Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-12-13


given them permanent home and guarr
antied TO them its peaceful and undistur-
bed possessions. 1t only remains to give
them governmet and laws which will en-
courage independence and secure to them
the rewards of their exertlons. The inn
portance of some government cannot be
too much insisted upon. The earliest eff
fects will be to deminish the causes and
occasions for hostiities among the tribes,
to inspire an interest in the observance
of laws to which they will have themselves
assented, and to multiply the securities OF
property, and the motives for self-improve-
ment. Intimately connected with this
subject, is the establishment of the military
defences recommended by the Secretary oil
War, which have been already referred to-.
Without them, the Government will be
powerless to redeem its pledges of protec-
ton to the ernigrating Indians against the
numerous warlike tribes that surround
them, and to provide for the safety ofthe
frontier settlers Of the bordering States.
The case Of fhe Seminoles constitutes at
present the only exception TO the successful
efforts ofthe Government to remove the
Indians to the homes assigned them west
of the Mississippi. -Four hundred of this
tribe emigrated in 1876 and fifteen hundred
in 1887 and 1888, leaving in the country,
it is supposed about 1000 Indians The
continued .treacherous conduct of these
people, the savage and unprovoked murders
they have lately committed. butcherlng
whole families of the Territory without dis
tinction of age or sex, and making their
way into the very centre and heart of the
country, so that no part of it is free from
their ravages; their frequent attacks on the
lighthouses along that dangerous coast;
and the barbarity with which they have
murdered the passengers and crews OF such
vessels as have been wrecked upon the
reefs and keys which border the Gull, leave
the Government no alternative but to con-
tinue the military operations against them
till they are totally expelled from Florida
There are other motives which would
urge the Government TO pursue Tins course
towards the Seminoles. The United States
have fulfilled in good faith all their treaty
stipulatiens with the Indian tribes, and have
in every other instance insisted upon ike
performance oftheir obligations. To re-
lax from this salutary rule because theSeml-
noles have maintained themselves SO long
in the Territory they had relinquished ard,
in defiance oflheir frequent and solemn en-
garements, still continue to wage ruthless
war against the u. S. would not only eviuce
want of constancy on our part. but be
OF evil example in our intercourse with other
tribes Experie nee has shown that but
little is to be gained by the march OF armies
through country so ntersected with mac
cessabe swamps and marshes, and which,
from the fatal character Of the climate must
be abandoned at the end of the winter. 1
recommend, therefore, to your attention the
report, for the permanent occupation Ell the
portion Of the territory freed from the In
dams, and the more efficient protection Of
the people of Florida from their inhuman
warfare.
From the reports Of the Secretary of the
Navy, herewith transmitted, it will addear
that large portion of the dsposable naval
force is either actively employed, or IN
state Of preparation for the purposes ofex-
perience and discipline, and the protection
ofour commerce. SO eflectual has been
this protection that, SO far as the informa-
ton of Government extends, not single
outrage has been attempted on vessel
carrying the flag of the United States, with
in the present year, III any quarter, howey-
er distant or exposed.
The exploring expedition sailed from
Norfolk on the 18th OF August last and
information has been received of its safe
arrival at the island Of Madeira. The best
spirit anmates the officers and crews, and
there is every reason to anticipate, from lis
efforts, results beneficial to commerce. and
honorable to the nation.
1t will also be seen that no reduction OF
the force now in commission is contempla-
ted. The unsettled state of a portion of
South America renders it Indispensable that
our commerce should receive protection in
that quarter !; the vast and Increasing In
terests embarked in the trade of the Indian
and China seas, in the whale fisheries OF
the Pacific ocean, and in the Gulf OF Next
co, reqxire equal attention to their safety ;
and a small squadron may be employed to
great advantage on our Atlantic coast, in
meeting sudden demands for the reinforce
ment of other stations, in aiding merchant
vessels in DISTRESS IN affording active SER
vice TO an additional number Of officers, and
in visiting the different ports of the United
States, an accurate knowledge of which is
obviously of the highest Importance.
The attention of Congress is respectful
ly called to that portion OF the report re-
commencing an increase in the number of
smaller vessels, and to other suggestions
contained in that document. The rapid