Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-03-27

IN moye A force at this tlne mo the oPau
;sh possessjons, for The mere purpose OF
chas,is,ng the Seminoles for depredatlons
which have heretofore been committed 0y
them
The danger, however, becoming more
urgent, the President determines 10 e1ls"a
his orders, as follows:
Ertract-To Central Gaines, 9th Dec. 1917.
Should the Indians, however, assem-
BILE in torce on The Spanish side OF the line,
and persevere in committing hostili''es
within the limits Of the United States, you
will, in that event, exercise a SOUND u.s.
cretioR, as to the propriety OF crossing Inc
line tor the purpose ot attacking them, and
breaking up their towns.
A subseouen, letter repeats this order,
with The restriction considered necessary
by the President:
Ertract.-To General Games, 18th Dec. 1917.
'On the receipt of this letter should the
Seminole Indians still refuse 10 make repa.
ration Tor their outrages and depradations
on the citizens of the u. States, il is the
wish Of the President, that you consider
yourself at liberty 10 march across the
Florida line, and to attack them within
the limits. should il be found necessary,
unless they should shelter Themselves under
Span,sh fors. In The last event, you will
Immediately notify this Department
What, however, does Gen. Jackson?
A few of the Seminoles did take shelter IN
ST. Marks--a lew 10 Pensacola. II he had
obeyed bis orders, he might have drswDa
l. tk< Al ~ a IA W.
cooped up The Seminoies. No such urgent
necessity existed for the occupation. O.
! the laws OF nations call for He might inn
me 1iaieIy have notified The department.
But, no. Such snail paced movement
| did not SUIT the impetuoss genius OF the
commanding general. He tates 10 The We
~ ia &c of his instructions. He undertakes
TO Judge OF the slate of our negotiation
with SPAIN OF the temper manifested
BY the principal European powers tie
plays the part of a statesman az we'll as a
general. lie takes St. Mark by assault.
He next proceeds 10 Pensacola-demands
and obtains the capilulation OF the Bsran-
cas-; without consulting the Government OF
the United States, and in the very tacs Of
the orders he had received.
Not conlented " ith these acts OF antho-
ri,y, Gen. j. does more.-He issues the
following order to General Gaines; 9TH
August, 1872
Il have noted with attention Major
Twigg's letter, marked No. 5. coEtem-
plated that the agents of Spain, or the OIL
| 5cers al Fort st Augustine, would excite
the indians to hostility, aud furnish them
with the means OF war. 1T will be neces-
sary 10 obtain evidence substantiating this
fact, and that the hostile Indians have
been fed and furnished from The garrison
Of st. Augustine. This being obtained,
should you deem your force sufficient, you
will proceed 10 take and garrison Fort st.
Augustine with America troops, and hold
the garrison prisoners until you hear from
the President Of the United States; or
transport them 10 Cuba, as in your judg.
ment, under existing circumstances, you
may Think best
The President promptly countermand.
ed this order to occupy 81 Aygg y: ppsfaJs
bis government by the previous course
which be had pursued? He put them in
the wrong. They were obliged TO dlsa :.
VOW bis ac!s--to order the Spanish forts
TO be restored-and 10 enter into long
justification with The Spanish Minister.
And did Gen. Jackson excuse himself
10 bis own government Tor this violation Of
orders? Did he demand court martial, to
cleanse him from bis acts Far from it {:
such is not the Generals character. On
the contrary he employed a tone, partly
OF advice, partly OF dictation, which
strangely suits The character of an int.
rion when addressing bis superior officer;
Heed Quarters, Div. Souih.I
Nashvtits, Aug. 10, 1878.
"Capt Gsdsden will likewise deliver
you this report, made in pursuance OF my
| order, accompanied With the plans OF the
Notifications, thought necessary for the
defence OF the F ordas, in connexion with
the line of defence on our southern from
tier. This was done under the belief that
government will never Ijeopardise the
safety Of the Union, or the security OF our
frontier by surreDdering these posts, I'M
less upon a sure guarantee, agreesbly to
the stipulations of the articles OF cspitu
lstion, that will ensure permanent peace,
tranquility and security to our southern
frontier. 1t is believed that Spain can ne
yer furnish this guarantee. as long as there
are indians in Florida; and it i, possessed
by Spain. They will be excited to war,
and the indiscrimlnaie murder of our citi.
zens, by foreign agents. and Spanish off.
GERS. The conduct OF Spain for the las,
six years fully proves this II was under
The belief that the FIorldas would be he Id,
that my orders TO make the report, were
given TO Capt. Gadsden."
by Capt. Gsdsden you will receive
some letters lately enclosed to me detail
ing The information that the Spaniards a,
Fort st. Augustine, were again exciting
the Indians to war against US, and CODY
Of my order 10 General Gaines upon this
subject. II is what expected, and proves