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

from that which had been previously Ell
terained. Heretofore the whole PENN
sula was thought to be uninhabitablc
swamps, or barren sand and pine lands,
and the extremity of the peninsula espe-
ciaIly low, sunken, wet, dreary waste
of sand and swamp, Instead of this we
find large bodies of rich, dry land, capa-
bic of producing sugar, cotton, and Cuba
the pine barrens, as we would
call them, capable of producing the most
valuable tropical fruits; the orange, le-
mon, fig, plantain, cocoa, and the mu!.
berry tree, in such perfection that, bearing
leaves nine months in the year, it would
feed three generations Of silk worms in
the year, and consequently give three
crops of cocoons. Going to the extreme
point of the peninsula, and there is found,
in single body, sixty miles of rich land,
by twenty wide, all high and dry, with
a lime rock foundation, like the Bahama
islands possess, with a good harbor for
vessels of light draught. All this presents
the peninsula of Florida as a valuable
country in mere agricultural point of
view; an aspect under which its contem-
plation must, by no means, be confined.
Fourth. The peninsula of Florida is
valuable for its fisheries. All the officers
who have served in that quarter, speak in
terms of admiration, both of the quantity
and excellence of the fish which are taken
there, and that both on the Gulf and At
lantic shore. General Jesup, in relation
these fisheries, uses the following strong
language: "The coasts of Florida afford
as valuable fisheries in proportion to their
extent, as the banks of Newfoundland
Great is the numberof vessels, mostly Spa
nish, which are now engaged in fishing on
these coasts. They fish nearly the whole
year round, sailing down the parcels as
they are taken, and pushing off to Cuba,
and other islands to make sale of their
cargo as soon as the vessel is filled; thus
finding a market within few days sail.
With the peninsula settled, all this valua-
bic fishing would fall into the hands of our
citizens, and would be a source of great
profit to them, and fine nursery of Seamen
for the country. Great, also, are the sup
plies of turtles and oysters in this quarter.
Il Is the h2st tIlr;la around on .!.is side di
the South seas, and New Orleans and the
Wes. Indies, 81 some of the Atlantic cities,
now derive large supplies from thcyi.
DTThe Spaniards who now: fisiiin this
quarter, are main cause Of the Indian
hostilitcs. Upon the continuance Of these
hostihties depend the continuance of their
lucrative occupations, with all the attend
ant advantages of rob5ing wrecked vessels.
From these Spanish fishermen the Indians
obtain abundant supplies Of arms and am
and are encouraged to continue
the war. They and the Indians can hard
ly be told apart; and many officers are
fully of opinion that they are engaged in
nlany of the massacres which take place
about the point ofthe peninsula.
Fifth. Florida is valuable for its forests
Of pine and live oak, the former for the
lumber trade, and the latter for the navy.
Sixth. In connection with the keys and
islands which line the coasts and belong to
it, this peninsula is also to be of great val
ue to it for salt. Itapproaches within two
degrees of the tropic of Cancer, and has
the advantage which most of the Bahama
islands is the chief, for the manufacture of
this prime necessary of life. Sunshine
and sea water are the elements of this pro-
duction, and these are possessed by the
Southern extremity of the peninsula and
the circumjacent isles and keys.
Seventh. This part of Florida is the
only part of the United States which will
Cubatobacco, generally worth
about thirty dollars a hundred in the Uni
ted States, and the fine flavor of which has
made us so largely tributary to Cuba for
cigars and snuff.
Eigth. All the coast of the peninsula is
healthy. This is attested by all the Off
GERS who have been there. In this, the
coasts, and especially the extreme point,
resemble the islands of the West Indies,
being open to the healthy, cooling and in
brcezes ofthe sea. The health
of the interiorparts. depend upon local eau
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