Newspaper Page Text
*
T ie Athenian.
POR THE ATHENIAN.
* Oh! that I had the icings of a dove that I might flee away
and be at test.”
The following lines were written upon seeing some
bad Poetry, by Mrs. He mans, on the same subject,
whose only merit is in crossing the ocean, and of course
r* much admired by a people who think nothing good
but what is imported. A. B.
Oh! thou sweet pensive sorrowing J)ove,
i- Perch’d in some lonely vale ;
Why dost thou mourn thv murder’d love—
4^ I Its ruthless fate bewail ? ^
Hast thou not wings to fly away,
T«> some deep mountain shade ;
Where ruffian sports no more betray,
No more thy peace invade.
Partins through fields of sun-bright sky,
With glist’ning plumy breast,
To woodland solitudes you fly.
And safely find a rest.
Not so with man in his sad ills,
Iiy woes unnninber’d prest;
No distant lawns nor sunny lulls
Alford a lasting rest.
No mountain vale with fragrant breath,
Can soothe his mental grief,
Nor case those thousand pangs of death,
That mock the world’s relief.
To one retreat he lifts his face,
And heaves an anguish’d breast,
Heaven alone n that bright place,
Where be can hope to rest.
.ATHENS MINSTREL.
MISCELLANEOUS EXTRACTS.
Misnomer of the Queen of Chess.—C'hess'play-
• r.4%rc not generally nwnre that the piece call
ed the Queen originally bore another title,
and that, by a corruption of terms, its sox has
been changed from male to female. The game
of chess is of Eastern origin, and it will readily
h« supposed, tlmt to permit the representation
of a women, to move about in uninterrupted
freedom even on a chess board, would be repug
nant to Oriental notions of propriety. In the
Persian language, the word Firs or Firsin,
signifies an officer <of state, a vizier. This
word was, by the French, converted into Firge
and Fierce, and the piece so named was sub'
scqiicntly called lady or queen.
*1 P “Rectus” is unavoiffiibly postponed, Ilis re
flections will bo as appropriate the next, as the present
I week.—“Jonathan,” which should have appeared lust
week, has taken “ French leave " of the office th
, writer is requested to aid us in his detection, that suita
ble honours inay he paid him on his return.
Ilirds nf the Mississippi Valley.— Mr. Flint
in his lust number ofliis Western Review, has
an article Upon the Ilirds of the West. If
observes that he lias noted no birds in the At
lantic country, which he lias not seen in the
western States. Some hinds tlmt nrtfhlways
chattering in New-England, are seldom heard
to siag in the Mississippi Valley. The robin
redbreasts of the west never sing the sweet
notes of their song in Now-England. Thou
sands of the robins winter in Louisiana, and
perch by night in (he thiclt enno brakes where
they are,killed by hundreds will) a stick. The
bloc bird is seen every pleasant day in the win
ter on the Ohio and Mississippi. The mock
ing bird, which imitates the notes of all other
birds, is heard at all other seasons of the year.
It delights to sit on the tops of chimneys, dart
ing high in the air above nnd then descendin'*,
all tiie while singing in the gayest manner.
Purroqucts are seen ns for north as 40 deg. N.
lat. They rtv in large flocks, and prey on the
apples and other fruits of the farmer. Their
colour is a brilliant green. They are said to
perch by hanging by their hooked hill to a
branch. The hooting nnd sercam/ig of many
varieties of owls are heard overall the Missis,
sippi Valley. .They imitate the rry of human
distress nnd • laughter, arid sometimes the
shrieks of a babe.—Mr. Flint says ho has
heard foity at a time on the lower course of I ho
Mississippi.—The swnn is well known for its
stateliness and brilliant white. Suiul-hiU
Col. Thomas F. Foster, of tjrecne, anil Col. E. F
Tattnall, of Chatham, are announced in the Journal
of tiie 7th, as candidates for Representatives of the
state in tiie next Congress.
