Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-12-24

PuLITIcAL CoKREsPoSDENcE.- The cores
pondence between Gov. Hicks, of Maryland,
aud I,n X. II. Handy, Commissioners OF
Mississippi, has been published.
Mr. Handy inquiries whether the Cover
nor will convene the Legislature for the pnr-
pose of CO operating with Mississippi in mea-
sures necessary to defend the rights of the
South and to form new Confederacy.
The Governor replies at considerable
length. lie says that Maryland is identified
with the Southern States in feelings, insttu-
tons, and habits, but that she is also conser-
vative, and devoted to the Union OF the States
under the Constitution; that her people will
use all honorable means TO preserve and per
pe;ua,c all these. lie declares that the peo-
pie Of Maryland are almost unanimous in
their determination to uphold and maintain
their rights under the Constitution. They
believe that their rights will yet be admit
ted and secured, and that until it is certain
they will be respected no longer, not until
every honorable, constitutional, and lawful
effort 10 secure them is exhausted will they
consent to any etforG for it's dissolution.
The people OF Maryland, the Governor
says, arc anxious that time and opportunity
be afforded for Il fair and honorable adj Just
ment Of all difficulties and grievances Of
winch they, more than any other State,
have right to complain. lie believes that
a large majority of the people of the Union
desire such an adjustment, and thinks that
il will be promptly effected. Until the ctt1rt
is found to be a vain one, lie cannot consent
toany precipitatc revolutionary action to aid
| ia the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF the Union. When
he il satisfied there is no hope Of adjustment,
and hot until then, will he exercise any pow
er with which he is invested to afford even
an opportunity for such a proceeding. What
ever powers he may have, he will use only
after full consultation with other Border
States, since we and them, in the event Of any
dsmemberment Of the Union, will suffer more
| than all the others combined. The Governor
says that he is now in correspondence with
the Governors of those States, and awaits
with s0lcitude for indications Of the course to
he pursued by them. When this is made
known he will be prepared to take such steps
as our duty and interests demand, AID he is
consequently now unable to say whether or
when the Legislature will be called together.
SourM CAROLINA has an absolute debt OF
-,
! 900 geo. Her anuua! expenditure, cXclu-
| sive of debt and schools, amounts to ;ll5,-
| 000 1t is claimed that these liabilities and
expenditures are small, when the large
amount of mercantile exports is considered.
South Carolina has an area of $1,000
| square miles, equal to q 800, 900 acres. The
| population, as shown by the census Of 1880,
was PA 263 whites, and 3S4, 9Sl slaves. Il
is now believed To reach T00.OJO souls. OF
whom "ne-aIl arc whites. The population
contains large element Of IIuguenot dcs-
ccriantS, residing chiefly in the eastern and
middle parts of the State. \ nuutber OF
| their Immediate ancestors, such ~ the Ma
rions, Sumpters. uugers, &C.. distinguished
| themselves in the American revolution, and
during the late war with Great Britain. In
| the upper or hill country Of the State arc
found descendants If Irish and Virginia
| families. Amnng the former were the Cal
| hUuns, McDuffies, Jacksous, and other men
| Of that stamp.
| The reason her population has not m1ra
rapidly increased arises from the fact that,
while receiving few or no emgrant5 from
| abroad, she has parted with large numbers
| Of her people, who have settled in Georgia,
Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas,
and 10 some extent III Arkansas and Tennes-
see Hence the sympathy Displayed BY these
States in her behalf The bulk of the p",,-
pie Of lhose States are composed Of Carroll
mans and Iirginans.
The tonnage Of the ports Of South Care
lima was, in 1858. 1873 ,S34 tons, equal to 39J
vessels, with crews numbering 5.-it)3 men.
22j Of the vessels were American.-HH
ing.