Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-11-18


between the waters of ST. SIary's and ST.
Johns, may besomewhere about $50, mus
tering somewhere about 800 militia. divi-
ded INTO three districts, each of which
has captain aud lieutenant, &c. elet ted
by the people oftheir respective districts.
together with a judge or Justice of the
peace, who tries all cases bv an arbi,rati-
on or jury ofi2 men. They have Tie pow
er of Furnishing in minor cases, but when
they convict capiially, the prisoner. to-
geiher with the proceedings, are ren,itted
10 ST. Augustine for appreciation and exc
cutlon. No military commander or 9th
or servant of The government, has power
10 arrest any inhabitani beyond The lines
ofhis garrison, who must be prosecuted
and tried by the authorities ofhis own dis
trict.
The inhabitants are not bound TO do
any military duty, To muster nor TO paw
taxes, nor observe any such regulations
except as they make for their own defence
and self preservation.
The white population of Augustine is
not included III the above, and NAV con
sisi OF 1000, of whem $50 NAV be able to
bear arms. Add 10 this $50 white regular
troops, and $50 black or colored regulars.
besides 80 free colored militia.
The inhabitants of Fernandina, mean
free white people, may BE- about $50, of
whom so may be able to bear arms.
The white militia of Amelia, who do
not muster in any of the above districts,
may be about 10 men.
The negro population of the whole
island OF Amelia, take 10 be a
bout 800
That of the three regular districts,
including the waters of ST. John, 500
All others out OF Augustine, 500
Whole country colored popula-)
ton, exclusive of Indians, rama 1900
ways, &c.
Colored women and ;iidren, or slaves
In Augustine, not incladed iii the above
estimate, may be about 500.
All the inhabitants, even the Spaniards,
are tired of living without government,
and of all others would prefer that of the
u. States, as past circumstances plainly
prove among Which may be noticed the
simultaneous effort Of all the people, IN
1912, 10 annex the country 10 the United
States, and also the active part they took
TO drive back the English in 1914, at ST..
Mary's, where they had one man killed
and one wounded, and beat back IL boats
fllied with British troops. Under these
circumstances, they think themselves (ds
far as is consistent with policy entitled To
the protection of thu u. States, SO far as
10 keep them from being piundered or i'm
posed upon by any foreign banditiI, who
may take advantage Of their p. eseUi help
less condition, until they can gather
strength by increasing their population.
which they are now endeayorlng to &C
coinplSh by inviting emigralions from the
u. States. TO accomplish this, the small
est indirect hint given 10 the command
ant OF tile vessels or troops of the u. 5.
| at ST. Mary's, wonId suffice, by showing
any symptom of favor TO their endeavors
for seii-preservation.
Ii now remains TO show what intrinsic
value belongs to this territory, bordcretl
OH all sides by the Atlantic, or intersect-
ed by navigable waters, connected with
those ofthe u. States. First, the timber,
which far exceeds in quality any that
grows northerly, consists of forests of live
oak, cedar, cypress and pine, all of mex
haustible extent. Secondly, may he men
toned the fertile lands, which, from the
climate derive qualities not elsewhere TO
be found; amongst which are, large
tract near Augustine and St. Johns, call
ed 10 Mile Swamp, containing $4,000 a
ores; another extending to Mosquito, 60
miles long; another between Bowleg's
and Sampa, 60 miles long, supposed To
contain some hundred thousand acres.
The whole interior above Alatelawa, for
several days ride, is excellent live oak and
hickory land. The interior of the coun-
try is UNEMPLOYED by white people, but is
said to be fertile and healthy, full of plea :
ant orange groves, and plentifuly stocked
witt wild cattle.
Ithas been observed, that the inhabi-
tants pay no taxes: by this is meant di-
rect taxes. All foreign goods arriving al
Amelia or Augustine pay duties, (agricul-
tural machines or implements Of husband
nv excepted) But as there is no custom
house or Spanish post on the Main, which
has free communication with the United
States, by means of the waters and chan
nels Of st. Mays river, these inhabitants
consequently go free of duties, as the
Spaular1S are unabIetO enforce their col
lection. Indeed, the present liberty and
independent state of the inhabitants ais
es rather from a want of power in the Spa
nish government than from any TOyal or
der OF concession made TO those lnhabit.
| ants. But from motives of convenience
as well as interest, the people and the
Spanish authorities maintain the most
| friendly understanding, all titles ofprOp-
eily, fee sImples and grants of land, in
which the government has been very lIb-
cral 10 the people, are derived from that
| source. Indeed the government has ma
infested AZ uniform disposition 10 ctilii-
vale good understanding with the DeO.
pie, by granting them every kind Of in