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an exchange, a hospital and a public library. It is an unhealthy place in summer, yet enjoys considerable commerce, and is the great mart for the cotton planters of the whole state. Pop. 7,303.

Augusta, on the Savannah, 340 miles above Savannah by the river, but only 127 in a straight line, enjoys most of the interior trade of this quarter. Pop. 6,696.

Milledgeville is the seat of government. It stands on the Oconee, near the centre of the state. The river is navigable to this place for boats of 25 tons, but the town has little trade. Pop. 1,599. Macon, on the Oakmulgee has a population of 2,609.

4. AGRICULTURE. The staple article of culture is cotton, and next to that, rice. Tobacco and various kinds of grain are cultivated, but not extensively.

5. COMMERCE. The export of cotton, rice, timber and maize, comprises nearly the whole commerce of the state, which is chiefly carried on by Northern vessels. The shipping, in 1828, amounted to 13,959 tons. The imports for 1829, were 380,293 dollars; the exports 4,981,376 dollars; all except 734 dollars being domestic produce.

6. GOVERNMENT. The legislature is called the General Assembly, and consists of a Senate and House of Representatives. The members of both houses are chosen annually. Each county has one senator. Representatives are chosen according to population, including three fifths of the slaves. The Governor is chosen by the people for two years. All residents who pay taxes are voters. Georgia sends 7 representatives to Congress.

7. RELIGION. The Baptists have 205 ministers; the Methodists 64; the Presbyterians 31; the Christ-ians, 28; the Episcopalians 4; the Catholics 3; there are some Lutherans, Quakers and Jews.

8. EDUCATION. The University of Georgia, at Athens, was first established in 1785, but has not been in operation for the whole of that period. It has 7 instructers and 95 students. Its libraries have 4,250 volumes. It has three vacations; Commencement is in August There are about 90 schools in the state, and there is a fund for their support, of 500,000 dollars. 9. INDIANS. There were lately two considerable tribes residing mostly within the limits of this state. The Cherokees occupying the northwestern part, and the Creeks the western. The latter have recently sold their lands and removed from the state. The Cherokees have excited particular notice, by the great advances which they have made in the arts of civilized life. Within 20 years, their improvement has been great. They live in comfortable houses, chiefly in villages, and cultivate large farms. Many of them own slaves. They raise herds of cattle which they sell in the neighboring states. Many mechanical arts have been introduced among them. They have carpenters and blacksmiths, and many of the women spin and weave, and make butter and cheese. Their population is increasing, and now amounts to 15,060, of whom 1,277 are slaves. Many white persons of both sexes have intermarried with them.

Their religion is Christian, and they have a regular republican government. Their legislative body consists of a Committee and a Council, answering to a Senate and House of Representatives. The members are elected once in two years. They have a newspaper at New Echota, their capital, printed partly in their own language; the alphabet for which consists entirely of syllabic characters, and was invented by one of their own number. About 500 of their children are in the missionary schools learning English. This is probably the most encouraging spectacle of social improvement and prosperity, which has ever been exhibited by an American aboriginal tribe. It is to be regretted that any obstacles to farther advancement should be thrown

in their way; but the government of Georgia have laid claim to the whole territory, and seem resolved to effect the removal of the tribe.

10. HISTORY. Georgia was the latest settled of all the Atlantic states. In 1732, a body of 113 emigrants, under James Oglethorpe, founded Savannah; and three years afterwards many Scotch, Swiss and Germans formed settlements upon the coast. Wesley, the celebrated founder of the Methodist sect, visited Georgia in 1736, but quitted the colony when about to be brought to trial for what was esteemed misbehavior. George Whitefield also paid this colony a visit shortly after, and assisted in building up the sect of Methodists. The colony was involved in wars with the Spaniards of Florida, who invaded the coast, and established themselves for a short time upon the Alatamaha, but were driven off after a vigorous campaign. The charter was afterwards surrendered to the crown, and a royal government was established in 1754. The first constitution was formed in 1777; another in 1785, and the present one in 1798.

CHAPTER XIX. TERRITORY OF FLORIDA.

1. BoundariES

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.

AND EXTENT. This Territory is bounded N. by Georgia and Alabama; E. by the ocean; S. and W. by the Gulf of Mexico. It lies between 250 and 31° N. lat. and 80° 30′ and 87° 20′ W. lon. Its shape is that of an elbow, the southern portion being a peninsula 350 miles in length and 150 in breadth. The western part is much narrower, but nearly equal in length. It contains about 50,000 square miles.

2. RIVERS. The St Mary's falls into the sea on the E., forming part of the limit between Florida and Georgia. It is a small stream, but has a tolerable harbor at the mouth. The St Johns is the largest river properly belonging to the territory. It rises in the centre of the peninsula and flows northeasterly about 300 miles to the ocean. Its channel is broad, and it is navigable for small vessels 150 miles. In several parts of its course it expands into broad lakes, one of which is 20 miles in length, and 12 in width. The Suwanee and Apalachicola rise in Georgia, and flow to the Gulf of Mexico, through the western part. Ali the rivers are barred at their mouths with sand.