We arc indebted to the politeness ofour Represent.!*
live in Congress, lion. Richard It. Wilde, fora copy
of the Report of the'Committce on the Judiciary, in re
latiori to the Dividing I.ine between this State and the
Territory of Florida, which we herewith submit.—The
opinion of the Committee, as w ill he scon by the repert,
is iri favour of Ellicot’s Mound, at the spot originally
designated by the Commissioners on the part of Spain
and the United States, as the starting point for the
boundary between this Strife nnd Florida.—How far
the investigation of the Commissioners, Messrs. Rlaek-
sliear, Floyd, and Thompson, who were appointed, and
who anted under I his impression, was correct, as also
till) opinion of the Executive of Georgia, which led to a
suspension of operations during the pust year, is to be
determined by further examination. This contrariety
of opinion leaves it a subject lor controversy, while
the interest of Georgia, requires, (the possibilityof error
on the part of those who established •Ellicot’s Mound,
us the starting point, admitted) that herobjection should
he maintained, until satifuctory evidence of their inac
curacy is obtained.
, *' '• ■ i • •• >. ; .
There can be no doubt that steam-boats of ordinary
size will be able to ran the river throughout the season.
The Bteain-boat Steubenville l as made two tripsin the
cour«e of the month. The distance from the Bay to
the Town of Columbus is 430 miles, and the ordinary
or average trip, by steam-boats, will be from 8 to 10
days. The Chattahoochee river, at the Palls, abounds
with fish ; the Trout and Rr^k-fish are taken in great
abundance, together with 'he Hickejy-Shad, Round-
fish, and Red Horse; the Tr at taken in the river weigh
from 3 to 8 pound#, and the Rock-fish from 20 to 50
pounds: Rock-fish is a fine flavoured fish, and I think
fully equ.d to the Trout.—The survey is rapidly pro
gressing at present, and is executed with more dis
patch and accuracy than is common for work of the
kind •—the prosecution of the work has been somewhat
impeded the last 8 or 10 days, on account of the severe
illness and death of Jacob T. H. Thomas, the eldest
son of our able and indefatigable surveyor, Edward L.
Thomas, during which time the work has been prose
cuted, and the hands constat tly employed under the
direction and superintendance of ono of tl$ Commis
sioners. Colonel Few, an active, useful, and intelli
gent member of the Board .of Commissioners has been
absent for some days on a visit to his family, but is at
this time daily expected, and will resume the duties of
bis appointment. The survey is truly tedious from the
immense numbrrof lines to run, and excessively rough,
the whole plain having grown up in briers, plumb-mir-
serics,and pine thicket?,together with other obstructions,
which will delay the completion of the work some few
days longer than was first expected ; the Commissioners
wiil, however^be enabled to bring the Town Lots into
market by thojirst day of July, and on the completion
of the sales of the Town Lots, the Land of the Reserve
will bo brought into market.”
‘ ijVU.-v;; /' ! ..ti,
jr • ',&*'• - r *- *■ r V *- f '?£# IV : ^ ^>4^, " ’ < 7/ . -«-V
Such we repeat’is the language of Mr. Craw. | commissioner, and Thomas Freeman surveyor
ford. What then are wo (o think of Mr. Clay on the part of the-United States, for the pur-
and Mr. Storrs ? Have they for political effect, I pose of running the line mentioned in the 2d
circulated a falsehood in relation to Mr. Craw- j article. This appointment was made in May,
ford? We repeat, that the gentleman, to whom ‘ 1796 : it appears from a letter of the commis-
Mr. Crawford has written the letter now before ‘ sioner, doted 22d March, 1800, to the then
us, is highly respectable, and has authorized j secretary of State, that a report of what had
us to refer Mr. Storrs or any other person to been done, would soon be completed; but that
him, when he will personally confirm what wo
have here stated.—fVask. Tel.
report, if made, is not now, as far as the com
mittee are informed, to be found. It appears
from the same letter, that. our commissioner
Dividing Line between Georgia and Florida.— experienced great difficulty and embarrassment
Mr. P. P. Barbour, from the Committee on [in the execution of the duty assigned’ to’him
Etiquette.—A rule of the 1 Zoueo of Roproaealalives
has lately been enforced by llie llnu.c, requiring spec-
tutors lo remain uncovered during its sitting.—Con
siderable excitement is said to have prevailed at Wash
ington city in consequence,—the temper of the people
being decidedly hostile to a rule requiring such an act
of courtesy from the people tow ards the temmfi of the
cranes are seen in countless numbers ; some-1 people. The house was not supported by the speak
times neres are covored with them, they seem I who, from respect to public opinion, declined enforcing
nl n distance like immense droves of sheen, h—no distinction therefore exists.
