Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-03-20
DOMESTIC.
FLORIDA WAR.

WAsHiSeroS, March l6-Mr nelcel, !" rHG"a'
chilled for the suioued letter of Cen Jesup which We
extract from the columns of the National lneigencer,
of YESTERDAY The call embraced this letter, but excud-
ed the brief answer the Secretary OF War why was
this, The immediate appearance IN the newspapers o.,
General Jesups views in regard to the war, separated
from those Of the Department, makes plain that 1t
was designed impress the belief on the public that
General Jesups suggestions were acquesced IN oy me
Secretary Of War. Knowing The deep interest which
the country feels in this subject We have felt IL duty 10
obtain from the Department the reply to General Jesup,
that the principles and policy on which The Government
has acted in relation the Senaoes, may be fully and
fairly understood For this purpose, we submit the LETT
ter Of the Secretary Of War General Jesup, Of July
last while psratons for the campaign were inasing
and that in reply to Gen. Jesups last communication,
which appears isolated in the lntehgencer Fromholh
II will be seen that the General far from having re-
oeiyed encouragement to a,ter the Semnoles that they
could conquer peaceaele possession OF any portion OF
the country they have ceded to the United States Tor
more than equivalent had every reason 10 know ha
such idea was inadmssibe, and certainly, we thhk
after the first communication OF 5uy ougbt never u
have been Iepented.
The position of the Seminotes is, of all the tribes, the
most dangerous to the neighborng States and Terrific.
ries The country accessible on all SIDES from Inc sea-
opens the way to foreign enemies TO send arms anmu
nition and nstgators in the midst OF this waEIke ana
daring tribe On the other hand to US, when assalled
they are almost inaccessibe retresng 10 their unges
like tigers after their saneuinary incursons among The
plantations they would find security not only for them.
selves but for the recruits and allies OF darker con-
plexon, whom experience shows they are prompt to
draw of from settlements, and we'll know how 10 en''
Poy.
We understand that Gen. Jackson foresaw all these
mischefs in the present position Of the Semnoes and
when lie conquered them and they proposed TO cnigrae
he strongly urged their removal the policy which Mr.
Monroe should adopt-Gtobc.
Copy of letter from tho SECRETARY OF WAR to MAJ
Gen. JEsUP, dated
WAR Department, July 20, 1887.
h,uo 10 olofy ell ny DfpS
on opinion of the impossibiy of removing the Semi.
noles and doubt of the policy and psope,y Of Perse
vering in that measure it becomes necessary to explain
to you the views of the Executive on that subject It's
true that the Seminoles dwell in inhospliabe and
deadly climate and occupy inaccessible swamps and mo
rasses which not susceptible of cultivation or i'm
provement by the whites Still, their further connu
ance there was found be incompatible with the peace
and security of the citizens Of the u States who ina
bit Florida, as we'll with their own preservation and
independence; it became, therefore, the duty OF the 10
vernment carry out the policy with regard 10
the Seminoles which it had adopted in its treatment
of the other Indian tribes east Of the Missssipp-re
move them to the abundant and fertile country be
yond that river 10 withdraw the settlers from East
Florida, and protect the Western part of that Terri
tory by Gordon Of posts and troops Every considera
ton Of sound policy required them to adopt the former
alternative and ia pursuance Of this decision, The rea
ty of Payne's Landing concluded. Three years
allowed the Indians 10 prepare for their removal;
and this term further extended. and every indul
Is
Ill it was made manifest that they did not intend 10 iui
fl their treaty obligations, and it became the mpera:
tive duty Of the Executive TO compel them to do So
AS as this determination Of the Government Was
made known to hem they broke out into open hostility;
and taking advantage Of the unprotected state of the
frontier carried fire and sword into the white settle.
menls committing the most horrible crueliies and ex
ceases 1t is true, that in the contest which ensued
they have displayed in eminent degree, The savage
virtues of consistency and courage and that aided by the
climate and the nature Of the country, they have SO
!. r. ID. IL Fnp-
ces directed by brave and skul officers; but The con.
duct and courage of the enemy do not alter the nature
Of the war; ROT diminish obligation 10 subdue them,
and 10 compel them TO fulfil their engagements 10
abandon the settled policy of The Government because
the Semnoles have proved themselves to be good war
rors and rely for the protection OF our frontiers upon
the faith oftrestes with people who have given such
repeated proofs Of Feachery, would be unwse and i'm
polite. We cannot desist from prosecuting this war
until the Semnoies consent 10 remove from Florida,
without abandonment of the only measures, which
can preserve the independence, and even existence OF
the Indian tribes and inviting the resistance OF all those
who now remain east Of the Mississippi To withdraw
our forces would betray great weakness, and not
only arnish the honor Of arms, but violate the sa-
cred obligations of the Government Of the U. States
70 protect the persons and property Of the citizens Of Flo
rida from the savage aggressons of the Indians am
persuaded that this obligation be fulfilled without
seeking extorminate the Seminoles, and am grahed
to find that after having had time for further exanina
ton and reflection you coincide in this opinion In con-
sequence of the desire expressed in your letter
TO tie Adjutant General Of the fifth Of June last, 10 be
relieved from the command OF the army OF Florida, Ibis
Department assented to your wishes and you were IN
formed that you might withdraw from the army, and re-
turn 10 your appropriate duties Washington provided
the receipt Of that permission, you still desired 10 90
CO. The uncertainty of your retaining the command,
rendered to correspond with you on
ec of the preparations for the next campaign but hndng
from your letter Of the 9Th Of july 10 the Commanding
General of the army Of the u s. that are now de
sirous remain and conduct The next campaign, winch
you believe may be done in manner TO ensure success
will enter into the subject fully and inform you OF the
measures which have been taken here already and Of
those which il is deemed advisable TO adopt as we'll
the prosecution Of the preparations Tor opening the ca
paign as for the conduct Of the In giving til,
views of the Department on this subject, il is not mean
to conne your operations in the field, but merely to
point cut the general principles which those ought
to be conducted leaving all the details TO your own
sound discretion; which, aided by the knowledge you
have lately acquired of the country, will lead doubt,
to the realization Of hopes and the successful ter
Th. rsr. .nro disastrous war
,,s ,srment. service has been very successfn IL
their l complement INTENDED 20 ask ,hs
rrv fom i
ME. from me mat before the period DRIVES
opening the campaign. With the present establish
men, BY sending the whole Of The First Infantry, four
companies of the Second infantry three companies of
the Second regiment Of Dragons, and sufficient mum.
Der ofrecruits 10 fill the companies 10 their establishment
there will then be thirty six companies Of artillery of
fifty each, making thousand eight hundred thirty
two companies of infantry of fifty each thousand six
hundred and companies Of dragons OF seventy EACH
seven hundred; masking in all four thousand hun.
dred men, which will be in Florida by October next
and If the contemplated measure of augmening the army
meets with the appreciation Of Congress- the companies
can De increased and the army Ct Fcsida carried up
seven thousand FIVE hundred men. Measures have 5c-a
taken to obtain the Indian force you have recommended
and 1t Is hoped Tint thousand warriors will be at
Tampa IN time 10 cooperate with the regulars at the
commencement of the campaign say Two hundred De.
swares four hundred Shawnees one hundred Sacs and
Foxes, one hundred Kckapoos, and two hundred Choc
aaws; making, in all, one thousand warriors With res
Pect to the militia, it would appear preferable to have
them brought into the field from different sections of the
country companies and not to organize them into Sc
onio- hl,in tha,, i