The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-12-15
ST. AUGUSTINE, (Florida, Nov. l6, Il
Hon. CHARLES A. WIcKLrrE,
Postmaster General:

ST.. AUGUSTINE, (Florida) Nov l6, 1912.
Hon. CHARLES A. WIcKLWrE,
Postmaster General
SRA: Unfavorable as the condition of our public
finances are known to be at present. it is apparent
under the present revenue law, the nation will soon
be in q condition to undertake any important national
work, where the expenditure would be tIifing, in
comparison with great and certain benef1 which
must flow to every portion Ct the United States.
It may not therefore be uninterestng to your De-
part nent and to the nation at large, to call public
attention to q line of communication, which at in
considerable expense, will unite the waters of the
Atlantic, with the Gulf of Mexico, and open SAFE
convenient and speedy route from the extreme north
of the United States to New Orleans.
The distressing and ruinous war with the Indians,
which ragged destructvey for the last years
in this Territory, precuded any attempt to awaken
the attention Of Congress to such line of commune
cation. Peace being established with the few In-
dams remaining in Florida, the interest of the Gov
eminent as we'll as the whole commercial and agr-
cultural interest of the Union requires the execution
of work, so beneficial in its consequences, and ma
tional in its character. Whether view the con-
nexion of the Atlantic with the Gulf Of Mexico, in
relation to the growing commerce and intercourse be-
tween the Northern and Middle States and the South
or lis importance in military operations in peace
or war or look to its advantages for safe and
speedy and cheap transportation Of the great South
ern mail the subject is worthy Of grave examina-
ton. The present mail route from Charleston to
New Orleans is not only very expensive, but much of
it must be travelled in stages bad roads, which
in winter are almost impossible. The mai is often
delayed by high water and sometimes lost in crossing
creeks or rivers. The route proposed to connect
tho waters Of the Atlantic with the Gulf should
commence al Charleston, by steamboats,, taking the
inland passage to Savannah and pursuing the same
inland passage to the st. Johns river which is at
all times navigable for hundred and fifty miles
above its mouth. A railroad easily be con-
structed from the ST. Johns river TO Cedar Keys,
at or near the mouth Of the Suwannee liver; the
distance Is not more than eighty miles, over sur
face so level that little cutting grading will be
qurcd. we'll made and even road constructed en-
the plan of James Heron, Esq, civil engineer, as
published by him in l64l, would not cost by one
third, as much as a road in the northern, middle
States, on the same plan. The grading of the road
would be uncomfortable. The best timber for the
work can be had on the whole route for the cutting and
hewing, and the transportation of the iron rails and
other materials required for the work, would be by
water, at small expense.
The importance Of direct communication be-
tween the Atlantic and the Gulf Of Mexico, claimed
the especial attention Of Congress- as far back the
winter of 1895, and on The Sd of March, 1895, an
act was passed for the survey Of route for canal
for boats and also with view to ascertain the prac-
tcabity of ship channel, for the same noble and
grand object
These surveys, a. directed by law, were executed
by the brigade under the command of the able and
accomplished head of the Engineer Corps, the distu-
suishsd General Bernard, and TO be found in the
Office, where such surveys filed and preserved at
Washington.
Il may fairly be presumed, lift can be demonstrated
that this great national communication will become Of
essential value, add benefit to the whole Union that
Congress will provide for and direct its completion.
The advantages which will flow to our country OF
large, Fl, the proposed connexion between the At
Ian,ie and the Gulf will be made obvious; first, BY
its importance and economy in time ofwar resulting
frous our military operations in Florida secondly, the
protection Of our inland commerce. especially in time
ofwn with maritime power, and the additional Sc
corty at all times from the losses often occurring
on the coast o Florida 10 ships and carQoes, from
the rseh which surround Cape Floliia lis keys and
much Of our sesboard thirdly the reIenehmen, in