Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-06-27

Correspondence Of the Baltimore Patriot.
ST.. AUGUSTINE, East Florida,Dl

The absurd and erroneous statements
that have appeared during that period in
the public papers on the subject Of the
"Fiorids war," have often tempted me
to put you in possession Of correct infor-
nation on the subject but although |
have often taken up the pen for this pur-
pose, | have often thrown it down in dis.
gust, and despair of beng able to stem
the torrent Of nonsense and misreprescn-
tation, with which The public ear has been
abused.
But, now since affairs have taken a
new turn since another delusion is about
TO be practised on the milton in the shape
Of peace" with the Indians, | feel impcl.
led TO give you my views on the subject,
and they may pass for what they are
worth, as coming from one who is nei-
Their " OF the army" nor of the State"
but merely ga locker on in Florida"
If any thing SO truly dlsgracefal and
humiliaiory to any nation has ever oc.
Cured in history, as the late mission
Of Gen. Macomb, by order Of the gov
eminent, and its results, i, has escaped
my reading. This is a hard assertion
let US have the proof. Read tho piece
OF authentic history which follows.
On the 9th Of May, 1882, the United
States entered into a treaty at Payne's
landing, with ali the principal chiefs OF
the Seminole nation, by which the lndi-
ans agreed, for the consideration Of a
certain sum Of money, to remove to the
country allotted for them Yves, of the Mis-
sissippi. This removal was not solicited
nor desired by the white inhabitants Of
Florida, with whom the Indians had here.
tofore lived in perfect harmony,-but
was in accordance with "the settled poll
icy of the government" which il decla-
red its unalterable determination 10 car.
ry into effect.
As the time approached for the con
summation OF The treaty, the Indians, in
stlgated by some evil minded white men
manifested an indisposition 10 comply
with its terms. The government decIa-
red for its unconditional fulhlment, and
appealed to the ultima ratio Of all gov.
ernments to enforce it. Army after ar,
my, and general nlter general we're sent
TO carry into effect the purpose of the
government ana although failure and
disgrace attended them all, Still. they ac-
complished something. They removed
by one means or other all, or nearly all
the chiefs and principal men oil the nation
to their new home, west ofthe Mississippi.
The remnant left behind, are without le.
gltlmate chiefs, and cannot fairly be
viewed in any other light, than as bands
oil lawless aud maraudIng murdcrors and
assossins. To think ofteatiag with them,
after all their chiefs and head men had
emigrated in conformity with the treaty
at Payne's landing, and with the dear
bought knowledge, that they will not be
bound by any obligation, manIlests a de.
gree OF weakness and stupidity, the exis-
tence of which could not be credited, if it
had not been witnessed. When Gen.
Jesup (whose conduct of the war was a
series OF the grossest blunders,) proposed
to the government TO grant the Indians a
small portion of the southern part Of The
Peninsula, and thus purchase from the
savage murderers oflhe people of this
territory, a disgraceful aud temporary
peace. that government Indignantly or.
dered his recall from a command, which
ne had thus, in their pretended opinion,
proved himself unworthy 10 hold.
The war was now renewed. The eov-
ernment reiterated its fixed determination
to adhere TO It's I" settled policy"-tho I'M.
conditional removal ofthe Indians. The
command was now unfortunately cntrus.
ted to Gen. Taylor, who, it would seem,
has proved himself on incGicien. and un-
talented officer.
Las: fall ana winter, being remarkably
dry, were peculiarly favorable for militia.
ry operations against tie Indians, but
Gen. Taylor passed the whole OF it in al.
most complete inactivity ! He appeared
10 haVe no systcm-no regular plan Of
operation. A few scouting parties were
occasionally sent out to hunt Indians,
who returned to their posts after a fruit.
less search and in this way, the season
TOR efficient operation was suffered to pass
over. As spring approached the general
broke up! He then suggested to the 90.
vernment q Plan, which, if carried into
effect, most men believed, would termi.
nate the war. | will remark, however.
thls was not my opinion. lie proposed
TO divide the country into diftric;s Of 20
miles square-each district to have a
garrison OF so to 100 men Of whom 90
or 81 were TO be mounted, and whose
duty It would be, to keep the district clear
OF indians, by securing it once or twice
a week. This plan certainly promised
better than any previous one and had the
great advantage Of making each officer
IN command responsible for his W dis
trict. This plan was submitted in Feb.
ruary and approved, and the general in
vested with ample authority to carry il
INTO effect. Accordingly, the engineers
went to work TO lay of the districts