. \ si\ /»\/iN /»\/i\/t\ st\ /»\ /»\ /i\ /i\ /i\ /»\ /»\ /»\ /t\ /»\/i\ K
ORIGIN
TOWN OF HAMBURG, SOUTH CAROLINA, AMERICA,
POUNDED BY JfellUlt?, JULY 2, 1821.
ACT
OF THE LEGISLATURE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1835,
INCORPORATING A COMPANY
: TO OPEN A DIRECT TRADE BETWEEN HAMBURG, AMERICA, AND HAMBURG, THE
KINGDOMS OP PRUSSIA, DENMARK, HOLLAND, AND SWEDEN, EUROPE, AND
AN AGENT NOW HERE, SENT BY THE GOVERNMENTS OF HAMBURG
AND PRUSSIA TO CONSUMATE THAT TRADE.
CREDENTIALS,
BY MEN OF HIGH STANDING IN FAVOR OF gs&wn&z,
SUPPORTING HIS VIEWS AND SUSTAINING HI8 ENTERPRISE.
CONVENTION
C OF MERCHANT3 IN AUGUSTA, FOR CARRYING INTO EFFECT THAT DIRECT TRADE
BETWEEN THE SOUTH OF AMERICA AND EUROPE.
38 MILLIONS OP SPECIE
GONE FROM THE NORTH TO EUROPE.
THE GREATNESS OF THE SOUTH OVER THAT OF THE NORTH.
as>a<3aia
FOLLOWED BY THE DICTATES OF A DOZEN AND A HALF BROKEN MERCHANTS, BUT
THE COURTS HAVE DIRECTED OTHERWISE.
*
i
^uflusta:
PRINTED BY BENJ. BRANTLY.
1837.
?i\ ~|\ ->i\ *-)\ ^i\ ^|\X|\ --i\ ^i\ X|\ y.\ ^,\ y,\ si\ ^i\ X|\ s,K
OF
HENRY SHULTZ,
To the Honorable the President and Members of the Senate, and
Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives of the
State of South-Carolina, the Memorial of Henry Shultz, of
Hamburg, Respectfully SheweTh :
That, for the prosecution of certain great designs, by him set on
foot, your Memorialist did, in the year 1821, petition your honorable
predecessors for the loan of 50,000 dollars: a sum with which he
.engaged to accomplish the following objects:
1st. To erect, in this State, opposite to Augusta, a rival place of
Trade, to be called Hamburg:
2nd. To arrest, at this new town, a trade that would amount to two
millions per annum, and to hinder it from passing into the State
of Georgia:
3rd. To throw this trade, with even a further portion of that of
Augusta, into your own port of Charleston.
The enlightened body, to which it was my good fortune to apply,
granted my novel application. They give to an obscure and friend¬
less foreigner a mark of confidence and a favour, for which a native
citizen might well have felt himself at once proud and greatful.
Fifteen years-—a period certainly very short for the performance of
such undertakings—have elapsed: and I return to your honorable
body, the patrons of my bold designs, with the proofs of its accom¬
plishment. I have created a busy and thriving mart, that is fast
rising into an opulent and populous town. The power of Kings
and the strength of mighty States are happy when, having men and
money at unbounded command, they can so rapidly achieve the
difficult enterprize in which I, an individual every way humble, have
ten successful. A town, one of the pillars of the State, has sprung
4
up. Hostile interests, vexations of the law, prisons, the terrors and
the very pangs of death itself, I have, for this great purpose of my
mind, endured and vanquished. But neither my efforts nor my
sufferings would have availed, but that Nature had fitted the place
for such an undertaking; that Providence smiled upon it; and that
I, its instrument, found assistance, in the wisdom of the State and in.
the protecting arm of its Legislature.
Upon my labours, as a citizen of that town to which I was destined,
to raise up a rival, Fortune had smiled. It is to me that Augusta
owes the main public enterprizes she boasts: monuments not less of
my toil, than of her injustice. By the arts of those who speculate
in false promises to pay: by changers and hucksters of money, my
honest and laborious gains were snatched from my hands. I was
stripped, not only of my hard earnings, but of my last and dearest
possession—my good name, my all. I was cast out, stigmatized and
broken man, to seek a refuge in another State.
There are three great obligations, between man and man, which
I have, through the whole career into which the events that I am
reciting threw me, held of peculiar sanctity. Of these, the first is of
purely human institution—fidelity to pecuniary engagements. The-
other two are of higher origin—the work of Nature, not of Man : I.
mean first, gratitude for kindness: second, resentment for injuries-
I will not deny that the two last have powerfully interested me,,
through the entire prosecution of my enterprizes.
In the year 1813, the Legislature of this State granted, to me and
to a certain Lewis Cooper, a charter to build a bridge across the Sa¬
vannah river. A like charter was, in 1814,. granted by the Legisla¬
ture of Georgia. Yet the attempt itself was, in the talk of the day,
treated as wild and visionary. Men said "Why, General Wade
" Hampton, a great man, of vast wealth, and of the highest energy,
" twice attempted this enterprize. The ruins of his repeated attempts
" are yet there, to bear witness of his defeat: and here we have a
"poor Dutchman, the patroon of a pole boat on the Savannah river,
" who talks to the Legislature about building a bridge !"
I need scarcely say, that the humble Dutchman^ the despised
boatman, calmly pursued the bold purpose, he had conceived ,and
bridled the rebellious stream, which the wealthy, the powerful and
the renowned had striven in vain to tame.
In 1816, I formed another design, still more novel; and set to
work, in its execution. It was that of building a wharf on the Savan¬
nah river, at Augusta. Once more the crowd, incredulous of what¬
ever common men cannot perform, was loud in its jeering doubts.
t:This man's lucky hit in his bridge has" (they said) addLed a brain
5
"never very sound. A wharf! why, people build wharves at the
" sea side, where the utmost rise of tides is only some live or six feet.
" But a wharf on a stream that swells up twenty or thirty feet at a
" time ! The man's mind is certainly unsound."
But louder and more scornful was the cry that rose, when my next
great plan formed in the very midst of this clamour against my form¬
er one, was made known. I spoke of building a town in the middle of
a swamp: I was confident of restoring to South Carolina a trade
upon which Augusta had fattened many years: I promised to render
tributary to Charleston a large part of the Commerce of Savannah
and Augusta. The common opinion grew plain and open, that the
straight jacket was become indispensably necessary for me.
My bridge has, for twenty three years, withstood the fury of the
mighty stream, over which it afforded the first safe and easy passage.
My wharf, after twenty years, still emerges unhurt from the subsiding
floods. My town has not only been built, but has wrested from
Augusta that South Carolina trade, of which she had possessed her¬
self, and even wins from her, every day, fresh portions of that of
Georgia.
My wharf has obtained the praise of even those who were most
familiar with whatever, in the European world, science has accom¬
plished, in subjugating natural difficulties. A princely traveller,
who visited this country not long ag-o, regarded it as the greatest and
most useful structure he had ever seen. Upon its model three others
have since been erected near it; and they are all, at this moment,
in completely successful operation.
Of my entire success in founding the town of Hamburg, and those
benefits for the State which I had promised, I desire no higher testi¬
mony than that which your own magnanimous Legislature of 1833,
gave me, by relinquishing, in my behalf, the State's whole right and
interest in that town.
Nor is it unworthy here to mention that, of the 50,000 dollars
granted me by this State, 15,000 were intended for opening a direct
steam navigation between Hamburg and Charleston. By means of
that sum, a Boat was placed in that trade; of which the success, with¬
in two years, led six others (the Commerce, the Hamburg, the
Edgefield, the Pendleton, the Augusta, the Henry Shultz, and. the
Maid of Orleans,) to embark, all at once, in the same trade. A part
of these, at the first completion of the Hamburg and Charleston Rail
Road, suffered themselves to be alarmed into abandoning the business.
They are now, however, returning, two for one. Experience has
shown that, though Passengers may prefer Rail Roads, Merchandize
prefers the River.
6
The Commerce of Hamburg, putting out of view a considerable
amount of Bacon, Tobacco, and general produce, has, in Cotton
alone, reached the amount of 35,000 bales; and this trade is increas¬
ing every day. Its population has risen to between 1,500 and 2,000
souls.
In 1822, a charter for a Bank at Hamburg was granted. The
town, however, was yet too new to have accumulated any capital for
such investments. Hamburg was without money; and, from abroad,
from the want of confidence in either the town itself or the institution,
denied even that resort to an existence upon credit, with which, in
so many other cases, Institutions of this sort set themselves up.
In 1835, a fresh charter for a Bank, with a specie capital of $500,-
000, was granted. Of this capital, $300,000 are now in its vaults, in
actual Gold and Silver. It is the only specie Bank, now in operation,
within my knowledge.
Augusta, on the other hand, suffers from the grievous mischief of
multiplied paper Banks. To these, not the fault of the people, but a
pernicious method of Legislation, has given rise. It lies in this: the
Bank charters granted in Georgia, permit the Institutions to go into
operation, not when they shall have, in their vaults, a certain propor¬
tion of their capital in specie, but in specie, or the Notes of specie-
paying Banks. There being such choice of terms, nobody, of
course, for the Stock that' he has subscribed, pays in specie. The
Bank, therefore, goes into operation without specie. It has, instead,
Notes, alleged to be those of specie-paying Banks, perhaps only be¬
cause they have got into existence upon the same terms as it is doing.
After this, the Directors will not incur the expense of buying specie?
lest it diminish their dividends: and they dare not exact it, for the
Notes of other Banks which they hold. These might resent it; and
a new Institution is in no condition to encounter any hostility, how¬
ever feeble. They have, then, but one resource—to combine, Bank
with Bank, and Stockholder with Stockholder, against all who may
ask for specie. The demand for it is rendered odious, by their
retainers and dependents. A hue and cry for running on the Bank,
is resorted to : the Newspapers echo with the complaint of "oppres¬
sion," and " a run on the Bank." What follows ? An Institution,
rotten from its birth, is perhaps, for the time, able to evade the ruin
it deserved. But it escapes only to plunge further on, in the same
mischievous career; to multiply its victims; and spread a wider
havoc around, when it falls.
