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Virginia Argus
Richmond, Virginia
What is this article about?
A letter from South Carolina dated Sept 2 describes a recent hurricane that destroyed provisions and cotton crops, following an unfavorable summer, caterpillar infestation, and further damage from wind, rain, and hail. The writer attributes the disasters to divine judgment after the legislature opened the slave trade, causing cotton prices to fall.
Merged-components note: Merged the filler quote with the South Carolina hurricane letter as continuation.
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"It is probable the newspapers in your city will give you a more particular account of our late hurricane, than I am in spirits to give you. The prospect before us is gloomy beyond what I wish to describe. Our provisions are destroyed, and no cotton made to buy them. It appears as if the judgments of Heaven are upon this guilty land, for immediately after the opening of the slave trade by our legislature, the price of cotton fell one 3d, or one 4th, below its usual value. The succeeding summer was unfavorable to our cultivation, but when most of the difficulties of the crops were surmounted, a destructive caterpillar made its appearance, and injured more or less every plantation. What was left by that devouring insect, has been swept away by wind, rain & hail. Thus in righteous judgment God has appointed that the very means which were counted upon for increasing property, and feeding avarice, will be the means of ruin to numbers. Thank God that by no act of mine, have I encouraged that slave trade in human flesh"
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What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Where did it happen?
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
South Carolina
Event Date
Late Hurricane Before Sept 2
Key Persons
Outcome
provisions destroyed, no cotton made, crops injured by caterpillar and swept away by wind rain & hail, ruin to numbers
Event Details
Late hurricane destroyed provisions and cotton crops in South Carolina, following unfavorable summer, caterpillar infestation on plantations, and further damage from wind, rain, and hail; writer sees divine judgment linked to opening of slave trade and falling cotton prices