Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-05-17
IN SENATE,
U.dnesdau. .Mau II, 1912.

Tho
communication from the President oil the U. > VIZ:
tn n, Senate and House of Representatives,:
The season for active hostllties IN Florida having
nearly terminated, my attention has necessarily peeh
dreced TO the Of measures to be pursued mere
nr in relation To the few Indians yet remaining IN
that Territory. Their number IS believed not TO *
coed two hundred and forty, of whom there are supPos
cd TO be about eighty warriors or males capable OF Dea
nu arms The further pursuit OF these miserable beings
bv large military force, seems to be as inludcious as
is unavang. The history oil lie last year
in Florida has satisfactorily shown that, notwithstanding
tho VIGOROUS and operations of troops which
cannot be exceeded the Indian mode OF warfare then
disnersed condition. and the very smalness OF iher
number which increases the difficulty oil hndng them IN
tho ,bundan and almost inaccessible hiding places oil The
Terrtory render any further attempts to secure them
bv force inpraciicabe, except by the employment OF
The most expensive means. The exhibition OF force,
and the constant effort TO capture or destroy them, oil
course places them beyond the reach OF overtures 10
rrender II j, believed by the distinguished officer
in command there that different system should now
be pursued 10 attain the entire removal OF all the In
dams in Florida and he recommends that hosttes
should cease unless the removal OF them be rendered
necessary by new aggressIons-that communications
sboud be opened by means Of the Indians with him,
10 induce them to peaceful and voluntary surrender,
and that the military operations should hereafter be d.
reced to the protection of the inhabitants
These views corroborated by the Governor OF
the Territory, by many of its most intelligent citizens,
and by officers of The orny, who have served
, and are still serving in that region.
Mature reflection has satisfied that these
menda,ions are sound and us and rejoice that,
sstency with duty to Florida, may indulge my desire
to promote the great interests of humanity and extend
the reign of peace and good will, by terminating the
unhappy warfare that has long been carried on there,
and at the time crafty my anxiety to reduce the
demands upon the Treasury by curailIng the extraor
binary expenses which have attended the contest
have therefore authorized the Colonel in command
there MS soon he shall deem it eypedient, TO declare
tina, hosttes against the Indians have ceased, and
that they will not be renewed unless provoked and rem
dered indispensable by new outrages on their part but
that neither citizens nor troops are to be restrained
from any necessary and proper acts of selldefence
against any attempts 10 modest them. lie is instructed
to open with those yet remaining and
endeavor by all peaceabe means 10 persuade them 10
consult their interests by joining their brethren at
the West. And directions have been given for esta
bshng Gordon or line Of protection for the nhabt
ants by the necessary number OF troops
But TO render this system of protection efecnal, It
is essential that settlements Of our citizens should be
mode within the line established, and that they
should be armed 10 be ready 10 repel any attack
In order TO afford inducements To such settlements,
submit the consideration of Congress the proprIey
Of allowing reasonable quantity of land 10 the head
of each family that shall permanently occupy it, and of
ndng the existing provisions on that SUBJECT so as
permit Of ra,ions for the subsistence of the
settlers for year And few Of them will probably
be provided with arms, it would be expedent to autho
rze the loan of muskets and the delivery OF proper
quantity of cartridges, of powder and balls BY such
means, it is to be hoped that hardy population will
occupy the rich soil of the frontiers of Florida who
will be as capable willing TO defend themselves and
their houses, and thus relieve the Government from
farther anxiety orexsense for their protection:
JOHN TYLER.
Washington, May 10, 1912.
!, MIR. PRESTON sad that this about the forti-
eth time that they had been told that the Florida
had ended, but, unfortunately, it turned out, in each
> instance, that there good grounds Tor the
assertion; but he must be permitted TO say that he be-
ieved that nothing in the nature Of hostilles the
pnrt of the Government, any longer existed in that
Territory. lie Of the opinion that The period had
arrived when an armed occupation, similar to that
proposed by the Senator from Missouri (Slr Benton)
several years ago. could be adopted with great economy
the Government and safety the Inhabitants Of Flo
rida; and he would be most happy if Congress would
direct their deliberations to that object With view
of looking into the matter he moved that the commu
nication be referred 10 the Committee on Military AT
fairs, and be printed
Mr.. SEWER had no objection 10 that course. Two
three years ago. hundred thousand dollars aP-
propriated for the purpose Of buying peace with The
Indians; and he would think the Chairman of Military
Affairs 10 state how much had been expended in that
way.
MIR. PRESTON said that it matter of general
nooriety that within the last year, military operations
what of novel and creditable character had been
carried on in Florida; and, notwithstanding there was
in that Territory diminished force, and the public
mind much depressed, degrees ofenergy and vigos
had been manifested the part ofthe troops which had
before been apparent at any other period oil that
LONG protraced war. The question submitted By the Sc
na,or from Arkansas induced him call the attention of
the Senate TO the manner in which the had been
conducted in Florida under the commanding officer,
who deserved the highest praise which could be besow
ed BY his fellow citizens and inscription oil his name
on the records of the country With regard the fund
alluded to- he inclined to think that for either gene
raj specific purposes but small portion OF had
been applied The result had not been effected by the
agency OF this MEANS and by the gaantry and mill.
tary skill Of the commander, and The industry Of those
under his command; and he ventured to say that the
annals Of our country or those OF any other, never
exhibited such ndefatgability as was eIerted in that
Territory within the last three months The Indians
were holly pursued and pressed their crops destroyed
in fact repose was but little known and it was that
system which had resulted favoraby. He would
not say that the ended but, in his judgment,
the state Of hoslilies had terminated far that they
might make provision for carrying on The warfare BY
means Of an armed agricultural population.
MIR. SEWER remarked, that he desired 10 know The
amount of money expended for the purpose of buying
peace with the Indians He did not rise with the nten-
lion Of commenting on the Florida war, the con.
duct of the commanding officer but, in his opinion,
ten friendly Seminole Indians, from the West of Ar.
KANSAS had contributed than any other person
persons 10 bring this war to a close.
Mr.. PRESTON. Ten Indians
Slr. SEWER. Yes, precisely. They brought in
nearly the whole Of the Serninues He trusted that
the sedeniary militia, which had been recommended,
would now be employed, bounty lands given 10 armed
settlers, and the plan of the Senator from Missouri
adopted Ii the commanding officer 10 receive
any signal awards Of honor, the ten Seminole Indians
should also be brought into notice.
u Mr. PRESTON We will do them the honor of
sen ding them 10 Arkansas.
The communication then referred 10 the Com
mee on Military Affairs, and ordered 10 be printed.
/ INQUIRY IN RELATION TO THE MADISONIAN
NEWSPAPER.
Mr.. MERRICK submitted the following amendment
10 the resolution, viz
Strike out all after the word resolved, and insert,
4 All letters of recommendation, and other papers
touching or concerning any nomination for office which
NAV be sent or communicated by the President of the
o. S. or any chief Executive officer TO the Senate or
any one of its committees, shall be held to be conden
tal under the ,hrtieth rue but all such papers, a!