the most eligible terminus of said work, on the eastern side. An appropriation of $20,000 will probably be made at this session of Congress, for the completion of the survey for this work.

Our Atlantic merchants see that it will greatly facilitate our future trade, not only with the Pacific generally, but with China and with the East Indies.

Whatever doubts may be entertained as to the practicability of the construction and successful operation of a "ship canal" or "ship rail-way" across the peninsula, it is not doubted that canals for boats drawing six or seven feet water may be made, either from the head of navigation on Black Creek, or from one of the two southernmost prongs or

The legislature of Louisiana, smothering all selfish local considerations, at a recent session adopted resolutions asking Congress to institute examinations as to the Florida "ship canal;" and patriotic Whilst the certain practicability of and enterprising citizens of eastern and effecting the completion of this stupend- of western states, with wise forecast, ous and magnificent project, to the full look to the ascertainment of its practicaextent anticipated by some of its advo- bility as a result of the highest importcates, has by many been deemed ques- ance to the general interests of the whole tionable, (and it seems General Bernard confederacy, as well as to the Atlantic, did not believe in its favorable success,) southern, northern, eastern, middle and yet other disinterested and impartial interior states, and those on the Pacific, persons, of a high order of intelligence, as to the gulf and Mississippi states. and possessing accurate knowledge of the location through which the canal must be constructed, and of the soils to be excavated, confidently contend that it is entirely practicable. The immense cost of the construction of a ship canal is an insuperable obstacle to its being undertaken by the State of Florida, or by any association of individuals there. The state constitution contains provisions virtually restraining the legislature from borrowing money on the faith and credit of the state, even for such purpose. Therefore, if such work is undertaken, branches of the St. Mary's river, or it must be by the general government, and upon the most considerate estimates, founded upon previous examinations and accurate surveys, by scientific and impartial engineers. The same observations apply to the construction of the "ship rail-way" that has been suggest ed. If the construction of either of these works is ascertained to be feasible, it will be beyond all question the most important undertaking of the kind in the United States. No one can deny that its beneficial results will be eminently "national." Whensoever any route inside of the Gulf of Mexico, whether through Texas, through eastern Mexico, or by Vera Cruz, or by Tehuantepec, to the Pacific, may be established, a passage across Florida, as a means of speedy and safe travel, and for the transportation of merchandise, will become imperatively necessary to enable the eastern and middle Atlantic states to participate fully in the benefits of such route. The proposed canal or road may be located on a direct and straight line drawn along the coast from Cape Hatteras (to pass which, in sailing from NewYork, a considerable deflexion east must be made) to the mouth of the Rio Coatzacoalcos, on the gulf side of the isthmus of Tehuantepec.

from the St. John's river, directly to the capacious, deep, and never-failing lake, called "Ocean Pond," about thirty miles westwardly of Whitesville, on Black Creek, and about forty miles from Jacksonville, on the St. John's river. From this lake it is supposed such canal can be continued to the navigable waters of the Santaffee, and by the improvement of the navigation of that river and of the Suwanee to the gulf, can also, without doubt, be constructed, and the expense is not estimated to be so great as to render it an injudicious investment. It is believed also by some persons that a similar canal for boats, commencing at the head of navigation near the great southern bend of the St. Mary's river, and running across near to the southern margin of the vast lake or swamp called Okefenokee, and directly to the head waters of the Suwanee, with proper improvements to the navigation of the St. Mary's and Suwanee rivers, is practicable, and would be highly beneficial as a means of transportation of produce, lumber, naval stores, and merchandise, and that it would also drain and reclaim tens of thousands of acres of the richest lands in that region. Such work would be greatly beneficial to the State of Georgia, which state has heretofore made

Generous Resolves of Louisiana-Trunk or Central Rail-road. 321

examinations and surveys, with a view to its construction.

