Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-03-20
seOHs ES'E'EE.
FROM FLORIDA.

In the preceding column will be found an otlcal let
ter of Gen Jesup, the subject NJ MS operations u
Florida which we had but just handed to the compost
,ors for insertion in days paper when the subonet
Letter was presented TO US for publication by Membe
of Congress- to whom it was addressed, as expressing
the views Of the People OF East Florida in relation te
the proposed mode of terminating ostites in that cOun
try. Ii is no more than due the white inhabitants o.
tina, territory that their views of the subject should be
made known. For this purpose we cheeruly give place
10 the Letter without meaning TO be considered as ADOPT
ing or discaiming the propositions which maintains
Nat. Int
ST. AUGUSTINE. February 25
Grea, excitement prevails in Enst Florida, growing
out Of belief that General Jesup has again commenced
negotiating with the Indians, with view o closing Tue
war by permitting them to remain on the southern Por'
ton of the peninsula The best part OF the season Tor
campaigning in Florida last year, our army was amused
BY Indians coming in. drawing raion', clohng, &c,
preparatory 10 leaving The country carefully e'anng
their arms and adding their stock Of provisions and
Ammunition and when the proper season arrived, re-
turning in mass 10 the bush. General Jesup, we
think ought 10 be satisfied that The lnoans nave
never seriously thought of leaving The country, but
have alwuys believed that, somehow or other, they
would be permitted by our Government 10 retain por
ton of it, and so they still believe. When Oceola
came in he did expect to leave the county, or IN
any way give up his purpose OF remaining IN florida
He doubt anxious to End the war. out mot 10
be emgrating has any thing indicated differ
ent OPPOSITION with the Indians Then why suspen.
sion of hostes and the campaign. which opened late,
on account of the delay occasoncd by resort to pac.
cation through the Cherokees, suspendlng the opera.
lions of large army collected at great expense =:
The three affairs called battles. the with the diri
sion under Taylor, with the exploring corps I'm.
der Lieut. Powell and the other under General JeSup
himself with the main army, IN which General Jesup
was wounded have oil been disastrous to U.s. and cal.
culaed to inspire the Indians with hopes Of finally de-
Tending themselves in the country Concessions now,
BY our Government would not be properly appreciated
by the Indians; they beve we have done all IN our pow
er distress hem and force them to submit ny lighting;
and the manner in which Occna and his warriors were
captured aud treated has sunk deep in their hearts,
(usinp an preston Of their OWN Can the Government
for moment think Of leaving these people in Florida
with such feelings; The character OF the Inhabitants OF
Eas, Flnrdn taken in connection with their suffr,ngs,
fbids the idea Many families murdered, their plana
tons destroyed, cattle and negroes taken, hundreds re-
duced from aucnce 10 bsgghrycnud these people
again live in peace with those who have caused them so
much misery Ask KcntuckIsn whether those who,
with more Than heroic courage batted the Indians and
wadcd through blond for years. could nj last quietly have
seen their country divided with the very Indians who
have scaped their children and their wives? No. Even
the second generation Of Kentuckians nsnctVely de-
sired TO shoot Indian whenever they met him; and
assure YOU my dear Sir tRl peace onIy be had and
maintained in Florida by removing the Indians or whites
Peace at best wonld DO Int munentary. Other causes
Than those alluded would very soon lead TO boils and
boodshed
The disconlen,ed and vsgabond negroes will resort 10
the Indians and this will be continual source of ira
ton But sir. what would be the effect Of leaving the
Seninops in Florida the Indians in the Far West
those wild on the prairie well those who have emf.
grated? Even the Blockicel in the Rocky Mountains
will soon know the Seminole version Of the story: that
the United States could no" in three years subduc even
one tribe Of red men. This very impression may lead
to plans for future union among all the wild tribes who
might find congenis spirits amongst HInse whom we
hive chained hand and foot and forced TO emgrae. no
man mt all acquainted with Indian character look TO
our Western frontier Without feeling deep soci!nde for
the future numerous nations Of fierce slvages lnhabIt-
ing almost bound!ess plains woodesS as The Zaara
desert Astounding in horses fleet those of Arabn,
and which they manage with the adruItness oil Be
douin. What is to become OF those people 10 very
few yeus when their means of living fail theIn-lhe
buffalo. the present process of destroying them goes
on in ten wears those wild tribes will be forced TO rcsr
to other means nn the chase TO procure support: and
shuli we teach him, in advance, to regard the Amer
cans mid and weak and fit subjects for his dePre
dutons:
Much is said about The pruHiga,e expenditures in the
army The poor inhabitants Of Florida have nothing &c
sell; no vessels OF steamboats, 10 hire. They have nc
par; of the cheaLsge if any exists Let Government look
10 it, IF ever great frauds praclised that may DC
good reason why Government should Immediately and
ei!ectuay correct The abuses and enforce discipline, hs
none all for abandoning the war. If the war costs or
much, let The Government reform abuses: remove al
of faction do justice to the officers, and carry
thorough scrutiny into every department. IL this was
done Florida war would not cost many Millions mol
last 80 long But cordial CO operation cannot be expected
when the officers, yielding to The common feelings 0t WI
nature must become part;sans Of rival chiefs Conf
drnce in and respect for, the Comma chief. is in
disppnsabe to the of the Army. But all hi:
has nothing 10 do with the rropety of prosecuting the
war; than the extraordinary course Ut the Navy
Department in relation TO lhe Exploring Expedition has
To do with the expediency and propreiy Of the exped
on itself II every object aud enterprise is to be abun
donpd when charges Of bad management attach the
frigh!fu disorders would ensue. do not wish 10
be considered as accusing jesup. intend such
thing. have known him we'll for many yenrs; was an
eye witness to his bravery and suferngs the Mia
gura frontier and sorry tina, his honor has been
called in question. | believe him brave and chiva
rons man. Notwithstanding his much talked Of letter to
Blair. hope you will concur in the views | take re-
Ia,ive 10 the Semino!cs remaining in Florida.
ERIE.