Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1840-12-29

! that it may be wisely made,
A report from the Secretary of War, presenting
detailed view of the affairs OF that department., accom-
| panies this communication.
The desultory duties connected with the removal of
the Indians in whica the army has been constantly
engaged the northern and western frontiers and III
Florida have rendered it impraccabe to carry into
full effect the plan recommended by the Secretary for
impros rg discipline. In every instance where the
gnents have been concentrated they have made great
progress and the best results may be anticipated from
continuance of this system. During the last season.
part of the troops have been employed in removing
Indians from the interior to the territory assigned them
in the west-a duty which they have performed Elf
GENTLY, and with praise-worthy humanity; ans b2h
portion of them which has been stationed in Florid1
continued active operations there throughou the heats
| of summer.
| The pol cy OF the United States in regard 10 the
Indians of which n succinct account is given in my
message OF 1883 and of the wisdom and expediency
| of which nm fall satisfied has been continued in
active operation throughout the whole period trly
administration Since the spring of 1887, more than
forty thousand Indians have been removed to their
| now home west Of the Mississippi; and am happy
10 add, that all accounts concur representing the
result OF this measure as emneniy beneficial TO that
| people.
The emigration of the Seminoes alone, has been
attended with serious difficulty and occasoned blood
shed-hoslties having been commenced BY the IN
dams IN Florida under the apprehension that they
would be compelled by force, TO comply with their
treaty stipuations. The execution OF the treaty o!
Iayne Landing, signed in 1882, but ratified an
Ill 1884, postponed at the solicitation of The IN
dams until 1886. when they again renewed their
agreement TO remove peaceaby To their new homes
IN the west. In the face of this solemn and renewed
compact .hey broke their fath and commenced hos
ttIes by the massacre of Major Dade's command,
the murder of their agent, General Thompson, and
other cruel acts of treachery. When this alarming
and unexpected intelligence reached the seat of G
rernment every effort appears TO have been made 10
reinforce General Cliach wh" commanded the troops
then In Florida General Eusts despatched
with renforcements from reston-troops were
called out from Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia;
and Gen. Scott was sent 10 take the command with
ample powers and ample means. At the first alarm
Gen. Games organized force at New Orleans and
without waiting for orders landed in Florida where
he delivered over the troops he had brought With him
10 Gen. Scott.
Governor Call was subsequently appointed to con-
duet a summer campaign, and at the close of il was
replaced by Gen. Jessup. These events and changes
took place under the administration of nv predeces-
scr. Notwithstanding the exertions of the expert
enced officers who had command there for eichieen
months, on entering upon the government, found
the territory of Florida prey Indian atrocities
strenuous effort was Immediately made to bring
these hostllIties to close and the army under Gen
Jessup, was reinforced untilit amounted thou
sand men, and furnished with abundant supplies of
every description In this campaign, q great number
oil the enemy were captured and destroyed; but the
character OF the contest only changed. The IN
dians, having been defeated in every engagement
dispersed into small bands throughout the country
and became an enerprsing and ruthless bandtti -
General Taylor who succeeded General Jes up, used
in his efforts by the officers under his command but
he failed 10 protect the territory from their depreda-
tons. By an act of signal and cruel treachery they
broke the truce made with them by General Macomb
who was sent from Wash. ngton for The purpose OF
carrying into effect the expressed wishes ofC ongress
and have continued their devasia,ions ever SINCE
General Armised who was in Florida W hen Gener-
al Taylor left the army by permission, sumed the
command and, after active summer operations, was
met by propositions for peace; and from the foriu-
rate coincidence of the arrival in Florida, at The
same period, of delegation from the Seminoles, |
who are happily settled west Of the Mississippi and
are now ANXIOUS 10 persuade their couutrymen to
join them there, hopes were for time entertain
ed that the Indians might be induced to leave the
territory without further difficulties. These hopes
have proved flliacous and hostilitIes have been
newed throughout the territory. That this contest
has endured long, is to be attributed causes be-
yond the control of the Government. Experienced !
generals have had the command of the troops OIL
and soldiers have alike distinguished themselves
for the'- activity patience und enduring courage /; |
the army his been constantly furnished with sup |
plies Of every descriptions; and must look for the
causes which have long procrastinated the issue
of The contest, in the vast extent of the theatre of
hosiites the almost insurmountable obstacles pre-
scented by the nature of the country, the climate, and
the willy character of the savagcs.
The sites for marine hospitals on the rivers and |
lakes, which authorized to select and cause 10
be purchased have all been designated; bat the ap
preparation not proving sufficient conditional ar |
engagements only have been made for their acquisI-
ton. 1t is for Congress to decide whether those |
conditional purchases shall be sanctioned and the hu
intentions of the law carried into full effect.
The Navy, as will appear from the accompanying |
Report of the Secretary, has been usefuy and hon
oraby employed in The protection of our commerce
and citizens in the Mediterranean, the Pacific. on
the coast of Brazil, and the Gulf of Mexico smnil
squadron, consisting of the frigae Constellation and
the sloop of war Boston, under Conmodore kearney,
is now Oh its way to China and Indian seas, for the
purpose of attending 10 interest in that quarter
and commander Aulok, in the sloop of war ORR
town, has been instructed TO visit the Sandwich and
Society Islands, the coast of New Zealand and jap
an, together with other ports and islands frequented
by whale ships, for the purpose of giving them |
countenance and protection, should they be required
Other smaller vessels have been, and still are, en-
ployed in prosecuting the surveys of the coast of the
United States. directed by various acts OF Congress;
and those which have been completed will shortly |
be laid before you.
The exploring expedition, at the latest date, was
preparing 10 leave the Bay of Islands, New Zealand
in further prosecution of objects which have. thus
far, been successfully accomplished. The discove-
ry of continent, which first in lat. |
66 SOUTH longitude I54 q east, and afterwards in
lat. 66 81 south, longitude l54 40 east, by lieuten
ants Wilkes and Hudson, for extent of eighteen
hundred miles; but which they prevented |
from landing by vast bodies of ice which encompass
ed it, of the honorable results of the enterprise
Lieutenant Wilkes bears testimony 10 the zeal and
good conduct OF his officers and men; and it is but
justice 10 that officer state that he appears have
performed the duties assigned him with an ardour,
ability, and perseverance, which give every
ance of an honorable issue to the undertaking.
The report of the postmaster general, herewith
transmitted, will exhibit the service of that depart
ment the last year, and its present condition. The
transportation has been aintaned during the year
to the full extent authorized by the existing laws
some improv have been effected, which the
public interest seemed urgently 10 demand but not
involving any material additional expenditure the
contractors have generally performed their engage
menis with fidelity; the postmasters with few ex-
cePtons, have rendered their and paid their
quarterly balances with promptlIude; and the whole
service OF the department. has maintained the efhc-
ency for which 1t has for several years been dstin-
~niShed