In the revolutionary war, Georgia, though not suffering under the griev ances endured by the northern colonies, joined its sisters in the struggle, and was several times overrun by the British troops, and the principal inhabitants were obliged to abandon their possessions and fly into the neighboring states. In proportion to their numbers, the exertions and losses of her citizens were as great as in any of the states.

After the termination of the war, Georgia suffered from the incursions of the Creek Indians. In 1790, a treaty was concluded with this nation, by which the boundaries of Georgia were established. Georgia possessed, as included within her limits, a claim to an immense body of western land, of which, in 1795, the legislature sold a large portion, said to contain 22,000,000 acres, to a company, which company sold it to a second party. In the succeeding year the legislature declared the sale unconstitutional, and, on this ground, and that it had been obtained through bribery, they declared it to be void, and ordered all the records to be burnt. In 1802, Georgia ceded all the lands west of the Chattahouchee River and of a certain line, including the contested lands; and in 1814, Congress passed an act by which a compromise was made with the Yazoo purchasers, who received a certain amount of public stock. The recent history of Georgia is barren of important events, but the state is making rapid strides in prosperity and population.

THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

FLORIDA, the most southerly state in the Union, is bounded north by Georgia and Alabama; west by Alabama; south and west by the Gulf of Mexico, and east by the Atlantic Ocean. It is situated between 25° and 31° N. lat., and between 80° and 87° 30′ W. long. This state is 400 miles long and 340 in extreme width, having an area of 53,786 square miles, or 34,423,055 acres, of which only about one-half is as yet surveyed and occupied.

A spur from the Alleghanies entered the original limits of Florida in the north-west, from which the French and Spaniards gave the name of Apalachian to the whole range of the Alleghanies. But by the sub-division of the states the mountains have been partitioned off, and the country in this state is generally level, or with but slight undulations. There is much good soil in Florida, and much that is sandy and unfit for agriculture, bearing only pines and shrubs. A large portion also consists of swamps and everglades. The shores are indented with bays and lagoons, and are lined with numerous islands. The climate is such that vegetation is perennial, and many of the tropical fruits grow luxuriantly. It is healthy, except in the vicinity of the lowlands and swamps, the temperature seldom varying more than 60 degrees between summer and winter, and seldom rising above 90°. Some of the islands, and especially those south of the southern point, enjoy a very equable climate, the annual range never being more than 12 or 15 degrees.

The St. John's is the principal river on the Atlantic coast. It is supposed to be almost 300 miles long in its various windings: vessels of eight feet draught have navigated it 150 miles from its mouth, and entered Lake George and Dunn's Lake. In some parts of the river it is four miles wide,

and in others not more than a quarter of a mile wide. It flows parallel with the coast from north to south, and empties into the Atlantic. The St. Mary's, which rises in Georgia, passes through a part of Florida and enters the Atlantic. The Appalachicola, formed by the union of the Flint and Chattahouchee, which rise in Georgia, empties into the Gulf of Mexico, and is navigated through its entire length and far up its tributaries. It is a fine river. The Withlacoochee, Escambia, Suannee, Oscilla, Ocklocony, and Choctawatchie are the other principal rivers. The Perdido divides the state

for a short distance from Alabama. There are several small lakes in Florida, some of which are noted for the quiet and wild beauty of their scenery. The climate of Florida is essentially tropical. From October to June, it is generally mild and pleasant, but the summer months are extremely hot and sultry, and during this season fevers are prevalent, and dysentery and diarrhoea very destructive to life. St. Augustine and the islands, however, enjoy a good climate, and are often resorted to by invalids.

Salt is made in small quantities, and some granite is quarried: otherwise no minerals of importance are produced in this state.

The natural productions of Florida are live oak timber, which is unequalled in quality, and a great variety of other useful and ornamental woods. The fig, orange, date, etc., are among its fruits. Cotton is one of its most profitable staples, and sugar is extensively grown. Rice, indigo, etc., are furnished to a considerable value. The lands of Florida, however, are best suited for grazing, and vast herds of cattle and swine roam over its illimita ble pastures. Sponges of fine quality are collected on the reefs.

