The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1849-12-05
MILITARY AFFAIRS.

and ample provision Tor ALL ""etesoe'e' ''."'
ted.
MILITARY AFFAIRS.
Immediately after the adjournment of the
Legislature, | visited the Arsenals, and snbse.
ouenty attended as many of the regmenal re-.
views, ia the parishes and upper Districts, as
my civil engagements would permit. regret
10 acaiaint YOU that found the military cond-
tion Of fihe State depIorabIy defective. Not only
the ordinary means of defence, but measurably
ali the materials Of war, were wanting. The
martial ardor, too, which, as is admitted, dis
tupuishes our people, seemed TO be waning,
and the moi unfIeqnent exhibitions of listessness
and indifference by the officers, as we'll as pr-
Yates, plainly showed that the absence of excit-
ing influences was operating injuriously upon
the true interests of the Stale.
e 1t is, perhaps, unnecessary to assure you that
South Carolina must, hereafter, exist as milf
tary people. The history of our country, ior
the last Ten years, affords abundant proof that,
as long as the Union endures, there is 10 tie no
peace for the stakeholder. An eternal warfare
against his rights OF person aud property. under
the associated influence of the people and States
Of the North and the central power has been
soemnly and deliberately decreed. For this
reason, it is essential that the community, OF
which he is a member, should be prepared, at
any moment, for every emergency.
The measures which are .he best adapted 10
pull the State in condition of defence; TO insure
an efficient military organization and 10 arouse
the vigilance, the pride, and the energy OF the
citizen soldier, should indicate your path of duty
at this time.
By a resolution OF your last session, the Go.
vernon was required to increase the number OF
small arms in the Arsenals, to $4,000, TT Tor
service, and not TO permit a reduction below It
by ordinary issues. To carry into effect this
important resolution the Legislature neg lccted
10 put one dollar at my disposal. independent
Of $4,000 for the purchase and distribution ol
arms. and $4,000, the amount that was IN the
treasury, to the credit of the fund. Tor the same
object, under The act of '33, have expended
and contracted TO pay for muskeis, rifles swords,
and musket accoulremeu,s, $4,000 Of the ap.
preparation 70. military contingencies.
Having received from Me War Department
the quota of this State, for AT, A. and the
present year, there have been deposited in the
Arsenals. acquired from that source, and by
purchase, since the commencement of my ad.
ministration, the number and character OF arms
specified in exhihi, A.
The cleaned rnuskets, Of which the nnmber
is, proportionaliy, very large, and those that
have always been in good order show the ag
gregaie that you vii! find in exhibit b.
Dpductiny the repaired guns, which are very
suitable Tor distribution, there vii! exist def.
&c g, n, .Ir
auired for the public service, which, trust.
will readily be supplied. OF other military
weapons and materials, the number needed is
detailed in exhibit &, to which refer you.
TO what extent it is advisable To distribute
tho public arms among the people, is question
/ submit, for your decision. The repaired mus
kets and rifles are the only guns tha, have
consented should he withdrawn from the arse.
mails, and TO this rule, unless otherwise directed
BY the Legislature, shall generally adhere.
In order to ascertain the opinion Of the militia.
ry on several points OF deep interest, address.
ed circular to the major generals Of the State,
requesting them 10 convene bOaid of officers,
in their respective divisions, tor the purpose Of
answering certain questions. The replies Of
the boards are herewith forwarded. OF such
of their recommendations as approve, and TO
which ask your notice, a statement you will
find in the paper marked VI. advise also the
adoption Of tho following measures, viz:
lst. That with the consent Of city council,
the magazine be removed from its present site
toihe Citadel Square, within the corporale lin.
It's of Charleston.
81: The city council of Charleston paying
one.ihrd of the purchase money, that the lot,
property of DR.. Waring, on the south side of the
Guard House Square, he bought al fair val.
,a,ion, and ha, there be erected thereon gun
carriage rooms and suitable building for fix.
ed ammunition.
Sd. That, for the purchase of arms and mu.
ailoas Of war and TO meet extraordinary ex.
prndiiurps, S50,000 he appropriated, and $50,
900 for the contingent, fund, subject to the DRAFT
ofthe Governor.
AGRICULTURAL SURVEY-STATIS.
TICS.
In State SO strictly devoted to the culture O
earth US South Carolina, il is surprising that n,
inquiry by the constituted authorities has ever
been Instituted 10 ascertain her agricultural re.
sources. and indireety her capacity for com
rnerca and manufacturing enterprise. OF thi.
knowledge. easily acquired, and important, i
its true interests be consulted, 10 every Class ia
society, probably but one member is accurate
" possessed. Ii is from this cause mainly, tha
only about 250OO0O, of near 10000 600 o
acres, of our arabic grounds. are annually in
tih; that to the hest soils the pow is a stranger
that the intrinsic value oflhe pine lands. com
prehendng over 8,0OO,OOO ofacres. is unappre.
cialed; and that The swamp region, of 1000
square miles, generally well ada pied to the mos
valuable crops, continues unsnl,jected 10 tria
OF it's productive powrrs. Is il. therefore, won.
derful that the spirit of emigration should, al
times. have been awakened; tha, SECTIONS o
the State should re,rograde, or remain station