Newspaper Page Text
No. 44 Vdu Vl.]
Tallahassee.
We received, yesterday, the first number of a
new paper, printed in Florida, at Tallahassee, the
spot fixed upon and, recently occupied as the ieat
or Government, by the title of the “ Florida In
tilligenctr.” The following account of this
young capital ’ will be interesting to most of our
readers, some of whom have scarcely ever heard
the name of it— Nat. Intelligencer , Bth April.
lallahassee.— This young capital of Flor
ida, i already attracting the attention of
capitalists. Many buildings are erecting,
and others are in state of preparation, ev
cn before the sale of the lots, which will
take place on the fourth day of April next.
31 is situated on a beautiful and commanding
eminence, about 18 miles north of St.
Marks, in the. bosom of a fertile and pictor
esque country. The sonlh side of the town
is watered by innumerable springs of pure
water, and a clear and pleasant stream pas
ses by the eat and south sides, at the dis
tance of a few yards, and after passing the
town, as il sensible the point of its useful
ness was past, falls over the rock which
beds the stream, forming a pleasant cas
and passes ofl by a subterraneous
parage.
The country around Tallahassee, and
extending from the Suwannee to near the
Apalachicola river, has deservedly attract
ed the attention of travellers, and those who
have visited it with a view of a permanent
settlement. The fertile lands bet ween the
above mentioned rivers extend from east to
west, from eighty to one hundred miles,
and from north to south about fifteen miles.
Ibis tract of country, much of which is
adapted to the culture of sugar, is finely
watered by the tributary streams of the Su
wannee, the St. Marks, Wakulla, Okelocko
ney, Little river, and several other smaller
rivers and streams, and is beautifully stud
ded with lakes and poods of the purest wa
ter. The land is rolling, with here and
there an eminence, (bat rises considerably
above the surrounding country, and will af
ford delightful seats for the opulent men of
leisure. >
This country notwithstanding its singular
beauty and fertility, becomes more interes
ting from the indubitable evidence of its
having been once densely populated by a
civilized race of men. Almost every emi
nence is capped with ancient fortifications,
which appear rpgular, and some of them
substantially formed. At fort St. Lewis,
about two miles west of Tallahassee, have
been found remnants of iron cannon, spikes,
hinges, locks, kc. which are evidently
Spanish manufacture, and which have oot
been much injured by the rust.
Within the principal fort, for the out
works seem to have been numerous and ex
tensive, are the ruins of two brick edifices;
one was about sixty feel by forty, the other
about thirty by twenty. These are in to
tal ruins, and nothing but a mound appeals
where the walls stood, composed wholly of
broken bricks, which had been composed
of a coarse sandy clay, and burned in the
modern fashion. Yet on the very walls of
these buildings, are oaks, eighteen inches
ip diameter. On the sauie hill, and in fact
within the outworks of this fort, are to be
seen grapp arbutus in parallel lines, which
still maintain their pristine regularity.
| Bricks seem to have been in general use,
l for they have been discovered in several
\ places by digging a little below the surface
gl the earth. Within the town of (Talla
hassee some, were dog up, having a sub
stance adhering to them resembling lime
mortar. But on the bill, ahofit a half a mile
south-east of'tbe capital, are to be seen the
greatest proof of a dene population. On
this hill are to be seen sireels or roads, ruu
ning nearly at right angles, at such distan
ces as .demonstrate tbe former existence of
a pretty large town. The shade trees of
the former inhabitants suit remain, and are
generally of live oak, and near which may
be discovered grape arbours of more or
Ipss regularity. In several instances we
discovered a species of the plumb tree.
There has been much speculation and in
quiry Concerning tbe former inhabitants of
this country, who they were, and at whßt
lime they flourished. No records are with
in our reach, and the Spanish inhabitants al
(he extremes of the Territory had no
knowledge of this country, much less of the
people who once lived here, but have long
since disappeared. Some, however, say
that records of the fact do exist at Havana,
and that measures have been taken to ob
tain them —that Leon was the adventurer,
who led a colony hither, but the precious
metals of SAuth America and Mexico so oc
copied the attention of the Spanish Govern
ment, that this infant colony was suffered to
full a prey"to the Indians.
The traditionary accounts of the Indians
are very plausible, nod are corroborated by
many existing and circumstantial facts.
They claimed this country at their late
Ireaty al St. Augustine as belonging to them
by right of conquest, achieved by their an
cestors. They represent that it was once
densely populated by a race of white men,
who settled io this country, aud mcorporal
ed themselves with the Yamassee Indians.
