THIRD SERIES.

No. 8-VOL. IV.]

BALTIMORE, APRIL 23, 1825.

[VOL. XXVIII. WHOLE NO. 710

THE PAST THE PRESENT-FOR THE FUTURE.

EDITED AND PUBLISHED BY H. NILES, AT $5 PER ANNUM, PAYABLE ÎN ADVANCE.

The subscribers to the REGISTER in New-York, New-Jersey and Pennsylvania, who are indebted to this establishment, are requested, until further notice, not to pay any bills that may be presented to them by the hands of a stranger, or, indeed, to any other person whatsoever, unless known to them as the usual agent and correspondent of the editor.

when we look at and regard what has been accomplished within the last thirty or forty years, and begin to calculate the increased power of intellect and advancement of means acquired by the improvements already made, to effect others we may well all this, whereat shall we stop? The steam engines ask ourselves, in astonishment, where is the end of and scientific power of Great Britain, has condensed the labor of two hundred millions of hands within one The reason for this notice is as follows-Some time increased, at least, two hundred fold; and so it is more million-that is, the power of production has been ago, a large number of bills were placed under the or less in other countries; the second grade of imcharge of a gentleman, named Miner, for collection. provement, perhaps, belonging to our own. In Great No information has been received from him since he provided it holds out a faint prospect of yielding an Britain, hardly any scheme is too wild for support, left Baltimore, and, as it was expected that I would interest on money-and, indeed, many investments occasionally hear from him, a fear is entertained that have been made which evidently shewed that the some accident has happened by which the bills may in the principle of money, or the practice of those people had more money than brains. But it is not have passed into other hands. Mr. Miner was highly who possess it, that it should remain idle; and persons recommended as a very worthy and upright man, have it unemployed-they would more willingly keep will venture it almost on any hazard rather than and nothing has reached this office that tends to it moving though it yielded no profit: and hence it is diminish the confidence reposed. It is not known that improvement is pushed forward with a power that he has made any collections, or transacted any ture, time and space, in many important respects. that may be literally said to overcome the laws of nabusiness whatsoever, on behalf of the editor-but, In our country too, a trip across the Atlantic or a until the cause of his silence is ascertained, the au- journey to the Rocky mountains, is not more thought of, than was one to "Red stone old fort," in the thority which he had to collect money on my account "back woods of Pennsylvania," now called Brownsis suspended-and gentlemen, resident in the north-ville, in the memory of myself and others born ern and western parts of the states above named, arenals of New York!-why the people of that state are since the declaration of independence. And the carespectfully entreated to remit to this office, direct, already beginning to calculate that they will yield as by the mail, or pay over what may be due to those only who have been accustomed to call upon them; but, generally, the bills due at places wherein I had regular agents, were not given to Mr. Miner--for it was not intended that they should be interfered with.

A law of the United States for the punishment of certain crimes, ought to be known to every citizen; and, to assist in its promulgation, we have given it a place. Another important act in relation to the post-office department and business of the mails, shall be inserted for reference.

much money annually as the whole cost of their conwill produce revenue enough to make many other struction! They may be extravagant-but that they canals and roads, and that these last will assist in making others, without end, while there is need for accomplished these great works, prevails in many them, is certain-and the spirit which originated and other places and begins to be felt every where in the United States. We have not yet the power of production or surplus capital which Great Britain posscsses-but if a wise policy be pursued, if the agricultural, manufacturing and commercial interests of the nation are guarded as they ought to be, if we claim reciprocity and maintain it, it is certain that we must soon tread closely on the heels of "the mother country," which we seem destined to rival and surpass. I say surpass, because our people are not deficient in any of those great qualities which have exalted Britain to her present mighty power; GEN. JACKSON. It turns out as was expected, that they have room to expand, and are in the possession the "Nashville Whig" never published the article pre-of natural advantages of peculiar importance their tending to give the private opinions of general Jack-growth and prosperity.

