FLORIDA, a district of North America, belong ing to the crown of Spain, having been ceded to it by Great Britain at the peace of 1783. The history of its discovery and early establishment being narrat ed in the Encyclopearlia, we confine ourselves to such notices of it as were then omitted,, or as subsequent events have rendered interesting..
When, in 1763, Spain gave up Florida in exchange for Cuba, the British government divided it into two provinces, distinguished bythe names of East and West Florida. East Florida is bounded on the north by the river St Mary, in 80° SS north latitude, which divides it from 'Georgia. Its eastern boundary is the Atlantic Ocean to Cape Florida in latitude 259 55' north, when, terminating at that point, it bends to the northward. Its western boundary is the sea• in the Gulf of Mexi co to the latitude 29° 30° north, from whence the river Apalachicola forms the line which separates it from West Florida, till it meets the confines of Georgia. The province, in shape, resembles. a wedge, the base line towards Georgia being 160 miles; . and the perpendicular line from north to south being 550 miles. As the whole province is a peninsula, it presents an extended point to the sea, and from its position, as well as its formation, is cal culated, when peopled, to enjoy a considerable share of navigation ; but the want of secure bays and bar bourn, and the dangerous bars at the mouths of its rivers, forbid any very sanguine expectations of its speedy population being realized.
The best navigable river on the eastern side of the province is St Mary, its northern boundary. It is navigable, however, but for a short distance. The depth of water in the bar is- sufficient to admit yes• eels drawing 16 feet, and at spring tides vessels drawing 20 feet water may enter, and when within they are in perfect safety. In the centre of this river, Amelia Island, which belongs to Florida, command; the ascent and anchorage. A small fortress and a mi.. serable town called Fernandina, are all that this island contains. It was for a short time occupied by a Tu e. tical banditti, who assumed to be South American re publicans, and was at last seised by the United States troops, under pretence of dislodm the depredators.
The river San Juan is about half way between St Mary's and St Augustine. Its entrance is difficult, and will not admit of vessels drawing more than twelve feet water, and even with that draught, it is a very perilous navigation.
As most of the plantations, when the English pos sessed the province, were either on the banks of this river, or on Rio Pablo, which empties itself into it, it became the most valuable part of, the province; and the town of St John's, built principally during the American war by English emigrants from the re volted states, was growing into some consideration, when its progress was checked by the peace of 1783, and the consequent removal of the British settlers to the Bahama Islands. It is now a place of little im portance, and the number of its inhabitants has been fast diminishing.
St Augustine, the capital of East Forida, is built on an inlet behind the island of St Anastasia, which forms an excellent harbour, but difficult of access. Vessels of more than ten feet draught of water can not enter even in spring tides, and when of that draught they seldom escape without striking on the bar; the greater part of the cargo is therefore usual ly landed by lighters before an entrance is attempt ed. The entrance is defended by a fort on Anastasia Island, and by a strong fortress on the main land. This fort, St Mark's, was originally built by the Spaniards, but considerably improved and strength ened by the British. It is built of stone, has four bastions, the curtains between each one 180 feet in length, and the rampart is 20 feet in height. The buildings are very strongly constructed, they are partly casemated, and mostly bomb-proof. is defended by a double row of lines which across the neck of land that connects it with the country ; and thus, if it were worth attacking, witha sufficient garrison, it is capable of an obstinate de fence. The town contained, when the Spaniards held it, about 44)00 inhabitants of various descrip tions, including a garrison of 400 soldiers. When, in 1769, it was ceded to Great Britain, the inhabit ants, with that attachment to the mother country, its religion, and its government, which Spaniards, and their descendants, have preserved in every part of the globe, left the province, and settled either in Cuba, Hispaniola, or Louisiana. Only two families remained under the British government, and one of them in the distant woods.