Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1819-03-13


wrong to speak of the policy of executions:
and trust that mere policy shall never ie
urged as an excuse for deprVing leilow
being OF existence but criminals are exc
cuted both for example AMI punishment,
and The awful example made of Francis and
Homalhiamico had spread influence.
Two Indians had been taken with then
and released; and,in few days, Inc whole
Ocheese tribe surrendered at discretion.
They were treated humanely, furnished
with Transportation and provision, and sent
into the Creek nation.
An effort is made by the committee to
shew that, at the time Gen. Jackson be-
ieved the war to be ended, he had reso'-
we'd on occupying Pensacola. 10 establish
this charge, they more than once refer TO
extracts from his letters, wherein ne states
that the Seminoles are dispersed and their
means of ANNOYANCE destroyed. Ii will be
recollected that these letters were written
after the end Of that part OF the campaign
which was conducted in East Florida, aud
had a necessary reference to the generals
success in securing that portion Of our from
tier immediately open to the incursiuns OF
the eastern SeminoIes, Al the time tie
dispatches were wrttc?, the numbers of
hostile Indians in West Florida were un-
known; and, without attributlng 10 genera.
Jackson the powers of prophecy AMI ma
gic, it was impossible, in stating 'the Sc
minoIe war was ended" that he meant 20
extend the remark to all future aggrc>sions,
both on the eastern and western eytremi-
ties OF our southern border. The SeIainolcs
in East Florida were dispersed, not exter-
minaled--thrir towns were burnt aud the r
cattle taken from them: of course, We, n
scattered and in a state OF Starvation, the
commanding general safety said the war
with them was 1t an end. But the means
of subsistence they might soon aeain pro-
cure from labor ard the sympathy OF their
Spanish friends east OF Sal wanncc--aEl,
these obtained, they still possessed the
powCroi concentration end incursion; AZ:
though il was confidently trusted that the
awful lesson which they received would
have permanent saIuIary influence.
In West Florida, the same ou'ragcs bad
for some time been committed. almost dali
iy, on The frontier of Alabama; and TIE let
ter from gov. Bibb of the l9th Nay, which
was received on the arrival OF lie army at
Escambia, plainly Showed that the terrific
rial border called as loudly for Ge'ence aud
security as the frontier of Georgia.
East and West Florida were similarly
situated: both were inhabited hy Indians
hostile To the United States III both haA
British instigatIon cherished and matlrcd
this spirit OF hostility and in each had the
savages depot, whence they drew their
wariike munitions, and on which they could
retire in cave Of defeat Of all these facts
the General mad the fullest proofs; and
with luese proofs be.oie him, he had 20
choose between retiring { ON Florida into
Tennessee, content with dong hal. his du-
ty, by securing haIi tne frontier, or exccu-
ting his orders entire, By the same course
to tr nqu,lize he Hesl, which ne had sue
cessiu,iy adopte,i in the asst.
mean moi TO enter upon defence of
the occupancy OF Pensacola. G,li. Jack
son believed it necessary, and therefore he
dbl it. lii saved TIE lie of sIug.e from
tier settler, it was right ana it can only
he ptovei wrong Dy snewing tnat their was
not sng,e DoAy oi Indians IN esl Flori-
ua the time Pensacola was occupied.
TIE savdges west OF Pensacola Bay were
scattered in the smanpS, obtaining, Ter
tneI dispersion by the movement OF Mag.
oungs, ana General jtckson's advance
mic the country, 4 m.Sera iC subsistence,
ny hunting ana dcPren-tng OH tie cattle
vi tie iahabltais. Had tscse Indians. il
ntated by defeat, been gT.nic, access to
their old depot, tHoy would, III parties OF
ten anu tw erty, have committed more n,ur-
ders on our open border than could ever
have sal easy on Gen. Jackson's conscience
nau any act OF neg eel OF his facilitated
thrir COMMISSION.
Common sense as well as national law
prohibits any violation OF neu.rall,y 10 pre-
vent an cvIi remotely prospective. Eut
where the expected danger is BON o! vital
character and certain occurrence, to ne