Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-07-31
THE HUNT FOR INDIANS IN FLORIDA.

the Indians in that State 1t will be seen that the
Agent has concluded to organize volunteer mount
ed force with view 10 the compulsory removal of
the Indians
HEADQUARTERS FLORIDA VOLUNTEERS,
Fort Mellon, a. r. June 26, 1852.
His Excellency THOMAS BRowS:
SIN: have the honor to report to you my return to
this post yesterday with my command On the 3lst of
May left with twenty nine men, for the region Of coun
try between the St. Johns and Indian rivers Crossing
the frstnamed river above Lake Monroe directed my
south and east examining closely the intermediate
country progressed often crossing from one river to
the other in my route Within one days ride of Enter
prise, the morning of the Sd june found Indian signs
with pony tracks, and also large trail Of cattle direct
ing south, and followed by the horses and ndians some
of them foot This trail continued for nearly two
days. when we found the country entirely burnt over
doubt by the Indians to eyade pursuit From tine to
time, in my route, discovered the trail directing
its way SOUTH and for Okeechobee until near the mi
tary road when discontinued it, making my way for
Fort Capron ut which place arrived the evening of
the 10th of June In the interim, between the Sd and
18th, was busiy examining every suspicious spot be-
tween the two rivers frequently coming up with habta-
tons, Of which appeared to have been abandoned
since my first expedition on the Kissmee in March last
particularly looked around the two creeks Crane and
first coming to this country, which however is not So
They have always resored to these waters for fish and
oysters living four five miles off Animpassable scrub
also INSTRUCTED my advance extending from one river to
the other nterspersed with lakes, agoons and grass
ponds Losing the trail the scrub my only chance
proceed was to head it by riding along bank
dian river which is in places very abrupt and lofty
over thirty feet high composed entirely coquno rock
Between the upper and lower parallels part of Florida
can boast OF better lands upon her rivers than you will
In funf IN - -. L.
for settlers and the Indians removed from
the State there will be immense influx of population
to this country 1t intended by Nature be
uninhabted Further south, however the country be-
comes very poor, and am honestly of opinion that the
expense of surveying township will be than thou
sands OF such acres will sell for.
took with me hfteen days rations; sufficient as l
supposed to subsist until could get again head
quarters On the third day it began to rain very hea
vly continuing for six days and nights with only short
intervals Having no protection for provisions the
consequence that they became unfit use and
on the ninth day entirely out.
The lack Of provisions having caused fever make its
appearance among thought it advisable the eighth
day. to detach Dr. Speer from the command and directed
him to accompany the sick to Fort Capron which place
he arrived safely in two days He kindly received
by the United States officers and every attention tender
ed the sick Our situation also Hospitality re-
leved by those gentemany officers Lieuts TAYLOR Ro-
binson and Day. Gen. Childs anticipating that inciden
tai circumstances shorten supplies most kindly
preceded my arrival by order to supply with pro-
for our home route and thereby placed himself in
brilliant contrast with the contracted orders of who
only ranks him in one pont-date of commission
From within five hours ride of settlements In
dian signs were discovered and proof unquesonaby de-
duced that my first movement soon known among
them and caused them all to further SOUTH steal
ing they went all the cattle they could collect from the
settlers around One gentleman alone Mr. Houston has
lost in less than one year hundred and fifty head
of cattle by these marauders.
Within twenty five miles north of Fort Capron on the
San Sebastian, found Indian signs quite fresh; and
nothing but the excessive overflow of prevented us
from finding their quarters, if they not hunters.
Every circumstance connected with my examination fully
convinced me that the Indians had removed the neigh
borhood Of 0keechobee Accordingly procured FIVE or
six days ratons from the United States and -four
account Of the State from citizen with half bushe
of for each horse and taking nineteen with me-
1.-THE balance being sick set out fully resolved to visit
0keeehobee Lake. where knew the Indians some
numbers. My guide conducted with difficulty as far
south the Apatiorka Swamp, which crossed with
troubles and upon arriving at the river of the
name found it very high Deep and the rapid
This river through extensive open prairie where
nothing relieves the sight for miles The consequence
wood could be procured that would float form
a raft Of without which could not get over our sup
plies dry and, after following its banks for day and
half the greater part of the time knee-deep in mud and
water leading horses, had the modification TO be
defeated in my plans although the much desired spot
almost in sight Changing my course due north in two
days came into the United States road made by Gen.
Twiggs then divided my in squads of ten each
TIE commanded by myself the other by my Aid Col
John L. Hopkins. MY own detachment taking the west
side Of the St. Johns and the other the side of
kissmmee, we proceeded route for Fort Meon-a dis
lance Of hundred miles, through wilderness with
but two days supplies for and proyender for
horses We arrived at Fort Mellon, above report
cd, within few hours of each other.
crossed the formidable Big Cypress low down finding
IL full Of water but much formidable in imagination
than reality 1t is not than two miles through l
found large number Of hogs belonging TO the Indians
and the other de proofs of Indians having hickly
inhabited that section of counry and the nearer you
approach civilization the apparent the indications
Their families, think have all left for Okeechobee in
side lines; calculating. doubt TO make stand
there in Of invasion. The warriors outside their
lines lowering around settlements to take advantage
of any favorable opportunity that might offer to gut their
boodthirsty propensties. have under these circum-
stances kept up constant guard in the Fort Gatn set
tement, which has enabled every family TO make good
crops and live at their homes Until my first arrival
there the inhabitants all collected ut house and
there lived. Our operations have given much relief to
| the frontier settlers.
Your Excelency win readily see by the accompanying
letter from Gen. Blake to that his negotiations no
being realized than they six months since
he has not, 80 far, sub-chief-an indication
Of their unwillngness to Iqueson the sincerity
Of his negotators they may be his troublesome OPP
ponents, and time win develop il.
am aware that strong prejudice exists with many
against using force In the removal Of the Indians Their
false philanthropy viii in time lose its influence and
they themselves urge their unconditional expulsion The
greater forbearance the unreasonable will be
their demands BY their continuance among u.s. citl
deprived Of the of valuable lands You
may rely upon it they will not go until forced by
peror power We know that il is idle to indulge any such
hope. This is the land Of his nativity all his young
socatons are hcre the Of his childhood the home
Of his youth the haunts Of his mature years and