evidence that the Savannah river may be dammed in,
and the adjacent swamp rendered perfectly arable. In addition
to these facts, j our committee have availed themselves of the
views and opinions of many intelligent farmers and practical
men, all of w horn agree with your committee, and fully concur
in the opinions they herewith express.
The only objection to such a project is the difficulty of obtaining
the means of operation. But it is believed that the removal of this
difficulty is wholly within the power of those who may interest them
selves iu the work. No effort in such an undertaking could possibly
avail any thing, unless the individuals directly engaged should
promptly adopt a judicious system of operation and be governed in
all their movements by unanimity, and concert of action. In such
case, the State of Georgia, being always well disposed to foster and
protect works of Internal Improvement, w’hen predicated of individu
al enterprize, would not in the opinion of your Committee, be
averse from lending her name in order to negoci ite a loan of money,
to forward and promote the undertaking. The State, of course, in
justice to her own interests, would require to be well secured by
pledges of personal responsibility, and valuable and available proper
ty, before she would consent to become liable fora single cent. .But
if tlie State was secured beyond the possibility of loss, your Commit
tee cannot perceive why she should not be ready to aid her people in
the manner proposed, in a work of such probable success and bene
ficial consequences—especially when the loss, if any accrues, must
and will (all, not upon the State, but Upon those whose property will
be liable to the redemption of the debt.
In consideration of all which, your Committee respectfully recom
mend the adoption of the following resolutions.
Resolved, That it would be a work of groat utility, and that it is
practicable, to save the Swamp Lands on the Savannah river from
inundation, by means ofembanktlients.
Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor be requested to
employ a competent Engineer, whose duty shall be to proceed im
mediately to make an accurate and correct survey of said riverbank,
and such adjacent parts of the Swamp ns lie may deem necessary,
with a view to the construction of said embankment; that he report
fully of the premises to the next Legislature, and that the cost and
S’. 1.. ISOItBNSOM, I’ROPRIETOB.
expense thereof be paid by the Governor, out of any monies in tl J
treasury, nut othervyise appropriated.
‘Senueti Cowwtly, JWj, BZ7t, 1837.* ■
I o John R. Cutting, Esq., State Geologist of Georgia.
Dear Str—l ermit me to hand you the following Report and!
resolutions, which I had the honor to lay before the General '
Assembly of the Slate during the session of 1835. The report '
and resolutions, with the exception efthat one providing for
the survey of the Swamp, were adopted bv a large majority of
the House of Representatives, and an equally respectable mm
jority of ib.e Senate, after some opposition and considerable de
bate;
Ol course, the measures therein recommended, becamt, bv
that adoption, the settled and avowed policy of the State.
A comse more liberal or better calculated to advance the it> •
(erests of all classes of our citizens, witlimit risk to the State,
could not have been devised or pursued, ami was the more gra
tbyiitg to the real friends of Internal Improvement, as it pre
sented not only an exception, but a strong contrast, to tlie la
vish ami the impolitic grant of Banking privileges to irrespon
sible corporations, which characterized the session, and the re
sult of which is likely to be destructive to thecurrency, and rtt
incus to the people.
Il is probable that the owner?, of the river svviitrip wiif Kcccr.o
the overtures of the State, and apply at the next session of tfie
General Assembly, for the aid thus proffered by Government,
in the erection of a dam or bank to save from inundation thou
sands of invaluable acres of land, now comparatively worth
less, by reason of the almost constant occurrence of freshets.—
With this view, and aware of the high sense entertained by the
State, of your science in geology, and all the collateral depart
ments of knowledge, I take this opportunity to ask, in behalf
of the landholders, a candid expression of your opinion as to
the utility and practicability of saving our river swamp lands
by embankments.
Your science, and your recent and thorough personal survey
of every part of the Savannah River Swamp, will enable you
to form and express a just and enlightened opinion upon the
subject proposed, and will entitle that opinion to all the respect
and consideration with which I have no doubt it will be gene
rally’ received..
You will confer a favor upon those who ask for yotir opinion,
to permit them to make the same public through the Gazelles.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, your obd’f. servant,
EDWARD J. BLACK
Milledgeville, July 25, 1837.
To Edward J. Black, Esq.
Dear Sir: Improving and fostering the science of Agriculture
form one of the most important items in the political economy of all
civilized nations. The people of the highest antiquity were chiefly
inhabitants of valleys and alluvial plains, the soil, moisture and
warmth of which, “by enlarging the component parts and amelio
rating the fruits of the vegetable kingdom, afforded to man, better
nourishment at less labor than could be obtained in hilly districts.”
