The New York Packet

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in South-Carolina, July 28, to his friend in New-Jersey.

"The State of South-Carolina lies between the 32d and 35th degrees of north latitude--Charleston the capital of the State, lies in the same latitude with Jerusalem, a climate that produces so quick vegetation, that made it a land of plenty, a land that flowed with milk and honey.

It was in this blessed climate God Almighty placed his chosen people, between the torrid and frigid zones, that they might not be burnt up by the constant heats of the former; nor pinched by the excessive colds of the latter.

I believe he chose that climate for them, because there was not one more agreeable on the face of the earth.

The lower part of Carolina, for 60 or 70 miles from the sea is extremely level.

The up-land is sandy, and is covered with large pine, oak, and hickory timber; when cultivated it produces good Indian corn, indigo, rye, oats, peas, potatoes, fine vegetables of every kind, and plenty of grass for cattle; it is intersected with a number of large rivers, creeks, and small rivulets, and abounds with large swamps that reward the labour of the planters, with fine crops of rice.

The immense profit the planters make by raising this last article, prevents their ditching and draining the land, or it would bring fine hemp, flax, oats, &c.

This part of the country, a little distance from the sea, is very unhealthy, owing to the stagnated water in the swamps, and the large reservoirs of water kept up with dams by the planters, to water their rice, in the proper season.

The middle country 30, 40 or 50 miles farther back in different parts is like the lower; but in many places, particularly on Savannah-river, there are extensive tracts of good wheat land, with rich swamps, bordering on pine lands, which will be a fine range for cattle, and almost an inexhaustible source of timber for the inhabitants, as the timber will grow as fast as it is possible for them to cut it; several fine mills have been erected near the Three Runs, where the lumber is taken by water from the mills to Savannah, and shipped to the West-Indies.

This part of the country enjoys the advantage of a good soil, a healthy climate, and a fine range for cattle.

Farther from the ocean the lands are much higher, and the soil equal to any in the world-it produces fine crops of wheat, cotton, hemp, tobacco, &c. &c. and in much greater quantities than any lands in the northern States.

I have been credibly informed that 70 or 80 bushels of corn have been raised on an acre, and that 50 bushels in some places is a middling crop.

Uninterrupted health reigns in this part of the State, as much as any part of the inhabited world-here temperance and exercise, will almost ensure long life; and every necessary convenience and luxury the heart of man can wish to enjoy.

One great advantage this country has of the northern States, is, that the men are not obliged to work for the beasts, the winter being so mild that the cattle are fat in the woods all the year; this prevents a great deal of hard labour, that must be done in the hottest season, in the northern States.

Where there is a large range a man may increase his stock to what number he pleases; some men have marked fifteen hundred head of calves in a year.

The climate is not hotter in the months of June, July and August, than in the lower part of New-Jersey. nor is it hotter in the upper part than it is in the high eastern part of that State.

The spring and fall, is exceedingly agreeable, and in the coldest season of the year, our gardens furnish us with fresh vegetables.

Every kind of fruit that Britain, or the northern States produce, may be raised in South-Carolina; also good oranges, limes, lemons, figs and grapes:

Wine has been made equal to any in the world for strength and flavor, and will, in time, be an article of exportation.

The land produces good cotton, some of which has been exported to the northern States.

Great quantities of raw silk has been exported to London, made by a Swiss settlement, at Purysburg, which brought a high price, and yielded a handsome profit to the cultivators.

There have already been discovered in many places large bodies of exceeding good iron ore, of which excellent bar-iron, castings, &c. and in many places, lead, tin and copper ore is found; but not yet worked to much advantage; silver and gold, is to be found in great plenty, by tilling the earth, manufactories, trade, &c.

Three acts of the Legislature have lately been passed to clear out Santee, Santee, Ashley, Cooper and Edisto-rivers, that will open an inland navigation to the extremities of the State, and a number of hands are now employed in that work; this will be of immense service to the planters, and in a few years will double the exports of this place.

The exports from Charleston since the peace, have amounted to half a million sterling one year with another, and by the appearance of the present crop, will amount to near twice that sum this year.

We have great plenty of European, East and West-India goods, and some good mechanics.—

Much more might be said, with the strictest truth, in commendation of this State; but to those that are chilled with the north-west winds, and deprived from seeing the face of the earth, by the ice and snow, for six months in the year, and obliged to work hard in the hot broiling sun in the summer, to provide for the winter, may think I have already said too much.

But it is now time to turn the picture, and give you an account of the inconveniences of this country-We have wolves, bears, panthers, wild-cats, rattle-snakes, and men, that are worse than all the rest, are as plenty here as in any of the northern States: These venomous reptiles and bloody beasts of prey, seldom attack a man when they come in his way.

But we have something that destroys more of the human species than all I have mentioned-it will attack you at your work, and on your pillow, in your most jovial hours, and in your hours of devotion; this monster is well known in all the United States, by the name of LAZINESS.

Most of the inhabitants of the northern States, that come to South-Carolina, find the climate extremely agreeable the first six or eight years, in which time, by their industry, they acquire larger fortunes than they ever expected to be possessed of, and begin to live in ease and affluence-they then discover that it is too hot for a white man to work, even in the winter: They first lay aside all useful labour, and divert themselves with fishing, hunting, * and riding on horseback, or in carriages, visit their neighbours, and drink plentifully of wine, punch, or strong grog, to keep out the heat.

But in a while all kind of exercise becomes too fatiguing, and they live, at their ease, and wallow in luxury; till death, out of pity to their families and acquaintance, removes the nuisance.

Thus, Sir, I have given you a faithful description of this country-If I have erred in any thing, it is owing to my being misinformed, and not for want of my making the best enquiry in my power; for the fifteen years I have resided in this State.

I am your humble servant,

J. BUDD."

* There is great plenty of exceeding good fish of various kinds, deer, turkey and all kinds of wild fowl abound in every part of S. Carolina.