LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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 LETTERS ON FLORIDA. 4. /SSST 
 
 NUMBER I. 
 
 In common with many others, I see that you labor under much 
 misconception with regard to this section of country, called Florida. 
 Allow an old resident, although in so young a country, to set you to 
 rights in matters which your letters (which I translate into inqui- 
 ries) indicate you to be somewhat in the dark about. 
 
 I must refer you to the maps, which are in the handsof every one, 
 for the geographical position of this interesting territory ; and I 
 merely observe to you, that it is divided into four judicial districts, 
 E., W., Middle and S. ; and for legislature, into 16 counties. The 
 peninsula of E. Florida, contains Alachua, Nassau, St. Johns, 
 Mosquito, Duval, and Monroe, (which includes Key West.) Mid- 
 dle Florida, contains Gadsden, Leon, Jefferson, Madison, and Ham- 
 ilton ; and W. Florida, Escambia, Washington, Walton, Jackson, 
 and Franklin, (in which Apalachicola stands.) These have also 
 their county and associate judges. Amongst them they send 24 
 members to a Legislative Council, which assembles about the third 
 Monday of every January, at Tallahassee, under a president of their 
 own choosing, and a governor appointed by the President of the 
 United States for the term of three years. The duties of this last 
 are so light, that the territory may be said to walk alone. It is well 
 known that Congress has the power of not confirming any act 
 passed in that council. 
 
 When the territory was delivered to the United States in 1821, 
 in virtue of the Florida treaty of 1819, the population scarcely 
 amounted to 10,000 souls, principally residing in Pensacola, St. Au- 
 gustine, and a spare population in country settlements — of these, the 
 Indians might amount to 4000. Presently an establishment was 
 made at Key West, of which we shall presently speak, and a motley 
 class of speculators, artizans and others, poured into the only two 
 sea ports above mentioned in the expectation, some of bettering 
 their condition, others of changing their state, apd all of them per- 
 suaded that the streets were paved with gold — fatal infatuation ! Let 
 loose from other societies, disappointed in their hopes and without 
 employment of any kind, these new comers but too frequently in- 
 clined to dissipation ; and Pensacola accustomed to health and reti- 
 red habits, and St. Augustine formerly denominated by the Span- 
 iards the garden of America, both soon became the prey of di»- 
 
ease, and for the first time bilious malignant fevers were numbered 
 ■••,,. in their records, carrying off numerous victims. The old inhabi- 
 • **#'«wit^retired to other countr.es more consonant to their habits, their 
 religion and their language, depopulating those cities, which on the 
 other hand oftered no indusement to our enterprising citizens, by- 
 reason of the very sterile back country in the neighborhood of 
 both. 
 
 In the meantime, the general government was taking its measures 
 for the administration and settlement of this new acquisition. A seat 
 of government was selected by commissioners — the present Talla- 
 hassee. The territorial government was soon established in its pre- 
 sent form. Commissioners were appointed, and laws passed, to 
 look into and regulate the pending land claims. Attention was tur- 
 ned to Pensacola from its situation in the Gulph, and its very con- 
 venient waters as a naval arsenal. Another station was contempla- 
 ted about the desolate Tortugas, or the now well settled Key West. 
 These dispositions tended to introduce settlers of various descrip- 
 tions ; while the owners of lands were strenuous on their side, not 
 only to improve their own possessions, but to make sales to others. 
 Other laws were framed for the more speedy settlement of pending 
 land claims ; and lastly, a general land office was opened for the 
 disposal of those of the public property. From these causes, the 
 spirit of enterprise was gradually awakened, and the population in- 
 creased, insomuch, that by a census taken in the beginning of 1831, 
 I find the whole number was 34,725, viz : whites, 18,385 ; free 
 colored, 840 ; slaves, 15,500, a vast increase in ten years. 
 
 And speedier far might have been its progress but for some cir- 
 cumstances, which it is now painful for me to recur to, and more 
 painful still to have witnessed, although I now hope they have cea- 
 sed for ever to exert their deadly influence near us. First, no 
 men of solid capital had yet appeared amongst us, and there was no 
 money of a circulating medium to meet the wants of the country. — 
 There existed an unconquerable zeal in the raising the sugar cane, 
 while no effort could stamp it as staple commodity. Lastly, land 
 speculators, who had obtained the first purchases at very low prices, 
 were vaunting an article which was found not to correspond with 
 their representations, and being so discovered, was depreciated to 
 the opposite extreme, while the peaceful, industrious cultivator was 
 deterred from purchasing, by the portions of land which were hung 
 up in litigation in the courts prevented him from making his selections. 
 Such was Florida. I shall have occasion to amplify the subject 
 of which the above may be considered by you as the text, but be- 
 fore we part, let me say a few words, to give you an idea the same 
 as it is. First, some powerful emigrations have taken place. Sec- 
 ond, the unsuccessful cultivation of the sugar cane has given way to 
 the more inviting production of cotton — two good crops of which, at 
 good prices, have wonderfully augmented the resources of the plan- 
 
 L^^ 
 
ter. And lastly, two banks are now in successful operation, having 
 an abundant capital, predicated and secured upon the improved ag- 
 ricultural property of the country, and which dispenses life and vig- 
 or to the commercial as well as the agricultural interests throi ghout. 
 From these causes, and ih© settlement of the long protracted land 
 claims, a new epoch may be said to have commenced of, I hope, las- 
 ting prosperity to the territory. 
 
 In my next I shall speak of the soil and climate. 
 
 NUMBER II. 
 
 The geology of Florida is described in a few words : — The base 
 is of so recent formation that it seems to be amongst the last of Na- 
 ture's works in this way, and scarcely dried from the laboratory ; it 
 is eminently calcareous, a soft limestone, yet hard enough when 
 long exposed to the air, as Fort St. Mark can witness. It would 
 seem as if the course of this formation had been interrupted by the 
 action of rains, and various chemical processes, leaving the upper 
 outlines in successive swells or undulations, sometimes gentle, some- 
 times abrupt, and never of great height ; while below are fissures 
 and gullies communicating with each other or with lakes near the 
 surface. There are natural bridges, below which an entire river 
 disappears, and re-ascends at the distance of miles to pursue its on- 
 ward course towards the ocean. This calcareous rock is found very 
 frequently mixed with shells and other marine substances. The sea- 
 shores abound with a beautiful sand which proves to be the remains 
 of decomposed shells, which have, no doubt, contributed to the for- 
 mation of the main land ; this sand, without any other admixture 
 whatever, forms the richest soil to the tallest trees and finest vegeta- 
 bles. In the beds of rivers, upon their banks, and frequently under 
 ground, is found the rotten limestone^ being the aforesaid calcareous 
 rock in a state of decomposition, or saturated with noxious gas. The 
 water from wells near to this is disagreeable to the taste, and it 
 sometimes occurs riiat portions of it entire will disappear from its 
 bed, either by chemical operation, or the efliect of gullies or rivu- 
 lets beneath. In this case, the earth, in portions of acres entire, 
 will sink beneath its level several feet. In general, the country un- 
 dulates 30 to 80 feet above the level of the sea, and its greatest 
 height does not exceed 250 feet. 
 
