1 Report of Agent on Live Oak. HOLMES' VALLEY, December 4, 1831. SIR: After writing you on the 15th ultimo, I proceeded to the mouth of the Choctawhatchie bay, and thence on to Deer Point, where I received your letter of the 26th September, by which I was required to make a critical examination of the lands near Pensacola, purchased of the honorable Joseph M. White, &c., and upon which Judge Brackenridge has, for some time, been engaged in pruning, clearing, and in the general cultivation of the live oak tree. Also, to report to the department, 1st. My opinion of the present condition of the plantation referred to: 2d. The value of the lands attached to the plantation: 3d. Whether it is adapted to the rearing of the live oak tree, or what portion of it may be so suited:" 4th. Whether it is as convenient for such culture or propagation of live oak, as other lands in my district: 5th. And whether, from the experiment made under Judge Brackenridge's care, the cultivation of the live oak promises to pay for the labor expended in its production. When I left home, it was for the purpose of joining the surveyors, and accompanying them through that portion of my district which it was understood they were going to survey; but their not meeting me as I expected, I proceeded on a tour of general examination, and, on the receipt of your letter, I commenced the examination therein required: the result of which, perhaps, may not, by the department, be considered so full and precise as was contemplated. Should it not be so, it will become necessary to have an actual survey made of the premises, which will be attended with additional expense, which I have no order to incur. Being, however, on the spot, I determined then to comply with the orders as fully as I was prepared to do, and, after careful and repeated examinations of the lands, I submit to you my answers to the several questions to which my attention was directed. I will add, if further information be required in relation to this matter, I would thank the department to refer me (if in its power,) to some one who can designate the several tracts of land; Captain Davis, the overseer under Judge Brackenridge, being unable to give the information desired, except in part. 1st. There are in the plantation, I should suppose, three hundred acres of land; the most of the trees appear to be in a thriving condition; the size generally from two to eight inches in diameter, and from ten to twenty to twenty-five feet high. The best and most thrifty are those growing nearest the sound and bay; (the sound on the south and the bay on the north;) in the middle ground, the growth is more stinted and crooked. The plantation, with the exception of a few acres, is thickly covered with undergrowth, from two to five feet high, which sprung up from stumps, roots, &c. &c. This is doubtless injurious to the live oak, and should be re moved. The hands now engaged there, are employed in doing so. I also observed that, in many places, the live oak are too much crowded, and if not given more space, must greatly retard their growth. 2d. As to the value of the lands attached to the plantation, I should say, for ordinary agricultural purposes, it is of no value whatever, and its value for rearing the live oak can only be tested by time; and the facts stated, in the above answer, furnish all the data upon which I can form an opinion. 3d. From my answer to the first question, you perceive that I consider the live oak on the plantation in a thriving condition, and there are a few trees standing on it of considerable size, and appearances of large stumps; from which I infer that the young live oak will grow there, but it is not my opinion that the growth will be so rapid, or the trees as large as if cultivated upon a better soil. Not having made a survey of the lands in question, I cannot say what portion of the tract may be suited to the growth of live oak: however, including the part now in cultivation, I would suppose there are about four hundred acres. 4th. It is not more than seven miles from the navy yard, and easy of access by water; the timber would not require land carriage more than seven hundred yards. Hence, from its locality, it is more convenient for the navy yard at Pensacola, than any other position within my district. St Vincent's Island is, in other respects, equally convenient, and is better adapted to the purpose, its soil being superior. There is also a body of land a short distance above the town of Appalachicola, which I conceive well adapted to its culture, but not so convenient. On St. Andrew's bay, places could be selected both convenient and suitable to the live oak. There is also a good situation on Choctawhatchie bay. 5th. The experiment made under the superintendence of Judge Brackenridge, has not yet advanced sufficiently to enable me to form an opinion as to the probability of the production paying for the labor expended. The young live oak present a promising appearance at this time. It is my opinion that, in the course of three or four years, if the cultivation of the plantation is continued, that the live oak will have attained such size, that but little labor would be required to keep down the undergrowth, which would injure them. From this view of the probable expenses; from its convenient location to the navy yard; the thrifty appearance of the trees, (notwithstanding the sterility of the soil,) and the expenditures which have already been made by the Government; I would hazard the opinion that the experiment may be continued there with a fair prospect of the production paying for the labor expended. For the above reasons, and because the quantity of this timber, so far as my district extends, is much less than I had formerly supposed, I recommend the continuance of the cultivation, with an increase of five more laborers. If this is not done, those now engaged should confine their labor to the cultivation of one half of the plantation. