Middletown transcript., 1872-05-04
Fsr TIE Nidiicosn Trssser8s.
A Winter in Florida.

- " ss@sSs - es~s~Ss~s
DEAR TaASscRIpr Your correspon.
dent. native Of Delaware. having passed
three months Of leisure in this climate,
thinking a few notes would be Of some
little interest 10 your numerous renders.
have taken the liberty to send them. In
the month Of January last. my health be-
ing little delicate. my physician advised
me TO seek u warmer climate. Accord
ingly made the necessary arrangements
in my business affairs. got together what
| might require in tho way Of a wardrobe.
for three months "trip, and made start,
bu, where to 90 was the question. A float
ing waif upon this vast ocean Of life, chance
dr.f,ed me me to this " oasis" Of Florida.
which has been my head quarters since.
jacksonville is located on the river St.
Johns, about twenty. five miles from the
ocean. and is prosperous, thriving city.
which will take rank in point Of intelli-
gencc. improvements, commercial enter
prise. aud everything in the general make
up Of live community with any city
South Its principal businessis the lnm
Der trade. l, has some ten saw mills in
successful operation, and ships lumber to
all parts Of world. The ST. Johns bar
carries ten feet Of water ut all times, aud
vessels bring freight from New York at 8
cents per foot, or % cents barrel, by
which the merchants are enabled to com
pete successfully with Savannah and
Charleston IN the sale Of merchandise. Its
population proper, numbers about 5000 /;
in winter considerably more, There are
several hotels, which afford goni accom-
noda;ious. The ST. james and Metropol-
/ itan are considered first class The price
Of living ut these is 81 90 per day. There
are innumcrablc Boarding houses. where
one can live for from IS 90 to $l5 90 per
week The market facilities are good
There are two steamers running to Charles
ton. aud three 10 Savannah. all connect.
ing with New York steamers besides the
Rail Road. which brings the two point.
close together Tho COS, Of passage 10
New York. through ticket. is SOS 90
large quantities of fish are taken from
these waters. They are caught in gill
u,,s One man told me he alone hal
shipped tnis .intor 3o, coo shal Thcy
sell Lee at 80 cont. each are packed il
lee and shipped 10 Savannah, and theme,
all through Georgia; also to Charleston
aud New York They commence running
hcre Que month earlier than in Savannah
they al.o ca,eh various other kinds. such
us uulle,s. shcep.head. els, founder,
ft.shcli turtle. crabs Nc
They base fine horses aud carriages
here. shrll-road, and sail boats. anl ont
ran cnjey himself If h. IN. the means and
Disposition 10 10 -. in these ani various
other ways. to the full extent This win
ter i mas been estimated there have beer
-. .rGn visitors here from all sections
many 10 escape the cold blasts Of winte
North, pleas seekers, tourists, specula.
tnts. paddlets. drnmmers. and inyalids
ihcrc are many pretty places across tn
river, md in this vicinity, besides orang
groves. flower gardens. &c there is :
steam ftrFy boat running. both up ans
down the river. distance of five miles
Native society here is generally very good
lh,y are quiet. easy, attend 10 their owi
affairs. aud do hot mingle much witt
strangers. Floating society from ihi
stand poiut. is good deal mixed Their
are great many genteel, Intelligent peo
Pile. ot refined manners and cultivated
tast', ahu pay their way generously, ar
n permanent benefit and valuable nc
. 1ui-ilion 10 any coun;r;. ,acn van en-
4 class Of people who have udleuly be
come possessed of wealth, made up by th
dress maker and omhlazonea with dia
monds. They are easily placed by thti
course manners, slang expressions ani
bois,ernas laughter Some Of them hay
made tour OF Europe, a fact they urve
fail TO make known. Yon also fud
) class Of carpot-bag adycIturers and broke
down politicians, whose motto is to gathc
portable property Tho first thing the
seek in this country is office They hay
nearly baukrupted the State, which u
present is very mrcl. governed Til
Goverunr, an individual named Harrison
/ Reed, a broken one, however, J hail
from Wisconsin, and has been impeachc
, for high crimes aud mslcmcanors. &c
The Legislature adjourned. leaving hin
ON the shelf, powerle.s Of doing NOR
harm. with the Lieut., Governor in com
mand A few days ago. he secretly wen
up to the capitol, Tallahassee issued
!, proclamation to the eilec, tha, he was ex
onerqtel, because they didn't place bin
where they ough, TO have done, in III
Peni,entiary) Tho negro Secretary q
State treacherously placed the great Sea
of the State to bis document, by whic
he claimed full power. The State now
} governed by two claimants for the honors
The city taxes here amount TO 81 pc
! cent, which added to insurance aud re
pairs leaves but triac from the rents
This IL apparent 10 strangers, and is no
advantageous for invesumen, in Real rs
tate, and will effectively keep out capital
lists. while such rule lasts. The colorc'
man has pretty much given up the shove
and the hoe. rs vulgar implements. un
worthy Of the race. They aspire to Leg
i,ln,ive houors, aldermen. police, &c.
witnessed mn election for Mayor and Al
derman. few days ago. The negroes tool