 Immediately upon this base rests a soil of clay, of every hue and 
 color, and partaking of the inequalities of surface of the rock be- 
 neath, as if seizing the opportunity of settlement when and where it 
 could and in the greatest quantity ; it is found, accordingly from six 
 inches deep to six feet, generally mixed with sand of various forma- 
 tions, ambnj;;st which not a grain of silex has yet been discovered. 
 
This mixture is generally found up to the surface, not adhesive, but 
 light and rich ; sometimes it contains animal and vegetable decompo- 
 sitions, some ferruginous oxides, and almost always sahne or alka- 
 line combinations. From this soil springs forests of perpetual ver- 
 dure — trees of such magnificence, and beauty, and variety, that the 
 eye never wearies in resting upon their foliage ; but scarcely a rock 
 appears above the surface throughout the section — npt a pebble to 
 interrupt its equality. 
 
 We shall presently arrive at the products of this soih with the 
 practical experiments of its fertility. 
 
 Nothing can be more fallacious than the appearance of this soil, 
 as it presents itself to an European, to an emigrant from the Trop- 
 ics, or to an agriculturalist from any of the northern states. None 
 of these possesses any thing by which to compare it. Hence the ex- 
 aggerations which were allowed to circulate at first, and which have 
 proved so delusive. Hence, the opposite extreme of contempt and 
 depreciation of the lands, which is not less erroneous. The truth 
 may lay between the extremes. I give the following as the division 
 of qualities. 
 
 l.st. The river cotton lands, a rich alluvion, sandy greyish loam, 
 f/om three to twenty feet deep. These may not be so deep nor so 
 adhesive as the same upon the Delta of the Mississippi (for instance) 
 yet there are portions, and no inconsiderable ones, which I have 
 seen, capable of producing abundantly the finest sugar cane, as also 
 cotton, Sea Island and U[)land, the richest tobacco, and corn from 
 50 to 60 bushels per acre. 
 
 2d. Next in order are the -low hammock lands with their magnif- 
 icent oaks, hickory, Magnoha, dogwood, &c. and thick under shrub- 
 bery — such are most excellent cotton, tobacco and corn lands, the 
 latter yielding 30 or 40 bushels per acre. The proximity of water 
 in these lands is the principal cause of the fertility. 
 
 2d. N^xt are the high hammock, with its forests also of oak, hick- 
 ory, and some pine — these are susceptible of the same culti^'ation, 
 and corn gives 15 to 30 bushels per acre. Both these are of the 
 anme contexture, clay and sand of every variety of sade, with some- 
 time* animal and vegetable decompositions. 
 
 4th. In order, are the piny wood lands, and these ofier the most 
 singular varieties of any within the boundaries of the United States. 
 \^'hen the long haired or lob lolly pine prevails, or the scrubby Pal- 
 metto, the land is barren, except in patches, where some grasses 
 may be introduced for pasture. Where the short haired pine is seen 
 the land is susceptible of cultivation, even to the sugar cane and 
 com, the latter giving here 15 or 20 bushels per acre. I have 
 known such land to produce one bale of Sea Island cotton per acre. 
 
 5th and lastly, are the Spanish and Indian old fields — vast tracts 
 of country havijig been evidently under cultivation at some distant 
 
5 
 
 period, and now abandoned to a second growth of forest trees. — 
 These prove, with few exceptions, to be aniout^st ilie tnust fertile 
 tracts of the country. 
 
 In new countries it is natural to take hold of the primest lands at 
 once — those yielding the greatest product with the least trouble. — 
 When these become located, another class of lands existing in Flor- 
 ida must necessarily be called into action. These aie the meadows 
 or prairies, and the river lands, now subjected to overflowing at ev- 
 ery freshet. Such require ditching, drahiing and banking — a species 
 of labor, as yet, little understood ; but when the competition of la- 
 bor sliall enable such works to be undertaken, fine lands will thus be 
 reclaimed, fit for the highest cultivation. 
 
 Another peculiarity of the soil, in this fine country, is what I have 
 already hinted. Along almost the whole sea coast touching the Gulf 
 of Mexico, there is observed growing out of the finest sand, many 
 feet deep, without apparently an atom of vegetable mould, the finest 
 and tallest, and most magnificent live oak trees and magnolias, (gran- 
 deflora) the pride of this section ; also the finest garden vegetable. 
 On examining this sand with the microscope, it is found to be com- 
 posed of broken shells only — not a particle of silex appears in its 
 formation. 
 
 NUMBER III. 
 
 Before quitting the subject of the soil, allow me to enumerate a 
 few of the trees which adorn its surface and surround its lak(;s and 
 chores, with a profusion which astonishes every beholder. Two of 
 these stand proudly pre-eminent ; the Magnolia grandeflora and the 
 live oak. Nothing can exceed the magnificence and beauty of these 
 evergreens as they are found in this territory. The first, the pride 
 of laurels with its expansive flower, one of the whitest and the largest 
 which blows, contrasting with the dark bright green of its sister leaves. 
 The well known live oak, so useful in the construction of ships, rear- 
 ing its majestic knarled head as well from the richest soil of the in- 
 terior as from the shelly sands of the sea shore, and snuffing already 
 the ocean air, which the separate limbs are doomed to traverse in 
 other shapes. There are of these from 20 to 30 feet in circumfe- 
 rence at the base, and single limbs from 80 to 100 feet. 
 
