Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1866-06-09
Correspondence of the Courier.
CHARLESTON, May rs, Is

CHARLESTON, May 20, 1866.
Mr.. EUior: Among the very many de-
spending persons whom one meets now nearly
every day, it is refreshing to como across one
who does not take quito as dull view of our
prospects as the large majority, and partcu-
larly cheering to hear sound views of our pros
pcrity in the future expressed; one of the
surcst ways to keep place back i'll the on
ward progress of the world, is to always decry
any effort, which may be attempted for its i'm
provcmcnt, on tho ground &C incompctcncy in
the manager or the undertaking, or as bad
Investment otherwise:
Charleston is evidently intended for large
city, with every natural qualification for one,
now tho largest with the exception of Now
Orleans, South Of Baltimore it commands
the whole Import, and yearly the whole Ex-
port trade OF South Carolina, and great por-
ton of Georgia. It's halbor is quite deep
enough to allow the ingrcss and egrcss of load
ed ships of 1900 tons burthon; and as to ar
tiiicial improvements, the Edisto and Ashley
Canal now in progress towards completion,
i"cuT tic hurpur, tncrcby cutting of many
miles of dangerous travel for RATS coming here
and truly giving this city vast lumber trade
for the lumber growth Of the interior of this
State is unsurpassed, and has hitherto only
needed IN avenue Of safety to this seaport.
The Charleston and Cincinnati Railroad will
also assist vastly towards building this city !;
and our public men forcsaw that fact before
the late war, when the Blue Ridge Railroad
WAS first started And of what an incacua-
bic benefit it would have been to the Confed-
crate States if that road had been completed
in time, connecting Tennessee and South Car
olina through the Blue Ridge mountains? |
am glad to sec that the wise men of both cities
arc now aroused to the Importance of connect
ing the great North West by Railroad with
the Atlantic. This city being the nearest
point, it must be finished sooner or later, here.
Our trade is necessarily dull now, as at this
season nothing of consequence was done before
the war, but we look forward to good bust
ness next Fall. Gold was sold at $3.50 this
morning, and middling cotton at 10 cents per
lb. Sterling Exchange at s6.27 to the G..
City 6 per cent. Stock at $50 and advancing.
One project for improving tho city is the
building of handsome block of Stores on the
burnt square, between King, Meeting, Queen
and Cumberland streets, on the plan of tho
"Palais Royale of Paris; the stores to be
three stories high, fronting on the four streets,
the rears forming garden or hollow square in
which will be a fountain; the entrances will
be through four arohways, one on each street.
The first story Of the buildings will be rented
as Wholesale stores; the second as retail, open
ing to the rear into large piazza supported
by stone pillars, and extending around the
garden; the third story will be for reading
rooms, Photographic galleries, &c. The pro-
jcct is good one, and has some monicd and
and energetic mon in charge Of it, and ! oarn-
estly hope that it may succeed
we arc now enjoying the happiness Of hav-
Ing another Fair-going; when VIC had scarce
| ly recovered from one for tho founding Of q
school tol orphans, we have another held over
our heads, to assist Trinity Church. and this
Imust acknowledge to be one Of the best ar
ranged which We have lad recently. The
liibernian Hall has beon beautifully decora-
ted, and the contributions many and varied
|&ho Baud Of tho 9th u S. Infantry attend,
and by their fine music add much to tho en-
joyment of the time. There are also Tabloaux
which are we'll carried out; and the far.famcd
and wonderful instrument, tho Apataloscopo
by which you sro made to sec through brick
aud can see all tho seven wonders of the world
at the same time. The proceeds Of this exhi-
bition will doubtless be a handsome amount
SsTlfe ladies' arc soo grand IS Prom.