Windham County Democrat. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1836-1853, 1851-08-27
Correspondence Of the Democracy
East Florida as il Is, and as il Can BE.
NEwHAEsvILLr. q. F.. Auq

NEwEAEsviLLE, +. f., Aug lst 1851.
East Florida at the present time, presents to the
poor man who intends to honest livelihood by
tllng the soil, the greatest inducements of any por
ton Of The United States His expenses compared
with that of Northern laborers is very rifng, owing
to the mildness of the winters few days labor, ju-
dicously expended converts the tall pines which a
bound in this region, into dwelling, which affords all
necessary protection from the changes of weather.
Thus, without expense, he has home His land costs
him but 81 ,25 sper acre, and such farm he
raise good crops of corn, which will average him rs
cents per bushe and excellent cotton, which brings
him the market price. These crops furnish him with
bread, and procure him all the comforts his simple
mode of life requires. Besides, with proper manage
ment, he may have crop at almost any of
the year. Beautiful Irish potatoes may be placed
the table in May; Sweet potatoes in June, Watermel
and Peaches abound by the first of July, Peas
Beans, and garden vegetables may be raised the year
round, but sadly neglected the principal d.
ct of the people being bread, hominy and meat ;
of which last there is beef, Bacon vcnison and wild
turkey. Sugar grows abundantly, and most beau
tfu sugar and syrup is made from it, Its export, how
ever, owing TO the difficulty of transportation, is
fined to the sca-coast and the ST. Johns Then may
be mentioned arrowroo casava, used for starch and
nvalids, and excellent food for anyone oranges and
at the extreme South all the tropical fruits
But the varied of this region can never be
realized till railroad is constructed across its south
portion connecting the ports of the Gulf with the
Atlantic, and forming direct cheap and expeditions
communication between New York and the eastern
markets on the one hand, and New Orleans and the
southern markets the other charter was grant
ed at the last sitting of the General Assembly to N
vh pih thp nd mia at
would arise to the company and the nation are suffi-
GENTLY understood 10 its completion, remains to
be 1t could hardly fail to be profitable, for these
reasons list The expense of building would be very
light There are no high hills to be dug down; no
deep valleys to be flied up; no broad rivers to be
bridged and but few creeks and ponds that could not
be avoided. Cd. Repairs would be almost unknown
3d. II could fail to become the great highway of
travel and commerce between the cities of the East
and South. Glance at a map. Notice first the posi-
ton of New York and New Orleans then notice how
far south vessels freighted for southern ports
bliged to sail in order to double Key West Reckon
it and you will find 500 miles of useless sailing Then
consider how much more direct would be the propos.
ed route, stretching from the lower corner OF
Georgia the Gulf and lastly, calculate the great
saving of life and property from the reefs of Key
West. According to statement presented to Con.
gress by Mr. Yuee, the vessels in distress at that port
in the year lS46, numbered SO, of which 43 belonged
the Atlantic coast. The total expenditure in that
year $2l3,423; in 1915, $lO5,7O9; and in 1874
$l60,O64. Allowing for the natural increase of bust
ness, the expenditures at the present time must be far
above the average of these years The money lost on
these reefs would, in few years, build the road and
keep it in repair
When this great national object shall have been
complshed northern nvalds will resort hher spend
the winter in untold numbers Their increase during
the past seasons warrant the assertion. And, moreo-
yer, eastern markets be supplied with Irish poa-
and early fruits month earlier than from any 9TH
er part of the United States.