The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-01-30

And now, 10 show the inlornatop which ihis gentle
man had from Florida beoro this war began, refer that
gentleman and this House 10 the documents for 1888
and 1885, for the letter Of Gov, Eaton, TO which be-
fore referred HostIies broke out in December, and
this letter was written ia the March previous.
4 Here Mr. WIsE read the letter OF Gov Eaton, COM
menling upon il as he proeeededl
! Mr.. DOWNING here observed that Governor Eston
had afterwards been ashamed of that letter. and reiraet
ed the opinions it contained. and that legislative action
\ had subsequently, been had with regard 10 it lie said
that he had never known man from the North to come
into Florida that Indian philanthropis and
1 he had never known any one to leave inst Territory
who continued 10 be such, ilo had himself been once
n the same stuaton and he would now venture 10 say
that let him carry the strongest advocate Of the Indians
in this House into Florida, and make him their negibor
for tle while, and when twenty thirty Of their cat
lie had been sloen oil their Indian sympathy would
! vanish IN moment.
MIR WISE said that he cared not for the sickly SYM
pathies to which the gentleman alluded lie was now
speaking not about meas individual feelings, but az
fairs Of public and national character the operations
Of the War Department. have shown that Governor
Eaton argued against the good faith Of that treaty.
the policy Of It's execution and gave timely warning
the Government that The steps they were taking
wrong Why should he have retracled these OPT
Mons and how did IL come to passl Now, il does
happen that know all about that reraciion, and know
this because all the papers and correspondence IN tho
War Department in relation to this whole subject were
conhdentlully communicated 10 me BY Governor Cass
introduced into this House resolution calling for in
formation, which adopted; and the day
senger from the Department came TO 10 know what
pspers | wanted, answered, all send me all aud
! got the whole never permitted myself to regard
| these papers for moment confidential They
the regular files Of the Department, officially
munealed public call, and among them found
clue to this reractlon Of Governor Eaton As TO the
| letter ITSELF proved 10 be prophecy Had il been
given by inspiration, could not have proved
rect Every prediction IL contained fulfilled the
letter Hostlities did break out, he had predicted
they would and there was no force present in the Ter
r,tory the enemy But, after every limo and
letter OF this communication had thus been sealed by
fact circumstances afterwards which rendered it
the interest Of this Mr. Eaton look out for an
excuse for having written such letter. Letters passed
between him aud MIR. Secretary Csss in which Mr..
Eaton told that 1t would never do TO have the Peo
pie of the United States know that such letter this
had been writen and that yet steps had been taken
10y the Secretary aud hence the reracon OF which that
gentleman speaks. l know Of what speak, and the
files of the War Department II they hare nor been
ROBBED, will prove lis truth, Mr.. WISE here pro-
ceeded to read various other letters and documents adj
dressed TO the War Department, confirming the opinion
expressed by Gov. Eatonl
So the House will see that Governor Eaton is not
alone be Kissed There The orders Of the De-
partmeut here is the warning Every body knows the
result
The Seminole treaty was made in 1872 TWAS not
ratified TIL 1884, and the Semnoes and Mickasukies
did agree it, Instead of pursuing the advice
given in these letters, Wiley Thompson. the Indian
agent, laid hands upon Oseoa, and bound him fast to
log until he should consent TO bring in his Indians
give their assent and list of the Mickasukes contain
Ing details of the Of men and women, with their
Children delivered to him for that purpose Thus
coe,ced, he did bring them in. and obtained certi-
cate from Thompson that he had fully complied with his
engagement. He then returned 10 his People and the
next day Thompson died with nineteen balls throughh his
body.
Before the late seizure OF their chiefs by Hernandez
pacific the feelings and intentions of The Indians
that when the United States soldiers found by them
wandering IN the woods, having lost their way the In
dams sent them with guides their own camp If
It be said that Oseoa, in person. slew Thompson,
that that chief since his DEPARTURE has said that
he dees the proof that he has been guilty OF
sacre murder. lie admits that he killed Thompson,
but that he did 1t open declaration Of
He declares thai he will have nothing say General
Jesup all he asks and desires is, that he may be
TO his Great Father" TO be sure, there is something
ludicrous in tho application by such chief of that
phrase TO Presdent,) and that he may have op
poruni,y OF telling to the children of his Great Father
the grounds and causes Of this war. say, bring him
here. Let hear his story We have heard of his
battles, let hear from him the history Of his
wrongs. Indian white man. cannot hut say that he
cxci,cs my wonder and admiration. This nation and
its army bound to accord him praise for his great
qualities and achievements, and if he is not to be be-
eyed because he Indian can point to white wit
nesses who will confirm his testimony.
| Why, then should This war be carried on in
treachery, and at such boundless cost Why shall
we hunt down at the point of the blyonet people
who have forced us to respect hem people who de-
clare that they desire peace, but dare not meet your
Generals propose it, for fear of reacheryand muir
derl As TO the people OF Florida, whenever their
delegates come here, and ask that they be admitted as
State pledge to him that he shall have my aid but
beseech him not to persist in driving these Indians
into the sea. Why may they not be suffered 10 re-
main on the soil as their brethren have remained in
! Virginia? The remnant ofthe Pimunkies are now
| in that Commonwealth, and TO this day they con-
tnue regularly to bring in their pairs of wild ducks
as tribute TO secure the tenure OF their land Let
these Indians alone, they will gradually melt away
| and disappear before the white population. But II
1 you insist on driving them away, what is to become
Of them The Indian policy of Gen. jackson is
now going into effect. You have carried tribe AFTER
| tribe over the Mississippi and concentrated them in
vast numbers, with all their feelings and resent
ments burningin their bosoms on the frontiers of Ar
kansas and Missouri Behind them are the Paw
neeS and the savage Camanches. All they have TO
do is to catch wild horses from the vast herds on the
prairies, and to make dash into our settlement at
moments warning, and, before you can get your
troops in motion, 10 retire beyond your reach; and
how can you prevent if As to provisions, they
| have the nnumerablc herds of buffalo; and what,
| ask, will be tie end of all this How many thou
sands of troops must you embody into standing ar
I my to protect you from this tremendous power? Al
! ready you hear voice from the Seminoles. Al
ready you have more than one Oseola beyond the
Mississippi and believe ii, the day is coming when
you will see the policy of the immortal Tecumseh
carried into complete effect, and all these tribes
united as man Nay, the Government is carry
ing it out for them II is forcing them TO remain at
peace with each other, while, al the same time ii is
putting arms into their hands Be assured that their
long deb, Of vengeance will one day be paid to the
full. In the meanwhile, I, for one, will never vote
another dollar 10 carry on this war, unless have
some stronger demonstration Of It's necessity
Mr.. CILLEY, of Maine, said he had risen to say