3. ISLANDS. There are many small islands scattered along the shore, with narrow and shoal channels between them and the main land. Off the southern extremity of the peninsula, lies a cluster of islands at some distance from the land. At Key West, one of these, the United States have lately

established a naval station.

4. HARBORS AND INLETS. The whole coast is intersected by sounds and inlets, and it is thought that by some artificial help from canals, there might be a continued line of navigation within the islands. The largest bays are those of Apalachicola, St Andrew's, Ochlockney, and Pensacola, in West Florida.

5. CLIMATE. The climate of this territory, especially the southern part, is almost tropical. The heat of the sun is oppressive even in winter. In the peninsular portion, water never freezes, although there are sometimes slight frosts. From June to October, it is commonly rainy, and this season is

particularly unhealthy. The remainder of the year, the climate is delightful. The tornadoes of the West Indies are felt in the southern parts.

6. SOIL. In the peninsula, the soil is for the most part very poor, and swampy; but the country has not been thoroughly explored. On the river borders are many tracts of rich soil.

7. NATURAL PRODUCTIONS. This region offers a greater variety of vegetable productions than any other part of the United States. The Magnolia is a common tree, and its beauty has long been celebrated. The Live Oak grows to its greatest size here and is very plentiful. The cabbage palm is also common. The cypress grows in great abundance among the swamps. The pine forests cover two thirds of the country; there are 5 or 6 varieties of this tree. The mahogany grows here, and is thought nearly equal to that of Honduras. The dog-wood trees grow upon the hammoc lands, and interweave their horizontal branches so thickly, as completely to exclude the sun and hinder the growth of vegetables beneath. The pawpaw is a beautiful shrub, bearing a fruit of the richest appearance. Wild grapes are common. The low savannas are covered with a prodigious growth of grass and flowers. Canes grow to a great height in the swamps. The pistia is a singular aquatic plant, growing in immense patches, and spreading a verdant plain over the waters. The cactus, on which the cochincal feeds, is also produced here.

8. MINERALS. Little is known of the mineral treasures of this territory. Iron ore and coal are said to be abundant.

9. SPRINGS. These form a remarkable peculiarity in the natural phenomena of the country. They exist in great numbers all over the territory, and burst out from the earth in large columns of water, remarkably transparent; this bubbles up from so great a depth, as to lead to a general belief that there is a prodigious cavern beneath the surface of the whole country, with openings in the rock above it, through which these fountains are discharged. The most remarkable of these springs is the Wakulla Fountain in West Florida, twelve miles from Tallahassee. It rushes up from its depths like a cauldron of boiling water, and forms a circular lake, the source of the Wakulla river. The water of this vast fountain has a bluish tinge, and is almost as transparent as air; it has been sounded with a line of 250 fathoms before the bottom was found. It is of an icy coldness, even in the hottest of summer. A person floating in a skiff on the surface of this pellucid spring, which reflects the hues of the sky with indescribable softness, appears to himself suspended between two heavens. On Musquito river, is a warm mineral spring, which forms a large basin in which boats may float. The water is slightly sulphureous, but clear, and abounding

in fish.

10. FACE OF THE COUNTRY. The whole territory is low and flat. It exhibits a remarkably verdant appearance, and from this circumstance, received the name of Florida from the Spanish discoverers.

POLITICAL GEOGRAPHY.

1. DIVISIONS. In common language, this territory is considered as divided into East and West Florida; there is, however, no such legal separation. There are 15 counties. The population is 34,723, of whom 15,510 are slaves.

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2. TOWNS. The largest is St Augustine. It stands on the Atlantic coast, near the outlet of the river St Johns. The town is regularly built, but the streets are very narrow. The houses are built of a soft stone, formed by a concretion of shells. They are generally two stories high, with thick plastered walls, and have balconies, and piazzas. Connected with most of them are beautiful gardens. The town is surrounded by a ditch, and fortified by bastions, and the castle of St Mark, which mounts 60 heavy cannon. The harbor has a bar at the entrance, which does not admit the passage of large vessels. The soil, in the neighborhood of St Augustine, is sandy and poor, yet the country is beautiful, producing orange, lemon and date trees. Pop. between 4 and 5,000.

This place was first settled by the French Hugonots, who emigrated from France under the auspices of the celebrated Admiral Coligny. A number of families landed near the spot where the town now stands, and established themselves there in 1564. St Augustine is therefore the oldest town now in the possession of the United States. In 1586, it was taken and sacked by the English under Sir Francis Drake. In 1665, it was again taken and plundered by a troop of Buccaneers. In 1702, while under the Spanish, it was besieged for three months by the English and Indians from Carolina. It was always the most important and powerful military post in the territory.

