?§^s^ss??^ Qass_ Book_ I ^^f^^^^^^^e^Vf^^^ (d: /^* / A DESCRIPTION ^ i OF EAST AND WEST FLORIDA AND THE BAHAMA ISLANDS, EAST FLORIDA Is situated between 25° and 30*' 43' north latitude, and S' 26' and 8° west longitude from Washington. Its extreme length is 610 miles; its extreme breadth 200 ; its area is about 50,457 square iriles, or 32,292,480 acres. The whole of the sea coast is low and level; and though in the inte« rior there is a ridge of sandy hills of inconside|^ble height, there is no bold scenery ; while the country abounds with swamps and marshes, to a degree that renders it in many places very unhealthy. On the east coast there are numerous inlets, and there are passages from one to another, which admit of an inland navigation from St. Augustine to Cape Florida. The largest river is St, John^s. It rises in an extensive swamp, or lake, near the middle of the Peninsula, towards its southern extre- mity; and, pursuing a northern course, it falls into the Atlantic Ocean 31 miles to the northward of St. Augustine ; its whole length being upwards of 300 miles. It is a broad stream, and is navigable for vessels drawing 9 or 10 feet water as far as the head of Lake George, a distance of about 120 miles. It is navigable with small boats a considerable distance above that lake, and it is presumed it would be no difficult matter to extend the navigation by a canal to some of the rivers which fall into the Gulph of Mexico. This river expands into a number of lakes ; one of which. Lake George, is up- wards of 20 miles long, by nearly 15 broad ; and is ornamented by a number of beautiful islands, abounding with orange-trees and beautiful shrubbery. 4 • ^^2 ^palachicola river divides this province from West Florida. It is a large stream, formed by the Chatahouchy and Flint rivers, both of which have their sources in Georgia, and are navigable with small vessels. St. Mary's river forms the boundary between this province and Georgia, on the north. It rises in E-o-ke-fa-no-ke swamp ; and after a very crooked course of about 1 50 miles, falls into the Atlantic Ocean below St. Mary's, between Cumberland and Amelia Islands. It is a pretty large, and very deep river ; and can be navigated by large ves- sels a considerable way into the interior of the country. The principal bays are on the west coast, and are of much im- portance, as affording excellent shelter to vessels navigating the Gulph of Mexico. Afialachee Bay is situated near the western extremity of the pro- vince, and receives the waters of St. Mark's river, which rises in Georgia. St, Josefih's Bay is situated about 100 miles to the southward of Apalachee Bay. It receives the river Amajuara, the waters of which nearly interlock with those of St. John's river. Sfiiritu SantOj or Hillsborough Bay^ is situated in latitude 28^ ; about 70 miles south of St. Joseph's. It is a capacious inlet, capable of con- taining numerous shipping, and admits vessels drawing 24 feet. Charlotte Harbour is situated about 80 miles south of Spiritu Santo Bay, in lat. 26° 43'. It forms the outlet of Charlotte river, which nearly interlocks with St. Johns, between which there may, at some fu- ture period, be a communication by a canal. This harbour has excel- lent anchorage, and 15 feet water on the bar. Chatham Bay is situated near the south end of the Peninsula, and ex- tends from Cape Sable to Cape Roman, a distance of more than 70 miles. A great part of the country is sandy and barren, but on the banks of the rivers there is much excellent and very fertile land. The intervals between the hills are represented as exceedingly rich ; and throughout ^e whole there are extensive ranges for cattle. There seems to be but a small supply of minerals in the country. Limestone and iron ore are found on the banks of the Apalachicola ri- ver. Near Long Lake, which communicates with St. John's river by a small creek, there is a hot mineral spring, which boils with great force, and sends out a vast quantity of water, which is perfectly pure, but has a disagreeable taste, and a smell like bilge water. The climate is somewhat similar to that of Georgia ; but being nearly surrounded by the sea, and within the range of the trade winds, the summers are generally more cool, and the winters very miid and pleasant. Except in the most northern parts, frost and snow are never seen ; cattle graze in the fields all winter ; and many places produce two crops in the year. The thermometer ranges in summer from 78° to 92% and in winter from 40° to 70o. This country was first discovered by Cabot in 1497 ; and in 1512 Ponce sailed along its eastern coast, and took possession of it, on the 2d of April, in the name of the king of Spain. An attempt was made tp settle it in 1522, and a second in 1528 ; a third in 1539 ; and a fourth by John Ribault, a Frenchman, in 1562. In 1565 the French settle- ment was broken up by the Spaniards, who were, in their turn, expell- ed by the French in 1568 ; but the French King disowning the act, the French abandoned the country, and it was occupied by the Spaniards. In 1763 it was ceded to Britain for Havannah ; but during the Ameri- can war, both Floridas were