THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 GIFT OF 
 
 Oze Van Wyck 
 
.SPEECH 
 
 \ 
 
 OF ' 
 
 MR. ELLIOTT, OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 
 
 BEFORE THE 
 
 COMMERCIAL CONTENTION, 
 
 HELD AT KNOXVILLE, AUGUST 10th, 1857, 
 
 ON THE FORTIFYING OF 
 
 POET ROYAL HARBOR, S. 0., 
 
 AND THE 
 
 ESTABLISHMENT OF A COALING STATION 
 FOR LARGE GOVERNMENT STEAMERS. 
 
 COLUMBIA, S. C.: 
 
 STEAM POWER PRESS OF CAROLINA TIMES. 
 
 1857. ally 
 
GIF! 
 
HE 
 
 SPEECH. 
 
 MR. PRESIDENT : During the session of the Legislature of South Carolina in December 
 last, I had the honor of submitting similar resolutions to these that I now offer to this 
 body. I trust that this convention will not think that I am trespassing too much 
 upon its patience, when I assure them that the Legislature of South Carolina had 
 given them her unanimous approval, and that any measure touching Southern devel- 
 opment that she may have sustained by so marked an approval, could not be a 
 matter of indifference to her sister States, now assembled in this convention. 
 
 Since it has been demonstrated that to carry on a successful foreign trade where the 
 countries are at a distance from each other, large ships are absolutely essential, it has 
 become a matter of great importance to the cotton region of the slaveholding 
 South, that they should have harbors along their coast of sufficient depth to admit 
 ships of the larger class. Hitherto it has been supposed that there existed no harbor 
 along the Southern coast South of the Capes of the Chesepeake that would admit the 
 largest class of ships. The progress of the coast survey has developed the fact that 
 there are several. Beaufort in North Carolina has a depth of 17 feet at low water . 
 Brunswick in Georgia has a similar depth ; Port Royal in South Carolina has a 
 depth of 20 feet. It is to the capacity and position of this latter port that I wish to call 
 the attention of this convention. The first account of this harbor that we have any 
 authentic information of, is that it was the port selected by the French Huguenots 
 for their settlement in 1562, when they attempted a colony under Rebault. He desig. 
 nated it as the Grand Reiviere, and gave the most glowing description of its capaci" 
 ty and depth of water. This colony was abandoned, owing to the neglect of France 
 to sustain it. Sale, in his attempt to colonise Carolina, under the English, was instructed 
 to take possession of the same harbor, which they in their loyalty, from its 
 superiority to all surrounding ports, gave it the name of Port Royal ; a name it has 
 ever since maintained. Sale made a settlement here ; but his apprehension of the 
 Spaniards at St. Augustine induced him to remove further north, to old Charlestown 
 on the Ashley. During the revolution the heavy ship? of England held possession 
 of the harbor, and their frigates re-entered it again in the war of 1812 ; they the most 
 maritime power on the face of the globe, were well acquainted with its capacity ^ 
 while our own government were ignorant of it until a very recent period ; in fact 
 they seemed very much disposed to ignore it altogether until the recent survey by 
 Lieut. Maffitt has demonstrated the truth of its great facilities. 
 
 Port Royal Bar is situated in South Carolina between Charleston and Savannah, 
 on the 32d degree of North latitude, 3 m. 46 s., Longitude 80 d. 30 m. 27 s. It has 
 three entrances, one with 17 feet 900 metres in width, one with 19 feet in depth 
 and 1200 metres in width, and another with 20 feet in depth and equally wide. 
 
