Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-04-30
From the Charleston Courier.

From the Charleston Courier.
GENTLEMEN THE causes of go MANY
failures amongst planters is love. to be
called rich, to accumulate around them
much properly. To do so they often pur-
chase large quantities of land, for which
they have no use, which they are tempted
10 purchase because it adjoins theirs. and is
for sale, and as they suppose low, and on
credit Poor Richard says, take care Of the
whistle. They also purchase many do
mes,ics; because they are to be Cotton on
credit, high prices are given. Il often
happens that these cheap bargains are
never paid for until they are sold by some
officer of the Courts, when the purchaser
.6nds that all he has purchased, together
with the patrimony Of himself and wife,
are all sold, and his debts are not paid
I have known in 1917 and 1886 sales
made of domestics al high prices, which
have afterwards been sold at loss Of from
one. half 10 two-thirds, and the same of
lands. A planter should never purchase
on credit, but save annually part Of his
income to invest occasionally. The dispo-
sition to live above the income of the plan
ta,ion is too prevalent. A rich planter
lives sumpluously, and his less wealthy
neighbour thinks as be is equal he can live
as well, he goes in debt TO do so, and ruin
follows as the consequence. No man is
excusable that lives upon all he makes; it
is due 10 himself, to his family, and the go
ciely in which he lives, that he should pro-
vide for himself and family in in old age,
and not be a charge upon his friends and
the government, after a life Of extraya-
gance. 10 say the least Of his mistaken
conduct.
The only safe way for planter is TO
live OH bis income. To do so he must moi
think only Of market crop, but to at
tend 10 the necessary provisions for his
family and household. He should never,
unless some severe dispeusation Of Provi-
dence visits him, be a purchaser of provl-,
sious, but be a seller to those that are no,
planters, but are consumers. He should
raise his own corn, wheat, rice, pork, beef,
mutton, poultry. horses, and mules, and
as far as practicable make most Of his do
:mesIic and plantation utensils. He should
be in most cases The physician Of his house
hold, the overseer of his plantation moth
ing is so we'll done that is to be done by
hired deputy as by the owner in person.
Nothing should excuse planter from this
last duty, but some official duty to his
country. He should be residen: on his
plantation the year round. He should
never seek to spend his time from home,
squandering his money. and lessenins his
love aud agriculture and his operatives
If his overseer can live in swamp, the
planter can and enjoy better health. lie
can lake better care OF himself-he can
take time 10 take cup oi coffee and
piece of bread before he leaves his cham.
ber TO attend 10 his plantation affairs that
require his supervision before 5reakfasf.-
He can eat his meals at regular hours-go
iulo his low grounds only with full sto-
mach, aud he has no fever TO fear--be al
home at night, and be temperate in all
things. 1t may be asked is be not TO live
as bis neighbors do? / say no, if they
are in error. Limit his expenditure TO his
income, and 10 do 50 have less costly fur
nilure, equipage, fewer servants, use more
frueality in his diet, unless il is The product
of his plantation-give his children less
extensive educations. Do not bring up
your sons to be lawyers and doctors unless
they have the requisite qualifications, NOR
al, mental and physical, but make them
learn the abors and duties OF a plantation
make them teachers, overseers oil your
plantation, and mechanics, and they will
be useful men and good citizens. In al
attempting 10 make Them lawyers, &C.,
YOU Slien cause them 10 oe drones on so
ciety. Your daughters should attend
more to the duties Of domestic lIle,, aud it
possible, realize The high character that is
given of virtuous women IN the last
chamer of the book OF Proverbs. They
should also be qualified to leach aud be
poyernesses. The minds Of your children
should be directed 10 such subjects, the
study of which will be useful 10 after life.
Have a library Of choice bookshelf there
be no novels, periodicals, aud such like
works, but have one or two newspapers Of
y high character for religious and moral
sentiments, and for agricultural and pollti-
cal Information.
I think, Messrs. Editors, that l have
pointed out enough to show the source OF
the pfaulers misforlunes, and The means OF
remedying the same. l hope have said
nothing that is untrue, offensive or impro'
per: but if there be any fault, it arises,
from a desire TO see the condition OF the
AGRICULTURAL interes, improved. and that
The CRY of hard times may not be heard
only from The indoleat and spend-ihrlit.
Yours, truly, &c. A. b.
The Richmond Enquirer says, tha. the
Mission 70 England has been offered 10 r.