reduced by the Spaniards, and they were guaranteed to the crown of Spain by the definitive* treaty of 1783. The late change in the Spanish dynasty having loosened the connec- tion between the parent country and the colonies, Florida may now be considered as in a revolutionary state ; and its future destiny will pro- bably be fixed by the voice of the majority of the people. Except the division into East and West there seems to have been no other. The sub-division into counties and townships is unknown. The population, exclusive of the Indians, is very thin. Probably the white population does not exceed in all 8,500, of whom a considerable portion are from the United States. The principal settlements are about St. Augustine, and along the northern part of St. John's river. The interior of the country is but little known, and is principally inha- bited by the Seminole Indians, a wretched tribe, who are represented as being dirty and savage in the highest degree. The towns are neither numerous nor important. St. Augustine is the capital. It is situated on the east coast, in latitude 29° 45' ; and is of an oblong figure, intersected by four streets crossing one another at right angles. The inhabitants amount to about 3000. The principal public buildings are a church and monastery ; and the city is regularly fortified. The principal fortification is the castle of St. Mark, which is built of a calcareous stone peculiar to the country ; but excellent for the purpose, as it is not liable to be shattered by balls. It is surrounded by a ditch of considerable breadth ; and on the top of the walls, about 40 feet high, are a number of heavy guns, and some mortars. On the side next the sea, there is a water battery. The surrounding country is quite level, and is commanded by the castle. The greater part of the trade of East Florida centres at this place, but it is carried on in very small vessels, there being only eight feet of water on the bar. Nenv Smyrna is situated on a shelly bluff, on the Musquetoe river, about 85 miles south of St. Augustine. It is inhabited mostly by Indians. The other places laid down on the map are mostly detached settle- ments that require no particular notice. In such a country, under such a government, improvements are ncft to be looked for ; the inhabitants may be said to do little more than exist. There is nothing to stimulate them to exertion. There is no patriotism nor public spirit in the officers of government, who are m truth accountable to nobody ; and the public good is made the sport of a wretched faction, calling themselves the servants of Ferdinand VII. But the country is of great and peculiar importance to the United States, of which it will, in all probability, at no distant period, form a very interesting, section. It presents a frontier to the state of Georgia nearly 200 miles in length, inhabited by a cruel race of Indians, whom they will then be able to check and controul. It has a sea coast nearly 1000 miles in extent, so that it is remarkably well situated for trade, particularly in small vessels to the West Indies, to which it is conti- guous. The Apalachicola, already noticed, forms its western bounda- ry ; and this fine river, as it will convey to the gulph of Mexico all the exportable produce of the western parts of Georgia, will be of great importance, both to the inhabitants of Florida and Georgia ; and it is of course desirable that the trade on it be entirely free. The interest, indeed, of those who inhabit East Florida and Georgia is so insepara- bly connected, that we may with confidence look forward to a period when it will be one. Then will the inhabitants of Florida feel and ap- preciate the blessings of self-government, and industry having its cer- tain reward, the country will rapidly improve in population and na- tional wealth. WEST FLORIDA Is situated between 29° 45' and 31° north latitude ; and 8° and l( U' west longitude. Its extreme length is 154 miles, and breadth 88. Its area about 6112 square miles, or 3,91 1,680 acres. This province originally extended from the Apalachicola river to the Mississippi; but that part of it which lies to the westward of the Perdido river being called by the French Louisiana, and mcluded m the cession of that country to the United States, West Florida is now reduced to the forementioned limits. It is bounded on the north by the Mississippi territory ; on the west by the Perdido river, which divides it from said territory ; on the south by the gulph of Mexico ; and on the east by the _Apalachicola river, which divides it from East Florida. Near the sea coast the ground is low, flat, and sandy ; but towards the north it becomes more elevated, and the soil improves. The Apalachicola river, which divides this from East Florida, has been already noticed ; there are no other rivers of great importance but there are some spacious bays. St. Josefih^s bay is situated to the westward of Apalachicola river ; and St, Andreiv's bay is to the northward : both are of considerable ex- tent, and may hereafter be of great importance to the trade of this part of the country. St, Rose's bay has its entrance between St. Rose*s