The Lancaster Ledger

CORRESPONDENCE.

CHARLESTON CORRESPONDENCE

Charleston, Nov. 10, 1854.

To the Editor of the Ledger:

Dear Sir: The sales of cotton this morning amounted to 750 bales, at 7½ to 9½ cents.

We hear but little of yellow fever in our city now, and the large number of persons arriving every day, lead us to believe that no fears are entertained from the pestilence.

The Steamship Nashville arrived at this port yesterday afternoon, bringing a large number of cabin passengers, 117, besides 180 in the steerage.

Our Hotels present a lively appearance, and upon the whole, the city seems to have recovered from the disastrous effects of the fever.

1859 bales Cotton arrived here by Rail Road on yesterday, our cotton factors are returning to their posts, and we anticipate a bustling time this winter.

The members of the Charleston Presbytery convened by appointment at the Second Presbyterian Church, on Thursday last.—The opening sermon was preached by Rev. B. M. Palmer, D. D. of Columbia.

It is not often, I presume your readers obtain any information concerning the Artesian Well—here. I will state for their benefit, that it has attained a depth of 1205 feet. The operators are now boring through a strata of sand, at the rate of 3 or 4 feet a day. It is problematical with me, if the desired result, (the obtaining of good, wholesome water,) will reward our people for their anxiety and money. I notice in the proceedings of Council, a "communication from J. Lazarus, C. D. Carr and John Lucas, in relation to supplying the city with pure water, and soliciting the appointment of a committee of conference from that body." A committee was appointed. By this, it does not seem, at least to these three gentlemen, that they place any confidence in the scheme of procuring water from the boring operation. What plan they have in contemplation to supply our city with 'pure water,' I am not prepared to say.

In consequence of the non-completion of the hall of the South Carolina Institute, as you have been informed, the fair has been postponed until April, we will nevertheless, have the Regatta on the 14th inst., Tuesday next. The arrangements are such, we learn, as to promise unusual sport. As you may recollect, it gave the greatest satisfaction last year.

Our Custom House progresses by degrees, It is true, not very fast, but slowly and surely. The sad effects of hasty work as exhibited in the construction and downfall of the new Capitol in Columbia, should admonish us of the correctness of that old maxim "look before you leap." The foundations of the building are all being laid, the material for the basement story nearly all prepared, and the walls have reached a height of seven feet. The basement story will be 18 feet high, all of granite, "over which will rise a marble structure, in the very pure & order of Grecian architecture.

One of our enterprising merchants, Mr. W. Tunno, intends establishing a line of packet ships between this port and New port, Florida. Many of our merchants have an eye on the advantages to be derived from the establishment of a trade with Florida. The fact is, the agricultural resources of this new settled State, almost startle one, as much as did the first knowledge of the abundance of gold in California. From what has been told me by planters in that State, there can be no doubt, but it is the country for farmers. The soil is very productive for the growth of the Sea Island Cotton, and without any extra exertion whatever, one can realize easily $300 to the hand, merely from cotton alone, not considering the services of the negro in other departments. By the establishment of this line, our city would secure this Florida trade which would be a great commercial advantage.

By the request of the Mayor, our Representative in Congress, Hon. Wm. Aiken, left for Washington this morning, to confer with Mr. Post Master General Campbell in reference to the mails. It is to be hoped his mission will be successful. If some compromise is not made between P. M. General Campbell and President Caldwell in a few days, we will be deprived of mail facilities once more.

Excuse haste, and believe me yours, &c.

ASHLEY.