132    UNITED STATES GAZETTEER.

is a disregard of the Christian Sabbath. This circumstance has contributed to give the state
that character for irreligion which some writers attribute to it. Notwithstanding this, and the
jeers which have been indulged in by writers who should have known better, it is a fact, that
there are as many religious societies, churches, and meeting-houses in this state, in proportion
to its population, as in any other state in the Union.

The only railroads erected in whole or in part in this state are the Boston and Providence,
leading from Providence to Boston; the New York, Providence, and Boston, leading from
Providence to Stonington; the Providence and Worcester, leading from Providence to
Worcester. Besides these, several others have been recently incorporated, and will probably
soon be built. The Providence and Worcester Canal will long be remembered, having proved
a complete failure.

The banking capital of the state has for many years been enormously disproportioned to the
population. It exceeds $12,000,000. Being, however, divided among nearly 70 banking
institutions, it has generally been managed with safety to the public, and to the advantage of
the stockholders.

In January, 1838, the legislature abrogated the use of capital punishment in all cases ex-
cept for murder and arson. At the same time, they substituted imprisonment and fine for all
kinds of corporal punishments before that time in use in the state. During that year, the
state prison at Providence was completed. The buildings consist of a keeper's house, and a
range of forty cells, two stories high, adapted to the Pennsylvania system of discipline —
separate confinement at labor, 'with instruction. After a few years' experience, this system was
abandoned, and the Auburn system substituted in its place. Since its establishment, 127
prisoners have been confined in it, of which number 37 remained its inmates in October, 1850.

SOUTH CAROLINA is one of the Southern States of the American republic. It was
originally included in the grant by Charles II. to Lord Clarendon and others, in 1662, which
embraced both the Carolinas. The coast, however, had been discovered nearly two centuries
anterior to the first attempt at a settlement thereon. In 1670, a few English emigrants laid
the foundation of a colony at Port Royal, under William Sayle, who acted as their governor.
In the following year, the colonists took what they deemed a more favorable position, on the
western bank of Ashley River. Hence they again removed, shortly afterwards, to the con-
fluence of that and Cooper Rivers, the site of the present city of Charleston. But little