island and the main land, and extends to the north and east about 30 miles. It forms the outlet of Choctaw river ^ which rises in the Mississippi territory ; through which it holds a very serpentine course, of about 45 miles, to Florida ; and throtigh Florida, about 25 miles more, to its outlet. The most important bay is that of Pensacola^ which is about 25 miles long, and 7 or 8 broad. The entrance, at the west end of St. Rose's island, is 2 miles broad, and 2 1 feet deep ; and is defended by a batte- ry on the west side. This bay receives two rivers, the Conecuh^ and Yellow Water^ both of which have their source a considerable way in the interior of the Mississippi territory. Perdido bay^ which forms the western boundary, is about 25 miles long, by 6 or 7 broad ; but, being shallow, it is fit for navigation by very small craft only. St. Rose's island is a narrow strip of land, which stretches between Pensacolabay and St. Rose's bay ; and is separated from the main land by a narrow channel, navigable with small craft. The soil and climate are nearly assimilated to those of East Florida. The fiofiulation^ except about Pensacola, is very thin. Probably the whole province does not contain above 1200 or 1500 inhabitants. Pensacola is the chief town. It is handsomely situated on the west side of Pensacola bay, and is of an oblong form, about a mile long, and a quarter of a mile broad. The harbour is a fine body of water, hav- ing four fathoms at its entrance, which deepens to 7 or 8. It is spa- cious, and secure from every wind. The place is healthy and agreea- ble, and is finely situated for trade, of which, while in the hands of the British, it had a large share ; and the town contained several hundreds of houses, and some spacious public buildings. Under the manage- ment of the Spanish government, it has been on the decline ; and the only public building now worth notice is the governor'' s fialace^ a large stone building, ornamented with a toiver. BAHAMA ISLANDS. These islands are at all times of importance to the United States. In peace they are a market for many articles of produce ; and during the present " unprofitable contest, who can do each other the most harm," they form an extensive field for privateering. The Bahama islands are very numerous, and extend over a great space ; stretching from N. latitude 20<> to 27°, and from 69^ to 80®. W. longitude from Greenwich. To the south are the important islands of Cuba and St. Domingo, and to the west is the peninsula of East Flori- da, from which they are separated by the gulph of Florida, a channel about 60 miles broad. By far the greater part of these islands are mere uninhabited rocks. The most important of them may be' no- ticed in their order from north to south. Bahama Island, although it is 63 miles long, and 9 wide, and gives name to the whole group, is uninhabited. Abaco contained, in 1789, 2000 acres of cleared land, but many of the settlers have since deserted it. Andreas is a long, narrow, rocky island, possessing a light soil. A few planters with their slaves are settled on it. New Providence, or Nassau Island, is by far the most important in the group. It is about 35 miles long, and 27 broad ; and contains 800 square miles, or 512,000 acres ; but in the interior it is little culti- vated, though it is rendered important by its situation for trade ; and by containing the town of Nassau, the capital of all the Bahamas. Nassau is situated on the north side of the island, and rises from the harbour, by a pretty steep ascent, to the summit of a ridge that lies parallel with the coast. The streets are regular and well paved. The houses are mostly built of stone, and many of them are handsome. The principal public buildings are an elegant house for the governor-» general ; a court-house, two churches, a jail, work-house, and commo- dious barracks for the troops. The town is divided into two parishes, and in 1801 contained 1599 white persons, 752 free blacks, and 3861 slaves. It enjoys a very extensive commerce with England and the West Indies ; and, before the war, it carried on an active intercourse 9 with the United States, from whence the inhabitants were supplied with live stock and provisions. The climate is represented as being very pleasant, and is favour- able to vegetation, which renders the neighbourhood of the town beau- tiful, being diversified with shrubbery, fruit trees, and orange groves. Guanihani^ or Cat Island^ is remarkable as being the firbt landing place in America of the immortal Columbus, who called it St. Salva- dor. It is upwards of 100 miles long, but it is of no great breadth. In 1783 it was settled by a number of royalists from the southern states. In 1788 it contained 40 families, having 458 slaves. The principal village is Port Howe. Watling-'s island^ though settled but a few years, is represented as being one of the nmost thriving in the group. Exuma Island is situated 144 miles south-east of Providence. It is about 40 miles long and 3 broad, and contains a few inhabitants. It;has a port of entry, which is one of the best in these seas for small vessels. Long Island is situated about 30 miles to