Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-09-07
FLORIDA.

August, by Messrs. Benz. F. Whitner and L.. A.
Thompson, the commissioners appointed by him to
proceed to Washington and confer with the Pres-
dent and members of the Cabinet, concerning the
measures deemed necessary for the protection of
the citizens of Florida from Indian depredatons
Messrs. Whitner and Thompson state, that from
full conversation with the Secretary of War; they
had learned that the following things had been
determined upon by the President, up to the date of
their letter:
ls To use and rely alone U. s. regular troops for
the protection OF our frontier settlements
I'd. To decline the services OF the Florida volunteers
even Tor IN the interval that may oc
before sufficient force of regulars be placed at
the proper points to afford it.
3D.. 70 order the 9TH Regiment of Infantry, now at
Jefferson Barracks, and eight other Companies OF regu
lars, chiefly Artillery, to Florida lor this service
4th. To order Brevet Maj. Gen. Twiggs upon duty
there, to assume the command in person.
9TH 10 conhne the operations OF 1he army 70 ne OF
posts to be selected by the commanding ofce IN order
to restrain the Indians within the limits assigned them by
General Worth, and also 10 prevent the whites from NJ
truding on the neutral ground around those limits
| 9th To effect the removal OF the Indians without
boodshed and to entertain for that purpose proposition
which has been submitted, by more private ndvi
duas for rem0Ding the Indians By contract allowing
| liberal sum, viz $4,000.
9TH In all specific methods for removal fall then
the strong OF force and to accomplish it at all
| hazards
Mr. Crawford stated that good steamer had been
detailed Tor service on our coast
In the remainder of the letter. we are informed
that Mr.. Crawford regretted that Gov MoseIey had
ordered out any volunteers, he feared that mea-
sure might impede the removal of the Indians; and
that he thought the intrusion of the whites into the
neutral ground, established by the treaty with the
Semnoles, was probably the cause of the late dis
turbance and it rather the duty of Florida than
of the Federal Government to have prohibited them.
Messrs. Whiner and Thompson represented on
their side, that Gov Moseleys object in calling for
volunteers was only to secure present protection;
that by the terms of their enlistment, they might be
dismissed at the end of twelve months or whenever
| the President might deem their services unneces-
sary; and that they would be carefully restrained
from improper hostile acts. 1t was also suggested
that at least two steamers should be ordered to the
coast of Florida.
"Above all, Continues the report) stated that the
Governor but spoke the voice of the ohoe peopeo Of Flo
rida in demanding that prompt and energetic measures
should be at adopted and persevered until these
| Indians were all removed from the State.
eve have learned from Mr. Ewing, Secretary of the
Interior that Col Spencer sb-agent has been ordered
without delay, repair to his post within the limits
signed to the Indians and to demand OF the Chiefs to have
the authors OF the late murders and robberes arrested and
brought to punishment.
eve regret that had the opportunity for only sin
gle short interview with the President before he left the
seat of Government on his Northern tour. And in
sequence OF this consider it duty to present the
views entertain representing yourself and the people
Of Florida in this matter0to other members OF the Cab
net at the seat OF Government, in the hope that their
further consultations may lead such notifications OF the
course herein indicated we believe more likely to at
tain the results at which all parties aim"
The Jacksonville News publishes the following
letter from the Secretary of War to Senator Yuee,
dated Washington, August 9th:
"SIR-I have received your letter Of the Both ultmo,
urging the adoption OF to suppress the
hostile outbreak OF the Florida Indians. In reply have
the honour to inform you that measures have been taken
increase the regular force in Florida more than five times
that OF the Indians estimated by the executive OF Flo
rda in message OF last year to the Legislature OF that
State This force properly disposed ash no doubt will
be- with proper prudence the part OF those inhabitants
the vicinity OF the indians, will it is believed, be amply
sufficient protect them from danger, until such time
the Government shall be able perfect the arrangements
contemplation for removing the Indians from the
! limits of your State.
| very respectfully, obedient servant"
So much for the official history of this Indian
difficulty SO far as it has TRANSFERRED From the ac-
tual scene of the anticipated hosities, we have no
intelligence of any importance. lieutenant in a
volunteer company stationed at "Fort Moseley, near
/ Enterorise . Surites the IacAserine Rers,eHeas
under date of August 22d, that the company had
arrived at that place, and were recruiting to be ready
for fight
eve all well lie says, and in fine Spirits and full
ripe now for Indian fight and from all can learn there
is but little OF no doubt but what we can and will be ac
commodated with fight any rate as soon as our men
and horses recruit little from the atgues of their wear
some march There are men OF veracity at this place,
who have seen Indians in the neghbohood but few days
before we arrived, and they say that they can show us
Indians any time in half day, day at most We in
end i gvng them trial in one or two days hope by
you an Indidn Scap or OF informing you of successful
victory on our part if no more but would like to have
the scalp"
public meeting held at St. Augustine on the
25th August, to consider the subject of Indian diff
culties, was addressed by Col. Mitchell, and Hons
E. G. Cabell and D. l.. Yuee, A letter to the Jack
sonve Republican says:
"Col c. A. Mitchell, Of Marion county, happening to
present was loudly called for when he arose. and in an
able and eloquent addressed the meeting setting
forth the deplorable state OF things that portion Of the
State in which he resides caused by the Indian ont
| break.
"Our highly esteemed Representative in Congress the
Hon c. Cabel also addressed the meeting and assured
citizens that he would do all in his power to urge the
immediate removal OF the Indians from our State He
said there but sentiment among the people of
Foridatha the Indians should be removed and he be-
lieved that the authorities othe State would respond
this sentiment by ayowing their determination thar they
shall be remOued. He happy to be able to assure
his tellow-citzens that this policy approved and
would be promptly executed by the General Govern
"The Hon. D. L. Yulee also assured the meeting that
he would cordially unite with the Hon Mr. Cabell in urg
ing the removal OF the Indians.
lhe people OF Florida unanimous upon the subject
OF the removal OF the Indians, and is indeed gratifying
70 know that the patriotic old soldier who is the
Chief Magistrate OF this nation will carry out the
request OF the people Of Florida General Taylor will now
do that which should have been done by his predeces
sor."
There may be some disappointment in Florida at
the reluctance of the President to accept the service
of volunteers, but when it is remembered how great
and needless an expense was incurred by the gov
eminent for that species OF force at the beginning of