The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-17
LETTERS FROM THE soUTH-No. 8.
ST.. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA,
November Gath, 1912.

T.
November Gath, 1912.
Hon. CHARLES A. WIcKLHFE,
Postmaster General:
SIR The value of uniting the waters Ct the Allan
tic with those Of the Gulf Of Mexico viewing 1t
solely the means of preserving ships and car
goes and advancing the security and speedy transport
tation of goods from the extreme North to New Or
leans, would amply compensate the nation FIR any
sum tina, could be judciously expended in the con-
struction Of a railroad or canal. When, in add
ton to these valuable results, we also open much
wider range Of country to the direct introduction Of
the products of the West, North, and Middle States
through the southern portion Of the States Of North
Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, including the
Territory of Florida, the subject becomes wor-
thy Of the national consideration. The annual loss
of vessels and cargoes in passing Cape Florida, its
islands and coral reefs is not less than five hundred
thousand dollars, and in some years il has exceeded
seven hundred thousand The dry goods destined for
much of the country the Atlantic, south Of st.
Marys in Georgia, and around the Gulf to Louisiana
would be taken across the peninsula the rail
road and except iron, crates and SALT but few other
articles, would be freighted around the PENINSULA of
Florida. The saving so much property annually
from the dangers Of the Florida coast TO say nothing
of the insurance the vessels and cargoes, will no
doubt attract the notice Of commercial men. The
merchants from Boston, New York, Philadelphia,
Baltimore and Richmond, surely deeply interest
ed in establishing this great national highway. The
safe, easy, and quick passage of dry goods to New
Orleans, Mobile, Mississippi and Florida, and through
these countries far into the Interior would increase
the internal commerce of our country, bene6ting
mutually the planter and the merchant Virginia
and Maryland would find more extensive market
for their -four and manufactured tobacco, which
much Of the southern country back from the Gulf Of
Mexico cannot now obtain, but at prices extrava-
gantly high and for the latter part of the summer
til late in October, good and sweet -four cannot be
purchased at any price. Thousands of families in
much of the Southern country, for two and three
months in the year, prefer Indian corn bread to the
sour and unwholesome flour that has remained on
hand during the summer. When the summer ad-
vances, the shipping at all our ports return to the
North during the hot months here, and the health of
the crews is thus preserved by change Of climate.
If railroad was constructed the peninsula,
with steamboats, to navigate the Gulf and the waters
of the Atlantic, the commerce of the North, Middle
year, with little risk of boats and cargoes, and a
greater certainty of health TO the The rapid
motion Of the boats and quick change of atmosphere
as well as water, from salt to fresh would materially
aid not only in preserving health, but also the boats
from the worm, which perishes in fresh water and
is so destructive TO vessels that navigate only the
seas The peninsula of Florida is nearly three hun
dred and fifty miles in length watered by many navi-
gable streams besides the st Johns, with large and
beautiful lakes, which, at triHing expense, be
connected with the rivers that into the Atlantic
and the Gulf and the day not far distant when this
peninsula will become the Italy Of the United States.
With the ocean the East and the Gulf on the
West, country be better situated TO enjoy the
heathful breeze, give to its inhabitants such
variety of products comprehendng all the tropical
fruits with many of those grown in the Middle States.
Over the whole peninsula, TO its extreme southern
point, the waters can be made navigable easily
and at SO little expense that when settled our inter-
nal commerce will be surpassed by any portion of
the United ates. Eas. Florida will main ain great
er population than Massachusetts, independent of its
fisheries, which are more valuable than any in the
Union. The abundance of fish every where on the
sea board, the fine oysters and turtle, will not only
insure wealth TO many who may engage in their tax
ing, curing and exportation but from the great num-
Der, and the with which fish taken, than
100 600 souls could easily maintain and support them
selves by the products Of the How important
is it, lhen to the general interests of the nation in
military view of the subject that Congress should by
every MEANS encourage the improvement and settle.
ment of this country.
With population acclimated raising cattle with
out number, and provisions to sustain armies but lit
tie foresight will show the ny advantages that must
accrue to the country in time Of war.
The same difficute that have attended our militia
ry operations in subdung the few Indians in the Pc
ninsua, would be encountered by foreign enemy, in
an invasion Of this country. people familiar viii
every river, swamp and hammock, would destroy a
foreign force treble in number, and with wise and
liberal policy, the Government would in few years
render this frontier now the weakest in the empire
strong and formidable. True economy recomme nds
this course and if now, in time Of peace the atten-
tion Of Congress and its wisdom and energy is APP
piled to the Southern States by connecting the
Atlantic with the Mexican seas, and giving proper
inducements to the poor, hardy and enterprising c,
Gems of the States, TO settle in Florida it will be the
certain means, in any future contest with strong
maritime nation, Of saving millions to the United
States. II is said individuals learn wisdom
from the experience of others if this is true, what
have nations ever acquired Of wisdom and prudence
by the misforunes and sui1erngs of each other We
may almost doubt whether we, a nation have yet
learned any thing valuable by experience,
and by all the disasters thai have hitherto marked our
history, civil and mi itary. The war in this Terrific
ny will excuse, if not justify the remark The inte
rior of Florida was not quite well known, when
the Indians commenced hosliies, the interior of
Africa. The Government was, from time to time,
mportuned up 10 the commencement of our Indian
war, to have examination made of the peninsula
Of Florida, as absolutely necessary in case Of war