the eastward of Exuma. It is 100 miles long and 3 or 4 broad, and contains some pretty good soil. It was settled before the American war, and now contains about 1000 inhabitants, including slaves. Crooked Island gr on fie is situated about 50 miles south-east of Long Island, and includes Castle Island, Crooked Island, Acklin's Island, and Atwood's Keys. Crooked Island consists of two parts, and is 67 miles long, and 7 or 8 broad. It was uninhabited till 1783, when it was settled by a number of royalists from Georgia and Carolina. It now contains a number of plantations, and 1000 or 1200 inhabitants, ^ great part of whom are slaves. Pittstown^ the capital, is but a small village, but is rendered important by being the stopping place of the Jamaica packets. Long Key is situated between the two islands, and contains several very extensive salt ponds. The Inaguas are two in number, the great and little. The largest is 15 miles long and 15 broad, but is of no value except for salt. The Caicos lie to the eastward of the Inaguas, and are distant from Providence 250 miles, and 60 from St. Domingo. Grand Caicos is about 30 miles long, and is pretty well inhabited. It contains some pretty good land, and a port of entry. Turks Islands lie to the south-east of the Caicos, and are chiefly re- markable for the vast quantity of salt they furnish. The largest island is called the Grand Turk^ and contains a salt pond upwards of a mile long. Another salt pond, of nearly equal size, is situated on Salt Key. In the eai^ part of the year the salt in these ponds crystallizes 10 into solid cakes ; but the process is facilitated by the use of salt pans. These pans are filled with water about 6 inches deep, from whence the fresh water is speedily evaporated. A single labourer can gather 50 or 60 bushels of salt in a day. There are but few residents on the islands, but a vast number of persons come over every year from Ber- muda, for the purpose of raking the salt. The island has been es- tablished as a free port, from which, before the war, the Americans were permitted to carry away the salt on paying a duty of 3li cents per ton. The annual supply of these islands has been estimated at above 30,000 tons. The soil is sandy, and but little cultivated. The few inhabitants that live on them disavow all connection with the other Bahama islands. The whole inhabitants in the Bahama islands have been estimated at 4000 whites, and 1 1,000 blacks. The white inhabitants are of two classes, called residents and wreckers. The residents are chiefly loyal- ists and their descendants, who emigrated from the southern states of America, at the close of the war. The wreckers are those persons and their slaves, who are employed in rescuing shipwrecked vessels, and their crews and cargoes, from the waves. They are excellent sailors and swimmers, and being well acquainted with the keys, shoals, and breakers, they are well qualified to follow their business ; but it is said that they often endeavour by various ways to increase the number of shipwrecks for the benefit of their trade. Since the declaration of War, many of them are engaged in privateering. ACCOUNT OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PLACES IN THE UNITED STATES BORDERING UPON FLORIDA AND THE GULPH OF MEXICO. St. Mary's, in Georgia, is situated on the north bank of St. Mary's river, which separates it from Florida. It is 135 miles from Savannah, and there is a tolerably good road all the way. The population by last census was 379 white persons, 30 free negroes, and 206 slaves. The situation being low, the high spring tides overflow the town, but it is upon the whole pretty healthy. It is favourably situated for trade, having a good harbour, with sufficient depth of water to admit vessels drawing 17 feet. This place is of great importance viewed in connec- tion with Florida ; as it will be the general rendezvous for the troops that may be employed against St. Augustine, or other parts of that province. Amelia hlandy which has of late become ^etty conspicuous;, 11 is situated on the south side of the entrance of the harbour. It has been deemed expedient to station a small naval force in that quarter, and to erect a block house on Trader's hill, on St. Mary's river*:^ From the mouth of St. Mary's river to the Perdido river, along the line, is nearly 400 miles, a great part of which is occupied by tribes of Indians, from whom there is just reason to dread every cruelty usually practised by these people upon their neighbours, unless a check is put to it by getting possession of the country. It has been already stated, that the country which lies to the west- ward of the Perdido river, was included in the cession of Louisiana to the United States. That part of it which lies between the Perdido river and Pearl river has been annexed to the Mississippi territory ; and that between the Pearl river and the Mississippi has been annexed to the new state of Louisiana. The country between Pensacola and Mobile, being a distance of about 70 miles, is nearly an uninhabited desart. We then come to the Mobile Bay, a handsome inlet 30 miles long, and of considerable breadth. The