The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1842-05-21
POLITICAL.
CONGRESSIONAL.
WEDNESDAY. MAY II, ls4

TO the Senate and House of Representa-
tives:
The season for active hostilitissusin
Florida having nearly terminated, ny al
tenton has necessarily been directed to the
course Of measures to be pursued hsrsafler
in relation TO the few Indians vet remain
ing in that Territory. Their number is
believed not TO exceed two hundred and
forty, Of whom there are supposed to be
about eighty warriors or males capable OF
bearing arms. The further pursuit of
miserable beings BY a large military force,
seems to be as injudicous as il is una
vailing. The history the last years
campaign in Florida has satisfactorily
shown that notwithstanding the vigorous
and inccssant operations of tho troops,
which cannot be exceeded, the Indian made
Of warfare, their dispersed condition, and
the very smallness of their number, which
increases difficulty of finding them in the
abounding and almost inaccessible hiding
places Of the Territory, render any further
attempts to secure them by force impracti
cable, except by the employment orthe
most expensive means. The exhibition or
force, and the constant effort TO capture OF
Destroy tlem.of course places them beyond
the reach ol overtures TO surrender, II is
believed by the distinguished officer incom
mand there, that different system should
now be pursued 10 attain the entire removal
OF all the Indians in Florida, and he re-
commends that bostiities should cease un-
less the renewal of them he rendered neces
sary by new aggression; that communica-
tlons should be opened by means of the
Indians with him, to induce them TO a
peaceful and voluntary surrender, and tina,
the military operations should hereafter be
directed to the protection of the inhabi-
tants.
These views are corroborated BY the
Governor of the Territory. by many Of its
intelligent citizens. and by numerous officers
'ot the army who have served and are still
serving in that region.
Mature reflection has satisfied me thai
sSoo"s"s-.d -.daiiaao are SOUND and Just,
and rejoice that consistently with duty TO
Florida, | may indulge my desire 10 pro-
mote the great interests of humanity and
extend the reign of peaes and good will, by
Terminating the unhappy warfare tina, has
80 long been carried on there, and a. the
same time crafty my anxiety TO reduce The
demands upon the Treasury amp the
'curtailing extraordinary expenses which
have attended the contest. | have therefore
authorized the Colonel in command there,
as soon as he shall deem il expedient, TO
declare that hosliliiies against the Indians
have ceased, and that they will not be re-
newec unless provoked and rendered indis-
pensable by new outrages on their part;
but that neither citizens nor troops are to
be restrained from any necessary and pro-
per acts ofself.defence against any attempts
20 molest them. He is instructed TO open
communications with those yet remaining,
and endsavsr by all peacsabIe means to
persuade them to consult their true inter-
ests by joining their brethren at the West.
And directions have been given for esta-
bllshlng Gordon or line OF protection for
the inhabitants by the necessary unmber Of
troops.
But to render this system of protection
efectual il is essential that settlements Of
cur citizens should be made within the line
so'establlshed; and that they should be
armed, so as 10 be ready to repe any al
tack In order to afford inducements TO
such settlements, ! submit to the considera-
tion Of Congress the propriety of allowing
reasonable quantity of land to the head of
each family that shall permanently occupy
it. and OF existing provisions on that sub
ject so as to permit the issue Of ra,ions for
the subsistence Of the settlers for one year.
And as few of them will probably be pro-
vided with arms, it would be expedient to
authorize the loan Of muskets and delivery
of proper quantity of cartridges, or Of
powder and balls. BY such means it isNto
be hoped that hardy population will soon
occupy the rich soil Of the frontiers of
Florida, who will be as capable as willing
10 defend themselves and their houses, and
thus relieve ths Government from farther
anxiety or expense for their protection.
IouN TYLER.
WAsHINeToN May 10, 1912.
NJ. Preston said that this was about the
fortie,h time that they had been told that
the Florida war had ended, but, unfortunate
ly i, turned out, ir each instance, that there
were no good grounds for the assertion. but
he must be permitted to say that he beliey-
ed hallnolhing in the nature of hoshlilies, ,on
the part of the government, any longer ex-
listed in that Territory. He was Of the
opinion that the period had now arrived
when an armed occupation, similar 10 that
n,onosad hv The Senator from Al iasnur