The aggregate population of Florida in 1850 was 87,401, or one person to every 394 acres; and its distribution to the several divisions and counties in the following proportions:

The number of dwellings in the state in 1850 amounted to 9,022, and the number of families to 9,107, or about 9.6 persons to each dwelling and family; and in 1849-50 the mortality amounted to 933 deaths, or in the ratio of one death to every 93.7 of the whole population.

The industry of Florida is almost entirely devoted to agriculture, the mechanic arts having progressed but slightly. In 1850 there were in the state 4,304 farms and plantations under cultivation, and only 121 manufacturing establishments, the annual products of which were valued at $500 and upwards, and these latter were only such as are incidental to an agricultural country. Indian corn is the great cereal crop and averages about 2,300,000 bushels annually; oats is next in amount but is very limited, and the culti vation of wheat, barley and rye is scarcely at all attended to. The crops

of potatoes and hay are comparatively large. The staples or crops peculiar to the country are cotton, rice, sugar, tobacco, etc. The cotton crop averages some 48,000 bales; and Florida yields considerable lumber, chiefly live oak, which is highly estimated for ship-building.

The foreign commerce of Florida has materially increased of late years. In 1840 the exports were valued at $1,858,850, and in 1850 at $2,623,624; and the imports in 1840 were $190,728, and in 1850 $95,709. Imports to a very large amount, however, are made indirectly from domestic ports, and the same remark also applies to exports, the chief bulk of which pass through New Orleans and the Atlantic ports. The coasting and interior trade are of considerable value. The shipping owned within the state in 1850 amounted to 11,273 tons, of which 5,636 tons were registered for the foreign trade, and the residue of which, 2,185 tons, were navigated by steam, was employed in coasting. The entrances and clearances of shipping employed in the foreign trade in 1849-50 were as follows:

ENTRANCES....Am. ships, 7,518 tons...For. ships, 10,462 tons...Total, 17,980 tons. 10,022 12,134 CLEARANCES... 22,156 66

of which shipping Appalachicola cleared 17,192 tons and entered 12,196 tons; Key West cleared 3,723 tons and entered 5,379 tons; and the small remainder was cleared and entered in the districts of Pensacola and San Augustine.

There are no railroads or canals in operation in this state, and the common roads are nowhere of a very high character for efficiency. The LegisInture of 1848-49 chartered three companies for the establishment of railronds, viz., the Atlantic and Gulf Railroad Company, to connect the waters of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico upon such route as may be deemed most advisable and judicious; Florida and Georgia Railroad Company, for conin a line between the Chattahoochee river and Gulf of Mexico at some 1. Andrew's Bay, and the Pensacola Railroad Company for the purstructing a road from some port on the St. Mary's river to Penme short railroads, worked by horse power, were formerly in op

eration; one connecting St. Mark's and Tallahassee, and lines from St. Joseph's to Iola and Appalachicola.

Education is as yet but little attended to, and the scattered condition of the settlements will long retard its progress. The government, however, has ample means for its support in the school lands, etc., and the constitution provides for the organization of common schools throughout the country. There are academies and grammar schools in the cities, chiefly pri vate, but there are no institutions where a collegiate course can be had.

The following are the principal provisions of the present constitution of the state:

Representatives, not more than 60 in number, must be 21 years old, white citizens of the United States, two years resident of the state, and one year of the county, and be elected for one year. In 1845, and every tenth year thereafter, a census shall be taken, and the representatives shall be apportioned by adding three-fifths of the slaves to the whole number of free whites. Senators are elected for two years; they must be 25 years old, and otherwise have the same qualifications as representatives. The General Assembly, chosen on the first Monday of October, shall meet on the first Monday in November of each year.

The Governor shall be elected by a plurality of votes for four years, and shall be ineligible for the four years next after his term. He shall be 30 years old, ten years a citizen of the United States or an inhabitant of Florida at the adoption of the constitution, and a resident thereof for five years next before the election. He may veto a bill; but a majority of those elected to both houses may pass it again, notwithstanding his veto. If the office be vacant, the president of the Senate, and after him the speaker of the House, shall act as Governor. No officer in a banking company, while he serves in a bank, or for twelve months afterwards, shall be eligible for the office of governor, senator, or representative. No duellist, or second in a duel, shall hold any office under the state. The secretary of state shall be elected by the legislature for four years.