But I return to Augusta. I do not in any sort exaggerate, when
I say that, from the first foundation of my town, I have been compell¬
ed to wage a continual war, not merely with the wealthier and older
r
rival of Hamburg; nor yet with Savannah in addition; but with the
entire State of Geogia. The wealth, the art, the Legislation, the
public power, the laws (where they could avail) and their violation
(whenever more convenient)—every thing has been employed to
crush me and strangle my enterprize in its cradle. When Imprison¬
ments, tried upon me wherever they could get me in their power had
failed, they resorted to allurements. When these had proved fruitless
they betook themselves to violence: and whenever foiled in the
attempt to circumvent, found refuge in the great general consolation
of persecuting me.
One especial part of this system of vexations, it is fit that I mention,
for the relation that it bears to your own legislation. It may serve,
also, for a specimen of the rest. Setting out by robbing me of the
bridge I had built, they proceeded to swindle you, in regard to the
charter you had granted. This very charter they turned to an in¬
strument of injury against you, its granters, by levying tolls in a
manner to encourage the passage of Produce across the bridge to
their town, and to discourage its passage across from their side into
your town. This was their use of the first charter. But, while it
had yet four years to run, they came to you to ask a re-charter, with
the further exclusive right of renewal, originally granted by you to
.me. These you unhappily gave them along with rates of toll that
are, in the present day, exorbitant: and these again, under your char¬
ter, they levy so as to favour their own trade, at your expense and
that of Hamburg. Every thing from Hamburg is allowed to cross
toll-free: but to check every thing from coming over the river to
Hamburg, high tolls are extorted.
Their own Legislature refused them the exclusive re-charter
which you gave them. In consequence of this refusal, another
bridge is now a-building, under a new charter. The omission, how¬
ever, of sufficient legislative precaution, as to exacting the due stabil¬
ity in its mode of structure, excites some apprehension not only that it
will be too slightly built, but that, if it should ever give way, the other
bridge (being but half a mile below it) must also be swept oflj through
its downfall.
For Hamburg itself, at the point to which it has now been brought,
I entertain no fears. Nature has declared in its favor; and I trust to
her. Art cannot get the better of a superiority so strong. Nature
has said that Hamburg shall command Augusta; and a few years
more will prove the fact.
He who, in the pursuit of great designs, has suffered many wrongs,
and especially an undeserved obloquy, may surely be pardoned
if, at last, he seeks, by the plain facts of his life, to vindicate his ti
8
tie to the esteem at least of those he has served. My actions, stigma¬
tized as bad, have, when fairly examined, vied, in public utility, with
those of entire States and Legislatures. And let us now see how the
undertakings of the visionary, Henry Shultz, compare, in point of
mere success, with the grave and well-matured designs which, with
every aid of Science not less than ofwealth, the State itself has, during
nearly the same period, and (for the most part) in the same region,,
been occupied about.
In 1831, a charter was granted for a Turnpike from Edgefield to
Hamburg, It did not succeed.
In the same year, a charter was given to John Mc Lean, for a Rail-
Road in the town of Columbia. It has been completed; but proved
useless.
In 1833, to A. Blanding and others, a charter was granted for a
Rail-road from Columbia to Branchville. It failed.
In 1834, a charter was given for a Rail-road from Edgefield to
Aiken. It was abortive.
In 1835, a charter was obtained for a Rail-road from Edgefield to
Hamburg. It proved unsuccessful.
The State has made appropriations to the extent of near two millions
of dollars, towards a general System of Internal Improvements. The
money was chiefly expended upon Canals, which are now dried up,
and the clearing-out of Rivers, which have been rendered, by the
operation, somewhat less navigable than before.
A large sum has been employed in constructing a Turnpike from
Columbia to Charleston. It has been finished: but is not found to
answer the purpose for which it was intended.
Let these undertakings be compared, either in excellence of design,
or as to bare success, with those set on foot by me; of which there is
.not one but has, in the first place, been carried into execution; and,
in the second place, accomplished its objects, to the full. I refer your
honorable body, 1st. to my bridge on which, when the great Lafayette
came to the Savannah River, in his progress through our country, I
saw the Eagles of Liberty waving, from Shore to Shore, and from
State to State: 2ndly, I refer you to my wharf at Augusta: 3d. to my
flourishing town of Hamburg: 4th. to the Steam navigation
on the Savannah and to Charleston: 5th. to my Bank at Ham¬
burg, whose Bills men hoard up, as not less safe than Gold or
Silver.
My life, the purposes that it has pursued, the maxims that have go¬
verned it, have been, perhaps, not a little peculiar. Untought, ex¬
cept in the rough School of Necessity, I have read little beyond the
Book which nature—that truest teacher—so often holds up to those
9
whom all other Instructors pass disdainfully by. Unskilled in the
artificial rules of Society; unversed in its Conventional sentiments ;
far better acquainted with actions and their effects, than with the re¬
finements of language which pass with many for Morality, I have ever
consulted Nature and her Laws first, Man and his Laws second. I
have held my counsel and made my prayer under the eye of Him only
who rules Heaven and Earth. From men like myself, I ask, for my¬
self, nothing. To be useful has ever seemed to me the utmost attaint
ment of Excellence and Happiness. Gold, apart from this, I haver
never regarded but as trash. I have never asked nor employed it
except to give wider effect to my designs of usefulness. My labors
must be confessed to have been always shaped rather to the benefit ofT
others than my own. Even an European Prince, in his Travels in
this country, calls me an enterprising and perserving man, who has
erected great works, of which others reap the advantages. Than this*,
acknowledgement, I desire from men no higher testimony of virtue-
The very law that places Man above the brute Creation is but this—
that he is capable of making his happiness consist in procuring that ofT
others. In a word, if my successes have been singular, their whole
secret lies in this alone—that I have made the plain dictates of the
heart my guide; and have had, for my main instrument, the natural
gift of an unshrinking Resolution and Perseverance. Upheld by
these, I have at last, after 15 years of difficulty and toil, lived to see-
all my undertakings crowned with full success.
If any thing seem out of place, in the recital which I thus make to-
your honorable body, I trust that the natural desire to appear not un¬
worthy of esteem, in the eyes of those who have done us high favorsr
will plead my excuse. Nor is this my whole motive. It is my inten¬
tion. in May next, to visit my native country.—Prompted by strong
gratitude towards this State, and persuaded that my experience may-
prove not a little useful both to the country of my birth and that of
my adoption, in enlarging the commerce between them, I am anxious;
for this purpose, to tender you my voluntary services, in any capaci¬
ty, public or private, in which it may seem good to you to employ
them. I beg leave to offer them in sincere respect and affection, with¬
out the slightest idea of remuneration or fee.
Before 1 close, however, allow me respectfully to make a few sug¬
gestions, as to the matter in view, that may much assist its success..
At the last session, your honorable body granted a charter incorpora¬
ting a company called the American and German Trading and
Insurance Company. A few Amendments in its charter may be ad¬
visable for the objects which you had in view, in granting it. They
might be,
10
1st. To increase its Capital.
2nd. To permit it to deal in Foreign Bills of Exchange.
3rd. To receive money on deposit, and allow interest on the same.,
4th. To take risks on property.
And I now beg leave to tender to your honorable body my very
hearty thanks for the high honour, trust and confidence, which it has
been your pleasure, at various times, to repose in me.
I am, with the highest respect,
HENRY SHULTZ,
Founder and Proprietor of Hamburg.
December the 17th, 1836.
u
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOUTH-CAROLINA LEGISLATURE.
In the House of Representatives, December 15, 1,821.
The joint Committee, to whom were referred the petitions of Henry
Shultz and others, beg leave to Report, That upon so much of the
Memorial as relates to the loan of Fifty thousand dollars prayed for
in the same, they unanimously adopted tl le following resolution, which
they respectfully recommend to the house, viz,
Rosolved, That the sum of Fifty thousand dollars be lent to Henry
Shultz for the purposes expressed in his memorial, on a credit of five
years, with interest of six per cent, to be paid at the end of each and
every year on such sums as may be borrowed; the repaymant of
such sums as may be borrowed to be secured in such manner as five
commissioners appointed for that purpose, shall approve: And that
the said commissioners, or a majority of them, be authorized to draw
in his favor on the Treasurer, for any sum within that amount, as
soon and as far as satisfactory securities shall have been given, and
to deposite the said securities in the office of the Treasurer of the Up¬
per Division.
That upon so much of it as relates to the second prayer of the Me¬
morialist, they recommend to the house, that all taxable property
within the limits of the said town of Hamburg, as laid out by Henry
.Shultz, and bona fide appertaining to the same, be exempted from
taxation for five years.
They further recommend, that the Memorialist be authorized to
open an inspection for tobacco at his ware-house.
Resolved, That the house do agree to the report. Ordered, That it
be sent to the senate for their concurrence.
By order of the House,
R. ANDERSON, C. H. ft.
In the Senate, December 18, 1821.
Resolved, That this house do concur in the report. Ordered,
That it be returned to the house of representatives.
WM. D. MARTIN, C. S.
In the House of Representatives, December 15, 1821.
RESOLVED, That the president of the branch bank of Columbia,
the treasurer of the upper division, Sampson Butler, Eldred Simkins
and John S. Jeter, be appointed commissioners to approve the securi¬
ties to be given by Henry Shultz under the resolution authorizing a
loan of $50,000 to the said Henry Shultz.
Odered, That the resolution be sent to the senate for their concur
rence. By Order of the House,
R. ANDERSON, C. H. R,
B
12
In the Senate, December 18, 1821
Resolved, That this house do concur in the resolution. Ordered,
That it be returned to the house of representatives.
By Order of the Senate, WM. D. MARTIN, C. S.
AN ACT to raise supplies for the year 1832.
Section 16. And be it further enacted, That the Solicitor of the
Western Circuit, be, and he is hereby instructed, on being satisfied
that Henry Shultz, has paid into the Treasury of this State, the
sum of sixteen thousand two hundred and twenty five dollars to
convey to the said Henry Shultz, or to such person as he shall direct,
for his own use and benefit, all the right and title, which the State has
in, and to the Town of Hamburg.