 908 
 
The mean rise of the tide is 7 feet ; at spring tide it rises & feet ; and as these tides are 
 greatly increased by N. E. and E. winds, it shows that 2. and 30 ieet of water is fre" 
 quently found upon the bar a depth that equals or exceeds that of New York 
 ''This harbor is easy to access in all winds except N. W," which being an off shore 
 wind is not a dangerous one along our South Coast, aud which is not liable to extreme 
 cold as is the case in the higher latitudes in winter. After you have entered this 
 harbor, the "up channel way is clear and deep with the best of holding ground* 
 "Broad River, which empties into Port Royal has a wide channel, with an average 
 depth of five fathoms up to the N. E. branch, a distance of 29 miles." "Beaufort 
 River, also a tributary of Poet Royal, affords 18 feet at mean low water until within 
 three miles of the town of Beaufort, from thence up not less than 14 feet can be 
 found at low water. From the report which I have condensed, it will be perceived that 
 this harbor is not only deep, but eminently capacious and safe when once entered. 
 This harbor is a large arm of the sea penetrating among high, dry sea islands, and 
 having no fresh water stream emptying into it of any magnitude, its waters are as briny 
 as the ocean itself, and hence its great salubrity. We can show as hale and hearty a 
 population as dwell upon the earth, there are at least a half dozen positions upon 
 its banks where a city could be erected, that would have depth enough at its wharves 
 to accoraodate any vessel that could enter its bar. Its location upon an island would 
 furnish no objection to commercial greatness. Tyre and Venice, of the old world, 
 and New York on our own continent, are all insular cities, and a position like this, 
 in a warm climate as our is, would add greatly to its health and coolness. Taking 
 it for granted that I have demonstrated that this harbor is the best as to depth and 
 capacity South of the Chesapeake, the next point to discuss is its position geograph- 
 ically in respect to Southern trade. It is between the cities of Savannah and 
 Charleston, and this fact will serve to illustrate why this port has been hitherto 
 neglected. These cities so long as small vessels were used for foreign commerce 
 were amply sufficient to every want of our Atlantic Commerce. It would appear 
 from its approximation to these two cities, that this Port Royal should hereafter be 
 the foreign gate or outlet to their commerce. Now as to its position in respect to the 
 Southern Cotton producing States, it is just above the 32d parrallel. Run your eye 
 westward from this point on the map and you will find that the degree will take 
 you through the heart of the Cotton States of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. 
 Yet westward still it will pass through the Northern portion of Louisiana and Texas ; 
 passing still further in its westward course, it will pass through a portion of New Mex- 
 icowill enter that portion of territory South of the Rio Gila, acquired by the 
 Gadsden Treaty, aye, even the same territory of Arizona which is even now asking for 
 a seat of sisterhood among us, crossing the Rio Colorado above its junction with the 
 Gulf of Calafornia, aud passing onward strikes the Pacific Ocean in the neighborhood 
 of San Diego. This is the shortest route from the North Pacific to the North Atlantic 
 Ocean. If you take a higher latitude the continents widen its distance, if you pursue 
 a lower latitude you will encounter the Peninsula aud Gulf of California on the Pacific 
 Coast, if you still pursue a more Southern route you will still encounter the Peninsula 
 of Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. When we reflect that from the cities of Charleston 
 
and Savannah there is a continuous Rail Road connexion with the Mississippi at Memphis 
 and a progression on to Vicksburg, and that from these points they are progressing 
 westward to Shreveport and Fulton, and that it is almost certain that these two lines 
 will form a F single trunk at Fort Belknap in Northern Texas and is to continue on to 
 the Pacific at San Diego it would seem that these cities, Charleston and Savannah, 
 should be the outlet for the trade, and they not having the requisite of deep water, 
 that Port Royal ought to be the location of the Eastern terminus. The topographical 
 Engineers directed to survey the Western route to the Pacific, have declared that the 
 32d degree is the shortest, most feasible and most economical route. Capt. Humphrey, 
 in a recent publication re-asserts the same conclusion that the 32d parallel will be 30 
 millions of dollars the cheapest, and 400 miles the shortest also. It will run through 
 a climate that will admit of its use throughout the entire year. It requires but little 
 enterprise and little capital from the slaveholding South to inaugurate this Commer- 
 cial Market, at Port Royal. It is situated on the line of the great cotton States at the 
 nearest point of deep water upon the Atlantic, and is of easy access to the great 
 manufactories of cotton both in Europe and North America. Its location at this point 
 will call into vigorous play all the railroad enterprise of the Southern country is now 
 of easy access by steamers from Savannah and Charleston. From the former, there 
 is a safe, deep inland passage that can be made at all times of the tide, and could 
 be accomplished as regularly as any other steamboat route that is now run over in 
 the same distance of 60 miles. The Charleston and Savannah rail road will approach 
 within a distance of 25 miles any position that is likely to be fixed upon as the site of 
 a city. Such, then, is the situation of this magnificent harbor, in respect to its location, 
 to the cotton regions of the South. Now how is it situated in respect to foreign 
 commerce with Europe and to its position as Canada and the Northern Atlantic 
 States ? 
 