three hundred and fifty miles. A road can be run from St. John's to St. Augustine, A rail-road has been projected from from Jacksonville, thirty-eight miles, and Brunswick, Georgia, to the gulf coast, from Picolati, eighteen miles. All the on which coast different points for its different sectional interests of the upper termination have been indicated. It is portions of the state would be promoted stated that an association is now being by such work. Lateral rail-roads, to organized to raise funds and commence necessary points on the gulf coast, and such work. Some years since partial to the towns where the country trade is reconnoissances and some unperfected carried on north of the main road, can surveys were made of such work, from be made. These lateral roads could be Brunswick, on two different routes en- extended into Alabama and Georgia, tering Middle Florida; but from circum- and, when it may be deemed advisable, stances not fully understood, the com- connected with the rail-roads in those mencement of the work was postponed, states; and in a few years not merely and the results of the surveys have never Florida, but her conterminous sister been made public. Unless the proposed states, will be interlaced and bound towork should enter Florida much farther gether, and mutually strengthened by to the east than has been stated is in- bands of iron. The sugar, cotton, totended, and become connected with the bacco, rice, sisal hemp, tar, turpentine, great trunk or central rail-road hereafter rosin and rosinous oils and lumber, and spoken of, so that it would result to some other products of those fertile regions, benefit to East Florida, it will be re- can be speedily, cheaply, and safely garded with disfavor in that section of transported to market, either on the gulf the state, and meet with such opposition or Atlantic, or for exportation to foreign as probably will prevent its extension ports, or shipment coast wise, in time of into the state at all. It would certainly war or of peace; and in time of war be a competitor and rival of the Central Florida Rail-road, if allowed to abstract from it the south-western travel and transportation, for the benefit of Southern Georgia, by leaving the State of Florida in the western section.

To all the suggested improvements terminating on the gulf coast, near to the delta of the Suwanee, some persons have objected that formidable difficulties will be encountered to their successful operation, owing to the want of a safe and good harbor there, of easy access near to the shore for vessels drawing over seven or eight feet, and owing also to alleged hazards attending the approach to that part of the gulf coast. I do not, however, hesitate to say, that I regard these objections as fallacious; and that safe and good harbors for vessels of 12 or 15 feet draft can be found, and which can also be greatly improved by artificial means.

The first great work to be undertaken by the State of Florida is, in my judgment, unquestionably, at the present time, the Trunk or Central Rail-road, commencing at Pensacola and running eastwardly from Deerpoint, at the opposite side of Pensacola bay, along or as near the route of the old Bellamy or Federal road as is practicable, to the river St. John's, the distance being about

material aid for the defence of the coast against foreign assault at any quarter of the state can always be at once furnished from the interior. Yet in the construction of such a work the just share of the general improvement fund of the state, due to that section detached from the immediate and direct advantages and conveniences of this road, and lying farther south than its effects would be felt, should not be expended, but should be scrupulously retained for the benefit of such section. The facilities such road would afford the federal government for the cheap and rapid transportation of the mails in time of peace, and the like facilities given for the transportation in time of war for troops, munitions of war, and subsistence, would be of incalculable national benefit. The river St. John's, which is generally spoken of as the eastern terminus of the Central Rail-road, extends from its mouth three hundred miles south, running nearly in the middle of the peninsula, its sources being chains of large lakes extending south beyond the sources of the Kissimme. The bar at the entrance of the St. John's cannot ordinarily be passed by vessels drawing over thirteen feet, but inside it is navigable by vessels of twenty-five feet draft, as far up as Jacksonville, and by those

drawing twelve feet up to Lake George, and two feet water can be had to Lake Poinsett. The tide seems to have influence at Volusia. The trade of the river at present is chiefly lumber. More than 13 large lumber mills (mostly steam) are on the river above and below Jacksonville, the principal town upon the river. About 350 vessels annually are loaded with lumber and produce on the St. John's. The quantity of lumber annually shipped from the St. John's river is estimated at 50,000,000 of feet. An effort will be made this fall to deepen the water on the bar, which it is sanguinely anticipated can be done so as to admit vessels at low water drawing 20 or 25 feet, and by an expenditure of about twenty thousand dollars. Should it be effected, though it should cost twenty times such amount, it would be a wise disposition of the money. In case this work succeeds, so soon as the great Central Road is finished to the St. John's, a large and flourishing commercial city is sure to spring up in a few years at the terminus on the river, wherever it may be. Partial surveys of the eastern part of one proposed route for this road, terminating at Jacksonville, the prominent point on the St. John's, were made some years ago by an association of eastern capitalists, chiefly from Boston, but they have never been made public, and it is stated the association was prevented by the Indian war from progressing with the undertaking.

chief part of one of the contemplated routes of this road, were, it is understood, perfected some years since, and several miles of the road near to Pensacola were graded, and other work done. It has, however, been suspended for some time, awaiting the action of Congress granting the right of way through the public lands, and also grants of alternate sections along the line of the road. Bills making such grants have passed the Senate at different sessions, but as yet the association have been unable to obtain the concurrent action of both houses at the same session to the same bill.