Pelicans sometimes pass over the village in
flocks reaching tt mile in length. Below their! T,IC Proprietor ofthe Savannah Georgian, Mr. Robert,
bills they huve a pouch which will contain, il is * 0 "' bos disposed of one half of his interest in that es-
said, two quarts. They are very noisy and r'lhlishment to Mr- Joseph \. Sevan, a gentleman of
prevent tho boatmen from sleeping. The co " s i , lcrablc literary and aciontifir attainments.—The
•vil4 Turkey broods with the domestic one bu,i, > M9 will in futuro be conducted under the firm of
when the former entices tho Inner into the
woods. Tho New-England quail is called
Robert son & Revan.
Ill the las! number of the Georgian, we find a history
partridge in tho west, and the partridge is cal- ° f ,ht ' iN8liluUon “ tllis P ! » co * cxtitaimngan account of
. . - ■ ' , fiun n ml iir,mr.iau it.. 1 . .
led pheasant. Prairie hens nro seen in great
flocks in tho prairies of Missouri nnd Illinois.
They arc larger than tho domestic hen. They
sometimes prey upon the farmer’s corn fields.
These birds aio easily lamed.—Hampshire
Gazelle.
Surprising Surgical Operation On Sun
day week a surprising surgical operation was
performed at Bytown. A man nnmed Hamil
ton, in a state of intoxication attempted to swal
low a 'piece of beef, which was loo large, and
stuck in his throat. All tho symptoms of
’strangulation followed. His breathing was
stopped. His faco and hands became- black,
and after several .violent struggles bernmn
quiet, nnd apparently dead—Somo of his
neighbours ran out to procure medical assis
tance ; nnd fortunately without much loss of
Aimo, succeeded in getting a young gentleman
named M’Queen, to come to his nid. M’Quoen,
on seeing Hamilton, was instantly nwnro that
not a momont was to be lost if lie wished to
save his lifo ; he therefore made an incision
into the throat, and slit up tho wind pipo. Ho
no >t looked around for the readiest instrument
to -erve his puYposc ; nnd cspving a tea-pot,
he mrc the spout from it, and fixed it in tho in*
cis in in Hamilton's throat, to afiord a medium
through which to breathe. After somo time
the operation of tho vital powers began to be
visible, nnd Mr. M’Queen expressed n wish
that some other medical nid should be procur
ed, as l,e did not wish to net any further on
his own responsibility. Hr. and some
trouble, the piece of ment was forced into the
stomach. Tho man is now quite well.—-Moh-
treal Herald.
Iron in the'Hood.—It has been long a mat
ter of dispute among the chemists, whether the
Wood contains any appreciable quantity of iron
from the difficulty of separating the consti-
rise anil progress—its standing and prospects under
the administration of the different individuals whohavo
been called to preside over its destiny. We presume
it to ho from the pen of Mr. II. and from a belief that
it will be acceptable to our readers, will present it in
our next.
Savannah Mettury.—A new daily paper, bearing this
title, will hu published about the 1st of June, at Savan
nah, under the direction of Cusam E. Bartlett, former
Editor of the Patriot. ■*
We arc indebted for the following letter to the polite,
ness of a gentleman at Columbus. The various accounts
which have been received from Columbus, while they
concur, present the most flattering prospect of ita speedy
rise and Uiturc cmmincnce. The tide of emigration is
rapidly setting in, and improvements aro progressing
ns fast as the nature of circumstances will admit.
“ The Town of Columbus is located on a beautiful
plain, the centra of which is from 150 to 175 yards be-
low the termination of the Falls, and directly opposite
the head of navigation, extending up and down the river
one mile nnd a half, so as to embrace the entire length
ol tiie Falls. The width of the town from tho margin
of the river is 1300 yards, containing 8 streets parallel
with the river, running duo north and south, and cross,
ing at right angles, with 1* streets of 09 feet in width.
The streets running parallel with the river arc 132 feet
wide, except Broud, Cnmak, and Bay street—the two
first tC5 feet wide, nnd the latter varying with the mean
dering of the riVer from 50 to 100 yards; the first Bluff
rising from the margin of the river 150 to 200 yards
above the centre of the town, and tho head of naviga
tion is from 60 to SO feet high, nnd rotmimnds the full
length ol the Falls at one view. From the centreef
the town, tip and down the river, the Bluff gradually
recedes in height, an as to leave a bold clear Bluff, the
full length op the town, varying from 30 to 80 feet high
Irnui the waters edge. From the termination of the
Fulls, fi>r 400 yards up the river, constitutes a beautiful
{COMMUNICATED.)
