The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-12-13
WHOLE NO. TIA.

auxilises the system proposed for the de-
fence Of the maritime and inland frontiers II would
doubtless, be desirable adopt uniform system Of
organization, which would render effective the whole
militia OF the United States; but plan has been sug
gested that be carried into effect throughout the
whole OF our extensive country. That which appears
to present the greatest advantages and has been fire.
quently pressed upon the attention Of Congress by my
predecessors IN Office, appears TO me TO be only appca
BILE to the thickly settled portions OF country for il
II were attempted TO divide the militia INTO classes
parts Of southern country and borders
where their services most likely be required il
would be found difficult to assemble single company
OF the junior class within space Of hundred miles
IL is to be feared that the whole militia Of the United
States will be found too unweldy body TO be
fully organized at once by plan that be devised
and for time il had better be left to The
direction OF the several States, adopting only uniform
armament and uniform drill until system he intro
duced on the frontiers, which may gradually extend
over the whole country. A commencement may be
made by enrolling 10000 men, taken from among the
inhabitants and settlers Of the frontier and the country
around the permanent stations in the interior Six con-
secntve days in the year would be sufficient for their
drill provided the commissioned and non-commssioned
officers DO assembled for instruction at the mill
tary post for the term OF thirty days the year Dur
ing the time the prvaes and officers service they
should receive the pay and raons of soldiers and Off
GERS Of the army Of the grade respectively These
they rased and may be called into service by the
Governors upon the requisition Of the President In
this would be formed well disciplined body OF
militia capable of acting auxiliary force both to
the regulars stationed in the maritime and frontier for
tresses. and system commenced which, If il work
WELL may gradually be extended so as to embrace the
whole militia OF the United States
A considerable portion Of The troops have been EN-.
poyed in Florida under that ndefstigable and jealous
officer. General TAYLOR. Engaged in harassng
thaS I'D. ~.
they have displayed spirit Of enduring courage and
perseverance highly creditable to the American soldier
The theatre of this a country Of dense forests
swamps and morasses the enemy active subtle cruel
and invisible and the mode OF warfare one OF pursuit.
by following the track OF an unseen foe Il is in short
contest entirely devoid Of all the incentives which
usually repay tho soldier for the tolls prvaons and
dangers to which his duty exposes him. But the Co
vernment has no alternative. The Indians must be
expelled from Florida, and the army will make any sa-
crce that required to protect the inhabitants Of that
Territory from these ruthless savages and 10 maintain
untarnished the honor of their arms During the past
summer, prohtng by the unheathness of the season,
the Indians made several incursons into the settlements
committing the most cruel murders and is usual
with them, sparng neither age They attacked
the lighthouses, and murdered the Of the vessels
which unfortunately driven on shore and wrecked
on that dangerous coast The necessary protection
due by the Government to the commerce of the coun-
try and the citizens Of Florida demands that the
most exertions be made to drive these mercess sa-
wages from country which they have cruelty SO af-
ficted +*.G
No pains will be spared to effect this object; but it
does not appear that the hitherto adopted
calculated TO do A vigorous effort was made the
last year with formidable force Of regular troops. and
mounted volunteers. Every scheme was tried that
skilfu and vigant commander uld devise, and that
brave and active soldiers could The
were trayersed the forests and swamps penetrated in
every direction, the Indians beaten whenever they could
be overaken, and many Of them forced to surrender
who afterwards sent out Of the country;
but still, soon the sckly season set 10, it
found that some of these savages had euded the vgi
lance Of our troops gained their rear and penetrated
into the heart Of the settlements, where their presence
was first discovered by the murders they committed,
and the barbarous crnees they perpetrated upon the
aged and helpless They were enabled to effect their
bloody purposes only by the unsettled OF the
try through which they passed. When this war first
broke out the Indians destroyed all the frontier settle
men's and the inhabitants beyond them in the Interior
abandoned their hoea, and were either into
the SERVICE or supported at the expense Of the Govern
ment valuable and fertile portion OF tho Territory
became wilderness, through which the Indians wan
dered like wild beasts seeking their prey. Had these
people been compelled to remain, picket their houses
to themselves, and form associations for the mutual
protection Of their esdes, should have been spared
the recital Of Indian murders and devastaons This
what is now proposed to be done. General TAYLOR has
been directed to invite the settlers return their
homes to them, when there, the service
to them to surround their houses with stout pick
cts to organize them into battaions for mutual de-
fence; a part OF them to be kept under arms, while
others are employed in cutvatng their farms No
doubt this arrangement will aid in protecting the coun-
try from the nroads OF the savagcs but the farms which
will be so occupied will be too sparse to form i'm
penetrabe barrier 10 the Indians and il respectfully
recommended ,haea portion Of land, selected by the
officers Of Government should be granted to such set
tiers as will bind themselves settle it, and 10 cul
tvate and defend under such regulations shall be
made by the Executive.
That portion Of the army employed in the very i'm
portant and delicate operation of removing the Chero
KEGS has acted throughout with the activity and zeal
which distinguish this branch Of the public service
The generous and enlightened policy evinced in the
measures adopted by Congress towards tina, people.
during the last session, ably and ludciousy carried
into effect by the General appointed to conduct their
removal and his orders were executed both by the
regular troops and the volunteers, in every instance,
with prompness and praseworthy humanity. The
uctance Of the Indians TO relnquish the land Of their
birth in the East, and remove TO their new homes in
the West, entirely overcome by the judcious
duct Of that officer, and they departed with alacrity
under the guidance of their own chiefs. The arrange
for this purpose, made by General Scott in com
pliance with his previous Instructions although some
what costly the Indians themselves, the entire
appreciation of the Department as it was deemed Of the
last importance that the Cherokecs should remove to
the West voluntarily and that their arrival the
place Of their ultimate destination they should recur
the manner in which they had been treated with kind
and grateful feelings, Humanity, no less than sound
policy, dictated this towards these children Of
the forest and in carrying out in this instance with
upwaverng hand the measures resolved upon by the
Government, in the hope Of preserving the Indians, and
of maintaining the peace and tranquility Of the whites,
II will always be gratifying to reflect that this has been
effected only without violence, but with every pro-
per regard for the feelings and interests Of tina, people
The unprecedented drought which afflicted that part Of
the country during the past season compelled the Gene
raj to postpone the period Of departure Of the Indians
until very lately but since they have been their
march, the most satisfactory intelligence has reached