The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1840-12-18

stantly engaged on the northern and western 'front.'
iers, and In Florida, have rendered it impractical
Bile to carry into full effect the plan recommended
by the Secretary Tor improving its discipline. In
every instance where the egmcns have been con-
centraled they have made great progress /; and the
best results may be anticipated from continuance
of this system During the last season. a part Of
the troops have been employed in removing Indi-
ans from the interior to the Territory assigned them
in the Wcst-a duty which they have performed
efficiently, and with praiseworhy humanity and
that portion of them which have been stationed in
Florida, continued uctive operations there through
out the heats of summer
The policy of the United States in regard to tho
Indians of which a succnct account is given in my
message of 1888, and Of the wisdom and eIped-
ency of which am fully satisfied, has been con-
tinued in active operation Throughout the whole
period of my administration. Since the spring Of
1887, more than forty thousand Indians have been
removed to their new homes west of the Mssis.ip-
pi, and am happy to add, that all accounts con-
cur in representing lthc rcsat Of this measure AZ
emnenlly beneficial to that people.
The emigration Of the Scminoles alone has been
attended with serious difficulty, and occasoned
blood shed-hosliliies having been commenced by
the Indians in Florida, under the apprehension
that they would be compelled by force, to comply
with their treaty s,ipulalions The execution Of
the treaty Of Payne's Landing, signed in 1882, hu,
not ratified until 1884, was postponed at the solicit
alton o! the Indians, until 1886, when they again
renewed their agreement to remove peaceably To-
their new homes in the West In the face Of this
solemn and renewed compact, they broke their
faith and commenced hostiliics by the massacre
of Ma or Dadc's command, the murder Of their n
gent, General Thompson, and other acts Of cruel
trcachery. When this alarming and unexpected
news reached the seat of government, every effort
appears to have been made 10 reinforce General
Clinch, who commanded the troops then in Flor-
da. Gen. Enslis was despatched with reinforce
mcnis from Charlcslown-troops were called out
from Alabama Tennessee, and Georgia; and Gen
Scott was sent to take the command, with ample
power and ample means. AT the first alarm Gen.
Gaines organized n force at New Orleans, and
without waiting for orders, landed in Florida where
he delivered over the troops he had brought with
him to Gen. Scott.
Governor Call was subsequently appointed to
conduct a summer campaign, and at the close Of it
was replaced by Gen. Jessup These events and
changes took place under the administration Of nv
predecessor Notwithstanding the e1erlons Of tho
experienced officers who bad command there for
eighteen months on entering upon the admlnstra-
ton OF the government, | found the territory Of
Florida n prey to Indian atrocities. A strenuous
effort was.immediatey made TO bring those ho'liI-
tiles 10 a close and The army, under Gen. Je.sup,
was reinforced until it amounted to ten thousand
men, and furnished with abundant supplies Of eve
~ description. In hi, camps IN great number
of the enemy were captured and destroyed but
the chaaacler Of the contest only was changed
The Indians, having been defeated in every en-
gsgcment, dispersed in small bands throughout the
, country, and became an .hnterprsing formidable,
and ruthless bandh. General Taylor, who sue
cceded General Jessup, used his hest cSertions to
snhdue them, and was seconded in his efforts bv
The officers under his command but he too, failed
to protect the territory from their deprcdatons
By an act of signal and cruel lreachcry, 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 Con-
grcss, and have continued their devastations ever
since. General ArmiStead, who was in Florida
when General Tay lor left the army, by permission,
assumed the command and, after active summer
operations, was met by propositions for peace: and
from the fortunate coincidence Of the arrival in
Florida, at the sdme period, of delegation from
the Scminoles, who were happily settled west of
the Mississippi, and are now anxious to persuade
their countrynen to join them there, hopes wero
for some time entertained that the Indians might
be induced 10 leave the territory without further
difficulty.
"'''' '."F j NAVY ~ ~ "''""', "'" ''''
ties have hecn renewed throughout the whole Of
: the territory. That this contest has endured so
long Is to be attributed tc causes beyond the con-
troll Of the government. Experienced officers have
had the command Of the troops officers and sell
d'erS have alike distinguished themselves for their
activity, patience, and enduring courage the ar
my has been constantly furnished with supplies Of
every description and We must look for the cav
scs which have so long procraslInatcd the issue Of
the contest IN The vast extent OF the theatre of hos
,i.ilies. the almost insurmornable obstacles pre-
scntrd by the nature Of the country, the climate,
and the willy character OF the snvases.
The sites for marine hospitals on the rivers and
lakes, which wasauthorizcd TO sclec, and cause to
be purchased, have all been designated; hut tho
appropriation not proving sufficient, conditional ar
Engagements only have been made for their acquisi-
ton. II is for congress to decide whether those
conditional purchases shall be sanctioned, and tho
humane intentions ollhe law carried into full effect
The navy. as will appear from the accompany
ing report of the Secretary, has been usefuly and
hOnOTabpy enDlOyp ed i'm the protection of our conf