The Supreme Court, having appellate jurisdiction only, shall be composed of the circuit judges for five years after the election of these judges, and thereafter until the General Assembly shall otherwise provide. The circuit courts shall have original common law jurisdiction in all matters, civil and criminal. They shall also have original equity jurisdiction, until a separate chancery court be established by the Legislature. The judges shall be elected by concurrent vote of a majority of both houses, and shall be chosen at first for five years; after that term, during good behavior. They may be removed by impeachment, or by address of two-thirds of each house. An attorney-general shall be elected by joint vote of the two houses for four years; also a solicitor for each circuit for the same term. No act of incorporation shall be passed or altered, except by the assent of two-thirds of each house, and by giving three months' notice. No bank charter shall be for more than 30 years, nor shall it ever be extended or renewed. The capital of a bank shall not exceed $100,000, nor shall a dividend be made exceeding 16 per cent. a year. Stockholders shall be individually liable for the debts of the bank, and no notes shall be issued for less than $5. The credit of the state shall not be pledged in aid of any corporation whatsoever. No law shall be passed to emancipate slaves, or to prohibit the immigration of persons bringing slaves with them; but free colored persons may be prevented from entering the state. For an amendment of this constitution, two-thirds of both houses must assent: the proposed alteration must then be

published six months before the succeeding election, and then be again approved by a two-thirds vote in the succeeding assembly.

The finances of the government, for the year 1846, were as follow:— The principal items of expenditure were, for the legislative department, $14,724 33; executive, $5,838 56; judicial, 89,263 76; printing laws, &c., $1,690 69; criminal prosecutions, $6,696 26; contingent expenses of courts, $1,756 05, and contingent fund, $1,705 85. Taxes to the amount of $39,500 were the principal sources of income. Florida has a considerable public debt, chiefly contracted for banking purposes.

ST. AUGUSTINE, the oldest town in Florida, as it is in the United States, is situated two miles from the Atlantic, on the south side of a peninsula, and is protected from the ocean by Anastasia Island. In 1850 it had a population of 2,993. Its climate is pure and healthy, and the town is embowered in orange groves. Like all old places, the streets are narrow, but the buildings, which are two stories high, are handsome and picturesque, having around them balconies and piazzas. The public buildings are the United States barracks, the land office, and several churches. Fort Marion, standing at the mouth of the harbor, protects the town.

TALLAHASSEE, the seat of government, lies on the northern part of the state, upon an elevated site, and is a place of considerable business. Lat. 30°28′ N., long, 84° 36′ W. A railroad runs from this town to St. Mark's, a seaport on the gulf, 22 miles distant. It contains a bank, the state-house, a jail, a market, and several churches. The permanent population is about 2,000, but in winter is much increased by accessions of visitors.

PENSACOLA is situated in Escambia county, and is the most westerly of the Florida towns. It lies on Pensacola Bay, 10 miles from the Gulf. The United States navy-yard at this place is one of the most useful in the Union. Population about 2,800. The harbor is accessible to vessels drawing 8 feet of water.

JACKSONVILLE, On St. John's River, is a thriving seaport.and depôt for a large and fertile district. APALACHICOLA, on the river of the same name, has a good harbor, and considerable trade in cottorf. About 20 steamboats navigate the river. It is connected with St. Joseph's by railroad. Sr. JoSEPH's, a little west of Apalachicola, and on the Bay of St. Joseph, has a deep, capacious harbor, and is well sheltered from the winds. It is connected with Iola, on the Apalachicola River, and with the town of Apalachicola by railroad. QUINCY, LANCASTER, SMYRNA, and some other places are rapidly progressing to importance. Smyrna, from its situation, must eventually become the depôt of an immense and fertile agricultural country.

KEY WEST, One of the islets of the southernmost extremity of the peninsula, has a fine harbor, and can accommodate the largest class of ships. It is an important naval station, and the seat of the Wrecker's Court, to which all cases of salvage are brought for adjudication. The wreckers of Key West are said to be a most daring set of men, and fully capable of aiding and recovering vessels stranded on the reefs.

Florida was discovered by Cabot in 1496, and first visited by Ponce de Leon in 1512. In 1562, we find the French and Spaniards contesting their respective rights to the country. Subsequently the English from Georgia and Carolina attempted to gain possession, but unsuccessfully. In 1763, Florida was ceded to England in exchange for Cuba, and was divided into two provinces. Spain recovered it in 1781, and her possession was con