Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-01-02

rom the shoulders oil the present, TO those of
resi- victims, the bitter fruits of that spirit OF
speculative enterprise TO which our countrymen
ire so liable, and upon which the lessons Of ex.
'erience are so unavailing. The choice is an
important one and | sincerely hope that it may be
wisely made.
A report from the Secretary Of War, present.
ing detailed view Of the affairs Of that depart
ment, accompanies this communication.
The desultory duties connected with the reno.
val oil the Indians, in which the army has been
constantly engaged on the northern and western
frontiers, and in Florida, have rendered it i'm.
practicable to carry into full effect the plan re.
commended by the Secretary for improving its
discipline. In every instance where the reg-
ments have been concentrated they have made
great progress and the best results may be an
ticpatcd hom a continuance Of this system
During the last season, part Of the troops have
ieen employed in removing Indians from the
interior TO the territory assigned them ia the
west-a duty which they have performed eff.
ciently, and with praiseworthy humanity; and
that portion Of them which has been stationed
in Florida continued active operations there
throughout the heats Of summer.
The policy Of the United States in regard to
the Indians, OF which a succinct account is given
in my message of 1888, and of the wisdom and
expedency Of which am fully satisfied, has been
continued in active operation throughout the
whole period Of my administration. Since the
spring Of 1887, more than forty thousand In
dians have been removed to their new homes
west Of the Mississippi; and am happy to add,
that all accounts concur in representing the re-
suit Of this measure as eminenuy beneficial to
that people.
The emigration of the Seminoles alone has
been attended with serious difficulty, and occa
stoned bIoodshed; hoslities having been COM
menced by the Indians in Florida, under the
apprehension that they would be compelled, by
force, TO comply with their treaty stipulations
The execution Of the treaty Of Payne's Landing,
signed in 1882, but not ratified until 1884, was
postponed, at the solicitation Of the Indians
until 1886, when they again renewed their agree
ment to remove peaceahly to their new homes
in the west. In the face Of this solemn and re.
newed compact they broke their faith, and com.
menced hostiities 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 unexpected
intelligence reached the seat Of Government, every
effort appears to have been made to reinforce
! General CIinch who commanded the troops then
| in Florida, General Eustis was despatched with
rein(orcements from Charleston troops were
called out from Alabama, Tennessee and Geor.
! gia; and General Scott was sent to take the COM
mand, with ample powers and ample MEANS. At
the first alarm, General Gaines organized a force
at New Orleans, and, without waiting for orders,
landed in Florida where he delivered over the
troops he had brought with him to Gen. Scott.
Governor Call was subsequently appointed to
Ico n ! =
it, was replaced by General Jesup. These
| istraton Of my predecessor. Notwithstanding
the exertions Of the experienced officers who
had commanded there for eighteen months on
entering upon the administration of the Govern.
ment found the Territory OF Florida prey to
Indian atrocities. A strenuous effort was imme
daely made to bring these hostlities to close
and the army, under General Jesup, was rein
forced until it amounted to ten thousand men.
and furnished with abundant supplies OF every
description. In this campaign a great number
OF the enemy were captured and destroyed; but
the character Of the contest was only changed,
The Indians, having been defeated IN every en-
g0gement dispersed in small bands throughout
the country, and became an enterprisng formd
able, and ruthless handful General TAYLOR
who succeeded General Jesup, used his best ex.
erons to subdue them, and was seconded in his
efforts by the officers under his command, but
he, too, failed to protect the Territory from their
dcpredations. By an act Of sis1al and cruel
treachery, they broke the truce made with them
by General Macomb, who was sent from Wash
ngon for the purpose of carrying into effect the
expressed wishes Of Congress- and have contin.
ued their devastation5 ever since. General Ar
mlstead, who was in Florida when General Tay
Tor left the army, by permission, assumed the
command, and, after active summer operations
was met by propositions for peace; and, from
the fortunate coincidence Of the arrival ia Flor
ida, at the same period, Of delegation from the
Seminoles who are happily settled west Of the
Mississippi, and are now anxious to persuade
their countrymen to Join them there, hopes were
for some time entertained that the Indians might
be induced to leave the Territory without further
difficulty. These hopes have proved falacious
and hostilltes have been renewed throughout the
whole Of the Territory. That this contest has
endured SO long, is to be attributed 10 causes
beyond the control Of the Government. Expe.
rlenced Generals have had the command Of the
troops; officers and soldiers have alike distn
gushed themselves for their activity, patience
and enduring couragc the amy has been con.
stantly furnished with supplies Of every dcscrp
ton; and we must look for the causes which have
so long procrastinated the issue of the contest,
in the vast extent Of The theatre Of hostilites
the almost msurmountabe obstacles presented by
the nature OF the country the climate, and the
willy character Of the savages
The sites for marine hospitals on the rivers and
lakes, which was authorized to select and cause
to be purchased, have all been designated; but,
the appropriation not proving sufficient, cond