The Portland daily press., 1864-06-17
Letter from the Palmetto State.

BEAUFORT, S. g., June ], 1864.
To the EditoreJ the Press:
Being dweller at present In the land Of
"Dixie," it occurs TO me that a note OF obser-
vation may not be unacceptable to you and
your numerous readers. Beaufort, my pres
ent residence, was formerly the summer re-
treat Of the Southern aristocracy, but has
now become the residence OF an aristocracy
Of far different stamp. The present aristoc-
racy is composed largely of the Northern
"greasy mechanics and mudsills of society,
interspersed with woolly headed class Of
Southern nobility.
This beautiful city is the residence of Brig
Gen. Saxton, Military Governor of South
Carolina, who combines in beautiful proper
tons the citizen, the gentleman and the mag
istrate. He is greatly respected and beloved
by all classes, and is eminently calculated to
flll the place he occupies.
Beaufort is situated on the southern end Of
Port Royal Island, on an arm OF the sea, is
regularly laid out, and, before the rebellion,
contained about 5000 inhabitants. 1t is now
rapidly growing, and is merging from its for
mer luxury. ease and dissipation TO the active
thrift peculiar to industry. 1t is about a mile
in length by one half in breadth, and lays
along the shore OF beautiful bay, from which
each afternoon refreshing breeze is felt. The
buildings, though very rude in architecture
as compared with those in our Northern cities,
are large and airy, and all embowered in trees.
The Magnolia, one of the most beautiful Of
Southern evergreens, grows to the height OF
forty or lfty feet, and is now clothed in large
white flowers, resembling in shape the apple
blossom, but very large. measured one
few days since which was ten inches In diam
eter, and 1t was by no means the leargest.
The petals were five inches long by three in
breadth. The Pride of India, another beauti-
full tree, has blossom, In size, color, shape
and odor, resembling the Lilac in our North
ern gardens. Its fragrance, when waited on
the evening breeze, is most delightful. The
orange 10 abundant, and OF several varieties.
Lemon, Pomegranate and Figs abound, while
the lesser fruits crown every shrub or peep
from every hedge. The soil is OF fine black
sand, and very productive, and under North
ern enterprise and thrift would soon yield al
most boundless store oi fruit and vegeta-
bles. Wild grapes, in their season, may be
gathered by the CARLOAD, but l cannot ascer-
tain, that q single vine has ever been cultivat-
ed. This island Is ten miles long by about
I nve broad, and almost every foot is capable OF
cultivation. Many OF lesser size lay about it,
separated only by channels, as salt water
rivers, yet OF sufficient size TO permit the gun
boats freely to pass.
This group Is the source OF the far-famed
Sea Island cotton, much of which is now be-
ing cultivated. Previous to the rebellion the
lands we're divided into plantations of severa
thousand acres each. Each was under the
control Of an overseer, while the owners dwell
at ease in Beaufort. Since the unceremonioui
departure OF the shareholders, these planta
tions have been divided into farms Of fort.
acres or more. and are being rapidly settled
by the colored people. White men have tn
privilege of buying lands on most of the is
lands, one only being reserved wholly to tn
celored people.
The question is often asked, will the negroe
work? Could the questioner be permitted I
see the large loads of turnips, peas, beam
MELONS, radishes, blackberries, &C., brough
into town by the colored people In their two
wheeled donkey carts, they would be satisfe
on this point. They cultivate their own farm
and many of the vegetables are raised by III
. labor OF the women, while the men enlist, eI
gage in Government work or go fishing. An
II they would learn that tact and shrewdnes
are not peculiar to the Yankees, they hay
) only to attempt the purchase of these vcget
; bles. The Africans have a peculiar custom
: carrying everything upon their heads. III
women will 60 to the wells, draw their waite
set their buckets upon their heads, and marc
!, of chatting and laughing, apparently forge
4 full that they have burden. Loads of WOO
are often borne half a mile thus, with apps
:. ent ease, which would be deemed heavy lo
e for wheebarrow. A short time since M
d from out town passed, carrying upon his he
v large ham of bacon, in his right hand hu
e loaf of army bread and pail, on his should
1. bag containing about q bushel OF homir
l. held by his left hand, and the only inconve
1t ience he appeared to feel was the lack oi
y third hand, with which to brush away
T. sand flies. w. 4. T.