The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-03-07
From ihc Charleston iS;rcEry.
BLOOD HOUNDS.

importation of Blood Hounds, from Cuba,
to operate against the Semmoles in Flori-
da; 1T is not to be credited, that either
the President or Secretary at War, will
shrink from any responsibility they may
have assumed on the subject; but it is due
to truth to say, tina, the project, whether
reprehenslblc pr not; originated with, and
has been consulnmatcd thus far by and
exclusively with the funds Of the People
of Florida. At an early period, at the
last session of the Territorial Legislature,
an appropriation was made to enable the
Executive to afford protection to the de-
fenceless and constantly harrasscd fami-
lies of Florida, and among the measures
canvassed by the members, that of attach
ing Dogs to each company in service,
was most approved.
An occurrence in the neighborhood of
Tallahassee, in which gentleman with
his faithful dog, hunting in hammock
near his residence. jumped an Indian In
stead of Buck, and killed him, and thus
miraculousiy saved his family from mas
sacre prcmeditated for that!nlght, was en-
couragng to the project of hunting with
Blood Hounds. Active measures were
immediately taken to carry it into effect,
and he who writes this article, was one
who chcerfully responded 10 call from
the Governor, for an advance in specie,
from the Union Bank of Florida, to ena-
bic him to send an Agent for the purpose
to Cuba. Col. Fitzpatrick, formerly Of
this State, was the Commissioner, and
his report on his return to Council, evinces
the promptncss with which he discharged
the delicate trust. If Mr.. Wise or any
other gentleman at Washington, require
investigation into the matter, let them
meet the Representatives of the Territorial
Legislature in their own halls, where they
may listen to, if not deaf, heartrending
tales of reproach on those, who have
manifested, at a distance, so much sick
cning sympathy for the blood thirsty and
cruel savagcs of the South. There has
been an unaccountable romance and CHI
valry cast abroad on this contest in Flori-
da, which we at home, not knowing the
hour or the night, when our wives may be
scalpcd, and our children tortured, arc
unable to comprehend. The savage from
the shade Of bush, o, Under the con-
ccalmcnt of darkness, lcveIling his uncrr-
ing rifle, against dctcnceless and unsus-
pecting innocence, and cffecting his es-
cape, before the Light Of day can enable
the white man to pursue or ovcrtakc him,
may be an adventurous hero in the ina
glnatlon of those who slumber in security,
and awake to pleasure, but we hold he is
an assassin beyond the pale of law, or the
sympathies of humanity, and should be
pursued, whether by the parent whose fa-
mily have been murdered, or by the more
sure scented dog, who can follow on his
blood stained track, and more certainly
secure the the criminal. The refugee
Seminole. the lawlcss vagabond wander
er from the Creek confederation, who
has sought the wilds and Businesses of
Florida for the spoils he may gather and
the blood he may suck, can scarcely even
merit the Blood Hound as a competitor.
The noble dog, who in the chase sounds
alarm, and IN the contest, proftrs fear
less battle; and let him whose tomahawk
is recking with the blood of innocence,
use it if he dare or can, on the faithful
domestic of man, who would die, ere he
turns on his master and bcncfactor. Can
any one say as much for the Indian, for
Occola, who shot his Agent with the Rife
he had but the week before in peace and
friendship presented him7
But to return to the narrative. The
Blood Hounds. some or 6 in number,
have been distributed to each company in
the Territorial service, and portion of them
turned over to the regular army. They
are now in training for grand hunt. and
if they but fall upon the track of Semi
mole which has been dyed with the blood
of neither or child, the anthem of thanks
giving should be sung to the ennoblcd
Towser, who takes retribution for the
cowardIy and inhuman deed. Five years
of agonizing sufcrngs and apprchensions
n Il