Salt-Sisal Hemp-Indian River Country-Prospects.

The works were considerably increased in extent last year; but from the unusual fall of rain, no more than 20,000 bushels were raked. This year 500 acres were exposed to evaporation, and it is believed that near 60,000 bushels have been made.

SISAL HEMP OF FLORIDA. Judge Heermans, the intelligent representative from St. Lucie county, exhibited to us several specimens of Sisal hemp grown by him on India river, from plants introduced into Florida by the late Dr. Perrine, of Indian Key. We learn that the plant from which these samples are manufactured, grows thriftily on the poorest soil, and for that reason is well adapted to many portions of this state. Time and population would seem to be all that are needed to make this an important article of commerce.

Judge Heermans gives a most tempting description of the Indian river country a region of the state too little known of our people by reason of the presence of the Indians. The climate is delicious-the thermometer never going higher than_96, and seldom reaching that point. Frost is almost a stranger to the oldest inhabitant,' and as a consequence the tropical fruits flourish in perpetual freshness. The pine-apple, the orange, lemon, banana, lime, &c., grow to perfection, yielding a bountiful crop. This beautiful country is kept from being inhabited, except by a few fearless pioneers, by Bowlegs and his marauding band, who are in undisturbed possession of it-lords of all they survey.' Their presence there is a monument of reproach to our government.

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pical fruits, samples of which, we understand, were exhibited by him.-Tallahassee Floridian.

THE PROSPECTS OF FLORIDA.-Florida, by the recent census, will exhibit, as we are informed, an increase of nearly 100 per cent. since the taking of the last census. This is a gratifying result, considering the numerous obstacles and discouragements which have existed. Since the first of June last, we learn there has been a greater immigration into the country than for any two years previously, and we look forward with confidence to the fact that ten years hence our state will show an increase unparalleled even in the remarkable increase of our sister southern states. Florida possesses as yet but a sprinkling of population compared to her vast extent; the success which has hitherto attended agricultural pursuits in this state has given an impulse to cotton growers to seek its virgin and productive soil; but, with the exception of the production of cotton, the resources of the country have been comparatively unopened. Some attention has been paid to sugar planting, and with great success, but the great expense and large capital requir ed to be invested in sugar planting, have prevented hitherto the establishment of any great number of large sugar estates, although they are daily increasing, and nearly every family manufactured some quantity besides that required for their own use. Sugar planting, we believe, however, is destined to be the great staple of our state, the climate and quality of the soil giving it peculiar advantages beyond any other portion of the United States.

Had they been removed, according to treaty stipulations, doubtless South Flo- The extensive pine barrens, much of rida to day would have boasted of thou- which is of remarkable fertility, afford sands of inhabitants, busily engaged in the means of an extensive business in developing the rich resources of this, the the manufacture of timber, a trade now garden spot of America, and in blessing beginning to assume great importance, the rest of the world with our produc- and also in the production of naval stores, tions and commerce. We trust, how- a branch of business scarcely touched ever, that the day is not far distant when as yet. Extensive water courses perwe shall be able to say to the multi- meating the whole country, and the petudes abroad who are waiting to make ninsular position of the country afford South Florida their home, that the In- the facilities necessary to the transpordians are gone, and the entire country tation of lumber and naval stores to open to settlement without fear of fur- market. ther interruption.

We hope Judge Heermans will favor our readers with the results of his experience in cultivating the hemp and tro

In the lesser branches of commercial production, we have various species of wood suitable for the manufacture of furniture, many valuable species of

Agricultural Society-Key-West a Depot for Steamers. 335

fair in proper order, and to be paid out of the treasury of the society for all such proper and necessary expenditures, on the order of the chairman.

10. It shall be the duty of the executive committee to procure some competent person to deliver the annual address, which shall be on one of the days of the fair; and, also, to procure some one or more to deliver a lecture or lectures, on one or more of the evenings of the fair, upon horticulture and botany.

