The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-01

delay, during which they would have continued TO
keep the frontier citizens in state OF constant alarm
ana danger To put an end TO this unpleasant state
OF things, il seems 10 have been deemed best TO enter
into an amicable arrangement for their remaining,
for the time being condition Of their retiring to and
residing within district OF country designated for
the purpose in the southern portion of the peninsula
Florida the Outside and abstaining from hos
tlities or acts OF annoyance against our citizens.
The further to provide against collisions between
them and the whites, strip of land twenty miles
wide, laid of and reserved, upon which il
the intention that neither should settle. These
engagements all made through military, in
whose charge the Indians have been ever since;
this Department having had no agent over them,
except for a short period during the present year.
one having been appointed in consequence of an
application from the proper quarter to relieve the
military of the duty. Before, however, the agent
could reach the country of the Indians and commu-
nicate with them, small number, without any
well ascertaned cause, again broke out into hosti
tiles, and committed several murders, and de-
stroyed the property of some of our citizens. At
the time of these unfortunate occurrences this De-
partment WAS engaged in making plan for the
emigration of these Indians, who had right TO
remain permanently where they were, and could
not much longer be permitted to do SO, without
preventing the settlement of valuable portion of
the State OF Florida, and mourning the risk of col
lsion between them and the whites who were set
Ting in their neighborhood. And, considering their
own future welfare and best interests, the sooner
they were removed and permanently settled with
view of convincing them of this fact, and of using
all possible means to induce them 10 emigratc
peaceably-an and thus to avoid the expense and pos
sible bloodshed of n resort to coercive measures
il was determined 10 offer gratuity to each indi-
vidual who would do SO, and TO send TO them del
egation OF the western Seminoles--who had mani
tested much and commendabe interest on the sub
ect of their removal and offered the services OF
suitable number of their most intelligent men for
the purpose-to satisfy them of the superiority of
their position west, and the advantages of emgra-
ton This plan was accordingly adopted, 10 be
carried out under the supervision of the Indian
agent and the military, as will be seen from the &C
cOmpanyng letter of instructions issued by your
self and the honorable Secretary OF War jointly,
marked A. On further consideration, however, it
being believed that, under the changed state of
things, the service of the Indian agent could be
of very little if any use, and that all the measures,
OF whatever character, necessary to effect the re-
moyal Of the Indians, could best be conducted by
the military alone, the appointment OF the agent
was revoked ON the 2sth of September last. The
entire control having thus reverted back to the mil
itary, that department will no doubt report the re-
suit of the measures adopted for the removal OF the
Indians, 50 far as put i'll operation, as well as to
state what has been done towards Furnishing those
concerned in the outrages referred to, and to pre-
vent repetition of such occurrences SO long the
Indians may remain in Florida. may add, how
ever, that, according TO the latest information,
there to be fair prospect of efiectng their
emigration peaceably at early day, in which
the services of the delegation their western breth
ren, sent by this Department will no doubksprove
in no inconsiderable degree instrumental
In the early part of the a serious outbreak
took place on the part of some of the Indians in
Texas, who before they could be checked, ravaged
an extensive frontier along the Rio Grande, nearly
down 10 the Gulf coast, committing number of
murders, making captive several women and chill
drcn, and destroying and carrying OF a consider
able amount of property. This occurrence
wholly unexpected, and so far as known, without
any sufficient cause, other than the restless and
predatory character of the Indians. Our only agent
In that quarter had exerted himself with energy
and success in settling slight difficulties which had
previously occurred, and in keeping them quiet
and peaceabe; and from his reports there was every
reason to believe that they would continue dis
posed The proper measures were taken by the
military, with their usual prompttude, to extend
protection to the settlements and to prevent re-
currencc Of the outrage. The Indians were soon
driven back into their own country, and, under the
salutary effect OF chastisement inflicted on some
portions of them, have since remained quiet and
peaceable The Camanches, who the largest,
and generally the most troublesome OF the tribes,
and who supposed to have been principally con-
cerned in the outbreak have recently on the
sion Of filling the vacancy occasioned by the death
of their principal chief, with the full concurrence
of their new chief, manifested their sense of the
folly and emeriy in being guilty of acts that would
bring them into collision with the Government; as
such a course was always followed by severe pun
ishment and would eventually terminate in their
destruction. The new chief himself, and another
! individual, came in as delegates to the command
ing officer of the troops in Texas, to inform him of
their determination TO abstain from hostties, and
far possible, 10 prevent any members of their
| tribe from committing depredations upon our citi-
\ zens. But from the character and peculiar situa-
| ton Of the Indians in Texas; the entire want,
the part of the Government, Of any jurisdiction
| control the country occupied by them, and
from proper number Of local agents 10 aid in the
management of our Indian affairs in that State not
| having been authorized, this condition of things
! n with degree 81 certainty. he eXDectrd
10 continue for any length of tsne; and this Depart
ment should not be held accountable for any dis
turbances or difficulties that may occur, unless
fnew and more effective arrangements be soon
made The anomalous position of these Indians,
and the necessity for our relations with them being
placed upon different footing, have been referred
10, and fully explained in Preceding annual reports
from this office; and would earnestly, but respect
| fully, again invoke attention to the subject
Texas, on coming into tic Union, retained con-
troll and jurisdiction all her public domain, 50
\ that none of the laws regulations of our Indian
system in force within her limits. The Depart
ment has therefore no power TO prevent intrusions
/ into the country occupied by the Indians, or any
\ trade or intercourse with them, OF however i'm
\ proper a character they may be, or however likely
/ to excite jealousy the part Of the Indians, and
\ collisions and difficulties between them and
citizens Nor is it authorized to encourage the In
dams 70 settle down in any particular section or
/ sections Of country, with view 10 ciyilizing them
and improving their condition. Until particular
ustfl1t OF ulhlflCAs Sudli Dtth htN
! their permanent residence, within which the Gene
/ raj Government will have the same power 10 pre-
vent intrusions, and 10 regulate trade and inter
course with them, il has in regard to other
Indians on territory of the United States, and until
| q suitable number and description Of agents shall
/ have been authorized for them, the Department
should not be held at all responsible for the proper
and efficient management Of our Indian affairs in
! Texas. Annexed, marked and &, copies Of
a report made the 7th Of March last, by the spe-
cal and only agent Of this Department in Texas,
| to the late General Worth, then commanding the
! troops in that State; and Of a communication adj
dressed 10 this Office ON the 18th Of May last by
! Capt. H. B. Catett, long resident of Texas, aud
{ yell acquainted with the Indians, which are re-
spettfuly submitted, containing the best infor-
nation in the power of the Department TO furnish
the subject Of Indian relations in that State,
| and the measures necessary 20 place them upon a
better and more satisfactory footing.
So far a. information has reached this Office, the
Indians Of the praircs who infest the two routes
10 our possessions west Of the Rocky mountains
the one by the Platte and the other by the Arkansas
1 rivers-have been much less troublesome during
the past season than heretofore With the excep-
ton OF one two comparatively unimportant in