The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-02-25
Correspondence Of the Madisonian.
SETTLEMENT OF FLORIDA.

Sr. AUGUSTINE e. F., Feb. 7, lsi3.
The assurances Of peace which the long cessation
of all hostilities on the part of the Indian tribes in
Florida has given, together with the confidence of
future quiet inspired by the removal Of nearly every
hostile Indian from the country, has turned public
attention very strongly towards the settlement OF
Florida.
Florida has hitherto presented the anomaly of be-
ing the oldest settled portion of the country, and yet
the least known and occupied. The incessant wars
in which she has been engaged, and the frequent
change Of governments, have always kepA the coun-
try in such state of turmoil and fusion, leading
at times to almost entire depopulahon and change
of inhabitants, that it is by means strange that
Florida should be no more advanced than she now
is. Those causes are now removed, and no fu-
turc obstacles to her prosperity can reasonably be
anticipated.
Its great advantages and beauty, hitherto only
equaIled BY its mis- fortunes and disasters are aur
ing very many TO an occupancy Of portion Of our
country in regard to which, hitherto but little
has been known than Of the provinces Of the Eastern
world The recent long and disastrou. war, now so
happily and successfully brought to close by the
gallant officer in command, has attracted atten-
ton towards it in ordinary degree. A great ben
eft to the country has, however, occurred in the
laying open and exploration of the interior OF the
country to extent which fifty years of peace, with
the Indians in the occupancy Of the country, could
not have effected.
II is hoped that Florida in future may only be &C.
LIBERATED for its fair need of beauty and saubrity Of
climate, and the richness of her productions. No
farer field Of enterprise is now thrown open to the
industrious and psrsevcring emgrant, than East Flo
rida The only portion Of the United States situated
within the tropics her capacity for the cultivation Of
tropical fruits and plants, is exclusive and without
other competition, than the West India islands The
soil is variousy adapted to all the productions Of
Southern ATTITUDES producing, luxuriousy, corn,
rice cotton, sugar, potatoes, all kinds Of vegetables
melons Of the finest description, oranges lemons Cit
rons, pomegranates, olives, figs, &c. Its coasts and
rivers abound in fisheries Of the finest description,
while its oysters superior to any. To the poor
settler at the present time country presents equal
advantages. Under the armed occupation act. pass
ed at the last session Of Congress- he can enter hi,
one hundred and sixty of land and become the
absolute owner thereof, by residence Of FIVE years
In two or three days he can put himself up house,
which will require plastering or chinkng to keep
out the cold, as the climate is never severe enough
to require it within six or eight months he can
raise from his land corn and potatoes enough for his
subsistence. He can get stock for little nothing
and turn them to Craze in the woods the year around
without care, trouble or expense, and they will rap
Idly increase and multiply on his hands, without any
expense for keeping his lightwood is at his door,
and h. needs but little he clothing may be of the
lightest and cheapest description.
lie can carry on the labors Of his farm, the year
around, without interruption, and OF many articles
can produce two crops in the year.
Florida is essentially the poor mans country, his
land without, price and the subsistence Of his cattle
The tide OF immigration is setting in very strongly,
and the best lands being taken up but there is an
immense extent Of territory yet unappropriated.
The Act for the armed occupation Of Florida
which gives to each settler hundred acres Of land
condition of FIVE years residence thereon expires
on the Ath day Of August ncxt consequently those
intending to avail themselves Of it, should make ap-
pcation, previous to that time, at he land Offices
at St Augustine, or Ncwnansville, z. r.
The only capital the settler mood. is a sufficient
stock Of provisions to supper, himself until he can
produce crop, and few working tools. The
heathfulncss Of tho climate u proverbial. It. COM
mupca,ions and Of getting to market, are nat
uraIly very extensive by its pcninsuar position, and
( il. numerous nsvgabls streams
Two important works only, require TO be construct
ed, 10 completes H. FiSt, railroad from the river
st. Johns to the suwspec, distance Of but eighty
miles, which win connect tho Atlantic and tho Gulf