Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1841-01-02

Of 1897, more than forty thousand Indians
have been removed TO their new homes
west Of the Mississippi, and am happy
to add, that all accounts concur 10 repre-.
senting the result of this measure as emf.
! nentiy beneficial 10 that people.
The emigration Of the Semlnoles alone
has been attended with serious difficulty,
and occasion bloodshed hosliliiies having
been commenced by the Indians IN FIorl-
dn, under the apprehension that they would
be compelled, by force, to comply with
their treaty slipulations. The execution
of The treaty Of Payne's Landing, signed
in 1882, but not ratified until 1884, was
postponed, at the solicitation Of the lndl-
ans, until 1886, when they again renewed
their agreement to remove peacefully to
their ne homes in the West. In the
face Of this solemn renewed compact, they
broke their fail, and commenced hostllliies
by the massacre Of Major DAde's COM
mand, the murder Of their agent, General
Thompson, ard other acts Of cruel treach'
cry.
When this alarming and unexpected in
lelligence reached the seat OF Govern
Inent, every effort appears to have been
mpda. to reinforce General Clinch, who
aded the troops then in Florida
4ustis was dispatched with rein
t,osvemeuts from Charleston, troops were
called on; from Alabama, Tennessee, and
Georgia; and Gen. Scott was sent 10 take
the command, with ample powers and am
pie means. A; the frs, alarm, General
Gaines organized force at New Orleans
and without waiting for orders, landed in
Florida, whero he delivered over the
troops he had brought with him TO Gen.
| Scott.
Governor Call was subsequently APP
pointed 10 conduct a summer campaign,
and at the close Of il, was replaced by
Gen. jcsup. These events and changes
took place under the administration Of
my predecessor. Notwithstanding the ex-
ertions Of the experienced officers who had
command there for eighteen monlb9, on
entering upon the administration Of that
Government, | found tie Territory Of
Florida prey to Indian atrocities. A
strenuous effort was Immediately made to
bring these hostilities to close; and the
,rmy under Gen. Jesup was reinforced
until it amounted to ten THOUSAND men, ard
furnished with abundant supplies Of every
description. In this campaign, great
number of the enemy were captured and
destroyed; but the character Of the con.
test only was changed. The Indians hav.
inI been defeated in every engagement,
dispersed in small bands throughout the
country, and became an enterprlsing, for
mdable and ruthless bandilti. Gen. Tay.
Tor, who succeeded Gen. Jesup, used his
best exertions to subdue them, land was
seconded in his efforts by the officers IN
Ter his command; but he, too, failed to
protect the Territory from their ,peproda
tons. BY an act Of signal aid cruel
tfeachery, they broke the truce phde with
ham / $ Cla.- aslh, ,s IL, ~ aasant from
Washington for the pupose OF carrying
into effect the expressed wisheAof Con.
gress, and have continued their devasta.
lions ever since. Gen. Armisead, who
was in Florida wien Gen. Tayloc left the
army, by permission, assumed TIC com
mand, and after active summer operations,
was met by propositions for peace and,
from the fortunate coincidence Of the arri.
val in Florida, at The snme PERIOD, of
delegation from the Scminoes who are
happily settled west of the Mississippi and
are now anxious to persuade thercountry.
men to join them there, hopes we're for
some time entertained, that the Indians
might be induced to leave the Territory
without further difficulty. These hopes
have proved ialacious, aud hosllities have
been renewed throughout the whole Terri.
tory. That this contest has endured so
long, has to bo attributed to causes beyond
the control Of the Government. Expert
enced Generals have had command of the
troops, officers, and soldiers have alike
distinguished themselves for their activity,
patience and enduring courage; the army
mas been constantly furnished with sup
plies Of every description; and we must
look for the causes which have so long
procrastnated the issue of the contest, in
the vast extent Of the theatre of hostililies,
the almost insurmountabe obstacles pre-
scented by the nature Of the country, the
climate, and the willy character Of the
Isavages.
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 appropriations
not being sufficient, conditional arrange
Iments only have been made for their &C.
QUESTION. 1t is for Congress to decide
whether those conditional purchases shall
be sanctioned, and the humane intentions
! nc thn Ii .u cnrried inin ell nH,.ct