Defective Culture.—The rreatest hindrance to a more
rapid and wide-spread imf rovement in all the arts of
social life, is the neglect et' thosewho pratice them, to
inquire into the philosophy and native of their opera
tions, and tho reasons why they produce certain effects,
which disables them fioni making new and advantage
ous combinations of thoso principles. One tanner may
learn that by burying, a hide among a certain kind of
oak bark for a given time it a-sumes a different appear
ance, and that its uses and durability arc magnified,
hiit which other barks will not do, nnd there rests con-
tented, never attempting to c° further; but a more en
terprising one searclics out the reason for this change,—
ascertains that There is an astringent alkaline substance
in the hark which decomposes part of tho hide, and
unites itself with the remaining partin a manner to pro
duce that effect,—lie traces it by qpalogy ,0 other sub
stances—and finds more to answer a similar purpose,
whereby he is capacitated greatly to improve and ex
tend his art.—So with the majority of farmers:—they
have learned thnt putting manure on their ground im
proves its fertility; and rests on the simple fact of his
having any, whether or not he shall fertilize his ground:—
But the ingenious farmer searches into the cause of its
so acting, and makes careful experiments, wlwrehv lie
finds that the manure has no part in forming the vege
tables it produces, hut merely acts as an agent that
nahles tile ground lo retain or imbibe moisture for
nourishing and forming the plant; and consequently, if
he can devise any other mode of qualifying the land to
do it, the same result must be obtained.—It is a fact
whicliMI farmers should he acqunined with, that water
is the principal clement from which plants are formed
grow, and that different soils suiting different plants,
only because that soil administers the water to them
in form and quantity suited to their different habits;
therefore, by noticing the peculiarities of soils, a little
art may produce a rescmhlanco and similar effects,*—
making nllowancc for climate.—Tho experiments of
scientific men establish the fact, that manures and
other substances applied to land, as gypsum; lime,
ashes, Sec. do not enter into the composition of plants,
hut by their decomposition keep the surface mellow and
qualify it to absorb moisture from the atmosphere or
detain it in its aseont from deeper ground. It is also
ascertained thnt bv frequent plowing and dressing, simi
lar effects are produced ; on Iho same principal the
greater productiveness of what are called light soils is
accounted for,—ns they are generally well charged with
decaying and decomposing vegetables, the gas evolved
from which keeps them lose and in a state to retain
and absorb moisture.—Experiments grounded on these
principles have proved that what is generally consider
ed worn-out land, may be, bv a little patience, made
better and more valuable than when first cleared. This
is done hy first mellowing il well and deep with re-
peoted plowing, early in the season, and then sowing
with any kind of grain or a mixture of them, which is
again plovved under as soon as it is of a sufficient height
or shows signs of decay. Repeating this several times,
sowing seed on, and plowing tho growth under before
it ripens, but taking nothing off, which may ho done
twice in a season, each time plowing deep and break
ing it well, has compelled a former owner to look with
regret ami envy on fields which hb had abandoned as
profitless, and "sold for n trifling sum to a more ingeni
ous and thrifty neighbour; and doubtless it is cqually
appliqghlo to all worn-out or barren lands in this state,
and at less cost or loss than is encountered in removing
tho new uncleared land.—The idea that a compost
must he formed, excrement, straw, fee. piled togctlicr,
is altogether a mistake; for if it is done, it is after all
but vegetable matter put into a condition to decay; nnd
this can be just as well d*.ne in tho manner above dc.
scribed. It onlv require!, to forego the notion that
every time land is plowed, dressed, and planted, a crop
must be taken off, to relieve every planter in the state
from a wish to remove on account of the productive
ness of his land, for once brought into such a state by
those means it only requires a one-eyed prudence to
preserve it so.
the Judiciary, to which the subject had
been referred, made the following
REPORT:
The Committee onthejudiciary, lo which was re
ferred the mtssage of the President, nf llie
22d January, 1828, transmitting copies of
commnications from the Governor of Georgia,
relating to the line dividing that State from
the Territory of Florida, report:
The correspondence between the President
and the Governor of Georgia, thus referred to
the committee, presents the question, What is
the correct boundary between that State and
the Territory of Florida? To enable (he
House to decide this question, the committee
beg leave to present to their consideration, a
condensed view of the evidence in relation
to it.
