The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-25
Removal OF the Florida Indians-Letter from
the Secretary Of War.

The following letter from the Secretary Of War
to the Governor of Florida, sufficiently explains the
nature of the application that has been made in the
premises, and the circumstances which prevent the
department from giving it a favorable considera-
tion IT.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, March Il. 1851.
SrR--Your letter Of the 18th ut., enclosing the
copy Of act recently passed by the Legislature
Of Florida, ITO provide for the final removal Of the
Indians now remaining in Florida beyond the
limits Of the State" received in due OF
mall but constant and urgent business has pre-
vented me from making an earlier reply to it.
have no doubt that the Indians still remaining in
Florida are q source of annoyance and injury to
that State, and regret exceedingly that all the ef
forts of this department to prevail upon them TO
migrate have. thus far, proved unavailng. The
department will, however, persevere in these efforts,
and does not despair Of its ultimate success For the
present, however, it can employ none but peaceabe
means TO effect this object. The small military
force which II has at its disposal Is absolutely
cessary for the protection of the frontier not against
such Inconvenience and injury those to which the
inhabitants Of Florida are exposed by the vicinity
Of small remnant Of a tribe who have for several
years been harmless, but against the continual in
cursions Of numerous and powerful tribes Of Indians
in state Of actual hostility. Such is the situation
at this moment, Of the inhabitants Of Texas, OF
California, and New Mexico; and am quite sure
that the good people Of Florida would regret to
any portion Of the very inadequate force employed
in the protection of that distant and defenceess re-
There is another difficulty. The appropriations
made by Congress for the support of the army,
during the approaching fiscal year, are entirely
inadequate to the purpose; and even If the depart
mrnt had at its disposal the military force necessary
to enable II TO make war against the Indians In
Florida, it would be prevented from doing so by
the want Of funds. BY the seventh section of the
act a copy OF which IL enclosed in your letter. il
appears that the Legislature Of Florida (who are
presumed to be well-informed this subjcct) esti-
mate that the expense Of efecting the forcible
movnl Of the Indians would be not less than
S2OO0,OO0 1.-TWO millions of dollars) You will
readily perceive, therefore, that the executive
would reluctantly embark in an undertaking which
would involve such heavy expenditure, until Con-
gress had sanctioned IL, and provided the means o
carrying IL into execution.
As regards the plan suggested by you, of sending
party to survey rhe land now occupied by the In
dans under an escort Of n regiment Of volunteers,
with orders "to capture all the Indians they fall in
with, and to destroy their towns" have only "a
remark, that this department has neither the au
thority to survey public lands, to raise a vsun-
teer regiment for the purpose of protecting thoss
engaged in such an operation.
beg leave, however, to assure you that this de-
partment is employing, and will continue to employ
all the means at its disposal to effect speedy
val Of these Indians, and to express the hope and
belief that neither the government nor the inhabi
tants Of Florida will, by any precipitate proceeding
interfere with aud thwart its efforts. | have nc
doubt that such proceedings would rather retard
than expedite the accomplishment Of the object
they have in view.
remain, merry respectfully, your obedient ser
want, &. Nj. CONRAD, SECRETARY or WAR
His Excellency THOMAS BRowS,
Goyernor Of Florida. Tallahassee, Florida.