 Besides these are the beautiful water oak, and the white oak and 
 red oak amongst the largest of the United States. Amongst those 
 most abundant, are also found the hickory, the pencil cedar, the 
 cypress, the juniper, the locust (acasia,) the beach, the mulberry 
 (albus,) the cotton tree, the lime, the dogwood, the wild cherry, 
 the common laurel, the sassafras, so well known in medicine, the 
 chinquapin, the red bay so distinguished by its blossoms and its wood 
 
6 
 
 scarcely inferior to the mahogany, the pahnetto of the south, and 
 several varieties of the pine, which do not, however, here, as else- 
 where, denote barrenness of the soil, but on the contrary are very 
 frequently the sign of great fertility. 
 
 Of the climate I am bold to say to you, notwithstanding reports 
 which may have reached you to the contrary, that the territory is in 
 a high degree salubrious, with some exceptions from local causes, to 
 which I shall hereafter allude. Although its situation approaches the 
 tropical latitudes, I find the range of summer heat is from 88 to 92 
 degrees of Fahrenheit, which is much less than the occasional heats 
 at the same period throughout the whole of the more northern cities 
 of the Atlantic coast. On one occasion I find it recorded as a re- 
 markably occurrence some years ago, that the thermometer stood 
 at 97° — the warmest month is June, and a few days before and fol- 
 lowing. The air generally is pure and elastic, never sultry, and the 
 nights are always comfortable, and a refreshing sea breeze fans the 
 atmosphere. The rainy season commences with great regularity in 
 June, lasting from one month to two — periodical showers fall also in 
 September and February ; from rain to sunshine, the transition is 
 generally rapid as in the tropics. The thunder is sharp, when it is 
 heard, the lightning vivid, but we have no tornadoes as yet, and no 
 earthquakes — the water from springs and v/ells is pure and refresh- 
 ing, excepting in veins of earth near to the rotten limestone, which 
 are avoided. 
 
 The season of winter is here amongst the most delightful of any 
 upon the face of the earth — the absolute cold being experienced for 
 a (ew days only, and that occasionally. I find it recorded that on 
 the 15th February, 1830, there was a fall of snow of two inches, an 
 event which never occurred before and is not likely again to occur. 
 In the ever memorable month of February, 1835, also, the thermo- 
 meter fell to nearly zero, as it did throughout the United States, kill- 
 ing here nearly all the orange trees, and every tropical plant — spa- 
 ring, however, the sonthern part of the Peninsula, where the thermo- 
 meter never went below 46. 
 
 With a few exceptions like these, as I said, frost is seldom seen, 
 and that only for a few days of the whole season, just sufficient to 
 animate the invalid, and give a salutary bracing to all the inhabitants 
 from the summer relaxation. The territory, indeed, is the most ge- 
 nial to be found for invalids, particularly those afflicted with incipient 
 consumptions, and to all who are compelled to fly from the rigor of 
 a northern winter. Here, is perpetual verdure, and the lakes and 
 rivers open their broad expanse at all seasons. 
 
 Yet this state of salubrity has been abused upon several occasions : 
 from the want of proper municipal regulations in the towns, and the 
 early, anxious occupations of the settlers, in order to procure the 
 means of subsistance, the comforts of life were wholly neglected. 
 Animal and vegetable decompositions were sufTered to lay in the 
 
streets ; rain water to stagnate near town, and throughout the conn- 
 try, from the want of means of draining it. This fully accounts for 
 what was called the sickly season of 1831 in Tallahassee, so much 
 lamented at the time. Yet, on looking to the records of that period, 
 (the very worst, be it remembered, in the annals,) I find the num- 
 ber of deaths, from 1st June to 1st December, to be 61 only, 16 of 
 whom only were citizens of the capital, and 5 of the deaths from fe- 
 ver — the remainder were transient persons from the country. 
 
 Settlers became careless in their habits, undergoing all kinds of ex- 
 posure, with the very poorest kinds of fare. In their mode of plant- 
 ing, too, some were ignorant and reckless. It was, for instance, a 
 common custom heedlessly to pull down the superb forest trees up 
 to the very house door of the planter ; thus at once removing the 
 powerful operative of a healthful atmosphere, and his pride and or- 
 nament ; and instead of these, under their very noses to plant the 
 cotton shrub, the most noxious aud deleterious of all vegetable sub- 
 stances, when in a state of decomposition. Was it to be wondered 
 at, that disease should follow this system ? That such folly should 
 receive its reward ? Whole families were laid up accordingly, and 
 some continue to this day with remnants of fever and ague, which we 
 call chills, but which fortunately is never fatal. Bilious fevers were 
 also created by other .irregularities, and colds, and pleurisies, for 
 which calomel was prescribed, to make the remedy worse than the 
 disease. Yet still are these not indicative of the general state of the 
 country, which I maintain to be free from fevers and all epidemics 
 whatever. In this I am supported by every physician of the terri- 
 tory, to whom I confidently appeal, and the proof Avill be, that as 
 ease and comfort shall be extended, so shall cease these diseases, 
 which are purely accidental. 
 
 It is well known that in all new seltlements, where openings are 
 made, until the vegetable matter of the fallen trees shall be entirely 
 decomposed, incidental fevers and agues must be felt and supported ; 
 and these are severe enough without the aid of man adding to the ca- 
 lamity by his own imprudence. Yours, truly. 
 
 NUMBER IV. 
 
 In proceeding to speak of the productions of this territory, let me 
 premise to you that if these are not so abundant, nor so varied up to 
 this time, as the fertile soil and its favorable climate permitted ; if 
 the "orange and citron groves" of the imaginations of some travel- 
 lers are yet in embryo — if immense forests still meet the eye not yet 
 penetrated by the foot of man — if log houses are still found upon 
 plantations instead of neater cottages, or more substantial houses — 
 let me plead in excuse for these by recalling to you the absolute 
 
