the garrison at Key West was sent every year to avoid yellow fever, and if it were made accessible, I do not see that there would be any comparison between it and Long Branch and Newport, in regard to the natural attractions and advantages. And here should be the location of the “National Botanical Garden,” referred to in the pamphlet I sent you to-day. At Addisons’ you can wade out half a mile before you get overhead, over a bottom of clean, white, smooth polished rock, and certainly no more delightful bathing can be found _winter_ or _summer_. There is nothing in the masses of rotted seaweed, grass, etc., that line the shores of this entire region, and Indian River, to create malaria. At least the same is found wherever our troops were located, and they never got sick from any such cause. Besides, if a settlement were made, this mass would soon be utilized by applying to fruit trees, gardens, etc. Our tents were pitched upon beds of it, and the only injurious results, if any, were _increased voracity of appetite_! Added to the natural beauty of the bay, are the colors of the water, from the transparent crystal to every shade of the rainbow. The latter is produced from alternate banks of sea-grass, saw-grass, minute shells and black and brown rock. Game is abundant. Except the ten days we were in the everglades, we were hardly ever without fresh venison and fish, and soft-shell turtle always. On the _bay_, salt water fish of all varieties; mullet, bass, trout, sheephead, carvalho, pompino, grunts, flounders, and in a pretty little creek of fresh water that runs into and out of Addisons hammock (and which is the water station supplying the Keys above and below in dry seasons), can be found bream, trout, etc. At Black Point, about twelve miles below (I believe) may be found any quantity of large fat oysters and clams, the largest I ever saw; Col. WILLIAMS says the best he “ever ate.” In speaking of other attractions for the mere tourist or invalid, Mr. W. says: “A sail also over to the light-house, among the cocoanut and other fruit trees, then up to the north end of the bay, 15 or 25 miles; or stop at Miami River. At the mouth of the river are two of the finest locations in the world. The site of old Fort Dallas, with its fields of guavas, bananas and cocoanuts, that fringe the shore, in all stages from the bud to the ripe fruit.” * * * * In the four months time we were in the vicinity of the bay, in and through hammock, marshes, prairie, or otherwise, we did not see a rattlesnake, nor did we see but three moccasins. The presence of so many deer and hogs, who are their natural enemies, may account for this.” Mr. SWAN also writes: “It is not usually known the full maturity, size and flavor of the Florida pine-apple, as compared with those of other markets, such as the Bahamas, etc. A judicious placing in market of the Florida pine-apple and banana, would secure for them a preference over all else, and establish a reputation that would enhance