Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-09-20
ISTHMUS OF FLORIDA.
From the "Natchez .Ariei
AUGUSTA, { MSS July 30,

subject will be thankfully received by your
readers If, therefore, you will give the follow
ing extract from letter received from a friend
few days since, you will oolige ore OF your
subscribers. ANONYMOUS.
DEAR SIR: When wrote to you last, con-
templated returning to Mobile by water, in a
small boat. by coastng round Florida. Agreea-
bly to this plan, on the 10th OF December last,
myself and another person embarked on our IN
tended voyage, from Boards Bluff, on the Al
tamahaw River, Georgia, in small boat, SIX
teen feet in length. Nothing worthy OF notice
happened during our passage to the mouth OF
st. Johns, East Florida, save being OCCASIONAL
ly inundated with salt water. Hearing OF Black
Greek. branch of St. Johns and ST. Tafee, a
stream flowing into the Gulf of Mexico, APP
| preached within short distance OF each other,
we determined % seek a passage this way, rath-
er than venture round the Cape Accordingly,
we assembled the river ninety miles to the mouth
of Black Greek, which we assembled twenty five
miles to the head of tide water, where It's navl-
cation ceases Here we hired our boat, hauled
80 miles, TO the ROCKFORD of ST. Taflee, a few
miles below which, is the natural bridge, where
we again hauled our boat, the river running
subterraneously miles. Twenty-Five miles
below this is the junction of ST Taffee and
Suwannee Rivers, thence to Vacassay Bay, is
eighty miles, where we again "beheld the CULTS
extended wave Directing our course with
the coast, we safely landed at Dauphin street
wharf, in Mobile, on the first day OF March,
1926, after experiencing privatlons and suffer-
ings, Of which none but those who have &C
complished similar voyage, can form just
idea.
Our boat is probably the first that ever pass
ed through the Isthmus of Florida, but am
far from supposing it will be the last. Internal
Improvement has become subject OF such
general interest that the advantages resulting
from canal, through Florida, cannot long be
hid from public view. DO not say our route
is the most eligible for canal, but admitting
it to be, the cost of opening would be compare
lively nothing. The distance from ST. Taffee,
below the natural bridge, TO the navigable wa
tiers of Black Greek, being not more than thirty
five miles through level country, the soil, from
the sinks and cavities of subterraneous waters,
appears Of an argillaceous naturr with an occa-
sional stratum of limestone, but SO soft as 10
present no obstacle to excavation; and, what
renders the task less difficult, the country "a
bounds with large ponds, a chain (which falls
within the most direct line of communication,
lessenine the distance of excavation several
miles.
Had Mr. Gallatin known what nature has
done for this country, towards opening an in
land navigation, how infinitely would he have
altered his calculation, when he estimated the
expense Of completing our inland navigation,
from the Mississippi River to the Atlantic, at
three millions of dollars! From Vacassay Bay
to ST. Marks, Notwithstanding the smallness
of our vessel, we experienced no inconvenience
from the sea, though the coast is apparently
exposed: bu, shallow reefs of sand, sc. lying at
some distance from the shore, form barrier "a
gainst Neptunes encroachments. From ST.
Marks, four short canals would complete an
inland passage to the Mississippi. From Chi
pola River to ST. Andrews Bay, canal of two
miles would be required, and one five miles
from St. Andrews to Choctawhatchie Bay,
which communicates with Pensacola Bay, by
Santa Rosa Sound Between Pensacola and
Mobile BAYS, two canals would be required;
one of half mile between the grand lagoon,
(which communicates with Pensacola Bay0 &
Perdido, and from the latter 10 Bon Secours
Bay, four and a half miles, in all twelve miles -
IL TO this we add twenty-five miles at the 18th
mas, we shall have thirty seven miles for the
whole length ofexcavation: which, if complet-
anticipate the day, when steamboats, shall Cir
cumnavgate the United States, binding the
remotest parts by the indissoluble chain Of do
nestle intercourse; thus perpetuating our ma.
,ional existence.
Having naoigated through Florida, you will,
no doubt, expect something like description
of the country; but have only time to say, IT'S
delightful climate is Its greatest recommends
ton. In the language Of certain poet
aspiring here eternal empire holds" Notwith-
standing the general dreariness of the month of
January in other places, here found vegeta-
ton clothed in the foliage of May. No traces
Of the chilling hand of Winter were visible
A person who can contemplate without emo
tons of the most pleasing kind, the variegated
scenery, which is hourly presented to his view
while navigating St Johns, must be possessed
of deafness to the beauties OF nature, which
covet not The proverb says, "6eauty is but
skin Deep" which is in some degree applicable
to this country; for though its vernal beauties
charm the eye, and please the imagination, it
possesses not that substantial value OF Alabama
or Mississippi, a fertile soi and as you are a
man of more taste than feeling, you will not, l
think emigrate to Florida until the big road is
made, and FuAon's Wagons begin TO rum Ex-
| IN CO and heIieve mo ever yOur Gin