SANDY SPRING,

A.

Montgomery county, Md., December 29, 1830.

SIR: Though I have not the honor to be personally known to you, I have been induced by some circumstances in which you are officially concerned, to trouble you with the enclosed, the purport of which will, I hope, plead excuse for the liberty I have taken.

In the National Intelligencer of the 14th instant, I had read the report of the Secretary of the Navy, but was subsequently, and in a particular manner, recalled to that document, by reading in the same journal of the 18th your observations on that part of the Navy report, relating to the live oak timber. Turning to the paragraph beginning thus, "When it is considered that this timber is the natural product of the coast of the United States, from the St. Mary's to the Subine," &c., I must confess the re-reading excited increased astonishment.

Personal interest in this case, I have none, direct or indirect; nor have I the wish to intrude into concerns extra to my own affairs, except in extraordinary instances, amongst which, in my humble opinion, this is one, where a citizen of the United States has a right, if it is not his duty, to give voluntary evidence.

In October, 1812, accompanied by three hired men, I undertook, at my own risk and expense, a survey of the southwestern boundary of the United States, in order to complete my map of Louisiana. Before leaving St. Landré, in Opelousas, on this survey, I had visited the Mississippi as low as New Orleans, and the banks of Atchafalaya, Teche, Vermillion, and those of Mermentau as low down as the head of its great lake; and on all of which found live oak, towards the interior admixed with other timber trees, and contiguous to the gulf in detached clumps.

Of the existence of live oak on the Calcasiu and Sabine, I had received conflicting accounts; some asserting its growth on these rivers, whilst others denied the fact. I had never actually visited the mouth of Mermentau, but all who had done so agreed that on that river, below and contiguous to the Great lake, live oak abounded: above the lake I knew its existence from personal observation.

Thus instructed, I left St. Landré, and, by way of Natchitoches, reached the Sabine, where that river is intersected by N. latitude 32°. With the aid of a common chopping axe and fire, we constructed a canoe, in which we descended the Sabine to an Indian village, where I left my canoe, and purchased a piroque. In the latter, we navigated down the Sabine to its mouth; along the coast of the gulf of Mexico from the mouth of Sabine to that of the Calcasiu, and up the latter and lakes to the lowest settlement then on its banks.

For subsistence, we depended solely on a rifle and fishing tackle. On the Sabine, the great interior forest ceases upwards of forty miles above the mouth. Scattering lines and clumps of trees are seen a few miles lower down, but with the head of the Great Sabine lake, and the influx of Natches river, all timber ceases, and from thence to the coast, about thirty miles, is one vast plain of grass, but little elevated above the level of the gulf of Mexico. The natural features of the Calcasiu are, in a very remarkable manner, similar to those on the Sabine, except that the Great lake, and the distance from the coast to the forest, is more extensive on the former.

We arrived on the Lower Sabine in the latter part of December, and al

ready the deciduous trees were denuded of their leaves, leaving the pines, cypress, and live oak, conspicuous objects where they presented themselves. Of the live oak, not one stem was seen by either of the party, and it was sought for with eager eyes. The weather, though in so low a latitude, was cold distressingly; it was clear, windy, and frosty. Our situation became so very unpleasant, and even dangerous, for want of food, that I formed the intention to pass the Calcasiu and enter the Mermentau, in order to reach settlements where I was acquainted with the people; but we were deceived by an opening of the coast about thirty miles east of the mouth of Sabine, which we mistook for the mouth of Calcasiu, and when we did actually reach the outlet of that river, we entered, thinking ourselves in the Mermentau.

The coast we found a sand and shell bar, as smooth, and almost as direct and unbroken, as an artificial gravel walk. Where the rivers enter, their mouths are narrow and shallow. The coast is strewed with debris, discharged from the Mississippi, and by the currents borne westward and thrown on the shores. But from the head of the Great lake of Sabine to the same part of that of Calcasiu, no tree of any description grows which is visible from the shores and coast, except a dwarf species of pseud acacia, or honey locust, and that in very small and detached clumps. Between the great interior forests and the coast, we suffered intensely from the total absence of wood for fuel; and when we finally reached the forests on Calcasiu, we found not one stem of live oak. The absence of this tree first excited extreme surprise, as it was still our opinion we were in Mermentau; but when arrived above the lake, I found my mistake, by not finding a country I had visited before, and from meeting no human habitation; but still farther, from the non-appearance of either live oak or that species of chamaerops, called in Louisiana palmetto, both of which I knew existed on Mermentau