And the Comptroller General is hereby authorized and required,
on the payment into the Treasury, of the said sum of sixteen thou¬
sand two hundred and twenty-five dollars, by, or for the said Henry
Shultz, to release him from all pecuniary obligation to the State, here¬
tofore incurred on his own account: Provided, however, that this ar¬
rangement shall be made and completed within the term of one year
from this date. In the Senate House, 18th December, 1832.
H. DEAS, President of the Senate.
HL L. PINCKNEY, Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In the Senate, December 17th 1833.
The Committee on finance, to whom was referred the Report of the
Commissioners of Hamburg, together with the Report of the Commit¬
tee of Ways and Means on same subject, beg leave to Report: That
the sum of sixteen thousand two hundred and twenty-five dollars, re¬
quired by the Legislature at its last session, to be paid into the Trea¬
sury by Mr.. Shultz, has been so paid in.
Resolved, That the Senate do agree: Ordered to the House of Rep¬
resentatives for concurrence. By order of the Senate,
JACOB WARLEY, Clerk of Senate.
In the House of Representatives, Dec. 18, 1833.
Resolved, That the House do concur: Ordered that they be retur-
ed. By order of the House,
R. ANDERSON, Clerk Hbuse of Representatives.
State of South Carolina in account with Henry Shultz.
Dr.
December, 1832.—Due the State, - - - $16,225
$16,225
13
CR.
April 1,1833.—By Cash, $500
Oct. 29, do. By Cash, 1^350
Nov. 25, do. By Cash, ..... 1^375
$16,225
The above is an abstract from the books of the Treasury of the State
of South Carolina, at Columbia, by which it will be seen that Mr.
Henry Shultz, has complied with the 16th Section of the Act to raise
supplies for the year 1832.
TANDY WALKER, Treasurer of the Upper Division, & C.
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA AND HENRY SHULTZ:
Respecting the Town of Hamburg.
Whereas, by the 16th Section of the Act to raise supplies for the
year 1832, it was enacted, among other things, that the'Comptroller
Geneaal is hereby authorised and required, on the payment into the
Treasury, of the sum of sixteen thousand two hundred and twenty
five dollars, by, or for the said Henry Shultz, to release him from all
pecuniary obligations to the State :—And, Whereas, the said Henry
Shultz has paid into the Treasury, the above sum of $16,225, in the
time prescribed by law :
Now, know all men by these presents, that I, William Laval, Comp¬
troller General of the State of South Carolina, do hereby release the
said Henry Shultz, from all pecuniary obligation to the State, and do
hereby cancel and make null all bonds heretofore executed to the State
in connection with the premises, as fully and effectually, as by the
above recited Section, I may or can do.
Given under my hand and seal, at the office of the Comptroller Gen¬
eral, in Columbia, on the 17th day of Debember, 1833.
WILLIAM LAYAL, [L. S.] Comptroller General.
Signed, sealed, and delivered m presence of S. H. BUTLER.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, \
South Carolina, May 20th, 1835. ^
Whereas Henry Shultz, the Founder of the Town of Hamburg,
in this State, has projected a plan for opening a direct commerce be¬
tween Hamburg in Europe, and Hamburg in America, and has re¬
quested me, as the Governor and Command-in-Chief of the State of
South Carolina, to certify such facts, and express such opinions, in
relation to his capacity, public spirit and usefulness, as may enable all
persons interested in the new branch of commerce contemplated, to
form a correct estimate of the credit due to his statements, and of all
the weight to which his opinions are entitled, touching the premises :
14
Now, therefore, I do hereby make known to all whom it may con¬
cern, that the aforesaid Henry Shultz, is, in my opinion, emi¬
nently distinguished for enterprize, sagacity, perseverance and public
spirit, qualities of which numerous monuments, equally beneficial to
the public, and honorable to himself, furnish ample testimony. A-
mongst these may be enumerated the Bridge across the Savannah
River, so constructed as t6 bid defiance to the floods, an achievement
often attempted before, but never successfully, and which has greatly
benefitted the commerce of two States ; the Wharf at Augusta, high¬
ly useful to that city; a line of inland navigation between Hamburg
and the city of Charleston, successfully established by his persever¬
ance, as it was projected by his sagacity, when it was generally deemed
impracticable, and which has greatly promoted the prosperity of the
State; and finally, the Town of Hamburg, now standing upon a so¬
lid foundation, upon a site which he found a quagmire, in which be¬
tween thirty-five and forty thousand bales of Cotton are annually
brought to market. This Town standing at the head of the longest
Rail Road in the world, and communicating directly and daily with
the emporium of the State, will furnish great advantages for foreign
agents to purchase Cotton directly from the market, instead of purcha¬
sing it from speculators in New-York, Philadelphia, and elsewhere,
encumbered with numerous intermediate expenses.
Additional facilities will be given to the commerce of the place by
a Bank, which the Legislature will readily charter, if application is
made for it. This towii has been built by the enterprize and indefa¬
tigable perseverance of Henry Shultz, under the fostering care and pa¬
tronage of the State of S. Carolina; and in the progress of its establish--
ment, Henry Shultz, has had large pecuniary transactions with
the State, which have all been satisfactorily and finally adjusted.
" In conclusion, I take occasion to express the opinion long enter¬
tained, that the extension of a'idirect5 commerce between the Cotton
growing States of the American Confederacy, and the Continent of
Europe, consisting of an exchange of our staple for the manufactures
of the Continent, would greatly conduce to their mutual prosperity;
and to express the hope that a native of Germany, now a citizen of
South Carolina, may be the instrument of rendering an equal benefit
to "his native and his adopted country, by opening a new channel of
commerce, founded upon the principles of friendly reciprocity, which
the State of South Carolina has always cherished, in her intercourse
with foreign States. I have directed the seal of the State to be impres¬
sed on this document. GEO. M'DUFFIE.
By the Governor. (Seal)
Salm. Kingman, Deputy Secretary of State."
15
AUGUSTA, (Geo.) MAY 21, 1835.
Dear Sir—W e have learned that you contemplate establishing a
direct trade between your city and Hamburg, in Europe. This infor¬
mation is gratifying to us, not only from our confidence in the bene¬
fits which would result, in a mercantile point of view, from a consum¬
mation of your desires, but for your ability to conduct such anegocia-
tion in a manner becoming its importance. An individual possessing
the enterpfize and talent which characterize all your undertakings,
fcannot but anticipate a favorable result. For our own cofirmation
of the favorable manner in which this undertaking will eventuate, we
have only to look upon the Bridge, the Wharf, the Bridge Bank Buil¬
ding, and the City of Hamburg, our growing rival, all monuments a-
mong us, and which must prove to all, that the genius which accom¬
plished them, and the name they perpetuate, must rise superior to all
obstacles in a commercial project. Tendering our best wishes that
success may crown your efforts, we beg leave, at the same time,
to express our conviction that your plans will be favorably entertain¬
ed by the merchants on the other side of the Atlantic, and prove mu¬
tually advantageous. We remain your very obed't servants.
J. D. BEERS, I. R. ST. JOHN & CO.
Henry Shultz, Esq. Proprietor and Founder of Hamburg.
" CHARLESTON, JUNE 5, 1835.
il Dear Sir—The project which you have disclosed to me in re¬
lation to the town of Hamburg, on the Savannah, having for its object
the establishment of a direct commercial connexion and intercourse
with the great city of the same name in Europe, is worthy of your
genius, and is well calculated to excite the interest of all patriotic ci¬
tizens, who have their attention drawn to the means of promoting the
interest of the country. It evinces that deep forecast, that ready and
enlightened perception of the course of events and the tendency of
measures, which have hitherto characterized your undertakings, all of
which have more eminently contributed to the public good, than to
the advancement of your private fortune. Having heretofore, as the
law officer of the State, been intimately associated with you in many
of the measures adopted during the progress of your town of Hamburg,
it affords me very great pleasure to bear testimony to the zeal and per¬
severance, integrity of purpose and fidelity to engagements, which
you exhibited throughout that connexion, resulting in a manner so
satisfactory to the Legislature. Feeling, therefore, a particular inter¬
est in the welfare and advancement of your town, as well on account
of its enterprising and public spirited founder, as on account of its in¬
creasing importance to the State, I cannot forbear to congratulate you
16
on its growing prospect. And I improve the occasion to express my
hope that your present project may be as successful for the town, and
beneficial to the country, as those others which you have heretofore
accomplished, and which have proven so extensively useful. I am,
sir, very respectfully, Yours, &c. B. J. EARLE.
Mr. Henry Shultz, Founder of Hamburg.
Edgefield, June 10, 1835.
" My Dear Sir—I have been intimately associated with you for
the last fifteen years as your counsel, in various important and deeply
interesting cases, and also as the Law Officer of the State of South
Carolina. With the opportunities thus afforded me, of thoroughly
understanding your character, I have no hesitation in saying, that in
a far-seeing sagacity as to future events, high powers of combination, a
resolution equal to any undertaking, and a self-possession and ener¬
gy that no combination of adverse circumstances can subdue, I have
not known your equal. As to practical wisdom, that is sufficiently
attested by your numerous and emminent successes (under embarrass¬
ments which, to ordinary men, would have been insurmountable.)
Allow me to add, that all my transactions with you, and they have
been various,, have inspired me with the highest respect for your
character, and very warm wishes for your welfare.
With great respect, your friend and ob'dt. servant,
WADDY THOMPSON, Jr.
Henry Shultz, Founder of Hamburg, So. Car."
Edgeeield, June 10, 1835.
"Dear /Sir—The various enterprizes of public utility, which have
so long and so successfully engaged your enlightened exertions, and
which, after difficulties requiring uncommon genius and persever¬
ance to surmount, are now arriving at a prosperous termination,
give assurance that any project conceived by you, will have been
prompted by enlarged and benevolent views, and be prosecuted with
ability and ardour. I have had occasion to be acquainted with the
numerous embarrassments which have hitherto surrounded the
execution of your plans on the Savannah frontier of our State, and
have admired the sagacity and unflinching perseverance with which
you have encountered and overcome them. And I have still more
admired and approved throughout all your difficulties, the entire
absence of any sordid motive, even when your private affairs were
most encumbered. You have been a public benefactor at great in¬
dividual sacrifices. You have founded a Town, and fostered it into
prosperity. You have opened new channels of commerce, and put
17
our State into the enjoyment of their full advantages. That you are
now disposed to engage in new enterprizes for the public good, is a
proof of the unsubdued ardour which belongs to the genius that
characterizes you. And for your own sake, and for the good of the
State, I earnestly wish you success. I am Sir, very respectfully^
your ob'dt. servant, WM. C. PRESTON."
