ART. XIII.-MISCELLANEOUS

STATISTICS OF WEALTH

AND PROGRESS, ETC.

CLOTHING FOR NEGROES-SLAVERY AS A PUNISHMENT FOR CRIME-POPULATION AND RESOURCES OF CALIFORNIA-SLAVERY AS AN ELEMENT OF SOUTHERN STRENGTH-MOUNTAIN REGION OF SOUTH CAROLINA-FINANCES AND GROWTH OF MICHIGAN-SHIP CANAL AT ST. MARY.

our southern estates:

The following is recommended by ishment of these negroes has been ameMr. Johnson, of Concordia, La., as a liorated under our statute in favor of their cheap mode of providing waterproof color. For the same crime, in almost sacks for negroes, in their exposure on any state of Christendom, they would have been punished capitally-and this would have been the punishment in our state of Texas, had they been white, or they would have been sentenced to the penitentiary for life; whereas, now, these free negroes are allowed all the out-door liberty consistent with their due punishment, and by good conduct they may confidently expect to enjoy a large share of personal comforts. Indeed, in this respect, their physical well-being will doubtless be improved by their change of condition. One of the negroes frankly expressed this opinion, and preferred to be tried for kidnapping, and sold as a slave, if convicted, than to be tried for the larceny, with the penitentiary in prospect.

"For a plantation of fifty or a hundred negroes, take twenty gallons of linseed oil, into which mix three pounds of litharge, after the oil shall have been boiled a few moments. The litharge should be pulverised before being incorporated with the oil, and well stirred in. Previously an overcoat, or sack, should have been neatly made from common cotton cloth, called domestics, long enough to reach below the knees, to be closely buttoned up in front. When the mixture of oil and litharge is boiling hot, immerse the garment, wring it as dry as possible, and let it hang in the sun for three days, when it will become completely waterproof, an overcoat for the negro, secure against storm or tempest, impervious to the wintry winds, or the chills of the nights. It will cost less than sixty cents per sack, and last one or two years."

Whilst upon the subject of negroes we are reminded of an argument made by Ashbel Smith, of Texas, upon the right of influting slavery as a punishment for crime, as has been done in Texas, in the case of free negroes convicted of stealing slaves. We intended an earlier notice of the very able paper. Mr. Smith says: "The whole system of penitentiary punishment is the practical carrying into effect the doctrine that by the commission of crime the personal services and personal liberty of the criminal are become forfeit to the state. The state retains the ownership of the convict, the keeper is the state's overseer; the convict is wholly deprived of all liberty, and all his labor is owing and paid to the state; he barely receives the commonest food and coarsest clothing. And this everywhere in Christendom is deemed a fitting punishment for crimes of much less heinousness than that for which the free negroes of the Billow have just been old into slavery. The truth is, the pun

"The 5th George IV., c. 84, gives to the governor of a penal colony a property in the services of a transported offender for the period of his sentence, and authorizes him to assign over such offender to any other person. And in this way hundreds and thousands of British subjects, convicted of crimes, are annually assigned as farm and domestic servants in the penal colonies of that country. Aecording to the official memorandum, laying down the duties of a convict in assignment, he is required to devote his whole time and his best services to his Mas TER.' 'Flogging, solitary confinement, and labor in a chain-gang,' are the punishments authorized by law for miscon duct by a convict in assignment, and these punishments are not a dead letter among neglected rules and obsolete reg. ulations, but they are inflicted with a frequency and severity that gives us an appalling idea of a British penal colony

SLAVE colonies they should be called, for such in fact and in form they are. 'A fixed but limited ration of food is allowed, and clothing of the commonest description.' This is the British system of to-day-it is slavery under the name of transportation.'"