11. All exhibiters for premiums must be members of the society.

The following officers were then elected for the ensuing year:

GOV. THOMAS BROWN, president. Col. JOHN J. MAXWELL, vice-president. Col. EDWARD HOUSTOUN, Secretary and treasurer. JOSEPH CLISBY, corresponding secretary.

The following gentlemen were nominated and appointed to constitute, with the board of officers, the executive committee for the ensuing year, to wit:

Gen. R. K. Call, Col. George T. Ward, Doct. G. T. Maxwell, Philip T. Pierce, Esq., Robert H. Hall, Esq., Hon. Wm. B. Wynn, Hon. M. A. Long, Gen. R. W. Williams, James Y. Jones, Esq.

KEY WEST AS A DEPOT FOR CALIFORNIA STEAMERS.-A writer from Florida adduces the following reasons in favor of Key-West over Havana:—

1st. The distance from New-York to Central America is less on a line passing through Key-West than measured via Havana; and from New-York to Tehuantepec the advantage of distance is greatly in favor of Key-West.

2d. A steamer bound to Chagres, via Havana, must twice cross the gulf stream, and in a diagonal line stem its rapid current for full twenty-four hours. If passing through Key-West, the steamer would keep upon the edge of the stream, where the eddy would be in its favor, and the crossing of the gulf avoided.

3d. Smoother seas and calmer weather are found upon the edge of the gulf stream than in its centre, particularly in that part lying between Savannah and Tortugas, which would lessen the passage made via Key-West.

4th. A steamer can enter the harbor of Key-West at any hour of the night, immediately enter at the custom-house, make fast alongside of the coal wharf, and, without a moment's delay, proceed to coaling and watering, and, if neces

sary, leave before dawn of day. Should she take the Havana route, and arrive off the Moro Castle after sun-down, she must anchor and wait until nine o'clock on the following day, before any communication is made with the shore; and the day is well nigh gone before coaling is commenced, thus consuming nearly twenty hours of her valuable time.

5th. A steamer can be coaled at KeyWest, as has been fairly proved, in less time than at Charleston, as soon as at New-York, and in one-fourth of the time consumed at Havana.

6th. Vessels not wishing pilots can enter the harbor of Key-West free of pilotage; at Havana, pilotage is invariably enforced.

7th. Coal can be landed as cheap, can be stored in yards in immediate proximity to the landing, and be placed in the bunkers by man or horse power, in less time and at less expense than at Havana, where the coal is passed on board in baskets from launches alongside, a slow and tedious process.

8th. Provisions of all kinds can be purchased, at prices in favor of KeyWest, to the amount of duty levied on the same at Havana-they all being exported to that city from the United States. Fresh meats are sold at less rates in our now small market than the steamers pay the Havana butchers. Were there an increased demand, prices would come down. Tampa Bay, two days' sail from Key-West, is perhaps the finest cattle market in the south. Full-grown cattle can be bought in that town, to an unlimited extent, for $10 per head. Green turtle, weighing from one to five hundred pounds, abound on our coast, and can be delivered for three cents per pound. No better meat can be taken to sea than turtle. It can be kept for twenty days alive, requires no food nor care save watering, and the entire animal is eatable. It can be roasted, stewed, boiled, fried, force-balled, and souped, to satisfy the appetites of salted Californians. fish market of Havana is supplied by our smacks, so there can be no competition in that line. Our waters are alive with the finest varieties, and we could fill half the markets in the states.

The

9th. The only articles that Havana could furnish the steamers at less rates are fruit and vegetables; but we doubt whether she would be able, in one year from the day that Key-West is made a

depot, to compete with the Yankees of are no landing permits, nor passports, Florida in these productions. Should nor boat hire, nor danger of any kind there be a demand to justify the expen- in getting on shore; nor is there extorditures, half the state would be turned into fruiteries and vegetable gardens, and the result would show that the Spaniard, with his rich soil and mild climate, had found a successful competitor.

tion of any kind. They are upon the soil of freedom, and among their own people. The above are some of the reasons why Key-West should become a depot for the United States mail steamships.

