Doc.
13.--the Mercury's appeal.
To our friends in
Florida we would respectfully pass a word.
There are two powerful strongholds and most important points of military offence and defence in
Florida--
Pensacola and
Key West.
The States both of
Georgia and
Alabama have wisely taken time by the forelock, and put themselves in possession of such fortresses as lie within their borders, simply because they do not choose that their territories should be occupied, their commerce cut off, and the lives of their people put in jeopardy, by
General Scott's, or
Mr. Buchanan's despotic theory of the powers and duties of the executive officer of a consolidated, vulgar mobocracy.
They have chosen to ward off violence and outrage by a timely precaution.
If any thing could tend to demonstrate
[
17]
to the
Executive at
Washington the folly of attempting the blockading of southern ports, it would be the late action of
Georgia and
Alabama in regard to their forts.
Yet it is impossible to tell to what extremities folly and desperation may drive men. In this view, it is important for the people of
Florida to reflect that there are, perhaps, no fortresses along our whole southern coast more important than those of
Florida.
These forts can command the whole
Gulf trade.
And should
Mr. Buchanan carry out what appears to be his present plan, he certainly must desire to hold possession of these forts.
He may thus, with the assistance of war-steamers, block up the whole
Gulf.
But let
Florida hold these forts, and the entire aspect of affairs is changed.
Such vessels, in time of war, will have no port of entry, and must be supplied in every way from a very long distance, and that at sea; while the commerce of the
North in the
Gulf will fall an easy prey to our bold privateers; and California gold will pay all such little expenses on our part.
We leave the matter for the reflection and decision of the people of
Florida.--
Charleston Mercury.
