Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1848-07-13
Core poadeHce ofths Neu York Tribune.
ANECDOfE OF GENERAL TAYLOR.

" asblNGloN, OunCdN, July q.
While Gen. Chen COLI Taylor was serv-
ing III Florida he captured many negroes in
his conflicts with the Indians Many OF these
negroes were claimed by persons in Georgia
and Ala bdma, from whose service or from The
service OF whose ia hers ii was contended they
bad escaped. Agents on behalf OF TIE claim
ants were despatched to Col. Taylor, seeking
to recover them. Proof OF identity OF the per-
sons claimed as slaves was profIered, and the
night OF property insisted upon. Col. Taylor
refused to allow the claim, or even to Yam
ine it. He had come to Florida to serve in
the army sgaiust the Indians, not 10 act as
egro.cdtcher. Ills commission he SAID gave
HIM no judicial powers, aud he could not as
sumo to determine matters beyond his pro-
vince.
The disappointed and enraged applicants,
alter having tried in vain other means to op
crate upon Col. Taylor iavougabiy, carried
their complaints TO the Secretary oil War He
entertained their view of the case. In conse-
quence, an order issued from the Department
was addressed to Maj Gen. Jtsup, then com
mnnding III Florida, directing the surrender
OF the captured negroes to The agent OF the
claimants. a similar order was issued To
Col. Taylor. The following is his reply, as
copied from the record in the War Depart
ment:-
III HEADQUARTERS, Army OF the South, !
Tampa, (Fiorida,) June 2, 1888.
G6neFdE-l have the honor TO acknowl-
edge your communication OF The 10th OF MAY,
1888, accompanied by one OF the OH, from
the Commissioner OF lndian Affairs addressed
TO Capt. Cooper, getting Secretary of War, on
The subject OF turnlug over certain negroes
captured by the Creek warriors in Flori-
da, to Mr.. Collins their Agent, in conpl-
ance with AN engagement OF General Jessup.
know nothing OF the negroes in question,
nor OF the subject, farther than what is con-
tanned IN the communication above referred
10: but ! must state distinctly, ttor the intor-
nation OF all concerned that while shall hold
myself ever ready to do the utmost in my
power TO get the Indians and their negroes out
oi Florida ,.as we'll as to remove them 10 their
new homes west OF The Mississippi, cannot
Tor aoment consent to med6e in this trans
action, OF TO be concerned, tor the benefit of
Mr.. Collins, the Creek Indians or any one
else; or TO interfere III any way between the
Indians aud their negroes. which may have a
tendency 10 deprive the former OF their pro-
| perry. and reduce the latter from Il compare.
tire state Of freedom to that Of slauerp; al the
same Time | shall take every means 10 obtain
among the Indians who has absconded or been
ca ptured by them.
Very respectfully, have the honor to be,
General, your obedient servant,
4. TAYLOR,
Brevet Brig u. s Army, Commanding.
Gen, X. Jones, Adjt. Gen. U. S. Army,
Washington, ID. g."
Here General Taylor showed himself as
firm in resisting hat he considered an illegal
and dlsgraceul order OF the Department, as
he had been previously 10 The opportunities
or threats OF Inc slave-hunters. His commits
sion was in the power OF the President
10 revoke al any time; his honor was
above the reach OF the President; it was dear
er TO him than all commissions"
Steamboat BHtnt. The Canadian steamer
Speed, which runs between Bylown and
Granville, was DIES royed by fire on Friday
last; the passengers bad SCARCELY left the boat
when the boiler bust, spreading the frag-
menis OF the boat IN all directions. The loss
is esIimled al $4,000.
1t is a part OF the etiquette of courts, that
when the courtier has closed his interview
with royalty he leaves the presence, keeping
his face to the sovereign, aud backing grace
fully toward The place OF exit. Much prac-
ice Is necessary IN order 10 perform This evo-
luton with The requisite amount OF grace and
dignity. Aad we have heard 1t said that
Gen. Cess, from long cou So ot training al
court ol the King OF The most polite nation
in the world added to natural talents bent
strongly IN that direction, has become. not
merely the most gracJH but the most coas-
tdM hacker out Ia the world.