Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-04-23

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Beeeher Stowe and her Florida
Plantation.
NEW ORLEANS, April Is, 1870
DEAR STAR:-Leaving Beaufort we steamed
through the channels by which we had entered
and coasted along the shore toward Fernandins
keeping some thirty-fve miles from land. The
numerous inlets on that portion of the coast cor
tain excellent harbors, and one needs cruise in
this manner to appreciate the very important
nature Of the work confided to the United State
Coast Survey, and the efficient manner in which
it is executed. The vast outline of coast po.-
sessed by the nation, the great number and
variety Of inlets, shoals, reefs, &C., render the
labor OF mapping out channels for the facilita-
ton of commerce Of immense value and i'm
portance. The charts established by the sur
vey are relied on implicitly by all mariners who
navigate tn ese waters, and we had an instance
under our own observation, of pilot who, al
though engaged for years in taking boats into
Fernandina, yet steered his vessel entirely by
the chart, and without any reliance upon his
previous knowledge.
DruhsWlck, on THIS coast, possesses great nat
aral advantages as u commercial depot for the
shipment OF the staple products Of this section
Blessed with one of the finest harbors in the
world, and with q railroad connection pene-
trating into the heart Of the cotton region and
connecting with all the main lines, its interests
owned and controlled by capitalists of resources
and energy, there are not few who predict that
twill in time become the Liverpool of America
One thing Is certain, that most Of the business
men Of the South anticipate the establishment
OF some new port On the coast, which shall have
all the natural advantages necessary to its de-
velopment, and which will in time eclipse all
the present points Of trafhc. My own belief is
that this idea is correct that with 1t will spring
up manufactures fer coarse goods, and that
within twenty years a very large proportion of
the exports will be manufactured articles All
that is necessary to effect this desirable result is
the influx Of proper enigration-not the ele-
ment known a. "carpet-baggers," whose only
object is to secure office, by imposing upon the
credulity and exciting the passions Of the COL
ored race, but men OF capital, thrift, and
energy, who will select a new place, far from
the traditions and prejudices which hamper all
the old cities, and there build q commercial
center greater than any Of which the South has
ever dreamed. As Simeon Of old looked for the
coming Of the Messiah, so do these people lsok
for movement Of so much Importance to their
interests.
or the many towns of this description which
it has been our lot to visit, Ferna udina is the
quietest, LATEST and meanest looking-a mere
heap Of white sand interspersed with few stray
Cling houses. The whole place bears an air of
lanquor, don't care q d-nness impossible to
describe. Even the dogs, as you pass along, eye
you with an air of I'd bark were it not too much
trouble. No enc knows any thing about any
thing, as, for instance, although the only rail-
road OF which the town boasts connects with a
steamer running from Cedar Keys to Mobile,
not soul could be found who could tell us when
the vessel left for her destination. In fact, YOU
can rarely obtain in the South any information
to be relied on concerning travel. There are
neither schedules nor time tables, and the nm
fortunate wight who travels here must trust,to
luck, long life. good digestion and all the
available money at his command if he expects
ever to get out of the country. We did the best
thing possible under the circumstances, for be-
ing the Sabbath we went to church and tor all
concerned in this institution in any capacity
prayed feryently that more light might be given
them.
There is nothing in Fernandina to interest a
"live" person, and ghost or a hyena might
alone find food for reflection. Yet the inhab-
itants OF the place firmly believe that it is des.
tined to have great future. At the entrance
to the bay is Fort Clinch. not very imposing
fertilization, and one which played a very un-
important part in the late war; The entrance
to st. Mary's river, in consequence of the bar,
is very narrow and tortuOus, and the sight of
one or two wrecks was not calculated to inspire
one with very pleasant feelings.
Shaking the dust Tor sand) from our feet, we
left this delectable place early in the morning
for Jacksonville, located on the st. Johns river
about twenty miles from the ocean, and the
most thrifty town in the South. Tho entrance
is very intricate, and the channel narrow. We
passed numerous fisheries, from which large
quantities Of shad are shipped North in Jan
uary OF each year. A few ine plantations show
themselves as you approach jacksonville, one
OF them owned and occupied by the MARQUIS de
Talleyrand, descendant of the great French
Minister Of that name. 1t is q very attractive
spot, with its orange groves and luxuriant TO-
liage. Numerous saw-mills line the river,
which lacks only variety or shore-Iine to
make it beautiful stream; and though only
the first week in April every thing is in full
bloom. As we reached the wharf martial music
greeted our ears, and presently about two thou
sand freedmen, Of all ages. sexes, conditions,
and hues, crowded down to look at Us. We were
the committee OF reception, and at the clamor-
ous welcome extended to our party. The mys-
terry, however, was explained when We learned
that an election was in progress for mavor
and councilmen. The great question whe-
ther Jones or Hopkins should control the des-
TIMES OF jacksonville for the ensuing year
was being decided, and the town was in a
state Of ferment terrible to behold. Vehicles.
used for the conveyance Of voters, were of the
most primitive kind-in some instances an OK
cart, drawn BY two oxen, and . nule In the lead,
with four "American citizens Of African de-
scent" seated inside, producing from four in
sruments the greatest amount Of discord ever
drawn BY the Same amount Of power from a
similar extent Of surface. PAcarded On these
carts were large bills, with Jones and Re-
FORM" or (" Hopkins and Economy" a. tasta
dictated or circumstances required. The spe-
cial police we're al returned rebels, while the
deputies appointed by tho United States mar
shall were mostly oolored. Excitement ran him.
bloody heads and noses abounded, the freedom
Of the ballot was amply vindicated, much bad
whisky spoiled, and al to no purpose. Some
infnrmality had vifisfAd tha sln~<,c- "a =,