Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-03-08
To.al limits Of the State! ,O7S,4Gl! 26,G6Oi 3O,l

Total limits Of the State. II, ,01S4Gl 26b60i 81, lSj
In these calculations all fractions of acres and
Of square miles are excluded, which will explain
the deficiency Of IS square miles OF Tax paying
territory necessary 10 prove the work, and OF the
30 square miles requisieto make out Mills ag-
grrpa,e Of the whole State. Nor do the above
sums of Tax paying land, include any estimate
of the lots and lands situated in Cities. Towns
and Villages of each District and Parish. When
we remember this, and allow proper margin
for vacant lands, for defective surveys, for under
returns by some Freeholders, and for no returns
at all by others, to avoid Taxes, the usual esti-
mate of 20 900 square miles for the whole State,
may be regs rded as safe one, and if we add,
AZ We should, the surface covered by Rivers,
Ponds. Marshes, &c, Mills aggregate Of 3O,2l3
square miles. is probably not far wrong.
Taxes are now paid in South Carolina for
over /. .60O,O 900 acres of land more than in 1893.
Thin great increase in the quantity Of tax pay
inu land, Is undoubtedly owing to the daily APP
propriation, Of large tracts of public domain,
and 10 the constant correction OF fraudulent or
under SURVEYS, which were very common IN illls
State MANY years ago. The tax paving area ol
Edrefield alone, is now over 100000 acres more
than it was twenty years since, apd alike pro-
portionate increase may be claimed tor nearly
avery District and Parish in the State. men
tion these facts to sho& that the precise limits
of each District and Parish, or Of the State at
I,roe. cannot be obtained. Nor is it desirable
An concentration 10 the truth will answer every
valuable purpose, since practical lie, as Well as
law. must disregard little things, and in the ab'
sence of any accurate surveys OF the Stale, OF
of. its various subdivisions, contend that we
must adopt one of two methods for guaslns
Them. lst, We must either measure the size OF
each District and Parish by the qudntity OF land
for which each pays TaXes,-or, I'd, We must
add to the tax paying area of each, a proper
tionate share of the non-tax paying land which
is known 10 exist.
By adopting the latter basis of calculation
which is certainly more correct, and by assum-
;nr Mills estimated area of the whole State TO
he the true one, we shall find that Edgefieid EN-.
braces 1893 square miles, or, if the other basis
of $4,000 square miles for the whole State, be
preferred, Edgefeld may even then be SAID tc
contain surface Of 1924 square miles, accord
ING to the authority which would compress mel
limits within the smallest space. But am strong
" inclined to support the estimate OF nii!is' ahe
therefore, have in the third column OF liie pre-
cedinp Table, added the non-tax paying lane
of the State proportionally to the tax paying
area of the several Districts and Parishes, al
being upon the whole, the fairest rule that We
ean employ for determining the territorial exten
of our political and judicial subdivisions.
But as some may object to this process, wi!
not sickle for il, although, in my Judgment Il
is the best, and indeed, the only plan OF mensu
ration which can be applied for ascertianing, ever
proximatey, the full dimensions of our Dlstrlct
and Parishes, and in n calculation Of the kInc
we are attempting, it is unquestionably true
that some notice should be taken of the non
tar payinp land. Still, as was said before
waive the point, and proceed. .r,
By recurring 10 the above Table, it Will o'