That the Y'amassees adopted their habits
and became Christians, but ceased to be
fighting men. That this people had fine
bouses, carriages, herds of cattle, Sic. and
made wide roods, aud bridges over rivers
naff stream* of water. That they also had
the missionary.
many forts and big guns. At this time the
Creek Indians made frequent attacks upon
them, but they were generally unsuccessful,
as they then fought with hows and spears
only, for they had nqf yet learned tbe use
of the rifle. At length after losing many
warrionrs, they associated with themselves
all the tribes between Georgia and the Mis
sissippi, with many others far in the North,
and came down unexpectedly into this coun
try. The while inhabitants generally fled
to * heir forts, while most of the Yamasseea
tell into their hands. The men were put
to death, but the women and children were
carried into captivity.
They carried universal desolation over
tbe face of the country, as the surest meth
od of reducing the fortified place*. They
had made many attempts to storm thefle,
and bound thick pieces of wood before their
persons, as a protection from the bullets,
but (be big guns broke their defences in
pieces, and destroyed their warrionrs. At
length famine and war destroyed all save
the garrison in Fort S(. Louis. Thi9, after
resisting every diversity of attack, was at
last abandoned and destroyed, and the gar
rison retired to a considerable fort near the
mouth of (he Okelocknny, where was af
terwards fought a great and decisive battle,
which made the Creeks masters of the
couniry.
The Indians designed, when they under
took to possess themselves of the country,
to settle and reside here. But as they ex
pressed it, they were too foolish and had
rendered it uninhabitable. They had des
troyed tbe houses, and there was no wood to
build others. They had destroyed or con
sumed the dome-tick animals, and there
was no game to *ub~ist them. They were,
therefore, obliged to telire from thp scenes
of (heir oivn desolation, a small part west
of the Apalachicola river, and (he others to
their own country.
Many of the leading statements in the
foregoing account are strongly corroborat
ed by circumstances and facts wjihirt tbe
knowledge of many Americans. This is
said to be the couniry of the ancient Yam
assees, and it is a fact, that the Creeks bate
held a slave race, descended from the Yam,-
assee nation, which has but recently been
incorporated with their tribe. It is also a
(act, that furls were very numerous, and
that tort St. Louis bears evident marks of
having been destroyed by (he whites from
ihe muufated appearance of the cannon,
which must have been broken by sledge
hammers. There is also said to be a v'Ty
considerable fortification in (he neighbour
hood of the Okelockony. From tbe growth
of thp forest trees, it must have been about
two hundred years since tbe country was
laid waste. Be that as it may, it is rapidly
populating anew, and (lie power of the na
lives is now broken. We have nothing to
fear from them, and they cannot, if they
would, repeat the desolating scenes which
• uce swept over this beautiful domain.
[Florida Intelligencer.
From the Religious Chronicle.
ARCTICK EXPEDITION.
“They lhat go down to the sea in ship*,
these see the works of the Lord, and his
wonders in the deep ” Capt. Lyon, in his
account of bis “ Unsuccessful Attempt to
reach Repulse Bay by Sir Thomas Rowe’s
Welcome,” which has been recently pub
li*hed, gives the following striking account
of the scene on board the Griper, at a mo
ment when all on board had reaon to sup’
[lose their fives about to close by shipwreck
in that dreary and desolate region.
After touching at Southampton Island,
where they were visited by a party of tbe
natives, an extraordinary change took place
in the deviation of the needle, which was
the means of involving the Griper in the
most imminent danger. She suddenly came
into seven fathoms water, and was only by
great exertions preserved from running on
a destructive shore. In this situation, and
fearing the falling of the tide, Capt. Lyon
prepared for the event, by ordering the
boats to be made ready. He thus describes
the scene which ensued.
“ The officers drew lots for their respec
tive boats, and the ship’s company were
stationed to them. ** * In making these
preparations for taking to tbe boats, it was
evident to all, that the long boat was the
only one which had the slightest chance of
liviog under the lee of the ship, should she
be wrecked; but every officer and man
drew his lot with the greatest composure,
although two of our boats would have been
swamped the instant they were lowered.
