The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-17


TAMPA BAY, EAST FLORIDA, March n, 1851.
The Morements Of the Troops-Biy Boclegs aud
has Iride-1Re True Policy tO.eards the I@iiaHs--
The Blackboard Condition Of the People-Nx the
americans.
It is now near thirty years since this place has
been first settled by emgrants from other States
and has been near, all that time, the head quarters
of the troops engaged in the different troubles with
the Indians; and it issurprsing that at the present
day. the place presents the miserable appearance it
does. The government have been all that time
spending money in building houses, &C., and still
the place has made but little progress, and think
only for the stimulus it gets by the presence of the
few troops that are stationed here, it would ulti
mately 60 to the bad. Whether this is caused by
the inactivity Of the people, other causes con-
nected with the presence Of Indians in the country
will not undertake to say; but one fact il certain
the place does not appear to prosper. A large por-
ton of the site of the town is fenced in and is call
ed the garrison within it is comprised quarters
for officers and soldiers, stores, stables &c., and is
by far the best portion of the village. The re-
mander consists of few scattered buildings, ire
gularly built, and has anything but prepossessing
appearance. This place enjoys the reputation of a
favorable climate for inyalids, but it is not much
trequented, as want OF proper accommodation pre-
vents numbers from visiting it,
The excitement which was raised relative to the
Indians year and half ago, seems to have all
died away. The troops that were sent here at hat
time have, with the exception of a few companies,
been ordered to other parts Of the country and
now that the government found they had no just
cause OF war with the Indians, few citizens OF
Florida, who instrumental in provoking, and
done their utmost to keep alive the bad feelings be-
| tween the whites and them, have petitioned Con-
gress for remuneration for their military services,
which consisted III occupying few log forts the
fear of the inhabitants obliged them to fly to at
| the time.
1t il stated here that the last talk" at the Coo
loosahatchee, whchCapt Casey, the Indian agent,
had with Billy Bowlegs, he told him that the gov
eminent had resolved to remove them, and that he
| was authorized to give them some time to delibe-
rate on the proposal, at the expiration of which,
they still refuse to emigrate, force will be resorted
| to to compel them; but think preliminary step;
in the event of such contingency arriving would be
to increase the present force here 900 arillcrymen,
acting as infantry by 1000 dragons. 1t is also
rumored that some volunteers have been raised by
the State, but imagine their worth is only apprc-
cated by themselves. And if such thing as a
war with the Indians ever OCCUR (Which is not pro-
bable) troops raised in this State would do more
harm than good Capt. Casey, in adopting this
new policy towards Bowegs and his tribe, may be
following out plan to effect their removal through
their fears; and in addition to this, it is said he ha
prohibited all trade at the military posts with the
Indians. This comes hardest on them, up to this
time they have depended for their supply of ammu-
milton, food, clothes, &c, in return for the pro-
duce Of the chase, which they disposed of at these
posts in return for the above necessaries. policy
similar to this, if strictly carried out from the first
disturbance, would have done more to effect their
removal than the presence of 900 troops or offers
of unlimited sums Of money-it would be literally
starving them out
A person is struck here with the difference in the
manners and appearance of the people to what they
are in other parts of the country. They not
possessed with that air of life intelligence you
generally see amongst people of the more northern
States. A kind Of langor or jaundced look appears
always to attend them, and it is something surpr
sing to me how they able to render the misera-
BILE soil Ia fine, loose, white sandy to afford them
living; but when il is remembered their food con-
fists almost solely of Indian corn and little atten-
ton isrequred to produce its growth, their indus
try is not overtaxed.
Florida has cost the United States considerable
by its Indian wars, and the political agitations
nected with these and its admission into the Union;
but believe itwere not too much to say, the coun-
try could afford lose it without any loss to ITSELF
were it not for its geographical position with regard
TO the rest Of the Union. Here, after being over
thirty years in the of the United States,
it has only 10000 population half negroes, and the
rest, through the effect of the climate or other
causes, worn down below the ordinary standard Of
what man ought to be.