Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-12-18

The iirst, and assurcdly not the least, I'M
portant step towards relieving the country |
from the condition into which it had been I
plunged by excuses in trade, banking and
credits of all kinds, was to place the bust
ness transactions of the Government itself on
a solid basis, giving and receiving in all ca
ses value for value, and neither counen-
ancing nor encouraging in others that delu-
sve system of credits from which it has been
found difficult to escape, and which has left
nothing behind it but the wrecks that mark
its fatal career.
That the financial affairs OF the Govern.
ment arc now, and have been during the
whole period of these wide-sprcaling Difficult
ties. conducted with strict and invariable
regard to this great fundamental principle,
and that by the assumption and maintenance
of the stand thus taken on the very threshold
of the approaching crisis, more than any 9TH
er cause or causes whatever the community
at large has been shielded from the incalcu-
liable evils of general indefinite suspension
OF specie payments, and consequent amir
hilation, for the whole period it might have
lasted of Just and invariable standard of
value, will, it is believed, at this period,
scarcely be questioned.
A steady adherence on the part of the Gov
eminent, to the policy which has produced
such salutary results, aided by judicious State
legislation and what is not less important, by
the industry, enterprise, perseverance and
economy of the American people, cannot fail
to raise the whole country, at an early period
10 state of solid and enduring prosperity, not
subject to be again ovcrthrown by the sus-
pension of banks, or the explosion of a bloa-
ted credit system. 1t is for the people
and their representatives, to decide whe-
: Their or not the permanent welfare of tie
country, which all good citizens equally de-
sire, however widely they may differ as to
the means of its accomplishment shall be in
, this way secured or whether the manage
mcnt of the pecuniary concerns of the Gov
eminent and by consequence, to a great eX-
tent those of individuals also shall be carried
r back TO a condition of things which fostered
, those contractions and expansions of the cur
= rency and those reckless abuses of credit from
E the baleful effects of which the country has
2 so deeply sufered-a return that can promise
S in the end, no better results than to repro
duce the embarrassments the government has
e experienced and to remove from the shout
3. ders of the presentto those of fresh victims,
n the bitter frutsof that speculative spirit of en-
t terprse to which our countrymen are so liable
:. and upon which the lessons of experience
dic ~ uldNdIlihS Inc CHOlCe Is an lmpOT-
t tant one and sincerity hope that it may be
d wisely made.
A report from the Secretary Of War
presenting detailed view Of the affairs Of
;. that department, accompanies this com.
munication.
d The desultory duties connected with the
;. removal of the Indians in which the army
II has been constantly engaged on northern
}. and western frontiers, and in Florida have
i rendered it impracticabe to carry into full
l., effect the plan recommended by the Sec.
u u rotary for improving its discipline. Ii
n every instance where the regiment.
;. have been concentrated they have
IS made great progress and the
y bes, results may be anticipated from ;
l. continuance Of this system. During the
C last season part ofthe troops have bee,
1t employed in removing Indians from til,
l. interior to the territory assigned them il
!. the west duty which they have perior
:. med efficiently and with praseworth,
humanity; and that portion OF them which
,, have been stationed in Florida continue,
e active operations there throughout tn,
# summer.
c The policy Of the United States in re-
gard to the Indians of which q succinc
: account is given in my message Of 1888
!. and OF the wisdom and expediency o.
!, which | am fully satisfied has been CON
IS tInued In active operation throughout the
y whole period Of my administrations
e Since the spring of 1887, more than fort,
: thousand Indians have been removed tc
j. their new homes west of the Mississippi
= and l am happy to add that all accounts
+ concur in representing the result of this
n measure as eminently beneficial to tina,
people.
| The emigration OF the Seminoles alone
r has been attended with serious difficulty,
and occasIoned Observation-Disclosures hav-
, ing been commenced by the Indians in
Florida, under the apprehension that they
would be compelled, by force, to comply
with their treaty stipulations. The cxecu-
ton Of the treaty of Payne's landing sign
cd in 1882, but not ratified until 1884. was
postponed atthe solicitation ofthe Indians.
until 1896, when they again renewed thu cir
agreement to REMOVE peaceably to their
own homes in the West. In the face of
THIS solemn and renewed compact, they
broke their faith, and commenced hostli.
ties by the massacre of Major Dade's com.
mand, the murder of their agent, General
Thomson, and other acts of cruel trcach-
cry. When this alarming and unexpected
intelligence reached the seat otgovcrnment
every effort seems to have been made to
reinforce General Clinch, who command.
ed the troops then in Florida. Gen. Eustis
was despatched with reiniorcements from
Charleston-troops were called out of Ala
6ama, Tennessee, and Georgia; and Gen
Scott was sent to take the command, with
ample powers and ample means. At the
hrst alarm, Gen. 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 Gen. Scott
Governor Call was subsequently, an.
pointed to conduct a summer campaign.
and at the close Oft, was replaced by Gen.
Jessup. These events and changes took
place under the administration of nv pre-.
decessor. Notwithstanding tho evoy,;o,.