The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-02-07
FrnSAxDmA, FLA, Jan. 10, 1868.

FEENANDINA, FLA, Jan. 10, 1868.
Hon. Eli Thayer, Z Wall Sired, NJ York:
DEAR SIR: l am glad to learn, as 1 have
done through our Tax Commissioners,
that you are making progress in your.
very important work of restoring Flori-
da TO the Union. God speed you in your
enterprise
/ write to-day to give you word of
encouragement, if may be able so to do.
Born and educated in Vermont, and hav-
ing done business some years in Boston,
l removed TO Florida in the fall Of '57, on
account of my health, and having labor
ed much since that time 70 inform myself
in regard TO the country, may be per-
mitted to speak Of her resources, as we'll
as of her relation to the rest Of the Union
and TO the government.
lost large property, burned by the
rebels on the occupation of Jacksonville
by the Union forces, and suffered also
severely at its evacuation, and while |
would here make no complaint against
the government for its broken faith,
pledged to me and my Union friends of
East Florida, yet do claim that it should
como forwrrd promptly and strongly TO
the support of the scheme you represent,
not only as an act Of reparation and JUS
tice to us, but as most polite and inn
portant movement in the prosecution of
this war For it will cost the govern
ment but little more 20 extend line of
troops across the northern part of tho
State, along the Central Railroad-at
least to the Suwannee river, and down
that river, if not TO Tallehasse-than it
does now to guard this immense coast.
BY SO doing the government would isolate
the greater part Of the State from rebel
dom, and come in possession of all the
vast he DIS of cattle that Craze on these
prairies, for the support of the Depart
ment of the South, and aportion Of that
of the Gulf, as well as Of the naval squad
ron in this vicinity; while it would de-
prive the enemy of this very important
source of their supply; and offer an am
pie place Of refuge TO the Union men OF
southern Georgia, both white and black,
where, in its mild climate, fruitful soil,
its forests abounding in game, Rad its
innumerable rivers and creeks and lakes
alive with fish-they could be certain oI
sustaining themselves till the close Of the
war.
But it was my purpose in writing this
letter TO glance At the history and re-
sources of Florida. Both are very iittl,
known TO the people Of the North.
Florida has been the most unfortunAt,
State in the Union. Although the frs
land settled in the United States, anC
although untold millions have been ex
pended on her by several nations in turn
through the three hundred years sinc'
civilization began its work within he
borders, yet she was, at the outbreak o
this rebellion, behind all other States il
every thing that gives character ant
strength 10 country. general knowl
edge of her misfortunes is all that tn,
masses seem to know of her and thes,
have gone to make up her reputation
That she cost our Government five mil
lions of dollars in her purchase from
Spain, and that her Indian troubles have
since relieved the treasury Of many mil
lions more, is known to all. That shl
once repudiated her public debt is thl
mostthat capitalists generally have takeI
many are the merchants who know from
experience that "Florida Trade" wal
rather precarious. But how few know
what is really the facts that Florida il
far the most lovely and one of the mos
healthy, as will as the most fertili
State in the Unionl Her climate is no
exeelled by that Of any spot ON earth
Over a large portion Of the State fros
never comes. And while the winters arr
so mild aud beautiful, the summsrs-or
account Of the cool easterly winds tina
always prevail during the warmer month
Arc always pleasant and perfectly
agreeable. In the Northern part of ih,
State frost is occasionally seen in tn,
winter; and sometimes, with il, thiI
scale Of ice, where small quantities o
water are exposed in favorable places
But even here, all through the winter
gardens are always cultivated, growing
peas, potatoes, onions, cabbages, turnips
beets, radishes, lettuce and celery. TW,
crops Of these are raised each year.
In the more southern portions OF Ia
State all the tropical fruits are raise,
successfully-the orange, lemon, citron
guava the date and the banana and pin
apple---all in their greatest luxurianc
aud perisction. Flowers are always il
bloom in all parts Of the State; and ,h
bee, butterfly and grasshopper are seel
during all the winter months. Much o
the time, at this season, even in the north
ern part Of the State, the people keep ope
doors and windows-giving free cours
10 the broezes, so richly laden with th
, fragrance Of the flowers Of the forests
, Most Of the trees and shrubbery retail
their foliage the year round, and she
their leaves in the spring just as the an
imals shed their coats Of hair the ol
] coat falling of while the new is comm
on giving tho whole country the appear