inlet is about 5 miles broad, but it soon expands to 25 miles, and again contracts towards the head to 12 miles, where it re« ceives the Mobile river. On the bar at the entrance of this bay, there is about 16 feet water; through the bay there is generally about 2 or 3 fathoms ; but in the upper part there is only 10 or 12 feet. The town of Mobile is built on the west side of the Mobile river, at its entrance into Mobile bay. The situation is handsome, and some of the houses are tolerably good. The inhabitants are estimated at about 400, and have a considerable trade in beef, pork, and corn. There is a brick fort a few miles below the city. The Mobile river is composed of two branches, the Alabama and Tombigbee, which unite about 40 miles above the town. The Alabama has its rise in Georgia ; the highest branch is called the Estenawry, and rises within a few miles of the boundary of Tennessee, near the Hi- wassee river, a branch of the Tennessee. After a course of nearly 100 miles, it is joiifed by the Hiowee from the eastward, and the united streams there receive the name of Coosa Hatcha, and under that appellation run a course of 150 miles, and receive th^ waters of Tallapoosee. It then assumes the name of Alabama, and runs about 120 miles to where it forms a junction with the Tombigbee, at Fort Stoddart. The head of Tombigbee river is within a few miles of the Ten- nessee river, to the westward of the Muscle shoals, where it is called Natarchucky, and running a south-eastward course of 120 12 miles, it receives a great number of tributary streams, and then makes a bend to the westward, about 40 miles, to Fort Tumbeckbey ; from Vhence it flows, with a crooked passage, in a south-east direc- tion, of about 150 miles to its junction with the Alabama. Both these rivers have a fine navigation, and are of great importance to this country. The Tombigbee is navigable with sloops to Fort Stephen, and beyond that for smaller vessels, to within 50 miles of Bear Creek, a navigable branch of the Tennessee river. The Alabama is represented as a most beautiful river, with a clear gentle current, flowing at the rate of 2 miles an hour ; from three to four hundred yards broad, and from 15 to 18 feet deep in the driest seasons. It is navigable to with- in 55 miles of a navigable pomt on the Hiwassee river, which falls into the Tennessee. Pascagoula River is a pretty important stream, but it is very shoal at the outlet, admitting only vessels drawing 4 feet. The water deepens however after crossing the bar, and there is a good boat navi- gation for 150 miles. The soil on its banks, in the interior of the coun- try, is represented as excellent. From Mobile bay to Pearl river, the population is very inconsidera- ble. There are a few settlements on the banks of the Pascagoula, and a few more, chiefly French people, round the bay of St. Louis; but in general the country does not exhibit any appearance of cultivation whatever. Even the roads are nothing but mere Indian paths, and the scattered settlements exhibit but slight indications of the existence of a government. Such was the state of the country a few years ago, while under the Spanish dominion. Now that it is formally annexed to the United States, we may with confidence look forward to a great and rapid improvement, the efl*ect of the energies of a free people. Pearl River is an important stream rising in the Mississippi territory, near the 33d degree of lat. and pursuing a southward course of more than 200 miles, falls into lake Borogne, a little to the eastward of lake Ponchartrain. This river is represented as being navigable 1 50 miles. It has 7 feet water at it^ntrance, and is considerably deeper thereafter; but the navigation is at present very much obstructed by logs. From the importance of its situation, however, it will no doubt soon be cleared, and aff*ord a very valuable outlet to the inhabitants of this part of the country. The country between this river and the Mississippi has recently been added to the state of Louisiana, to which it is considered an im- portant appendage, as appears by the following extract from Governor Claiborne's message to the legislature. <' The consideration of the 13 act of congress, which provides for the enlargement of the limits ol this state, has justly been considered as of primary importance. By that act a considerable tract of country, rich in natural resources, and highly improved by the hand of industry, is, with the assent of the legislature, to be added to Louisiana. This accession of wealth and strength was earnestly desired by the convention of New Orleans, and the general government, in according it, has given a further proof of regard for the welfare of this section of the union." The reputation of that part of this country that borders upon th*^ Mississippi is very high. The lands are rich, and mostly settled b> Americans. The settlement of Baton Rouge extends along the rive"^ 9 leagues, and is remarkable as being the first place where the higi* land is contiguous to the river. Below this is the Ibberville river, along which the Mississippi runs when it is high, and, passing through lakes Maurepas