The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-04-06

A correspondent Of the Manchester,
On. H. Union is visiting St. Angus.
tine, aud gives the following account of
the place
This, the oldest town in the United
States, was settled by the Spauiards in
1860. 1t is very compactly built on a
low, narrow, sandy peninsula the sea
on the east, 81. Ssbastian's river on the
west and on old noat extending from
the foot Of the river, defence against
the Indians, on the north. The whole
country for fifteen miles around is a
swampy, uuiuhabitabe wilderness. The
streets are narrow, the widest not more
than twenty five feet, and from the
second story of the houses are hanging
Piazzas which occupy more than half
the space overhead, making the town
cool and shady. In the centre is the
plaza or square, on which stands
monument twenty five feet high, built
many years ago ia honor of the Spanish
Constitution Around the square are
the public buildings, custom house and
court house, which contains the county
records, sheriff s Office and post office,
the Catholic aud Episcopal churches
aud the public market Iu the south
erly portion Of the town are the United
States barracks, occupied by several
companies of troops. Near by is the
government buryiug ground, where in
ooe grave lie the gallant Major Dade
aud one hundred aud seven Of his meu
who were surprised aud slaughtered by
the Indians during the Florida war
North OF the city are two other cemeter
les, Catholic aud Protestant 10 the first
old Spaniards and their successors have
been buried for three hundred years
yet it is small yard aud but few grave:
are to be seen. When old skulls and
bones are thrown up in digging new
graves they are carefully preserved auG
kept in the church la the Protestant
cemetery we noticed the grave a New
Hampshire man, Lieut.. Mcneil, grand
sou of Gov. Benjamin Pierce. He wa.
killed by Billy Utee a chief in the In
dian war.
But the greatest object of interest is
the Castle Of San Marco, now called
Fort Marion, which was built about tw,
centuries ago, of coquua rock, as ar,
many Of the houses in town, brough
from Anastasia Island, opposite IN,
harbOr. The fort is in the form of ;
sqiare, supported by four bastions, OF
three Of which are turrets, the Who'll,
surrounded by mo.t aud outside al
outer barrier, which, as in the middl,
ages, was probably guarded by abbatis
scarp, counter sclrp, and fraise Th,
remains of the outer barrier gate, tn,
draw bridges, the warder's towers, ant
the ponderous p1rtcullis are still to bC
seen Within the chapel aud altar, tn,
council chamber, the casemates, aud tn,
dungeon. The latter was discovered
accidentally thirty seven years ago, un
der the northeast bastion. A workman
found a hard, square rock cementeC
iuto the coquina wall With the aid o
an engineer he removed it. Enterin!
they found instruments Of torture, rim,
bolts and chains, aud two iron cages
one hanging up the other fallen down
They were made Of hoopiron, fitted t,
the forms that wore them, and contain
ed human bones Of large men six fee
high. They were supposed to hav,
been members of the Spanish roya
family, exiled aud buried alive. Tn,
whole is grand relic of the midil,
ages.