The charter of Carolina to the lords pro*
prietors. in 1663, extended southwardly to the
river Matheo, now called St. John’s, suppos
ed, in the charter, to be in latitude 31 deg. and
so west," in a direct line, as far as the South
Sea.
It appears, by an extract from tho charter of
Georgia, in 1732, that the boundaries were
“all those lands, countries, and territories,
situate, lying, and being, in that part of South
Carolina, in America, which lies from the
norther stream of a river, commonly called the
Savannah, all along the sea coast to the south
ward, unto tho most southern stream of a cer
tain other great water or river, called the Alta-
maha, and westward from the heads of tho
said rivers, respectively, in a direct line, to the
South Seas.” Before the date of this charter
to Georgia, by a second charter to Carolina,
in 1667, its limits had been extended south
and westward, as far as the degree of twenty-
nine, exclusive of northern latitude. The Go
vernment of Carolina, having been, in its
origin, a proprietary one, was in 1729, surren
dered hy seven out of eight of the proprietors,
nnd afterwards by the eighth, and then became
a regal one ; and the province was divided into
the two Governments of North and South
Carolina. The order of Counri! making this
division, and fixing the boundaries, is not ac
cessible to tho committee, nor is it deemed
material.
The trustees of Georgia, in 1752, surron<
dered the whole territory to the Eing, and the
government was afterwards entirely regal.
The King, by a proclaimation' nf the 7th
October, 1763, annexed to the Province of
Georgia, all the lands lying between the rivers
AUatnaha and St? Mary’s, and, by his commis
sion to Governor Wright, of tho 20th January,
1764, declares the boundaries to bo on the
north by the most northern stream of a river,
there commonly called Savannah, as far as the
head of said river, and from thence, westward,
as far as our tcrrilories extend, on the cast by
from the Indians, arid he intimates at the insti
gation of others. The journal of Ellicot wat
published in 1S03. It appears thnt the commis
sioners did not run and mark the line from tho
junction of the CJintahoochce and Flint rivers, to
the head of St. Mary’s ; hut they designated a
point, which Should be taken as tho one, to or
near which a line should be drawn from Flint
river, which, .when drawn, was to bo final i.
provided, it passed not less than one mile north
of a certain mound, erected by them ; but if, oo
experiment, it should be found to pass within
less than a mile north of said mound, it should
be corrected to carry it to that distance.
This mound is near tho Okefenoko Swamp.
It appears from a report of John McBride, a
surveyor, appointed by Georgia, in the year
1827, that there is a stream, called by*him the
South Branch of the St. Mary’s, much farther
south than the one considered the head branch
of that river, by the American and Spanish
Commissioners; and he says, that both its
length, its volume of water, and general direc
tion, coincido in favour of the South Branch.
It appears, by a document referred to as part of
this report, marked A, that, under a resolution
of tho Senate of Georgia, in 1818, the Gov
of that Sta'e appointed commissioners to ex
amine and report whether Ellicot’s mound waff
the head of tho St. Mary’s ; and from tho let
ter of the Governor, in 1819, to the* Secretary
of War, it appears, that the commissioners had
reported, that, after a careful examination, they
found the head' of St. Mary’s to agree with the
report made by Mr. Ellicot. Two of the com*
missioners, in a paper referred to as part of this
report, marked B, think it probable that they
may have been misled by their guide—assign
ing as the reasons of that impression : 1st, that
they recollect to have seen what appeared to
them, through thick brush wood, to bo a lively
little stream, emptying in through (ha opposite
or right hank of the southern or middle fork of
the St. Mary’s ; which being pointed- out to
the pilot, ho replied, that the branch they’vero
pursuing was the right one j and, 2d, by the
representation given by the survey of McBride -
After this review of tho evidence.it will .he
seen hy the House, that the question is, AVIia:
is the head, or source of tho St. Mary’s ? for
tho other end of the line, to wit:" the junction
of tho Chatahouchec and Flint rivers,.being un~
contested, so soon as the hend of tho St. Ma
ry’s is ascertained, all difficulty ceases as to
the boundary. The committee, are of opinion
upon the whole view of the case, that the po : nt
designated by the American and Spanish com
missioners, ought to bo considered as tho head
of St. Mary’s. They consider the solution of
the question to depend on this, which stream
is to be considered the (rue St. Mary’s fiver,
according to reputation, and tho understanding
and acquiescence of the parties concerned. A s
far back as 1900, tho commissioners of the
. „ . . *» vuiisim
othffrs were called in, and, after a ere a? deal of s . an ‘ l > co ' vr, ‘ J *»**•» ro “»‘l pcfihlc atone*. Intlie
tr.tnV.I,, -l,. .i... P la " ol lb ’\ toW " " with the Beach, on the
margin ol the river, to embrace the entire length of the
Falls, a beautiful promenade on the top of the brat Bluff
extending in width from 50 to 75 yards, to the com
mencement of the second Bluff, which rise* from S to
1° feet, constituting a public walk for the gay and
fashionable, presenting at one view to the stranger or
philosopher, one of the most sublime and beautiful
water sceneries that could be conceived of by the jm.
