Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-12-18

i - F. Ift-
lcted 70 tie measures recommended hy the Secre-
tary Of War, tUr their future government and pro-
lection, as well from each other Is from the hostility
Of the werlike tribes around them, and the intrl-
sons Of the whites. The policy Of the government
has given them permanent home, and guaranteed
% them it, peaceful and undistarbed possession Ii
only remains 70 give them government and laws
which viii encourage industry, and secure TO them
the rewards Of their exertions The importance az
some form Of government cannot be too much in
sisted upon. The earliest effects win be ID Iimn-
sh the causes and occasions for hostites amOno the
tribes, to inspire an interest ia the observance az
laws TO which they win have themselves assented,
and to multiply the securities Of preDertY and The
motives for seEimprovement. Intimately connect
ed with this subject is the establishments Of the mill
Iary delences recommended by the Secretary of
| War, which have been already referred to. With
| ont them the government will be poweFless to. re-
| deem its pledges Of protection 70. the emigrantinp
Indians against the numerous warhke tribes that sur
round them, and to 'prOyde for the safety Of the
frontier settlers Of the bordering States -e.9os
The case Of the Semlnoes constitutes at present
the only exception to the successful efforts Of the
government to remove the Indians to the homes as
| signed them west Of the Mississippi.-Four hun
/ dred of this tribe emigFatedin 1886, and fifteen
hundred in 1887 and 80, leaving in the country il
is supposed, about 1000 Indians The continued
| treacherouS conduct Of these people the savage
! and unprOvOked murders they have lately commits
led, butcherDg whole families of the settlers of the
Territory, without distinction Of age or sex, and
making their way into the very centre and heart Of
the county, so that part OF it is free from their
Tavages their frequent attacks on the light houses
along that dangerous coast and the baFbarity with
which they have murdered the passengers and
crews OF such vessels as have been wrecked up9is
the reefs and keys which border the Gulf leave the
government no alternative but to continue the mill
iary operations against them until they are totally
expelled from Florida.
! There other motives which would urge the
government to pursue this towards the Semi
! noles. The United States have fulfilled in good
faith all their treaty stipualions with the Indian
tribes, and have in every other instance insisted up
| on like performance Of their obligations. To re-
! axslrom this sautary rule because the Semnoes
| have maintained themselves so long in the territory
| they had renquished, and in defiance of their FREE
| quent and solemn engagements, still continue to
! wage ruthless war against the United States,
would not only evince want Of constancy our
part, but be Of evil example in our intercourse with
other tribes. Experience has shown that bat little
| IS to be gained by the march Of armies through
country SO ntersected with inaccessible swampS and
marshes, and which, from the fatal character of the
climate, must be abandoned at the end of the win
ter. recommend, therefore, to your attention, The
plan submitted by the Secretary OF War, in the &C.
cOmpanying report, for the permanent occupation
of the portion of the Territory freed from the In
dians, and the more efficient protection Of the peO-
pie of Florida from their inhunlau warfare.
From the report Of the Secretary of the Navy,
herewith transmitted it will appear that large por-
ton Of the dspnsabIe naval force is either actively
employed, or in a state of preparation for the purpo-
SEES of experience and discipline, and the protection
Of our commerce. So efectua has been this pro-
tectiOn that, so far the information Of Govern
ment ex;endsnOt a single outrage has been attempt
ed on vessel carrying the flag Ofthe United STATES,
within the present year, in any quarter, however
distant and exposed.
! The exploring expedition sailed from Norfolk on
the 18TH OF August last and inlOTma ton has been
| at Madeira.
animates the officers and crews, and there is every
reason to anticipate from its efforts, results beneficial
To commerce and honorable TO the nation.
1t will also he that reduction OF the forcQ
now in commission is contemplated. The unsettled
state of portion Of South America renders it indis-
penSable that our commerce should receive prOtec-
ton in that quarters the vast and increased interests
embarked IN the trade Oi the Indian ami China seas
in the whale fisheries Of the Pacific an, and in the
; Gulf Of Mexico, require equal attention 10 their
safety and a small squadron may be employed tC
great advantage on our Atlantic coast, in meeting
sudden demands for the reinforcement of other sta
tons, in aiding merchant vessels in distress in al
, lOrdlng active service to an additional number OF
officers and in visiting the different ports Of the
States an accurate knowledge Of which is obviously
of the highest Importance.
The attention of congress is respectfully called Il
that portion of the report recommending an increase
in the number of smaller vessels, and to other Sug
: gestions contained in that doc Iment. The rapit
increase aud wide expansion oil our commerce
which is every day seeking new avenues oil prOhta
bic adventures the absolute necessity OF haVa
force for protection precisely in the degree OF IT
extension a due regard to the national rights
honor the recollection Of its former exploits. anC
the anticipation of its future triumphs whenever Op
Z pOrlunity presents ITSELF which may rghttuly
: indulge from the experience of the past, all seem Il
: point to the navy as most efficient of our ma
Ona defence aud proper object Of legislative en-
: coura cement
J" The progress and condition Of the Post OTic
department will be seen BY reference to the repOI
= of the Postmaster General. The extent of pos
- roads, covered by mail contracts is sta led 10
IL l34,SlS miles, and the annual transportation upO
y them 81, $50. sos. The number Of post Offices
p the United States is 10 $685. and apdly increasing
L The gross revenue for the year ending the 30t
4 day OF June last, was $4,252, 145 The accruin
q expenditures, $4,6SOO58; excess Of expenditure,
y $il7 ,923. This has been made up Out OF the sur
; plus previously hand. The cash on hand on tn
,, LIST inst. was $3l4,068. The revenue for the yea
ending June so, 1888. was Sl6l $40 more than thS
$, for the year ending June 80, 1887. The expend
e, lures Of the department had been graduated uPO
d the anticipation of largely increased revenue.
y moderate curailment of mail service consequent
20 became necessary, and has been effected to shie
V the department against tile danger Of embarTaS
d ment. It's revenue is now improving, and 1t vi
N resume IT'S onward course in the march of improve
70 ment.
$, Your particular attention is requested to 4
n5 much of the Post Master Generals report
!: relates tOlhe transportation Of the mails upon raj
4 roads. The laws on that subject do not see
ty ADEQUATE TO secure that service, now become a
m most essential to the pnbc interests, and at Il
Is same time protect the department from cOIRbin
Be- tiOns and unreasonable demands.
=. Nor can too earnestly request your attentiC
:, to the necessity Of providing more secure bull
Il ing for this department. The danger Of destrn
n ZION to which IT'S important books and papers a
continually exposed, as well from the highly cor
he buslible character ofthe building occupied,