Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-12-22

,oa, ,.as nosinonrd nj the solicitation OF the
Icdians. until 1896. when they again renewed
their agreement TO remove peacsably TO their
new homes in the west In the lace OF ihis
solemn and renewed coTpact,they broke their
faith, and commenced their bosilliiies by the
massacre of Major Dade's command, the muir
der Of their agent, General Thompson, and
other acts OF cr1el ireachery When tins a.
farming and unexpected intelligence reached
the seat ofGovernment, every effort appears
10 have been made to reinforce General Clinch,
who commanded the troops then in Florida.
General Eusiis was despatched with rein
forcements from Charleston troops were call
ed out from Alabama, Tennessee, and Geor-
pia; end General Scott was sent to take the
command, with ample power and ample means.
At the first alarm, General Gaines organized
force at New Orleans, and, without waiting
for orders, landed in Florida, where he deliv-
cred over the troops he had brought with him,
to General Scott.
Governor Call was subsequently appointed
TO conduct summer campaign, and at the
close of it was replaced by General Jesup.--
These events and changes took place under
the administration Of my predecessor. Not
withstanding the exertions of the experienced
officers who had command there for eighteen
months, on entering upon the administration
ofthe Government found the Territory Of
Florida prey TO Indian atrocities. SIREN
lous effort was Immediately made to bring
90 hos,lities to close; and the army I'M
dr General Jesup, was reinforced until IL
to inted to ten thousand men, and furnished
abundant supplies Of every description.
is campaign great number of the enemy
captured and destroyed but the charac-
Ter of the contest only was changed. The In
dams having been defeated in every engage
ment, dispersed in small bands throughout the
country, and became ali enterprisng, forni-
dabe, and ruthless bandiui. General Taylor,
who succeeded General Jesup, used his best
exertions to subdue them, and was seconded
in his efforts dy the officers under his COM
mand; but he, too, failed to protect the Terri
tory from their depredations.
BY an act Of signal and cruel treachery they
broke the truce made with them by General
Macomb, who was sent from Washington for
the purpose of carrying into effect the ex-
pressed wishes of Congress, and have con-
tinued their devastations ever since.
General Armstead, who was in Florida
when General Taylor left the army, by per-
mission, assumed the command, and. after ac-
tive summer operations, was met by PROPOSE
tons for peace; and, from THE fortunate coin
cidence of the arrival in Florida, at the same
periods of delegation from the Seminoles who
are happily settled west of the Mississippi, and
are now anxious to persuade their countrymen
to join them there hopes were for some time
entertained that the Indians might be induced
to leave the Territory without further difficult
ty. These hopes have proved fallacious, and
hostlllties have been renewed throughout the
whole territory. That this contest has endur-
ed so long, is to be attributed to causes beyond
the control of the Government. Experienced
generals have had the command of the troops;
officers and soldiers have alike distinguished
themselves for their activity, patience, and en-.
during courage; the army has been constantly
furnished with supplies of every description;
and we must look for the causes which have
so long Procrastinated the issue of the contest
IN the vast extent of the theatre of hostilties,
the almost insurmountable obstacles presented
oy the nature OF the country, the climate, and
the willy character of the savages.
The sites for marine hospitals on the rivers
and lakes, which l was authorized to select
and cause to be purchased, have all been de-
signated, but, the appropriation not proving
sufhcleEt conditional arrangements only have
oeen made for their acquisition. 1t is for
congress to decide whether those conditional
purchases shall be sanctioned, and the humane
Intentions of the law carried into full effect.
The navy, as will appear from the accom-
panying report of the Secretary, has been
usefully and honorably employed in the pro-
lection of our commerce and citizens in the
Mediterranean, the Pacific, on the coast of
Brazil, and in the Gulf of Mexico. A small
squadron, consisting of the frgate COnstela-
ton and the sloop- of-war Boston, under Com
modore Kearney. is now on its way to China
and Indian seas, for the purpose of attending
to onr interests in that quarter; and Command
Ell Aulick, in the sloOp- of-war Yorktown, has
been instructed to visit the Sandwich and 30
ciety Islands, the coasts of New Zealand and
Japan,s together with other ports and islands
frequented by our whaleshps, for the purpose
OF giving them countenance and protection,
should they be required. Other smaller YES
sells, have been, and still are, employed in
prosecuting the surveys of the coast of the
United States, directed by various acts of
Congress; and those which have been COM
pleted will shortly be laid before you.
The exploring expedition, at the latest date,
was preparing to leave the Bay of Islands,
New Iceland, in further prosecution of objects
which have, thus far, been successfully ac-
complished. The discovery of a new cont.
nent. which first seen in latitude 66.2
south, Longitude 1927 east, and afterwards
IN latitude 66,3l south, longitude 1853. 40 east,
by Leutenants Wilkes and Hudson, for an ex-
tent OF 1900 miles, but on which they could not
land in consequence ofthe ice,is one ofthe hon
orable results the enterprise. Lieut.. Wilkes
bears testimony to the zeal and good conduct
ofhis officers aud men; and it is but just TO
that officer to state that he appears to have
performed the duties assigned him with an ar
dor, ability, and perseverance, which give ev-
cry assurance of an honorable issue to the
undertaking.
The report ofthe Postmaster General, here
I'll a