ART. II.-FLORIDA-ITS POSITION, RESOURCES, AND DESTINY. THERE is not perhaps any state of the confederacy that can be more benefited by the construction of judicious works of internal improvement, and by the improvement of its harbors, than Florida.Thirty-one years have elapsed, since the provinces of East and West Florida were taken possession of by the United States under the treaty of cession concluded in 1819. No works of internal improvement, except the "King's road" in East Florida, and a short and small canal, (never completed,) near Lake Okechoke; and De Brahme's surveys in 1765, &c., were commenced by the British or Spanish governments, whilst the provinces were under the control of either of those powers; and since their transfer to the United States, various circumstances have combined to retard the development of their valuable commercial, agricultural, and other resources. The fortifications then near Pensacola, that at St. Mark's, the fort at St. Augustine, and an old defence called Fort George, near the mouth of the river St. John's, were all the military defences worth mentioning existing in the provinces at the cession. The United States have since established a navy yard, and works for the repair of vessels of war, and erected other forts, and built a naval and marine hospital near Pensacola; are building fortifications at the Tortugas and at Key West; and near the mouth of the St.Mary's River; and have Military Defences-Land Titles-Removal of the Indians. 313 placed the fort at St. Augustine in good condition; but no other part of the extensive and exposed gulf and sea coast of the state is in any degree fortified; nor are there proper preparations made for the construction, at an early period, of such defences. The entire Atlantic and gulf coast of the United States, from Passamaquoddy to the Rio del Norte, is about 3,500 miles, and of this extent the coast and reefs of Florida, from St. Mary's around the Tortugas to the Perdido, comprise upwards of 1,200 miles, extending over 8 deg. of latitude and 7 deg, of longitude, being more than one third of the whole coast. public records of Congress, and of the federal departments, will verify the declaration, that scores of Floridians have been refused payment of just claims, or postponed on the most frivolous pretexts and discreditable suspicions. If attempts have been made in any instance, by individuals claiming to belong to Florida, to obtain from the federal treasury claims not founded in strict justice; such dishonorable exceptions do not excuse wholesale imputations against the citizens of the state generally, nor justify the excitement of prejudices against them, and the withholding payment of just demands. Within a few years past, our "coast Both of the provinces, when acquired survey" has been commenced; but with by the United States, (excepting only a meagre and inadequate appropriations; small portion of country around the city not at all in just proportion either to the of Pensacola, at the western extremity, necessities of the work, or to the amounts and the region contiguous to the city of yielded for such surveys in other sec- St. Augustine, and to the lower part of tions, less important to the whole country. the river St. John's, in East Florida,) No canal or rail-road has been construct- were in the possession of warlike and ed by the federal government in Florida, hostile bands of savages. The territobut the expenditure of a few thousands ries, when ceded, were covered with of dollars, (whilst Florida was a territory,) for the removal of obstructions in some of the rivers and harbors, and for two or three partial surveys of important routes of a national character, has given rise to allegations, that profuse grants have been made for her benefit. She has, too, been unjustly reproached as being the cause of the immense expenditures so profitlessly made in the Seminole war; and by some she is held responsible for all the folly, waste, extravagance, impositions, peculations and frauds, committed in that war by the employés of the federal government, though not citizens of the state. A similar class have had the infamous audacity to impute to her people the purposed origination of the war, and a desire for its protraction, as a source of pecuniary gain. A devastated frontier of several hundred miles, and the butchery by the savages of hundreds of men, women and children, throughout the state, and the utter ruin brought upon many of her citizens by that war, ought to be sufficient to prove the falsity of this accusation. Those who have propagated, or countenanced such unscrupulous slanders against the people of Florida, have not, when challenged, exposed a single case in which any citizen of the state has obtained payment of any demand against the United States, founded on fraud; and the Most British and Spanish titles to lands, some The removal of many of the Indians occurred, owing it is alleged, by the citi zens, to the depredations of the Indians outside of the country reserved for them; and, on the other hand, asserted by those inimical to the people of Florida, to be occasioned by the encroachments of the frontier population upon the Indian reservation. The officers of the federal government have not restrained the Indians to the limits of the "reservation;" and while this duty is neglected, collisions and conflicts between the savages and the settlers near to the lines are inev. itable. Means are now being adopted to effect the removal of the few hundred warriors and women and children yet remaining, (and it is said in a state of destitution,) on the lower end of the peninsula, and which efforts, it is hoped, may be successful; but if they fail, prompt and efficient measures will certainly be taken by the state government to abate this evil, so blighting to the prosperity of Florida. from the upper and middle sections to below 28 deg. north lat., on the Peninsula, was effected about 1825, under the treaty made with the chiefs at Camp Moultrie, in 1823. Though this measure opened a large portion of the country to settlement, and, when adopted, was generally commended, experience has proved that it was injudicious policy. It has been the prolific cause of subsequent troubles and of great sacrifice of life and