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.