 The Gulf Stream runs immediately in front of its mouth. Vessels bound to Europe 
 or the North, will take its favoring currents and proceed on their voyage, on their 
 return voyage from the North. By keeping near the coast they avoid its contrary 
 current. This is easily done, and is the habit of the coasting Captains this they are 
 able to do, as far South as Savannah ; but in proceeding South in order to go around 
 Cape of Florida, the danger and peril of the voyage increase in an eminent ratio. The 
 narrow pathway, between the Bahamas and the coast of Florida, which is not occupied 
 by the opposing current of the Gulf Stream in its propulsive course from the Gulf of 
 Mexico, is occupied on either hand by dangerous shoals and wayward currents. Hence 
 the wrecking business, is carried on as a matter of most profitable employment. The 
 loss along this coast, in a single year has been estimated at a million of dollars. Now 
 let us examine the position of Port Royal, as to the accomplishment of the voyage to 
 Europe. Let us take Liverpool as the port most apt to be frequented for the disposal 
 of the great Southern staple. Upon examining the chart laid down in Lieut. Maury's 
 Physical Geography of the Sea, we will find that a ship leaving this Port Royal, would 
 take advantage of the currents of the Gulf Stream, and reach her port in the usual 
 course, pursued by vessels going to Liverpool from American ports. Upon returning, 
 a new route may be taken with decided advantage, when a Southern Port is to be 
 
6 
 
 reached, particularly when steamers are the motive power. Leaving Liverpool, a vessel 
 might take advantage of the current that sets to the Southward, along the coast of 
 France and Spain ; she could touch at either the Azores, or Madeira and passing along 
 in the slack-water, upon the Northern verge of the Sargasso Sea, touch Bermuda, or, 
 passing on either side of it, with the currents setting here, as it does, to the westward 
 strike the Gulf Stream, which is narrow, at this point, and easily crossed, and enter 
 the Port Royal in 32nd deg. of latitude. This route would be a favorite one for the 
 Southern latitude, and would be free from the intense cold, and boisterous weather of 
 the Northern passage in winter, and in summer, it is always favored by the trade winds. 
 This is the route pursued by Columbus, and these are the same favoring breezes that 
 drove him onward from the old world, so much to the terror of his companions. 
 
 This position at Port Royal bears a very important position to the Rice, Sugar, and 
 Cotton region of the slave holding South. It also has a very important bearing upon the 
 products of the great West that find outlet through the Mississippi into the Gulf of 
 Mexico and thence into the Atlantic. Every cargo of gold from California across the 
 Isthmus must of necessity in its transit to Europe, or the Northern States, pass by the 
 portals of this very harbour. If there was a direct road from San Diego which has a 
 deep harbour on the Pacific to this harbour of Port Royal the 'deepest on the Southern 
 Atlantic, what a vast amount of distance and of dangerous navigation would be saved . 
 China and Japan would be at our door. This harbour is the only one that will admit a 
 line of battle ships or a large steamer from the Chesepeake to the Capes of Florida 
 a distance extending over twelve (12) degrees of latitude along the Atlantic Coast. In 
 time of war, it is the Key to the Gulf of Mexico. A hostile fleet stationed safely by 
 within its ample harbour could effectually cut off all the commerce between the Northern 
 and Southern portions of the Union and would annihilate our foreign commerce. An 
 enemy in the position would be like an eagle on his eyre, he could swoop down upon 
 his prey and then 
 
 " Regain his perch that far o'erlooks the main 
 Feast with fierce eye and hold his watch again." 
 
