34 
[ Eep. No. 504. ] 
that, hence, the propagation of fibrous-leaved plants will form a more 
distinguished epoch in the agricultural prosperity of our Southern States 
than the invention of the cotton-gin; that the production of foliaceous 
fibres will create still more beneficial revolutions in the manufactures and 
commerce of all civilized nations than has yet been edected by the culti¬ 
vation of capsular fibres ; and that, therefore, their introduction to the in¬ 
telligent industry of our free institutions should be effectually favored by 
the statesmen of our nation and the philanthropists of the world. 
20. That your memorialist has thus discovered in the unappreciated 
climate of our southern Florida, a fountain of human health, and a mine 
of vegetable wealth, which will save the lives of our consumptive inval¬ 
ids, and prevent the emigration of our healthy agriculturists to foreign 
countries; that he has thus moreover discovered, for the unappreciated 
soils of our Southern States, the most effectual means to cover them with 
a dense population, extract riches from the ruined fields and refuse lands 
of the South, and afford profit to the surplus funds and extra laborers of 
the North ; and that he has.hence thus shown the most effective means to 
preserve and promote the peace, population, prosperity, and permanency 
of the Union. 
21. That your memorialist has moreover shown, not only that the cul¬ 
tivation of all tropical staples within our territory is entirely j^racticable, 
and positively jirofitable, to furnish products iox foreign exportation, but 
also that it has actually become absolutely necessary to ensure supplies 
for home consumption ; and that he therefore concludes Avith the respect¬ 
ful request, that, pardoning the defects of a memorial written in a sick 
hammock, a special committee of Congress may take into immediate con¬ 
sideration his various suggestions in favor of the direct domestication of 
tropical plants in general, and of fibrous-leaved plants in particular; and 
may speedily report upon the expediency of an immediate establishment 
of a national acclimating nursery in southern Florida. 
And your memorialist, &c. 
HENRY PERRINE. 
Consulate U. S. A. at Campeachy, 
December 29, \S34:. 
A BILL to encourage the introduction and promote the cultivation of tropical plants in the 
United States. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That, in consequence 
of the services and suggestions of Doctor Henry Perrine in favor of the 
immediate domestication of tropical plants in southern Florida, and of their 
gradual acclimation throughout the Southern States, there be, and is here¬ 
by, granted to him and his associates, the pre-emption rights to thirty-six 
occupable sections of land in the peninsula of East Florida, beloAv the par¬ 
allel of 28° (or 2G°) N. lat.: Provided, "Thdii they shall not embrace suffi¬ 
cient quantities of,naval timber to be reserAmd for the United States. 
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That the said sections of land shall 
be located by said Henry Perrine, and surveyed, under his direction, by 
the surveyor of Florida, within two years fromThis date; and that it shall 