Yet such was the noble feeling of those
around me, (hat it was evident, that had I
ordered the boats in question to be manned,
their crews would have entered them with
out a murmur. In the afternoon, on the
weather clearing a little, we discovered a
low beach all around astern of us, on which
the surf was running to an awful height, and
it appeared eviJenl that no human powers
could save us. At three, P. M. the tide
bad fallen to Iwpnty-two feet, (only six
more than we drew,) and the ship having
been lifed by a tremendous sea, struck with
great violence the whole length of her
keel. This, we naturally conceived, wa*
t the forerunner of her total wreck, and we
| stood in readiness to take to the boats, and
OfaH,b‘Hi.po.i,ions .. d
MOUNT ZION, (HANCOCK COUNTY, GEORGIA,) MONDAY, MAY 9, 1825.
endeavour to hang under her lee. She
continued to strike with sufficient force to
have burst any less fortified vessel, at inter
vals of a lew minutes, w henever an unusu
ally heavy sea passed us. And, as the va
ter wa9 so shallow, these might almost be
called breakers rather than for each
in passing burst with great force over our
gangways; and, as every sea ‘topped,’ our
decks were continually and frequently deep
ly flooded. All hands took a little refresh
ment, for some bad scarcely been below
lor twenty-four hours, and I had not been in
bed for three nights. Although few or
none of us had any idea that we should sur
vive the gale, we did not think that our
comforts should be entirely neglected; and
an order was therefore riven to the men to
i”Jt on their best and vfarmest clothing, to
enable them to support life as long as pos
sible. Every man, therefore, brought his
bag on deck and dresjed bimself, and, in
the fine atbletick forms/ that stood exposed
before me, I did not sea one muscle quiver,
nor the slightest sign of alarm. The offi
cers each secured some useful instrument
about them for the purposes of observation,
although it was acknowledged by all that
not the slightest hope remained. And now
(hat every ihing in our power had been
dene, I called all hands all, and to a merci
ful God offered prayers for our preserva
tion. I thanked every one foi their excel
lent conduct, and cautioned them, as we
should in all probability soon appear before
our Maker, to enter his presence, as (hen,
resigned to their fate. We then all sal
down in groups; and, sheltered from the
wash of the sea by whatever we could find,
many of us endeavoured to obtain a little
slepp. Never, perhaps, was witnessed a
finer scene than on >he deck of mv little
ship, when all hope of life had left us. No
ble as the character of a British sailor is al
ways allowed to lie in cases of danger, yet
1 did not believe it to be possible that among
forty-one persons, not one repining word
should have been uttered The officers
sat about wherever they could find shelter
from the sea, and the men lay down con
versing with each other with the most per
fect calmness. Each was at peace with his
neighbour and all the world ; and I am firm
!v persuaded that the resignation which was
then shown to the will of the Al
mighty was the meant of obtaining his mer
cy. At about 6, P. M. the rudder, which
had already received some very heavy
blows, rose and broke up the after locker;
and this was the lest severe shock which (he
ship received. We found by the well lhat
she made no water, arid by dark she struck
no more. God was merciful to us, and the
tide, almost miraculously, fell no lower. At
dark a heavy rain fell, but was borne with
paliisnce, (or it beat down the gale, and
hrought with it a light air from the north
ward. At 9. P. M. (he water had deepen
ed to five fathoms. The ship kept off the
ground all night, and our exhausted crew
obtained some broken rest.”
The vessel escaped will the loss of the
bower anchor, and Capt. Lyon named the
scene ol trial the Bay of Gd’s Mercy.
RELIGIOUS PROSPECTS OF SOUTH
AMERICA.
The following extract of an animating
letter from a gentleman in London to his
friend in tbi* city, which we copy from the
Daily Advertiser, lead* us to form sanguine
expectations in relation to the progress of
religious truth io South America. The
Mr. fi. here alluded to, we presume is Se
nor Vicente Rocafuerte, a native of Peru,
who was present at a meeting of the Amer
ican Bitile Society, in 1823, and whose
speech on that occasion we inserted in one
of the first numbers of our paper. We un
derstand, that while he was in this city, he
manifested so much zeal for the welfare of
his countrymen, that he directeJ a book
consisting of select portions of the Scrip
lures, to be translated into the Spanish lan
gnage, and published an edition of the work
at his own expense, for distribution in dif
ferent parts of Mexico and South America.
[V. Y. Observer.
I have thi9 morning been at breakfast
with a member of Parliament, where,
among many others, I met our good friend
from Peru, Mr. R. The Rev. Mr. Arm
strong, who was in New York, is going out
to South America, as the agent to tbe Brit
ish and Foreign’ Bible Society, and the ob
ject of this breakfast was to obtain all the
information which could facilitate his intro
duction there; —but more particularly to
ascertain by what means moral and intellec
tual light could find its way ia the most ef
fectual manner, into those newly emancipa
ted States. We were together about two
hours and a half, and the quantity of accu
rate information communicated during that
time was truly astonishiug. It kept the
mind constantly on the stretch. The hints
given, and the plans suggested at this
friendly meeting, would next go to those
who are to carry them into operation.
