The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-12-23


without waiting for orders, landed in
Florida, where He delivered lover the troops
he had brought with him to General
Scott. 'ss'ss;
Governor Call Gas Subsequently sp-
poiated to conduct a summer campaigns;
and. at the close Of it, was replacsdbys
General Jesup. These events and chan,
ges TOOK place under the administration
Of my predecessor. Notwithstanding the
exertions Of the experienced officers who
had command there for eighteen months,
on entering upon the administration Of
the Government found the Territory.of
Florida prey TO Indian atrocities. A stres
nuous effort was Immediately made to-
bring these hostilities 10 close; and thei
army, under General Jesup, was reinse
forced until il amounted 10 ten thousand
men, and furnished with abundant sup
plies of every description. In .his cam.
paign 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 tho country. and became an
enterprising, formidable, and ruthless BAN
ditti. General Taylor, who succeeded
General Jesup, used his best exersions to
subdue them; and was seconded in his eff
forts BY the officers under his command;
but he, too, failed to psoiec, the Terrific
~ from their depredaiions. 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
expressed wishes OF Congress. and hare
continued their devastations. ever since.--
General Armistead, who was in Florida
when General Taylor left the army, by
permission. assumed che command, and,
after active summer operations, was met
BY propositions for peace; end, fyom the
fortunate coincidence Of the arrival In
Florida, 81 the sane period, Of delega-
ton from the Seminoles who are happily
settled wes. Of the Mississippi, aud are
now anxious to persuade their countrynen
to join them there, hopes were for some
time entertained that the Indians might
be induced to leave the Territory without
further difficulty. These hopes have pro.
we'd fallscious, end hoslilities have been
renewed throug ghout the whole Of the Ter
ritory. That this contest hss endured SO
long. is TO he attributed to causes Beyond
the control Of the Government. Expe.
perienced generals have had the command
Of the troops; officers and soldiers have
alike distinguished themselves for their
activity, patience, and enduring courage;
the army has been constantly furnished
with supplies ofzeveyy descriptions; aud
we mus. look for the causes which hate
80 long procraslinated the issue of the
contest, in the vast exten. Of the theatre
OF hos,ilities, The almost iusurmountable
obstacles presented by the nature of the
country, the climate, snd the willy char.
acter Of the ssvsges. ..,.{.-.f ..-.S
The sites for marine hospitals on the ri.
vers and lakes, which yes authorized to
select and cause to be purchased, hsvesli
been designated; but, the appropriation
not proving sufficient, conditional arrange-
men.s only have been made for their sc-
quisition. II 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 Sc
companying report of the Secretary, has
been usefully and honorably employed in
the protection Of our commerce and ciii-
Gems in the Mediterranean, the Pacific,
on the coast Of Brazil, and 10 the Gulf Of
Mexico. A small squadron, consisting
of the frigate Constellation and the slosr'
of.war Boston, undeI Commodore Keaf-
ney, is now on its way to the China and
Indian seas, for the purpose Of attending
TO our interests in that quoYtsr; and Com
msnder Aulick, in the sloop.of.war York
town, has been instructed TO visit the
Sandwich and Society Islands, the coasts
Of New Zeland and Japan, segether with
other ports and islands ise7aented ky our
for the purpose of giving
them countenauce and protection, should
they be required. Other smaller vessels
have been, and still are. employed 10 pro-
scouting the surveys of the coast Of the
United States, directed by various acts Of
Congress; and those acts which have been
will shortly be laid before you.
The exploring expedition, at the lates,
date, was preparing to leave the Bay Of
Islands, New Zealand, and in further pro:
secu,ion Of objec,s which have, thus far,