Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1839-08-01
From the New York Courier and Enquirer.
The Florida War and the Sub-Trca.
SurX.

| SuIy.
In one or two recent articles we have given
a history Of Mr.. Van Burcn's connection with
the Florida War We have seen that he has
regarded it as an affair Of such trhing moment,
! that, while our mere military expenditures eX-
cceded by several millions the entire disburse.
ments Of the most eXtrayagant year of Mr. Ad-
IamsS Irodjgal administration, MIR. Van Buren,
|duIy reported in his annual message that the
country was in a state OF profound peace with
IaII nations! An army of ten thousand men at
an annual expense fifteen or sixteen millions
OF dollars was IN the field at the very moment
Mr.. Van Buren, made this communication; but
so little anxious was he to solicit the attention
Ioi the war-maling and appropriating power to
this state OF things, that he despatched the sub
IJoct IN mcge passing paragraph. The staple
Iofhs message was an argument about the cur
Irency; and the collection and custody Of the
revenue; subjects which belong of right excu-
IslreIy to Congress.
Now let US look loT a moment at the eXpen-
Iditures Of single year, say 1888, for the sup
preston Of Indian hostiIitics, the charges Of
the Indian Department, and the maintenance Of
the army; leaving out view some six millions
for the support Of the navy. This six millions
10 uOIc IMAM ia l me dNGIuSc lOidl ANNUAL tA-
penditure OF Mr. Adams; and some portion of it
at least was expended on the coast Of Florida.
We find then that in this happy time of "pro-
found peace with all nations" Mr. Van Buren's
Administration has managed, one way and ano-
Their, by paying $40 a cord for wood, and $500
"a day for steamboat, to get rid Of what would
once have been considered an enormous sum -
| 1t is now considered merely as an evidence Of
I"Dcmocratic'' economy. We will look at few
Iot the items
Suppression Of Indian hostiities
for 1888, 100000
Forage for horses, 100000
Wagons, ambulances and boats, 10000
Transportation Of supplies, in
GLIDING Steamboats,, &c. 100000
! Hire Of mules, drivers, wagon
ers, &c. 100000
Transportation Of 1900 volun-
teers, 100000
Miscelanies and contingents, 10000
Drafts lying over and arreara-
ges, l,O48,7OC
Pay of volunteers and arreara-
gcs, 1,416,25C
Subsistence Of militia and friend
ly Indians, 365,O4C
Powder, &c. $4,000
Tents, &c. 2O,677
Correcting an error in paying In.
dians, 7,775
Objects specified in Sd article Of
Cherokee Treaty, 1,O47o67
Arrearages Of annuties 100000
Current and contingent expenses
Of Indian Department, 3,OO2,4 1927
Support Of the Army, 5,127,8OO
Total Of Army and Indian Ex-
pondturcS, $l5,869,6
We have omitted in this statement the appro-
pnalon of S625, for the protection Of the Nor
thern Frontier; intending 10 cpnine the present
article to a single point Of expenditure, that
connected with the Indian Department. and the
Florida War, in which all our Army was en-
gagged Some of The items appear TO be orsucb
a peculiarly rich description, that we marvel
not at the soIicitude of portion Of the Flori-
dams Tor continuance oGthe war; nor the care
lot the Government to keep the country in such
a state oil semi pacifcation that war may be re-
Inewed at moments notice. The most hun.
Igry contractor might satiute his appetite at al
table so luXurousIy spread.
Now we are Of opinion that it is quite bad
enough for the people Of this country to foot
such bill as this in paper money. The war;
IS not waged for their benefit 1t has not beenI
waged to their honor. Its history has been
from the commencement written in perfdy.
cruelty, disaster and disgrace. Ofthe revenueI
out OF which these immense expenditures are
made. two thirds, as Mr.. Woodbury. tells us,
are collected at tho port of New York. With
all the facilities Of paper circulation, Treasury
and Bank, it has been found difficult cnouuh fol