Important to farmers.
Subjoined we publish an extract from the schedule of prices fixed by the Commissioners in South Carolina, for the month of August, under the Impressment act. From reliable information received at the War Department we are enabled to assure the public that there will be no scarcity of food. Nor should there be any of fuel. But, with regard to this latter article, we feel it our duty to say that (apparently at least) it will be scarce enough if the speculators can make it so.Is the public aware that, up the canal, wood is sold, standing, at $1; that $5 puts it on board, that the freight is $3.50, (thus making a total of $9.50,) and that it is sold at the basin for $35? Such, we learn from unquestionable authority, is the fact!!!. We mark this passage with three points of admiration to express our sense of the hidsons wickedness of the traffic, as thus conducted. The offence of Judas Iscariot undoubtedly constituted the most enormous crime which ever was perpetrated, or which possibly could be perpetrated in this world. Far be it from us to compare the iniquities of these speculators with it; but they convince us that, were the deed to be done over again, men enough would be found to do it. These men do not, it is true, sell a Saviour; but they are selling their country every day of their lives. What, indeed, is country to them when weighed in the balance against gold?
To return to the schedule. The will observe that, although designed for the latitude of South Carolina, it exhibits prices for the most part correspondent with those that govern here. We advice all farmers and others whom it may concern to send forward their produce as fast as they possibly may, and get it into the hands of the Government. No man will ask the reason of this advice. It is too obvious to call for explanation. The enemy are ranging all over the State, burning and ravaging wherever they go, and all produce is in imminent danger as long as it lies out of the possession of the Government:
Dried apples, unpeeled, $2 per bushel; bacon sides, 75 cents per pound; hams, 70 cents per pound; shoulders, 65 cents per pound; white beans, $2 per bushel; fresh beef, net, 25 cents per pound; salt beef, net, 50 cents per pound; corn, shelled, (56 lbs.,) $2 per bushel; superfine flour, $20 per barrel; fine flour, $18 per barrel; fodder, baled, (100 lbs.,) $2.50; hogs, net, 35 cents per pound; hogs, gross. 25 cents per pound; hay, baled, (100 lbs,) $1.50; sole leather, $2.50 per pound; upper leather, $3.25 per pound; cats, $2 per cwt.; Irish potatoes, $3 per bushel; sweet potatoes, $1.50 per bushel; dried peaches, unpeeled, $3 per bushel; fresh pork, 35 cents per pound; rice, 10 cents per pound; sugar, 80 cents per pound; soap, 40 cents per pound; wheat, $3.50 per bushel.
