The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-09-16


pending chiefly upon the patriotism Of the country through
which they went to- supply them with the mere necessa-
RES OF lie TO say that they constitute material Afford
INK as much courage and capacity for enduring the hard
ship. exposure, and privaon incident to Indian warfare
as any troops whatever.
We regret to have seen in respectable newspapers and
70 have heard in other quarters, insinuatons that the
Flordans desire another Indian war; and doubtless have
provoked the recent outbreaks We suppose that
ALL would receive the or we should
repel them with becoming Indignation. There is not
citizen Of Florida, capable OF observation and reflections
who does not know that the State has recovered
from the shock received in 1895, in turning away the
immigration which was then rapidly filling up her rich
hammocks allured by her mild climate Persons OF en-
laged viewswhie they depore that death and robbery
should have visited the humblest ctzenmay not regret
that something has occurred 10 awaken the attention OF
the present administration to the necessity O. removing
these faithess savages entirely out Of our Satebeng
fully convinced that the evil day would come at last.
The work could have been easier and better done in 1912
the difficulty We feel bound to impress upon the Pres
dent the firm belief OF the governor and citizens gen
orally, that the recent Indian outrages indicate much
more extensive spirit of hostility than TO be sup
posed. either by the United States officers in Florida,
owing to their representations by the President and his
cabinet To combat so dangerous an error we thought
would do good to give short recital OF the opening
in 1885, and thus show the utter treachery and
fathlessness Of the Seminole. A comparison will prove
that the recent Susge ys much stronger evidence ss 2,
Dade's massacre. In the late attack Indian river, Mr.
Russe,a governmsnt inspector, and Mr.. Barker, his
The first attack on the l7th Pease creek. the
Indian sore killing those Ia NE employ Of the traders
regularly licensed under ne authority and protection q &c
relation WE'LL and il ia bold act Of defiance the
murder Of General Thompson Had Colonel Spencer, the
present been there no doubt ne would haye
with fresh stock Of goods The house was plundered
frst-a work OF much laborbefore 1t was burnt; and
when visited by detachment OF troops and citizens from
Fort Brooke, was very plain that many more than fo
| Indians" were engaged in removing the goods; On
the night OF their escape the McCuochs distinctly heard
the whoop OF the Indians at The house answered by
party at distance The bridge on the road to Tampa
was destroyed. The store was probably burnt on the
ns s ana On e ~ mn q II
the sorekeepers whom they had killed, wounding lad
but these all escaped barrel Of tiskey scas eft ua
touched II is well known that the Seminole is as fond
of strong drink and INDUCES freely in it, any other
savage and had this been merely party OF pundcrers,
they would not have foregone tins on that oc
cason But equally well known that IN their seven
years such license was permitted when they
were any hostile expedition It is said to be one
OF their 'rules and articles Of war; that warror oho
gets drunk ichie out on the 1ar.pdth, may be put TO
death The suggestion OF Major Morris that the two at
tacks lat Indian and Pease creek may have been
number showed ~ themselves in both instances, although
the points $50 miles apart, BY any Indian trail, and
only three and one-ha days had iniervened-for they
first appeared at the store mid day, and had their
plumber at Indian river to dispose offs so extraordinary
that il can only provoke smile
j During interview you were pleased 10 remark that
she had not restrained white persons from ntrudng on
the neutral ground" We replied, "that il was looked
upon as military Inc United states
You denied the obligation, and said that "the general
government was precaded from doing So because the
laws of Florida had been expressly extended this
whole territory" These charges took by surprise,
but too grave 10 be passed over. We have since
looked carefully into the subject and now give you the
result OF Investigations trusting they will be received
with much pleasure they are given.
In the first place. the order OF your predecessor in Office
dSS wS.n he Soses 10 b
and directed chain OF posts TO be established and occu
Pied and at least too imer: % be for M duty
In the second place, The United States were sole pro-
prieors OF the land within this neutral ground and had
an exclusive right to keep od all ntruders.
In the third place. part of these lands have been since
i surveyed and prepared for sale, and some OF them
actuaiy sold thus the hand, irritating the H.
dams by the presence OF United States surveyors,
who are always objects OF jealousy to them and on the
OF which you now complain.
And, in the last place, the law Of Florida, to which
OUT to be IAN act to extend the laws over The Indians
within the Territory OF Florida passed by the legislative
council and approved by the governor lth OF February
become lac. any wise operate, until specially ap
proved by Congress- and this approval Congress
gave There no other law onour statute book touch;
ing the question We trust therefore, that the State OF
Florida stands fully acquitted on this charge.
We find the President under the impression, derived
Sss no lou and III sa SeTe
than 400, OF all ages and We learn through the
traders and other reliable sources OF information, that
near 400 warriors have been distinctly recognised
in their trading visits; and those who have the best OPP
portunty OF Judging, set down the fighting at be-
tween 400 and 600 Others go much higher in their esti
mates We pretend TO personal knowledge but feel
duty 10 make the above statement in order that the
President may not be taken wholly by surprise, il his
official information turns out in this particular also TO be
erroneous
We were grathed learn from the President thai he
fully approves OF the removal OF these Indians to the
West; that this subject there is no difference OF opn
ion, far as we know, among his Executive ADVISERS
and that the best methods OF efecng this have already
been discussed We also understand from yourself that
proposition had been entertained Of removing them By
prioae oontrsetand large sum (vz ,0oo) actually
named, al which responsible persons would undertake It,
We do not pretend 10 give any opinion on the feasibility
OF such plan Its would prove 10 the people OF
Florida that there is element in the character OF
foundry ignorant But while may admire the novelty
OF the undertaking, sincerely trust that the President
will not be diverted from such energetic measures
| have usually been successful in like cases
Il Were TO venture any suggestions subject oil
90 much difficulty and decacy, OF the two follow
ing plans OF operation would to most likely
insure success First OF all, either plan. to establish
such chain OF posts the Secretary OF War ordered in
i is42to be manned even with larger force than he
designated say 1000 men and then. either 10 send an
army the heart OF their country making the Caroosa
batchee river (Which is navigabe for for eighty
or one hundred mles the basis OF operatonspenetra
Il ting then settlements and pursuing them in every drec
ton, until they are harassed into unconditional surren
der and emigration Or 10 set such price upon their
heads az will form nducement for guerilla bands Of
\ soldiers OF volunteers TO hunt them down, capture