232 [Assembly 



The favorable disposition of Congress to the foundation of a bo- 

 tanic garden in Florida, has been exhibited by the liberal grant of 

 a large tract of land, with a sufficient sum of money, to Dr. Per- 

 rine, several years since, whose efforts were frustrated by his sudden 

 death at the hands of the Indians, just as he had commenced the 

 transplanting of numerous tropical plants which ,he had procured 

 from Central America and Mexico. 



The object of the government in affording encouragement to this 

 undertaking, was thus suddenly frustrated, but it is to be confi- 

 dertly presumed that an equally liberal patronage will be again ex- 

 tended, and in such an efficient manner as to render the realiza- 

 tion of this important project as certain as it is desirable. Such 

 an establishment, if situated on the St. John's river, on what must 

 eventually be the principal inland route from New-York to New Or- 

 leans, would be an attractive object to travelers j would command 

 the attention of scientific men of our own and foreign countries; and 

 while it arrived at the great object of benefit to the domestic indus- 

 try of our country, would exhibit to foreigners a convincing evidence 

 that our republican government was fully alive to all that could be- 

 neficially affect the wealth and prosperity of its people. 



The committee would respectfully recommend the adoption of the 

 following resolutions: 



1. Resolved, That the American Institute be requested to memo- 

 rialize Congress to adopt such measures as may be deemed most ex- 

 pedient, for the establishment of a Botanical and Experimental Garden 

 in Florida, for the Acclimation of Tropical and other Foreign Trees 

 and Plants, and for their distribution among the several States in 

 such a manner as will best subserve the interests of each. 



2. Resolved, That the American Institute be also requested to cor- 

 respond with the agricultural, horticultural and botanical societies 

 throuo^hout ihe United States, on this subject, and ask their vigor- 

 ous co-operation, by transmitting memorials to Congress of a like 

 import to that designated by the foregoing resolution. 



3. Resolved, That the Secretaries of this Convention be instruct- 

 ed to transmit a copy of this report to the Corresponding Secretary 

 of the American Institute. 



H. A. S. DEARBORN, 

 L. B. PARSONS, 



In behalf of the committee. 



