Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1819-08-07

Dot exceed four hundred many ofwhich
are falling to ruins--and but few httedior
convenient stores, and mercantile busl-
ness.
Though no seaport town of the size OF
this can have less trade, or fewer charms
for the solourner, yet the price of real
estate here at present, is extravagantly
high. Some house lots even In the rear
ef the town, Ill their natural state, have
been sold this spring for 5000 dollars,
with only so feet front, and no feet
depth. Water lots Of the same size,
with old useless buildings on them, are
held at S, 6, and Z 700 dollars.
The purchasers have been generally
from the interior of the southern and
western states, and are of the specializing
class of society, who appear to entertain
a high opinion of the commercial advan-
tages Of this port, and anticipate great
advance on their lots at the change OF
government here in the fall. But
whether the new proprietors will realize
the objects of their fond hopes is very
questionable-at all events, it must be
granted that the prosperity OF this town
will not be promoted by such monopoly
Of lots, by men who will not improve
them. The engrossment of the most
eligible situations for commercial cs-
adjustments by people who buy merely
to sell again, will inevitably retard the
growth CT Pensacola, even had it an ex-
tensivc back country to support Its trade.
But as the good lands on the small rivers
emp5ying into this bay are very limited,
and scarcely any settlements as yet made
On them, the exports from this place are
~ present not worth notice; and cannot
be much until agriculture subdues the
forests of the interior. Therefore, |
consider the present price of lots here
not warranted by any rational calculation.
However, if the main argument which
the advocates of the high commercial
destiny of Pensacola advance in support
of their lots here, is a sound one, then
the prices are reasonable enough.
The reason urged by those who con-
tend that this town is soon to become
the principal commercial depot west OF
Cape Florida is prcdicated, not on the
expectation of much support from the
back country embraced by its own
waters, but upon belief that the grand
rivers of the Alabama and Tombigbee
are, on change of flags at this place, to
betray the high trust which nature hath
conhded to them by deserving the spa
cious bay of Mobile, and pouring their
treasures ihto the bosom Of Pensacola
through artificial channels that exist on
ly in the tervid imagination of those
whose interest that event might possibly
promote.
Though l consider such logic entirely
fallAcious, and the calculation founded
thereon, pregnant with disappointment,
1t not with the ruin OF many yet re-
ference in argument TO The experience OF
ali ages, and to the commercial history
OF ali countries, appears to have no in
fluence on the settled opinions of this
class of sanguine Adventures. And
some of these people are so ardent in
Their fond hopes and expectations Of I'M
mediate wealth, that they even contend
that Pensacola will ere long outstrip
New-Orleans in commerce, and draw
from the Mississippi the trade of that
vast emporium !.
All these wonderful changes in the
course ofnature are to be wrought by the
magic OF canal and steam navigation.-
To DC sure canal may be opened with
competent capital SO as to connect the
bay OF Mobile with that of Pensacola !:
but it by no means follows, even should
That event ever happen, that the produce
OF the state OF Alabama will, in that case,
be directed to this place for expectation.
The sGlubrity of the climate OF Pensa-
cola is undoubtedly well established.
The dryness of the site of the town, and
the nudity and sterility of the sand hills
and waste plains in its rear, together
with the sea-brcezes which prevail in
hot weather, render the atmosphere pure
and salubrious.
The portable water here is wholesome
and abundant two small brooks arising
from cold morass in the rear of the
town, along the foot of the first rising
ground, flow in opposite directions, Zen
closi y the compact part of the city in
to the bay; and will always supply the
place with a plenty of good water !;
though it does not possess that cool quail
ty that characterizes the best spring in
the. pine woods of Florida.
Yours, sc.
S. HAINES.
PROM THE CITY OF WASHINGTON GAZETTE.