Путешествие на Луну
Florida and Texas
NowthecommunicationswithFloridaaredifficult,whilethecoastofTexasoffersthebayofGalveston,whichpossessesacircumferenceoffourteenleagues,andiscapableofcontainingthenaviesoftheentireworld!"
"Aprettynotiontruly,"repliedthepapersintheinterestofFlorida,"thatofGalvestonbaybelowthe29thparallel!HavewenotgotthebayofEspirituSanto,openingpreciselyuponthe28thdegree,andbywhichshipscanreachTampaTownbydirectroute?"
"Afinebay;halfchokedwithsand!"
"Chokedyourselves!"returnedtheothers.
Thusthewarwentonforseveraldays,whenFloridaendeavoredtodrawheradversaryawayontofreshground;andonemorningtheTimeshintedthat,theenterprisebeingessentiallyAmerican,itoughtnottobeattempteduponotherthanpurelyAmericanterritory.
TothesewordsTexasretorted,"American!arewenotasmuchsoasyou?WerenotTexasandFloridabothincorporatedintotheUnionin1845?"
"Undoubtedly,"repliedtheTimes;"butwehavebelongedtotheAmericanseversince1820."
"Yes!"returnedtheTribune;"afterhavingbeenSpaniardsorEnglishfortwohundredyears,youweresoldtotheUnitedStatesforfivemilliondollars!"
"Well!andwhyneedweblushforthat?WasnotLouisianaboughtfromNapoleonin1803atthepriceofsixteenmilliondollars?"
"Scandalous!"roaredtheTexasdeputies.