California Census-Agricultural Resources-Mineral Springs. 513

CALIFORNIA.-A census of California of the latter. It is to be regretted that has recently been taken by agents ap- the census returns do not, in most of the pointed by the Governor, under authori- counties, distinguish between foreigners ty of the Legislature, which furnishes from different nations. In some counsome interesting statistics. The entire ties, however, the Chinese have been population of the state is 224,435, exclu- separately classified. In Yuba county, sive of El Dorado county, which is sup- for example, there are 2,100 Chinamen; posed to contain about 30,000, and in Nevada county, 3,886; in Placer which, therefore, makes the entire popu- county, 3,019; in Sacramento county, lation about 255,000. It is evident, how- 804. We think it would be within ever, that the population of the state bounds to say there at least 25,000 Chigreatly exceeds this number. The mi- namen in California, whilst the number gratory habits of the miners, and the of French is probably much greater. vast numbers who have no settled abode, Indeed the emigration hither from but go from place to place in search of France is far greater than from any othemployment, or in speculating adven- er European nation. Within the last tures, render it altogether impracticable few days a vessel from France arrived to obtain reliable statistics as to popula- here, having on board two hundred fetion. We are satisfied the population of males, chiefly unmarried girls, who the state is not less than 300,000, and our drew prizes in the great lottery which impression is that 350,000 would be came off at Paris some months ago, and nearer the mark. According to this in which many of the prizes consisted census, San Francisco county contains of a free passage to California. 36,151 inhabitants, of whom 34,876 reside within the city. Of these there are white males 29,166; and of white females 5,154; the proportion of males to females being nearly six to one. This inequality in the sexes, however, is daily diminishing, as every vessel that arrives brings a much greater proportion of females than heretofore. But when it is known there are in San Francisco over five thousand females, those who contemplate bringing their families here will readily perceive there is no lack of female society. The population of this city, however, is doubtless greater by several thousands than is shown by the census returns. Our impression is it is The census returns also furnish some between thirty-five and forty thousand, very interesting statistics as to the agriand is daily augmenting in a ratio which cultural resources of the state. In Los almost startles belief. Next to San Angelos county, for example, there are Francisco, Sacramento City is the largest 105 vineyards, containing in the aggretown in the state, and contains between gate 450,000 grape-vines, each vine proseven and eight thousand inhabitants. ducing on an average five pounds of Next to this is Marysville, with a popu- fruit, equal in the whole to two millions lation of 4,500; then Stockton, with a two hundred and fifty thousand pounds, population of 3,000; Nevada City about of which about one million of pounds are the same, and numerous villages num- annually shipped to San Francisco, and bering from 300 to 2,500 inhabitants. the remainder is manufactured into wine One fact in reference to San Francis- and brandy, of which there arc produced co is very surprising, to wit: that of its about 2,000 barrels of each. This, be it population nearly nineteen thousand, or remembered, is the product of one coun more than one-half, are foreigners, of ty, and there are several counties in whom 16,144 are males and 2,710 fe- that section of the state altogethmales. These foreigners are composed er as well adapted to wine-growing, chiefly of Chinese and French, of whom though none of them have, as yet, the former are much the more numer- engaged so extensively as Los An ous, though there are also large numbers gelos in the business. The grapes are of

From the census returns it appears there are in the whole state only 315,000 head of beef cattle. When it is remembered that the daily consumption is between 500 and 1,000 head, it will be perceived that the supply must come from abroad. A few perhaps will be imported from Lower California and Sonora, but by far the greater number must come across the plains. On several occasions we have adverted to this subject, and each day but renders it the more apparent that the demand for stock will continue unabated for several years to come, but especially during this year and the next.

the most delicious quality, and the wine liar interest, so far as they relate to the obtained from them is very much superior, in our judgment, to any native wine produced upon the continent, not excepting Mr. Longworth's "sparkling Catawba."

Negro Slavery an Element of Southern Strength.

515

after that event a struggle for existence commenced, which extended through many years, and it was frequently doubtful whether the Messinians would conquer the Spartans, or the Spartans the Messinians. At length by the aid of treachery, rather than force, the Spartans succeeded, and occupied the Messinian territory, reducing to servitude such of the inhabitants as did not fly into the

If slavery would have impaired the body only to obey." In this there is military strength of the Israelites, or if it nothing about Ethiopians or the different was wrong, it would be impeaching the tribes of Asia, and a few instances will great Ruler of the universe to suppose show that the principle of conquest was that he would have imposed on the Jews extended over the Greeks. The Spara burthen which would tend to defeat tans, at an early day, conquered the them, and it would be sacrilege to allege neighboring city of Helos, and made that the Deity positively authorized the slaves of the inhabitants; they also subcommission of a sin. There are no data jected other tribes, but the greatest porby which to estimate the number of tion of Spartan slaves were Messinians. slaves which the Israelites possessed, but The City of Messina and Sparta it is certain that they were very nume- were rivals, and of the same Doric orirous, and the whole biblical history gin. Previous to the accession of strength does not show that the Jews ever suf- to the Spartans by the conquest of Helos, fered from insurrections. The Greeks the Messinians were the strongest, but held vast numbers of slaves at the time of their greatest strength, and those who were most prominent and successful in war were the largest slaveholders. The Spartans had eight slaves to one freeman, and the Athenians had almost the same proportion. And here let me notice a single historical error committed by Mr. Webster in his compromise speech." He says that the Greeks justified slavery on the same ground that the southern neighboring territories. Thus did Sparta states do, that is, on account of the inferiority of race-that they considered the Ethiopians and some of the Asiatic nations inferior races who might be subjected to servitude. The Greeks never had Ethiopian slaves, nor was it until late in their history that they had Asiatic slaves. Slavery existed in Greece before the siege of Troy, and it was three or four centuries after this authentic history commences, before they extended their conquests into Asia. The Grecian states that attained great power commenced their career of greatness, as I have stated, first, by conquering the nearest cities; and, as they gained strength, extending their conquests. Greek slaves were mostly themselves Greeks, of the same language and color, and equal to, or but little inferior to their conquerors.