msginalion of man, with the advantages of a constant
and pleasant breeze produced from the continued nnd
tUP.nl of that compound fluid. But the que#* repeated sheets of water, rushing and tumbling with
tion has been lately set at rest bv M. H. Rose,
by employing tartaric acid and adding hydro
•ubhuret of ammonia, when the whole of the
iron in the solution will be precipitated, and
may afterwards bo easily separated by a thick
filler. There is, indeed, no adequate meant of
Explaining the origin of the ted colouring mat
ter in blood, but that of ascribing it to tho pre
sence of oxide of iron, which is well ktrewntn
wy in th« intensity of iu colour, according to
«he proportion of oxygen in combination with*
it—Lond. ffethf Review.
Y-
tremendous force in continual succession over the rocks
from the commencement of the Falle to their tormina-
lion. The plain on which tho town is located from the
top of tho aceond^Bluff from the river, as it recedes from
rceivs-
there Js no local cause why tho town^should"not* be
equally as healthy as any other in the same latitude;
and so far. as ray own observation lisa extended I have
no doubt as to the health of the town—the river water
is pure end a* good a* ever I drank—the practicability
in navigating the Chattahoochee river from the Town
of Columbus, with steam, is put to rest from the recent
arrival or three ateam-boata m the place. ana 1
is capable of carrying 1100 barrclenr 700
and draws, when deeply laden, 5 feet
Mr. Cranford.—We liavo seen two state
ments, one germinated in tho Hemocratic
Press, the other attributed to Mr. J. Holmes,
of Maine, which asserts that Mr. Crawford
has written a letter to Mr. Clay, nnd another
to Mr. Holmes, in which he approves of Mr.
Clay’s vote for Mr. Adams. The statement
that Mr. Crawford had written such n letter
was published hero under tho superintendance
of Mr. Clay, nnd is yet uncontradicted by him
or his authority.
A party who would attempt to impbso the
names of Messrs. Madison and Monroe upon
the public, as an expedient to operate upon
the election in New Hampshire, has falsely
charged that Mr. Crawford had lent his influ
ence to sustain their cause for the same pur
pose. A\c have now before us a letter written
to a gentleman of tho first standing in society,
who 1ms been for years an intimate and confi
dential friend of Mr. Crawford, and who, upon
hearing what was said of Mr. Crawford’s letter
to Mr. Clay, wrote to him upon the subject of
the Presidential election. That gentleman is
one of Gen. Jnckson’s most ardent supporters,
and is well known in this District, arid to Mr.
Crawford, to bo one of the most decided oppo
nents of Mr. Adams. He has politely permit
ted us to copy from the letter of Mr. Crawford,
which is dated the 6th inst. tho following: Mr.
Crawford says;
“You do me justice in supposing I nm with
you in the struggle now making in relation to
the Presidential Election.
the sea coast from said river, Savannah, to i two Government’s considered, upon cxam.nn-
the most southern sticam of a certain other tion, what is now called the North Branch, as
nvor, called St. Mary, including all islands ,he St, Mary’s; and the Georgia commis-
within twenty leagues of the const, lying be- [sioners, in 1819, concur with Mr. Ellicot. as
tween the livers Savannah nnd St. Mary, as* to the head of that river; although another
far ns our territories extend, by the north j river unites with this, which vents more water,
boundary line of our Provinces of East and and is longer, yet, if it wero nc
West Florida.
By the treaty of peace, in 1783, .between
the United States and Great Britain, the south
ern boundary of the United States is thus de
scribed: “South by a line, to he drawn due east
from the determination of the line last mention
ed, in the latitude of thirty-one degrees north
of tho equator, to tho middle of the river Apa
lachicola or Chatahouchec ; thence, along the
niiddlo thereof, to its junction with the Flint
rivet; thence, straight to tho head of St. Ma
ry’s river; and thence, down along the middlo
of St. Mary’s river, to the Atlantic Ocean.”