Charleston, 15th june, 1835.
uMy Dear Sir—I have heard with great satisfaction, that you are:
engaged in the patriotic effort of endeavoring to turn, to a certain
extent, the direct trade between Charleston and Europe, which we
once so advantageously enjoyed, into its old channels, by establishing
a commercial intercourse between your native mart of old Hamburg,
and the offsprings of your genius and enterprise, new Hamburg.
"I cannot but think such an undertaking feasible, in every degree
worthy of your public spirit, and promising the most valuable recip¬
rocal benefits to the free City of Hamburg and the State of South
Carolina. There are many productions of Germany, which find a
place of depot at Hamburg, and which corns into the United States,
either free of duty, under the gradual amelioration of Mr. Clay's
Tariff Compromise Act, (a boon to Free Trade won exclusively by
the determination and spirit of South Carolina, to which result you7
as one of her citizens, contributed your full contingent,) or at so low
a rate of impost, as would warrant their direct exportation to Charles¬
ton. I need not particularize German Linen, all the fabrics of Flaxr
the fine Wines of the Rhine, &c. In return, we have Cotton in
abundance, which could be shipped from your own warehouses in
Hamburg, and Rice without stint in Charleston. ^
"Of your ability to devise and execute the details of this truly patrio¬
tic commercial projet, I have no doubt. When a younger man than
I am now, I was placed at the head of the Government of this city.
I remember the first time I ever saw you, you came to ask my support,,
and that of the public authorities of Charleston, to aid in establishing
an Inland Steam Boat Navigation to Hamburg. I was struck with the
intelligence, clearness, and forecast of your views. Many thought
you visionary—I am happy to remember that I sustained you—and
we have both lived to see the splendid triumph of all you then so
boldly conceived, and have now so nobly executed. You remember
I once told you, 'Shultz, if ever I command an army in the South, of
all men I should prefer you as my Quarter Master General.' In the
conjoint power of combination and execution, I consider you one of
the first men I know. On the bank of that beautiful stream, which
flows as the joint boundary of our two States, are to be found the
18
trophies of your genius. These are your monuments. They will
last long, because they are well built.
"With my best wishes, my dear Sir, receive the assurances of the
great esteem with which I am, respectfully, your ob'dt. servant,
"Henry Shultz, Esq." J. HAMILTON.
OFFICE S. C. CANAL & R. R. CO. )
Charleston, Feb. 14, 1835. $
Sir—Your letter of the 11th inst. with the title deed to the piece Of
ground called "Horry Square,"' on which is the Despository of this
Company, in the town of Hamburg, together with a very handsome
plat of the same, was handed by W. B. Davis, Esq. and laid before
the Direction by the President on the 13th inst. and I am directed to
forward you the following resolution—
"Resolved unanimously, That the Board tender to Mr. Henry
Shultz their thanks for his liberality, and tender to him, as a mark
of their respect, free passage on the Rail Road, up and down, when¬
ever it pleases him to visit Charleston."
I have also, in accordance with the instructions of the Board, to
carry the same into effect, given derections to the agents at Hamburg
and Charleston, to pass you free; and, with much respett, remain,
your obed't. servant, JNO. T. ROBERTSON,
Sec'ry. S. C. C. & R. R. Co.
Henry Shultz, Esq. Founder of Hamburg.
Washington City, Sept. 3,1836,
To the Duke of Saxweimer. -
Sir :—Mr. Henry Shultz, the bearer of this is the founder of the
Town of Hamburg, in the State of South Carolina. I need not add
that to be the founder and proprietor of a Town in this country a man
must have great standing and considerable pecuniary means. Mr,
Shultz has both. I have the honor to be, respectfully yours,
D. E. TWIGGS, Col. U. S. Army,
Washington City, Sept. 3, 1336.
Henry Wheaton, Esq., Birlin,
Dear Sir:—The bearer, Mr. Henry Shultz, has been long a res-:
ident of Georgia and South Carolina,—he. is well known as a man of
great enterprise and activity, and if it should be necessary you may
give assurances to that effect on my authority to any person who may
be. concerned to ascertain the fact. Mr. S. is a citizen of the U. States;
and will look to you for protection and aid if this should be necessary
for his safety. I am dear Sir, truly yours,
JOHN FORSYTH.
APPENDIX.
AN ACT to Incorporate the American and German Trading and
Insurance Company.
Section 1. Be it exacted by the Senate and House of Represen¬
tatives, now met arid sitting in General Assembly, and by the
authority of the same, That Henry Shultz, Charles Lamar and
Edward Delius, in behalf of themselves, and such others as now, or
hereafter may be associated with them, for the purpose of establish¬
ing a direct trade between the town of Hamburg, South-Carolina,
and the kingdoms of Prussia, Sweden, Denmark, Holland and the
Free Republic of Hamburg, Germany, by the way of Charleston,
South-Carolina, are hereby constituted a body corporate and politic,
by the name and title of " The American and German Trading and
Insurance Company," with a Capital of Five Hundred Thousand
Dollars, to be divided into shares of One Thousand Dollars each.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the persons before
named shall be, and they are hereby considered directors of said
company, with the power of appointing and electing officers, until
an election can conveniently take place under this charter ; and they,
the said company, are hereby authorized and empowered to take up,
by subscription, at such times and places as , they may hereafter
deem expedient, either the whole or any part of said Capital, with
such penalties for enforcing the payment of the subscriptions thereto,
as by their by-laws a majority of them shall prescribe.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the said company shall
have such number and succession of officers and members, as shall be
ordained and chosen by the rules and by-laws made, or to be made,
for their goverment and direction ; and shalL have power and au¬
thority to make all by-laws, rules and regulations, which a majority
of them may deem proper, not repugnant to the laws of the land; to
have and keep a common seal, and the same to alter at will; to sue
and be sued, to plead and be impleded, in any court of law or equity
in this State, and shall have and enjoy all and every right and privi¬
lege incidental and belonging to corporate bodies, according to the
laws of this State.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That in all elections, and upon
any other subject or question, (except when restrained by the by¬
laws,) every stockholder shall be entitled to as many votes as he shall
have shares, and such stockholder as may be absent from any mee¬
ting, shall be entitled to vote by proxy.
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That the said company shall
be able and competent in law and equity to have, hold and enjoy,
and shall have power to change and convey such real estate as they
shall deem proper in.any way to acquire, as may be necessary for
the transaction of their business, which real estate shall not exceed
in value twenty five thousand dollars.
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, That the said Company shall
have power and authority to insure and take risks upon all goods,
2
wares and merchandize that shall be shipped on board such vessels
or ships as may be owned or chartered by them.
Sec. 7. And be it further enacted. That this act shall be and con¬
tinue of force for the term of fourteen years, and from thence to the
adjournment of the next succeeding Legislature : and that nothing
herein contained shall be construed to bar or prevent the General
Assembly of this State from incorporating, at any time hereafter, any
other company or companies, for the same or similar purposes.
In the Senate House, the nineteenth day of December, in the
year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five,
and in the sixtieth year of the Sovereignty and Independ¬
ence of the United States of America.
H. DEAS,
President of the Senate.
PATRICK NOBLE,
Speaker of the House of Representatives
Prom the Charleston Mercury, May 15th, 1837.
We take great pleasure in publishing, from the Edgefield Adverti¬
ser, the following very interesting article in relation to the consum¬
mation of the Enterprise of our energetic fellow-citizen, Mr. Shultz,
for establishing a direct trade between Hamburg in this State, and
the most important commercial points of the European Continent.
In the present midnight of commerce, such intelligence as this is like
a ray from the morning star, telling of the coming dawn:—
"We have received the following most interesting letter in relation
to the arrival of Mr. Delius in Hamburg, and feel assured that our
readers will rejoice with us, that the laudable enterprize of Mr. Shultz,
to establish a new and most important commercial intercourse, is now
about to be consummated. All doubts must now be dispelled; and
Mr. S. in the accomplishment of his purpose, has vindicated a new
that reputation for public spirit, for which he is so distinguished..
We have not taken our pen with the view of passing a fulsome eulo¬
gy upon him or his town; but on an occasion so appropriate, we
cannot but congratulate the State on the bright prospects which now
open before it.
Mr. Editor—Edward Delius, the bearer of despatches from the
Goverment of Hamburg, Germany, to Mr. Shultz, and preliminary
Consul of the goverment of Prussia, to the Town of Hamburg, Amer¬
ica, reached Hamburg on Thursday the 4th inst. at 12 o'clock. He
was met by Mr. Shultz, and other citizens at the Bridge, and by them
escorted, under the firing of cannon from the ramparts, and the in¬
spiring influence of Mr. Shultz's fine band of music, to his private
3
mansion, where he was cheered by all that generous hospitality, so
characteristic of the founder of this new town. A large concourse
of citizens from the town and country had collected for the purpose
of testifying their consideration for the highly respectable gentleman,
who appeared before them in a somewhat publick capacity, and who
was received with great cordiality. It is proper to remind the reader
that Mr. Delius is also one of the Directors of " The American and
German Trading and Insurance Company," appointed in the Act of
Incorporation of the Legislature of S. Carolina, in 1835.
"After an introduction to the company, Mr. D. read a communication
of a public nature from the Senate of Hamburg, in Europe, which
acknowledged the receipt of certain documents forwarded by Mr.
Shultz to that city in relation to the introduction of a commercial in¬
tercourse between the two places, and congratulated Mr. S. upon the
growing prosperity and opening prospects of his new Town.
