Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-04-02
MESSAGE
FROM THE GOVERNOR OF vLoRrpA
EXEcuIISE DrrAErMINr, .
Tallahassee. Feb. .s i-se {

laiive CoureiI will probably adjourn ~ a
lew days. your atIeniion is respectfully
invited 10 The measures proper TO be adopt.
ed Tor The further prosecution OF iLe saw.
age War in which we are lnvolved.
Since you have been in session, a nun.
Der OF our people, among them a woman
and her children. have been literally
bu'ohered by the lndians. many OF whom
occupy the sVamps and other Businesses
OF Western Florida, from the Apalschico-
la, and even beyond Il, to the Suvannee;
while. in East Florida. The recent muir.
ders oil the mail carriers within few mile S
OF St Augustine. prove how unayailing
has been every effort TO restrain the enemy
IN That quarter. Indeed, it would seem,
that the oruclties OF these Uih Deals
Tor so they deserve 70 DC regsTded-and
Their thirst for blood, place them beyond
Tie pale OF bun0niIy-are becoming
more and more audacioUs; their deeds OF
horror are rather accommodating than di-
minisbingi they venture 10 assail houses.
and appear in our public roads IN the open
Gay; they press beyond military posts 10
perpeirsie their murderous purposes, aud
siart up ike evil spiriis, when least ex-
peeted 10 appear. 10 destroy The brave,
yiriuous and innocent. The number Of
Seminole Indisns in the country can only
be comic ctuIed. but IL is believed 10 be
greater than is generally supposed. There
are probably many Greeks aud Cherokees.
and even some Of The Seminoles. depolied
TO the West, II is said. have returned; but
be The number great or small, every thick
ct and deep forest are liable 10 be occupi-
ed by them; they elude pursuit-t@d drive
them thoroughly from oae part Of the
country 10 another. ia imprsciicable, and
II is aseer,ained that during TIE past wear.
they have planted and made crops, within
few miles Of military stations. Our
situation Is verging upon desperation
men sleep with arms under their pillows
sense Of insecurity accompanies tue
traveller in his journey on the highway
every neigbhorhood has i,s tale Of blood,
and those who are in authority look round
with pain and distress, because they arc
powerlcss TO afford an adequate remedy
for the evils thronging around them in
every direction.
This is no exaggerated picture of orr
present condition. Romance lass far be-
hind the sad realities, we daily witness.
and II becomes our duty TO consider UAaf
shall be done for the relief Of the country
To such measures as shall be adopted
by the Federal Government for 'Ihe,pa.
cifcation Of Florida" am quite sure we
shall lend hearty concurrence and sup.
port. But, being upon the spot--wi,h the
disastrous circumstances near 10 the view
- any plan Of operations recommended
by the authorities Of Florida, will doubt.
less meet an attentive confederation at
Washington.
am persuaded that IL IL were 10 the
power Of the government 10 ill the coun.
try with an overwhelming force-and 10
hunt. and pufsue the Indians in every d..
reciion; vexed tired and harassed, they
would soon yield to such terms as might
be imposed upon them; but as il is not
probable that, under existing c;rcumsian.
ees, large army will be thrown into the
Terriiory--some other course, more prac.
tieable in its character must be devised.
J am inclined 10 think then that three
Brigsdes. acting with energy, and under
that discipline which BELTS the peculiar
service. TO which they would be called
might be competent 10 the attainment Of
The object we all have 20 anxioUsly at
heart.
Two Of these brigades should be Volun-
;eers. and the c'hr. of RerulsrT. slI rrsi,'.
ed during the War, with the pay Of Cav.
airy Dragons. and bounty Of land, 800
acres, 10 each private and 10 the officers
in proportion; 90 be bestowed upon the e..
nal establishment Of peace. The fegi-
L..
each consist Of ten or twelve companies,
Of fly men each formed according 10 the
organization Of the Regular Army Of the
United States.
The volunteers could not be better com.
msnded than by the Brigadeers Of The Ter.
Fitofy. " no have received lheircommissions
from the President, and who have disiin.
gnished Themselves during the prerent
conflict. II there were no other events
IN which they have been prominent. The
gallant. ard successful enterprise Of The
Block house on The Withacoochee. and
The cspiuIc of King Philip snd The Eu.
chez Chief will secure 90 these Flori.
disns . BRIGHT page IN lhe History a this
devoted Land. These officers WoulI Il
course be under ths command Of ihe Go.
neral, commanding The u States Brigade
One third perhaps ore fourth ~ ibc whole
nnmber Of mcn. should be Of Cavalry and
the res, infantry for he bitter arc better
calculated lo1 lndian fRhlng The, h.
dams act on ooi'and on i0oi thew should
Be followed Their apparel is flight. and
should be that a their pursuers--iley
are able 90 encounter iafgue iar5shps
ard hungcf ard those who Oppose fhem
should 30 tfained 20 endure ths same dim.
cWiief and rfivttUns.
Win these irospa-siways in action
ever 10 search ~ the Zoe pressing bin
sofely wherever BE- may Be foond. and
following bin through the Swsmps and
Hanmocks ~ ihe country thewar could
not BE- Of long conference.-the mon
efrecially should ihe Regulars End Vat
uniccfs. cufivalo a good unders'andiar
with each oihef. sHd hrsn heir bears %
tie emotions az gentrous nvslfy Ter
vent paifiotlsn and sal8f0us dctffuina.
lion b. win fh1f Glory Wbfeh rtaf tsrfnrg