The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-07-08
~ouR c1rY.-HER PAST AND FUTURE

friends.
-r~OuR CITY.-HER PAST AND FUTURE.
In the present state of political and
financial gloom, with business depressed,
and the policy with which we are to be
governed for some time to come quite un-
certain, it may not be Improbable to in
dulge in some reflections in reference to the
business of Charleston. In the days OF
the Colonial G Government, this city was the
seat of prosperous trade with the mother
country, based on the expectation of rice,
indigo, tobacco, and the products of the
forests, creating large and profitable in
tercourse, and building up the fortunes OF
some of the most distinguished names in
the State. Just before the Revolution the
expectation of rice alone had reached the
considerable amount of 10000 barrels. AT
the commencement of the struggle of 1776,
Charleston and South Carolina had GER
tainly no special cause of dissatisfaction for
want of material success; for her commerce
was profitable and growing, and she was, in
most respects, pet colony.
Soon after the close Of the Revolution,
the introduction of the cotton plant and
the cultivation of rice in the river swamps,
particularly the former, led to large and
remunerative foreign intercourse, and al
though the trade in cotton at this port did
not develop itself with the rapidity which
it did at some places having more fertile
back country and cheap means of inter
course with the interior, still its growth
here may be considered surprising, when it
is remembered that it had not fairly COM
menced until after 1900, and the expectation
of the article reached the amountof $4,000
bales, just before the last war. The
late civil war so completely disorganized
the planting interest that the expectation
of 1866, and '66, was only about 10000
bales and for 1866, '67 will probably reach
10000, but we are hopeful that during
| he coming year, unless the weather should
be more disastrous than we anticipate, that
we shall have from 25O,OOO to 100000
bales to send forward. The trade in lum-
ber and naval stores in the past has also
been profitable, and was growing, up to the
time of the late difficulties. Unfortunate
ly for our city, much of the profits arising
from this considerable traffic was removed
from beyond her limits from time to time,
and it is supposed that this depletion
to s4O,OOO,OOO or s5O,Oo0,OOo
dollars during the past half century.
This abstraction was owing to two
causes: First, the large number of our busi-
ness men who were foreigners, who, in
some instances, merely came here to obtain
wealth, and after that object was had, they
returned to their native land Another
was the disposition, even among native
merchants, to go abroad and spend more
lavishly of their means than the occasion
might seem to require or call for. These
two causes have interfered to q G at ex-
tent with the growth of wealth here. This,
however, will measurably be correct in
the future by the increase of native er-
chants, and the necessity of practi I;
economy caused by increased competition.
For the future, although we look forward
to some trial and difficulties, there are
many reasons to be hopeful. Charleston
enjoys position which, while it has some
is possessed Of many advan-
tages. Until the introduction of railroads,
her means of communicating with the in
terror was of so inferior character that,
as she did with only her natural
gifts, she would necessarily have been aplace
of small note, but by the use of the iron
horse, the position of affairs is materially
changed, with lines of railroad extend
ing gradually to the most important points
in the interior, it would only seem to
require good management to secure large
and prosperous commercial intercourse.
Occupying central situation between
Cape Hatteras and the southern point of
Florida, with harbor well landlocked,
depth and expanse of water
sufficient for the largest commercial opera
tions, and bar which now admits of the
passage of vessels Of seventeen to eigh-
teen feet draft, and capable of further in
crease in depth, admitting the passage
Of ships carrying from four to FIVE
bales of cotton, and which, in
OF the recedlng line OF the coast
south of Cape Hatteras, is thrown back
nearer the centre of the Great West than
any point north, climate Of unsurpassed
comfort from the 1st of October to the 1st
Of June, and, although the heat in summer
is oppressive, it is moderated by the
sea air, possessing remarkable degree Of
general health, and having country at her
back of unlimited extent and after leaving
The tide water region, say from twenty-five
10 thirty miles from the coast, most ofit suit
able for the abode of the white man, may
we not hope for a successful career in the
future, if we are only true to ourselves?
EV NCT GTnD EVrET GTnp