Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-04-08
PoLITrcAL.
JEFFERSON-in conclusion.
~ &c Editors of the u,

u,
readers, that his military operations in Florida,
were IN direct obedience to the orders of the War
department, shall not be detained by Mr. John
son repetition OF that unfounded charge, further
than TO advert 10 the clumsy dexterity with which
ne shifts his ground-at one 1t oment, inveighing
against the General for disobedience the orders
OF the Department. and at the next, reviling him
Tor conduct in direct obedience TO them. From
'iiS dilemma he cannot escape, unless he can
prove that the orders vesting General Jackson
: with full powers 10 conduct the war in the
ner he might think besi''-authorzing him ss to
march across the Florida line and attack the Semi
iioies within it, limits and requiring him to col
Iect force sufficient 90 TO beat the enemy and
inmate the conflict did not Justify his invasion OF
iorlda, within the limits OF which, &" the enemy"
was situated; or his temporary occupation Of the
Spanish Posts, OF which, in defiance Of the stpu-
iationS of treaty and the duties of neutral the
Seminoles held either hostile control or military
possession. disposition 10 avoid labour and rep
clifton, suggests The propriety of similar refer
ehce Tor reiutation OF the charges grounded up
on the naiScaiied declaration Of martial ialo-
an act OF vigor and forecast, which in its origin
and consequences was vindicated by urgent ne
cessity, justified by powerful anaogies sanction
ed by examples, cnd ratified by events; covering
that city with glory and protection, cndearng lis
performer to all who were willing TO fight in its
defence, and thrilling every patriotic heart in this
Union with emotions of Joy and triumph.
These offences against the law and the cons-
tuition being disposed OF, we come to those with
| ity unite IN accusing General Jackson" They
stand In his catalogue in the following order:-
"ihe coid-bIoo led massacre at the Horse Shoe
"the decoyed and sau entered Indians at ST. Marks
I-"the wanton and uneXampled execution OF
AmbTister' '-'and OF the still more injured Ar
buthnot, trader and an advocate for peace -
18th respect TO ''the cold blooded massacre at the
Horse Shoe, order for one was ever given
by General Jackson, 1t is caurUny the courage
and humanity of his officers and men, who have
added m ~
ed on that desperate day--Inany of whom, in
their unrivalled campaigns, found Honorable
wounds or gIo:ions deaih-and some of whom
have billed and occupy the highest stations in
the esteem and government OF grateful coun-
try. lily business is confined 10 the correction Of
the more intentiona injustice of the address, and
after assuring the reader that there no
foundation whatever In truth in history for such
Charge, shall do no than submit this mex
cusaDle misrepresentation TO that sort OF deStruc
lion which the testimony ofa witness undeTgoes
when II IS proved, that in order TO establish GER
tain point OF interest, he has made solemn decara-
Sons, which had no foundation in fast, al co,.l
have had nope in his own knowledge. General
Carroll, the late Governor of Tennessee and dis
tnguished disciple OF Gen. jackson in war, whose
rank and presence in this action gave him mi
mute acquaintance with lis features, upon reading
| Mr. Johnson's address furnished the fnlinv.ing
Istatement:-.. have seen the address OF the anti
I I-,-- OF Virginia, in which General
Jackson is charged, with the coId-blooded massa-
whole ofthe Greek war, / served as Inspector
General OF the army-was present at the Battle oil
the Horseshoe, and can say ofmy own personal
knowledge, that the charge is wholly destitute OF
foundation. Towards the close o! the - ion after
the breast works had been taken by assault, a
number OF Indians took refuge under quantity
oil brush ana logs. General Jackson advanced to
within short distance OF the place of their con.
tceament, and directed his interpreter, George
MaytIeld 10 them, that if thew would sur
he trp tod Wit, ffo
humanity. They answered the proposition by FIR
ing upon and wounding A1aytield severely in the
shoulder. 4 similar proposition waszlso made by
jim Fife, or old Chinnebee, and the FIRE of the
Indians was the only reply it received. After a
number of our men Killed and wounded by
those Indians, and after they had twice refused 10
surrender upon any terms, the brush was set on
/ fire, and but few of them escaped death.-The
prisoners taken on thatday, including large num-
/ Der OF women and children were humanely treated
! by General Jackson. | have made the above
statcmant III Justice TO General Jackson, and the
| brave men who fought the battle OK the Horse
Shoes
The testimony of numerous eye-yitnesses might
be added to this statement; but 10 multiplication of
Certificates could renderitmore respectable, more
completely effect the explosion Of this cold blood-
| ed' SANDER. The reader must be struck with the
emphatic yet Iorbearing, tone in which it is ex-
pressed, proving that although the writer wassensi-
bic ofthe injustice of Mr.. Johnsons reflection on
/ himself, he was not at all moved by it,
But perhaps il is intended to impress the public
mind with the belief, that 6slodgng those despe-
\ Tate Indians who rejected quarter and prolonged
The battle after resistance vain, was oil itself
i g cold bloOded massacre" Are then, the enc
mics Of the United States, when waging a sa-
! wage unsparing war, to rcquite with wounds and
death our oilers OF humanity and protection, and
yet be saved from death or retaliation? Are our
commanders to begin action--overpoweg
/ by great efforts the main force of the enemy.
and then abandon the field and the victory TO a
| few deperadoes? General Jackson's duty to his
country and his government, compelled him If in
his power, to defeat the enemy; and that operation
necessarily involves the destruction Of every ad.
versary who refuses to yield. Had the desperate
party at the Horse Shoe been detachment oil
B0naparte's Imperial Guard, the veterans Of fifty
pitched battles, and commanded by Ney or Soult
they must have suffered the fate of the Indians
as a garrison which refuses summons, rnay by
\ the laws Of war be blown into the air. But who
were these determined and dcludcd savages, The
same who, when the sudden hostility of their ma
ton rose like an inundaiion on the settlements o
Alabams, herding hundreds Of women and chill
dren into Fort Mimius broke into that ASYLUM
with treachcry fire s. murder. Who followed 90 that
] feast of butchery, where quarter was neither of.
iercd allowed, the volcanic voice OF Weather
! ford; and it rose above the shouts. fury and the
siiricks Of despair breathing incxtinguishable rage
! and demanding relentless slaughter, obcycd its fc.
TOcious summons until but n out of 800 Of our un.
same men who, under cover of truce granted fol
| their benefit by General jackson had entrapped
and slaughtered the son OF Chiunibcc-- Mas.A.
nissa Of the Crecks-thc friend and ally OF the A.
merican peoplet These are the beings whose
'Ramsey's History, continued published in 1918
gives an account similar 10 ibis Of General Carols
z n