The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-22
HEAD OuARrERs, Amy or the socTH,
FoRT JuriTER, Feb. III, 1888.

instant
of this post 10 that date and the arrangement which
had entered with the chiefs Tuskeegee and Hsiek Ha-
90 The arrangement is that they are 10 come IN Win
their families and people, and are to await The decision
Of The President whether they shall remain 10 the eouh
try or not promised recommend that they be per-
miea to remain and that portion Of the Territory be
assigned to them their residence.
Before presenting my views that subject and re-
deeming my pledge the Indians, may be proper for
me TO state my position regard to the question OF
emigration SO that in what shall say in relation TO the
Senino!es my views in regard TO the general principle
may not be mistaken Believing. as do that the In
dams Cannot under Constitution, have separate
political existence within independent State oil this
Union withou: the OF the State, believe that
it is due the States in which they congregated IN
large bodies them whenever they are press
ed upon by the white population, and their lands become
necessary the agricultural wants Of the community.
And hold that Congress, and not the Indians, are to
determine the proper time for their removal We, in
our Federal capacity, the Indians protection not
that protection secured citizens by the equal ope-
ration OF laws, for that in their condition, would be
merely nominal projection; but we them in their
individual and collective capacity that protection which
the parent TO the child or the guardian to the
ward and 10 secure them that protection, must
place them beyond the operation Of Stale laws. With
the fullest conviction therefore, not only Of the policy,
but Of the justice aud humanity Of the measure in
favor OF their entire emigration, and have supported
that policy under four successive administrations But
white population are in contact with, or ntermngled
among them. The state Of things at which consider
their removal imperative, actually existed when the
tribes lnhabiting Ohio, Indiana, Illinois Missouri Mis-
sissippi, and South Alabama, TO the West
that Of things actually exists nreatlon the Che
rokees in Tennessee, North Alabama and Georgia;
and, regardless OF the opposition made TO the measure,
they should be at removed ."...
In regard to the Seminoles, have committed the
Of aitemptingto remove them when their lands
mt foPa VIII thpy
not in the way OF the white inhabitants and when
the greater portion Of their country was unexpored
wilderness, Of the interior OF which we ignorant
as OF the interior of China We nrhih nrn sent
contest the first instance, perhaps, SINCE The commence
ment OF authentic history. Of nation employing an ar
my to explore the country, flor do little
than explore it, or attempting to remove band Of
savages from explored wilderness to another.
As soldier it ismy duty, am aware, not to CON-
upon the policy the Government, but to carry
it out in accordance with my instructions, ] have
deavored faithfully TO do bit the prospect Of temi-
mating the any reasonable time any thing but
fatterlng. My decided opinion is that unless imm6ii-
ale emigration be abandoned, the will continue for
years come, and constantly accumulaing expense
Is It not then well worthy the serious consideration Of
an enlightened Government, whether. if the will
derness we are raversng could be inhabited by the
white (Which is not the fact) the object We
contendng for would be worth the cost certainly
do not think it would indeed | do not consider the
country south Of Chckasa Hatch worth the medicines
we shall expend in driving the Indians from It.
If were permitted and ii is with great dIlidence
venture to make the suggestion, would allow them TO
remain, and would assign them the country west Of the
kissimmee, Okee, Chobee and Panai Okce, and east
OF Pesse creek SOUTH the extreme Of Florida That
would satisfy them and they might hold it on the ex
press condition that they should forfeit their right to it, if
they should either commit depedatos upon the white
inhabitants, or pass the boundaries assigned them
without the written permission of the military command
,er or agent
BY placing agency, and authorizing trading houses
on Chafottes harbor, they could be concentrated
and stationing competent military force there and at
Tampa Bay they might be readily controlled, and, if
necessary, removed from the country, should they be-
come troublesome, fail to fulfil their engagements
respectfully recommend the your considera
ton and that Of the President as the only means Of
terminating, immediately most disastrous war, and
leaving the troops disposabe for other service de-
sire decision soon your convenience will per-
NIT, as, by the middle Of April, frthcst the troops
must be Withdrawn FROM all the posts in The interior
to preserve their lives
Should il be determined to remove the Indians by
force, aud continue the until they submit
dltionaly, desire that the communication be conf
dental, and that the matter be considered conhden.
tal Washington, in order that may have information
Of 1t before be communicated by ettcrwrters
others for there be but little doubt Of their flying
to the swamps again aud renewing the war, should the
decision he to remove them.
II he determined that the Indians now in Florida
remain, it would be better that those who New
Orleans and Charleston, with the exception Of one or
two of the chiefs be sent to the West; their force
would thus be divided and weakened and many Of the
relations Of those sent West might be Induced to
folluy ,.
This communication will be delivered to you BY my
abide camp. Lieut. Linnard, highly valuable officer
whom earnestly recommend to your favorable cons-
dera,ion aud attention
have the henor to be, most respectfully your obedent
servant, TIL S JESuP
Major General commanding.
The Hon. j. r. PoiNsErr
Secretary Of War; Washington city.