Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-07-15
THOMPSoNs ISLAND.

The following extracts ate taken from
letter to the editors of the Baltimore A,
msrican dated
THoMpson 3 Island, June 39.
every thing in this quarter is at pre-
sent tranquil, and piracy is completely I'M
der the weather--so that it is only neces.
sary occasionally to shew force in Ha-
vana or Matanzas, TO keep them in order.
Although have nothing important in ma
val point of view to communicate, yet
you will be gratl6ed to learn that at the
present moment, this is probably the most
healthy spot within the tropics. The CT
tizens, officers and men, stationed here,
enjoy generally excellent health, and there
has not'been case Of yellow or malignant
fever since September last. The disease
OF last year was produced by combiDa.
ton of causes which will never occur a
gain. Among those may be enumerated,
the want OF houses to protect those on
shore from the excessive heat of the sun,
and heavy rains that prevail at this season
OF the year; the harrassing and arduous
service IN which the officers and men were
engaged; the want OF good hospitals tor
the reception of the sick, and stores Tor
the provisions, which were exposed on the
beach. until they became mass OF corr
ruptioD of the most deleterious kind. The
officers, who respectively have command
ed on shore this year, have paid the strict
est attention to the police and cleanliness
of the place; every thing OF vegetable or
animal matter lying about is collected aud
burnt once week.
This place has the advantage OF most
excellent harbor, and from It's locality is
destined to be a place of importance,
should the government extend to it that
fostering ala which it will for some years
require. Its central situation with regard
New Orleans. Mobile, Pensacola and the
Havana, gives il decided advantage, o.
yer any other part of this Territory
in event of war, it forms with the Havana,
the Key to the Gulph Of Mexico. The
surface OF the Island is nearly fat, as there
is scarcely any perceptible difference in
the elevation. The soil SO far as have
had an opportunity OF examining it, is
rich vegetable mould, about three feet
deep, interspersed occasionally With lime
stone-there are several extensive ponds
of freshlwater which for nine months in
the year produce excellent water. There
are also several large and some smaller
salt water ponds.
"a beacon has been erected on Sand
Key, which bears about S. by w. from
the Island, distant about nine miles, and
serves as q land mark. la coming from
the eastward vessel makes three Sand
Keys, called the Samboes, and at the same
time The beacon will be discovered TO the
westward making like sail you run
down the reef until you make the S. w.
point of the Island to bear N. by W. l-2
w. (this point may be known by pole
with red ball on the topl Then steer
tor the point, keeping II a little open on
the star5oard bow-crossing the rect you
have 81 and 4 iathom water--afterwards
and fatboms up 10 the anchorage-give
wbiteheads on the S. W. point the birth OF
a mile and a half, and after rounding it
run in tor the flagstaff. The above are
directions tor making the Island and enter.
ing tine haFbor, which will, when attended
to, carry vessel clear OF every thing
There is powerful tide here, rising and
falling about four TO feet, aud setting al-
ternateIy n. E.-S. W."