The New York herald., 1868-03-21
FLORIDA.
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE Of THE HERALD.

SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE Of THE HERALD.
| The Influx of Tourists aud Invalids-Informa.
tfOn for visitOrs-Fernnndina-NIr Yelver.
tOn-A New Steamship Enterprise-Thc Lin.
coin Conspirntors:
FERNANDINA, March 13, 1858.
Here in Forda-the Gland OF Flowersn and va
grant negroes-we are having a season of sunshine
and pleasure. The weather is remarkably warm,
with breezes just cool enough to brace up the invalid
and make the tourist who has run away from the
chilly north winds think he or she is In paradise.
All the steamers plying between Charleston, Savan-
nah and Jacksonville come down loaded with pre-
cious freight OF tourists and nvads from all parts
Of the country In search OF health and pleasure along
the rivers and lakes and islands of lovely Florida,
which just now, like the Fenians, Is "a wearn OF
| the grecn.n
The New York millionaire and his family are here,
skipping about by rail and steamerthe male portion
| one day hunting deer, wild turkey and coon, the
next initiating the immortal Izaak Walton in pursuit
Of the nny hab1ues Of the rivers and lakes; the fc-
male members OF the party gathering flowers, riding
and sailing. Some resort to the springs, where the
waters are rich in healing properties and the air Is
fragrant with 'the perfume of thousand nowers."
Amid the varying panoramic scenes Of the st. Marys
and the st. Johns rivers and the coast isands-the
yachting, hunting and fshng-the tourist and inva-
lid find sufficient enjoyment and exercise.
The climate is one of the most saubrlous in the
world, the gulf breezes are cool and invigorating,
and the nights just cool enough to permit one to
sleep soundy and keep the mosquitoes at O touch
menot distance
All who travel for pleasure and select their own
route are delighted-I might say intoxicated
with Florida. This is the point where they oil centre
After spending day two at the comfortable hotels
for which Fernandna Is noted, recuperated by the
climate and strengthened by the wholesome larder,
the tourist starts for the St. Johns river by elegant
steamers constructed with a view to comfort and
speed. Jacksonville Is the next point OF sojourn. 1t S
beautiful town Of about three thousand inhabitants,
blessed with fine climate beautiful scenery, and
cursed with miserable hotels and extortionate land
lords, who will charge guest one dollar for the
houses II the guest has not cut his eye teeth. There
are, however, many excellent private boarding
houses, whose latch strings are always ont to give
BILE accommodation. 1t is neghborhood OF game
and fish, and rare sport can be enjoyed In pursuit or
either.
AT the present time Jacksonville is crowded. as are
all the steamers plying upon the st. Johns to Enter
PRISE Genco Springs, Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stoves
plantation, and Pilatka, the landing where visitors
dsembark for the old Spanish town OF 81. Augustine,
| rich in "reminiscences Of Columbus and his time.
large number Of ladies and gentlemen arrived
| upon the steamer Little Ne among whom is the
Hon. Mrs. Yeverton who is collecting material for
| forthcoming book. The party were delayed hero
two days by fog Ia the river but nobody seemed to
the beautiful % beach Of the "isiand city" During
their sojourn in Fernandna its inhabitants were very
nospitabe. Horses anu carriages were, were paced at
United States Senator, where Northern bellies and
Southern beauties met In social reunion. In the
| hostess your correspondent met an accomplished
| lady, who, before the war, was Washington belle
| and the daughter OF a Governor OF border State
| tory OF Fernandna. l refer to the arrival oc
the steamship Flag Captain Baxter from Now
York, as the pioneer vessel Of new line to connect
Mobile with New York via the Florida railroad OF
which Mr. D. yulee Is the active head. The Flag Is
one OF the finest and stanchest steamships anoat,
| and is commanded by gentleman who for many
years has been in the employ of Marshall o. Roberts,
to Fcrnandina in four days. turned her freight
| to Mr.. Yulee, who placed II at Cedar Keys in the
| York The Flag will make semi.monthly trips TO
| Fernandina, transfer her freight to the railroad,
when VIII be run across ,lc Florida peninsula PEN and
| the connection with Mobile. The importance
Of this % Undertaking cannot be TOO highly
| can successfully compete with the railway lines,
between New York and Mobile Indeed, my own
impression s (and have travelled over all the rail-
way routes between New Orleans and New York;
that this route is the quickest. We're a line OF fast
steamers put on between Charleston aud fernandina
and Cedar Keys and New Orleans, the through malls
would reach the latter city fifteen hours earlier than
by the present all rail route To accomplish this it
would be necessary TO have fifteen knot vessels An
| other important undertaking woul4 be the establish
ment OF passenger and mail line from Cedar Keys
to Key west and Havana. At present all mail mat
| ter from Florida for Key West and Havana must
| 60 round wa Baltimore and New York. In the
ae spunS 70 Havana and Key Wes this route
would be chosen IN preference to the dangers Of q
/
on Thursday last public dinner was given at the
Virginia Hotel, by the city authorities, 70 the rail-
way officials and Captain Baxter, In honor OF the
new enterprise. About seyeny-iive gentlemen par
ticipated The chair was occupied by Mayor Br0n.
son, and many speeches were made on the occasion.
In speaking complimentary OF this line have no
axe to grind, as have invariably paid my fare on
the railway and steamers OF the company merely
refer to the enterprise that Is destined to bo
beneficial to the commerce OF the country.
A few days ago visited Fort Jefferson, Dry TOrtu-
gas, where the Lincoln consprators are confined.
had the pleasure Of meeting DR. Mudd for the second
time since his incarceration The doctor is very ret-
cent, but Ii very hopeful OF pardon All the officers
OF the post speak I'm the highest terms of the exem-
plary conduct OF Mudd well as the other prisoners.
When the yellow fever broke out In the post last fail,
and DR.. Smith fell victim to the disease Mudd left
the carpenters shop and by his skill and unremtting
attention saved the lives Of many officers and men OF
the post lie is universally esteemed by the officers,
all OF whom unite In testimony Of his uniform courtesy
he feels confident that the time will come when it
VIII appear that he was only connected with the as
sassinaton far as setting the leg OF Booth, when
called upon professionally. II does seem TO me that
In these latter days. when the chief conspra0r Jer
Davis Is permitted 10 at will over the country,
cheered and eted by rebels, the government should
take into consideration the important services rem
dered by Mudd and pardon him. Such seems TO be
the sentiment animating all the officers and soldiers
at the Tortugas.
THE rusr arr unan WlR.