property by the people of Florida, and of immense expenditures by the federal government-the responsibility for which, as before stated, has been most unjustly attributed to the inhabitants of the state. The measure referred to has put back the state at least the fifth of a century. Four large bands or towns of Indians, located on the Apalachicola, remained there till 1834, when they were removed peaceably, in conformity with treaty stipulations, to the Indian territory west of the Arkansas. In 1835 the Seminoles, Miccossukies and other tribes It is a striking fact in the history of concentrated, as above stated, near the the provinces of Florida, that since their fastnesses of the peninsula, in resistance first discovery by the Spaniards, nearly to the enforcement of treaties stipulating three centuries and a half ago, they have for their emigration west of the Arkansas, never enjoyed twenty successive years commenced predatory hostilities that of peace and tranquillity undisturbed by soon ripened into open war, which domestic warlike conflicts or foreign lasted for seven years, and was attended with but limited and partial creditable success to the federal government, or to its officers, either in arms or diplomacy. The best measure adopted by the United States during the war, was the "armed occupation" act of 1842; though the policy pursued by the federal government, in the execution of the law, until the act of the 1st July, 1848, was passed, decreased its benefits. The contest was abandoned by the United States in 1842, an "arrangement" with the yet unsubdued Indians then being made (similar to two others after 1835, which they had The creation by the territorial legisviolated.) by the general officer com- lature of some ten or a dozen banks, to manding the United States regular forces three of which were given territorial in Florida; and which last "arrange- bonds or guaranties to raise their capital, ment," in disregard of the previous trea- and the failure of all these corporations ties, stipulated that those Indians, headed prior to, or in 1837; the inability of any by the chiefs Arpiarka and Bowlegs, of them to retrieve their credit, and the might remain on the peninsula! Their liability imputed by the foreign holders whole number, it is estimated, cannot of the "faith bonds" and "guaranties" exceed eight hundred, and they are on paper restricted to prescribed limits, embracing many hundreds of square miles Since that" arrangement" repeated disturbances, attended by bloodshed and destruction of property, have in area. hostile invasion. They have changed owners and masters several times. The late disturbances with the Seminoles brought destruction and ruin upon many Floridians, and the insecurity to life and property since 1835, not only deterred emigration to Florida, but hundreds of worthy and valuable citizens abandoned their plantations, and with their families went to other southern states, where they would not be daily liable to massacre and devastation, owing to the neglect by the federal government of the duty of protection. to the state of Florida, since organized, for several millions of dollars, has been a serious drawback to the settlement and growth of the state. The state constitution expressly inhibits the state legislature from levying any tax for the re Banks-Commercial Restrictions, and other Grievances. 315 demption of these imputed obliga- the provinces (then belonging to Spain) tions; those who effected the adoption were invaded by the troops of the United of such restriction, contending that the States; and the withholding of protection people of the state are not justly respon- to the citizens of Florida during the prosible for the improvident acts, allowed tracted Indian hostilities which comby Congress, of the territorial authorities, menced in 1835, and the refusal to who, they insist, were the creatures indemnify the many hundreds of citizens solely of federal legislation and federal whose property was devastated by the executive power, and also that the bonds savages, owing to the flagrant neglect of were purchased by the holders in disre- the federal government to fulfil its duty gard of the conditions of the acts of of affording proper protection to them; incorporation, and with full knowledge and likewise the refusal to pay others of all the facts. Some contend, also, their just dues for supplies furnished that the territorial banks were created to troops in service, and for services renwithout any competent legal power in dered the federal government; are all the territorial legislative council therefor. matters that have been severely felt in The annexation of Texas first, and the Florida, and have all materially retarded subsequent acquisition of California, and its prosperity. the discovery of gold there, also diverted emigration from Florida to those states. These events have greatly retarded the growth and prosperity of the state; and the present backward condition of her internal improvements, should not be mentioned, without also adverting, at the same time, to them, as her apologies. Her people are as public spirited and as enterprising as those of any other section, but their energies have been stifled by the series of untoward circumstances alluded to. Blessed with a genial climate and a fruitful soil, and advantages for improvement, with facility and cheapness unsurpassed by any country, it is believed Florida is destined in time to become a populous, and one of the richest and most prosperous states of the Union. The severe restrictions imposed in 1822 and 1834 upon our Cuba and Porto Rico trade, are ably and fully exposed by Senator Mallory, in his recent pamphlet on that subject. They are a serious grievance to the state. But for those restrictions, we should sell annually to those islands many thousands of dollars worth of agricultural products, stock, &c. The restrictions should be forth with abrogated, if the commercial and agricultural interests of the gulf and Atlantic southern states are entitled to any consideration; and indeed the dictates of sound policy and equal justice to every section of the Union, imperatively demand the repeal of those laws. It is proper also to state here, that the failure of the federal government to fulfil