American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-06-21
TAII.AHASSEE-Ix FLORIDA,

,oLe Mace on the fourth day of April next. IL ISL
situated on beautiful and commanding eminence,
about Is miles north Of ST. Marks, In the bosom on
"a fertile and picturesque country. The south sidel
of The town is watered by innumerable springs oil
purc water. and clear and pleasant stream passes
by the east and south sides, al the distance OF lew
wards and after passing the town, as II sensible inc
point of its usefulness past, falls over the rock
which bends the stream, forming pleasant cascaoe'
and passes off by a sublcrraneous passage.
The country around Tallahassee, and extending
from the Spwannec to near the Apalachlcoa RIVER
has deservedy attracted the attention OF travellers
and those who have visited it with view OF per-
manent settlement. The fertile lands between the
above mentioned rivers extend from east 10 west
from eighty to one hundred miles, and from nofth
to south about fifteen miles. This tract OF country
much of which is adapted TO the culture OF sugar,
is finely watered by the tributary streams OF the
Suwannee the St. Marks. Wakulla, Okelockoney,
Little river, and several other smaller rivers and
streams, and is beautifully studded with lakes and
ponds of the purest water. The land is rolling,
with here and there an eminence, that rises con-
sderablv above the surrounding country, which will
afford delightful seats for the opulent or men OF lei
sure.
This country, notwithstanding its singular beauty
and fertility, becomes more interesting from the
indubitable evidence Of its having been once densely
populated by civilized race of men. Almost eve
nv eminence is capped with ancient Notifications,
which appear regular and some OF them suostan-
italy formed. AT Fort ST. Lewis, about two miles
west of Tallahassee, have been found remnants oil
iron cannon, spikes. hinges, locks, SC. which are
evidently of Spanish manufacture, and which have
not been much injured by the rust.
| Within the principal FORT Tor the outworks seem
to have been numerous and extensive, are Inc runs
of two brick ed,hces about sixty feet by
forty, the other about thirty by twenty. These are
| in total ruins, and nothing but mound appears
where the walls stood. composed wholly OF broken
bricks, which had been composed OF coarse sandy
clay and burned IN the modern fashion Yet on
the very walls of these buildings, ave oaks, eighteen
Inches in diameter. On the same hill, and IN fac'
within the outworks of this fort, are TO be seen grape
arbors in parallel lines, which still MAINTAIN their
i pristine regularity
i Bricks seem to have been in general use for they
have been discovered in several places by digging a
little below the surface OF he earth Within the
town of Tallahassee some were dug up, having a
substance adhering 10 them resembling lime NOR
tar. But on the hill, about halt a mile south
east of the CAPITOL are to be the greatest proof
of dense population. On this hill are to be seen
trees or roads, running nearly at right angles, at
such distances as demonstrate the former existence
of pretty large town. The shade trees OF the
former inhabitants still remain, and generally Of
live OAK, ana near winch may NC uiSSofercu grape
arbors Of more or less regularity. In several in.
stances we discovered species OF the plumb tree.
/ There has been much speculation and inquiry
concerning the former inhabitants Of this country
who they were. and at what time they 1ourished.
4 No records within Our reach, and the Spanish
inhabitants at the extremt Of the Territory had
n no KNOWLEDGE oil this country, much less OF the
people, who once lived here, but have long since
4 disappeared. Some however, say that records Of
the TACT do exist at Havana and that measures have
been taken to obtain them-that Leon was the ad-
. venurer, who led colony hher but the precious
|, metals Of South America and Mexico so occupied
the attention Of the Spanish Government, that this
infant colony was suffered to fall prey to the In
!. dams.
The traditionary accounts Of the Indians are very
plausible, and corroboraled by many existing
and circumstansl facts. They claimed this coun
try at their late tresy at ST. Augustine belonging
TO them by right of conquest achieved by their an
. cestors. They represent. that it densely
r populated by race of viii men, who settled ir
this country, and incorporated themselves with the
Yamassee Indans.-That The Yamassees adop ed
their habits and became Christians but ceased to be
, lighting men That this people had fine houses
, carriages herds Of cattle. &c and made wide roads
and bridges over rivers and streams Of water. That
they also had many forts and big guns At this
time the Creek Indians made frequent attacks upon
them, but we're generally as they ther
fought with bows and spears only, for they had no
i yet learned the use of the riAe. AT length, afte,
losing many warriors, they associated with them
selves all the tribes between Georgia and the Msss
p sppi, with many others far in the North, and CANE
:, down unexpectedly into this country. The whit,
O inhabitants generally Fed to their forts, while mos
|. of the Yamassees fell into their hands The mel
# put to death, but the women and chdrei
e we're carried into captivity.
They carried universal desolation over the fac
of the country, as the surest method Of reducn,
the fortified places. They had made many attempt
r. fore their n.rsors .a,as,;op 60, - $500 y