8 
 
 Vfdni of resources of the first settlers, and the struggle, not for the 
 luxuries of life, but for the means of existence — the almost universal 
 want of intelligence upon agricultural subjects — some good lands held 
 first by avaricious speculators, and others locked up by Utigation. 
 The settlers lived from hand to mouth — objects of common interest 
 and good were never considered, and even to this day the maxim is 
 to airive at the immediate results by the shortest way. Under these 
 circumstances, the first ai'ticle to which attention was and still is im- 
 periously called, is the Maize or Indian Corn^ for subsi^tance. For 
 this article the territory is in a high degree propitious. I have said 
 that according to the quality of the land, the alluvion of the river bot- 
 tom, the rich low hanunock, or the oak and hickory hammock, or the 
 pine and black Jack, the returns are greater or less. From the first, 
 I have known as much as 70 bushels to be produced from the acre : 
 but that is by no means a criterion. From 50 to 60 bushels are, 
 however, very frequent, but the most general quantity is from 20 to 
 30 bushels, because planters, with other attentions, sow this when 
 and where they can. Lands are besides more or less acrid as they 
 are opened, or more or less adapted to corn according to the previ- 
 ous culture. A wet or a dry season will also make a difference of 20 
 to 50 per cent, in the result. There is also a difference arising from 
 the greater or less intelligence of the cultivator in the width of his 
 drills, the quantity of seed sown, the attention during growth, &c. 
 But the most palpable error of all is the entire abandonment of the 
 corn and other provisions, by some planters, trusting to buy it from 
 the neighbours^ and occupy the land in some more supposed profita- 
 ble branch. Nothing can be more fallacious — 1 st. Because the pro- 
 fit of this branch is lost in the extra price of the corn so purchased — 
 2d. No one carries home the same quantity of corn he pays for — 3d. 
 The team is sent for it, and the labor lost always at the most unsea- 
 sonable time — 4th. The planter loses the offal and pickings of his 
 own field of corn, which is one-third of the quantity — 5th. His o\Mi 
 horses, pigs, poultry, and men are always ill fed by purchased corn 
 — And lastly, should his neighbour be as improvident as himself, and 
 the dearth should arise, what could he say for himself ? 
 
 Of the other grains, rye and oats are cultivated here every year, 
 with a result not inferior to any part of the United States. Wheat 
 is also cultivated, but there is less reliance upon it, because during 
 the rains, it imbibes too much humidity and is very apt to become 
 mouldy. 
 
 Next in importance is rice, of which the experience is most am- 
 ple. The lowest and richest lands are of course the best adapted to 
 it, but it is also cultivated on high good hammocks ; on one and the 
 other the product is 25 to 35 bushels to the acre of clean rice, not 
 perhaps so heavy or so white as that of Carolina. Now the Carc- 
 lina and Georgia crops give two, or at most three barrels, or 50, 60, 
 to 70 bushels oi rough rice to the acre, from their wet cultivation- — 
 
9 
 
 «o that when the superiority of dry cultivation is considered as 
 regards the common health, the advantage is ccrt:iinly found in the 
 culture of this grain in this territory. 
 
 I now come to sugar. This article must cease to be a staple for 
 export, although enough will still be manufactured for the home con- 
 sumption of the territory, and for its molasses. With small capital, 
 and very insufficient plantation utensils, and little practical knowledge, 
 every effort has been made to compete with the neighboring state 
 of Louisiana and the West India Islands ; but they have proved 
 fruitless, and all planters in Middle Florida have turned their atten- 
 tion to other objects, with the exception of a few who still find it 
 advantageous to carry on the culture of the cane in connection with 
 cotton. In the West Indies, there is more cane planted in the 
 same area, the ratoons are produced from the same stock for 12, 
 15, and up to 30 years successively, and the saccharine arrives to 
 full maturity. Here, the ratoons do not follow above 2, and at most 
 4 years ; the replanting is generally annual, but the greatest disad- 
 vantage of all is, that the cane must be cut down prematurely, from 
 the apprehension of frost, and consequently the juice is never per- 
 fected for making sugar. Add to this that for the replanting each 
 year, one-fourth to one-third of the produce of the cane is used. 
 The result is, therefore, less quantity of an article, pretty in color, 
 but destitute of quality and grain, and wholly unfit for the refinery. 
 
 In East Florida, notwithstanding, the cultivation of the cane con- 
 tinues less unsuccessfully, and a period may arrive of more propi- 
 tious seasons, better experience, more capital, and more encouraging 
 prices abroad, which may cause the general cultivation to be re- 
 sumed. 
 
 In the meantime, in justice to tha soil, I must observe, that 16 
 stalks have been produced from a single joint of cane, and another 
 14, from sandy land — average number of 1 joints in 10 stalks. Ten 
 of these weighed 50 1-2 pounds. 2000 lbs. is a common quantity 
 of sugar from one acre. One planter made 1800 lbs., using 8 joints 
 only, and leaviug 4 for seed. The cane was planted 4 1-2 feet 
 apart. If it had been at 3 feet only, and with an iron mill, he sup- 
 posed he would make 4000 lbs. to the acre. Another with 40 hands 
 made 50 hhds. of sugar, 80 bbls. molasses, 6000 bushels corn, 40 
 bales cotton, 600 bushel rice, besides sundry improvements and 
 clearing 130 acres. One hand can easily manage four acres of 
 cane, with a little cotton. I could multiply examples of this kind, 
 were it not for fear of fatiguing you. I close, therefore, by remark- 
 ing that a friend of mine receems the loss before mentioned of cutting 
 down the cane prematurely — by burying or covering it carefully, by 
 which operation the cane recovers in part, and give? a product of 
 double the quantity of what it would have been if expressed at the 
 time of cutting. — In my next I shall treat of the more profitable 
 staple of cotton, Yours, &.c. 
 
10 
 
 NUMBER V. 
 
 I now come to the staple article of the country ; par excelUnce^ 
 its main stay, Cotton, which has so eminently contributed of late to 
 its advancement and prosperity. 
 
 Of the total quantity exported of Co'ton from the United States, 
 in 1828-9, 879,415 bales, I find the quantity from Florida vvaS 
 4,149; from 31st October, 1831, to the 26ih June, 1332, from 
 St. Marks river alone, were exported 8,282 bales. The export^ 
 from Florida of 1832-3, gave 23,641 bales— of 1834, 36,738 bales, 
 (besides that to Charleston,) and those just concluded in 1835, give 
 from Apalachicola upwards of 36,000 bales, includmg, however, 
 those from Columbus, Georgia; from St. Marks 19,000; minor 
 ports, probably 4,000 ; making, in all, over 59,000 ; and it is pro- 
 bable that quantity will be increased 30 to 50 per cent the year 
 ensuing. 
 
 The species of cotton cultivated here are distinctly three. 1st, 
 the Black seed or Georgia Sea Island, which is the rarest, because 
 it produces less quantity than the others, and in quality, (although 
 little inferior,) does not quite compete with that of the Atlantic 
 islands. 2cl, the Green seed, or Georgia Uplands, which produces 
 abundant quantity, (equal to any thing in Alabama) and in quality 2 
 a 3 cents lb. superior to its Georgian stock. 3ci, a green seed of 
 Mexican origin, heavy, with a whitish pellicule, obtained from 
 Louisiana, called the Petit Gulf. This has been most successful of 
 all, and its adoption is now very general. Its quality is between the 
 Sea Island and Upland. Other kinds mighti no doubt, be improved 
 by cultivation here, such as the Brazilian, that from Carthagena, or 
 St Domingo ; but these are wholly unknown. 
 
