Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-18
FLORIDA CANAL.

The legislative council of Florida, in Deoem-
per last, passed an act, appointing ocm.Iission-
ers TO examine, and report on, the expedency
OF cutting canal across the Peninsula OF Flori-
da, and thus to connect the waters OF the Gulf of
Mexico with those Of the Atlantic. To perform
this duty, three gentlemen were appointed, one
of whom--Col. James Gad.den---was formerly
distinguished officer of the United States Army,
and having graduated at West Point, it is pre-
sumed, is well yersed in the elements OF civil en-
glneering.
Preliminary to the discharge of this duty, the
commissioners have forwarded memorial to
Congress, which presented TO the Senate by
Mr.. Hayne, OF South Carolina, in which they in
innate a readiness TO enter upon the indicated
survey or examination, but deem it essential 10
its successful execution, that they should be
aided by skilful engineers appointed by the United
States.
With view to the full attainment OF the OBJ
ects OF the proposed canal, il is thought that it
should be made sufficiently capacious to ADM;
the passage OF ships of war, as well as for the
navigation OF Merchant vessels If the work be
executed at all, II ought certainly to embrace
both these objects. The passage around the
cspes Of Florida, and through the Caribbean sea,
independent OF its circuity, is eminently perilous
on account OF the dangers to navigation, which
arise both from the shoals which abound along
them, and the facilities afforded to the depredatons
OF piracy. From these causes, our commerce has
incurred immense losses. Along this part of the
coast, vessels, richly freighted with valuable car
goes, have been, peculiarly, the victims of the eIe-
ments, and OF the lawless cupidity of man; here
was laid the scene, of large proportion of those
wrecks, and piTatical captures attended with the
most distressing and atrocious circumstances.
which, OF late years, and in that quarter have sig
nalized our commercial annals. These liabilities
to destruction, arising from either of those causes
will be In great measure-if not entirely-obvia,-
ed, by the proposed canal: the vehicles of COM
merce might sail through it., distant from the
haunts, and inaccessible to the attacks of the out
laws OF the deep, while the seyerest gaze might
play and wanton in their canvass, without produc-
ing any other consequences than giving additional
celebrity and expedition TO their movements
by cutting the canal large enough for tho pas
sage OF ships Of war, great advantages would ike
wise, result The natural channels Of the Gulf of
Mexico are commanded by the Havana. This
would give 10 an enemy, in league with the authori
ties OF that place. or in possession of il, the decided
advantage, in naval contest; it would not ONLY
enable him to prevent the junction Of renforce-
ments with our squadron in the Gulf, but to s,yeep
our commerce from its bosom This artificial
channel, running through our own territorv
would, in great measure, obviate an inconve-
nience so serious, aud which, in the emergency
Of war; might be attended with such disastrous con-
sequences.
The distance across the isihmus is computed IN
be about eighty miles; in the direction of the pro-
posed canal, lakes and rivers through the chan
nels OF which, with little clearing, vessels rniob
pass, leaving only about twenty-three miiel
which viii require excavation. The facilities ar