"The communication also contained a suggestion to Mr. S. to make
some prefix to the name, "Hamburg," by which it could be distin¬
guished from Hamburg, in Germany. To this suggestion, Mr. D.
added some suitable and appropriate remarks of his own. Mr. Shultz
wishing to give an opportunity to the citizens present to express their
opinions, proposed that the meeting be organized by the appointment
of a Chairman and the question freely discussed. Col. Brooks, of
Edgefield, was called to the Chair, whereupon Mr. Shultz submitted
a Resolution for the appointment of a Committee of five, to consider
and report, at some future meeting, upon the propriety of it. The
Chair appointed Mr. Shultz.. Mr. Gray, Mr. Oliver, Mr. Sullivan, and
Mr. Hubbard, a Committee, to which, upon motion, was added the
Chairman, and Col. Pemberton, from Georgia."
"The whole ceremony of reception was an interesting one. It
was a proud day for Mr. Shultz. A highly respectable and intelligent
gentleman had received in charge from the Senate of the city of
Hamburg, the duty of congratulatinghimupon the growing prosperi¬
ty of his yet infant town, and of expressing a flattering solicitude for
the establishment of a commercial intercourse between the two places,
mutually beneficial to each, thus realizing the proudest hopes of Mr.
S. and the confident promises which he had held out to the public.
This Public Agent was before him, and in the presence of the citi¬
zens of his town, officially performed the important duty assigned
him by his Government, with the greatest dignity and ability.
In conclusion let me say, that not the least interesting incident of
the occasion was the cordial welcome given Mr. Delius and Lady, by
the German residents of Hamburg. And if I may be pardoned for
speaking thus publicly of a Lady, I will add, that Mrs. D. by her very
4
unaffected kindness and courtesy, made a most favorable impression
on all present.
An Eye Witness.
Specie gone from RJew-York to Europe, in 1837.
Feb'y 3—By Packets this week to London and
Liverpool,
M'ch 17—By Packets this week to Liverpool,
April 8—By do. do. London,
May 13—By do. do. Liv. & Lon.
„ 15—By Toronto arrived in London with
„ 5—By Westminster do. do.
„ 17—By Jackets do. Liverpool
„ 23—By do. do. London, Liver. & Havre,
June 1—By Packets arrived in London,
3—By do. do. do.
„ 9—By Geo. Washington do. Liverpool,
j, 10—By Europe, do. do.
„ 16—By Hibernia, do. do.
„ 22—By Columbus, do. do.
„ 24—By Packets, do. do.
July 1—By do. do. do.
„ 16—By Quebec, do. London,
„ 17—By England, do. Lon. & Liv.
„ 19—By Packets, do. do. • do.
j, 24—By Philadelphia, do. ~ London,
„ „—By St. Andrew, do. Liverpool,
Aug't 1—By Orpheus, do. Liv. & Lon.
„ j,—By Shakspear, do. do. do.
„ „—By Ontario, do. do. do.
„ „—By Baltimore, do. do. do.
„ 2—By Packets, do. Liverpool,
„ 16—By do. do. do.
„ 19—By Pocahontas, do. do.
j, 21—By Packets, do. London,
23—By do. do. Lon. & Hav.
1—By N. America, do. Liverpool,
„ „—By St. James, do. London,
„ „—By Utica, do. Havre,
„ 8—By Packets, do. Liv. & Hav.
n 9—By Roscoe, do. Liverpool,
j, „—By Sully, do. Havre,
» 16—By Montreal, do. Liverpool,
Put on board by daylight,
Put on board by moonlight and sneakingly, at
least the same amount,
Total,
3)
Sept.
$150,000
15,530
1,000,000
86,350
40,000
100,000
618,000
831,640
500,000
1,059,584
500,000
20,000
30,000
500,000
100,000
150,000
- 800,000
500,000
500,000
260,000
350,000
402,000
90,000
515,000
183,000
1,300,000
2,100,000
125,550
225,000
200,000
150,000
208,000
49,105
200,000 •
100,000
70,000
150,000
14,177,759
14,177,759
28,356,518
5
^LONDON,MAY 15.—The exportation of the precious metals
from the ports of the United States, is conducted with much secrecy;
in fact, so desirous were certain parties in America to retain the gold,
that little less than Lynch law would be inflicted on parties who were
known to be engaged in shipping it. Most of the gold which has al¬
ready reached England from the other side of the Atlantic, has been
smuggled on board. We can state that of the Mint arrivals, £10,000,
in Sovereigns, were put on board at New-York, in old wine baskets
as stores; £10,000 in an old hair trunk; and in another instance,
nearly an equal amount was sent on board in an old tub."
"NEW-YORK, JUNE 9.—Yesterday it was calculated by the
bullion brokers, that $480,000,in specie, went out by the packets.—
Not a tenth part of this sum is entered at the Custom House, and of
course it will be misrepresented by the Wall-street prints. On Thurs¬
day night, after sundown, about twelve kegs of specie, $5000 each,
were removed from the vaults of the Manhattan Bank, and carried
aboard the packets."
The above is an exhibit of the enormous amount of specie, and
in what manner it went from New-York to Europe, in the short space
of five months ; and what is the result of these extraordinary things?
Why, Europe has got the specie—the New-York banks, the empty
vaults—and the people hold the worthless paper. Thus,^according
to common custom, when a man's purse is empty, his credit becomes
low ; and even the trimmings of his name leaves him. And, in com¬
pliance with this custom, I suppose we will have to |call that once
great city, Old York hereafter.
The general pretext that has been held out by the Banks, in sus¬
pending specie payments, was to keep the specie from going out of
the country Does the above look like keeping the precious metals
from going out of the country ? The secret is this, the Banks sold
their specie for a large premium, in preference to paying their debts ;
for their bills were out, and they are willing for them to stay out even
to the end of time.
But, how have these Banks deluded themselves, and not only
themselves, but nearly all the Banks in the whole nation j and more
than this, spurned from them the high trust of this great nation itself.
Circumstances were so favorable, and the temptation so great, too
strong for the money lovers to resist.
The Board of Commerce regulated the price ; the ships, as it
were, almost at the Banks doors, so that a few midnight hours would
be sufficient to transfer the whole contents of the vaults on board of
the ships.
As to the extraordinary convulsion of the times, and lamentation,
6
where is the loss so much hue and cry is raised about ? It is a mere
change of the affairs of mankind, and the imaginary value of different
species of articles or property ; a nd in full accordance of nature these
things are brought about, when Nations, States, Cities, Banks and
individuals operate beyond their ability to perform their undertakings.
So, when a man wades beyond the sounding of bottom, he should
know that he may get drowned. And moreover, it is reasonable and
in accordance with nature, that these imaginary great men, who act
the nabob and fancy themselves masters ofhundreds of thousands and
millions of wealth, and a host over mankind, should come down, and
little ones to rise, as it is for old men to die and young ones to take
their place.
As to the commerce between America and Europe, the South
has the same seas and uses the same ships as that of the North.
What articles does the North produce for market that Europe needs 1
Wheat—all Europe produces that article for market herself: beef
and pork—all Europe has the same. To be sure, the North produ¬
ces onions and potatoes in abundance, if Europe wants them. She
had some specie, but Europe has got that already.
Tradesmen of all Europe, England, France, Russia, Prussia,
Denmark, Sweden, Holland, Hanover, Belgium, Hamburg, Bremen,
Lubec, &c.—There seems to be a great convulsion in the worldly
affairs, and as to commerce in particular, and this commotion may
tend to direct commerce in a more natural channel than what it has
been between those Countries heretofore, and which certainly will
make the expense less and may make the gain larger. If you come to
America with the articles of your manufactories, do not go to the North
for the sale of them any more, for she is full of manufactories herself,
and if they buy from you it is to sell again to the South. If you
want Cotton and Rice do not go to the North to buy them any more,
for these articles do not grow there; and if they have any, they have
bought them from the South. Come direct to the South with the
articles of your manufactories, there you can sell them at once to the
men who want to use them ; and your Cotton bagging you can sell
for bags, to put the very Cotton in, that you come to buy; and cotton
and rice you yourselves can buy from the very planter that raises
them. Going to the North to buy Cotton and Rice, would be like
coming to the South to buy ice. There is no witchcraft in these things
—they are the course of nature, and the dictates of common sense,
and now is the time to carry them into a successful operation.
HENRY SHULTZ,
Founder fy- Proprietor of the- Town of Hamburg, 8. Carolina,
Sept. 18, 1837.
7
CONVENTION.
Augusta, Oct. 17, 1837.
Agreeable to public notice, the Convention of Marchants and
others, assembled in the Masonic Hall yesterday at 12 o'clock.
The meeting was organized by calling Ker Boyce, Esq. of Charles¬
ton, to the Chair, and the appointment of Andrew J. Miller as
Secretary. After which the Secretary proceeded to call over the
names ot the members in attend.nice, which were as follows :
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Geo. McDuffie, .Tames Ad^er. Ker Boyce, R. W. Fort, And. Wal¬
lace, J. TV right, J. Cuthbert, W. Barnwell, S. G. Barkley, E. Delius,
L. Bowie, 3. L. Pearson.
GEORGIA.
Augusta.—John Phinizy, John Bones, II. H. Cumming, B. H.
Warren, Robert F. Poe, A. J. Miller, A. Johnston, G. W.
Crawford, Peter Beunoch, James Harper, A. Sibley, W. M.
D'Antignac, F. M. Robertson, Robert Campbell, Hayes Bowdre,
A. Cumming, C. J. Jenkins, I), W. St. John, Samuel Hale, John
M. Adams, John Kerr, W. W. HoJt, E. B. Beall, Paul Fitzsimmons.
Savannah.—Jos. Cumming, John Cumming. S. B. Parkman,
Benj. E. Styles, D. L. Adams.
Athens.—W. Dealing, B. Pope, W. L. Mitchell, S. C. A. Eraser,
W. Brown.
Columbus.—J. H. Howard, T. Hoxie, Sea. Jones, W. P. Young,
T. F. Foster, T. Presfin, jr. Y. A. Gaillard.
Macon.—A. H. Chappell, J. T. Rowland. «
Milledgeville.—J. A. Cuthbert, A. H. Kenan, R. K. Hines.
Sparta.—R. S. Sayre, J. L. Swinney, N. C. Sayre.
Madison.—N. G. Foster, W. A. Shields.