Connected as the great Central Railroad of the state will be, at Pensacola, (or at any of the gulf ports that may be selected,) with the commerce to distant foreign or American ports in the gulf and elsewhere, and especially with steamships to Tehuantepec so soon as the interoceanic communication is made at that isthmus, (whether the Florida road is extended to Mobile and NewOrleans or not,) it must soon become the principal line of southern and south-western travel to and from the eastern and middle states, to California and Oregon, and the Pacific generally. It is the natural and direct course of such travel. The sagacious and enterprising mer chants of the Atlantic cities engaged in the Pacific trade, and in the trade to China and to the East Indies, will also soon discover such work may be used to promote their interests. Of its profitable success as a pecuniary investment, little doubt can be entertained.

A rail-road has been contemplated from Pensacola, across the southern corner of Alabama, to Montgomery, Alaba- A canal from St. Andrew's Bay to the ma, or to Columbus, Georgia, or to some Chipola river has been contemplated for point in Georgia lower down on the many years, and an association has been Chattahooche river, and to unite with incorporated to construct such work. some of the Georgia roads running to the Full surveys have been made, and the Atlantic seaboard. Great interest is felt feasibility of constructing either a canal in the completion of this road at the city or a rail-road fully demonstrated. It is of Pensacola, and throughout the sur- in the hands of citizens of respectability, rounding country, and on the different who possess means to complete it, with routes proposed for it; and the federal such assistance as may be afforded by government is also deeply interested in the general government and by the state. its being finished, inasmuch as it would afford certain means for the defence and protection of the valuable public property at Pensacola, worth many millions of dollars, and as the federal treasury would be benefited by the enhanced value of the public lands in Alabama, through which the road would run, and their increased sales. On these points I refer to the documents of the department specified in note B. The surveys for the

Extensive tracts of valuable public lands, in the vicinity of this work, have been reserved from sale by the United States for "naval purposes." These reservations are profitless, and the lands should be sold. Their being held as at present is injurious to the country in which they are situated. Sound and judicious policy demands that the federal and state governments both should encourage the speedy construction of the canal or road

Internal Improvement Grants-Coast Frontier.

from St. Andrew's Bay. The bay has a good entrance for large vessels, and it is a safe and capacious harbor. Intersecting, as such work probably would (by an extension for a short distance into the interior), the great central state rail-road, its completion at once will be a valuable auxiliary to the cheap and speedy construction of the latter.

The state legislature, however, (under the advice of the "State Board of Internal Improvements," composed of citizens from each section of the state,) will, it is expected, this fall, when its biennial session is held, devise some additional measures for carrying out the most judicious plans of internal improvement, to those heretofore adopted. The schemes, wiles and intrigues of speculators and jobbers, pecuniary and political, it may be anticipated, will, in Florida, (as sad experience has proved in other states,) have to be encountered, and overcome, and thwarted, by the just and patriotic citizen. Attempts, by means direct and indirect, to appropriate the lands given to the state for purposes of "internal improvement," the " swamp lands," and every other available resource, to objects merely local, sectional and selfish, will, it may be conjectured, be made; but the sleepless vigilance of the guardians of the public and general weal, will be faithfully exerted to prevent any combinations for such purposes being successful. That cliques having their own interests exclusively in view, have so often elsewhere been able to consummate their designs, will admonish the executive and legislature to watchful ness and caution. I place the firmest reliance on the intelligence, patriotism, and prudence of those departments of the government of my state, in this regard. The cost of the Great Central Florida Rail-road, it has been estimated, will not probably fall short of four millions of dollars. The proceeds of the sales of town lots at the extreme termini, and at several points on the route where the trade of the surrounding country will be concentrated, will go far in aid of the work.

But unless the federal government does, as it should do, grant to the state alternate sections on both sides of the road, on its entire line, and for several miles laterally, as the state has not at present adequate means for its construction, it will probably be deferred. Few foreign capitalists are disposed to

VOL. XIV.

