Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-12-17

nor encouraging in others that delusive sys-
tenn OF credits from which it has been found
so difficult to escape, and which has left moth
lng behind it but the wrecks that mark its IA
tai career.
That the financial affairs of the Govern
Inent are now, and have been during the
whole period of these wide spreading difficult
ties, conducted with strict and iuvariable re-
gard 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 by any 9TH
er cause or causes whatever, the community
at large has been shielded from the incalcula-
BILE evils OF general and indefinite suspen-
sion OF specie payments, and consequent an
utilization, for the whole period it might have
tasted, Of a 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 sautary results, aided by judicious
State legislation, and what is not less impor-
tant, by the industry, enterprise, perseverance
and economy of the American people, cannot
tail to raise the whole country, at an early pc
Iiod, to state of solid and enduring pros
perity, not subject to be again overthrown by
the suspension of banks or the explosion of a
bloated credit system. 1t is for the people
and their representatives to decide whether or
not the permanent welfare of the country
(Which all good citizens equally desire, how
ever widely they may differ as to the means
ofits accomplishment shall be in this way
secured; or whether the management of the
pccuniary concerns of the Government and
by consequence, to great extent, those of in
dividuals also, shall be carried back to a con-
dition of things which fostered those con-
fractions and expansions of the currency, and
those reckless abuses Of credit, from, the bale
ful effects of which the country has so deeply
sufiered--a return that can promise in the end
no better results than to reproduce the embar-
EASEMENTS the Government has experienced,
and to remove from the shoulders of the pre-
sent, to those offresh victims, the bitter fruits
of that spirit of speculative enterprise TO
which our countrymen are so liable, and upon
which the lessons of experience are so una
valiing. The choice is an important one, and
sincerely hope that it may be wisely made.
report from the Secretary of War, pre-
senting a detailed view Of the affairs of that
department, accompanies this communication
The desultory duties connected with the
removal of the Indians, in which the army
has been constantly engaged on the northern
and western frontiers, and in Florida, have
rendered timpractcable to carry into full eff.
feet the plan recommended by the Secretary
Tor improving its discipline. In every in
stance where the regiments have been con-
centrated, they have made great progress; and
the best results may be anticipated from a con-
tlnuance of this system. During the last
season, 4 part of the troops have be, n en-
ployed In removing Indians from the interior
to the territory assigned them in the west-a
duty which they have performed efficiently,
and with praiseworthy humanity and that
portion OF them which has been stationed in
Florida, continued active operations there
throughout the heats of summer,
he policy of the United States in REGARD
10 the Indians, OF which succint account
Is given in my message of 1893. and of the
wisdom and expedency Of which | am fully
satisfied, has been continued in active opera
ton throughout the whole period of my ad-
minlsratIon Since the spring of 1887, more
than forty thousand Indians have been reno
we'd to their new homes west of the Missis-
sippi; and | am happy to add, tina. all ac-
counts concur In representing the result Of this
measure as eminently beneficial to that peo-
pie.
The emigration of the Seminoles alone has
been attended with serious difficulty, and &C.
casloned bloodshcd; hostilities havinr been
commenced by the Indians in Florida. under
the apprehension that they would be compel
led, by force, to comply with their treaty stip-
ulatlons. The execution of the treaty OF
Iayn's Landing, signed in 1882, but not rat
lhed until 1884, was postponed, at the solicit
tation OF the Indians, until 1886, when they
again renewed the agreement to remove
peaceabiy to their new homes in the west.
In the face OF this solemn and renewed
compact, they broke their faith, and common
ced hostllltles by the massacre of Major
Dade,s command, the murder of their agent,
General Thompson, and other acts of Cruel
treachery When this alarming and unex-
pected intelligence reached the seat Of Gov
eminent, every effort appears to have been
made to reinforce General Clinch, who com
manded the the troops then in Florida. Cen
eral Eustis was despatched with reinforce
ments from Charleston; troops were called
out from Alabama, Tennessee, and GEORGIA :.
and General Scott was sent to take the com
Inand, with ample powers and ample means.
AT the first alarm, General Gaines Organized
force at New Orleans, and, without wait
Ing Tor orders, landed in Florida, where he
delivered over The troops he had brought with
him to General Scott.
governor Call was subsequently, appoint
cd TO conduct summer campaign and at the
close OF 1t, was replaced by General .yessup.
hesc events and changes took place under
the administration ofmy predecessor.
Notwithstanding the exertions of the OK.
perenced officers who had command there for
eighteen months, on entering upon the adj.
rnnlstraton Of the Government I found the
Territory of Florida a prey TO Indian attroci-
ties. strenuous effort was Immediately
made to bring these hostiities to a close: and
the army, under General Jessup, was reinEor-
ced until 1t amounted to ten thousand men
and furnished with abundant supplies of eve
~ description. In fhis cornra;n, -