The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-09-11
LAmARrIsE BEFORE THE PEOPLE.
Alarming Proximity of the Indians.

The Ocala argus, Of the 23d Of August saws;
"On the most reliable authority we have informa-
ton that band of Indians have been railcd east Of
the Oclawaha. The trail was discovered bv the
Messrs. Morrison, residing in that neighborhood.
They struck il in scrub and followed il into a
PRAIRIE where II diverged into three separate trails
then Joined and entered hammock. They did not
go into the hammock, but saw slight smoke az
cending from it, and buzzards lowering over the
place. They distinctly saw moccasn tracks, and
supposed that from ten TO fifteen Indians composed
the party. The trail went north"
From the same paper, of the 20th ultimo, we
learn that they have at Ocala "plenty of rumors of
Indian signs across the Oclawaha, and below Pa
atlakaha. AT the latter place cattle have been
driven off, crockery broken at the deserted dwell
ings, and other damages committed.
"a government despatch, with an open letter
from the Secretary Of War, passed through Ocala
last Sunday The letter requested the citizens not
10 leave their BONES; that the President had or
dered sufficient troops in the country TO protect IL
and stated that from the last message Of Governor
Moseley TO the Legislature he represented that there
was but 80 Indians in the State.
1--WE well remember the message of Governor
Moseley, and the estimate of Indians he made He
was informed at the time, not only by the citizens
of Marlborough, but also through the public prints
that he far underrated the number. He had at that
time an opportunity to correct il, which he failed
10 avail himself Of The consequence of this ne.
gect IL, that the Government taking his statement
as the correct one have only sent enough troops
into the country 10 master one hundred and fhy
Indians, whereas we know, TO a certainty that
there are upwards Of five hundred warriors. IL not
more. One can perceive in a moment how much
injury has been done 20 the State by the assertion
OF Governor Moseley. We can guess where Gov
ernor Moseley got his information. Some three or
four years ago an overwise genius, TO arrive the
exact number OF Indians in the State concluded that
he would count the different faces as they occasion
ally came into Tampa. One day in counting y
squad OF them, pointing his finger at each one "a
he did 40, the Indians surrnisng what he after
slr.It he. Al.
red faces were seen at Tampa. He had got TO one
hundred and fifty, and there was that number Ger.
tain"
The very context of the above paragraphs shows
exaggeratons rabd than FastaH,s account
Of the men in Buc<rsm. Even If the trail has been
correctly estimated It's direction would indicate il to
have been made by some party attempting 20 cs
cape northward from the south Of Florida now too
hot TO hold them.
We find the following letter in the Charleston
Courier OF the sth instant, which, however tends to
show that the dosertion Of their crops by the in
habitants is altogether useless
PENSACOLA, September l.
The steamer Olivia, Captain Grice. from Tamp,
nay, arrived at tins port ON Wednesday last We
are indebted 10 a gentleman Of this citv who came
passenger on her, for the following intelligence:
Major General Twiggs and staff arrived at Fort
Brooke ON the 24th utmo, all we'll No communi-
c'lion mad been effected with the Indians they are
supposed TO be within the boundary and numbering
I'VE hundred warriors, well supplied with provf-
SONS. No further news Of depredations had been
f ,.t General u. despatched Company F..
itl artillery under Major Bsinbridge, To the Ma.
nltta river on the Goth ultimo. Two other comma
mes will be ordered in few days towards Peas
Greek and Hickapossassa, The inhabitants of these
districts are all forted, and have abandoned their
crops General Twiggs IL of opinion that the In
dams not inclined 10 come in and has lttle con
hdenco IN the manifestation Of peace supposed TO
have been made by Billy Bowegs in the vicinity of
Sarasota The Florida volunteers are encsmped
near Peas Crock, and arc advised 10 remain quiet
for the present. General Twiggs will adopt the
most stringent measures 10 protect the inhabitants
who VIII be able ~ gather their crops after the
troops have been stationed.
The Ith infantry bad not arrived when the Olivis
sailed The Government steamer Colonel Cha v had
arrived at Tampa in good order,