Liberty advocate. [volume] (Liberty, Miss.) 1835-1866, 1840-04-16
of the Governor of Florida.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.
Tallahassee, Feb. 90, 1910.

Having been informed that the Legisatiy
Council will probably adjourn in a few day
your attention is respectfully invited to Ii
measure proper TO be adopted for the furthe
prosecution orthe Savage War in which we ar
involved.
Since you have, been in Session, a numbe
otour people, among them, a woman and he
children, have been literally butchered by tn
Indians, many OF whom occupy the swamp
and businesses of Western Florida, from th
hpalachlcola and even beyond it, TO the Suwan
nee; Whle IN East Florida, the recent murder
OF the mail carriers, within few miles of St
augustine, prove how unavailing has been eve
ny effort to restrain the enemy in that ouarter
Indeed, It would seem, that these Wild beasts
torso they deserve TO be regarded-the;r crn.
elites and thirstfor blood, place them bevond
the pale of humanity wild beoste are ho.
coming more and more audacious; their deeds
OF horror are rather accommodating than dimin-
ishing; they venture TO assail houses, and an.
pear IN our public roads in the open day. thew
press beyond military posts,to perpetraie their
numerous purposes, and start up like evil
SsPirlts' when least expected, to DESTROY the
oraVe' Inc vlrtuous and the innocent. The
number OF Seminole Indians in the country can
only DC conJectured, but it is believed to be
greater than is generally supposed. There
are probably many Creeks and Cherokees and
even some OF the Semnoes departed TO the
West, 1t is said, have returned; but be the MN.
Der great or small, every thcket and deem for.
est is liable to be occupied by them; they eude
pursuu-to drive them Morough7y from one
part oil the country to another, is impracticable.
and 1t is ascertained that during the past wear,
they have planted and made crops within a few
miles OF military stations. Our situation is
verglng upon desperation -men sleep with
arms under their pillows-a sense OF insecuri.
~ accompanies the traveller in his Iournev on
the hIghway-every neighborhood has its tale
OF blood; and those whoare in authority look
around with pain and distress, besides thew are
powerless to afford an adequate remedy for
me evils thronglng upon them in every direc-
ton.
ms IS no exaggerated picture of onr pres
ent condition. Romance iags far behind the
sad realities we daily witness, and il becomes
our duty to consider waat shall be done for MeI
relief Of The country
10 such measures as shall be adopted bv the
Federal Government for 0the modification orI
FLORIDA, am sure we shall lend hearty con.
curfence and support. But being upon the
ssPo'--wlth the disastrous circumstances near
10 Vlew-any plan of operations recommended
10y the authorities Of Florida, will doubt /
iesS meet an attentive consideration at Wash |
Don.
am persuaded that if it,were in the power
FL the Government 10 fill the country with an
overwhelming force-and 10 hunt and pursue
he Indians in every direclon--vexed, tired j
lnd harrassed, they would soon yield 10 such
FERNS as mightbe imposed upon them: but as
4 is not probable that, under existing circum- S
Stances, large army will be thrown into the ID
4errHory, some other course more practicable /
~ lis character, must be devised. | am nci- h
ned to think then, that four brigades, acting lv
with energy, and under that discipline which hi
befits the peculiar service 10 which they would o
Pc called, might be competent to the attain y
nent of the object we all have SO anxiousy atle
heart i
Two Of these brlgades should be of volun-I Ii
gers, and two OF regulars, all enlisted during z
The war, with the pay Of cavalry or dragons, e
md bounty of lanG--32O acres TO each pri.
1ale, ana TO the officers in proportion--to be Ict
'cstowed upon the final establishment ofIh
oeace. The regiments composing the brigades, g
mould each consist Of ten or twelve companies. Iw
n nifty men each, formed according to the or. W
'Anlzatlon ofthe regular army the United b,
hates. Ia
The volunteers could not be better comnan- al
"a than by the brigadiers Of the territory, who'll
'nVe received their commissions from the Pres
aent, and who have both distinguished them te
elves during the present disastrous conflict OF
! mere were no other events in which they c
ave been prominent, the gallant and success 81
VI enterprise OF the Block House on the With
ssSooche, and the capture of King Philip and "
" Euchee Chief will secure to these Flord- lit
" bright page in the history fthis devoted OF
.Pd. These officers would, olcourse, be underIth
Y command of the General commanding the
'Plted States brigade. One third, perhaps one al
.Prlh' OF the whole number Of men should be er
paVairy, and the rest inlantry-lor the lat 81
are peter calculated for Indian fighting as
Re Indians act on fool, and on foot they should
lo e,5 Their apparel is light, and SO Sc
Rsu.o Dc that Of their .pursuers; they are q,
w 10 encounter fatigue, hardship, and HIM. b,
rk anu nose who oppose them should be SC
Lions 'Ou'''eS anu PR VI
IN tnese troops-always in action an ; ~
EGrch Of the foe, pressing him sorely where. m
~ ne may be found, and follow him through W