The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-11-19
DOUBLE SHEET

Interesting Letter.
We find the following letter in the
New York Day Book:
COLUMBIA, S. c., October 81, 1866
Affairs in Louisiana and the South
were the subject of an interesting con-
versation at Nickerson's Hotel last
Friday evening. A gentleman who
owns large plantation there and one
in this State, and who appeared to be
thoroughly acquainted with all the
planting interest of the South, gave
statement Of the condition of the cot
ton and sugar crops, together with a
good deal of information on the gene
raj agriculture of the country, the cap
ital invested and the different branch
es of trade connected Herewith.
The appearance Of the country he
said, as it tlrst strikes the eye of the
traveller in passing through Georgia,
Alabama and Mississippi, and the
concurrent testimony of all the plan
Iers met with in travel is that of gen
eral poverty and destitution-the ut
ter deficiency OF crops of every sort.
AS q general rule, on the uplands the
crops which should have made from
fifteen to twenty bushels to the acre
will make but five or six. On the
prairie lands, where was formerly made
from thirty to forty, the yield is
about ten bushels to the acre There
IS an evident prostration of agricul-
ture III every part of the country,
arising simply from the fact Of the in
ability Of the planters to apply the
labor in the present condition of af-
fairs.
The approach of Mobile and New
Orleans is marked by an evident APP
nearance OF thrift in business, which
seems surprising, considering the real
condition of the country. On exami-
nation, however, into the affairs of
the business Of those two cities, the
whole trade is found to be based upon
small amounts of cotton, mostly of
the old crops, and some other pro-
duce OF inferior value sent by persons
who for four or five years have been
deprived of the necessaries and COM
forts of life, to provide themselves in
these matters
In New Orleans especially there was
large influx of transient population
from the country, seeking an exami-
nation Of old accounts with former
business men, and endeavoring to
provide means for the restoration
OF their property to something like a
productive condition. There was no
money to supply these deficiencies
except in very peculiar cases, and al
most every one after weeks sojourn
in the city returns disappointed to his
home. Ihe business men were utter
ly unable to afford any accommoda-
tlon to their old and valued custom
ers. The largest and most houlishinc
mercantile houses before the war in
New Orleans declared themselves
powcaiess, unable to resume the bust
ness which was their only means of
support One who before the war
was worth at least six hundred thou
sand dollars, stated to the speaker
that he was obliged to contine him.
self to small peddling trade to pro
cure fifty cents to get meal at Il res
taurant.
The dependency Of the people is
very great. a serious question in the
minds of business men is, how they
are to maintain themselves in their
respective classes i'll the absence of in
coming crops. after the present sup
ply of money from the old crop is
exhausted. The most casual eve, in
looking around what is called the
coast of Louisiana, is at once struck,
and the observation is corroborated at
every step, with the complete destruc-
ton of the cotton and other interests.
The levees in many places have fallen