An address of Mr. Ingham to his constituents, in reply to Mr. Clay, is promised in the next number of the "Doylestown Farmer," and shall be registered.

son, noticed in the REGISTER of the 2nd inst. The ori- In contemplating the increase of labor-saving magin of that silly publication is not yet ascertained. chinery and ease of transportation, may it not be fearThe "Charleston Gazette," published at Kanhawa, ed that these things will be carried too far? Let us Virginia, and which has been referred to as its source, very briefly take up the subject just now, with the pronounces the suspicion of it false. There is some-intention of offering some speculations on it hereaf thing very strange in all this.

IMPROVEMENT. Do all that we can, it is impossible to keep pace with the progress of knowledge, march of science and growth of useful speculation, as to roads, bridges and canals, mechanism and navigation, with all the useful arts, to ameliorate and improve the condition of man. We have not the room, the time or the talents, to notice and grasp these matters. But Vor. XXVIIE- 8.

ter, that may amuse, if not instruct, ourselves and others. A small part of the people of Great Britainthe manufacturers, not more that one fourth of the whole, including persons in the dependent businesses, manufacture all that is required for the entire domestic consumption, and give a surplus for the foreign market, annually worth the sum of fifty millions of pounds sterling! Suppose there was a like excessproduction in France, Holland, Germany, &c. and in

peal to arms, which terminated in the establishment of our independence. And it is to the glory of the U. States, that we were the first to abolish and forbid the slave trade, and declare it piracy; but, the peculiar circumstances under which we were placed at the close of the revolutionary war, and the great difficulties that interposed themselves to prevent the establishment of a federal government, which was indispensable to a preservation of those liberties that had been won by the sword, forbade a positive interdiction of the trade until the year 1808; and large quantities of negrocs were imported into South Carolina and Georgia, (which had originally insisted on that unhappy clause in the constitution which permitted the trade until the year just stated), up to the last moment when such importations were allowthe curse was spread over all the southern parts of our country, so that the black slaves nearly equal the amount of their white population-and will, in all human probability, very soon out-number it: for the fact is, and it ought to be seriously considered, that the march of the black population is south, but the increase of white persons is in the non-slave holding states of the north and the west.* No doubt, the will very generally existed, when the constitution of the United States was adopted, to abolish slavery-but the then large number of slaves and excessive antipathy against their color, together with the circumstances referred to, have established it so completely that the hope of its extermination has fled, except in the extermination of the

the United States, what would become of it? And, as the people of these countries are as ingenious and industrious as those of Great Britain, we must needs expect that they will, at least, supply themselves and that nation after nation will strengthen and exalt itself by the use of scientific power. What will be the general state of society, when there is a general surplus production? Judging by what has happened in the last fifty years, how shall we calculate for the fifty which are to come? The child is now born that will see greater changes in the moral, social and political condition of society, than any of the present race of men have witnessed. And may not this be feared that surplus-production will produce idleness --that persons will want a sufficiency of employment, to preserve their health and render them happy-that a common degeneracy will follow, and society re-ed; and from the ports of Charleston and Savannah trograde as rapidly as it advanced? This is rather a gloomy prospect--but "sufficient for the day is the evil thereof," and it would not be wise to make our selves miserable, because, in the improvement of our own condition, it is possible that posterity may have 1 too much of the good things of this life! Still, how ever, it is a point by no means settled, whether scientific power has not already reached an extent that would be prejudicial to the happiness of mankind, provided all that are capable of using it were to adopt it. What, if the teeming millions of China and the east, were to add this power to their natural means? Who can count the revolutions which such a proceeding would bring about? Suppose even that France and Germany produced proportion-race of men subject to it! Their present number borally with Great Britain-what market would the ders on two millions, and will probably amount to people find for their goods? And, though Britain, by that great sum of wretchedness in 1830. It is a solemn her mighty sacrifices of blood and treasure, caused matter. One that all of us would rather close our the downfall of Napoleon, with the hope of throwing eyes upon than look at; but this lessens not the awfulFrance back to the state she was in before the revo- ness of it-nor will it prevent that which every one lution, and in this partially succeeded, and so prevent-fears must one day happen, while all hope that it may ed a present rival-the time must come when that en- not be in their own time. lightened nation will pursue those schemes of policy which has exalted her rival in arts and arms to the gigantic power which she holds, and the immense influence that she possesses over human affairs

