New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-12-28
FROM SOUTH CAROLINA.
Prem Our Own Correspondent
CHARLESTON, s. c., Dec. 20, ]

Prem Our Own Correspondent
CHARLESTON s. c., Dec 20, 1850.
The season il near at hand when the slave
making. Indeed, Christmas time is period
which the slave looks forward and back to
through the whole year. They are generally al.
lowed the largest liberty"-that is, the largest
known among slaves. Visiting from plantation to
plantation is usually quite unrestricted, and feast
ing and fdn-makng is the order Of day and
night. This yesr, however, these festivities will
be considerably abridged. The privileges of the
season will be materially curtailed +" Hog and
"hominy" will take the place Of the decaces
usually prepared. Though South Carolina is now
free and independent, that newborn condition
does not appear to be at all compatible with the
usual fun and frohc, not TO say freedom, OF the
negro. This restriction is, however, but the nee.
esssIy consequence OF the revolution. Standing
in constant dread, ii is not TO be supposed that
the planters and proprietors would relax disci-
ciplne for the sake Of the slaves il whose minds
they know not what is going on, and in regard
TO which they have the grsvest spprchensions.
In this city the police arrangements relating
to negroes Are very rigid. A number Of ordi
nonces that had fallen into dsuse have been re-
viyed, and are nOw rigidy enforced To q
stranger of these not little novel.
AT precisely fifteen minutes before o'clock
ov.ry nigh. the year round the bell IN the tower
Of ST. Michsel's ID rung vigorously for quarter
Of an hour; during that time negroes, bond and
free, take themselves hOmewsrd, and at times IL
IL amusing 10 witness the efforts Of sn ancient
and belated old fellow 10 accomplish long dis
tance in g short time. When the bel has done
ringing snd 9 o'clock has struck, there issue
from the Gusrd-House a rather formidable estsb.
lishInent Tor 3 city no arger than Charleston. a
b drummer and fier, who, after beating the r..
| yielle, play variety Of tunes, and in this way
consume ten minutes after which time if any un-
| lucky negro il csngbt ont by the police without
| permit he ia taken TO the Guard-Uouse for
! the night. The nett morning he il sometimes
whipped but usually the owner or Lessee Of the
negro reclaims him by paying fine of from one
! 10 three dollars. Tie form Of the psss or per.
! nit generally used is ss follows: Pass and re.
| pass the bearer, Sam, from No. 20 Church street.
! TO the Battery, and return at any hour OF the
night" Ii the negro is expected to be back at
! particular hour il Is named, and sometimes the
route be ia 10 70 and come is also specified.
| These regulations since the present state Of
| shings has existed have been more rigidiy en-.
al al points, particularly at nights.
| On the plantation il il proposed 10 surtsil or
| suspend entirely the pass system. During the
| holidays il has been the custom 10 give passes
| for 4 week, permitting the bearer 10 90 consd.
| cradle distances into the country. Ii 10 nov
proposed 10 restrict passes during the holidays
| 70 sunset o. 10 time and limited number Of
| miles az TO distance, snd after the holidays to
| be stu more stringent. A writer in one Of TIE
public journals, referring 70 thi- satject
| remarks:
"Tsy not only .i,e1 o, bs % .es. troubles, bat
Of action sonk herr aided BY enaiiei from sbrosd
POSITION. n'N . WIS P.. 40 S. a %
well informed upon these subject, oS IN cities and towns
.hclI and tAeiI own.i.S '-' ''''''' WIZ ~
This only proves that our citizens ore becom.
INK aware Of the dangers 10 which they sra
exposed from secession. The dangers and prob
sblities Of instruction and seryile war are now
very generally discussed, and apprehension on
the subject is continually growing.
At Fort Sumter, about one hundred mechsnios
continue busily employed. Their lsbors have
been directed BY the best engineering skill, snd
if tb- Fort was not strong before, it may saiel,
be assumed that il viii be before these mea
have been there much longer. II ha. arms and
ammunition in large quantities AMI Of all dcscrip.
tiOns. Tie armament proper consists Of no
gun,; many Of them Of the l0-inch Coiumbisds,
which have q great range for shot and she'll
When the present labor. were commenced Dat
few OF these suls we're in position. Time
tuOush 10, elapsed, however, 10 allow ussrly tas
'ptire armament TO be competed. The import.
uDce Of tbs Fort, not only 10 the Federal AL.
thority, but to the Rcvolutionists, has not been
overlooked by Major Anderson. No doubt that
could the Reyolutoni.ts obtain Possession of il.
Fort Aouitrie could not long hold out, and the
possessOrs would b. masters Of their position in
the most emphatic sense. Such kn advantage
has not keen Overlooked b. tbose ~hs have the
IL.