The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-17
vOL. l...YO. 911.

some few prisoners In order to render the re-
gular forces available for offensive operations, a
brigade OF Florida militia was raised for the de-
fence of Middle Florida, and placed under the
command OF Brigadier General Leigh Read, of
the territorial militia, with instructions to de-
fend the portion of the Territory situated north
of line Of posts occupied by the regular troops,
extending from the Atlantic, south Of ST. Angus
tine, including two stations east ofthe st. Johns
river, Piiatka, Wheelock Micanopy, Watka-
hootee, Wacasassa, post between the last and
Fort Tanning, and Cedar Keys
The troops that were in the service of the
Territory. in virtue of a law of the Legislature
of Florida, were mustered into that of the Uni
ted States, and form part of General Reads bri-
gade, which has been increased to twelve kun
bred mounted and five hundred footmen, and
may be raised to fifteen hundred mounted and
FIVE hundred foot, force which is considered
ample for the protection of that portion of the
Territory assigned to General Reads command.
Some depredations having been committed in
the neighborhood of the Okefenoke swamp. four
companies of Georgia militia have been muster
ed into the service OF the United States, and are
charged with the defence of the Georgia frontier
Certain Of the hostile chiefs having signifed
to General Armistead their desire to treat, they
were invited t. meet him at Fort King on the
7th ult. and from the circumstances deemed for
tunate) Of the presence there ola delegation from
the Western SeminOles, hopes were entertained
of terminating this pretracted struggle by the
peaceful removal OF the remaining Indians AT
ter some DAYS spent in negotiating, and after Civ
ing reiterated assurances of their desire to emil
CRATE and rejoin their brethren west Of the Mis-
sissippi, the Indians suddenly disappeared, with
out any assignable cause for this abrupt rupture
of the negotiations. Hostilities have IN conse-
quence, been renewed, and will be prosecuted
vigorously.
The regular troops now in FLORIDA amount to
about 4,5U0 men, and the militia in service to
about 1900. | recommend that authority be
given the Executive to engage the services of
this description oftroops fer a twelvemOnth, or
during the continuance of hostilities in Florida
The term Of three months is much to short to
ensure efficiency; and frequent enlistments are a
fruitful source OF INSTRUMENTATION, as well as of
great additional expense.
The number of Indians emigrated from the
interior to the West, since the year 1885, amounts
to very nearly $1,000, of which about 5000
were removed during the past season; and am
happy to add, that the condition of those who
are settled in their new homes continues to be
represented to US as prosperous and happy. The
differences which unfortunately sprung up be-
tween the Western Cherokees and the lafe emf
grants of that tribe, upon their first arrival on
the Arkansas have been happily adjusted; and
have accordingly directed that their annuities
and other moneys due to them should be paid;
and placed them upon the same footing as other
emigrant tribes From the character of this ma
ton, and the advance made by many of their
number If civilization and in the arts of life, it
is hoped, now that they removed from the
evil influences which heretofore beset them, their
progress in moral culture and physical comfort
/ viii be rapid and lasting. Convinced that, if
any great and general reform is ever to be effect
| ed among the Indians, it must be by means of
education, every exertion has been made to pro-
mote it; not by disjonted efforts but by adopting
a system intended to embrace the establishment
Of primary schools over the whole Indian terri
tory, and OF institutions of higher order at
suitable points DESIGNATED with view to the
convenience of the Indians, and of easy access.
Fort Coffee on the Arkansas river, which has
been abandoned as military post, has been se-
lected for one of these establishments. The sit
uation possesses very decided advantages; and
the system by which it is proposed to improve
them has my full appreciation. For the details
of the plan, | refer to the accompanying report
of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and par
ticularly to his instructions for carrying it into
effect, addressed to the Superintendent Of the
Western i territory.
While OH this subject, it affords me great graft
heation to be able to speak in terms Of merited
praise Of the Methodist manual labor school in
the Shawnee country. fhe labors Of shat sect,
distinguished for their Christian zeal in the
cause of indian civilization, likely to be
crowned with success; and there Is reason to
hope that the high expectations raised by this
extensive establishment will be fully realized
under It's presentpious and competent instructors.
The Department would be happy to promote
similar establishments on the part of ether reli-
gious sects, equally jealous, doubt, in spread
ing the light of the Gospel among the Indians,
and equally disposed to advance their moral cul-
ture. 1t is convinced that, to produce durable
beneficial effects by education, it must be made
practically useful; and that those domestic arts
which are impaired to our youth by the example
of their parents and associates, and form, as it
were, part of their nature, must be taught the
Indian in the schools, and instilled into him by
education.
Perseverance for one or two wears longer in
the policy OF removing the Indians from the
baneful and destructive influences which sur
round them within the States and Territories,
will unite the remnants of tribes still within
those limits TO their brethren in the West; offer
ing, as it is believed, the only chance, not only
OF civilizing the red man, but of perpetuating
his existence. M
BY the accompanying report OF the Commas
siOner of Pensions, it will be seen that the NUM-
Der of pensioners of every description now on
the rolls in all the States and Teri torres, and
in the District OF Columbia, except those paid
out of the navy pension fund,) amounts to forty
four thousand three hundred and ninety-l5ur; of
which two thousand aud seventy-two cases have
been admitted since the period of the last annual
report The number of deaths of pensioners that
have occurred during the last year, and been re-
ported TO the Department, is sixteen hundred
and FIVE. From the number of unclaimed PEN
sions, it is believed that many more have died,
of whose decease we have no information. The
number of invalid pensioners is now four thou
sand two hundred and eighty-nine, having IN
creased four hundred and fourteen since 1888;
this increase is to be attributed, principally, to
the hardships of the service in Florida. The
number of Revolutionary pensioners under the
act Of March Is, 1918, has decreased from above
twenty thousand to seven thousand nine hun
ilrei and forty-seven. Under the act of June Z,
1892, thirty-one thousand eight hundred and
eight have been admitted on the pension roll, of
which number twenty-threee thousand two hum
dred and seven yet remain. Eleven hundred
and eiehty-six pensioners were admitted under
the law Of May Is, 1928, for the benefit Of of