Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-12-17

threshold of the approaching crisis, more than
by any other cause or causes whatever, the COM
munity at large has been shielded from the in
caculable evils ofa'general indefinite suspension
of specie payments, and consequent annhla-
ton for the whole period it might have lasted of
just and lnvariable STANDARD of value, will, it is
believed, at this period, scarcely be questioned.
steady adherance on the part of the Gov
ernment. to the policy which has produced such
salutary results aided by judicious State legisla
ton and what is not less important, by the in
dustry, enterprise, perseverance ond economy, OF
the American people, cannot fail to raise the
whole country, at an early period, to state OF
solid and enduring prosperity, not subject to be
again oy'rlhrown by the suspension of banks or
the explosion of boated credit system. 1t is for
the people, and their representatives, to decide
whether or not the permanent welfare of the
country, which all good citizens equally desire,
however widely they may differ as to the means
OF It's accomplishment, shall be in this way Sc
cured; or whether the management OF the pecu-
mary concerns of the Governme mt and, by conse-
quehce TO great extent, those OF individuals
also, shll be carried back TO a condition Of things
which iostered those contractons and expansions
OF the currency, and those reckless abuses of
credit, from the balelul effects of which the
try has SO deeply SUFFERED return that can
promise IN the end no better results Than to re-
produce The embarrassmenis The Government has
experienced; and to remove from the shoulders
of the present to those of fresh victims, the Bit
ter fruits of that spirit Of speculative enterprise
to which our countrynen are 50 liable, and upon
which the lessons of experience unavail-
ing. The CHI 1ce is an important one, and | SIM
cerely hope that il may be wisely made.
he 'ort from the Secretary of War, present.
ing detailed view 81 the affairs of that depart
meht, accompanies this communication.
The desultory duties connected with the reno
val of the Indians, in which the army has been
constantly engaged on the northern and western
frontiers, and in Florida, have rendered it i'm
practicable 10 carry into full effect the plan re-
commended by the Secretary for improving its
discipline In every instance where the regiments
have been concentrated they have made great
progress; and the best results may be anticipated
from countenance of this system. During the
last season, part of the troops have been EN-
plnJed in removing Indians from the interior to
the territory assigned them in the west-a duty
which they have performed efficiently, and with
praiseworthy humanity; and that part of them
which h been stationed in Florida, continued
active operate there throughout the heats OF
summer.
The policy CT the United States in regard to
the Indians of which succnct account is g ven
III my message of 1888 and of the wisdom and
expediency OF which am fully satisfied has
been continued in active operation throughout
the whole period of my administration. Since
the Snring OF 1887, mole than forty thousand
indians have been removed to their new homes
west OF The Mississippi, and am happy to add,
that all accounts concur in representing the re-
suit 81 this measure as eminently beneficial to
that people.
The emigration of the Semiroes alone has been
attended with serious difficulty, and occasioned
bioodshed- hosliLies having commenced by the
ldians in i1!orida, under the apprehension that
they would be compelled, by force, to comply
with their treaty stipulations. The execution of
TIE treaty of Payne's Landing, signed in 1881 ,,
hut not ratified until 1894 was postponed at the
Rotation Of the Indians, until 1886, when they
again renewed their agreen ent to remove peacea-
b., to their new hoincs in the Wes,. In the face
Of this St ltinn aud renewed compact, they broke
their faith and commenced bpstties by the mas
sacr of Major Dade's commend, the murder Of
their agent, General Thompson, aud other acts of
cruel treachery. When this alarming and unex-
pectcd intelligence reached the seat of govern
ment, every effort appears to have been made to
reinforce Gen Clmch, who commanded the troops
then in Florida. Gen Eustis was despatched
with rrintorcements from Charlest0n--troops
were called out from Alabama, Tennessee, and
Georgia; and Gen. Scott was sent to take COM
mand with ample powers and ample means. At
the first alarm, Gen. Gaines organized force at
New Orleans, and without waiting for orders,
landed in Florida, where he delivered over the
tro ps he bad brought with him to Gen. Scott.
Governor Call was subsequently appointed 10
conduct a summer campaign, and, at the close of
it, replaced by Gen. Jesup. These events,
and changes took place under the administration
of my predecessor. Notwithstanding the exer-
tons of the experienced officers who had COM
mand there for eighteen months, entering
upon the administration of the Government |
found The Territory OF Florida a prey to Indian
afr, ii $. strenuous effort was Immediately
made to bring those hostties t. a close; and the
army, under Gen. Jesup, was reinforced unit, it
amounted to ten thousand men, and furnished
with abundant supplies OF every descr ptian. In
this campaign great number OF the enemy were
captured and destroyed; but the character of the
contest only was changed. The Indians, having
been defeated in every engagement, dispersed in
small bands throughout the country, and became
an enterprsing, formidable, and ruthless banditt
Gen. Taylor, who succeeded Gen. Jcsup, used
his best eXertIons to subdue them, and was sec
undrd in his efforts Ivy the officers under his
command; but he, too failed to protect the Terri
tory from their depreda,ions BY an act of signal
and cruel trelc..ery. they broke the truce made
with them by Gen. Macomb, who was sent from
Washington for the purpose of carrying into ef-
feet the expressed wishes of Congress, and have
continued their devastltions ever since.
General Armisead, who was in Florida when
General Taylor left the arny by per mission,
sumed the command, and, after active summer op
eratons, was met by propositions Tor peace; and
from The fortunate coincidence Of the arrival in
Florida, at the same period, of n delegation from
the oenlnoles, who were happily settled west Of
the Mississippi and are anxious to persuade
their countrymen to join them there, hopes were
for some time entertained that the Indians might he