Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-05-24
From ire SIvnnsh Republican. Nav is.
INTERESTING TO PLANTERS.

Florida, We have been given TO understand that th'
time was not far distant, when that fair Territory
released FROM the thraldom OF savage hostility, would
become popular arena for cnterpriSing eNeruon.-
We have been told Of the rich lands in that country
OF flowers, which would be given as reward to tbs
adventurous pioneer until our fancy almoet has oeen
cheated into belief that Florida was actually the
land which, hitherto. had only been presented TO us
through the medium Of our golden dreams" How
ever much we have lent ourselves to the sanguine
anticpations OF other, in this regard, must avow
that totally unprepared to receive, BONA tfe,
such an assurance is exhibited below, that the
visions Of the Spectator in Florida lands are in tnir
way Of being realized.
The MADNESS of friend has furnished us with
the subjoned characteristic letter from Col. ID. Nj.
Stewart, the first man Who since the commence
ment OF the war, had raised the standard of the
Geo-g ia planter, upon the fields hitherto claimed
and possessed by the refractory Seninos
Let the armed occupation go into full operation,
and we will undertake to announce, on our own re-
sponsibility, that the is positively "cosed for
the last time"
CAMP DEFIANCE, (E. F.) May 10. 1872
My Dear Sri wrote several weeks ago s,engihy
(longl) cpistc, stating among other matters that
had received commission from Lieutenant Nj. Il.
Patrick, Super ntendcnt OF settlements in Florida,
authorsins me 10 raise colony and take possession
OF the fine lands bors,rinl Lake Jesup. sc.
Since said letter "lhavc seen sights as he crack
frequently observe, when they mean TO say that
they have been much engaged and deeply Interested
soon succeeded in obtaining one hundred and six
" persons OF all ages, sexes, and occupations 10
ion me, after letting them know of the facilities
afforded by government &C transportation, ratons,
arms. ammunition, protection, &c then informed
them that by armed occupancy OF the country
nov, they would secure presumption right 10 one
hundred and sixty acres # land in this rich aud
beautiful country nboun5iug IN game. &c. The in
duc,men held out could not be resis cd IN these
hard times, and they conriuded that ihey con u not
be worsted. thought so too, and on the tenth day
OF April, aud my adventurous party embarked
OF board OF the steamboat commanded bv Cspi.
Peck. (who 10y the way Is an excellent Captain and
obgins sentenan) after much perp eNity and hurry
we go, every thing on board, and long shall re
member the day, for assure You greater variety
Of matters ami things thrown together h.eslsdypig
{ edly think could scarcely have been found IN
Noih's ark. Steam was got up al asst and we fairly
off from Traders Hill when The eternal serenade com
menced that ias,e1 day and night unit, We were all
safely landed on the wharf of Fort Mellon. Just
imagine children CRYING, dogs fighting. PCS squeal
ing geese quackng, turkeys sobbing, negroes snor>
ING. some Of the old women scodng, two or three
hddies Screaking at intervals, occasionally steam
blowing off, and you may form some little idea OF
the music along the way. Well, here are, in
despite of every thing, and here we are determined
to remain, unless the Indians are more numerous
than they are represented 10 be- and better soldiers
than we are, for truly this is country not 10 be
abandoned Il possession can be maintained. Many
of the colonists have already succeeded in finding
Indian helds Of many acres ready with little labor
TO produce heavy crops, and all have planted more
or less will not pretend TO give minute descrip
ton Of the best lands you would think me romano
ing; will only remark, that in my travels through
nearly every State in the Union, although have
ever admired good lands, have never seen any soil
equal TO this we now occupy.
The River 81. Johns is magnificent stream. Il
and It's numerous lakes abound with fish. The
swamps ard highlands are well stocked with game
On high situations good water j. TO be obtained.
Depend on II, here IS the country for riches and
pleasure, and the day is rapidly approaching when
thousands will be flocking IT, for tits here the
orange blooms from year TO year. and the sugar cane
Will tassel. The marsh lands around the lakes and
SIDES oil the river excel all Other and there are tens
OF thousands OF acres in bodies, with not tree or
stump 10 reiard them from being put in ample order
Tor the reception OF cotton corn sugar. rice or any
thing else. Say TO all my friends who live by cul.
tivniing the soil, that advise them 10 lose TO time
but TO come on here and judge for themselves No
accident as yet have befaen any ofmy colony On
yesterday, as Messrs. Crane Gardner, and Sulli
van were coming home 10 camp, late in the even.
ing, after tolng all day, with axe and hoe, huge
tiger attempted TO carry of Mr. Sullivan, but failed
| IN doing so by missing his spring by about three
| feet. Messrs. Crane and Gardiner were ready in a
moment TO assist Sullivan; the savage ANIMAL how
ever, seeing he was ou,numbered, fed, and was
pursued by Mr.. Cranes fine dog, who also rushed
10 Suyans aid.
/ q" e'.ANN4.4Ssb " every SORT we nave cee0
most kindly aided and encouraged by oil the officers
ofthe Army. To Capt. Z. X. Barnum and his com
mand we are under weighty obligations, especially
TO Lieut.. W. G. Patten and DR.. J. Walker. As
Commander ofthe Colony, my house was finished
hrst 1t lsten feet wide and fourteen long built Of
palmetto logs and covered with cypress bark Few
cabins, however, are better stored with beef pork
| flour, rice, &c. &c. / have Just room to eat and
sleep, but nothing more. This is my home for tie
halanoe Of my liic Come, do as have done. the
country is worth taking little trouble Tor: and as 10
Indians, wevalue them not n rush. with nv pun
and two dogs, Blackstone and Archbold, ride for
many miles away from our camps, alone and fear.
! less.
h,d nearly forgotten to inform you Of my indi.
vidual great good fortune. A D the valuable build
ings at Fort Mellon have been turned over to me bv
order Of our brave Co. w. J. Worth. / am well
hxec; my plantation and twenty-nine Of my negroes
are within four miles Of this Post. shall, OF course
locate my presumption and reside here.
Your sincere friend
DANIEL NJ. STEWART.