Abolishment of slavery. The general assembly of the United Provinces of Central America, conceiving that the system of government, adopted by this republic, would differ in nothing from that heretofore imposed by Spain, were not the principles of liberty, equality and justice to be extended to every citizen of these states; and believing that it would be unjust, in a free government, to suffer a portion of our fellow-men to remain in slavery, and not to restore them to their natural condition, the possession of liberty; and wishing, at the same time, to indemnify the owners of slaves for their emancipation, has passed the following decree:

SLAVERY. The new American republics, profitting by experience, have abolished slavery. The decrce of the general assembly of "Central America," is given below. It was most fortunate for those new states that the black population in them were not very numerous; and almost equally so that not so much prejudice or antipathy exists against that color as prevails in the United States-hence it is probable that, in three or four generations, the negro race will become extinct in all America south of us, Brazil excepted-which is terribly over-charged with slaves. It is the glory of the greatest slave-holding state that we have-the state of Virginia, that, while yet in colonial subjection, her people first took a decided *Take this demonstration. Within the ten years stand against the introduction of slaves, and, to the preceding 1820, (when the last census was taken), disgrace of the British government, that their respect- New York and Pennsylvania, jointly, lost as much as ful petitions and earnest remonstrances were treated they gained by migrations. In 1810, their aggregate with contempt. It is to the glory of Virginia, also, white population was 1,705,503, and in 1820, 2,35 1,729 that to oppose the infernal traffic was one of the lead--increase 646,226. In 1810, the aggregate white poing causes of the active part that she took in the ap

*Fifty years ago the cotton manufacture, for example, was of little value in England, not counted as a branch of the national industry-but last year, articles of cotton, to the value of one hundred and thirty millions of dollars, were exported. And in 1784-forty years ago, an American vessel imported into Liverpool eight bags of cotton, which were seized by one of his majesty's officers of the customs, as supposing they were not the growth of America. In 1823, there were imported into Liverpool, from the United States of America, four hundred and nine thousand six hundred and seventy bags of cotton.

1. From the publication of this law, all slaves, of every age and sex, in every part of the confederated states of Central America, shall be free, and, hereafter, shall no persons be born slaves.

pulation of Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama and Louisiana, the chief slave-holding states, was, in round numbers, 1,579,000, and in 1820, 1,901,000-increase 322,000; or less than one half, though the stock for increase in the first was only about a seventeenth greater than in the last, and Alabama is included, which, though hardly trodden by white people, in some of the northern parts excepted, in 1810, contained 85,451 white persons in 1820. Ohio might have been, with as much propriety, added to the first named states as Alabama to the last; but the object is to shew the undoubted force and power of the remark to which this note is appended.

2. No person, born or naturalized in these states, shall hold another in slavery under any pretext, nor traffic in slaves, within or out of these states. In the first case, the slaves shall become free; and, in both, the trader shall lose the rights of citizenship.

3. No foreigner, engaged in this traffic, shall be admitted within these states.

be in the hands of speculators and manufacturers), is made to be 49,816.

The amount sold in Europe, in 1824, is given at 26,407 hhds. In 1823 it was 23,141. Hence the crop of 1824 is regarded as equal to the consumption, because that, in 1824, an unusual quantity was purchased, and is yet held by speculators.

4. The regulations and orders of the Spanish goRemarks on the cultivation. It is well known that vernment, giving freedom to those slaves who shall nearly the whole production of tobacco in Maryland escape to these states from others, to regain their is consumed in Germany and the Netherlands-perliberty, shall be preserved in force, observing, how-haps nineteen-twentieths of it. The regular demand ever, the stipulations on this subject, by public trea- is about 25,000 hhds. annually, and it does not seem probable that it can be much increased, even by a re

ties.

5. Each province of the confederation, respective-duction in price, which is moderate enough already.* ly, shall indemnify the owners of the slaves, after the following manner:

But there is a prospect that the cultivation will be increased. Much preparation is making for planting it in Ohio, wherein "new ground" is plenty and cheap and it is on such ground that the brightest parcels are raised, some of which have been sold as high as 40 cents per lb. It is ascertained that tobacco, similar in every respect to that of Maryland, can be cultivated in Ohio, and the planters in the first named

"1. The owners of the slaves, under 12 years, who may claim indemnity for the parents of these slaves, shall have no claim on account of their emancipation. If indemnity be made for the father or mother alone, of the said slaves, they shall be paid for at half their just valuation. Persons, who may have liberated the parents of such slaves under 12 years, shall be in-state must expect to meet with powerful rivals in demnified for them at their full value. Those who shall have acquired such slaves by purchase, shall receive indemnity for them, at their proper value, as for slaves above 12 years of age.