 It is in viewing our lands, not with the idea of a selection for cotton, 
 that ;a stranger is at fault. He never saw before, fields of a rich 
 marie, and he cannot conceive the idea of an apparently barren sand 
 — of a ferruginous clay — bringing fertility ; yet the following are the 
 products. 
 
 Of Sea Island, a negro will tend 4 acres easily with 2 acres ot 
 provisions. Of Uplands he will tend 10 acres, with five of provi- 
 sions. The average income is now 250 to ,^300 per annum per 
 hand. An acre of land will yield easily and commonly 1200 lbs. 
 Sea Island in the seed, or 350 lbs. good clean and 50 lbs. stained. 
 Of Peut Gulf, 1800 to 2000 lbs. in the seed, or 500 to 700 lbs. 
 clean — of grf^cn seed, 140t) to 1500 lbs. or 350 of clean cotton. 
 
 The Sea Island must be picked speedily — the Petit Gulf is best 
 and heaviest, and not subject to rot. The green seed is more sub- 
 ject to rot, more convenient to pick? and not easy to drop out of the 
 jpod. The three require diflerent soils, but all deep, for the tap 
 
n 
 
 root. In the distance of the drills, replanting, &c., there k still 
 some room for miprovement. 
 
 Some few plantations have given 9 bales to the hand ; very many 
 give 6 a 8. An instance of individual result now before nie, of t.,e 
 present ye?r, is — four negroes and a woman made cotton for 1735 
 dollars, and 150 of corn, besides bacon and other provisions for the 
 estate. Expenses SCO, leaving 1585 dollars nett for 5 hands. — This 
 is properly the poor man's country. 
 
 It must not be concealed, however, that cotton, particularly the 
 Sea Island, has a dreadful enemy in the caterpillar, which sometimes 
 makes fearful havoc among the trees, just when the profits begin to 
 be anticipated — a remedy against this ravage has been lately dis- 
 covered, by burning sulphur in the fields, which promises to be 
 successful. 
 
 But another article is now putting forth with the greatest success, 
 and promises not only to employ the industry of thousands, but 
 others failing, to be the staple commodity of the country — I mean 
 tobacco. In this, ample experiments have been made of the Ken- 
 tucky, Virginia, &c., but all have given way to the celebrated seed 
 from the Island of Cuba, which claims the decided preference — the 
 great profit upon it being completely ascertained. Of this, one man 
 has enough to do to tend one acre, and this acre will yield 5 to 800 
 lbs. according to quality of the ground. This is supposed to be 
 worth 40 to 60 cents per lb.; 1 say supposed, because no sales have 
 yef been made, and none exported — for every pound made is twisted 
 by the planter himself into the already well known Florida cigars, 
 and if the quantity was increased an hundred fold, the whole would 
 now be readily taken ofi', so great is the present demand for them. 
 In order to judge of the profit of this staple, take one thousand 
 cigars as 5 lbs. ; each 1 ,000 selling readily, in the North, for 1 5 dollars, 
 or upon the spot for 10 dollars ; less .3 dollars of charges for twisting, 
 &c., leaving 7 dollars for 5 lbs., or 1 40-100 dollars per lb. 
 
 For this article the new land is taken, chiefly chinquapin or the 
 richest black loam, every year, and this will afterwards ser\e for 
 cotton, corn, &c. In December the seed is sown, in land neither 
 too moist nor too dry, for if too dry the fly will consume it ; it is 
 then transplanted in March, at three feet distance each side ; it 
 should be topped when it begins to button, or according to circum- 
 stances. Sometimes the plant gives 32 leaves, the lightest and 
 tenderest leaves are here at the bottom. 
 
 There is a very prevalent opinion among the uninformed, that 
 lands in this territory wear out eanly. I maintain it to be a gross 
 mistake: and I recommend to such persons to inform themselves of 
 the truth from those who have experience in the matter. Some 
 lands will wear out sooner than others by time and usage, others by 
 ill treatment : what I will maintain is, that the good lands do not 
 wear out sooner than others — that in the abundance of lots, at cheap 
 
prices, there has been a reckless abandonment of one tract to seize 
 upon another, in order to save the trouble of preserving it. I can 
 produce twenty fields, opened and cultivated, since the first settle- 
 ment, in as good preservation and fertility as at the first. Besides, 
 there is in this section a natural and powerful marie, which ■fvill 
 restore any field in one year of fallow, also pease of any kind 
 ploughed into the field will wonderfidly restore its powers. 
 
 Grape Vine — No decided or continuous effort has yet been made 
 in the country, in order to prove the advantage of this as a staple 
 and profitable commodity — nothing beyond the native indigenous 
 vine, which is found in this as in all the Southern states in great 
 abundance. Samples have been introduced and cultivated in gar- 
 dens of the Madeira, Sicily, Cape, Muscatel, Malaga, &c. and of 
 the Scupernong and other native grapes, but it is doubted whether 
 upon a large scale, the atmosphere here, more humid than in France 
 or Spain, would allow of its maturing seasonably, or whether the 
 summer rains would not be injurious by rotting it. Some enterpris- 
 ing agriculturist will soon set this question at rest. 
 
 Mulberry of the Silk Worm. — It is sufficient to say of this, that 
 is already introduced in various places, that it takes exceedingly 
 well with the soil and climate, and must consequently realize every 
 thing obtained already throughout the United States. 
 
 Indigo — Great quantities of this plant are found indigenous 
 throughout the country — people avoid its cultivation, as well from 
 the labour as the noxious effects of its fermentation. On this ac- 
 count it is proposed to collect and dry the plant, and send it abroad 
 for farther processes. 
 
 Palma Christi — Enough is raised to have caused the erection of a 
 beautiful iron press, upon a small scale, at the arsenal, near to 
 Mount Vernon, from which the finest castor oil is made. The same 
 press will serve to express oil from the cotton seed, of which the 
 experiment will be made in due time. Olive oil will follow. 
 
 Yours, &c. 
 
 NUMBER VI. 
 
