The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1837-01-04

health and spirits survive the effects OF his
many arduous services in the field and
though Withdrawn from the service of his
country, he retains the possession of SOL
dier's attributes. There is perhaps, no ono
IN the army, or out Of IL, whose opinion in
matters connected with the Southern In
dams, could be so adyantngeously consulted
as his; with the Creeks and Seminoles, he
Is particularly familiar.-Surrounded by
circumstances, which rendered the retention
of his commission an obligation TO those
who conferred IT, and possessing a frank
and fearless spirit, he long ago in the strong
est language, called the attention of the
War Department to the probability of a
protracted and sanguinary contest with
these people and urged n timely recourse to
the requisite precautions. His opinions
were disregarded, and the disastrous con-
sequences are known to the nation" l
shall not, Mr. President" said Gen. Scott,
" PROFOUND to witness, the usual introduce
tory questions shall not ask Gen. Clinch
to tell the Court or the people, the charac-
ter of the relation he held to me in the
Florida war.-As second in command, his
position was too conspicuous to demand des-
Ignation at this time, or in this place.
shall therefore, with your permission dis
pense with the leading queries" The
Generals replies were clearly confirmatory
of all the statements adduced by previous
witnesses, and wholly exonerating Scott
from the smallest share in the failure of the
Florida campaign. The most interesting
scene ofthe morning, was the direct ex-
animation of the witness by Gen. Macomb.
Queston-General, what in your opin-
ion, led to the failure of our campaigns in
Florida, under the conduct of Major Gen.
Winfield Scott
Answer-The want of energy and politi
cal forecast in The late head of the War De-
partment The necessity of providing
against Indian outrage, and enabling troops
to act promptly and efficiently against
them, was long ago suggested to that high
/ functionary. Ii was not until too late that
he awoke from his dreams of political pre-
ferment, and turned his attention to bleed
ing and suffering Florida. 1t was then I'M
possible to do more than exposed handful
of regulars to massacre; our lily provided
and gallant volunteers to disease and star
vation the ability of our government to
suppress savage insurrection, and the
character of our gallant officers to scurrilous
animadyersion.
Question. Are the Seminoles good SOL
diers ~
Answer. Yes where they have the adj
vantage of ground and numbers"
Question. "Werc your troops never
beaten by them -
Answer, No"
Question. Are the Scminoles we'll
equipped ?"
Answer. 81 never inspected them"
Question. What was the probable
cause of disease among the Florida troopsl"
( Answer. Excessive fatigue in beating
through the hammocks all day, and want
of proper rest at night-Meagre diet, and
an insufficiency of thit--want of water, and
suitable clothing, and the general dispir-
! ting circumstances associated these
causes"
| Question. "Was the water for the use
of the troops generally bad p
Answer 1T was sometimes so thick,
that we had great difficulty in swallowing
it, 1t was the water of stagnanl pools, and
marshes, and loaded Of course, with uni
malcula."
Question. odd Major General Scott
lack III zeal and soicitude in bringing the
war to rapid conclusion ~
Answer. "No."
General Clinch handed to the Court
copies of official letters to the War Depart
ment on the subject of the Seminoles.
They were copies of those transmitted to
the Adjutant General of the Army, before
the late war with that people, aud are filled
with opportunities for assistance from the
General Government. General Macomb
being some what tardy in directing the Judge
Advocate to read them, General Chnch
observed, 1" let them read sir there is moth
ing reasonable in them"
Gen. Scott, on the conclusion of the ex-
animation of Gen. Clinch, rose and obsery-
ed he had no right TO request an adjourn
mcnt, but that he would be gratilied by the
Court in having bis case set aside for few
days, for the reasons previously given.
He had heavy mass of documents to re.
wise, re-unite and condense, and stated,
that no time would be lost by the arrange
ment proposed.-The President observed
that the Court would commence every day
as usual, and when ready for ad journment,
would signify its will to that effect,-That,
for the present, the Court stood adjourned
until tomorrow ut 10 o'clock. The Court
stood adjourned accordingly.
The court adjourned Friday Dec. Odd to
meet on the 4lh of Jan. 1897.
Thursday the 18th ult. was the anniver-
sary of the Great Fire in New York City.
The n. Y. Herald of the 10Th, contains the
following.
Anniversary Of the Great FTc.-Thurs-
day was the anniversary Of an event, un-
precedcnted in the annals Of our country