in good faith its obligation to indemnify Spanish inhabitants for the spoliations of 1812, 1813, 1814, and 1818, when The only rail-road in Florida, now in operation, is the Tallahassee and St. Mark's road. It was built about 1834, by an incorporated company. It now runs from Tallahassee to the sea-port, at the site of the ancient Spanish fortress of St. Mark's, at the junction of the St. Mark's and Wakulla rivers, a distance of about 23 miles, and is in good condition. Between twenty and thirty thousand bales of cotton, and large amounts of other produce, and of merchandise, are annually transported over this road. It originally crossed the St. Mark's river, and run to a point on the Bay of St. Mark's or Apalache, a short distance below its present terminus, where a flourishing village soon sprang up, but which was in 1843 totally demolished by an unprecedented hurricane and flood from the gulf, by which many lives were lost. This rail-road is now owned chiefly by Gen. Call. The cost of construction, of rebuilding it, and of repairs, has probably been $250,000, but it is generally considered to be a good investment. If it is intersected by the contemplated great central road hereafter spoken of, it will increase in value. The Georgia 'Brunswick Company, hereafter alluded to, it is understood, desire to connect with this road; and projects have been in contemplation to extend the Tallahassee road to Thomasville, Georgia, and to other points in Georgia, without reference to the Brunswick Company. Such extension will add to its importance. Plank roads are being projected at several detached points in Florida, for short distances, and one several miles in length is now in course of construction amount of merchandise for transportation into the interior, and has besides considerable trade. Some miles of the Florida, Alabama, and Georgia rail-road, near Pensacola, was graded, as hereinafter stated, several years ago, but that work has been suspended for the present. from New Port (a rival town to St. Mark's, situated a few miles above it, on the St. Mark's river) to the Georgia line. A small private rail-road was constructed a few years ago, leading to Forsyth and Simpson's extensive manufactories and mills, near Bagdad, on Black Water river, West Florida, but it became useless, and has been taken up. Excepting some local improvements In 1835 a company was incorporated at the city of St. Augustine, made by to build a canal or rail-road, to connect the federal government, and which were the Apalachicola river (through lake necessary for the preservation of its proWimico) with St. Joseph's bay; at which perty there, the foregoing, it is believed, it was intended to establish a shipping comprise all the works of the character port for the produce brought down the heretofore constructed, or partially conChattahooche and Flint and Apalachi- structed, in Florida. cola rivers, and from the surrounding Florida has several capacious and country; and for receiving and forward- secure harbors, and of easy entrance. ing merchandise to the interior; and as No less than twenty-six important rivers: a rival to the city of Apalachicola. A the Perdido, the Escambia, the Blackroad about nine miles long was put in water and Yellow rivers. (through St. operation, but in consequence of the Mary de Galvez bay,) the Choctawhatdifficulties attending the passage of large chie, the Apalachicola, (into which flow steamboats through the shoal waters of the Chattahooche and the Flint,) the the lake, it was abandoned in 1839; and Ockolockonee, the St. Mark's and Waanother road running from St. Joseph, kulla, (through St. Mark's or Apalachee north, about 30 miles, to Iola, a village bay,) the Wacissa and Oscilla, the Suestablished on the west side of the Apa- wanee or Little St. John's, and its tribulachicola a mile above the Chipola river, taries, the Withlacoochy, and Alapahau, was constructed at an expense of up- and Santaffee, the Weethlockoochee or wards of $300,000 dollars. A bridge of Amixura, the Hillsborough, the Nokoshosuperior construction, several hundred tee or Manatee, the Talachopko or Peas yards in length, was thrown across the creek, the Caloosahatche, the Otsego, Chipola, and the rail-road continued upon the two Caximbas, the Galivans river, it. A town was soon built at the southern Harney's river, and Shark river, besides terminus, on the bay of St. Joseph, which other streams of lesser note, flow from, bay has an excellent harbor, easily or through the state, into the Gulf of accessible to merchant vessels of the Mexico. The five first-named rivers first class usually employed in southern extend into the State of Alabama. They trade. In 1841 the rail-road, in conse- already bear upon their waters to the quence of pecuniary embarrassments of Florida Gulf shipping ports valuable the company, occasioned by its immense products, which could be greatly inexpenditure, was abandoned; and soon creased by comparatively trifling artifiafter the rails were taken up, and sold to cial "internal improvements," and the a rail-road company in Georgia. Many value of the public and private lands in persons contend that the site has superior Alabama, contiguous to them, much advantages, and that with judicious enhanced. The Chattahooche river is management it would have succeeded; the boundary between Alabama and and that it may be resuscitated at some Georgia, and is navigable for steamfuture period, under favorable auspices. boats for upwards of 150 miles northward The proper and judicious improvement from its junction with the Flint, where of the harbor of Apalachicola would they form the Apalachicola. The Flint of course prevent this, and especially if extends upwards of 100 miles into one the inland communication along the of the most productive sections of Georcoast (hereafter mentioned) from South gia. The Ockolockony, the Oscilla, the Cape to the Mississippi, is undertaken. Suwanee, and the two first named of its Apalachicola now ships to foreign ports tributaries, all extend into Georgia; and and coastwise upwards of $6,000,000 if all of them are not susceptible by artiworth of cotton and other produce an- ficial improvement of being made navinually, and receives a corresponding gable for steamboats of a large class, |