The country of Babylon, and other places on the Euphrates, were
flat, and the soil of a saponaceous clay, occasionally overflowed by
the river. The inhabited parts of Egypt were of the same des
cription. According to the most authentic history, embankments
were first used by the Babylonians and Egyptians; and as nations
became civilized, improvements in agriculture kept pace with civili
zation, and means were contrived to secure the best and most fer
tile lands from inundations, both of seas and rivers. One of the
most singular embankments in the world is that of the Po in Italy,
by the Romans, many miles in length, which Iras continued to be
the most fertile part of the province.
The oldest embankment in England is that of Romney Marsh,
which, together with the banks on each side of the river Thames,
is said to have been constructed by the Romans. These pro
tect several thousand acres of the richest garden ground in the
vicinity of the metropolis, from occasional inundations. Tlie
commencement of modern embankments in England took place
about the middle of the seventeenth century, under Cromwell.
A few years previous to 1651, 425,000 acres of fens, morasses,
or overflowed muddy’ lands, were reclaimed in Lincolnshire,
Cambridgshire, Hampshire, and Kent, and leased at from 2s.
Gd. to 30s. per acre.
Vermuyden, a Fleming by birth, and a colonel of horse guards
under Cromwell, was the principal undertaker of these works.
Embankments or dykes are are now common in all the rich, al
luvial districts of Europe, and many parts of this country are
following the example, as the only sure mode of securing- a safe
and profitable revenue to the Agriculturist. The utility of att
embankment to confine the waters of the Savannah to their ori
ginal channel, and to reclaim many thousands acres of fertile
land, cannot for a moment be questioned by any one who has
taken but a superficial view of the swamps bordering the river.
1 n compliance with my instructions from the executive depart
ment of the State, I have just completed a geological survey of the
counties of the Savannah river from Columbia to Chatham. In
the course of my investigations of these counties, I have very par
ticularly examined the swamp land bordering the river. I was di
rected especially to this part in consequence of reading the above
able report to the General Assembly’ of 1835, and I am now pre
pared to second the views of the framer of that document.
By analysis of several specimens of soils obtained from different
places and at various depths, the swamp is found to contain the in
gredients in such proportions as to render it as permanent and as
fertile as the richest lands of Alabama and Mississippi. It is so
constituted by nature that it can never be exhausted by cultivation,
but will increase in fertility by proper management. Much of tho
soil approximates a species of marl, containing carbonate of lime
in large proportions, an essential ingicdient in every good soil. It
is a deposite from a primitive region of decomposed primordial
rocks, which are known to afford a strong soil; this is intimately
mixed with animal and vegetable decomposing substances.
My conclusions respecting the fertility of the soils, are not
drawn from a superficial survey of the surface merely, nor from
the growth of indigenous vegetables, but from correct chemical
analysis, conducted with the greatest care, under very favora
ble circumstances, and with genuine tests and re-agents, from
which it appears, that under proper agricultural skill, no soil
can surpass it in fertility and permanency.
For the information of those interested, I will give the result
of the following analysis :
Soil from the swamp, near Augusta, taken eight inches from
the surface.
Quantity, 108 grains Troy.
Water of absorption, 111 Sulphate of Lime, 1
Silicions sand and gravel, 17 Carbonate of Lime, 7
Soluble vegetable and animal Silex, 31
ma 1 ter, 3> Alumine, 32
Insoluble vegetable and animal Loss in analysis, 1
matter, 2
Oxide of Iron, 3 Grains, 108
From New-Savannah, Richmond county, taken three inches
from the surface.
Quantity, 108 grains Troy.
Water of absorption, 8 Oxide of Iron, 2
Fine siliceous sand, 29 Mica, 4
Soluble vegetable and animal Silex, 18
matter, 27 Alumine, 10
Insoluble vegetable and animal Loss in analysis, 1
matter, 7
Carbonate of Limo, 2 Grains, 108
From the Swamp on the River, near Briar Creek, Scriveil
county, taken six inches from the surface.
Quantity, 100 grains Troy,
Water of absorption, 6 Oxide of Iron, 8
Coarse sand and gravel, 1 Carbonate of Lime, 30
Soluble vegetable and animal Silex, 29
matter, 11 Alumine, 11
Insoluble vegetable and animal Loss in analysis? 1
matter, 3 »
Grains, 100
From the Swamp five miles north of the mouth of Briar
Creek, taken four feet from the surface.
Quantity, 100 grains Troy.
Water of absorption, 10 Oxide of Iron, 6
Soluble vegetable and animal Carbonate of Lime,- 31
matter, 11 Silex, 30
Insoluble vegetable and animal .Alumine, 8
matter, 4 '
Grains, 100
I have also endeavored to ascertain th<j average fiumbcf df
acres inchided in the Swamps in different counties, by taking
WliOL.fi; NO. 2O». JH