Thomaston.—A. J. White, E. Birdsong, W. A. Cobb.
Louisville.—J. W. M. Berrien, P. B. Connolly, D. E. Both-
well.
Brunswick.—T. Butler King.
Crawfordville.—T. D. Rice, Pierce O'Leary, J. L. Baker.
On motion of the Hon. George M'Duffie,
Resolved, That a committee be appointed to take into considera¬
tion the business for which the Convention was assembled, and to
make a report thereon.
The Convention then adjourned to 4 o'clock, P. M. to enable the
President to select said committee.
FOUR O'CLOCK.
The Convention met pursuant to adjournment.
On motion of Mr. Bones, it was ordered that suitable seats be
provided for such of the editors in Augusta as desire to take minutes
of the proceedings of the Convention.
The President called on such members as had arrived since the
adjournment of the morning to come forward and sign their names
whereupon the followinggeiltlemen came forward: J. M. Gonder,
A
8
Esq. of Sparta; A. Young-, Esq. of Camden, S. C., and J. W,
Bothwell, Esq. of Louisville, Ga.
The President then read a letter from Columbus, Miss, signed by
all the merchants of that place, approving of the objects of the Con¬
vention.
The President then announced the following gentlemen as the
Committes appointed under the resolution of Gen. McDuffie.
Gen. G. McDuffie, of Abbeville,
Joseph Cumming, of Savannah.
T. Butler King, of Brunswick.
William Dearing, of Athens.
J. A. Cuthbcrt, of Milledgeville.
Seaborn Jones, of Columbus.
A. Johnston, of Augusta.
A. H. Chappell, of Macon.
A. Wallace, of Columbia.
James Cuthbert, of Charleston.
Alex. Black, of Charleston.
It was moved by John Bones, Esq. and seconded by the hon.
George McDuffie, that when this Convention adjourns it adjourn to
meet to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock, at the Presbyterian
Church.
On motion, the Convention then adjourned.
Extracts from the Report of the Convention.
The Select Committee raised for the purpose of ascertaining and
reporting what measures will in their opinion, most effectually con¬
tribute to the accomplishment of the great object of this Convention,
asked leave to submit the following report:—
The Committee are deeply impressed with the importance of the
duty assigned to them, and have bestowed upon it all the attention
their limited time would permit. They regard the present derange¬
ment of the currency and exchanges of the country, however we
may deprecate its causes and deplore its immediate effects, as
furnishing an occasion, which if wisely improved, will relieve the
staple growing States from a state of commercial dependence, scarcely
less reproachful to their industry and enterprise than it is incom¬
patible with tbeir substantial prosperity.
There nov:i- waij presented to the capitalists of the South and
South West an opening for profitable enterprise, and they are
invited by tvj mo. t powerful considerations to improve it. Now
that the fiscal operations of the federal government have been so
greatly reduced, and the field of competition fairly opened, if they
should still look on with listless apathy, while the mighty current of
our own peculiar commerce is flowing literally by them, to nourish
distant cities and fertalize the barren hills of distant communities,
we must then acquiesce in the judgment which the world will pro¬
nounce, that we deserve our destiny.^ But the committee indulge
9
the confident belief tKat such reproach will no longer rest upon us.
The public spirit of our people has been roused into action; they
have been awakened to a sense of their condition, and all are pre¬
pared to co-operate in their respective spheres, in the great work of
throwing of the* shackles of our present colonial con iition and esta¬
blishing our commercial independence upon a lasting foundation.
In concluding their report the Committee cannot but express their
strong conviction, that the success of this great movement towards
the emancipation of the staple growing states from their commercial
trammels, wilL depend more upon individual enterprize, sustained
and supported by an enlightened public opinion, than upon any
measures of legistation, however important these may be. The
business of direct importations must be commenced at once, for if the
present occasion is permitted to pass away unimproved, one equally
propitious may never occur. The Committee recommend the con¬
vention to adopt the following resolutions, in furtherance of the views
expressed in the foregoing report:—
Resolved, That in the opinion of this convention, the present
conjuncture in our commercial affairs is eminently propitious for the
establishment of a system of direct importations, through our South¬
ern and South-western cities, and that we are called upon by every
consideration of interest and of patriotism to throw of the degrading
shackles of commercial dependence.
Resolved, That with a view to induce public spirited capitalists to
embark in this business, the people of the staple growing States
be recommended to give public manifestations of their determination
to encourage and sustain importations through their own seaports.
Resolved, That two Committees be appointed by the President of
this Convention to memorialize respectively, the Legislatures of
Georgia and South Carolina on the subject of limited partnerships.
Resolved, That it is a sacred duty which the citizens of the South¬
ern and Southwestern States owe to themselves, their posterity, and
their country, to give a decided preference (where the terms are equal)
in procuring their supplies, to our merchants who carry on a direct
trade with foreign nations.
Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to prepare an address
to the people of the Southern and South-western States, setting forth
the advantages and'practicability of carrying on a direct trade with
foreign nations—exhibiting in detail the extent of their resources.
Resolved, That as an introduction to a direct importing system at
the south it is indispensably necessary that the crop oi the present
year should be directly exported by southern meichants and planteis,
and that to effect this object the souther'* banking institutions should
lend such aid as they safely and conveniently can.
Resolved, That the Convention recommend to the citizens of the
Southern and South-western States to appoint delegates to meet in
10
Convention at Augusta, on the first Monday in April, 1838, to con¬
tinue the interests and objects of this Convention before the people.
Resolved, That the Convention adjourn sine die.
The meeting of this Convention was announced^ on that day by
a continued roar of Cannon for one hour,-from the Ramparts of Ham¬
burg, South Carolina.
It was a proud day for Mr. Shultz. It seems clear that the great
Providential circumstances favored his most extra.ordinary though
natural course of enterprise, as he has been for many years laboring
to effect this object; and two years back the Legislature of South
Carolina supported his views by an act incorporating a company to
carry this enterprize into effect; and it was also fostered by two of the
European Governments. This success will be a crown of all his
successes.
Extract fr 07n a Report of the joint committee, of the Legislature
of South Carolina, to whom was referred the Memorial of Henry
Shultz, in 1823.
RESPECTFULLY REPORT:
The value of Hamburg however, is not only incalculable in a
pecuniary point of view, but it is worthy of attention in relation to the
influence which it is destined to have upon the internal happiness
and relative standing of the state. Upon this subject your commit¬
tee are not disposed to indulge in extravagant speculation, or visiona¬
ry anticipations of futurity ; can it be reasonably doubted, that in pro¬
portion to the decline of business in Georgia, will be the growth and
stability of Hamburg? Capital necessarily seeks the channel in
which it can be employed with the greatest prospect of success; can
it then be doubted, that with the produce of Georgia, the town of
Hamburg will also entice a portion of the capital and population of
that State ? If then these views are just, and there is every pros¬
pect of the continued growth and improvement of Hamburg, will it
not be the means of uniting the extremities of our State, by the con¬
stant intercommunication of sentiments and feelings between the
seaboard and the mountains, to which its commercial importance will
necessarily give rise? Will it not also, by swelling the exports of
our State, enhance" its weight in the scale of the Union? When
therefore your committee reflect that the town of Hamburg, under
the continued patronage of the State, cannot fail to produce the re¬
sults to which they have alluded, and that these results will be al¬
most entirely ascribed to the enterprize and energy of a single indi ¬
vidual, they feel it a duty to bring his merits as distinctly and forci¬
bly as they can, to the notice of the State. They cannot conclude,
therefore, without remarking, that they have been sensibly impres¬
sed. both in the conception and execution of the designs of Mr. Shultz,
with the evidences which they furnish of a strong, acute, and practi-
II
cal understanding; and that relying as they do, not less upon his ho¬
nor and integrity, than upon his capability to accomplish his views
and his interest in doing so, they do not. hesitate to say that the Bill,
which they now unanimously ask leave to introduce, has been framed
more in accordance with their ideas of the degree of patronage which
the State can conveniently afford at present, than with their convic¬
tion of the extent to which he ought to be encouraged. Your com¬
mittee now respectfully ask leave"to report by Bill.
H. L. PINCKNEY, Chairman.
5th April, 1822.
The Committee of Council to whom was referred the Memorial
of Mr. Henry Shultz,
Beg leave to report,
That they have taken the interesting document, submitted by Mr.
Shultz, into consideration, and take occasion to observe, that they
concur fully in opinion with that enterprising individual in the vast
advantages which would accrue to the city of Charleston, in having
an easy Steam Boat communication between Hamburg and it adap¬
ted to boats of the size and class of those now in use, and to be used
by Mr. Shultz, by which our imports multiplied, and new channels
opened to the successful employment of capital.—Your committee
further concur with Mr. Shultz in the views he has taken, both as to
where the navigation requires improvement, as well as the cost which
may be necessary to etfect the contemplated objects. In order that
Council may lend fully its sanction and countenance to measures,
having for their end consequences of such lasting and salutary im¬
portance, your committee would submit and recommend the adoption
of the following resolution:
Resolved, That the Intendant be authorized to write to the Board
of Public Works, soliciting them to apply such disposable means as
may be in their power to a zealous co-operation in the measures, ne¬
cessary to improve the inland navigation between this and the Sa¬
vannah river, soliciting them to direct an Engineer to meet Mr.
Shultz on the 1st Monday in May next, at Charleston, that the points
to which the labor is to be applied may be again examined and the
work promptly commenced.
ALEX. BLACK, )
THOS. NAPIER, > Committee.
WxM. PERONNEAU, )
Extract from the Miuutes.
Wm. Roach, Jur. Clerk of Council.
Charleston, April 14, 1822.
Dear Sir.—I find your Steam Boat is just about leaving Charles¬
ton, and in great haste, I write you lest I should lose so good an op¬
portunity of forwarding you the inclosed documents, by which you
will see that we have taken up your business in good earnest.
12
I shall write to Col. Blanding, President of the Board of Publi<
Works by the mail of to-morrow, soliciting in as strong terms as ]
am capable of employing their aid in tha object we have in view, anc
requesting him to send an Kngiuaar hare by the first Monday in May
to meat you, for which purpose do not fdil -to be here. I presume
your Boat will be returning about the time when your presence maj
be required.
