The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1839-12-14

bic route between the Gult ana the At
lantc side Of the peninsula. -
"A few good tracts can be gotten on
shores, and on islands within Marcus
sound, near Cape Roman.
There is u beautiful tract Of land On
Pavilion river, ten Or twelve leagues south
east Of Cape Roman, and some parcels
of good land may be found on the banks
of Shark river, and on the shores of Lake
Maniton, ten leagues still farther east.
"At Cape Sable there is a beautiful
spot for a military post and depot for
colony, which should be established on a
prairio, running east and by north from
that Cape along the coast towards Cape
Florida. This prairie runs Immediately
on the sea shore for thirty y-fve miles, then
turns little north and to the interior Of the
country. From what l saw of the pro-
ducts of the land on the cape and the is
lands in the vicinity, | am induced to be-
lieve that the soil of this prairie will pro-
duce in great perfection, grain and vegeta-
bles of every kind, with sugar cane. cot
ton, sc. &c. Through the prairie there
are numerous clumps and groves of trees,
which will afford both fuel and building
timber for the settlers. The keys and
sand-bars in front of the cape make an ex-
cellent harbor for steamboats, and other
vessels drawing from SIX to ten feet water.
The waters along this coast are full OF tur-
tie, and fish Of every kind, and the prai-
rie and woods around abound in game.
"The immediate site of Cape Sable is
evidently healthy, as are almost all situa-
tons directly on the sea board; and have
no doubt that healthy positions can be got
ten on the prairie, as the climate is de-
lightful even In the summer season, from
the prevalence of the sea breeze, or trade
winds.
"Thero arc also good tracts of land on
New River, and a great body of it on In
dian Rive, both on the Atlantic side of
the peninsula; and near this last river, on
St. Lucie's sound, another settlement
should be made. This section Of country,
being within the ifIuerce Of the sea al
mosphcre, should be healthy; fish abound
in the rivers and sounds about, and game
perhaps is plenty in the country"
General HERNANDEZ. a native 9f ST
Augustine, and every way acquainted with
East Florida. and the peninsula. also,
thus speaks of it in a letter to the Military
Committee Of the Senate:
Il have read, with much interest, the
letter of the Surgeon General, DR.. Law
son, and was much pleased to find that
he does not think the country as unhealthy
as it has been represented Coming from
50 disintcrcsted a source, his statements
cannot fail to remove impressions not less
erroneous rlan prcjudical to the country.
His description of the country around
Cape Sable viii doubtless attract atten-
ton, and | hope many of our citizens,
who are looking to Texas and other for
eign clinles, may see it, and be induced
to seek in Florida residence where they
will fiud soil and climate equal to the
best, and country just as easy of access.
"Herc beg leave to say, that the coun-
try east of the Suwannee river is capable
of sustaining an immense population, and
must, in the political order of things, even
tualy form State separate from that
of Middle and West Florida, and greatly
to their advantage and that of the coun-
try. In this part of Florida, exclusive of
the extensive hammocks and very produc-
tive pine lands, there are great bodies of
savanna, swamp, and meadow lands, COM
posed of the richest soil; to wit: alluvial,
clay, and mari, much of which, when
properl reclaimed, will, south of st Au-
gustinc, produce two crops of grain each
year.
"On two hundred acres of reclaimed
swamp lands, made an average of thirty
six bushels of Cuba seed corn per acre,
while, at the same time, a crop of sugar
cane twas growing on the same two hun
dred acres, the manufacture of which was
prevented by the war.
"This is the only portion of the United
States possessing a tropical climate. The
advantages which, believe, will grow
out of the adoption, by Congress, of this
CO., {l,o 81 .oxk1o