 I suspend for a while the subject of planting, in order to draw 
 your attention to one of scarcely less importance, especially to small 
 capitalists. It is grazing, and its concomitant subject of grasses. 
 In this, the territory has no advantages over others in the United 
 States, but it may be sufficient to say, that it is inferior also to none 
 of its neighbours, for all the requisites for raising all kinds of cattle, 
 w^ith sufficient water at all seasons. Of the grasses, the favorite of 
 the indigenous kind is the jointed crab. The Gama grass of Brazil 
 is introduced, (the indigenous is not so good,) also the Bermuda 
 
13 
 
 grass, the Guinea grass of the Tropics, &c.; but theie is Tast room 
 lor speculation in other kinds still. 
 
 The stocks of cattle multiply with great abundance, but the breed 
 wants crossing — and this branch, upon the whole, is susceptible of 
 great iujprovement. Some of the greatest fortune*, at this moment, 
 have had thsir origin from this source ; some even now have 2000 
 up to 10,000 head of cattle. 
 
 In horticullure, this territory offers the widest field, both for orna- 
 ment and profit. It is the country of the peach, the quince, the fig, 
 the mulberry, the crab-apple, the plum, the cherry, Alc-, and every 
 difierent species can be introduced vvi:h success. The strawberry 
 is in great perfection. Arrow-root grows to any extent — Ginger has 
 been made. Onions are very large — and, in short, the enumeration 
 would be endless of such plants, flowers and garden stufl's as could 
 be raised here to advantage. 
 
 It has been so far our misfortune, to see this branch almost totally 
 neglected, amidst the pressing wants of the inhabitants for more 
 direct means of subsistence. Even for exportation, the fruit of this 
 territory might be made an important article. 
 
 The geographical position of the territory also gives it a powerful 
 advantage in acclimatizina;, at the same time, the plants of the same 
 latitude, exotics, those of the north and also of the tropical climes. 
 It is a curious fact that there is no forest tree of this continent found 
 in common with those of the tropics. Dare the hand of man to alter 
 this disposition ? Of fruit trees, we know that ihe date, the olive, 
 the palm, the orange, lemon, banana, have been introduced with 
 success. Even if these should at any time fail farther north. Key 
 West, and the country as far as Tampa Bay, offer a sure protection 
 for them. The vicinity of Cape Florida possesses a soil in which 
 even the coffee tree grows. In 1830, in the capital, there was an 
 instance of one bunch bananas, weighing 10 lbs., giving 48, of which 
 6 were ripe, and of pine apples coming to perfection ; but the last 
 destructive frost of February ruined orange trees, and every other 
 tropical plant 
 
 Permit me, now, to recapitulate some of the natural resources of 
 this country, which want only the hand of man to improve them. 
 First, innumerable mill seats for water power, and lumber of the 
 finest kind — our flooring boards are already known and esteemed at 
 the north. Then there is the finest live oak for ship building, white 
 and red oak for staves, tanning bark in any quantity, the best cypress 
 and juniper trees for shingles. The myrtle tree growing most 
 abundantly, gives a berry which is manufactured into most superior 
 wax, made by bleaching, of snowy whiteness ; starch is made easily 
 and cheaply. Millions of superb reeds grow spontaneously, fit for a 
 thousand rural and domestic purposes — the finest ])ipe clay abounds, 
 also clay of the purest kind for brickmakers — the sea shores abound 
 with shells, and the sea with an immense variety of fish, oysters, &c. 
 
14 
 
 The woods abound whh deer, wild turkeys, ducks, and other gam« 
 of the finest ria\-or, all for the killing. In a word, this may be 
 deemad one of the cheapest sections of the United States for the 
 means of subsistence. 
 
 I have hinted at the want and misery of the first settlers, from 
 which they are now happily reheved. It is painful to recur to these, 
 but I must slate to you that interest upon loans of petty sums, was 
 sometimes 1 a 200 per cent, for a few weeks. You would see 
 men resorting to petty expedients to raise a few dollars A country 
 gentleman of fortune could not raise ten dollars amongst ten neighbors 
 — a shopkeeper would sacrifice ten dollars of property to raise one 
 of specie — and last of all, only last year, in order to complete the 
 arrangements of the present Union Bank, fifteen hundred dollars 
 were necessary to despatch the agent, and subscribers worth nearly 
 a million of dollars of property, subscribed the obligation for dis- 
 count, and could not raise it ! until assisted by the purse of one 
 private and distinguished individual. 
 
 If you can still follow me in these details, I proposeto take up 
 ir subject in my next. Meantime, yours. 
 
 NUBIBER VII. 
 
 I now propose to give you some idea of the face of the country of 
 Florida, and in this I shall be very brief, for the reason that as many 
 letter writers seize this as the subject on which to indulge their 
 poetic vein. I, who am a plain prose writer, (not a proser, I hope,) 
 and deal not in fancies, have no other wish but to correct the mis- 
 apprehensions which have gone abroad (and with which I see you 
 are tinctured) respecting this tprritory. In whav I have said to you 
 already, it is my boast that I have exaggerated nothing. II you 
 should doubt these facts, come and see ! 
 
 I have said the ground is undulating : and I now add that the 
 highest point I know of is Kingsbury Pond, in East Florida, 237 
 feet above the level of the sea. The capital stands 180 feet, (for- 
 merly it was thought more,) and other hills GO to 80 feet— a great 
 part is low, marshy ground, very easy to be reclaimed by the hand 
 of man, and the remainder, like some central parts of East Florida, 
 still admits inundations from the sea, and vast overflowings of rivers, 
 as if nature had not yet completed her manufacture of the dry land. 
 Much of this east part is wholly unknown, except from Indian ac- 
 counts, which represent great waters in the interior furnishing tides 
 to both seas. Partial surveys have been made of the coasts and 
 rivers, which give the usual bodies of pine haumiock, dry marsh, 
 low marsh, alluvion, limestone, marie, and even to Mangrove 
 islands, (inchoate land ;) but as these surveys will be very soon 
 
15 
 
 embodied in a more correct description, I forbear to misle'ad you on 
 
 this subject. The best maps now extant are very wild upoo thi» 
 part. 
 
 A ridge of highland extends from Tallahassee eastwardly, from 
 which descend the Oscilla, Suwanne, and Saiitai'ee rivers. To the 
 north it is maintained with undulations to the state of Georgia ; to 
 tlie south it gradually diminishes to the sea shore, leaving on the 
 river shores and their sources in the low hommocks and on the lake 
 borders, parcels of fine land for cultivaiion — enough for the support 
 of millions of inhabitants, which now remain covered with dense 
 impenetrable forests. 
 