"2. For slaves above the age of 12 years, indemnity shall be made, as provided by regulations to be formed for this object.

those of the last. Besides, from experiments made, it appears to succeed as well in the southern counties of Pennsylvania; and the low price of grain has induced some of the farmers in that state to turn their attention to it. It would then seem that the product will soon exceed the consumption, as Maryland can easily supply the whole quantity which the foreign market has heretofore received; and injury, rather than profit, will follow the surplus production, though 6. In every province, a fund shall be created from it, possibly, may be advantageous to some of the indiduties to be imposed for the special purpose of in-viduals now about to embark in the business-espcdemnifying the owners of slaves. The collection cially those in Ohio, whose distance from the market and management of these funds shall belong to the must render the cultivation of the finer sorts a valua junta of indemnification, which shall be established ble acquisition. in each province, under the regulations to be enacted.

"3. No indemnity shall be allowed for slaves above fifty years of age."

The price of Maryland tobacco especially depends on the quality-and now varies from 3 to 10 dollars 7. Every owner of slaves, who, after the publica-per hundred. But one hogshead was sold last week tion of this law, at the place or town where they re-at thirty dollars. side, shall compel them to any service, or shall prevent them from applying to the nearest municipality for their document of liberation, shall be tried and punished, as provided for in the case of those who conspire against personal liberty; and they shall, moreover, be subjected to the loss of the indemnity for the value of the slave, who shall be so treated.

VIRGINIA TOBACco. Richmond, April 14. On Wednesday, one hhd. of tobacco was sold, at one of the private warehouses, at public auction, which brought the astonishing price of $19 25 per 100 pounds. It was raised in the county of Campbell, and sold at Lynchburg for $6. This hhd. weighed only 1,100 lbs. and produced to its last owner 211 dollars 75 cents. MARYLAND TOBACCO. We have an interesting ex- The present purchaser is a manufacturer. It very hibit of the crop of Maryland tobacco, the growth of much resembles the Maryland Kitefoot, and, we 1823 and export of 1824, &c. of which the following scarcely deem it necessary to add, was of the most brief abstract takes in all that can be generally useful. extraordinary quality. Indeed, we heard a dealer During the year 1824-38 vessels cleared at Balti-say, that he did not believe there was such another more, and 11 in the district of Columbia, all laden with Maryland tobacco, except two, which took out small parcels; and the whole quantity exported was 20,745 hhds. viz: from Baltimore to Amsterdam 2,692, to Rotterdam S,803, to Bremen 3,277, to Hamburg 402, to London 50, to Stockholm 116, to Antwerp 193-total from Baltimore 15,523 hogsheads; from the district of Columbia, to Amsterdam 3,209, to Bremen 1,099, to Cowes and a market 915-total from the district 7,687 hhds.

There remained on hand on the 1st Jan. 1825-in the warehouses at Baltimore 6,287, Bladensburg 300, other parts of the state 500, in the District 600-total 7,687; which, being added to the preceding, makes 28,432 hhds. and, the stock that was on hand on the 1st Jan. 1824 being deducted, shews that the whole erop of 1823 was 19,956 hhds.

hhd. in the state of Virginia. Our friends, the planters, are, therefore, not to take this singular price as a sample of the current run of the article.

KENTUCKY TOBACCO.

Seven bogsheads of tobacco, raised in Shelby county, Kentucky, weighing 9,985 pounds, were recently sold at Louisville for $1,012 04, or an average of $10 14 per cwt. This lot also resembled the Maryland Kitefoot, and is called the "Green Frederick." It is not stated whether it was money or the bills of the "bank of the commonwealth" that was paid for this tobacco-but we presume the former, as the price is spoken of as being very high. The notes of the bank, it is well known, are at 50 per cent. discount.

