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ST JOHN'S RIVER IN FLORIDA. 



Soon after landing at St Augustine, in East Florida, I formed ac- 

 quaintance with Dr Simmons, Dr Pocher, Judge Smith, the Misses 

 Johnson, and other individuals, my intercourse with whom was as agree- 

 able as beneficial to me. Lieutenant Constaxtine Smith, of the United 

 States army, I found of a congenial spirit, as was the case with my 

 amiable, but since deceased friend, Dr Bell of Dublin. Among the 

 planters who extended their hospitality to me, I must particularly men- 

 tion General Hernandez, and my esteemed friend John Bltlow, Esq. 

 To all these estimable individuals I offer my sincere thanks. 



While in this part of the peninsula, I followed my usual avocations, 

 although with little success, it being then winter. I had letters from th6 

 Secretaries of the Navy and Treasury of the United States, to the com- 

 manding officers of vessels of war of the revenue service, directing them 

 to afford me any assistance in their power ; and the schooner Spark ha- 

 ving come to St Augustine, on her way to the St John's River, I pre- 

 sented my credentials to her commander Lieutenant Piercy, who readily 

 and with politeness, received me and my assistants on board. We soon 

 after set sail, with a fair breeze. The strict attention to duty on board 

 even this small vessel of war, afforded matter of surprise to me. Every 

 thing went on with the regularity of a chronometer : orders were given, 

 answered to, and accomplished, before they ceased to vibrate on the ear. 

 The neatness of the crew equalled the cleanliness of the white planks of 

 the deck ; the sails were in perfect condition ; and, built as the Spark 

 was, for swift sailing, on she went gambolUng from wave to wave. 



I thought that, while thus sailing, no feeling but that of pleasure 

 could exist in our breasts ; but, alas ! how fleeting are our enjoyments. 

 When we were almost at the entrance of the river, the wind changed, 

 the sky became clouded, and, before many minutes had elapsed, the httle 

 bark was lying to " like a duck," as her commander expressed himself. 

 It blew a hurricane : — let it blow, reader. At the break of day we were 

 again at anchor within the bar of St Augustine. 



Our next attempt was successful. Not many hours after we had 

 crossed the bar, we perceived the star-like glimmer of the hght in the 

 great lantern at the entrance of the St John's River. This was before 



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