With my best wishes for your prosperity and success, I remain
Dear Sir, Your Obed't.
J. HAMILTON,
HENRY SHULTZ.
Abstract from, a report of the Solicitor to the Legislature oj
South Carolina, in 1830 respecting the Town of Hamburg.
" I cannot conclude this report without expressing the highesl
sense which I entertain of the services.of Mr. Shultz, who has been
associated with me in all the important and difficult parts of the trans¬
action. His great experience in matters of this sort, his zeal, ardor,
industry, his knowledge of business and of men, have enabled him
to rendt ;r me essential aid, without which I could not have succee¬
ded so well as I trust I have done, in accomplishing the object which
the Legislature seemed to have had in view, and which were com¬
mitted to my charge. I feel assured that Mr. Shultz has exerted all
his ability to promote the interest of the State, in this matter, honest¬
ly, punctually, and faithfully, and that he has entitled himself to the
undiminished confidence of the Legislature."
B. J. EARLE.
From the State Rights Sentinel, 1835.
Augusta, May 26.—We have but this moment glanced our eye
upon the account of the Hamburg sales, which, it seems, during our
rambles abroad, made their appearance in several papers. We notice
them now, only to felicitate our old friend Henry Shultz, in the hap¬
py termination of all his difficulties, and in the ultimate acquisition
of a snug fortune to live and die on, A good slice of Hamburg has
fallen to his lot, which, with his characteristic enterprise, taste and
skill, he is beautifying in the finest style. Having witnessed his un¬
yielding spirit in the darkest hours of adversity—indeed, having
fought by his side ; when, without a cent in his pocket, he warred it
manfully against States, Towns, Banks, Judges, Lawyers and
creditors innumerable, we are peculiarly gratified to witness his final
triumphs. Henry has had his faults, to be sure, as we all have; but
even " his faults leaned to virtue's side"—for we believe they possess¬
ed less of selfishness in them than the faults of any other man
living. So far as his own comfort was concerned, it seemed to be a
matter of perfect indifference to him, whether he dwelt in a palace
or a prison—whether he feasted on the richest viands, or on bread
and water: but public improvements, works of usefulness, taste and
wonder, he would carry on, with or without means, with or without
friends, with or without liberty. He is the only man we ever saw*
whom the public could not prevent from doing- the public good—■
the very kind of a man whom Georgia has ever wanted. If Shultz
would undertake the construction of the Georgia Rail Road, or
rather the superintendence of it, we would give ten per cent more
for stock than we now would give. To use his own familiar ex¬
pression, " he'd spend our money for us but then be would give us
in return for it, a work that would withstand the assaults of time,
as his Bridge and Wharves do, the combined assaults of time and
the angry waters of the Savannah.
From the Charleston Courier, June 6, 1835.
DIRECT TRADE BETWEEN HAMBURG IN AMERICA,
AND HAMBURG IN EUROPE.
The enterprizing spirit of Henry Shultz, ever teeming with plans
of public usefulness, has projected a scheme of direct intercourse be¬
tween the flourishing town which he has founded on the southern
borders of this State, and the great commercial emporium bearing
the same name in Europe. Tne reputation which Mr. Shultz has
already earned for an enlightened forecast, and an indefatigable per¬
severance in the consumation of his plans, rising superior to obstacles
the most formidable, and almost insensible to discouragement, is cal¬
culated to inspire a strong confidence in the success of any enterprize
to which he may apply his active and untiring energies. The Town
which his genius has planted firmly, and the noble Bridge and Wharf
which form the pillars of its .commerce and prosperity, constitute a
splendid and enduring monument of his usefulness and fame—both
of which will we trust become more widely extended by the success¬
ful establishment of the contemplated commercial connection be¬
tween his native and adopted country. The benefit of this new pro¬
ject will consist in the advantages which the direct has over the cir¬
cuitous trade—in the immediate exchange of our great staple with
the manufactories of the European continent, and especially in an
increased intercourse with the enlightened and prosperous Kingdom
* of Prussia, in which the cultivation of hemp, on a large scale, for the
manufacture of cotton bagging, is about to be undertaken under roy¬
al auspices, and manufacturing resources generally have of late been
greatly enlarged and improved, and from the dense population of
which we may gain a valuable accession of educated, moral and in¬
dustrious citizens.
From the Georgia Courier, July 6, 1835.
A SOUTHERN ENTERPRIZE.
The trade between the two Hamburgs is only an item growing out
of Mr. Shultz's interest in one of them, and a very inconsiderable
item, in that scheme of commercial reciprocity, which he believes
he can be instrumental in establishing between the great southern
14
seaports, particularly South Carolina and Georgia, and certain corni*
tries of Europe, which are about entering on a new career of national
industry, and if Mr. Shultz succeeds in iiis views, we shall get them^
virgin-pure, from the ware-house of the manufacturer, without any
of that iuiem.cdiale handling, which so greatly enhances their price
to the consumer. Suppose an agency, for example, located in Char¬
leston, or Savannah, at Hamburg, or here, in which are deposited
the Prussian manufactories wanted in our consumption—the mer¬
chant or planter makes a simple exchange of his cotton for the same
and avoids paying two or three profits in the different hands, through
which such articles usually pass, with the attendant expenses of as
many transportations, commissions, &c., before, in this their usual
circuitous route, they slowly reach their ultimate consumption, bro^
ken down with the heavy weight of charges which they carry.
From the Charleston Mercury, Sept. 21 st, 1835.
DIRECT TRADE WITH HAMBURG.
Mr. Shultz deserves, for his public spirited energy, the gratitude
of our State and of the South ; and we trust, that the trade with Ham¬
burg will be but one of a series of comprehensive enterprize for se¬
curing an extensive direct intercourse with Europe. The opening
of a direct trade also with Havre, and with Liverpool, and the con¬
nection by Rail Roads with Tennessee and Alabama, will all tend
to the great object of advancing Southern prosperity, and givingsafe-
ty and stability to Southern Institutions.
From the Augusta Chronicle, Oct. 10th, 1835.
MR. SHULTZ'S NEW ENTERPRIZE.
We recently gave a general statement of the great success, so far,
that has attended Mr. Shultz's magnificent project for a direct trade
with Prussia, Denmark, Holland, and Hamburg in Germany. Could
we give the whole details of that success, the public would be no less
astonished than its friends have been delighted; Mr. Shultz is enti¬
tled to the confidence of the public. The people of South Carolina
and Charleston, for whom Mr. S. has already achieved so much, ap¬
pear to enter warmly into his views, and will no doubt be disposed
to afford him, through the Legislature or otherwise, all the reasonable
aid he may desire. And by the bye, as Mr. Shultz is authorized, as
heretofore suggested, to order the vessels, &c., at his disposal, to Sa¬
vannah or Charleston, and he will doubtless choose that point best
calculated to promote the interests of those who have so much confi¬
ded in him, our Savannah friends will do well to exert themselves in
behalf of a preference so important to the commercial interest of that
city. We should think, too, that it might be most profitable to Mr.
Shaltz and to European friends, to ship from Savannah; and should
of course be gratified by his choice of the seaport of our own State.
Verbum sat.
7
*the Greatness of he South over that of the J¥forth*
First- The South produces the very precious metal in its natural
state to the amount of hundreds of thousands annually. She pro¬
duces Cotton and Rice in abundance every year, and in value equal
to gold and silver itself.
Seco7id—In general, health is as good at the South as it is at the
North. True, the heat is great in summer, and there are sections
where it is oppressive and unwholesome, but Providence has favored
her again with abundant places that afford health and comfort, to
which man may, in one hour's time, resort. I will take the City of
Charleston, for instance, which comes more under my immediate
knowledge: Every hour in the day he can go from the City to Sulli¬
van's Island, where he can breathe the pure and wholesome Seabreeze,
and be, as it were, in sight of his business at the same time. Altho'
the great importance of that place by nature has been treated with
the utmost contempt by Charleston heretofore, who can tell what in¬
valuable importance the improvement of that place would give to the
prosperity and splendor of that great City, as it might be of much
greater importance to Charleston than Hoboken is to New-York. It
would inspire foreigners with confidence in coming with their ships
to Charleston in summer as well as in winter, or in case of sickness
in the City and be a perfect safeguard in all seasons of the year for
natives as well as for foreignrs. And, in one day, they can come on
the Rail Road to the towns of Hamburg and Augusta, where they
can enjoy the wholesome pine wood's breeze, and drink the pure
water from the very fountain itself; and in one more day they can
enjoy the mountain's breeze and comfort, in every way equal, if not
better, than that of the North ; and, in a few more days, they may
arrive at the Virginia or Sulphur Springs. " a garden spot " of this
part of the world, and all this they can accomplish at the same ex¬
pense, if not less, than travelling at the North.
Thirdly—The Southern Seaports are accessable all the year ;
her revers are navigable in all seasons of the year. To be surelhere
are times that they cannot be navigated in all parts of them with our
noble Steamboats, but they are always navigable with smaller craft,
and our Rail Roads, we can travel upon at all times and all seasons ot
the year. .,,
Our Merchants are not indebted to Europe, and if they should be,
they are blessed with the real value in fact at home to pay with and
ask nothing from the North in that way. As to the climate, it is as
cold in winter to the North, as it is hot in summer to the South. CrO
8
where you will to the North in winter and you will freeze. Their
fine ships are surrounded by ice in their harbors for months at a time.
Their splendid steamboats are frozen up in their rivers. They tell
us in their newspapers of "thousands and tens of thousands" barrels df
prime Flour, but frozen up in their canals; they might as well tell
us it was in Egypt, from which we might get it as soon. Their
merchants are largely indebted to Europe, what have they got to pay
with ? To be sure they have got many towering castles which they
may have no use for hereafter but their fine packetscannot carry them.
They have Biddle's Notes and Bank Bonds which they can send,
but they are a fictitious & deluding thing, signifying an evidence of a
debt due for Cotton, Rice, Gold and Silver received, and prolong the
time of payment, and in the end perhaps no payment at all. The
manufactories cannot spin and weave them into cloth, nor can the
people eat them.
