Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-01-10

European powers and their colonies, and OF inc
new American Republics, would prefer this
passage to abe difficult and dangerous naviga-
lion Of those already existing by nature. nc
United States would, consequently, lay very
considerable portion ofthe commerce between
America and Europe under direct contribute"
in the form Of The tolls which would justly oe
exacted, for the passage OF this canal; ana
which, as they would be adequate 10 all Inc
expenses Of its preservation and repair, would
leave the free passage gratuitous advantage
Of American vessels.
Such would be the importance oil the Canal
even in the present state Of the neigh6oring re-
sions. But when we look to the prospect OIL
the opening of canal through the lstnmus oil
Central America, we immediately perceive y
Their and most important bearings OF the Fl"ri-
da Canal, on the public prosperity. When the
two works are executed, they will constitute the
two keys to the navigation from The Atlantic
to the Pacific The exclusive possession OF the
Florida Canal will enable the United States to
make terms for free passage through the ca
nal Of Central America; because, ii this be de-
MED us, we can condemn every vessel hound 10
the Guatimalan Canal 10 stem the Guii
Stream: The Republics Of Central America and
Of the United States, already on the most
friendly footing, will be bound together by this
new tie OF mutual interest. The Florida Canal,
therefore, will be Of the utmost importance, as
the means Of insuring TO the United States eve
nv desirable privilege in any system Of oommu-
nication across the American Isthmus to the
Pacific A commune alton which will unques-
,ionably be burdened with heavy duties and
tolls against all States not possessing such an
offset. But, in addition to this, and Oh wider
view Of the subject, the moment the ls'hmus
shall be excavated, then will the Florida Canal
become the high way Of the trade between Eu-
rope OIL the one side, and Asia on the other;
and it is not 100 much 10 anticipate a change in
the direction Of the Worlds Commerce, like
that effected by the. decentralization Of the
Cape Of Good Hope.
Every subsidiary circumstance lavOrs and CO.
OPERATES with the execution Of the main design
The deficiency Of harbors, fel, to considera.
BILE degree in every part Of the southern coast,
has been regarded as one Of the great obstacles
10 be commended with, in perfectng system
Of navigation like that now projected II APP
pears, however, from the researches Of the En-.
gineers, tina, the Bay of St. Joseph's, situated
due north Of Cape ST, Bias, on the coast Of
West Florida, is, perhaps, the most valuable
cep,ion OF that Of Pensacola, south Of Chesa-
epake Bay. Of its two entrances, the eastern
has al leas, a depth of twenty-five feet, and the
western Of thirty; and its position on the Flo
rida Coast is the most favorable that could be
imagined, in reference to the proposed line OF
communication from the great Western waters
to The Atlantic
The details Of interior surveys Tor The route
r l. IL. n \. ~, ,,nt
disested and reported TO the department, are
known only in the general result, which, as al
ready stated, is in The highest degree favorable;
meantime, however, the surveys Of the 81. Ma
ry's. St Johns the Atlantic coast efFiorida TO
Boco Ralones and the Inferior course OF the
st Johns up to Lake Monroe, lay open field
for internal navigation and intercourse, OF a
magnitude aud interest wholly unexpected.
Let US frs, consider the navigation OF the ST.
Johns, with its tributary streams, and the line
Of Lakes whica il connects with each other
This is truly magnificent river. II preserves
ar average breadth oftwO miles for an hundred
miles from its mouth, often spreading into lakes
of four or FIVE miles in width. It's banks are
covered with forests. /, is navigable for large
merchant vessels for great distance, and for
vessels Of thirty tons as high as Lake George,
and on the bar Of that Lake there are six feet wa
ter; beyond this the water deepens, and il is
navigable for vessels Of the same size to its
source. In other words, il admits steamboat
navigation as far south in the Territory as %
deg. so min. Almost all the land through
which it passes is public land. The growth Of
timber is pine, cypress, live oak, and cedar un-
equaled in quantity and quality in the United
States. Wherever the lands are cleared, they
become adapted to the culture Of sugar, oran-
yes, lemons, lines, almonds, olives, the guava,
rice, SC. according to the particular locality OF
the spot. All these articles have been, and at
this momen, are produced in the territory, and
their culture is capable of indefinite extension.
To lay open this region to convenient access,
and make il contribute in consequence TO the
public and individual advantage, would require
but little labor and expenditure, TO be bestowed
in Strengthening and deepening the channel
An expense estimated at ten thousand dollars,
in the opinion Of competent judges, would conf
pletely open an inland tide navigation from %
deg. so min., the head of the navigation Of the
ST. Johns to Cape Roman in South Carolina,
in So deg. 8 min, bringing to the Atlantic mar
kels from our own territory all the products
which can be brought from the West Indies.
Nor is the facility for secure line Of inland
navigation on the eastern coast Of Florida, less
important to the immediate growth Of the ter
ritory itself; and The consequent advantage OF
Il