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, collis ions 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 pen insula, 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 violated.) by the general officer commanding the United States regular forces in Florida; and which last "arrangement," in disregard of the previous treaties, stipulated that those Indians, headed by the chiefs Arpiarka and Bowlegs, might remain on the peninsula! Their whole number, it is estimated, cannot exceed eight hundred, and they are on paper restricted to prescribed limits, embracing many hundreds of square miles

in area.

Since that" arrangement" repeated disturbances, attended by bloodshed and destruction of property, have

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.

The creation by the territorial legislature of some ten or a dozen banks, to three of which were given territorial bonds or guaranties to raise their capital, and the failure of all these corporations prior to, or in 1837; the inability of any of them to retrieve their credit, and the liability imputed by the foreign holders of the "faith bonds" and "guaranties" 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 legisla ture from levying any tax for the re

Banks-Commercial Restrictions, and other Grievances.

315

their just dues for supplies furnished to troops in service, and for services rendered the federal government; are all matters that have been severely felt in Florida, and have all materially retarded its prosperity.

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, that the territorial banks were created without any competent legal power in the territorial legislative council therefor. The annexation of Texas first, and the subsequent acquisition of California, and 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 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 The severe restrictions imposed in gulf, by which many lives were lost. 1822 and 1834 upon our Cuba and Porto This rail-road is now owned chiefly by Rico trade, are ably and fully exposed Gen. Call. The cost of construction, of by Senator Mallory, in his recent pam- rebuilding it, and of repairs, has prophlet on that subject. They are a se- bably been $250,000, but it is generally rious grievance to the state. But for considered to be a good investment. If those restrictions, we should sell annually it is intersected by the contemplated to those islands many thousands of dol- great central road hereafter spoken of, lars worth of agricultural products, stock, it will increase in value. The Georgia &c. The restrictions should be forthwith 'Brunswick Company, hereafter alluded abrogated, if the commercial and agri- to, it is understood, desire to connect cultural 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

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.

Excepting some local improvements at the city of St. Augustine, made by the federal government, and which were necessary for the preservation of its property there, the foregoing, it is believed, comprise all the works of the character heretofore constructed, or partially con

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. In 1835 a company was incorporated to build a canal or rail-road, to connect the Apalachicola river (through lake Wimico) with St. Joseph's bay; at which it was intended to establish a shipping port for the produce brought down the Chattahooche 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 artifi after 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 arti worth of cotton and other produce an- ficial improvement of being made navi nually, and receives a corresponding gable for steamboats of a large class,

Improvement of Harbors and Rivers-Water Communication. 317

they can be made equal to most of the delta or outlets; and instead of removordinary canals in operation in the ing bars or deepening channels by excamiddle states, to within a few miles of vation, making portions of them positive their respective sources, in affording and immovable obstructions, thereby facilities for the transportation of produce confining the waters to as few channels to the coast, and of merchandise into as possible, and causing them to force the interior. Every one of the rivers and deepen those channels for their named, not only at their respective out- debouchement to the gulf or sea. Eslets to the gulf, but with reference to pecially on the southern Atlantic coast, their navigation in the interior, are sus- and in the gulf, is this plan deemed to ceptible of artificial improvement, the be the most eligible. beneficial effects of which would be Several different examinations, reconcommensurate to the expense incurred. noissances, or surveys, have been made The country at large would not only be of some of these rivers and their outlets, benefited by the promotion and exten- and reports furnished as to their sussion of the agricultural and commercial ceptibility of advantageous improveinterests of the contiguous region, and ment, which can be found by reference the development of new sources of to the public documents, of which a list wealth and prosperity, that the improve- is annexed in note A. ments suggested would cause; but the facilities for cheap and ready defence of an extensive coast frontier, (now greatly exposed to a foreign maritime enemy,) that such improvements would afford, would be of incalculable national advantage. In fact, the federal treasury, as to most of them, would be more than reimbursed for all outlays (if it undertook the works) by the enhanced value of the public lands in their vicinity, and their consequent increased] sales. And if undertaken by a state or states, or by corporate associations, and a proper portion of the lands were granted in aid of the works, the United States would be remunerated by the increased value of the portion retained. The states of Alabama and Georgia are directly interested in the improvements referred to, to an extent quite equal to the interest of the State of Florida. Some years since, the legislature of the last-named state directed an examination of the Ockolockony river, with a view to its improvement; and it has also, at different times, made examinations with a view to the improvement of the navigation of the Chattahooche and Flint rivers; and it has expended some money on both. Alabama has as yet done but little to promote the interests of her south-eastern Counties, in obtaining facilities for the transportation of produce to the gulf, through Florida.

