The Illinois free trader. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1840-1841, 1841-01-01

tennessee, and Georgia; and Gen. Scott
was semitic take the command, with ample
powers and ample means. At the first
alarm, Gen. Gaines organized force at
New Orleans, and, without waiting for
orders, landed in Florida, where he del.y-
cred over the troops he had brought with
him to Gen. Scoot.
Governor Call was subsequently APP
pointed to conduct Il summer campaign,
and, at the close Of it, was replaced by
Gen. Jesup. These events and changes
took place under the administration of my
predecessor Notwithstanding the eXer
tons Of the experienced officers who had
command there for eighteen months, on
entering upon the administration of the
government | found the territory Of Flori-
da prey to Indian atrocities. A strenu-
Gus effort was Immediately made 10 bring
these hostlliies to a close; and the army,
under Gen. Jesup, was reinforced until il
amounted to 10000 men, and furnished
with abundant supplies of every descrip-
ton. In this campaign a great number
of the enemy were captured and destroy
ed but the character of the contest only
was changed. The Indians, having been
defeated in every engagement, dispersed
in small bands throughout the country,
and became an enterprsing, formidable,
and ruthless bandltti. General Taylor,
who succeeded Gen. Jesup, used his best
exertions to subduc them, and was sec
ondcd in his efforts by the officers under
his command but he, too, failed 10 pro-
tect the territory from their depredations.
By an act of signal and cruel trcachery,
they broke the truce made with them by
Gen Macomb, who was sent from Wash
ington for the purpose of carrying into
effect the expressed wishes of Congress,
and have continued their deyastations ever
since. Gen. Armstead, who was in Flo
rida when Gen. Taylor 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 in Flo
Iida, at the same period, of delegation
from the Scminoles who are happily set
tied 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 in
duced to leave the territory without furth-
or difficulty. These hopes have proved
lalIacious, and hostilitlcs have been renew
ed throughout the whole of the territory.
That this contest has endured so long, is
to be attributed to causes beyond the con-
troll of the government. Experienced
generals have had the command of the
troops officers and soldiers have alike
distinguished themselves for their activity,
patience, and enduring courage; the army
has been constantly furnished with sup
plies Of every description; 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 hostIities,
the almost insurmountablc obstacles pre-
scented by the nature of the country, the
climate, and the willy character of the
sayages.
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 appropra-
ton not proving sufficient, conditional
arrangements only have been made fer
their acquisition. 1t is for Congress to
decide whether those conditional purchas-
es shall be sanctioned, and the humane in
Ientons of the law carried into full effect.
The Navy, as will appear from the ac-
companying Report of the Secretary, has
been usefully and honorbly employed in
the protection of our commerce and citi-
zens i'll the Mediterranean, the Pacific, on
the coast of Brazil and in the Gulf of
Mexico. A small squadron, consisting of
the frigate Constellation and the sloop of
war Boston, under Commodore Kearncv.
is now on It's way TO China and Indian
seas, for the purpose of attending to our
interest i'll that quarter and commander
Aulick,in the sloop of war Yorktown, has
been instructed to visit the Sandwich and
Society Islands, the coasts of New Zeal
and and Japan, together with other ports
and islands frequented by our whale ships,
for the purposeof giving them countenance
and protection, should they de required.
Other smaller vessels have been, and still
are, employed in prosecuting the surveys
Of the coast of the United States, directed
by yaious acts of Congress and those
which have been completed will shortly be
laid before you.
The exploring expedition, at the latest