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Hon. LEVI WOODBURY, Secretary. of the Navy, Washington. JOHN CLARK. P. S. Having omitted to state my opinion of the number of trees now growing on the plantation, I would here say that I presume, from observation, the number reported by the superintendent, Judge Brackenridge, and the overseer, Mr. Davis, is correct; varying between fifty and eighty thousand. The surveyers having failed to meet me as agreed op, and understanding from them that my attendance on them, at this time, cannot benefit me in the general examination for live oak in which I am now engaged, I shall go hence to St. Andrew's bay, where I shall take the live oak boat and proceed to Choctawhatchie bay, and round it, &c., as I find it impracticable to make the examination there satisfactorily on horse back. J. C. E-No. 1. Report of the Commissioners of the Navy Board, and copy of a letter from Mr. Hoffman. NAVY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, 22d September, 1830. SIR: The Board of Navy Commissioners, to whom, by letter of the 6th instant, you were pleased to refer the result of the proceedings of the agents of the department for surveying the live oak lands belonging to the United States in Florida with a view to their reservation for naval purposes, under the act of March, 1827, have attentively examined the reports, and have now the honor to communicate their opinions. The commissioners regret that they are not so conversant with subjects of this nature as to enable them to express their opinions with entire confidence. Relying upon the accuracy of the reports made by the agents, and presuming that the maps and plats, with the schedules of the number and quality of the trees, the general description of the soil, and the facilities of transportation, are correct, they would respectfully observe: As to reports No. 1 and No. 2, it does not appear there is any public lands that any live oak or other ship timber worthy of reservation described in them. The commissioners concur in opinion, expressed by the agents, that the following are worthy of reservation for public use, viz. Report Nos. 3, schedules No. 1, 3, and 4. Report No. 4, schedule No. 1, with map A, exhibits three tracts, comprising hammocks a, b, and c, on the Choctawhatchie bay. Map B, schedule No. 2, exhibits a tract lying on a lake connected by a small creek with the above bay. Report No. 5, schedules No. 1 to 11, inclusively, exhibiting several tracts, comprising upwards of 700 acres, lying on the Choctawhatchie bay. Report No. 6, schedules No. 1 to 5, inclusively, which shows a considerable quantity of live oak, white oak, and cedar, on the waters of St. Andrew's bay. Report No. 7, schedules No. 1 to 4, inclusively, which exhibits a large quantity of valuable live oak and red cedar, growing on various hammocks on St. Vincent's island, and St. Andrew's bay, comprising about 700 acres. It does not appear, from the reports of the agents, that there are any other tracts of public lands in Florida worthy of reservation for navy purposes. The reports of the agents are herewith returned. Honorable JOHN BRANCH, &c. I have the honor to be, &c. &c. JOHN RODGERS. E-No. 2. NAVY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, 3d November, 1830. SIR: In compliance with the request contained in your letter of 28th September, the commissioners have the honor to transmit, herewith, the following reports of the agents for surveying the live oak lands belonging to the United States in Florida, as being, in their opinion, worthy of reservation for public use. The lands purchased for nurseries of live oak not included in the reports, are also recommended to be retained from sale, viz. Schedules Nos. 1, 3, and 4, of report 3, 66 1 to 4, 66 Maps and drawings, and drawings accompanying the schedules, explanatory thereof. The original papers are herewith respectfully returned. I have the honor to be, &c., Honorable JOHN BRANCH. E-No. 3. JOHN RODGERS. NAVY COMMISSIONERS' OFFICE, SIR: The Commissioners of the Navy, in conformity with your letter of the 27th instant, transmit, herewith, exhibit A, which gives all the information in their possession in relation to the quantity of live oak timber, exclusive of that embraced in the surveys returned to your office on the 3d ultimo, of which certain tracts were recommended for reservation. It is proper to remark that since the reports, as shown in paper A, were received, much of the live oak timber has, it is believed, been cut by contractors and others, at several, if not all of the places stated. A large deduction should, therefore, be made from the quantities exhibited in this paper, before we could approximate the quantity at this time to be found at these places; and its condition, particularly that portion reported in 1819, might, upon examination, be found so defective as to occasion a further diminution of the quantity fit for naval purposes. I have the honor to be, &c. &c. Honorable JOHN BRANCH, Secy, of the Navy. 4 |