Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-06-27

glazed. Although the soil is genial, and
The climate favorable to borliculture, vet
few or no good gardens are TO be seen.
and orchards are greatly neglected.
One would be led g. suppose tlat the
plantation business, during tie absence
nj The proprietor, must be greatly neg
lecied; bat iis il not the case. AneX-
cellent system prevails, * TO the manage
ment oi The negroes. The fields are yeue-
rally marked of into squares. divided into
spaces OF lO5 FEET each, being quarter
of an acre. Two of these quarter acres
are generally assigned rs DAVIS task for
ne .ro to hoe; when done, he may en-
p.oy his time as he pleases. found tlie
negroes working on this plan, laboring
with assiduiiv, and an energy | had ne
yer witnessed IN the -.ates of MARYLAND
or Virginia. They rise and go TO work
with the early dawn, and many of them
finish their daily task before noon. This
system renters the dity of the overseer
easy, and facilitates Ike employment &c
bia drivers ii renders coercion OF cas-
liga!lon almost unnecessary, ant is high
IL favorable to The cause Of humanity.
Though have travelled through 50 much
oi tins country, aGd seen numerous gaDgs
OF negroes, YET have not as vet II ard
the lash OF 4 whip, nor tie torturing cry
of a suffering slave.
After passing through Rceboro', a
small town III rather low situation.
reached Darien, 63 niles from Savannah,
thriving place, and extreMely we'll cai-
cua,ed for business, being in th- vicinity
Of HE Altama.Ia, which here receives two
rivers, lts Ocmulgee and the Oconee.
Oarien IS likely 70 become the depot for
the produce of ar extensive and growing
back country. Several new houses are
building, and the price demanded for
water lots IS considerable: bat ! cannot
conceive tie seize it stands on Ia be q
healthy one, as ii has some extensive
swamps in lis peigiborhood
In my next shall detail nv Journey,
to ST. Mary's, and my visit 10 Amelia
Island and East Florida.
lam, &c.
June s.
The distance from Darien 70 ST. Mary's
is So miles, through country very thinly
populated and likely to remain so, on ac-
count Of the lands principally consisting
OF what Is termed Pine barren. The tra-
weller is tired Of the uniformity of the
scene, one piece OF land succeeding ano-
ther, equally fat, covered as lie pre-
ceding, with tail pines and the saw pal
me,to, q species Of vegetables as useless
as weed. Reiresinent is only 10 be
had at very few places on the road, the
houses being 10 70 20 miles apart
Jefferson, wlIici is GO miles from Da-
rien, is the seat of justice of Camden
county. IT lies on SatiiIa river: is a
small place and not long built. There
are some respectable families settled on
the banks Of SatIla, whose information,
manners, and polite hospitality, are well
calculated to render the visit Of stran-
ger TO this distant and secluded corner of
the United States, an agreeable subject
Of future recollection.
ST. Mays first called ST. Patrick's.
then Newlown, but since named after the.
river OF which ii lies, and which river IS
the line that separates Georgia from East
Florida, was a hourisliiDg place during
the existence OF the embargo and the late
war; but it las the appearance, at pre-
sent, Of falling into decay. Tie neigh
boring island OF Amelia, beng under the
Spanish jurisdiction, formed depot for
British manufactures and American pro-
duee. Here smuggling fourished, and
the interchange of the goods Of one ma
ton for those OF another, effected ge,. fay
am aefas, formed a very profitable traffic
to the concerned, and created a temDora-
ry but fugitive kind Of prosperity on this
frontier.
Still the people of ST. Mary's and ifs
vicinity anticipate the ccssiou of East
Florida as the harbingsr Of prosperity to
them. | found the inhabitants on Ame-
liza Island, and those met with in Flori-
da, animated with similar feelings, pro-
Tossing the strongest hopes that the ces-
sion would take place, and that shortly.
II must be highly gratifying 10 the friends
OF the American institutions, 10 find their
nelghbOrs SO anxious TO he Incorporated
into the same family, and willing 10 well
come the American jurisdiction as the
certain guarantee Of peace, prosperity and
Happiness.
There is company of Spanish artillery
al Fernandina, the only town on Amelia.
the captain Of which is the commandsne
of Tie Island. The soldiers are The most
sloyenly, i'll dressed and i'll looking sons
OF War, ever saw. One would not sup
pose drop Of Castilian blood ever circn-
lated IN theirveilis. The soil and climate
Of Florida are both well spoken Of and
said ia be very good along the sea-coast.
It's peninsuIar situation is no doubt high
Is advantageous, the sea washing three
sides Of it. lis produce is exceltbt, The
Floridan cotton commanding the hest
price III market: and the province being
more southwardly than Georgia, The pros
pect oi raising sugar with success IS grea.
ter there than III that state. Near the RI
ser ST. Johns, there are most valuable
tracts Of land, which would afford ranges
for the pasfurdge of file most extensive
herds of cattle. A medical gentleman,
whom met, upon bOiauising tour, in
this province, confirms the existence of
On" numerous species OF plants mention
| ed 10 hartram's travels, some of which
scientific men had doubts Of.
The cesgiOB OfFlorida bv Spain 10 fI,e