Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-06-20
AGRIC LT,U X E.
For Mc Enquirer


continuous body OF swamp land, varying gene
rally from Two to four miles, and IN patt IS luii
six miles in width. The swamp has been FORM
ed and raised BY The mud deposited BY the river.
The surface is different in height, according as II
has been more or less fayorably situated 10 re-
| ceiye an retain the sediment Of the oyerfiowins
waters Some parts, recently raised, are yet out
little above the surface Of The river at lis lowest
state; and other parts are perhaps fifteen feel or
more above. But the highest as well as The low
esl parts, are sometimes, and not unfreqnently,
subject 10 be covered by the river when swollen
| by ireshes.
| In The winding course of the Sanlce, as OF all
other rivers under like circumstances, al some
places il approaches very nearly 10, or touches,
the high land on one side, and, soon leaving It,
passes by longer or shorter course, to the other
side. Thus large bodies of swamp land, OF near
I " The entire width are left first on one and then
on the other side OF the river, as its course is
changed The Santee canal, Connecting this ri
yer with the "copper" al its Northern outlet, pass
es through the estate of Major Samuel Porcher,
Mexica, where the river approaches lose 10
the high land A glance at the map OF South
Carolina will show that, from the outlet OF the
canal, the river flows first in course nearly al
right angles with the margin of the high land,
for several miles through The swamp, and then
turns downward in the direction OF It's general
route, and nearly parallel with the high land, and
is bordered BY swamp for many miles lower
fro, tbo r,nuth M tho canal
the whole width OF swamp land is about SIX
miles, Gas appears on the map) and the part left
between The high land Of Mexica and the river,
there running nearly parallel, is three or four
miles. But this great expanse OF swamp is not
owned by one individual, nor is il one uRbroken
body. Several narrow but open channels serve
10 cut il up into several large islands. These
narrow passages are, in general, nearly parallel
with the course OF the river, connected with it al
extremes, in some cases, as here, ten miles apart.
They help 10 discharge the foods in high waters;
and, in low, they serve 10 receive and drain away,
from the interior parts OF the swamps, the water
which would otherwise remain stagnani until re-
moved BY evaporation.
The embankmert in question, Joins the high
land, al The lower side OF, and adjoining the San
tee canal, and first stretches outward (rom The
high land,) and then downward parallel TO the &C.
neral course of the river, for some miles. Thus
the line Of the embankmenl, together with that OF
the parallel margin OF high land, are shaped
something like the letter U; the curve represent
ing the upper and cross line OF the embankment
and one Of the arms, the line stretching down the
course Of the river, and the other arm being the
parallel margin of high land. Thus il will he
seen, that there is not constructed continuous
and surrounding dyke, such as would be neces-
sary 10 oppose still water, or the rise OF tide water
20 level elevation, but rather q mere henf-
rafY, 10 repel and iend OIL the high and impe-
tuous floods coming from above, and descending
in level rapidly with the fall OF the rivers surface
and course. Neither does the embankment stretch
ou 10, or pproach near, The side of The river, or
embrace hall the width OF The great extent Of
swamp between the high land and the river
Neither, perhaps does the longest line OF the en-
bankment run on the highest or The most eligible
ground If looking TO the whole body OF land, and
the best general planto its being reclaimed All
| these things, no doubt, might have been much bel
Ter planned, il the work had been done at the cost
and for The benefit Of The public, or by the COM
bined action OF all The proprstors, for The benefit
OF all. In such case, the work might, at 4 ten
fold cost, have produced hundred-fold benefit
But instead Of either Of these modes, an indi-
vdua proprietor, greatly constrained and oh
slruc,cd by others, and in no case aided by lhem
or by the general policy and laws of the country
in reference 10 such works, had 10 suit his opera
lions both 10 his own limited ability and means
and 10 The outlines Of his own landed property
And therefore properly, and indeed necessarily
the line OF embankmenl was so directed as 10 pro-
tect as much as possible of the constructors own
land, and at the least cost for the particular oh
ject in view.
The embankmcn', as executed By the propre-
tor, is now 4, miles in length on his own swamp
land, and also extending 300 yards still beyond
through the swamp of his next neighbor below,
which 300 yards he added tc his work, for The
greater security Of his own protected land above.
The perpendicular height varies from TO ii feet,
and the average is estimated al 10 feet. The dli-
ferences Of height are according 10 the different
elevations of the land, or 10 the comparative
heights ot the freshes at different points OF their
course. caused by variations in velocity. The top
of the embankment is wide and firm enough for
safe and pleasant riding on horseback. The base
varies in width from IS TO GO feet, and for the
greater part il is more than so feet The whole
embankmenl serves 10 protect completely from
he freshcs, and TO permit safe dry culture upon
500 acres. and embraces within the area abonl
l,400 acres.
The work was begun in 1917; and though pro-
secuted every year thereafter, was not deemed
compele until 1911. Even now (lsf3) II is de-
signed to add to its height considerably through
its entire length. Besides The length Of The orr
ginal construction there have been, al several diff
fcrent times, breaches made and parts swept
away. so as 10 require mile Of the line TO be re-
constructed al very far more expense than al first.
Altogether, this is one OF the greatest aericul-
tural undertakings known in the United States,
executed by private individual. And il is the
more remarkable and deserving 10 be distinguish
cd, because in a region where very little enter
prise is exercised, 10 make available By new i'm
movements any Of the great dormant sources of
agricultural wealth. which might add SO greatly
TO the products Of the State. The constructor
was mol encouraged nor in the least sustained BY
any concurrent opinion, or confidence, or scarce
| " The fantest hope OF other persons Very few,
if any, had the sightes, expectation OF his ul,i-
m lie success or profit in the undertaking. And
even when the land had been embarked Ghoueh
/ imperfeclly) and under ilase for four or five
years, upon the occurrence Of the worst breach
and most disastrous flood, Maj. Porcher was ur-
! gently advised and entIeated BY his overseer 10
/ abandon the undertaking as desperate. This
person, Mr. S. Hawksworh, is now, and has
been in service here for more than twenty years;
! which alone is sufficient evidence of his merit as