The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-12-15

ment The only remedy Tor these esiis WIZ ne iouhl
in the prohibition OF credits by the suffers anu moe
frequent payments TO the troops.
The officers Of the medical staff have maintained
the high reputation acquired by their zesious aehon
their duties in garrison and IN the held ne very
strict ex aminaton TO which the canuioates Tor ihs
branch Of the service ara subjected before admission
nsures high professional aainments IN those o. the
lowest rank and that which the officers themselves
undergo before promotion leads them 70 severe epp.
cation for must appear that they have not only
tanned the knowledge acquired al college, but also kept
pace with the progress of medical science, they
not be promoted retained IN the service. II Is not
surprising therefore that this branch Of the stan con
tinues to be distinguished for professional aanncns
and cheerful devotion TO their duties.
The report OF the board OF medical officers appoint
ed by your directions 10 ascertain The relative ad,nu
tages Of Pittsburgh and Wheeling for the indication Of
a marine hospital on the Upper Ohio, IN favor Of the
former, having been approved by you the selections
under the law for purchasing sites for marine hospitals
| on the western waters complete. The amour,
appropriated for that purpose not proving sufficient the
officers inirusted with the performance Of that duty
made conditional arrangements subject 10 the iafca
ton OF Congress. respectfully recommend that such
appropriation be asked for will enable this De-
parment TO carry into effect the benevolent intentions
of the law.
Having in several instances found deficient the IL
ties 10 land which forts and other public worAs are
erected, measures adopted TO perfect them, audi
am happy TO report that found all occasions, the
State authorities willing 10 convey TO the nted States
the land whereon such works situated The DE.
partment has not yet succeeded IN settling tho ques'
ton Of the right of property IN the Peapatch island
notwithstanding its Utmost efforts to do SO Tbs Is
be regretted its possession Is essentially neecss
nv to the defence Of the Delaware. The works TO be
erected there cannot from the nature OF the soil, bq
thrown up in haste, but will require much time 10
complete them leaving, in the event OF war the APP
proaches TO Philadelphia almost entirely exposed
A new edition of the Army Regulations has been
drawn up, and is about to be published, with such
amendments and additions as the experience OF the
last four years has dictated
II is subject of great regret to me to I've compelled
to state that every effort terminate the contcs'
Florida has, far, proved unsuccessful On Gen.
Tayors retiring from the command OF The army there
(Which he did, by permission In May last 1t deSoyed
upon Brigadier General Armistead who, notw,th-
standing the advanced season. commenced active 0pe-
rations against the Indians, and IN many instances
succeeded breaking up their encampments, destroy
ing their fields and crops and making some few phi
In order TO render the regular forces available
for offensive operations brigade Of Florida militia
was raised for the defence OF Middle Florida, and
placed under the command Of Brigadicr General Leigh
Read of the Territorial militia, with instructions to
defend the portion of the Territory situated north OF
line fposts occupied by the regular troops extending
from the Atlantic, south of St Augustine, including
| two stations east of the St Johns river, Pilaikai
Wheelock, Micanopy, Wakahootee, Wacasassar,
post between the last and Fort Tanning, and Cedar
/ KEYS.
The troops that in the service of the Territory
in virtue OF law of the Legislature Of Florida wero
i
of General Reads brigade, which has been increased
TO twelve hundred mounted and five hundred toomen,
and may be raised TO fifteen hundred mounted and five
hundred foot force which is considered ample for
the protection of that portion of the Territory assigned
1 to General Reads command. Some depredatIons hav-
ing been committed in the neighborhood OF the Okeie
mckee swamp four companies OF Georgia militia have
been mustered into the service OF the United States
charged with the defence of the Georgia frontier
Certain of the hostile chiefs having signdcd 10 Gen
Armstead their desire to treat they were invited to
meet him at Fort King the 1th ult and, from the
circumstance (deemed Fortunately of the presence there
| of delegation from the Western SemInoles, hopes
were entertained of terminating this protraced strug
gle by the peaceful removal of the remaining Indians
Afler some days spent in negotiating, and after giving
reiterated of their desire to emgrate aud
rcoin their brothers west of the Mississippi the In
dams suddenly disappeared, without any assignable
cause for this abrupt rupture of the negotiations
| Hosities have, in consequence, been renewed, and
will be prosecuted vigorously.
The regular troops in Florida amount to about
500 men, and the militia in service to about 1000
recommend that authority be given the Executive TO
engage the services of this description of troops for
twevemonth or during the continuance Of hostilitcs
| in Florida. The term of three months is much too
short to ensure efficiency; and frequent enstmens
fruitful source Of characterization, as well as OF
| great additional expense.
The number of Indians emigrated from the interior
to the West, since the year 1886, amounts to very
nearly al 600 Of which about 5000 were removed
during the past session; and am happy to add that
the condition Of those who are settled IN Their new
homes continues be represented TO prosperous
| and happy. The differences which unfortunately
| sprung up between the Western Cherokees and the
late emgrants of that tribe upon their first arrival on
the Arkansas have been happily adjusted and have
accordingly directed that their annuities and other
moneys due TO them should be paid, and placed them
upon the footing other emigrant tribes. From
the character of this nation and the advance made by
many of their number in civilization and In the arts
of life, it is hoped, that they are removed from
the evil influences which heretofore besct them their
progress in moral culture and physical comfort will be
rapid and lasting. Convinced that if any great and
general reform is to be effected among the In
dians, it must he by of education every exer-
ton has been made TO promote il not by DISCOUNTED
efforts but by adopting system intended to embrcce
the establishment OF primary schools over The whole
Indian territory and of institutions OF higher order
at suitable points, designated with view TO the con-
vcnience of the Indians and of easy access. Fort
Coffee, on the Arkansas river, which has been aban-
doned military post has been selected for of
these establishments. This situation possesses very
decided advantages; and the system by which I'D -
proposed TO improve them has my full approbaton,-
For the details Of the PLAN refer to the accompany
ing report OF the Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
and particularly to his instructions for carryinr into
effect addressed to the Superintendent Of the Western
Territory.
While on this subject, it affords me great grsica-
ton TO be able to speak in terms of mered praise of
the Methodist manual labor school in the Shawnee
country. The labors of that sect, so distinguished
for their Christian zeal in the of Indian civza
ton, likely TO be crowned with success and there
is to hope that the high expectations raised by
this extensive establishment will be fully realized I'M
der its present pous and competent instructors The
Department would be happy TO promote similar cs,ah
lshments the part of other religious sects equally
jealous, doubt, in spreading the light of the Gospel
among the Indians and equally disposed TO advance
their moral culture. Ii is convinced that, to produce
durable beneficial effects by educatien il must be
made practically useful and that those domestic arts
ghn atRY4n -