It is true, the Greeks held other nations to be barbariaus who might be reduced to servitude, but they knew nothing about Ethiopians, made no distinction as to the Asiatic nations; and without hesitation, made slaves of Greeks who were conquered. Aristotle expresses the general principle of the Greeks thus: "with barbarians, the family consists of male and female slaves, but to the Geeks belong dominion over the barbarians, because the former have the understanding requisite to rule, the latter

become one of the most powerful states of Greece. Notwithstanding the large number of Spartan slaves, and the long and cruel wars by which they were subjected, it does not appear that they ever became formidable to their oppressors, except on one or two occasions. On the contrary, they greatly aided in the splendid triumphs of the Spartans-and so little were they dreaded, that they often accompanied their masters in war. When five thousand Spartan pikemen marched to the battle of Platea, they were attended by thirty-five thousand Helots, who fought in the battle as light troops, and the Athenian soldiery, and those of their allies, were each attended by one slave.

In that great battle, which freed Greece from the Persian invasion, the number of slaves engaged were more than double the number of freemen.

The Athenians increased in power, strength and military renown, in the same manner that the Spartans did, with this difference, that as they had a good harbor, and excelled in naval warfare, most of their slaves were obtained by the conquest of the islands of the Archipelago, and at a later day from the coast of Asia.

The rise of Rome, from a very small beginning, is a strong example of the principles herein set forth. That nation commenced as a band of robbers.

The

victims of their first conquests were re- I can bring to mind no instance where

duced to slavery or incorporated with themselves. They gradually extended their power over Italy, and finally conquered nearly the whole of the known world. During all this process, the number of their slaves increased pari passu with their power and dominion, until, as I have seen it stated, the number of slaves in and around Rome exceeded the freemen in the proportion of twelve or fifteen to one.

Amongst the Romans, the industrial pursuits were almost entirely entrusted to slaves and freedmen; and as the country advanced, they were frequently enrolled in the armies, and trained as gladiators.

And yet, on but two occasions, did the slaves give any serious trouble to the masters. One was when the country was torn to pieces by internal dissensions, and the other was under Spartacus, already referred to.

When Hannibal invaded Italy, and had nearly destroyed the Roman army, large bodies of slaves were enlisted, and it is stated by Livy that one wing of his army was defeated by two legions of slaves, under the command of Sempronius.

This shows what was the character of ancient servitude.

Again, during the second triumvirate, thirty thousand slaves were enrolled in the army; and when Augustus Cæsar had overcome his opponents, and peace was established, he restored twenty-six thousand to their owners, and six thousand, for whom no owners could be found, were put to death.

These things, and the arming of thousands of slaves as gladiators, abundantly account for all the difficulties which Rome had with her slaves.

Indeed, when we reflect on the warlike nations subdued by Rome, and the vast number of persons she reduced to servitude in Gaul, Germany, Britain, Spain, Carthage, and Asia, and connect that with the impolicy of arming them and training them in her armies, it is really surprising that in the course of eight hundred years there should not have been more than two or three slave insurrections.

In modern times there is nothing worth mentioning in connection with the subject. Since the invention of fire-arms, slaves are only known as producers, and

they, in any other respect, have had an effect, favorable or unfavorable, on the operations of the state.

Our own experience, during the Revolutionary war, and the war of 1812, has been referred to; and the only thing having a bearing worth referring to on this subject, is the insurrection in St. Domingo, in 1791. This insurrection having occurred so near to us, and being within the recollection of many persons living, who heard the exaggerated accounts of the day, has fastened itself on the public imagination, until it has become a subject of frequent reference, and even southern twaddlers declaim about the southern states becoming reduced to the condition of St. Domingo, and abolitionists triumphantly point to it as a case where the negro race have asserted and maintained their freedom.

Properly speaking, this was not a slave insurrection, although it assumed that form after the island was thrown into a revolutionary war.

The island of St. Domingo, in 1791, contained about 750,000 inhabitants, about 50,000 of whom were whites, more than double that number of mulattoes and of mixed blood, and the balance were negroes.

The French and Spanish planters had introduced a general system of concubinage, and the consequence was a numerous progeny of mulattoes, many of whom associated with the whites, nearly on terms of equality, were educated at home, or sent to Europe to be educated, and many of them were wealthy, having been freed by their parents, and their property left to them. These things had lowered the character of the white proprietors, gradually lowering them down to the level of the mulattoes, and lessening the distance between them and the blacks; and, in addition to this, there were a number of the white population who were poor and enervated, and rendered vicious by the low state of social morals and influence of the climate.

In this state of affairs, when the French revolution broke out, the wild spirit of liberty caught to the island, and infected the mulattoes and the lower class of white population, and they sought to equalize themselves with the large proprietors. The foundations of society were broken up by this intermediate class, and, in the course of the