Pensacola, is the chief town in West Florida. It stands at the bottom of a large bay, and occupies a gentle acclivity. The soil here is sandy, but the situation is comparatively salubrious, and the place is rather thriving. The bay affords a very safe and capacious harbor, and the government of the United States have made it a naval station. Small vessels only, can come up to the town. Pop. about 2,000.

Tallahassee in West Florida, is the seat of government, and has been incorporated as a city. a city. The situation is salubrious, and the country around, fertile. The place however is yet in its infancy. St Marks, on the Gulf, is a small seaport in the neighborhood. The village of Quincy, in the same quarter farther inland, is a flourishing place.

3. AGRICULTURE. The greater portion of the country is yet in a state of nature. The articles of culture are maize, sweet potatoes, rice, sugar cane, tobacco, cotton and indigo. The land in many parts is well fitted for the cultivation of the cane. The olive flourishes and bears well. has partially succeeded.

Coffee

4. COMMERCE. This is inconsiderable. The shipping in 1828, amounted to 2,781 tons; the greater part of which belonged to Key West. The imports for 1829 were 153,642 dollars. The exports of domestic produce 38,163 dollars; total exports, 56,086 dollars.

5. INDIANS. The Seminoles, and various other small tribes, are scattered about in the forests and savannas, to the number of about 5,000. They were formerly very numerous, but in the Seminole war, their numbers were reduced. They subsist by hunting, and the sale of skins, cattle, venison, beeswax, honey, &c.

6. GOVERNMENT. Florida is governed by a Legislative Council of 16 members, and a Governor appointed by the authority of the United States. The Council meets annually at Tallahassee. The territory sends one delegate to Congress, who, as in the case of the delegates from all the other territories, is allowed to sit and debate in the House of Representatives, but has not the privilege of voting.

7. HISTORY. Florida has but recently come into the possession of the United States. The first settlement was made by the Spaniards in 1524. Four years afterwards, Pamphilio de Narvaez, with 400 men from Cuba,

penetrated into the country, and were never heard of more. The savages offered a bloody and obstinate resistance to the Spanish settlers, but the country was completely subdued by Ferdinand de Soto, in 1539. The French began settlements on the coast in 1564, but after severe wars with the Spaniards, they abandoned the country. In 1763, Florida was ceded by Spain to Great Britain, in exchange for Havana. Under the British, the colony began rapidly to flourish, but the Spaniards reconquered it in 1781, and it was confirmed to them at the peace of 1783. In 1821, it was ceded by Spain to the United States, as a compensation for the spoliations committed by that power upon our commerce. Since this period, its pros

perity has rapidly advanced.

The most remarkable event in the recent history of this country is the Seminole war. The savages began to display hostilities to the American settlers shortly after the peace of 1815. In this they were encouraged by two English adventurers by the names of Arbuthnot and Ambrister. The war broke out in 1818, and many attacks were made upon the American towns and forts. A strong force was raised under General Jackson, who marched against the Seminoles, pursued them out of Alabama into Florida, where he took possession of the Spanish posts of St Marks and Pensacola. The Spanish Governor and garrison who had aided the Indians in the war fled to the fort of Barrancas in the neighborhood, where they were besieged and forced to surrender. The Indians were everywhere put to flight, and the war was soon brought to an end. Arbuthnot and Ambrister were tried by a court martial and executed. The Seminoles never recovered from the effects of this war.

CHAPTER XX. ALABAMA.

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY.

1. BOUNDARIES AND EXTENT. This state is bounded on the N. by Tennessee; E. by Georgia; S. by Florida, and the Gulf of Mexico; and W. by the state of Mississippi. It lies between 30° 12' and 35° N. lat; and 85° and 88° 30′ W. lon. It is 280 miles in length, and 160 in breadth, and contains about 46,000 square miles.

2. MOUNTAINS. The northern part of this state, contains the western extremity of the Apalachian mountains. They are little more than a range of broken, precipitous hills, which rise on the western limit of the state, and pursuing an easterly course, divide into branches, and pass into Tennessee and Georgia, in a northeasterly direction. They consist generally of lime

stone rocks.

3. RIVERS. The Alabama is the longest river in this state. It rises in the mountainous parts of Georgia, in two head streams, named the Coosa and Tallapoosa, and running southwesterly through the centre of the state, unites with the Tombeckbee; both the streams then take the name of Mobile, and flowing south for a short distance, fall into Mobile Bay. The Tombeckbee is formed of two main branches rising in the mountains of the north. The Alabama has a boat navigation for 150 miles from the bay. The Tombeckbee has a boat navigation in the lower part of its course. The Tennessee passes through this state in the north. The Chatahoochee washes part of the eastern limit, and passes into Florida. The Conecuh is a smaller stream falling into the bay of Pensacola.

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