Litchfield enquirer., 1861-01-31
4flisfellonp. D.
SOUTH CAROLINA.


 When parties start in the world for themselves it is usual for those who arc expected to tran sact business in connection with them, to look into their resources and see how they are to be able to sustain themselves in the new relation which they have assumed. There can be no harm, and may be some degree of instruction in following this custom in relation to the wonld-be , nation of South Carolina.
 South Carolina has 28,00O square miles of ter ritory, or almost four times as many as Mnssa- chusetts. 29,967 plantations, containing 4.072, 55l acres of improved, and l2l35.C49 acres of unimproved land, valued at !SS2 ,43l ,634 avelag ing to each 54l acres. The population of the state in 1850 was 274, ,563 free whites, tor about the same as Boston and the suburban cities of Rexbury, Cambridge and Charlestown) 1884, 9e4 slaves, and S,960 free colored persons The increase for the last ten years has been inconsid cradle. Charleston, the principal, and in fact the only, city in the State, has about 60,O0O population. Georgetown and Beuiort are the other principal ports, but they are not accessa- be by vessels drawing more than II feet of wa, ter; and consequently are of but little conse- quence for foreign commerce.
 The great staple products of the State are cot ton and rice, of which they raised, in 1850, ac- cording to the census returns, 300,00G bales of the first and l56,0O0,0G0 lbs. of the atter.' Al s9 1599s eS t9basaq tS22 tsp hy oats 02G,900 bushels peas, 4,337 ,4G9 busfets of sweet potatoes. The value of her manufac- lures was a little rising S6,C00,O0O. The exports of the year 1857 amounted to $l6,l27, ASA, the imports to $2,0l9,7s6. The exports of lumber in 1855, were 7,3SS ,653 feet to foreign ports and 16 5l3, 164 feet coastwise.
 The government of South Carolina is an ol garchy. The right to vote requires freehold i of 50 acres in ordinary cases. The legislature is elected annually. A senator must be 30 years old, resident citizen five years, and if residen, in the district must own freehold worth E3G9 if nonresident worth el.0CO. Representatives must have resided in the State three years il resident in the district must own a freehold of 800 acres and 10 negroes, or real estate worth Gi50 if nonresident must own real estate worth $500. The governor is chosen by the legisla- ture, and must have resided in the state 10 years, and be possessed of settled estate worth 4l 300. The lieutenantgovernor is chosen and must be qualified in like manner.
 The people do not vote directly for Governor or for President, or for any officer, except for members of the Legislature.
 As to the social condition of the people, the Norfolk Herald, paper published in slave state, says that there is no middle class in South Suoitiid. Aho Popuiooiou SouS'StS \Out oh tue towns which are few) of planters and sort oi peasantry. The delegates to the Legislature are frequently elected by dozen voters Large landholders,) and the affair is not uncommonly settled at the dinner table. Trade is considered as not exactly suitable to gentleman. Mer chants (retail) are called keepers and are not upon social equality with the planter.
 The revenue of the State in 1856 was $593, 9G2, and the expenses $59l ,l45 and the State debt in October, 1858, was $3,192,742, with . contingent liability of about $3,0O0,O0O more fol several railroads. The present Legislature has made several appropriations for war purposes amounting in all to little less than $3,0O0, ,OO0- though the Tax Bill to provide the means fo, paying has not yet been passed. Probably moi less than $2,O0OO0O additional will be required to cover what is deemed immediately necessary to the plans of the Revolutionists, Not less than $5,O00,OO0 will be required, if everything goes on smoothly and without war; If the worst should come. there is no telling how mnch more would be necessary. Considering that the total white population of the State is less thaH 100000 she is taking on rather heavy loads.
 It is evident that alone and of herself, South Carolina is not in position to successfully maintain her position. against the whole Union It remains tofbe seen whether she will have the cooperation of other States in the headlong and ruinous policy which she has inaugurated.