and Pont chart rain, communicates with the Gulph of Mexico, near the mouth of the Pearl river. An account of Madisonviile recently appeared in the National In- telligencer, from which I shall make a few extracts, as it throws con- siderable light on this part of the country. " Madisonviile is handsomely situated on the w6st bank of the river Tchefonta^ 2 miles above its entrance into lake Ponchartrain. At pre- sent this town has little more than the name attached to an elegant, healthy, and eligible spot of ground for a sea port. About half a dozen French built mud-walled huts, and about as many log-houses, and two or three small frame houses, are all its present improvements. " The land east and west of the town along the borders of the lake is a sandy flat, extending from 5 to 20 miles from their shores, and nearly as level as the ocean, which seems to have receded from it. " Lake Ponchartrain is said to be about 30 miles wide, and about 60 long. It has an even sandy bottom, which seems to be a continua- tion of the inclined plane of the coast, gradually descending till it reaches the southern shore, which is characterized by a muddy bottom, and a marshy, swampy margin." It is about 12 or 14 feet deep. " Madisonviile is favourably situated for the coasting and West India trade, having about two days sail in going out, and about two weeks sail in coming in. the advantage of New Orleans. It lies more convenient to the necessary supplies for repairing and building vessels ; it is believed to be a more healthy situation, less infected with mus- c^uetoes, and furnished with good spring water." The lands back from Madisonviile are represented as being rich and fertile, capable of producing sugar, rice, wheat? Indian corn, cot- i ' ton, peas, sweet potatoes, and pompions ; and the country sustains a considerable population. " Madisonville is understood to be chosen by the agents of the navy department for repairing and even building of small vessels of war for the southern station, and it seems peculiarly adapted to these purposes. The vicinity abounds with oak, pine, and cypress; here also tar is made in abundance ; the spun hemp, or rope yarn of Ken- tucky, may be brought as cheap to this harbour as to any other, and the rigging may be laid to order at the navy yard with the greatest economy, and advantage to the public service. Provisions will also be furnished here of as good a quality, and as cheap, as in any other sea port. The country between the Pearl river and Mississippi is ex- tremely favourable to the growth of hogs ; and cattle are reared to as great perfection, and perhaps to as great extent, on the waters of the Pearl river, and particularly in the Choctaw nation of Indians, as in any other part of the United States. New Orleans is the capital of Louisiana, and the great metropo- lis of this part of the western world ; and is from its situation very much interested in the destinies of the Floridas. While under the Spanish yoke, like all their other possessions, it was oppressed and insuhed by enormous extortion and bombastic pride. Now that it holds a respectable rank as one of the first commercial cities in a countr)' enjoying the inestimable blessing of self-government, it rises in extent and wealth in an almost unprecedented degree. It is iutuated in N. lat. 29° ^1' — 108 miles from the sea. It is re- gularly laid out, the streets crossing one another at right angles ; but they are rather' narrow, and being unpaved, they are in wet weather muddy and disagreeable. The town is however well supplied with side paverrAcnts. There is a square in the centre, in which stands the cathedral and town house. The houses on the principal streets are built of brick, but the others are mostly of wood. By the census of 1810 the city contained 17,242 inhabitants, including 5,796 slaves, and' 4,950 free negroes. Behind New Orleans a canal a mile and a half long communicates with a creek that flows into lake Ponchartrain. I'hrough this com- munication small craft can pass and repass to and from West Florida, and there is every probability that the navigation by this route will improve. On the east side of the Mississippi, about 15 miles below New Or- leans, at the English Turn, there is a settlement known by the name of Terre au Boeuf. The inhabitants are mostly Spaniards, from the Ca- 15 nary islands, whose employment is raising vegetables for the market of New Orleans. At this place there is a creek that runs to the east- ward, and, dividing into two branches, falls into the sea and lake Bo- rogne. The lands on the banks of the creek are susceptible of great improvement, and the creek may in time admit of a communication by small craft between the sea and Mississippi. About 45 miles below New Orleans there are a few settlements, but they are of little importance. From these to Fort Placquemines, the country is overflowed in the spring freshets, and is almost a per* feet morass. From Fort Placquemines to the sea, the country is low and swampy^ having no settlements whatever. It will be seen by an inspection of the map, that the whole of this tract has been formed by the alluvion brought down by