504 Chronicles of the Cape Fear River

Tar is not made in as large quantity as formerly, nor is it
produced and brought to market with the same ease; it is an
article subject to waste, and the price generally low. Country-
men, in many instances, have paid attention to cotton and tim-
ber; and numerous inhabitants of that description have re-
moved to the Western States. Since the return of peace, how-
ever, the demand for tar and turpentine has raised the value
of those articles to an encouraging price. It is rafted to Wil-
mington, and after having been coopered and inspected, is trans-
ported coastwise, and a proportion shipped for European ports.

Turpentine is seen at market from June to December. In
consequence of the late war, the quantity has been reduced and
prices depressed; the present demand, however, has enhanced
the value. There is a scarcity at present.

Flaxseed, as well as tobacco and flour, is raised in the in-
terior of this country. It is first contained in bags and brought
in wagons to Fayetteville, and there measured and sold by the
bushel, usually from 90 to 120 cents, according to prospect.
The purchasers at Fayetteville have it there perfectly cleaned
in machines for that purpose, and put up in casks of oak, well
made, each containing seven bushels. When commerce is free,
the price of a cask of flaxseed at Wilmington is generally be-
tween ten and eleven dollars. There is no inspection on flax-
seed.

Lumber, many kinds and of superior quality, is brought
plentifully to market during the winter and spring—plenty of
sawed boards, planks, and scantling, of fine grained pitch and
yellow pine. Pine timber and spars of any size may be had.
Shingles of cypress, 22 inches in length, are plentiful, gen-
erally thin and light, but proportionately cheap. Shingles of
juniper, well drawn and rounded, may be had from a distance,
on timely notice.

Staves are not to be had here in quantity sufficient to furnish
cargoes for vessels; they are, however, to be had during winter
and spring, and wherewith cargoes of other produce are dun-
naged and stowed. Staves are, however, at times so plentiful
as to compose the principal part of a vessel’s cargo. White oak
hogshead and barrel staves are never plentiful; the growth of
the tree is confined to narrow limits on the borders of the River
Cape Fear. Red oak hogshead staves are to be had in larger
numbers than those of the white oak, and are always more than

proportionately cheap.

Peace Restored 505

It is unadvisable, and often disadvantageous, for a merchant
in a distant State or foreign port to dispatch a ship to Wilming-
ton under orders for a cargo of our produce without having
written his correspondent of particulars required. Four to six
weeks previous notice to the agent is always requisite, that he
may have time and opportunity to procure the produce de-
scribed at the best advantage and have it in readiness by the
time of arrival of such ship. Great detention and disappoint-
ment often happen in consequence of voyages being abruptly
commenced; as but seldom peculiar kinds of produce can be
had on sudden notice.

Inspection of produce is established by law throughout North
Carolina. A clause enacts that the shippers thereof shall pay
the fees of inspection on the several articles as follows: Rice,
flour, pork, lard, beef, butter, tar, turpentine, pitch, and rosin.
The rates are low.

On lumber, the buyer and seller equally sustain the charges
of inspection and delivery. Custom supersedes a law for in-
spection of lumber. The fee is small.

Cash or suitabie bills (commonly drafts on New York) are
the only funds that will command either tobacco, rice, cotton,
or flaxseed.

Considerable quantities of Liverpool salt were formerly im-
ported, but during our Restrictive Acts and nearly three years
continuance of the late war with England scarcely any has been
brought in. Coarse salt of late has arrived tolerably plentiful,
and although subject to a duty of about 30 cents per bushel, the
last sales per cargo were per bushel 65 cents.

Liverpool ground salt is always preferred at Fayetteville to
any coarse salt, at the same price, owing to weight of wagonage —
up the country, Liverpool being the lightest, per bushel.

For a few years since, while commerce was under restriction,
and during the late war, sundry salt works were erected on the
sound, near Wilmington, which, towards the last of the war,
highly rewarded their several proprietors. But, since the re-
turn of peace, the price of home-made salt has, consequently,
fallen to that of similar quality imported. Notwithstanding,
the domestic works will be continued in operation. They will

be productive of profit, so far at least as the duty on foreign
salt may be extended.

The manner of producing what is here called “sound” salt is
by means of vats constructed with boards, into one of which the