I have mentioned the foregoing circumstances with a view to show the means and the urgent motives which would have drawn our attention to a single live oak tree, had such risen from the melancholy waste; there is therefore, to my knowledge, none of that timber in the United States westward from the Mermentau. The highest point west of the Mississippi river where it grows a forest tree, is at the head of the great prairie of Attacapas, between the Teche and Vermillion; and what is peculiarly striking, it there, below the influx of the Fusillier into the Teche, rises to the size of a considerably sized forest tree, whilst above that creek at the distance of half a mile, where the woods are exposed to the northwest wind, it is unknown. Again, at three or four miles westward of the same point, where the winds from the great Opelousas plains have free access, there is no more live oak. A line drawn from the junction of the Fusillier and Teche to that of the Plaquemine Brulée and bayou Câne, and thence with the woods of Mermentau, would include to the eastward all or nearly all the live oak trees which exist in that region; and I am induced to believe, further, that such a line would also include to the eastward all the space on which that tree would vegetate, if planted. On the waters of Mermentau, as far as I have examined them, the live oaks are of small growth.

With more or less of detail, I have visited all the other rivers of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, from Mermentau to Mobile bay. Below north latitude 304°, generally, live oak is found on the streams; the tree itself increasing in size as you advance southward towards the gulf. But, in fact, timber of any kind near the gulf shore, westward from the Rigolets or

mouth of Pearl river, is rare; and long intervals, such as I have noticed, exist, where not a bush breaks the monotony of the dreary landscape. Eastward of the Rigolets, the pine forests reach the coast, and live oak is rare and of small size. From Mobile bay eastward, I know the country only by

report.

It may be deemed a bold assertion, but it is one I am safe in making, that all the live oak standing on that part of the United States westward from Mobile bay would not cover 5 square miles with the ordinary density of a forest. Such a space, allowing 1000 square feet to each tree, would admit 139,372-a number beyond that of not only the live oaks, but of every tree, great and small, near the coast of Louisiana. In reality, if I were to erase 5 and set down 2, I would probably be much nearer the truth.

It is a tree, also, which, contrary to common opinion, demands a dry rich soil; and even when found apparently in marshes, the spots occupied by this timber are solid land. In most places in Louisiana where I have seen it growing, the soil was extremely fertile, and, of consequence, the tree in rapid progress of destruction from clearing the land.

With an apology for the length of this sheet, I beg leave to remit it to your hands. You can make such use of its contents as in your opinion they deserve. As to their accuracy, I would very gladly have the United States bound to remunerate me for the survey of the Sabine, conditioned on the correctness of the enclosed statement being confirmed on resurvey by their own engineers, and forfeit all claim to veracity if it was not.

With sentiments of esteem,

I am, sir, very respectfully,
WILLIAM DARBY.

B.

WASHINGTON, January 12, 1831.

SIR: The late report of the Secretary of the Navy on the growth and artificial culture of the live oak is so extraordinary, that I have deemed it my duty to address to you a few remarks, as one who understands and takes a deep interest in a subject so important to the nation. It will be proper to premise, that, in the year 1816, I received from the Board of Navy Commissioners the appointment of superintendent for cutting and moulding live oak timber in East Florida, where I remained until March, 1822. In the course of this time it became necessary for me to examine the timber, not only in that Territory, but in the southern parts of Georgia. In 1825, I was employed to examine the live oak timber in that quarter of the country, and commenced my examination at Winyaw bay, near Georgetown, South Carolina, and proceeded to the islands and other places where it was supposed there was a sufficient quantity to justify the expense of having it cut, and closed my examination on St. John's river, in East Florida. In 1826, I was again employed to proceed to Mobile, in Alabama, to superintend the cutting of timber, moulding, &c., on a contract, which rendered it necessary for me to ascertain as accurately as possible the quantity of timber in that quarter along the gulf of Mexico. I was again appointed, in 1828, agent for the preservation of live oak timber in Florida, where I continued till June, 1829. From my experience, therefore, and personal observation, I have no hesitation in saying, that your remark, made recently in the House of Representatives, on this subject, is entirely correct, viz: "that the live oak

is sparsely scattered at most remote distances, and in small bodies. If artificial culture be not resorted to, and the fires, which are common and destructive, kept out of the reservations, there will not be enough in fifty years to build a West India squadron."

