Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1838-12-13

est effects will be tn diminish the causes
and occasions for hostilltles among the tribes,
to inspire nm interest IN the observance OF
laws tn which they will have themselves as
sented, and TO multiply the securities OF pro-
perry, and the motives ior self-luProvemens.
ultimately connected with this subject, is The
establishment of the military deiences re-
commended by the Secretary OF War, which
have been already referred TO. Without
them. the Government will be poweress to
redeem its pledges Of protection to the emf
grating Indians against the numerous warllke
tribes that surround theW. and to provide Tor
The safety Of the frontier settlers Of the bor-
dering States.
The case Of the Seminoes constitutes at
present the only exception to the successful
Efforts OF the Government to remove the In
dams to the homes assigned them west OF
the Mississippi. Four hundred OF this tribe
cmigrated in 1886, and fifteen hundred in
1897 and 1888, leaving in the country, il is
supposed, about 2,CO0 Indians. The contin.
ued treachcrous conduct of these people
the savage and unprovoked murders they
have lately committed, butcherng whole
families Of the settlers of the Territory, with
out distinction Of age or sex, and making
heir way INTO the very entire and heart OF
he country, so that no part of 1t is free from
their ravages their frequent attacks on the
| lsht.houses along that dangerous coast and
the bnrbarty with which they have murdered
The passengers and crews of such vessels a.
have been wrecked upon the reefs and keys
which border the Cult, leave the Government
no alternative but To continue the military
operations against them until they are totally
expelled from Florida.
There arc other motives which would urge
The Government to pursue this course to-
wards the Seminoles. The United States
have fulfilled in good faith all their treaty
,iipulatons with the Indian tribes, and have,
IN every other instance, insisted upon like
performance of their obligations. TO relax
from this sau:ary rule because the Seminoles
rave maintained themselves so lcng in the
territory they had relnquiShed, and, in def
ance OF their frequent and solemn engage
mcnts, still continue to wage a ruthless war
against the United States, would not only
evince n want of constancy OH our part, but
be Of evil example IN our intercourse with
other tribes. Experience has shown that
but little is 10 be gained by the march Of ar.
mics through country so lnterscctcd with
inaccessible swamps and marshes, and which,
II from the iaiai character Ol the climate must
be abandoned at the end of the winter. /
recommend, therefore, to your attention. the
plan submitted by the Secretary Of War IN
the accompanying report. for the permanent
occupation OF the portion Of the Territory
freed from the lndlans,and the more efficient
protection Of the people Of Florida from their
! lnhuman warfare.
From the report Of the Secretary Of the
| Navy, herewith transmitted. it will appear
that large portion Of the dsposablo naval
force is either actively employed, or in state
Of prepal alton for the purposes of experience
and discipline, and tho protection o! our COM
merce. So effcctral has been this protection.
that, so far as the information Of Government
extends, not a single outrage has been nt-
tempted on vessel carrying the flag OF the
United States, within the present year, in any
quarter, however distant or exposed.
The exploring expedition sailed from Nor
folk on the 10Th Of August last /: and intorno-
ton has been received Of it's safe arrival at
the island Of Madeira. The best spirit ami
mates the officers and crews, and there is
every reason to anticipate, from lis efforts,
results beneficial TO commerce and honorable
10 the nctlon.
Il 1t will also be seen that no reduction of the
force now IN commission is contemplated
Il The unsettled state Of portion Of South
\ America renders 1t indispensable that our
commerce should receive protection in that
quarter; the vast and increasing interests
embarked in the trade Of the Indian and Chi
ma seas, in The whale fisheries OF the Pacific
ocean, aud in the Gulf Of Mexico, require
equal attention TO their safety; and small
squadron may be employed to great advan-
| tage on our Atlantic. coast i'm meeting sudden
demands for the reinforcement of other sta
tlonS. IN aiding merchant vessels in distress,
IN hfordng active service 10 an additional
number Of officers. and in visiting the differ
ent ports of the United States, an accurate
knowledge OF which is obviously of the high
est Importance.
The attention Of Congress is respectfully
called to that portion of the report recon-.
lncnding an increase IN the number OF small
or vessels, and to other suggestions contain
cd in that document. The rapid increase
and wide expansion Of our commerce, which
Is every day seeking new avenues Of profta-
bic adventure /; the absolute necessity Of o
naval force for its protection precisely IN the
degree OF its extension a due regard to the
national rights and honor the recollection
of lis former exploits, and the anticipation of
It's future tIlumphs whenever opportunity
presents itself, which we may rghttully In
| dulge from the experience OF the past, all
seem 10 point to the navy as most efficient
arm of our national defence, and proper oh.
ject oflegislalve encouragement. /
The progress and condition OF the Post Of
flee Department will be seen by reference to
The report Of the Postmaster General. The
extent Of post roads, covered by mail con-
tracts, is stated to be l34, SIS miles. and the
annual transporton upon them 81 $50, ,2O2.-
The number of post Offices III the United
States is II ,553 and rapidly increasing. The
gross revenue for the year ending on the Both
day of June last, was Si262,ll5. The ac-
cruing expenditures, Si,6S0,06o: excess Of
expenditures, S4l7,g23. This has been made
up out Of the surplus previously on hand
The cash Oh hand on the first instant, was
S3l1,06S. The revenue for the year ending
June 30, 1888, was Sl6l $40 more than that
for the year ending June 80, 1887. The ex-
penditures Of the department had been
graduated upon the anticipation of largely
increased revenue. A moderate curtallment
of mail service consequently became neces-
sary, and has been effected, TO shield the
department against the danger of embarrass-
rnent. Its revenue is now Improving, and it
will soon resume its onward course in the
march Of improvement.
Your particular attention is requested TO so