Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1836-12-13

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pects and ii is hoped that Congress- on prop
or representation, will ADOPT the notifications
which are necessary TO prevent this conse-
quence.
The report the Secretary Of War nd inte-
rim, and the accompanying documents, all oil
which are herewith laid before you, viii give
you u full view Of the diversified and import
ant Operations Of that Department during the
past year.
The military movements rendered necessa-
~ by tho aggressions Of the hostile portions
Of the Seminole and Creek tribes Of Indians,
and by other circumstances, have required the
active employment Of nearly our whole regu-
lur force, including the marine corps, and OF
LARGE bodies Of militia and volunteers. With
nil these events, so far as they were known of
tho scat of Government before the termination
Of your last session, you IRE already acquaint-
cd, and it is therefore only ncediul in this
place 10 Law befure you brief summary Of
what has since occurred.
The war with the Scminoles, during the
summer, was, on our part, chiefly confined TO
the protection OF our frontier settlements from
the incursions OF the enemy; and as neces.
nary and important means for the accomplish
ment Of that end, TO the maintenance OF the
posts previously established. In the course
OF this duty, several uctions took place, in
which the bravery and discipline ot both Off
GERS and me- ,Yr'c conspcuously displayed,
nnd which asp. ace ned il proper to notice,
In respect 10 tas l,rner, by the granting Of
brevel rank tyi edlian. services In the field
But az the forcu OF the Indians was not 80 far
weakened by these partial successes, as 10
lead them TO submit, and as their savage IN
roads were rerehted, early measures were Ia
ken Tor Placing AT The disposal oil Governor
Call, who, as cotnmander-la-c ht il Of the Ter
r,,r,al mil had hprn IpmDOrnrily invested
with The command, en- ample force, for the
pu,pcsc Of iesuning offensive operations
the most efficient manner, so soon ne the sea-
son shomd permit. Major General Jessup
was also directed on the conclusion Of his du-
ties in the Creek country, 10 repair TO Florida,
and assume the command
The result Of the first movement made bv
the forces under the direction Of Governor
Call, in October last, as detailed iG the &c.
companying papers, excited much surprise and
disappointment. A full explanation has b. en-
required Of the causes which led to The failure
OF thut movement, but has mol yet been rccei-
we'd. In the mean time, as IL was feared that
the health OF Governor Call, who was under
stood 10 have suffered much from sickness,
Hlght not be adequate TO the crisis, and as
Major General Jrssup was known to have
reached Florida, that officer WINS directed TO
assume the command, and TO prosecute all
needlul operations with the utmos, prompt
rude and vigor From the force ut his dispo-
sal, and the dispositions he has made and is
i istructed TO make, and from the very efficient
Measures which il is since ascetiaincd have
been taken by Gov. Call, there is reason to
hope that they will soon be enabled TO reduce
The enemy 10 sublocjion. In the mean time,
as yeu will perceive from the report Of the
Secretary, there is urgent necessity for further
appropriations TO suppress these hostiiles.
Happily for the interests of humanity he
hosttics with the Creeks were brought 10
closa soon after your adjournment, without
that effusop Of blood which at one time was
apprehsnded as inevitable. The uncondition-
al submission If the hostile party was followed
by their speedy removal to the country assign
cd them west OF the Mississippi. The inqui-
~ as TO alledged frauds in the purchase Of the
reservations OF these Indians, and the causes
Of their hos,illties, requested, by The resolution
Of the House of Representatives of the lst Of
July last, to be made by the President, ia now
going on through the agency Of commission
ers appointed for tina. purpose. Their report
may be expected during your prt sent session.
The difficulties apprehcnded in the Chero-
kee country have been prevented, and the
peace and rafet, Of that region and its vicinI-
~ effectually secured, by the timely measures
taken BY the War Department and still con.
,inucd.
The Discretionary authority given to Gen
Gaines to cross the Sabine, and to occupy q
position as far woet as Nacogdoches, in case
lie should deem such a step necessary to the
protection of the frontier, aud TO the tulfillmen
Of the stipuIations contained in our treaty will
MEXICO, and the movement subsequently made
by that officer, have been alluded TO in for
mer part OF this message AT the date Of the
latest intelligence fiom Nacogdoches, oul
troops were yet at that station but tho Off
Ger who has succeeded Gen. Gaines has re-
Gently been advised, that from the facts known
al the seat OF Government, there would seen
to ba no adequate cause for any longer main
tanning that position and he was accordingl,
instructed, in case the troops were not alrcad,
Withdrawn under the discretionary powers be
fore possessed by him, 10 give the requisite
orders for that purpose on the receipt OF tn
Instructions, unless he shall then have in hi
possession such niorma ion as shall saisf
him that the malntainance Of the post is es
genital to the protection OF our frontiers, an,
to the due execution Of our treaty stipua,ions
rs previously explained TO him.
Whilst the necessities existing during III
present year, for the service Of militia and vol
unlcers, have furnished new proofs Of the pal
rioiism of our fellow citizens, they have ais
strongly Illustrated the importance Of an in
crease IN the rank and file of orr regular nj
my. The views Of this subject submitted b
d tho S0crclsrY Of War, in his report, meet III
fhIite concurrence, and arc earnestly recon
taendsd to the deliberate attention Of Con
gress. In this connection it is also proper
remind sou that the defects in our present m
lila sy+t,n m arc c'ery day rendered moro az
psruni. The duty OF making further provisio
tv law, for organizing, arming aud dsciplin
ing this arm OF deicHcc, has been so repeated
iy represented 10 Congress by myself aud III
predecessors, that deem il sufficient, on th
= easion, TO refer To the last annual messag,
and 10 former executive comm rcatons,