The Lancaster Ledger

For the Lancaster Ledger
Newnansville, Fla., May 21, 1859.

Dear Ledger—The difficulty with an Editor is not so much the want of matter to publish, as it is to select that which is most suited to his readers. The subject of Agriculture is surely stale, and cannot elicit much attention, unless something very extraordinary by way of experiment, is achieved. The latitude of Lancaster is 34½ degrees North. Newnansville has a latitude of 29½, making 5 degrees difference. Now by multiplying 69½ by 5 we have 347½ miles, which is the distance from one place to the other in a straight line, but the circuitous route which we travel doubles the distance nearly. I am not able to tell you how many degrees in miles make a degree in temperature, but by observation, I find a difference in the seasons of 5 or 6 weeks. In this latitude we feel as if midsummer was upon us, not from the heat, but looking around we see vegetation far advanced, and fruits of various kinds already ripe for man and bird. Large fields of corn in silks and tassle, and cotton ready to blossom.

Our Village is making an effort to regain its former position. The Court House as you are aware was removed to Gainesville, and since that has occurred a marked decline was stamped upon this place. The Citizens have now thrown themselves upon the prowess of the all powerful press. It is already in town: yesterday, I could hear the knocking of hammers and other lumbering and by the first of June, I may be able to send you the first number of "The Florida Dispatch," published by M. E. Papy, cousin to M. D. Papy, Attorney General-of the State.

It will unfurl the Democratic Standard in its general political views, but locally it is a Whig paper. The Governor has many bitter foes around here, but I am persuaded he will come through "right side up," for among the Rail Road agents he has friends, who are satisfied that his opposition to Cedar Keys is founded on a seasonable conviction that the place is unsuited to make a safe port for large vessels.

The strongest argument against Gov. Perry, is, that while in the Senate he voted for the Internal Improvement Fund Bill, and since he has become Chief Magistrate, he has refused to carry out the provisions made therein. To understand his relation to the R. R. Company, I will explain to you a few points and you can clearly see his position: A few sessions since, the Legislature passed an Act, entitled the "Internal Improvement Fund Bill," in which provisions were made for several R. Roads in the State of Florida, and among them was this divergence to Cedar Keys on the Fernandina Road. And in order that the interest of the State might be protected, a body of Trustees was also appointed, who were individually required to sign the Bonds of the State before they were available in the money market: of this body of Trustees the Governor, ex officio, is President, and of course, his signature to the bonds, of the utmost importance. Now he has refused to sign, because the port at Cedar Keys is not in his opinion a proper place for vessels of heavy tonnage. On this point Hon. Yulee, President of R. R. Company, and Gov. Perry, President of the Trustees, have made an issue, and when it will or can be decided, I cannot tell: the R. Road, however, progresses, for the company can carry it through without aid from the State. I have noticed in some of the papers that Gov. Perry has depreciated the credit of this State in Charleston, this is not so, for only one month since, two houses in Charleston called State bonds to the amount of $200,000, at a very moderate discount—Probably the Improvement Fund Bonds are depreciated but not those of the State at large.

I have made the acquaintance of Col. M. Queen, own cousin to Hon. John Mc. Queen, of your Congressional District: he is a very intelligent gentleman, and is Senator—from Madison County of this State.—Although independently wealthy, he is very unassuming and plain in his manners, and besides, staunch Democrat.

Surely the pen that wrote "There is no place like home," was inspired, because I care not what surrounds one in a strange land, nor how much he may be persecuted and despised at home, the heart will show its humanity, and like a crushed worm coil to the spot that gives the pain. Often do I let my thoughts wander through some of the scenes of my boyhood, and even of my riper years and then I feel a wish to be there, and perhaps if there, might wish to be away again, but still, I am satisfied to remain absent a while yet and try to surmount that outside pressure that has annoyed me so deeply.

Yours,
"EXILE."