They were of a character calculated to
produce their without shocking the
prejudices, or controlling the opinions of
the persons for whom they were designed.
Fiom the facts communicated, it appears
lhat the people in some parts of South
America, are nearly prepared for the re-
ception of troth in its purest forms. The
means of introduction are ample, and prac
ticable. Mr. R. has already established
Lancasleriao schools in the principal towns
of Mexico, and °aya they will extend to ev
ery village. He has now translators at
work on Milner’s Chnreh History, Pa ley’s
Natural Theology, aud Moral Philosophy ;
which are to be followed by his Evidences.
In this silent way, be is introducing tbe
purest aud most useful English authors.
It is impossible, in the compass of many
letters, to tell you the subjects which now
occupy the minds of the best men io this
metropolis. The most prominent are those
which contemplate tile mcliOiation of IflaO,
and tbe giving of the blessings of pure reli
gion to the whole of the benighted world.
The means of accomplishing these magnifi
cent objects are ample. No sooner is a
case fairly stated than it is met. The libe
rality of the publick is commensurate with
its prosperity. Labourers indeed are want
ed ; but even these rise up on various hands.
Pious merchants in the newly opened conn
tries, and commanders of vessels are now
the bearers and distributors of the Bible.
A merchant of high standing, who was at
the breakfast above referred to, has sever
al ships in the South American trade; and
besides making his own agents the means of
distributing the Scriptures, he will convey
the whole gratis, and give passage to any
persons, sent out by different societies for
the same purpose.
POPERY IN IRELAND.
A writer in the London Evangelical Mag
azine for March, in illustration of the pros
elyting spirit of tbe Catholick priests in Ire
land, relates tbe follow ing account of a dis
graceful scene which was recently acted in
the town of Galway.
Avery old man, who had been long a
member of the Established Chnreh, and a
hearer of the excellent Mr. Daly, the war
den of Galway, was sick. On the afternoon
of the day on which lie died, Mr. D. visited
him and administered the Sacrament (o him,
then left him, evidently near his end. Ha
had not been long gone when the grand
daughter of the persou came running to in
form him, that tbe priest bad got iulo her
grandfather’s room, and was going through
bis ceremonies.
Mr. D. immediately hastened to the
house, and found the chamber tilled by a
low rabble, chiefly women, who, as is their
custom, followed the priest on these occa
sions, when they saw tbe candles and the
host proceeding through the street. Mr.
D., of course much displeased at this intru
sion, forced his way to the bed side of his
parishioner, in order to preserve him from
being disturbed in his last moments. In do
ing this, he overturned the holy candles
winch were lighted ; Ibis created a great
bustle, when the rabble cried out to kill the
clergyman, and tore part of his clothes.
He continued to remonstrate with the priest
on his unchristian intrusion, and called on
him to desit, but be insisted on going on.
Mr. t). then asked the dying man whether
he wished to have the priest or his minis
ter? He with his dying breath said, The
Minister; and I bpfievedied whilst this was
was going on. The priest and people were
very violent, and had not the sheriff been
providentially passing at that very time,
who entered and rescued tbe worthy cler
gyman, it is probable that he would have
be.en murdered. The priest insisted that
he should bury him as he died a convert to
the Romish faith, aDd would have taken the
corpse by force, in order to make a grand
procession, proclaiming that be died a
Catholick. This wa* prevented by the in
terference of the police. In due time he
was buried, Mr. D. reading the burial ser
vice. Tbe following night the body was
taken up, the coffin broken to pieces, and
the naked corpse cast like a dead dog at the
door of tbe mayor.
—■xx:3*:xx**—-
From the Boston Recorder Sc Telegraph.
PEACE SOCIETIES.
Societies of this description have, within
a few years, been formed in this country and
in Europe. Their object is to enlighten
the minds of the people in relation to the
delusions of War; and to induce Christians,
of every denomination, to govern their
lives both in publick and private by the
mild precepts of Him, whose first advent
into the world announced by the songs of
angels—“ Glory to .God in the highest, on
earth peace and good will to men.” Indi
viduals, in this country and in Europe, die
tinguisbed for their talents and piety, have
espoused the cause of peace, and become
members of Peace Societies; but it is a cir
cumstance deeply to be lamented, that •th
ere have viewed them with indifference ; or
as Associations vain and visionary. It is al
so a melancholy fact, lhat but few of the
people of this country have any knowledge
of the existence of Peace Societies, or of
the valuable Tracts which they have pub
lished. This fact is to be attributed in part
to the little notice which has been taken of
Peace Societies in (he publick journals; and
to the small exertions which have been
made to form Societies and raise funds.