By tho proclamation of 1763, before referred
to, the king had declared that part of the nor
thern boundary of East Florida, which is now
the subject of inquiry, to bo ns follows, viz :
To the northward, hy a line drawn from that
part of said river (Apalachicola) where the Cha-
tahouchee nnd Flint rivers meet, to the source
of St. Mary’s, and, by tho course of the said
river, to tho Atlantic Ocean. Spain having
obtained from Great Britain a cession of the
k loridas, without, as is believed, any descrip
tion of limifs, but with a knowledge of the pro
visional treaty of November, 1782, and under
what wero the boundaries of thoso provinces
in the hands of Great Britain, some difficulty
arose between the United States and Spain, in
relation to this boundary, which led to the trea
ty of 27th October, 1795, commonly called
the treaty of San Lorenzo ol Real ; by the se
cond article of which, it was agreed, that the
boundary line betweon the United States and
the k loridas, shall be designated by a line, be
ginning on the river Mississippi, at the northern
most part of the 31st degree of latitude north
of the equator, which from thence shall bo
drawn due cast to the middle of the river Apa
lachicola or Chatahouchec ; thence, along tho
middle thereof, to its junction with Flint •
thence, straight to the head of St. Mary’s river
and thence, down the middle thereof, to tho
Atlantic Ocean.
I t was provided by the 3d article of that trea-
ty that a commissioner and surveyor, to be ap*
pointed by* each of the contracting parties
Though I am in
formed, by letters from Washington, that I
have written a letter to Mr. Clay, approving of! V.u'X co " tractin g parties,
Mr. Adams’ Aministration: but I am confident• l£f^ fnXSs^h h L b °Ii- d | ary V aCCOrding t0
Ins nnmo is mentioned but once in the letter; I ^ *. d a . rtic,e > above recited,
and then, only to say that he is destined to
dergo tho fate that befel his father: Yet, I am
It was further stipulated, that they should make
plats, and keep journals of their proceeding
which should be considered as part of the con
vention, and have the same force as if they
were inserted therein. In conformity with
not called, or
known by the name nf St. Mary’s, these cir
cumstances would not alter the case. Tho
committee infer, that it was not r,o' called, or
known, from these circumstances; 1st, that
tho commissioners of two Governments were
appointed to sottlo and decide a contested ques
tion of boundary : to do this, tho head of the
St. Mary’s being ono of the termini, it became
their duty to seek for information from every
source, accessible to them, as to which strenm
was the St. Mary’s, nnd what was its head.
Having fixed upon a particular stream, as be.
ing the true river, and designated a point as itB
source, nnd this being matter of notoriety,
Georgia acquiesced, without objection, as far
as the committee aro informed, till 1818 ; and
then the report of their own commissioners
coincided with Ellicot’s designation, and that,
too, though they had as their pilot, as the
committee believe, tho very person on whose
suggestion they had been appointed. In this
report, Georgia acquiesced, as far as the com
mittee is informed, until recently. As far ns
the nature of this unsettled country will ndmit
of reputation as to tho names of its streams,
these facts may he considered as probably the
best evidence which was tho St. Mary’s river,
and tho head of that river, as intended in the
several State papers above recited. There is
an example mentioned in one of tho printed
documents, which wilfjllustrato the idea of the
committee. • It is now believed to be a geo-
graphical fact, that' the Missouri is a longer
stream than the Mississippi, and we believe
vents more water ; and yet, as it never has
been called by the name of Mississippi, if we
were now called upon to decide what was the
head of the Mississippi, we should take, not
the source of the Missouri, though it unites
with the other stream, but the source of what is,
and has been called the Mississippi. ' It is not
intonded to say that tho case in question is as
palpable ; hut,'after settling the principal, that,
m ascertaining tho head of a stream of a given
name, wc must inquire where two streams
unite, not which is tho longest, or vents tho
most water, but which has been called and
known by tho given name, we are then to de
cide, upon tho best evidence in our power, as
to that fact arid we think the evidence is in
favour of the stream designated by Ellicot.
Resolved, therefore, as-the opinion of the
committee, that, in running the boundary line
not lira san Y?t ■ j . t . .