The Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1846-1852, 1848-07-21
Anccdole OF GemeraI Taylor,

CoTfeSpoHdehce O Me Ne0 YORK Irt0une.
WASHINGTON, Sunday. July2.
While General then Colonel Taylor
was servingin Florida, he.captured many
negroes in his conflicts with the Indians.
Many of these negroes were claimed
by persons in Georgia aud Alabama, from
whose service or from the service of
whose fathers it was coutended they had
escaped. Agents On behalfof the claim
ants were despatched to Colonel Taylor,
seekingto recoverlhem. Proofor identity
of the persons claimed as slaves was prof.
fered, and the right of property, insisted
upon. Colonel Taylor refused to allow
the claim, or even to examine it, He had
come to Florida to serve in the army
against the Indians, not to act as negro
catcher His commission lie said gave
him no judicial powers, and he could not
assume to determine matters beyond his
province.
The disappointed aud enraged ap-
plicants, after having tried in vain other
means to operate upon Col. Taylor fa-
vorably, carried their complaints to the
Secretary of War. He entertained their
view of the case. In consequence an or
der issued from the department was ad-
dressed to Major General Jesup, then
commanding in Florida, directing the
surrender of the captured negroes to the
agent of the claimants. A similar order
was issued to Col. Taylor The follow
ing is his reply, as copied from the record
in the War Department.:
"HEADoUARTERs, Army of the South !
Tampa, Florida) June2, '3s.
General;--I have the honor to ac.
knowledge your communication Of the
10th of May, 1888, accompanied by one
of the 9th. from the Commissioner of In
dian Affairs addressed To Capt. Cooper,
acting Secretary Of War, on the subject
of turning over certain negroes captured
by the Creek warriors in Florida, to a
Mr., Collins their agent, in compliance
with an engagement of General JesJp.
know nothing of the negroes in ques.
tion. nor of the subject, farther than what
is contained in the communication above
referred to; but must state distinctly, for
the information of all concerned, that
while | shall hold myself ever ready to do
the utmost in my power TO get the lndi
ans and negroes out of Florida, as well
as to remove them to their new homes
west oflhe Mississippi, cannot fora mo.
men: consent to meddle in this transac.
ton, or TO be concerned, for the benefit
of Mr.. Collins, the Creek Indians, or any
one else; or to interfere in any way be-.
tween the Indians and their negroes,
which may have tendency to deprive
the former of their property, anil reduce
Me latter. from comparative state offiec-
dom TO Mat SLAVERY; at the same time
| shall take every means to obtain and
restore to his lawful owner, any slave
among the Indians who has absconded or
been captured by them.
Very respectfully have the honor to be,
General, your obedient servant,
z. TAYLOR.
Bevet Brig. U. S. A.. Commanding.
Gen. r. Jones, Adjt. Gen. U. S. Army,
Washington. d. c."
Hero General Taylor showed himself
as firm in resisting what he considered
an illegal and disgraceful order of the
Department, as he had been previously
to the opportunities or threats ofthe slave
hunters. His commission was in tho
power Of the President to revoke at any
time; his honor was above the reach of
the President; it was dearer to him than
all commissions"