Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 May 1895 — American Indigo. [ARTICLE]

American Indigo.

Indigo for exportation was brought Into Charlestown in wagons, and the owners received the proceeds in the form of Spanish silver coin, which composed almost the entire currency before the Bank of the State was established in 1812. It was a clumsy and inconvenient medium of exchange for large amounts. We read that “the merchants of North Carolina and other distant points used to carry the money in boxes kfitting under the seats of the sulkies in which they traveled, so as to be taken out at night and put back in the morning.” The indigo itself was often used directly as a medium of purchase for other commodities. Gen. Harrington p.t one time sent three four-horse,.wag-loads of indigo to Virginia, buying in exchange from fifteen to twenty negrops. An interesting illustration of this use of indigo is connected with Gen. Francis Marion. This incident occurred in 1783, just after the battle of Hobkirk Hill. A nephew of Gen. Marion was to be sent to school in Philadelphia, and was accordingly fitted out with a wagon-load of indigo, which was to pay for his tuition and other school expenses. As the British then held possession, Gen. Marion wrote to Lord Balfour, in command in Charlestown, asking a perpiit for the boy to pass through the British lines. Gen. Marion’s letter was sent by Balfour to Bawdon, aud was afterward countersigned by Cornwallis. The youth with his wagon-load of indigo was allowed to proceed by the Charlotte route toward Philadelphia, but, uufortunately, he died before reachng his destination. The !Bcience Monthly.