Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-07-17

iidigo-which Ike aax, requires much proceqs
OF preparation to fit it TO market, is small plant
that hourishes IN the South. 1t is STEPPED, and
iDseerated and squeezed to Weld t,a: beautiful
blue dye which impsrts its tnts TO such a variety
of fabrics.
g 1t was one of the principal articles Of produce
and export from South Carolina and Georgia before
the planting Of cotton in those states became an OBJ
Ject OF so much importance"
1t was introduced into South Carolina abou, IN .
year l74l or az. Ceres has been made Goddess
Tor the discovery Of wheat-A monument shouId
be erected to lady for the introduction OF this val
usbls vegetable into the soil of Carolina
DR. Ramsay has traced its journey from the East
1.-THE w est. " The seeoni great staple Of Carolina
(says he'd vas Indigo. It's original native country
was Hindostaa bat It had been natura lied in the
West-indics, from Which il WAS introduced into
Carolina By Miss Eliza Lseas, the mother Of tIai.
Zen. Charles Coesworth Pihckney Her father,
George Lucas, Governor of Antigua olser. inc bpr
ondness for the vegetable world frequently sent 10
her tropical seeds sed fruits to be planted for her
amusement on his plantation at WsppOo A monp
others. he sent her some indigo seed as subject OF
experiment"
She planted It in March, 17il or sig The first
time IT was nipped by the frost the second, cut
down by worm. Bat perseverance, oyercame sv-
FRY obs acle, and tie third experiment was SUCCESS
iui. Her father then sent her from MUniserrat a
IAN by the name Cromwell, To instruct his daugh-
ter IN the process oi extracting the dye from the
weed. ats were built on Wappoo creek, aud the
first indigo there made Which WIS formed in
Carolina" But Cromwell repented of his engage
ment, as being likely to uure his own country
made mystery OF the business, and, witt the hspe
Of deceiying, injured lie process by throwing in
too much lime. Miss Lucas watched him carefully.
AID also engaged Mr.. Deveanx to superntead his
operations. Notwithstanding the dupIcitv Of Crorn-
well, Knowledge ofthe process was obiained-
Soon alter bliss J.. had completely succeeded in this
useful project, she married Charles Pinekney and
heriather made present OF all the indigo on his
plantation, tie fruit Of her industry 10 her husband
The whole was saved for seed. Part was planted
by the proprietor next year at Ashapoo, and te re-
mander gwen away to bis friends in small quant-
ties, Tor the same purpose. They all succeedod
From that time, the culture of indigo was common
and in year or two, il became an article Of OK
port"
premium Of Cd on the H. was offered by G.
Britain, to encourage the cultivation. " From No
yember, 1850, 10 September, 1861, 500 500 Us
we're exported; and shortly before the american
Revolution, the exports amounted to I, 1O7, 500 lbs
IN i794, as much ,55S,OSO lbs. were exported
from the u. Slut since the extension of the cot
ton system in the South, the production of Indigo
has been more neglected
SHgqr--which has only been product ofH,c u
States since the acquisition Of Louisiana, and has on
" very lately crept by inohesinto the stgte of or
gia, is destined 10 find It's place among our list of
erb0rfg Historians are divided about Tho in rcslue
ton ofthe cane into America. " The ancient name
Of the cane, (says Bryan Edwaryis) was SaccLarDg1
This word was corrupted in moulisli Latin. into
/fChGiunl, and Afterwards into Z.scfu. Bv the
Spanish, Il was confcitednlo .4cNcui', from VII nee
Sugar" The cane cerainly known in the
Fast, from Whence Sugar was brought nj a very
early period by the Red sea into Europe The
plant itself was transported ito the isles ofI,hodes
anil Malta. thence 10 Sicily, thence 70 the Azores
& other Atlantic Ises fum some Of which it is said
TO have been trmsplantcdnto the New World. 9th
ers contend that II was foSnd here among the Cha.
ribs OF Guadsioupe On the banks Of the Plate, and
at the osuih the Mississippi. In many Of the isles
of the laci.c Oscar il certainly found Nv Cook
Bryan Edwards seems to tbhk there - no contra.
diction between thssc accounts that tbs eaue did