Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1845-09-03
From the st. augustine Ne,0s, 9Th inst
INDIAN LOSSES.

|
the Stale of Florida, after due deIibera
lion as to the proper mode of securing L
such Of our citizens, who are sufferers BY
the Indian war, passed preamble ant
resolutions, which we publish herewith
for the information of all concerned, will
the hope thai something will speedily b.
done 10 relieve the disresses of that clas
] Of our citizens.
/ To tie Honorable the Senate and House O.
, Representatives of the United States IL
Congress assembled:
The Senate and House Of Representa-
tives. of the State of Florida. convened
al their first session. under The new organ
izatioD of The Territory as an indepen-
dent member Of the Union, regard il as
one of the earliest and most important ol
The duties devnIved on Them, 10 call the
attention of Congress 10 the losses sustain.
ed by the inhabitants of the country, du-
ring the late cruel and desolating Semi
mole war. and to their just claims for in
Identification from the Government for
these losses, which accrued through the
neglect of The federal authority, (seasona-
bly, warned, though it was of approaching
evils. and earnestly pelitioned on The sub.
ject,) 10 afford them al the commence
men, of the Indian hostiities, that ade
quate protection, which as dependents on
its guardianship and care, they had been
led TO look for. and had the righr 10 expect
The Legislature of Florida. therefore,
having adopted and unanimously passed
the following Preamble and Resolutions,
in relation 10 this subject, herewith sub
NIT them to your honorable body, and
respectfully and earnestly request your at
tention 10, and favorable consideration Of
the same.
Whereas, The Government Of the D..
States, having, in pursuance 10 q general
policy, long since adopted, Of concentra-
ling the Indians under its control; and
mol with any view to the interest, or at
the instance Of the people Of Florida, un.
derIaken the removal of he Seminole and
other tribes of Indians, associated with
them from the Territory. first by treaty
and then by military force. so ,Oholty, in
COMPETENT. as TO involve both itself and the
lnhabilonts of the county in prolracIcd
hostilties with these Indians, which re.
suited in the: loss of,,numerous lives aud
The destruction 81 the homes and proper
ty Of the unfortunate people, in favor Of
whose rights, an appeal is here made; an
appeal which, where the will is united 10
the power OF doing justice, as we believe
it will be on the present occasion, cannot
be preferred 10 vain.
Be IL therefore RsSokred. That the Cen
eral Government. as the guardian and
protector Of the Territories, aud as the
cause. however unwIIingly, Of the losses
sustained by The inhabitants Of Florida,
during the lale Indian war, i, bound by
evsry consideration of justice and right,
to lake the necessary measures 10 ascer-
tain the amnun, Of these losses, aud TO
make provision for their reimbursement!
aud liquidation, al as early period as
this can be conveniently done.
RESOLVED, That the readiest mode Of
effecting this just and equitable object,
would be the passage of law by Con.
gress for the appointment Of a board Of
commissioners to set in Florida; to take
testimony in relation TO The losses incurred;
10 ascertain the nature and extent of tie
same. and report upon the subject iI sach
manner and at such time as Congress
may direct.
Resolred, That in tbe opinion of this
Legislature, The amount Of the losses will
probably fall far stor, of the estimates
hitherto made Oh the subject, and would
be covered oy sum quite in the power
ot TIE Government TO pay without incon-
ve1Ilence to the national treasury.
! Resolvet, That there is reasun TO be-
lieve that death and other causes have al.
ready removed beyond the hope Of re.
covery, much Of the proof which at an
early period existed in ample abundance
TO establish The nature and amount Of in.
dividual losses in the laIe war, and tina,
The only method bv which The losses can
be secured against further deprivation
of 1.-The chance of authenlicaiing ;heir
claims, is to be looked for in the perpetual
lion Of such testimony in support Of them
as is sill spared and within the reach oi
the claimants; and to "fiecr this desirable
aud all important end, as avslt as to pro
tect the Gourlnment against spurious and
fraudulent demands. the speedy appninl.
meni of Board of Commissioners, such
as if herein suggested. is indispensably
and especially necessary.
Resoiued, Thai our Senators and Rep
resenlatives in Congress be, and hereby
are requested and enjolned 10 lay this rep
resenIatIon before the bodies to whichlhey
respectively belong. aud to urge The sub.
jecl upon their efficient and lavoring no.
lice. with their utmost ability, and all the
zeal its importance demands.
IL al