1822 - Edocs

194
Unless these difficulties are obviated it cannot be expected
that emigration should be successfully directed to
the Territory of Florida—large tracts of land are in some
places covered, by private claims ; before the proprietors
can make any permanent disposition of them to settlers,
by which a dense and efficient population can be obtained.
it is indispensably necessary that they should be free from
all incumbrance and litigation—this end can be most
speedily, cheaply and certainly accomplished by the judi-
cial tribunals of our country—next to bringing the publ::
lands into market at an early period, your ^memorialist?
consider the prompt and final decision of landxlaims as
an object of the highest consideration, upon it, not only
dependends the growth and prosperity of this Territory,
but the effectuation of these valuable purposes, for which
the United States obtained their cession, by the late treaty
with Spain.
"
In conclusion, your memorialists would beg leave to represent
to your Excellency, the superior advantages ci'
the harbor of Pensacola, over any other on the gulph of
Mexico, south of Cape Florida, and suggest the policy of
selecting it as a naval depot, by the government of the
United States, although engineers have been appointed
to make a survey of the harbor, who are amply competent
to form a correct estimate of its importance : yet it is to
be hoped,, that the suggestions of your memorialists, may
not be considered obtrusive, but received with complacency,
as the offspring of a lively interest, in the welfare
of this Territory and of the United States.—From a survey
that has been made of the harbor of Pensacola, under
the orders of the general government, it is understood
hy your memorialists, that at the lowest water, vessels
drawing not more than twenty one and a half feet water,
may cross the bar and enter the harbor with perfect safety,
the medium depth of water between the highest *and
lowest tide, may be confidently estimated at two additional
feet, making in the aggregate twenty three and a
half feet— It is believed from the best advice which has
been obtained upon the subject, that this depth of water
Dn the bar, is sufficient for the entrance of vessels of any
description, save those of the largest class; the locality
of the bay is likewise such as to secure every facility to
the entrance and departure of vessels. The* opposite extremes
of its oblong form extend in a north easterly and
south westerly direction, which happily corresponds with
the general range of winds, so as to subject vessels to very
little delay in their arrival or departure—after vessel*
have entered the bay, they have every assurance of th