Na. 151.] 241 



fating, and they are moreover not entirely free from malaria, even 

 during winter. 



I earnestly hope that the plan proposed, to form a company, referred 

 to by Dr. Mitchell, will meet with encouragement, and that they 

 will not wait for the support of the general government in the com- 

 mencement. Under one or two efficient agents, a profitable invest- 

 ment would be made, and success would be certain. 

 I am, dear sir, very respectfully. 



Your obedient servant, 



H. WURDEMANN. 



While the subject of making a grant of land in Florida to Dr. 

 Perrine, for the purpose of acclimatir^ tropical plants, was under 

 consideration in Congress, in 1838, the following letters from Gen. 

 H. A. S. Dearborn, of Massachusetts, on that subject, to the Hon. Levi 

 Lincoln and Dr. Perrine, were published in the National Intelligen- 

 cer: 



Hawthorn Cottage, Roxhury, Jipril 17, 1838. 



My dear sir — I am very much obliged to you for the report of the 

 agricultural committee on the memorial of Dr. I'errine, in relation to 

 the culture of tropical plants in Florida, which you were so kind as 

 to send me. I have read it with the deepest interest, instruction and 

 pleasure; and so favorable do I think of his honorable and patriotic 

 enterprise, that I most sincerely hope Congress will cheerfully and 

 promptly grant his request, and aid him in the most liberal manner. 



The introduction of a single plant or seed has, in all ages and na- 

 tions, frequently produced the most important and valuable results. 

 The mighty influence on the agricultural industry and the general 

 prosperity of empires, which the naturalization and culture of the 

 cereal grains, the olive, vine, white mulberry for the food of the silk 

 worm, the sugar cane, coffee plant, cotton, potato, rice, and tobacco, 

 have produced, is well known, and I have no doubt that several of 

 the plants which Dr. Perrine has now growing at Cape Florida and 

 Indian Key, may possibly become staple articles of cultivation in 

 several of the most southern States. Besides, I do not think so 

 meanly of the capabilities of the soil of Florida as most people. I 

 well remember that Louisiana was called a mere alligator swamp, 

 when first so cheaply acquired. The single fact that East Florida is 

 the only portion of the Union where many of the most precious of 

 the tropical plants can be acclimated, will at no very distant period 



[Assembly, No. 151.] 16 



