Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-02-02

cation from the military authorities Of Florida has been
neglected. Only two have been made since last winter
and those then made duly attended to. One for
loo mounted men, which declined for the reasons
stated ycsterday--to wit: that militia force could
not be called out unless hostiltes actually
menced, or an immediate prospect and that this force
was asked for, not TO repress hoscs TO aid in re-
moving the Indians. But in lieu of il four additional
companies of regular troops, giving greater actual
force, were placed under The orders of Gen Clinch
The other application though in factit a report of
what had been done, announced that Gen. Clnch had
called Tor OO mounted men, and asked the approval of
The fre>ident This approval was not only immediately
given, but Cen Cnch authorized to call upon III.
Governor OF Florida for any force that night be required
He was subsequently authorized without any applica-
ton from the military authorities of Florida 10 call in
the same manner upon the Governors of South Carolina
Georgia aud Alabama. II is likewise stated that the
above mentioned force withheld the score of
economy This, too, is utterly unfounded as was shewn
yesterday.
1t will be recollected that the object of asscmblin-
troops IN Florida was TO compel the Indians To remove
II they should orcbly resist the efforts made Tor that
purpose Tins removal was not 10 take place until ia
nuary or February; and anticipated that the In.
dams would any force until the time of their embark
alton arrived; and before that there could be no doubt
that the fourteen companies placed the posal of G
neral Cnch, would be assembled. We aoan re,eat our
conviction, that that force would have sufficient for
the removal OF the Gsailccied parties, mastering only
about three hundred warriors il is obvious that &C.
neral Clinch himself did not cxpcct difficulty until sub
sequent to its occurrence; because the of Mai
Dade at Key West, which had been placed at his dispo
sal the 9th OF the preceding February did not
orders from him to join him until the llh of December
We observe that the Charleston resolutions state that
the Secretary vt War reported that ii companies had
oeen placed under the command OF General Clinch and
they remark that ii afterwards appeared that the force
under his actual command did amount to that nun
Der, and to this they attribute the disastrous result If
oy actaat command the committee that that num-
per OF companies was not together and
der the personal direction of General Cinch they
no doubt right Butsuci assertion il is obvious was
not made or intended TO be made by the War part
ment The Annual Report of the Seer, tary of War 10
The PRESIDENT contains the history of the operations of
the Department during the preceding year In giving
an account among other branches OF the service of the
movements OF the army, it stated that "ourteen COM
panies have been placed under the of General
Clinch &c. Ten of these companies had been placed
under Cen Clinchs authority early February 5,h
Ic:}5. -
Two additional ones the 18th Oct, and tho other
two on the 2ls OF Oct Of the had
been authorized SIN weeks previous this report. IL
was not intended 10 convey the slightest ccnsure upon
General Clnch, but merely to state in n historical sum
sry the measures that had Lcen authorized by the
partnent We have no doubt that General Ciinch took
the requisite measures oI concentrating his force us
as circumstances appeared TO require it,
There is, however, much better mode of investigat
ing this subject than by newspaper discussions ANY
cinoer OF Congress has 1T in his to the APP
pointment of select committee, or reference of the
subject 10 other appropriate committee by whom
the whole matter can be examined.
We are satisfied that the Administration would be We
y glad Ia see this adopted and if arc not un.
der great deluson will be found that if they deserve
censurc at ALL /, is because they have authorized the EN-.
ploymcn of more than asked for or med
to be necessary under the circumstances which were
known here.