As to the Banks of the South and of the North, nearly the whole
of them have crept into a bag together, and had I charge of that bag,
I would tie that string well; not one should escape to tell the news;
not even the old fox himself should escape to his den already prepar¬
ing for his retreat.
HENRY SHULTZ,
Founder and Proprietor of Hamburg, JS. C.
Hamburg, South-Carolina,
Oct. 7th, 1837.
15
From the South Carolinian, June 13, 1835.
Our readers will see by our Paper of to day, that the ever active
mind of Mr. Shultz, is now engaged in a most important enter-
prize, (in opening a direct trade with Europe.) It may be said of a
truth, that no man in this State, has erected half so many monu¬
ments to his genius and public spirit as Henry Shultz. They
are all around us. It is known to all of us, that his path has not
been strewed with roses. He has passed through the most fiery-
ordeal. He has surmounted difficulties, which to any one else,
would have been insurmountable. Cut off, from all resources, but
those of his own fertile genius, we have all seen him, at more than
one period of his history, when the darkest gloom seemed to have set
upon his prospects, accomplish results that appeared almost magical.
Knowing as we do, his extraordinary talent in building Towns,
constructing Bridges, Boats, opening Rivers, making Roads,
cyc., and knowing too, that he has an energy and a perseverance
perfectly unconquerable, we are not disposed to question the
practicability of any scheme, in his particular line, which he may
honestly suggest.
From the Brunswick Advocate, October 19, 1837.
D irect Intercourse between the South and Europe.—
At the request of Mr. Shultz, the enterprizing founder of the flourish¬
ing city of Hamburg in S. Carolina, we publish a paper in reference
to-a contemplated commercial intercourse between that city and the
old Hamburg of 'Germany. Mr. Shultz has been for years endeavor¬
ing to establish a direct trade between Europe and the ports of the
S.outh. Aware of the obstacles existing to the use of the present
ports, he many years since visited Brunswick, and bid off a large
number of lots sold under a statute of the State. Owing to an in¬
formality in the proceeding, the sale was never completed. Had
circumstances favored his views at that time, the advantages of this
harbor would long ere this, have created a oity, and given a most
favorable impulse to the commerce of the South. Soon after this he
founded the city of Hamburg on the Savannah river, opposite
Augusta. It will be necessary for him to establish a shipping port,
as the location of his city so far up the Savannah, renders it im¬
possible for vessels employed in foreign voyages to ascend. His long
and intimate knowledge of the different harbors on the coast, must
necessarily force on his mind the conviction that Brunswick is al¬
together the best adapted for this purpose.
From the Macon Messenger, /September 1, 1824.
In 1818 a resolution passed the Legislature, instructing the Gov¬
ernor to appoint three fit persons to examine, survey, &c., a route
for a canal from Alatamaha to Turtle and Sapelo Rivers, and to
report to the next Legislature. At the session of 1819 the Report
(which follows) was made, and referred to a joint committee on agri¬
culture and internal improvements, the report of which committee
1(>
was approved by the House of Representatives and a resolution
passed authorising the Governor to receive proposals from Henry
Shultz, to cut the contemplated Canal. In Senate, a substitute was
offered, which, with the resolution, was finally ordered to lie on the
table the balance of the session.
From the Macon Messenger, August 25, 1824.
A few years ago this very Mr. Henry Shultz, whose genius can not
only perceive, but quickly realize and embrace advantages, purchased
a great part of the lots in Brunswick, and requested leave of the
Legislature of Georgia, (at his own cost, and for his own emolument
to be sure,) to open a canal of about ten miles only in length ; and
unite the waters of Alatamaha and Turtle Bivers, and furnish
Georgia with a seaport of the first rate ; an undertaking of so much
advantage to the up country, that he thought the offer would be ac¬
cepted without hesitation and with thanks—but it was then thought
a matter of so much consequence that the further consideration of it
was postponed. Adverse circumstances combined with his restless
spirit of enterprise, have since caused him to leave the state he in¬
tended to benefit, and to build the town of Hamburg, as spectacles
on the nose of Augusta, which no doubt incommode the wearer.
But this is not all—-Having been thwarted in all his designs and
solicitude to promote the interests of the Georgia Steam-Boat Com¬
pany, he opened the steam-boat navigation between Hamburg and
Charleston, which more than any thing else has contributed to the
decay of Savannah. Had there been that attention paid to the real
interests of the State, and particularly the south western section of it;
that it deserved, we would not now have to lament the losses of
Savannah, and not less the loss of an enterprising citizen, who can
not only plan, but also execute with despatch. But at that time the
interest of the Eastern section was yet too powerful, and that of the
Western not properly understood and supported.
From the Milledgeville Journal, November 17, 1824.
Previous to the building of Hamburg but otie line of stages ran
between Charleston and Augusta, and even this went on heavily—
Now there are two lines, and both are constantly loaded with
merchants and other persons passing to and from between the sea
port and the interior."
During the month of May forty-four - passengers came to
Charleston in the Hamburg boats, and in the same period, by the
line of Stages, one hundred and ninety travellers arrived. Two
thirds of these it is believed were merchants of the upper country
of Georgia, who went to Charleston to purchase goods ! !
These facts which are established beyond doubt, speak volumes.
What is the cause of all this prosperity —all this bustle and this en-
terprize ? Simply the patronage of one man by the Legislature of
South Carolina, and the judicious disbursement of the public money
under his superintendence. How humiliating to Georgia is the -fact
that this same man, who has wrought such wonders in Carolina, a
few years ago offered his services to this state on the most reasonable
11
terms, and met with a rejection almost unanimous. He proposed to
cut a canal from the Atlantic to Turtle river, and to depend for his
remuneration on the profits of the work after it .should be finished ?
His proposal was rejected; and what has Georgia not lost by it ?
Let the suffeiers of Savannah and Darien answer the question.
Let the facts we have stated in the commencement of this article
answer also. Had Georgia expended $100,000 for 110 other purpose
than to retain such a man in the number of her citizens, the money
would have been wisely spent. His genius would, sooner or later,
have accomplished for Georgia, in some way or other, what it has
accomplished for Carolina.
SPECIE BANK OR NO BANK.
I shall say nothing as to the Banks who have disgraced the present
Banking principle of the Nation among'Nations, by putting under
foot the very laws that gave them existence, a body without a soul;
but shall speak about the Bank in my own town, whose Charter of
this very Bank was granted by the Legislature of South Carolina in
1835, by my most earnest solicitation, and at the pledge of my per¬
sonal integrity to the Governor and to the Legislature, for the true
compliance of its condition, with a Capital of Five Hundred iHiou-
sand Dollars, the whole to be paid with actual gold and silver; of
which sum, One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars was paid, by
thrjee Commissioners appointed by the Legislature, of which 1 was
one, into the vaults of the Bank in actual gold and silver, upon which
the Bank was permitted to go into operation, and the remainder to be
paid by instalments as the law directed.
At the blow up of all the paper Banks in the United States, I re¬
sisted this Specie Bank following their example, under a full con¬
viction that the whirlwind might take all the paper to the four winds
of Heaven, but could not move the specie, and this Bank being found -
«I on a solid basis, and conducted under a prudent direction, would
sustain itself, if ten thousand paper banks around it should go over¬
board. for it is not responsible for the payment of the notes of any
other bank but its own. But about a dozen and a half of broken
merchants, under the pretext of a large and respectable meeting of
the Citizens of Hamburg, huddled up, of which the Chairman head¬
ed the list, and passed resolutions, recommending the Bank to do as
they themselves had done, stop payment, and to my great astonish¬
ment, this bank followed their most absurd dictates. But all its finan¬
ces, and its monied awe, which were exercised at great length,
would not prevail. The law was in all cases, when exacted
for violating the terms of its Charter, carried into effect. And, in
M. Gray, Esq. is found the firmness of a Csesar in the performance
of his official duties ; and, the Courts of the State of South Carolina,
have sustained his proceedings, saying, that the law of the land shall
be respected, and the Bank shall pay its debts as well as individuals.
HENRY SHULTZ, Founder and Proprietor
Of the Town of Hamburg, South Carolina.
November 7th, 1837.
18
LEGISLATURE OF SOUTH CAROLINA.
The special Committee to whom was referred the Memorial of
Henry Shultz, making a tender of his gratuitous services in pro-
moting a trade direct between the towns of Hamburg and Charleston,
South Carolina, and the Hanse town of Hamburg and the king¬
doms of Prussia, Denmark, Holland, and Sweden, and suggesting
at the same time certain amendments in the charter lately granted
for the same general purposes, to tiie American and German
Trading and Insurance Company, have had the subject under con¬
sideration and unanimously beg leave respectfully to report: That
the memorialist has, in general given a history of that series of dif¬
ficult and highly useful public undertakings which he has during
the last fifteen years, pursued with a perseverance so indomitable,
resources so unexpected, and a success so remarkable; that he has
according to his promises originally given the State, created a busy
and flourishing place of trade, where he found only an uninviting
marsh, and that he has been instrumental in producing advantages of
the highest importance to the trade of our chief town' Charleston;
that the boldness of conception which has marked his great enter-
prizes, reflects, from their successful execution, no little lustre upon
the public policy of the Legislature which fostered them. Your
Committee will not enlarge upon the long train of difficulties,
through which the singular resolution and skill of the memorialist
have been able to conduct his designs to their accomplishment.
Of the trade which it is the design of your memorialist to open, it
is sufficient, your Committee think, to say, that" the idea is only a
bold and just anticipation of what should naturally happen of itself
through the mere operation of the General Laws of Trade.
The Memorialist appears to have come to your Body with views
of that public spirited sort, which have marked his whole career;
under these feelings, he has offered you his gratuitous services; a
tender, which is honorable to him, and which the Committee thinks,
it would be advantageous to accept. In relation to the suggestions
made in the memorial to alter and amend an act entitled " an act"
incorporating the American and German Trading and Insurance
Company, your Committee beg leave to report by Bill.
JOHN S. JETER,
Chairman of the Special Committee.
I certify the above to be a true copy taken from the original of the
report of the Special Committee of the House of Representatives.
M. LABORDE,
Member of House of Representatives.
and one of the Committee.
December 16th, 1836.