The whole stock on the 1st Jan. 1825, is thus stated- COTTON. The cultivation, says the Richmond Comin the warehouses at Baltimore, &c. 7,687, at Amster-piler, is spreading over all the lower part of Virginia dam 7,496, at Rotterdam 6,573, at Bremen 2,560, at and we learn that it is becoming an object of some other places about 500-total 24,816-add the crop of 1324, estimated at 25,000, and the total number of hogsheads of Maryland tobacco, (exclusive of what may is

*Except for the very fine sorts-the price of which kept up by the smallness of the quantity raised,

attention below this, on the James river, on the
Pamunkey, &c. &c.

This new staple, introduced into our agriculture, is a most fortunate dispensation, to the lower part of Virginia particularly. Its lands will rise-its inhabitants will be enriched-and the tide of emigrat'on may be suspended, or, perhaps, rolled back. Real and personal estates may both rise. There can be no doubt that our climate is rapidly ameliorating -our winters becoming milder-and that, for any given series of years, the growths of the tropical countries will become more and more reconciled to our soil; and yield us better and more productive harvests. What we want, at present, is, a little more knowledge of the art of raising cotton. The machinery for ginning it is manufacturing among us, and becoming a new branch of business.

[While on the subject of an extended cultivation of cotton, it may be well to give insertion to the following paragraph, which we find in the newspapers-The import of cotton into Calcutta, for the year ending December 15th, last, was 280,088 bales; in the year 1823, the quantity was 132,544.]

THE ACTUAL MANUFACTURE of flannels in the U. States is now greater, in amount, than the whole importation of the article ever was; and the colors and quality are pronounced equal to the best European productions. We are glad that the consumption of this article has so much increased, and not at all displeased because that we are supplied with it from

our manufactories.

DOMESTIC MANUFACTURES. This morning we were shown a box of miniature cutlery, manufactured in this city by Mr. S. Pooley, and which is intended to be presented to president Adams. The box contains one complete dinner set of knives and forks, consisting of twelve table knives, twelve forks for do.; two pair of carving forks for do.; two steels, 12 desart knives, 12 forks for do. with pearl handles carved in diamonds; 9 miscellaneous table knives, 4 forks, 2 small razors with pearl handles, 2 of a larger size with pearl do.; 1 pair of scissors, not weighing 2-10 of a grain, one penknife, having a tortoise shell handle, which consists of ten distinct pieces, weighing 34-10ths of a grain; penknife with a pearl handle, weighing 41-10ths of a grain-dimensions of the case 3 inches. [N. Y. Com. Ad.

BRANCH BANK OF THE U. STATES AT SAVANNAH. By two statements that have been published, the following singular items appear-shewing a great curtailment of the discounts and business of the office: Oct. 1320. Dec. 1824. $112,562 55,896

Deposites of individuals 39,896 Domestic bills discounted Bills and notes discounted 1,157,054 6,070 448,125 on stock pledged 29,860 6,590 The pressure caused by these great reductions is complained of-and, besides, the balances due from the state banks, have been reduced from 75,724 dollars to 10,862; and, in 1920, the branch owed the parent bank and other branches 260,000 dollars whereas 364,000 were due to it in Dec. 1824.

MONEY. Nine millions of dollars were subscribed to the stock of the New York Water Works company, on Monday morning last! The capital is limited to a million and an half.

questionable right to call her what he pleased, and naming of her than had the "Cham of Tartary." But the president or his lady had no more to do with the as the editors seem to lack information, and make it a matter of doubt, whether vessels had been called "Lady Madison," "Lady Monroe," &c. I will settle that point by informing them, that such names have often been given to vessels, and especially that of "Lady Washington." As to "Lady Madison," he will find that one so called did the state some service during the late war, by turning to page 366, of the 3rd vol. of the REGISter.

