Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-05-07

respect, we have read with much pleasure
and satisfaction very excellent letter on
the resources of South Florida, from the
pen of Alexander Spcer, Of Culloden,
Georgia, who has been on visit to this
country, and recently given publicity TO
his notes. "Perhaps," says Mr.. Speer,
"there is no spot on the globe, so near to
civilized people, about which there is so
little known" 1t is fact, that while the
tide of emigration has been rolling on I'M
ceasingly towards the west, but few if any
settlements OF any consequence have been
made in Florida. Much OF this no doubt
is owing to the want of security for lives
and property, which for some years past
existed in the territory; but the Indians
are now entirely subdued ard, with the
exception Of small ineffective tribe in
the peninsula, have been removed west OF
the Mississippi. From the physical re-
sources of the county, and its genial eli
mate, we anticipate large accession of
population in succeeding years.
The territory known as South Florida,
is situated between the Oath and 30Ih de-
gree Of north latitude, and embraces the
entire of what is known as the Cape,
stretching far out from the main land into
the gulf and swept on its east side Jy the
Atlantic. 1t is diversified by lakes and
rivers. The ST. Johns is the great navi-
gable stream, and which pours its waters
into the Atlantic. On every side, South
Florida is studded with bays and harbors,
many of which will afford fine protection
to commerce. The soil is very unequal
in its fertility. In some parts it is ex-
tremely rich and fertile; in others, again,
but Indifferent. The parts to which Mr..
Speer principally confines his obserya-
tons, we shall more particularly refer to,
and extend our remarks to certain impor-
tant relations. This country is situated
on lakes Jesup and Monroe.
Fort Catin settlement is about 25 miles
southwest of Lake Monroe. Here there
is body of land, of inexhaustible fertli.
ty, ten by thirty miles in extent. 1t Is
undulating, and composed Of loan, fine
sand, and sea shells. AT Lake Jesup
there is about 10000 acres OF similarly
valuable soil. Most of it is prairie, cloth
ed with grass and the sun6ower The
prairie encircles the lake, is about 20
miles in length, and everywhere accessi-
bic to steamboats,; boats may without diff
ficuIty ascend the ST. Johns TO this place.
Throughout the greater portion of this re-
gion the land is good, and facilities Of
transport to the ocean easy of access.
This section of Florida is eminently a.
dapted for the production of sugar cane.
1t is said 10 ripen from twenty 10 twenty
five joints, and frequently tasscls out like
Indian corn. Mr.. Speer remarks that it
is cut in November and December, and
manufactured into sugar, and the united
testimony of the settlers is, that it will
make 1000 lbs. per acre. tits as easily
cultivated he adds, "as Indian corn, and
is the least subject to casualties of any
crops that grow" This sugar is a very
superior article, and has sold for eight
cents in the Savannah market, averaging
TO the planter $3.50 per acre. The char
acier Of the tobacco raised is equal 10 the
pest Spanish, and is already beginning to
attract large numbers of planters from
Georgia. The experiments that have
been made have all resulted successfully.
The article realizes forty cents per pound,
and is of fine and delicate aroma. Sea
Island cotton also grows to great perfec-
ton, but planters are not content, il seems,
with an annual income OF $3.50 or $500
per hand, and have generally superseded
its cultivation with the sugar cane. II is
thought the coffee tree would yield well.
and we doubt not some efforts will shortly
be made to introduce its cultivation. Ii
will be recollected that the General Go.
vernment, some years ago, made grant
Of land to an enterprlsing citizen, in view
Of the cultivation Of the tea plant. I'm
fortunately, however, the individual was
seized and horribly butchered in his owr
house by the Indians, who were then car
rying on hostiities against the Govern
ment We think the tea plant could be
cultivated with success.
There is in this country great beauty O
natural scenery. The orange tree is eve
ry where Astounding in groves, bearing ID
yellow fruit in rich abundance; and The
valleys are filled with the magnificent
| flowers Of the magnolia. At the base o.
many of the hills, springs are seen gush
ing in pclucid streams from their fonts
and running along through silent dells, t
meet their parent stream. The river
contain numbers OF the choicest fish, anc
myriuds of water fowls annually collec
abou. the lakes TO hatch their young
Mr.. Speor at one time, on Lake George
saw what he supposed 10 be half mlllior
Of ducks, covering the lake for miles, anC
he adds: "when portions OF them would
rise to fly, they made sound like com
ing hurricane" Turkeys and deer arc
also in great profasion. Lake Monroe i
a;I 10 il. nacuiarlv adnnted N inyaiisls