 The lakes here, form, with their subterranean sources, at once a 
 distinct characteristic of this country, and a subject of intense curi- 
 osity. They are found every where, and are evidently in connection 
 with others ; or with rivers above, or gullies below the earth. They 
 ebb and flow distinctly, — now covering a vast superficies of green 
 grass plot, — now retiring to a smaller compass, of which some point 
 is very deep, if not unfathomed. The forests which surround them 
 are of great beauty, and by their thickness and their very stillness, 
 have an imposing appearance. Som.e farmers begin to open settle- 
 ments upon their banks ; which in some places ofler a good soil, 
 ' thus breaking the monotony of the prospect ; and it is to be hoped 
 that these lakes, in t?me, will present a more animated spectacle* 
 The trout, the brim, the perch, &c. are found in their waters : and 
 %vhere these fish are, the water is sound and good. I should fatigue 
 you with a description of all of them, which have excited my own 
 admiration. Suffice it to say, that in Middle Florida, Lake Jackson 
 is supposed to be 36 miles in circumference, communicating with 
 Lake Jammonic ; and again, by secret sources, rising in a huge 
 mass, forming the source of the Wahkulla river. There are also 
 Lakes Lafeyette, Micasucki, Sampala, &c. in East Florida. In 
 West Florida, the Lake Wimico, near to Apalachicola town. All 
 others form large bays, communicating witli the Gulf of Mexico. 
 In East Florida, they may be said to be innumerable : Alligator, 
 Orange, Macao, &c.; besides the St. John's and Ocklawaha, which 
 are rivers of lakes. But the most singular of all — the greatest natural 
 beauty, and I may say, the greatest cin-iosity of the whole South, is 
 the source of the Wahkula, before mentioned, in Middle Florida, 
 six miles distant from Fort St. Marks. Its origin, be it remembered, 
 is said to be Lake Jackson, at 15 miles distance. This lovely sheet 
 of water is 120 yards in diameter — so still, and of such perfect 
 transparency, that the smallest object is seen at the immense depth 
 of water below ; and the spectator upon its surface, sits and shudders 
 as if suspended in empty air. On some future, and not distant day, 
 these banks will be studded with private residences, as indeed even 
 now the country round it is full of plantations. Objects of great 
 curiosity, are also, the Big Chipola Spring, and the Great Manito 
 
Spring, of a bluish green color, with its circular basin, emitting it$ 
 waters like a jet, and subsiding by turns. 
 
 Some rivers too are v. ortby of notice, as exhibiting many of the 
 beauties of nature, and carrying on their waters some rich freights 
 already. Their highest banks are clay-bound? of various hues, and 
 various states of adhesiveness, with sand intermixed, occasionally 
 the rotten limestone, and crowned by animal and vegetable decom- 
 positions. A rich alluvion is found to com-pose the adjoining soil, 
 and forests of impervious thickness rise Ironi its suiface. As the 
 banks lower, the ground overflows until checked by piny wood or 
 hommocks ialand ; such water stagnates, occasionally in ponds and 
 law hommocks, but is capable of being easily drained. 
 
 The Escambia, v.ith its "black" and "yellow" rivers, forms 
 the spacious bay of Pensacola ; but the country is sand, entirely 
 destitute of fertility — the Choctawhatchie rising in Alabama and 
 ending in the much frequented Santa Rosa Bay ; on its east side, 
 in Washington county, are some good lands, but as yet little ex- 
 ;plored. Chipola waters Jackson county, (which, joining Alabama, 
 partakes of the quality of its lands,) then in Washington county 
 -enters the Apalachicola. This last river receives the Chatahouchie 
 and Flint rivers of Georgia exactly at the boundary, in lat. 31 deg., 
 .and with the Chipola, further below, forms a magnificent body of 
 water of 200 to 400 yards wide — bearing produce from Columbus in 
 Georgia, Irwinton in Alabama, and other landings, down to the 
 flourishing seaport of the same name. The Ocklockney is a large, 
 but crooked river, traversing 250 miles in Florida only, to pass over 
 a meridian of only 70. The smaller rivers of Wahkulha and St. 
 Marks, — the latter after sinking under a natural bridge, and passing 
 the little town of Magnolia — meet at the fortress and seaport of the 
 same name. The Ocilla is also a fine river, and the Suwanee, with 
 its sister the Santa Fee, cover an immense body of country. To 
 the S. E. of this lies the famous Alachua or Arredondo tract of 
 land, said to be one of the richest of the territory, and to the South 
 the large tract of Hackley. The magnificent river St. Johns enfers 
 on the east shore, north of St. Augustine, and striking south to the 
 back of that city, form various lakes, which the principal is George's, 
 and the last Munroe, after which the source is lost in undefined 
 waters. The varying banks of this noble river, present scenes 
 sometimes soft, sometimes sublime ; while its banks and islands aflord 
 the finest land for cultivation. To the north of Lake George it is 
 joined by the Ocklawaha, u noble river pervading a great part of the 
 peninsula, but whose source is also undefined. 
 
 These noble lakes and rivers — these vast fields of the caves of 
 which I have not spoken — the very fissures of the earth — the birds 
 of the air, and fishes of the sea— ofler an endless subject, of yet 
 unexplored matter, to the lover of natural history, which no one here 
 has to this day had leisure, perhaps few the inclination, to prosecute. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 
17 
 
 >UMBER VIII 
 
 Of the cities and towns of Florida, those which claim the first no- 
 tice, as the most ancient, are Pensacola and St. Augustine : the on- 
 ly places inhabited by the Spaniards at the cession. They are both 
 comparatively ilillen in importance now, by reason of the very unin- 
 teresting back country to both, affording not the least inducement to 
 enterprise of any kind. The inhabiiants are now reduced to about 
 1300 in each, of which the majority in Pensacola are still French 
 and Spanish. Pensacola is, however, of importance as a naval sta^ 
 tion, for which it is well adapted, and has its Fort. St. Augustine 
 has also its fortress, and is still celebrated as a resort for invalids, 
 from all parts of the United States ; but its greatest beauty, and on- 
 ly source of profit, the orange groves, have been nearly wholly de- 
 stroyed by the severe frost of February last : some only will be re- 
 covered, and with great labor. 
 