"the beautiful brig Lady Adams, built by Mr. Beach"On Saturday last, the Baltimore papers state, am, for colonel Tenant," was to be launched at Fell's Point. We do not recollect, (says the Enquirer), ever to have heard of Lady Madison, Lady Monroe, &c."

place to certain proceedings had in the Mexican MEXICO. It is with much pleasure that we give congress. They presage the happiest destinies to the republic.

to be alarmed at the mighty power which they have THE EAST INDIES. The British themselves appear raised up in the east. and armed after the European manner, is said to The native force, disciplined amount to more than 200,000 men, and it is reasonably believed that, if any general disaffection should take place, it would not be possible to subdue them. It is thus, perhaps, that the wrongs of India may be avenged-and it seems almost right that the heartless countless millions, and given up to the hyena and people, who have deluged empires with the blood of the tiger large districts of country that lately teemed with happy and contented human beings, should be swept away from the face of the earth. A terrible retribution ought to follow such terrible excesses, that nations may be taught moderation and men learn to be just. The case that lately happened at Barrickpore, noticed in our last, is referred to with great apprehension. It now seems that the disaffection of the native troops was so extensive as to justify the slaughter of four hundred and fifty of them on the spot, with the wounding of one hundred and fifty more-I say justify, because the firmness of the commander, sir Edward Paget, is approved. These troops were ordered for the Burmese war, and there is very little reason to suppose but that the Burmese may only tend to hasten the destruction of the Briempire will be overthrown. Its conquest, however, tish power in India, and there is no redeeming principle in its existence to cause us to regret its extinction. It was established and is maintained with the blood of an innocent and unoffending people-a thousand times more virtuous than their Christian conquerors, who have planted the cross of saint George on the dead carcases of an indiscriminately butchered population.

completely shewn in its treatment of Lucien Murat, SPAIN. The honor of the Spanish government is son of Murat who was king of Naples, and nephew of Napoleon. He was on his way to visit his uncle, Mr. Joseph Bonaparte, in the United States, and had had the permission of the "holy allies" to leave Europe! proceeded as far as Gibraltar on his journey, for he While waiting at Gibraltar for a passage, he was accustomed, in company with some of the British offcers, to amuse himself with hunting within or about A NAME! The gravity with, which the fact stated have been any offence, for it is the every-day praothe Spanish lines, in which there does not appear to in the following paragraph is announced in the Rich- tice of the British. As soon, however, as it was known mond Enquirer, has caused me to copy it. I do not that this young man attended such parties, a plan like the name-it seems to give a fille unknown to the was laid to entrap him. laws and usages of our country; but the wealthy and his acquaintance, and invited him to a hunting exA Spanish colonel cultivated respectable ayner of this beautiful vessel had an un-cursion, within the Spanish territory. He accepted

it, was seized, and remains a prisoner, without a charge prefered against him! However, the Spaniards say that his case shall be "examined"--and it is possible that, in five or six months, they may believe that he did not endanger Ferdinand's possession of the throne with his dog and gun, and set him at liberty!

It is enough to make one laugh when the idea presents itself, that the "holy alliance" should feel it necessary to act in the case of a young man desirous of leaving Europe to visit, and, perhaps, abide with, his uncle in America. But the refusal of England, to permit the heart of Napoleon to be conveyed to his widow, as he had requested, was detestable.

NEW BRUNSWICK. According to the last census of 1821, the population of this British province was 74,191-of whom, 22,653 were white males, above 16 years old, and 17,164 under 16; 16,646 white females, above, and 16,225 under the same age. The people of color were 1,513.

richer tract of country-the St. John's river is a plain bold river from the Alachua ferry.

From St. Mary's or Amelia Island to the Tortugas, the distance cannot be less than 450 or 500 miles, and, after having doubled the Florida keys, it is nearly the same distance to Vacassar bay. A navigation, therefore, of nearly 800 miles, always the most difficult and dangerous, is avoided by a short canal of twelve miles across Florida; and, by thus uniting the rivers of that country, the trade is brought to St. Mary's or Amelia Island, where ships of any draught of water can repair. The cotton, sugar and other products of Louisiana and Alabama, have a short and safe navigation in the Gulf of Mexico, into Vacassar bay, and, in three days, are transported by canal-boats to the mouth of the St. John's river, or St. Mary's, where vessels are in waiting.

It will immediately strike every person interested, as one of the most easy, cheap and advantageous projects attempted-it will shorten the voyage to New Orleans-it will curtail the dangers of navigation, and be a protection against pirates-it will greatly enhance the value and importance of Florida, and the attention of government should be immediately directed to that quarter and to that project.

