Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1861-12-14
unstopped Rnt.hoIes.
CURIOUS STATEMENT OF AN ENGLISH TRAY
ELER IN THE SOUTH.

ELER IN THE SOUTH.
We find in an English paper some ao-
counts of q remarkable letter said to have
recently appeared in the Edinburg Daily
ReUiep from South. Carolinian correspond
ent Of that paper. The correspondent
writes from Charleston, and, says the En-
omb,ey, from which we quote; ...
-"Draws a gloomy picture of the stagna-
tion in that once busy harbor. But at the
same time he gives us an idea of the way in
which the enterprising citizens Of the Pal
metto State contrive to mitigate, in some de-
gree, the inconvenience of the blockade.
He tells how, under the guidance Of a
friendly cotton planter, he made night
journey to a point on the coast, of which he
only indicates the position, but which cen
be no other than the Bulls Bay named by
the New York papers as the probable desti-
nation of the powerful squadron of war ves-
sells and transports that has lately sailed
for Southern waters.
"Embarkiug with the mystery of con.
spirator on board o small steam-tug laden
with the most explosive and combustible
goods, this witness for the press is carried
down the dreary estuary Of the Ashley and
Cooper Rivers, passing q few dark and
rakish privateers and one or two unfinished
ships intended for the Confederate Navy.
Steaming boldly for the open sea, he and
his friend glide by Fort Sumter and Moul-
trie, which, together with the new earth
works and batteries on shore, appear to
make of Charleston a miniature Cronstadt.
Creeping along the coast with their hearts
i'll at ease, for the lights Of the blockadiug
frigate shine at no great distance, and the
breakers are uppleasantly near, the adven-
turous voyagers at length get into quiet
water in q narrow sound between o low
reedy islet and the mainland. They make
but slow progress, for the tug has a couple
of scows in tow, with heavy cargoes of cot
ton and turpentine, and the channel being
of no great depth, these are constantly stick
ing hard and fast upon sand. banks.
"There shoot forth, however, from se-
cluded creeks and inlets, lurking boats, by
the aid of which the tug is sent forward be-
fore the unfriendly dawn can reveal her
position to the Federal man. Of war. The
little expedition thus reaches in safety the
secluded spot where the unconquerable ge-
MUS Of trade has opened a new outlet for
the produce of the South. The scene is thus
described:
at as,broad daylight when we emerged
from this reed ,fringed creek upon space
of open water, skirted by broad rice-fslds
dotted here and there with square antiquated
houses and contiguous collections of negro
huts. But rebellion had made this quiet
bay busy focus of industry, and as we
painted up to long wharf along and near
which twenty-six vessels were lying, and 1
I saw the desperate traffic carried on in utter
defiance of the blockade gave the Souther-
ners credit for greater energy than l had
believed possible. Among the ships 1 OBJ
served the notorious privateer Sumter, which
had arrived the day before with n prize
laden with valuable silks and wines, two
other privateers, and captured Boston
clipper, which was being cut down and
pierced for guns, The other vessels were
either prizes or merchant-men, owned in
Liverpool or New York, which, having
brought in cargoes Of foreign goods and mu-
nitions Of war, were being loaded with rice
cotton and turpentine. Nearly all the cot
ton, it was stated, would find its way tc
New England. Five ships, I was told, had
sailed during the night 1t was from this
harbor that Mr.. Slidell and his friends
sailed for Cuba, on their way to Europe
and until its whereabouts are discovered
and the mouths of these inlets are effectuallJ
closed with stones and sunk lighters, the
blockade is o mere sham, and the trade
with Charleston virtually open.
"In the course of tour through the ad
joining States, the special correspondent
found other ports where a thriving impor
and export business appeared to be carried
on, without the slightest cencealment ol
chance of interruption. AT Wilmington
North Carolina, no hostile squadron hac
ever troubled the repose of the prosperou
and contented merchants, the embouchur
of Cape Fear River having been .apparentl.
overlooked by the official geographers 0
Washington" 1a