Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-04-20


those who are to come after US, if VIC wsh.to
improve our condition by using our resources OK
even maintain our present standing before tne
world. "a
Union or tIisunion, secession or submission,
this is our present home; here we find our lots
cast; here our abiding place. And the Mighty
Makers command to Adam in Eden to subdue,
to dress and to keep it Is command 70 US. Ii
not so audible from Deity, we hear it from in
terest, from natures first law from the desireto
provide for those dependent upon rs, and to en-
large our blessings.
Let our rivers be straightened- throw all the
water into one straight channel, that it may run
off quick and wash out deep-thus securing their
deltas free from freshets, and you open up an
immense mine of agricultural wealth, which
must add to your capital, increase your produc-
tions and comforts, employ your labor and skill
to greater advantage, invite an increase and re-
tain your present numbars-which if something
is not done, must look out for other fields to op-
crate in. To effect this purpose, is worth an ef-
fort for if we lose them, we lose the essentials
of strength, capital and population on-7--when the
opposite course will encourage them to remaiB
with their energies means and productions. "a;
| Small streams are ditched drained and re-
drained, as we will see on almost every planta-
tion-then why not the rivers that are worth
80 much more? ~ ~, ~ :.nss
From Camden falls to Santee is about 40
miles-the swamp will average at least two
miles-many places it is four miles across-but
say two miles all the way and you have eighty
square miles or upwards, fifty one thousand
ture above $4,000 acres, thus adding $4,000
acres of new land or say an increase of value
on the whole of $40 per acre, gives US L000,-
900. And this in short distance of Wateree
alone in the centre of the State, while there is
Santee Congaree, the Pee Dees, Lynches Creek,
and several other streams adding in all ten or
twenty times more. 80
As We know more about Wateree River, and
we believe that no other would yield so much at
so little expense, we can say more about IT, and
would respectfully ask particular attention to it.
from Camden to Santee. In astraight line, it is
about forty miles-as i: runs, 125 miles or more.
The fall ls inches or more to the mile, as it
could not run with less. Reduce the length to
forty miles, and concentrate the fall gives us
FIVE feet, and if the flow increases in proportion,
it would run off in one day as much as it runs
now in one week, and the single channel give
sufficient vent for all the water. rrs
The old river beds could soon be planted
the creeks, lakes, and ponds could be drained by
bitches into the deepencd channel, and all or
nearly all rendered secure from overflow of wa
! ter, which has been so frequent the last few
years as to discourage the few that plant them.
The crops and stock lost in the last ten years
would be sufficient sum to pay for the work
propose. -.
These lands are greatly needed, for what was
naturally fertile of the high lands, has become
much worn, while these lands once made free
from freshets, are almost Invaluable, the quality
of the soil being the very richest and lying so
as never to wear out. Producing cotton, corn,
or small grain equal to any lands on earth. These
great advantages would not be for few years
only, or require a periodical expense to. keep
them up. as most improvements do, but they
will tell and tell well for all time to come.
An expenditure of 100000 by the State win
add one million to its wealth. Lands now valued
at FIVE dollars will be worth fifty dollars per acre;
it is too large an undertaking for individuals,
though they have done much in banking out,
which does not answer the purpose. To en-
bank all the way would cost three times the
money that Strengthening it would, and then
to the embankments are always liableto break or
be undermined, while the water outside of them
must lie on the ground which is often an injury
to crops, to the ground, and hindrance. from
work. The enterprise is so inviting to the State,
so much can be done with so little money. Let
it be surveyed BY competent man,-count tho
cost, make all the calculations, and go to work
as soon as possible. Here We have rich mines
which are certain never to fail They cannot be
worked too soon objection might be made to
this magnificent improvement as redcundng too
much to the benefit of few, which answer BY
asking what work Of its kind has not the same
tendency? Where a railroad, passes land rises in
price. Town property and rents increase in, val
ue. where the facilities Of trade and travel are
enlarged and what is good for part Of tho
people is good for the whole. The State belongs
to the people, and without the people it could
not 60 on. We insist with great confidence, that
this enterprise is practicable, and that it could
not fail to result in eminent good to all.
1t looks like this acquisition had been reserv.
ed for later day,-a day when necessity would
compel movement towards it. To the writer,
who must confess himself sanguine on the sub
ject, it presents itself as cheap means of near
ly douh;no tho wealth IF tbe State 5.-