 Tallahassee, the capital, w^as selected and laid out at an early date, 
 after the cession ; and the site is remarkable as a high healthy emi- 
 nence, part of the ridge of hills 180 feet above the level of the sea, 
 with a fertile country around it. It has labored, however, under the 
 disadvantage of its distance, 21 miles, from theseaport of St. Marks, 
 making the drayage expensive, for which reason, its advancement 
 has been slow, the population not exceeding 1300, alihough it is the 
 seat of government, and the legislative council. It supplies an ex- 
 tent of country of 20 to 30 miles round, and on the Georgia side to 
 Thomasville. But the business is now sensibly increasing, and a 
 railroad being now commenced between it and St. Marks, which the 
 state of trade loudly demanded, this increase must be rapid from this 
 circumstance. There is a very pleasant little society at Tallahassee, 
 and merchants of great respectability. The state bouse is not yet fin- 
 ished ; one wing only serving for public business. This is surrounded 
 by a lovely grass plot, in the principal square, and adorned with the 
 superb forest trees of the country, which form also the principal or- 
 nament of the outskirts of the town. A court-house and two church- 
 es are now contracted for to be built. Here are two Banks 
 each of one million of capital, of the utility of which I have already 
 spoken. 
 
 To the south of Tallahassee, and situated upon the St. Marks ri- 
 ver, is the town of Magnolia, which has been forced into existence 
 against the disadvantage of rapids in the river, which prevent all ap- 
 proach to it, but by small vessels, and those with great labor and risk. 
 It has proved a failure. 
 
 St. Marks is the old Spanish fortress, situate at the confluence of 
 the river St. Marks and Wahkulla. It is an appendage to the capi- 
 tal and its shipping port, and that of Magnolia : it has a few stores 
 ooly for that purpose ; but a plan for a town is now to be laid out. 
 
18 
 
 find in a few years it premises to be of some iii'porLance. From this 
 port were shipped upwards of 18,000 bales of coiion of the last crop, 
 and the ensuing crop will give at least 25,000 to ship by the same 
 ciiannel. The distance from the to^^n to sea, is 8 miles. Fish 
 and oysters are very abundant, and deer and w ild fowl of every 
 kind. 
 
 Apalachlcola is a flourishing; seapoit, situated advantageously at 
 the outlet of the river of the same name, and within St. Georges 
 Sound, protected by St. Vincent, St. George and Dog Islands ; un- 
 der these last lay the vessels of larger burihen. Those of 12 a 13 
 feet come within three miles of the town, and 8 feet can be received 
 at the wharves. Durir.g the active season, thirteen steamboats plied 
 in the river as far as Columbus, in Georgia, transporting upwards 
 valuable merchandise, and downwards 37,000 bales of cotton for ex- 
 portation from this poit — the cpiantiiy of both, and consequently the 
 hu.?iaer,s will be co;!si>iera!jly increased the ensuing season, probably 
 to the exient of GO, 000 bales. 
 
 Jacksonville, upon the river St. Johns, is, in a mercantile point of 
 view, what St. Augustine should have been, or Fernandina, the point 
 o;' export for the prcducis of that neighborhood. In its pre: ent incipi- 
 tut slate, it is even now the thorcughfare of passengers proceeding 
 northwardly from the south and west, and westwuidly from the north, 
 aiid will very shortly be of some importance. 
 
 Key West has been settled ever since the cliange of government, 
 and until very lately exported and im.ported to the value of 3-4 
 cents of the whole Gusiom-house Territorial Duty. It was first 
 a small deposite for the trade to Cu])a, and the fishing smacks 
 bound to and from tliot island usually touch there for clearances. 
 li then became, as it is now, a resort for wreckers, who deriv 
 a profitable trade fiom tlie disa^^ters accruing to vessels upon tl 
 reefs around it. Great complaints were made about the adjustment 
 of salvage in such cases, until the es!.abhshnjent of the present court, 
 wiihrignts of admirahy, which, by iis decrees, has given universal 
 satisfaction. The population is 300 to 400, including strangers. It 
 is a rendezvous for our vessels of war, and a militaiy cor}.s is sta- 
 tioned there, but its importance lias been lately considerably increas- 
 ed by the establishment of salt w^orks in salt ponds, which are unsur- 
 passed by any other, and whose product is capable of supplying the 
 ^holeof the United Slates. 
 
 Quincy, Mariana, Monticello, WcblDville, Hickstown, &c., are 
 places still in their infancy — with population of 200 to 300 inhabi- 
 lanis— generally seats of county courts, and supplying the circle 
 around them with necessaries, and receiving dieir produce in return. 
 These places will advance exactly in proportion to the settlements 
 which are forming around them. Tampa Bay has no setdement as 
 yet, except that of a military detachment fixed there in order to keep 
 in check the remaining Indians, 2 to 3,000, in that neighborhood. 
 In St. Augustine, the fort and some houses are built of Tabby, are- 
 
19 
 
 markable concretion of shells, which is very useful when it can b 
 found near at hand. In Pensacola and Tallahassee much brick ha 
 been used, but the greater part of houses in Florida, are sti 
 wooden frames. There is now, however, awakened a great deman 
 for brick, granite, and quarry stone, indicating a vast improvemer 
 in social comforts. 
 
 I shall conclude with a few remarks upon the present and contem 
 plated improvements in this section. First, is the railroad betwee 
 Talahassee and St. Marks actually commenced. Second, twi 
 steamboat companies have joined in order to transport passengers b' 
 a speedy and cheap conveyance from New York to New Orleans 
 via Jacksonville, for the completion of which object a railroad is t( 
 be cut from Jacksonville to a fort on the Gulph near Vacassar Bay 
 A third is a contemplated railroad from Pensacola to Columbus, ii 
 Georgia, but it is very doubtful whether this can be a^comphshed 
 A more feasible one, although distant, is a railroad from Jacksonville 
 270 miles, through Tallahassee westward, to the Choctawhotchie ri 
 ver. It is also contemplated to clear the shoals in the Chattahouchie 
 river, which impede the navigation in summer to Columbus, and last- 
 ly, a canal from the Chipola, to connect the Apalachicola river wit! 
 St. Andrews Bay, is still spoken of, although for the present sus- 
 pended until a more favorable moment. 
 
 If I shall have succeeded by the foregoing observations, in unde- 
 ceiving you with respect to this interesting and growing territory, 
 and in placing the same before you as it should be represented, 1 
 shall be sincerely pleased. So wishing you health and prosperity, 1 
 am yours, &.c. 
 
 J. Narinfl, Printer, No. H, Will it. 
 
LIBRftRY OF CONGRES; 
 
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