Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-12-24


the end, no better results than to reproduce
the embarrassments the Government has eXpe-
rienced, ind 10 remuve from the shoulder OF .
The present 10 thnse of fresh victims. the bitter
fruits of that spirit fthe speculative enterprise !
y which our co,inlrymen are so liable and |
Il ,uu which The lessons of experience are so !
unavaiiinu The choice is an important one /
and sincerely hope that 1t may be wisely
nlade.
\ report from the Secretary Of War, present. !
inS detailed view olthe affairs of that de-
partment. accompanies this communication.
The dcsr!toEy duties connected with the re-
rnovai ofthe Indians, in which tile northern and
western frontier. and in Florida, have render
cd it mpracticabe tu carry into full effect the
plan recommended by the Secretary for inr-
proving its discipline. In every instance where
the regiments have been concentrated they !
have made great progress; and the bnst results
may be anticipated from n continuance OF this
system. During the last srasun. part of the
troops have been employed in removing the
indians from the interior 10 the territory assign
ed them in the west, duly which they have
performed efficiently. and with prascworllly
humanity; and tIla, portion OF them which has
been slatonedinFi Florida continued active opera
| lions there throughout the heats Of summer.
The policy # rlle United States in regard to
the Indians, Of which Il Succinct accoont is CIV
en- in my message of 1888. and Of the wisdom
and expediency Of which am fully satisfied,
has beoh continued in active operation through
ont the whole period of my administration
Since the Srng of 1887, more than forty thou
sand Indians have been removed to their new
home. west of the Mississippi; aud am happy
to add. that all accounts concur in roTres t.
ing the result ofthis measure emineully benefi-
cial TO that people.
The emigration of the Semno!es alone has
been attended with serions difficulty and occa.
stoned 5iocashed; hostiliies having been com
mehced by the Indians in Florida. under the
apprehension that they would he compelled by
force. 10 comply with their treaty s:'ulations.
The execution of ;he treaty of Payi-s Land
ing, signed in 1882 hut not ratified until 1884
was pos,pored at the solicitation OF tile lndi-
ans. until 1896 when they again renewed their
agreement TO remove peaceablv TO their new
homes in The west. In he face of this solemn
and renewed compact. they broke their faith
aud commenced hostilllies by the massacre Of
Major Dudes command the murder Of their
agent, Gen. Thompson, aud other acts of cruel
treachcry. When this alarming aud uncxpec
ted Intelligence reached the sea of rrnment.
every effort aprears to have been made 10 re-
inforce Gen. Clnch. who commanded the
troops then in Florida. Gen. Euss was des.
patched with reinlircpments from Charleston;
troops were called on from Alabama, Teupes-
see and tienrgia; and Geu. Scott was sent To
take tile command with ample powers and am
pie means. At the first alarm. Gen. Gaines
organized lurca at New Orleans. an; with
out waiting lor 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 summer campa GU, and at the close
of it was replaced by General Jcsiip. These
events and changes took place under the ad-
! miniStration fmy predecessor. Notwlihstand-
ing the exartions o!Iie experienced officers who
had commanded there for eighteen mouths. on
entering upon the administration of The Gov
ernment rouudthc Territory OF Florida prey
to Indian atrocities. A strenuous etfmt was
Immediately made TO bring these los,iliies 10 Il
close; and the army, under Gen. Jesup, was
reinforced uail it tamnuncd TO ten thousand
every description. In this campaign a great
number Of the enemy were captured and de-.
Str"yed but the character Of the contest was
only changed. The Indiur,s having been de-
ieaed in every engagement, dispersed in small
bands throughout the country aud b"camc an
eutrrpI iSing Formidable and ruthless bamdli
Gen Taylor, who succeeded General Jesup
used his hest rxcrlioliS 10 Suhue them, aud was
seconded in his efforts by the Officers Under
his command bnt he. too. failed tn protect the
Territory from their dcfreda,ons. BY an act
of signal and cruel trrachcrv. 'hey broke the
truce mad. with them by General Macomb
who was sent from Washington Iorihe purpose
of carrying into effect the tx ressed wishes of
Congress, and lIavc continued their drvus!a-
TORS ever since. Gen. Arnstcad. who was in
Flnrida WHEN General Taylor lett the army, by
permission. assumed tic command. and. after
active summer operations, was met BY prop"s.
tOns for ueacC; and fInn tie OlttI. rlr cuiic.
deuce of the arrival in Florida, at he same pc
Iind. Of Il delegation from the SeinInues who
are happily settled west "f the Mississippi and
are now ANXIOUS to persuade their counirymen
to iolu them there. hopes were for some time
entertained that the Indians might he induced
tn leave the Tcrriy without further difficulty.
These hopes have proved lalacuus. and hos.
tiIites have becn renewed throughout the whole
of,he Territory That this contest has endured
SD long, is to he attributed TO causes beyond the
control of the Government. Experienced Gen.
erals have had the command of the troops:
officers md soldiers have alike distinguished
themselves for their activity, patience, and en-.
during courage the army has been constantly
furnished with supplies Of every desrr rrip,ion;
and we mus! look for the rar'scs wIiicl, have
so long procras,inated the issue Of Tie contest,
in the vast extent Of the theatre o! hoSt,cs.
the almost ins,irim"un'abe obstacles presented
ly the uatnr,' "fthe country. The climate. and
the willy character Of the sa,ages.
The sites for marine hospitals oil the rivers
and lakes, which was authorised 10 seIrctant
cause to be purchased. have H.! been dcsigna-
L.. ,t,
cent. conditional arrangements only have been
made for their acquisition. Its for Congress
TO drcie whether those conditional purchases
shall be sanctioned and The humane intentions
of the law carried io full ctleci
The Navy, as will appear from the accompa-
nying report ofthc Secretary has been useIully
and hon"rahly employed IN the projections of
orr commerce and ci!izelisin in the Mrdilerrane.
an the Pacific. on the coast of BAIL, and in the
Gulf of Mexico. y small squadron, consisting
ofthe lrigatc Constellation aud the soop of war