That an inland water communication from the Mississippi river to South Cape, in Middle Florida, could be obtained for steamboats of a medium size, and coasting craft, was many years ago maintained by high authority. The expense necessary to obtain such inland communication, by canalling between the nearly continuous line of bays, or sounds, running parallel with the gulf coast, from South Cape to the Mississippi, and by closing the mouths of one or two streams and stopping a few shoal inlets, is really trifling, when the immense advantages to flow from such a work is estimated. But I will not dilate on this undertaking. The public documents, enumerated in note A, afford full information on the subject, and demonstrate, to my judg ment, the entire practicability of effecting results especially beneficial to the western states, and to Alabama and Florida; and when such communication is extended across the peninsula to the ocean, important to the Atlantic states.

On the Atlantic or eastern coast of Florida, above or north of Cape Sable, there are several important streams, which could also be improved by widening, straightening, and deepening, and by removing obstructions in the navigation, at comparatively trifling expense, considering the benefits that would result therefrom, in the same way above mentioned.

It is believed that the improvement The sound behind the tongue of land of the bays and harbors, and of their terminating at Cape Florida, receives outlets to the gulf or sea, can be ren- the Miami river, Little river, Arch dered easier, less expensive, and more creek, Rio Ratones, and Snake creek, substantial and permanent, by the adop- and extends several miles north, paral tion of the system of closing unnecessary lel with the sea-shore. New River Inlet,

Hillsborough river and inlet, Jupiter In- suggested. And many coasting vessels let, St. Lucia river and inlet, Halifax from the eastward, going southward, river and inlet, Mosquito river and inlet, might, by such inland communication, Matanzas river and inlet, St. Augustine avoid the necessity of stemming the harbor, North river, San Pablo creek, strong current of the "gulf stream," of St. John's river, Nassau bay and river, crossing the Bahama Banks; and also and the river St. Mary's, (the latter be the other hazardous experiment of huging the boundary between Florida and ging Cape Carnaveral, and keeping Georgia,) are all important points on the close to the Florida coast, in trying Atlantic coast. As is heretofore stated, which, so many such vessels bound in respect of the gulf coast between southward are wrecked. The documents South Cape in Middle Florida, and the referred to in note A. will give va Mississippi, a nearly continuous line of luable information on all these points. inland "sound navigation," for coasting craft and steamboats of the medium size, drawing six or seven feet, it has been suggested, (and with great plausibility) may be effected from Cape Florida to the mouth of the St. Mary's river, by closing securely and permanently some of the inlets mentioned, and by excavating less than thirty miles of canal, and by widening and deepening, in a few places, the natural channels of the interior cominunications now existing; being the "sounds," and also the "lakes" and rivers adjacent to, and extending (with but trifling interruption) along the entire eastern coast of the state, and running parallel with the seashore, at a short distance therefrom, in the interior. And it has been predicted, that after such improvement, the natural effect of the tides from the sea, through the "inlets" remaining open, and of the accumulation of the waters flowing into the sounds from the interior, and restrained to such outlet to the sea, and the currents caused thereby, would be, not only to increase the depth of the channels of the sounds, but to deepen several feet, and keep open the entrances from the ocean at St. Augustine and St. John's; and to such extent, as always to admit large vessels adapted to foreign trade. The entire expense of such improvements, it is estimated, would not exceed two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. But if it should be three or four times that sum, it would not equal the value of the benefits resulting in a national point of view, and to other states besides Florida. Such improvements would render the entire coast, from St. Augustine to Cape Florida, forever impregnable to any enemy, and even exempt it from So, too, on the western coast of the pen annoyance, without the necessity of insula, the deepening of the outlets fortifications, except at the outlets to and the connection of the rivers empty. the sea, left open, and deepened, as ing into the gulf with the same interior

The clearing out of the small streams emptying into the sounds at the south ern part of the peninsula, and the con nection of the sources of those streams by canals with the interior and fresh waters of the Pahhayoke or Everglades, covering an area of at least eighty by thirty miles, and with the large and deep fresh-water lake Okechobe, further north, and with the interior river Kissimme, running into said lake from Tohopekaliga lake and other lakes, (the waters extending ninety miles north from the mouth of the river,) would not only reclaim vast quantities of rich su gar lands, now submerged by the over flow of the waters, at certain seasons, but would be the means of facile inte rior communication, and also between every part of the interior region and the sea-coast, and afford easy and cheap transportation for all the produce intend ed for exportation to foreign ports or shipments coastwise. The extensive swamp called Halpatioke would become dry and cultivable. And the character of the country is such, that the cost of such improvement would not be great The upper soil is light and easy of exca vation; the substratum of clay with which it is underlaid is tenacious, and prevents the difficulties so often caused by caving or sliding. The face of the country is level, and no material obstructions arising from rocks will be found. The principal obstacle to the undertaking is, that it is of a character which renders it necessary that every portion of it should be commenced and carried on to completion, simultaneously and speedily, requiring a large la boring force, and united, combined, and concurrent action.