On my arrival in Florida in 1816, I was not a little astonished to find the timber in all the largest and best hammocks destroyed by what is called deadening for cultivation; because it is well known that this tree only flourishes in the richest soil, and the land where it is found is therefore preferred and cleared for agricultural purposes. So little was this timber estimated, at the period of my first arrival, by the inhabitants, that it was purchased by the contractor at ten dollars per thousand cubic feet, when cut to moulds. In my report, made in 1825, I stated that the supposed quantity of timber which could be obtained for naval purposes from Winyaw bay to Amelia island, was about seventy-five thousand cubic feet; and this, I have since learnt, has been almost entirely cut. At present there are no bodies of live oak timber remaining between the St. Mary's and the Mosquito river. On the south of this, on the eastern coast, it is not, I am informed, in sufficient quantity, or of sufficient size, to merit attention. On the river Perdido, there were, in 1827, a few scattering hammocks, where live oak was interspersed with other growth of timber, belonging to a private gentleman, which I examined, but did not cut; and between this and the Mississippi, there is no hammock that has escaped my observation, or that is worth notice. On a ridge of land hetween lake Borne and the Mississippi, there is some timber, but totally unfit for naval purposes. In the neighborhood of the Grand Barrataria, there was, as per report of an efficient person employed to examine the same, supposed to be timber enough for the construction of one or two sloops of war and a frigate; but this has since been nearly all cut by the Messrs. Lockwoods. In 1828, while acting as agent in East Florida, I was again enabled to make additional observations, and found there was very little timber fit for naval purposes, and that little grew on land to which the title was doubtful. This, sir, is the result of personal observation, made at various times and with great accuracy, and from which it will be seen that the region of country referred to by the Secretary of the Navy as abounding with live oak is now almost wholly stripped of that valuable. timber; and I hesitate not to say, if artificial culture be not resorted to, it is manifest there will not be timber enough in a few years to construct the smallest vessels of war; and our navy must consequently dwindle, and our ships lose their reputation for durability which they now enjoy. In conclusion, I would make one remark on the singular course pursued by the Navy Department in relation to this subject. The office of agent for the preservation of live oak has, I understand, been abolished, and a marine. force substituted in its place. The absurdity of this arrangement must be obvious at the first glance.

How is this force, from the nature of the country where this timber grows, to protect it, or to discover that already cut on public or disputed land? One fitted to perform this duty efficiently should be acquainted with the country, and, as far as possible, the grants of land. He should be constantly on the alert, and should visit in person the spot on which they are cutting, to determine whether the land be public, or of a doubtful title, &c.; for it is impossible to seize the timber unless he can prove that it is the growth of lands belonging to the United States; and to do this, he must see the very stump from which it was taken. A marine force would, therefore, be

wholly incompetent to perform this duty; for though they may traverse the coast and penetrate the principal rivers, they cannot be expected to be prepared with horses at the different landing places, or to travel on foot from 5 to 50 miles in the interior; and without doing this they could not possibly deteet trespassers on the ground or purloiners of timber, for no one is willing to become an informer. Fifty vessels laden with live oak or other timber, obtained from the public lands in the Floridas, might sail, and laugh to scorn this marine force, who could not detain them for the want of sufficient proof; and this proof they have been unable to procure. I assure you, sir, that this is the worst plan that could have been conceived, and will, if continued, lead to the destruction of all that remains of that valuable material, so essential to the construction of our armed vessels.

I regret to say, that, if this tree be not cultivated in those lands so well adapted by nature to its production, it will very soon disappear from the face of our country; and the consequence of such a state of things in a nation like this may easily be anticipated.

I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully,

To the Honorable J. M. WHITE,

Your obedient servant,
W. D. ACKEN.

Delegate from Florida.

C.

WASHINGTON, January 14, 1831.

SIR: In answer to yours of the 11th inst. inquiring of me "what would be the supposed quantity and value of 173 or 117 good live oak trees, of or dinary size, including cutting, hauling not exceeding of a mile, and transporting by water four miles," I must remark (not having seen the trees alluded to) that it will be necessary for me to give a description of some of the largest trees I have seen in the course of my different appointments and engagements in the live oak business, that I judged fit for use; but, as such have been few in number, I only offer them to show to what size that description of timber grows, and not for the purpose of forming a medium. From some of those above alluded to, at least four hundred cubic feet might be obtained if cut promiscuously, that is, sided as large as they would hold 10 feet from the butt, and so on at proper lengths, taking in all the branches on top that would side 7 inches, and rough squared the moulding way. Some trees I have girted, and found them to measure from 24 to 30 feet in circum. ference 4 to 5 feet above the ground. As you did not ask, (nor is it my intention to enter into a particular description of this timber,) I think a tree worked in the above way, to produce less than 20 feet, would be of the smallest size your question would permit me to offer, and the mean at 80 feet. From the scarcity of that valuable timber at this time, $1 124, I think, would be a fair price when delivered, and would amount to 90 dollars a tree; (how ever, I am not aware that the Government has ever paid more than $1 per cubic foot for promiscuous timber;) and should conceive the following to be a fair price for labor, &c., if the trees be at no immoderate distance apartthe ground favorable for hauling, moderate bluffs, with sufficient water for