12th. A telegraphic wire can be carried across the Key and along the coast, connecting at Savannah with the NewYork lines, at as little expense as over any like distance in the states, and thus enable the California news to be published in New-York four days in advance of the mails. As no wire can be carried across the gulf from Havana, a telegraph There is impracticable from that city.

ART. III.-EARLY LIFE IN THE SOUTH-WEST.

No. II.

MAJOR JAMES KERR, PIONEER, OF TEXAS.

Kerr's Friendship with Austin-Arrival at Brazoria.

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Senate, over his father-in-law, Major Caldwell, one of the most popular men in the state. While serving in the legislature he took strong ground in favor of encouraging, by all legitimate means, the Santa Fe trade, then in its infancy, and warmly and prophetically contended that it would become a great source of wealth to Missouri.

the war broke out in 1811-12, and early enrolled themselves in the volunteer service, and acquitted themselves throughout the struggle with much credit. Thomas, the younger brother, was one of the youngest volunteers in the field. He and William were employed in several trying emergencies, and did well. They proved then and in after life to be made of good material; Thomas having, He had at an early day contracted an as a citizen, and in various responsible intimate friendship with the lamented public stations, ever sustained an unim- Gen. Stephen F. Austin, who had long peachable reputation, went to the grave resided in that portion of Missouri, and in peace and honor in January, 1849, in was then planting his infant colony in Lawrence county, Missouri. Richard Texas. Austin knew the man, and Kerr, than whom a purer man never lived, not only acquired a good name as a soldier and officer in that war, but served his fellow-citizens of Missouri, and afterwards of Illinois, in the legislature many years, and the United States government in several capacities with fidelity, and ever enjoyed a rare degree of popular esteem; indeed, he was almost idolized by his friends, and had no enemies. He died on a visit to Texas, December, 1852. William, the only survivor, still resides in Missouri.

Having thus digressed a moment, we will return to James Kerr, the pioneer. During the war of 1812, notwithstanding he was very young, he filled various military stations, and was in several engagements, in which he displayed that cool intrepidity that afterwards sustained him for so many years in the wilds of Texas. In the summer of 1813 he was second in command at Boone's defeat on the Illinois river, in which they were routed, and hotly pursued for 24 hours. He was awarded great praise for his bearing on that occasion.

During the same season he and two other men were ambushed and attacked by 17 Indians, at the mouth of Salt River, in Missouri, in which his horse was three times wounded under him, and finally killed. The party, through his cool daring and a well-contrived ruse, after a chase of six miles, escaped.

sought by every means to induce him to relinquish his seat in the Senate, and remove to Texas, and after mature reflection he resolved to do so.

He arrived at Brazoria in March, 1825, with his family and servants, when there were but few families in the colony. During the following summer his young and amiable wife and two of his three children sickened and died, thus stamping his entrance into the wilderness with the greatest calamity known to the common lot of man.

There was then no American settlement west of the Colorado river; but Green De Witt, of Missouri, had just contracted for a colony on the Guadalupe and La Vaca rivers, and solicited Major Kerr to become surveyor-general of it; and until his (De Witt's) final removal with his family, to take charge of the colony. This he consented to do, and in September, 1825, he settled near where Gonzales now stands, on the Guadalupe; built suitable cabins for present use, and commenced a survey of the colony. He had with him, besides his servants, five or six young men, among whom was that remarkable man afterwards so distinguished as a spy, and known as Deaf Smith. Very soon another family settled near him-that of Francis Berry, who died in January, 1853, near Lockhart, Texas.

The country was then occupied by After the war he was chosen sheriff of the numerous wandering tribes of InSt. Charles county, then extending to dians, who have since become so faBoons-lick, and now comprehending mous in Texan history. Parties of these some ten large counties. In this capa- savages frequently visited the little city he served four years, and then re- settlement and generally appeared pamoved to St. Genevieve county (in cifically disposed; but they still showed 1819-20), where he had married. He a lurking opposition to having the country had not been long there till he was surveyed, a process they little underelected to the House of Representatives, stood, yet to their minds it foreboded no and at the next election to the State good. Kerr subsisted his party almost