February 16, 1825, Pensacola Gazette, page 1
Canals

   Your memorialists consider as another object of pecuniary importance, the opening of a canal across the peninsular of East Florida from the River Suwaney to St. John’s or between such other points as on examination may prove to be more eligible. Such a canal by opening a passage from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic, would in an eminent degree develop the agricultural resources of Florida, enhance the value of the public lands, promote the intercourse and enlarge the commerce of the Atlantic & Western States, and in time of war would give celerity and energy to the operations of the General Government, and it is believed that in no part of the United States could an object of so much public utility be promoted with less difficulty or expenditure; the peninsula being intersected at various parts by water courses, the connection of which would render the expense of this work an object of comparative insignificance.

   There is, however, another and most important canal required in that rich and most valuable, but neglected Territory, Florida. A canal to unite the waters of the Gulf of Mexico with the Atlantic, beginning at Vacassar Bay in the Gulf, and terminating in the St. John’s River, or at St. Mary’s.

   The distance across the isthmus is about miles, and from Vignole’s[1] map, now before us, there are two routes for the canal, one of which will require only eighteen miles of canal, and the other about twelve miles. The first and most approved route commences in Vacassar Bay, which is bold and spacious, and affording a good harbor and anchorage. In this Bay the river Suwanee empties, in which the navigation can be freely pursued until it branches into the Santa Fe – from thence into Orange Lake, across the Alachua Tract into Orange Creek; from thence into the Ocklawaha and St. Johns.

   The distance of canalling, or rather in uniting the above navigable rivers by the foregoing route, is said to be but twelve miles. The other route commences at the Anclote Keys, in the Gulf, and enters the Amaxura River; from thence into the Ocklawaha, into the St. Johns; distance about eighteen miles of canalling. The first route is most circuitous, but it commences in a fine safe bay, and goes through a richer tract of country – the St. John’s river is a plain bold river, from the Alachua Ferry.

   Let us for a moment contemplate the importance and value of this simple and facile project.

   From St. Mary’s or Amelia Island to the Tortugas, the distance cannot be less than 450 or 500 miles, and after having doubled the Florida Keys, it is nearly the same distance to Vacassar Bay. A navigation, therefore, of nearly 800 miles, always the most difficult and dangerous, is avoided by a short canal of 12 miles across Florida; and, by thus uniting the rivers of that country, the trade is brought to St. Mary’s or Amelia Island, where ships of any draught of water can repair. The cotton, sugar, and other produces of Louisians and Alabama, have a short and safe navigation in the Gulf of Mexico into Vacassar Bay, and in three days are transported by canal boats to the mouth of the St. John’s river, or St. Mary’s where vessels are waiting.

   It will immediately strike every person interested, as one of the most easy, cheap, and advantageous projects every attempted – it will shorten the voyage to New Orleans – it will curtail the dangers of navigation, and be a protection against Pirates – it will greatly … value and importance of Florida, and the attention of Government should be immediately directed to that quarter and to that project.