2

323

embark in such an undertaking as a permanent investment of their means, especially when the proposed work is in a country distant from them, and the progress and conduct of which work they cannot personally attend to; and the assistance of those who may subscribe for stock, as a matter of present speculation by its sale, is generally of doubtful value. I append hereto a statement obtained from the general land office, marked (C), exhibiting the number of acres of public lands in Florida, "surveyed" and "unsurveyed," on the 30th of June, 1851; also the quantity "offered for sale" and the quantity "sold," up to the same day, and other authentic and valuable information as to the federal domain in the state. By a reference to the last annual report of the general land office, it will be seen that Ohio, with an area of 12,354,560 acres less than Florida, has received grants in aid of "internal improvements" for 681,135 acres more than Florida; Indiana, with an area of 16,293,960 acres less, has received 1,109,861 acres more; Iowa, with an area of 5,346,560 acres less, has received 326,078 acres more than Florida, and claims (and justly) 900,000 in addition as having been granted-making 1,225,078 acres more than Florida; Wisconsin, with an area of 3,420,160 less, has received 358,400 acres more than Florida; Illinois, with an area of 2,472,320 less, has received 2,246,490 acres, (the Central Rail-road grant,) more than Florida; and a similar disproportion will be seen to exist with respect to other states. And with respect to donations for schools, &c., a like disproportion exists between the allowances to her and to most of the other states; and by some process, whilst Louisiana is reported as having 8,877,998 acres of swamp lands; Michigan and Arkansas each upwards of 4,500,000 acres ; Mississippi 2,239,987 acres; Illinois 1,883,412; Missouri 1,517,287; Wisconsin 1,259,269; Florida is set down as having 562,170 acres! but this, it is understood to be, is because all those lands in the regions yet unsurveyed are not yet officially reported, nor have the state designations progressed as far as the other states mentioned. The swamp lands in Florida will probably exceed those in any other state. Most of the lands heretofore offered, and yet remaining unsold, (and sixteen-seventeenths of

the Atlantic cities, but the entire valley of the Mississippi, can be supplied by her with most tropical productions, with greater facility and cheaper than they can be procured from Cuba, or from any other of the West India islands. A tithe of the sum necessary to purchase Cuba, if Spain should be willing to dispose of it, and a fiftieth part of the amount of expenditure necessary to conquer and annex that island by arms, or to obtain it in any other mode, honorable or dishonorable, if expended by the federal government (even as above indicated, by liberal grants of land), in aid of works of internal improvement in Florida, would render that state more valuable than Cuba ever can be, to this confederacy. Such a policy might also subdue some of the covetings and cravings many seem to have for the "Queen of the Antilles," (as they designate that island,) and obviate in some degree the necessity which they insist now exists, of its being forthwith wrested from Spain and possessed by the United States. War and bloodshed would also be thereby averted.

the lands offered are yet unsold,) will remain unsold for many years to come, unless some of the public improvements suggested should enhance their value. At least eleven-twelfths of all the land in the state are yet owned by the United States. A very large portion of them, even if the principal improvements suggested should be made, would not probably for some time afterwards be sold at the present minimum price of the public lands. The fact that of 17,043,111 acres surveyed and offered for sale prior to June, 1851, but 1,000,407 acres have been sold, (and many of them have been offered for sale for twenty-seven, twenty-five, twenty, fifteen, or ten years,) proves that in the present state of things they are utterly worthless to the United States. On the proposed routes of the great Central Rail-road there are, in different sections of the state, vast tracts of these lands, at present of no value to the general government, to the state, or to individuals. Rich and exhaustless beds of marl are to be found in several sections of the state. Those at Alum Bluff, on the Apalachicola river, but a short distance from The most judicious policy that can be the place where the great Central Road adopted by the federal government with will probably cross, are of great value. reference to Florida, in my judgment is, That road alone will, by the cheap to transfer without delay to that state transportation of the marl, afford faci- every acre of public lands within its lities for fertilizing the lands contigu- borders, stipulating that the proceeds ous to it in every section of the state, thereof hereafter realized by the state, but especially in Middle and West Flo- shall be exclusively devoted to internal rida; and at the same time the lumber, and harbor improvements within the tar, turpentine, rosin, and resinous oils state; the United States reserving only that may be obtained from most of such the necessary sites for light-houses, forlands, prior to their being thus prepared for and put in cultivation, could be readily conveyed to market by the same means. Florida is the fifth state in size in the confederacy. Her area is 59,268 square miles, or 37,931,520 acres. She possesses an advantage had by no other state of the Union. She alone, of all the present United States, can cultivate and raise advantageously, and for the No one, it is presumed, will deny that supply of the other states on this side of the coast frontier of every part of the the continent, tropical fruits and other United States is peculiarly a subject of highly valuable tropical products! She legitimate concernment for the federal will have no rival in this respect among government, or, that to a certain extent her sister states till further "extension" the states have yielded the partial conand additional "annexation" is effected. trol thereof to the United States; and You are referred on this subject to the that, in some respects, it may be regardpublic documents and other authentic ed as the common property of the people books specified in the note, (D,) hereto an- of all the states of this confederacy. nexed. In a few years, whether in time The lines of jurisdiction between the of war or in time of peace, not only states and the federal government, and

tifications, and other structures, under the control of the federal government. At any rate the transfer of all lands, that, at this time, or hereafter, have been offered for sale at $1.25 per acre, for ten years, and that remain unsold, should be made, and a similar rule could be wisely applied to all the states wherein public lands lie.