But something, by the blessing of God on
the exertions of the friends of peace, has
already been done, and no Christian map,
[Price %3 50 per am.
in view of this, and after having examined
the subject, will pronounce the object of
Peace Societies a visionary one. Without
casting any reproach on other benevolent
Societies, it may be affirmed, that Peace
Societies, according to their numbers, funds,
and the difficulties which they have had to
encounter, have done nobly. Their influ
ence has been felt on both Continents.
Not a Christian, who has read their publi
cations, will deny but that the spirit with
which war is carried on, is contrary to tbe
spirit of the Christian religion. Minister#
aud others are therefore respectfully in
vited to become members of Peace Socie
ties, and to direct the attention of the young ’i
to the subject. “War is a game, which,
were their subjects wise, Kings would not
play.”
From the Boston Recorder Sc Telegraph.
AMERICAN COLONIZATION SOCI
ETY.
The Eighth Annual Report oftbisSocie
ty has just come to hand. It gives an en
couraging view of the condition and pros
pect# of the ColoDy in Africa ; and affords
reason to believe that the benevolent efforts
which have been made in its behalf, will be
ultimately successful. Indeed, they have
succeeded already to a much greater ex
tent than could have been rationally antici
pated, considering the nature of thp under
taking, and the difficulties it must necessari
ly encounter at its commencement.
Mr. Gurley, who visited Africa the last
summer,found much in the circumstances of
the Colony winch was highly gratifying.
The eligible location of the town, the fer
tility of the spil, the adequate defences, the
improvements, the intelligence, health and
morality of the Colonists, the Sabbath
Schools, nnd many other thing*, seemed to
promise permanent prosperity to the Colo
ny. One Sabbath School is composed of
native children.
The cause in which the Society is engag
ed, appears to be rapidly gaining ground in
our own couniry. Popular sentiment is
changing in its favour. Os this fact the
Agents ot the Society have received abun
dant evidence. An Association of Clergy
men in New Hampshire has passed a reso
lution, that each member of their body shall
preach once, at least, every year, on this
subject. State Associations, auxiliary to
the general Society, exist in Vermont, New
Hampshire and New Jersey. In various
places, the last anniversary of Independence
was celebrated by some religious service,
at the close of which contribution# were
made in aid of the Colonization Society.
Resolutions in its favour have been passed
by the Legislatures of Virginia, Maryland,
Tennessee and New Jersey. The first
mentioned State has made an appropriation
for its benefit, from various useful articles in
the Penitentiary, to the amount of SSOO.
The Society have it in contemplation, as
soon as practicable, to establish an Institu
tion, after the plan of the school at Corn
wall, in which young men of colour may be
prepared, by suitable instruction in agricul
ture, the arts, literature and religiou, for
extensive usefulness in the Colony. They
have recently sent out sixty eight emi
grants ; and have secured to the Colony the
services of a very able and respectable phy
sician, who is expected < sail for Africa rn
a few days. The receipts of the Society
during the year ending March 23, 1825,
amounted to $4,6G2. It is exceedingly de
sirable that still greater funds should be
placed at the disposal of the Directors for
the year to come.
Frorn the Religious Intelligencer.
LETTER FROM DAVID BROWN.
Through the kindness of a valued cor
respondent, we are permitted to publish the
following letter from David lrowo, tbe
Cherokee preacher, to a friend in Fishkill,
N. Y. dated,
Talony , Cherokee Nation , Nov. 1 it, 1823.
Dear Iriend , —Since I had the pleasure
of seeing you, I have passed various and
some very unpleasant scenes. My transi
tion from one place to another has been the
cause of my silence. Thus far the corres
pondence that l held with my numerous
friends has been almost suspended. No
letters have I received from your pari of
the world since my arrival in the Cherokee
Nation. It is presumed, however, that my
friends do not know where 1 am. I wist
now to resume the pleasant correspondence
formerly held with you and my friend in
Fishkill. Be assured, that neither time or
distance shall erase from r.iy bosom an af
fectionate remembrance of the many kind
offices and favours you had the goodness to
bestow upon me when in your country.
Since I left Andover my travels have been
extensive through the wild and bowlmg for
est. On both sides of the Mississippi have
I travelled. I have just come a journey of
six hundred tailes. l had to swim <ome riv
ers on tbe way. I left Dwight in (he month
ot (September last. The primary object of
my visit to this country is to attend'he Na
tional Council now in session it New Tewo,
about thirty miles south of this place.
The posture of National as well as Mis
sionary affairs in (bis country is verv favour
able, Equitable and wholesome laws are