these mighty waters. About 8 miles below Placque- mines, the river divides itself into three channels, called passes. The east pass is divided into two branches called, a la Louvre and the Balize, Between them is the Balize island, on which there is a small block-house, and some huts of the pilots who reside there. The pass a la Louvre has only eight feet water on the bar ; the east or Balize pass has from 14 to 16. The south pass has about eight. The bars are very narrow, and immediately after crossing them there is from 5 to 7 fathoms water in all the passes. A SHORT VIEW OF THE RECENT TRANSACTIONS RE- LATIVE TO TAKING POSSESSION OF THE FLORIDAS. It has been stated in the account of West Florida, that the countiy which is situated to the westward of the Perdido river was included in the cession of Louisiana to the United States. The Spanish government however resisted the claim, and the government of the United States, unwilling to be involved in a quarrel, although they maintained the claim, yet they declined to take possession of the country, hoping to get every point aiTanged by amicable negociation. But the dynasty of Spain being changed, it became necessary to take a decisive course ; and the country in question was accordingly formally taken possession of by the United States ; that portion of it west of the Pearl river was annexed to the new state of Louisiana ; and, on the 14th of May last year, the portion east of the Pearl river was constituted a part of the Mississippi Territory. In the mean time, that part of Florida that lies to the eastward of Perdido river, including the peninsula of East Florida, became an ob- 16 ject of great solicitude with the government of the United States; From its great importance to the southern section of the union, they had been induced to open a negociation with the government of Spain, for the acquisition of the territory by purchase ; but a stop was put to it by the Spanish revolution; and this was further embarrassing, as the Spanish government was indebted in a large sum for spoliations committed on the trade of the United States. Under these circum- stances, it was 'determined to watch the progress of events; to keep a strict eye upon Florida, as the only indemnification that would probably be obtained for these spoliations ; and, at all events, to prevent any foreign power from obtaining possession of the country. It was after- wards deemed expedient to endeavour to obtain the provisional occu- pation of the country, with the consent of the existing local authorities; and on the 26th of February, 1811, General Matthews and Colonel M'Kee were charged with that important service, having instructions, at the same time, to take forcible possession of the country in the event of its being occupied by a foreign power. In the month of March, 1812, a revolution commenced in East Flo- rida, when General Matthews, actuated by zeal for the public service, conceived it necessary to the safely of the United States to take mea- sures for the occupation of Amelia Island, and other parts of the country; but the transaction not having been contemplated by his instructions, was disavowed on the part of the government of the United States, his powers were revoked, and the governor of Georgia w^as appointed to negociate the restoration of the country to the Spa- nish authorities; it being understood that the troops should not be withdrawn unless it could be done with safety to the patriots; and it was determined, at all events, to prevent the entrance of any foreign force. The sentiment seems now to have become pretty general, that pos- session of the country should be taken at all hazards. Accordingly, in a secret session of congress, held in the month of June, 1812, on motion of Mr. Troup of Georgia, it was resolved, in the house of re- presentatives, by a majority of 58 to 51, that the president should, un- der certain contingencies, take possession of Florida; but the resolu- tion was rejected in the senate by a small majority. The governor of Georgia, in pursuance of his instructions, proceed- ed to St. Mary's, when he found that the progress of the revolution in East Florida was stopped before St. Augustine; the patriots being un- able alone to attack that formidable post ; and the American troops, not being permitted to act on the offensive, could, of course, render no as- sistance. It was considered, however, inconsistent with the principles 17 of justice and humanity to the patriots, as well as of sound policy to- wards tha United States, to withdraw the troops from the country. The personal ting as governor of Florida attempted to dislodge them by force, but did not succeed ; and thus terminated, for the present, all amicable negociation. In the course of the summer and autumn it was found that the Spa- nish officers in St. Augustine, St. Marks, and Pensacola, were using every effort to stimulate the Indians to acts of hostility against the in- habitants of the United States. With those within the lines of the United States they did not fully succeed; but the Seminoles, w^hose towns are in East Florida, were guilty of such outrages as left lio room to