The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1839-12-07

whole business of society, in all its rela-
lions, experience the disastrous effects
of this depreciation in the currency. This
is not an exaggerated picture Of the evil.
The suspension, by the Banks, is de-
parture from the purposes for which their
charters were granted, and a plain viola.
tion Of those duties, which are cnjoincd
upon them, in the terms Of their creation.
The previous history of the country, in
relation to the chartered companies, en-
forces the necessity Of placing new safe
guards 10 prevent the evils which have
been felt. All charters, which confer ex-
elusive privileges on certain persons. in
trench upon the equal rights Of the rest
of the community. Ills certain, they re-
quire to be restrained by legal enactmeats;
and yet the charters, by which artificial
persons are created, are held up as con.
tanning all the regulations concerning them
within the competency of the Legislature.
1t might be wise and polite, to prevent
future evil, for the Legislature to pass a
general law upon the subject of all char.
ters, subsequently to be granted, reserv-
ins the right to make such further provi.
sions, as may be required 10 keep them
within the limits of their appropriate du-
ties, and compel them TO fulfil the objects
Of their creation.
In giving you information of the con.
ditien Of the State" | should feel tha.
was Justly obnoxious TO the charge, of
cglecring one of the most important
branches Of industry, were to be silent
on the subject of Agriculture. This pur-
suit OF the great mass of the people, has
claims upon your fostering care and attrn.
ton. is the source of our wealth, and
power, anal furnishes the means of our
commercial exchanges. Yet its impor-
tance seems never to hare been realized
by The constituted authorities Of the State;
for it is Iamcn,able truth, that while
other branches of industry have received
an impulse, by wholesome laws. the great
interests Of Agriculture have been passed
! by almost with silent contempt. Ii is now
time tor the State TO dismiss from Ecr
counse's this cold Indifference, and TO take
such action on tic subject, as will pro.
mote its success which have retarded the
progress Of The State in population, wealth,
and Importance, none is mere prominent
than the utter neglect Of this primary pur-
suit 1t canno: be doubted, that south
Carolina once nrssessod 4 soil of unsur-
PASSED fertility. Iiut this -ich gil: Of
kind Providence, has heen, in a great
maasure, lost, by a most peracions course
of husbanlry. 4 large portion of this
once Gourishing region, blessed, too, with
propticps climate. has been reduced TO
sleriIity. Yet, all hope of reclaiming and
restoring to It's wcnted productlvcneSs,
our exhausted soil. is not in vain. 1t is a
bcncicient provision Of a good Prnvi-
dcnce, that beneath the surface Of the
earth, are t. be found substances of the
most tsttilizing qualities. Their cisco.
very, however, requires tho application
of science, and means seldom possessed
b, individuals. 1t is, in such a case,
that wise AMI patriotic Legislature should
extend its aid. But to subserve fully, the
interests %: Agriculture, the Legislature
shonld not continue its operations TO a
Geological Survey alone. With this
Should &c connected all AgrlcuIlurdi our
vey. While the former would bring us
acquainted with all the substances which
enter into the compo :i,ion Of that por-
ton of the earth to which we can have
access, the latter will elicit mass of in
formation, in relation TO every thing that
concerns agriculture, which cannot fail to
be highly useful. In other countries, the
utility Of agricultural surveys has been
fully proved, by the valuable rcsul's.-
But, in carrying into effect such surveys
as have been mentioned, the value of the
results would depend upon the selection
of an individual, possessing the highest
qualifications, combining profound know
ledge of the subjects of investigation, a
sound discriminating Judgment, and an
unliring zeal and industry. The expense
of such project, should not be wciGhe
against the incaculabIe importance of the
end proposed. Being deeply impressed
with The practical usefulness of such sur
veys, earnestly recommend that you
provide for their accomplishment.
But while the development Of the ply
sical resources Of our country should
claim so large share Of YOUR serious at