The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-04-04

case must the dogs be let loose when tracking
ne Indians" But, sir, the dog is gone, leash
ca and muzzled. Now, sir, this is no carica-
'ure. am told by one well acquainted with
me ierocious character Of these bloodhounds,
tnat u once they smell blood, or become OK
c1ed IN the chase, dozen men can scarcely
nod them. But, sir, suppose that no acci-
oent OF the kind occurs--suppose that the
dogs behave very decentIy, and obey orders
as strictly as any Of their two-legged brethren,
ana mat after pursuing trail they come close
upon hammock where the Indians are con-
ceaied. The Indian behind tree or secreted
70 Tue grass, is taking deliberate aim upon the
parry as they approach The whites perceive
mem not. AT the first fire, and before
you are aware Of their proximity, down come
al your Spanish allies, some killed, the ba-
lance wounded the men shouting TO the on
s'aught, the dogs howling-and away 60 the
indians, or it may be that they will stand their
ground and drive your men back to ST: Angus
une again. And then. sir. we will, suppose,
cease operations in Florida until an ambassa-
DOR, who is good Judge Of dogs, can be APP
pointed to visit Cuba and buy fresh cargo.
In the meantime we will, presume, try the
old method of Cologne water ard Windsor
soap. Now, sir, is not this history Of this
dog experiment!
tell you, sir, that these dogs will only
serve to let the Indians know where you are,
and to let you know where the Indians ,cere
will say nothing. sir, OF thousand other de-
ficiencies in this mode of warfare. Mr.. Ma.
gems, who, understand, is very estimable
gentleman, in his letter further says: That
tho fI<xrys rv..,
the Indians of the approach Of their pursuers. !"
so, MIR. Speaker, these dogs will occasionally
give howl when on the track, and then
suppose we all know what becomes Of the
Indians. And would further suggest, Mr..
Speaker, that il these Spanish trainers should
not be disposed to come to very close quar-
tiers, they have but to give the dogs hint
and howl sufficient 10 startle all the Semi
noles in Florida will be the consequence. But,
Mr.. Speaker, if your army should be SO for
tunate as to defeat a handful Of these naked
Indians, and one warrior and two squaws
should fall in foray, 0 what flourish Of
administration trumpets we shall hear pro-
claiming the success Of this experiment
Sir, said Mr.. p, if the House is not too
much fatigued, will give another Of the Se-
cretary's reasons for the use Of dogs. (Cries
Of $50 on" Ego on.") will quote his own
language: Il have always been Of opinion
that dogs ought to be employed in this warfare
to protect the army from surprises and am
buscades." Now, Mr.. Speaker, these dogs,
if ! understood the Secretary, were to be used
to catch the Indians but, according to this
order, they are to be used to keep the Indians
from catching US. thought the difficulty was
to find the Indians but by this | understand
that they are to prevent the Indians from find
ing us, or at least from finding us asleep;
for the Secretary speaks, in another part OF
the letter, Of "dogs being used TO guard the
encampment," and to ''prevent surprises"-
Now. an enemy anxious to avoid battle does
not often take you by surprise. Sir, am not
we'll versed in this Florida war business but
most sincerely hope, for the peace of the
people Of Florida, and for the safety OF the
army, that the troops do not all 60 to sleep at
night, and trust to the dogs to guard them,
which is certainly to be inferred from the
words used, to "guard the encampment"-
But, MIR. Speaker will criticise this matter
no further at present : but, did choose to do
so, could say much, sir, about the extrava-
giant and useless expenditures made in the
prosecution of this war. could show that
between twenty and thirty millions have been
squandered, fooIishly squandered; and that,
in all probability, as much more will be ex-
pended if this administration remains in pow
er. But, sir, will at this time prosecute the
inquiry no further: but will merely enter my
protest against the &C ton of the Government
when expending the money due the Cumber-
land road in the Cuba dog market.
WILL in conclusion, add, that the day was,
sir, when our Indian wars were conducted
without the use of dogs, or without applying
to degenerate colony Of degenerate ma
ton to send us auxiliaries. When the gallant
Wayne and his illustrious scholar, Harrison,
led on the armies of our country; when such
men as Davis. and Owen, and Spencer, and
Warrick and Johnson and their brave asso-
ciates in arms, served in the ranks Of Indian
war, then, sir, we heard nothing Of dogs, and
dog trainers, and dog-leaders. The laurels
won on the Miami, at Fort Meigs, at the
Thames, at Tippecanoe, were unsullied by
the use of such vile means. And, sir, agree
with my colleague, that if | were an officer
of the American Army, rather than suffer my
efforts to be paralyzed, and my profession dis
graced by the imbecile conduct of this Ad-
mnistration, /, sir, would retire from the SER
vice.
Sir, (said Mr.. Proflit,) entered upon this
discussion reluctantly. 1t is painful 10 me to
dwell upon the stain which is attached to our
national character from the conduct Of our
present rulers; and appeal to my Admins
tra,ion colleagues to leave the man they have
supported for President, man who, as have
shown, sir, has opposed, and still is opposing.
the interests not only Of Indiana, but Of the
whole West and invite them, sir, to join
me in support Of him who has always been
our friend and benefactor, who, upon every
i G.