 Yet this harbour is ignored by the Federal Government. Not a buoy floats upon its 
 waters ; not a light-house stands upon its shores ; not a cannon is there mounted to 
 protect the fugitive, or repel the foe. In its capacity for defence it stands as it did 
 three hundred years ago when the flag of Jein Rebault floated, in discovery, upon its 
 splendid solitude. What a strange commentary is this upon southern forecast strange 
 that the only port that could be used for her destruction or her commercial deliverance 
 from Northern dominion should have remained so long ignored by the government and 
 her people and it is only now when the Southern heart is dimmed and clouded by 
 danger that the glimmering of light begins to shoot feebly upon our vision amid 
 o'erspread'mg darkness. Let us no longer be idle let us be up and doing. The reso- 
 lutions express the initiative, let us pursue it to its end let us animate each other in 
 this onward progress. Who can estimate the importance to the South or the world o 
 this enterprise. 
 
 When I behold the vast assemblage before me, composed not of politicians, not of the 
 
waiters on Federal honors but the citizens, the tax-payers congregated Here from the 
 remote regions of the South and South west, in whose bosoms beat ihe true pulse of 
 the Southern heart, I do hope we shall be able to accomplish something. If anything 
 that I have said should waken Southern enterprize to a great result, I should be most 
 amply rewarded for my presence in this assembly. Why gentlemen of the South, we 
 can accomplish anything if we are united, and direct our energies to its accomplish- 
 ment. Behold this vast Southern empire of ours, extending from the Capes of the 
 old Dominion, to the Rio Grande. Behold it teeming with wealth, strength and human 
 happiness. It is the creature of our own energy the result of our own enterprise, 
 inhabited by two distinct races, the superior directing the physical capacity of the 
 inferior. We furnish the great proportion of the food, the clothing and the luxuries 
 of mankind, the elements of national wealth are in our own reeking soil. The 
 development of commercial greatness is in our own hands. Mankind civilized 
 mankind cannot exist without our products. Let us be just to ourselves, pass these 
 resolutions, demand that the common Government of the nation, shall defend your 
 coast, demand that she shall inaugurate the great port of the cotton region by sending 
 heavy steamers to coal upon its banks, and illustrate to commercial Christendom that 
 your deep waters are open to commercial enterprise. 
 
 We ask for nothing but strict justice, we would receive nothing more, give us 
 defences and give us the opportunity of commercial development, that which our 
 constitution guarantees to all. 
 
 If foreign nations see that our own government appreciates this southern harbour of 
 Port Royal, by sending its great steamers within its safe and capacious waters, they too 
 will imitate its example and we will have no need of building steamers of our own. 
 We have only to place our wealth the products of our soil, our rice, our wheat, ou r 
 corn, our sugar, our bacon and cotton upon its banks beside its deep waters, and the 
 carrying trade of the commercial world is at our service. Who knows what may be the 
 result of our action in this matter ? Steam-power has revolutionized human progress, 
 under its mighty impulse. We see Cities and States and Empires springing into existence 
 as if touched by the wand of the enchanter! Who knows but this little spot of 
 earth, this harbour of Port Royal, beautified by the hand of God, having its location 
 beside the mighty deep, hitherto spurned by the Federal Government neglected by 
 its parent state overlooked and dsspised by its sister ports of the South who knows 
 but what she may not hereafter come forth from her obscurity like the fabled mistress 
 of the glittering slipper, arrayed in Royal apparrel and wearing on her brow the 
 Imperial Commercial diadem of this vast slave holding empire of ours. 
 

 ^ejubject to immediate recall. 
 
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