John Norton reports that, in December 1822, the legislature appropriated $15,000 for the opening of Walls Cut," a canal that would accommodate first-class steamboats and coastal vessels entering the river systems in Beaufort District. With his proposal accepted by the state, Norton used “twenty-two negroes” to begin the job. He reports that the work continued until "a violent gale of wind from the N.E. driving in a tide that arose to a height almost unparaleled" washed away much of what had been accomplished. Facing losses, he admits that he "was compelled to exercise economy in every shape, & determined to hire none but black labourers"; however, "on this calculation he was greatly disappointed their owners were almost universally opposed, to their engaging in so dangerous an employ." Stating that he nonetheless completed the work after several years, the petitioner now seeks payment for his efforts. He represents that he and his family have been "immersed at Walls Cut" for two-and-a-half years, suffering "loss & deprivation of almost every comfort in life." He details that he has exhausted his resources, he is in debt, and his laborers have not been paid. The petitioner therefore prays that "your Honble Body will not suffer him to be a loser after all his exertions to discharge his duty under such appalling circumstances, when the public receives such additional benefit and that you award to him for his losses & the extra work performed that which in yr wisdom & judgement you may deem to be his just merit."
Result: Tabled.
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Repository: South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia, South Carolina