VIRGINIA. Mr. Mercer has been re-elected to congress from Loudon county, without opposition. Previous to an opening of the polls, he proposed certain resolutions, (which were agreed to), to ascertain the We have conversed with a respectable citizen of sentiments of the freeholders of the county as to the New York, who had just arrived from paying a visit calling of a convention to revise the constitution of to that interesting section of country. He had a short the state, and submit such amendments to the peo- passage to Charleston, and in two days more was in ple as should be thought advisable. A poll, on the St. Augustine, and, mounting his horse, he took an subject, was consequently opened, and there were 390 easy ride of two days over part of the territory to the for a convention and 8 against it-15 or 20, who had Alachua tract, all of which he describes as rich cotnot formed an opinion, declined voting. In Shenan-ton and sugar land; and the orange trees in blossom doah, there were for a convention 611, against it 30.

covering the country. A road has been made by the settlers, and we saw a specimen of the cotton, raised in abundance, and without much labor, and the thread made out of it by the female spinners.

FLORIDA. Ever since the cession of this country, we have thought that the time was not far distant The Talahassey lands will soon be sold by order of when the peninsula of Florida would be converted government, and if the Florida commissioners would into an island, by means of a canal, large enough for expedite business, and terminate their special duties, the passage of heavy ships, whereby the tedious and we do not doubt that, in this age of investments, dangerous navigation round the cape would be avoid- the sugar and cotton lands belonging to government ed; and, from all that we had learned on the sub- would bring a high price-at least, from ten to ject, the cost of effecting it would hardly be worth twenty-five dollars per acre. The grants aiready rea moment's consideration, compared with the ad- cognised and recommended for confirmation, are vantages to be gained, provided it can be accomplish-valued at a high rate by their proprietors." ed with any thing like a reasonable disbursement.* Speaking of canals, the New York National Advocate

The distance across the isthmus is about ninety miles, and from Vignole's map, now before us, there are two routes for the canal, one of which will require only eighteen miles of canal, and the other about twelve miles. The first and most approved route, commences in Vacassar bay, which is bold and spacious, and affording a good harbor and anchorage. In this bay, the river Suwannec empties, in which the navigation can be freely pursued until it branches into the Santa Fee-from thence into Orange lake, across the Alachua tract, into /Orange creek; from thence into the Ocklawaha and St. John's.

IMPROVED STEAM BOAT.

Her

The Trenton, built in New observes "There is, however, another and a most York, for the line to run between Philadelphia and important canal required in that rich and most valua- Trenton, is represented, by the New York papers, to ble, but neglected territory, Florida. A canal to be the finest vessel of her class that floats. unite the waters of the Gulf of Mexico with the Atlan-cabins are wainscoated throughout with mahogany, tic, beginning at Vacassar bay, in the gulf, and termi- the different sorts of choice maple, and other rare nating in the St. John's river, or at St. Mary's. and beautiful woods. The larger pannels are fitted with handsome oil paintings, which appear framed in the walls, between which are marble pillars and pilasters, forming, with other decorations, a splendid and chaste finish to the whole. But her model for sailing, and construction for comfort and convenience. are most the subjects of admiration. On Friday, in trial with the Kent and Marshall, she ran eleven and a half miles an hour. Her boilers rest upon guards, projecting over the water from each side of the boat. This leaves the deck entirely unobstructed, and forms what may be called a promenade deck.The space usually occupied by the boilers, is converted into convenient and elegant dressing rooms. Should any accident happen to the boilers, the water would be thrown directly into the river, and not in the least endanger the passengers. And what is likewise important, the unpleasant and annoying degree of heat in the dining cabins is no longer felt. She was built at Hoboken, and it may be fearlessly asserted, says the Post, that the improvements in the arrangement and disposition of her machinery, are far greater than any that have been yet made, sinée the first introduction of these boats into our waters.

The distance of canalling, or rather, in uniting the above navigable rivers, by the foregoing route, is said to be but twelve miles. The other route commences at the Anclote Keys, in the gulf, and enters the Amaxura river; from thence into the Ocklawaha, into the St. Johns; distance about eighteen miles of canalling. The first route is most circuitous, but it commences in a fine safe bay, and goes through a

*See gen. Call's letter, on this subject, in the current olume of the REGISTER, page 95.