SOUTHERN STATES.
Mount Vernon. Seat of General Washington.
That part of the Southern States near the Atlantic ocean and the gulf of Mexico is low and sandy. The greater portion of this section of the country is barren, except the parts near the rivers, which are exceedingly fertile. After proceeding towards the interior about 75 or 100 miles, the country becomes mountainous and productive.
Tobacco, cotton, rice and sugar are the staple productions. The owners of the lands where these articles are cultivated are called planters, and the labor of the plantations is performed by slaves.
The climate of this part of the United States is various. In Virginia and Maryland the heat of summer is not extreme, and a small quantity of snow only, falls during the winter. In the most southwardly States snow is exceedingly rare in winter, and the heat is intense in the summer months.
The commerce and manufactures of these States are very limited, and to agriculture, almost the whole attention of the inhabitants is directed. Their tobacco, cotton, and all their exports are sent out in ships owned in the Northern States. The reason for this probably is, that the cultivation of the staple productions is more profitable than commerce.
The inhabitants of the Southern States, residing on large plantations, are so much separated from one another, that it is impossible to carry into effect a system of education so extensive as that of the Northern States, and of course the people generally, are not so well informed. The higher classes are, however, well educated.
VIRGINIA.
Is the oldest State in the Union, having been first settled in the year 1607, and is celebrated as being the birth-place of General George Washington, the brightest model of a great and good man and patriot, of which the world can boast.
The cut on this page presents a view of his residence, situated on the Potomack river, nine miles below Alexandria, where he spent his time, when not actively engaged in the service of his country.
This State includes a surface larger than that of England. The soil of the Eastern coast is sandy and the climate unhealthy; while the interior parts are fertile and healthy, and inhabited by a race of men, very vigorous and exceedingly tall. The Virginians are hospitable, and are noted for cherishing their talented statesmen.
In amount of commerce Virginia, though first in size, ranks only as the eighth State. Wheat, corn, and tobacco are the most important articles of export.
Richmond, the capital, is situated at the falls on St. James river. It is a handsome city.
Norfolk, on Elizabeth river, is the chief commercial town of the State.
NORTH CAROLINA.
Closely resembles Virginia in climate, soil and character of its inhabitants. The Carolinians in the lower country, are mostly planters, and in the upper country, farmers. The coast of North Carolina abounds in sand banks and islands, which render navigation dangerous, and its commerce is conducted at the seaports of the neighboring States.
The towns of this State are small, Newbern, with a population of 4000, being the largest.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Exhibits the characteristics peculiar to the Southern States, in a greater degree than any other. The planters of this State are the most wealthy of their class, and require a greater number of slaves to cultivate their fertile and extensive plantations. In this State only does the number of slaves exceed the white population. According to the last census, more than one half of the inhabitants are slaves.
Cotton is the great staple of this state. It is of three kinds. Sea Island cotton, which grows on the islands and in the low country;—Upland cotton, which is cultivated in the mountainous interior country;—and the Nankin cotton, which retains its peculiar color as long as it can be worn. Of these the Sea Island is the most esteemed. Rice is extensively cultivated on the shores of the rivers and bays. Limes, oranges, lemons, figs, &c. are produced.
The commerce of South Carolina exceeds that of all the other Southern States except Louisiana, the leading articles of export being cotton and rice, to which may be added pitch, tar, timber, turpentine, indigo and tobacco.
GEORGIA, MISSISSIPPI, ALABAMA,
AND LOUISIANA.
These States nearly resemble each other, and have the same productions with the other Southern States; and in addition, the sugar cane is extensively cultivated. Louisiana is the most commercial of the Southern States, having at New Orleans an excellent harbor, and many other natural advantages.
New Orleans is the commercial capital of that richest country in the world, through which the Mississippi and its tributaries flow. This city is unhealthy during the warm season, but enjoys a most excellent situation for commerce and trade. The introduction of steam boats has contributed greatly to the growth of New Orleans, by affording an expeditious mode of communicating with its back country. Its inhabitants are a mixed race of French, Americans, Spaniards, and Germans.