doubt of their intentions, and of the arts that had been used to stir them up. To provide for the safety of the frontier, the governor ordered gene- ral Floyd to cause a block-house to be erected on Trader's hill, and put a small garrison into it; with directions to pursue and punish the Indians if they should again appear in a hostile attitude in that quarter. About the same time colonel Newnan, at the head of 250 Georgia volunteers, was dispatched by colonel Smith, from before St. Augus- tine, against the hostile Indians, and after several skirmishes succeeded in killing and wounding a considerable number, and in doing consider- able injury to their settlements. But they were by no means reduced to obedience, and the apprehension of danger not subsiding, the gover- nor gave orders to have a stock of provender contracted for, and de- posited at Trader's hill, for 500 cavalry; and intended, as soon as those supplies were procured, to order that number to take the field ; and the state legislature having met, while these operations were going for- ward, the subject was submitted to their immediate attention. A joint committee of both houses of the legislature was accordingly appointed to take under consideration so much of the governor's mes- sage as related to East Florida; and on the 20th of November last they made a report stating: That having fully considered all the circum- stances connected with East Florida, as they relate to, and affect the interest of the state of Georgia ; they were of opinion that immediate and decisive measures must be adopted by the general or state govern- ment, for the possession and occupancy of that province. They express their astonishment and regret at the policy which in- fluenced the dissenting members of the senate of the United States in rejecting the bill of the house of representatives on tliat subject; as experience had since proved that it was a line of policy subversive of the safety and tranquillity of that section of the country. 18 They urge that the safety of the people is the first consideration which presses itself in all national councils ; and conclude^Mat consi- dering the state " in such imminent danger as will not a^pmt of delay," they were of opinion that it was constitutionally vested with the power immediately to organize a sufficient force to march into the province of East Florida, and to occupy it; the occupation to be relinquished by the state troops as soon as the national legislature should have adopted effi- cient measures to relieve the people from the imminent danger with which they were menaced. No movement of any importance has taken place in that quarter since this report. The troops of the United States still occupy their station in East Florida ; and the Spanish authorities hold possession of St. Augustine. The governor has lately issued a proclamation, in the name of Ferdinand VII. , inviting the patriots to lay down their arms, and avail themselves of the royal amnesty; wh* h the patriots, in a counter proclamation, have rejected with great di§tlain, and pledge themselves " to support the glorious cause in which they are engaged, and to persist until they secure the safety, independence, and liberty of themselves and constituents/' The latest report on the subject of East Florida, is, that it has been ceded to Great Britain by Spain; an event not at all improbable. Should this be the case, the country will immediately become the thea- tre of hostilities, a^id a bloody war will probably ensue. This, however, though it may be a calamitous event for the United States, for the pre- sent, will be ultimately attended with beneficial consequences, inasmuch as it will put them in the undoubted possession of a country of compa- ratively little importance to any other power, but which, from its rela- tive situation, its great extent of sea-coast, and containing the outlets of numerous navigable rivers rising in the United States, is of great im- portance to the southern section of this country. P. S. Since the above was put to press, an account has been received, by way of Charleston, that the troops of the United States were to evacuate the province of East Florida; that general Pinckney had arranged with governor Kindelan the man- ner of evacuation ; and that the most of the patriots had gone to St. Augustine, and taken the oath of allegiance under the new constitution. The rumour of the coui>try being ceded to Great Britain still prevails ; and an account, by way of Savannah, states, that general Pinckney is to concentrate his forces at St. Mary's, where he will receive considerable reinforcements. In every point of view, Florida may be consi- dered as in a revolutionary state. Its continuance as a Spanish colony depends alto- gether upon the old dynasty being established in Spain, of which there is hardly any chance ; and its becoming a British colony is altogether incompatible with the safety and welfare of the' southern states. Its fate is completely involved in the present war ; and there is little doubt but the issue will secure the independence of Florida. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 541 126 9