The daily union., 1852-12-04
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The Florida Indians.

II lett unconecled, calculated 10 deceive some and
misead others with respect 10 matter which has been
agaied for number OF years pashe removal oil these
Indians.
Il is difficult TO conceive how any one administration
be bsmed for failing 10 these Indians. since
every administration for the past twenty years has tried
il. and none succeeded than partially 1t is true
that during Mr.. Poks administration very active ei-
forts were made simply from the fact presume, that
the country had lis hands full in attending the Mexi
and eynced disposition TO over-burden itself
with war with the Florida Indians; il being well
known that 10 attempt 10 remove them without the dis
play OF considerable military force would be than
useless True the treaty OF Payne's Landing then
in being, and as mperavely demanding its ulhIment
at presentexcept, the article might have added with
great justice and better eucidalion OF the subject that
General Worth had by direction Of hs Presidea, of the
United States, entered into arrangement with the In
dians which delayed for time the execution OF the treaty
OF 1882 and allowed the Indians TO remain under certain
conditions, temporarily" within certain limits in Flori
da. This arrangement tcas probably the best tha,
could be made through the agency of the military repre-
sentative of the United States !" and it might well have
been added through the agency of all the other repre-
sentatves of the United Staies including the President OF
the United States himself who directed and authorized
it, and who was, with the mass OF people, but too
glad by means of it 10 put stop TO disastrous and
frutess war and will be ready TO admit that
whole series of military operations in that peninsula
tive power accomplish the object in view, only when
that the plan now adopted succeeds any better.
More Indians removed in year by these mill
tary than have been removed during the
whole me exclusive Of that year, s5O since 1872 and
many more than likely to be removed from present
respects, by the plan now adopted
One OF the conditions" mentioned in " Gen. Worlhs"
arrangement was, that around the Indian territory should
extend neutral strip Of ground twenty miles wde which
neither whites nor Indians should occupy. Both parties
observed the condition for me but few struggling
whites settled the neutral ground, traded with the In
dians, and in violation of the law, supplied them with
that bane to the red man-whiskey. The Indians be-
came Disconnected and few Of them banded together
and murdered OF the border settlers This brough,
on the difficulty OF lS49, which resulted in sending an
army TO Florida. and demanding the murdeers The acts
were disavowed by the naton The mudeers were given
up for execution, and of the number killed in their
attempts to capture him. The Indians were then told
that they must go west and threatened with war il they
did not comply The result OF which was that over one
hundred of them were emigated by military repre-
sentaives," at cost OF something less than $50 ,O00 in
cludng the expenses Of two delegations from Arkansas
The military expedition was therefore not proftless as
the lntegencer asserts. On the contrary, was more
successful than any previous ones and efforts were being
made to render il even more with hope of sue
cess when, for some best known TO those who
moved in the matter, the Indian affairs were transferred
to the home department"
SUCH was the aspect of the subject when the affairs
OF the Seminole Indians were wisely transferred by the
present administration from the War 10 the Home Depart
ment"
The indications OF sound policy and the prompnes
OF humanity equally concurred in inducing the Comms-
sioner TO waive the agency of military force and inmi
datoD, and to endeavo through gentle means 10 operate
upon this unenlig and hardened people Accord
ingly (as we are informed in his annual report of Nov
27th, 1851, accompanying the Presidents message) he
determined TO test the efficiency OF individual enterprise
OF this plan he that he is not sanguine OF its sue
cess, but deems worthy trial. a., i fall the loss
government will be but mere nfs il il succeed the
gratifying result will amply vindicale the wisdom OF the
experiment"
Now, let see how The Commissioner carries out his
ideas, as expressed in his report The first thing we
hear after the agent assumes the charge is that military
eIpsdhions, formed OF Florida volunteers are securing
the country in search OF Indians Is this what is called
waving the agency OF military force aud intimidation !"
The agent seems 10 be invested with unlimited authority
and, taking the matter where 1t left by The "ml
tary representatives. proceeds TO threaten the Indians
with dire wal and determination If they do emigrae
and allow him to pocket 100000 He offers them
nothing to 60, except perhaps few goods which he
gets from government and their transportation which is
furnished by the UniIed States
With respect TO the |" eminent fitness of Gen Luther
Blake for his new position we know but little but un-
less he is much successful than he has heretofore
been, shall begin TO doubt il, and TO think others
could have been iound whose ntness would have proved
much eminent. The Commissioner determined 10
the efficiency OF individual enterprise stimulated by
The hope OF gain contingent success, and adopted
his present plan Has Mr. Blake yet been successful
Most certainly and yet he has already received over
s35 900 in money, and "a 900 worth OF goods and for
this he has brought Billy Bowegs on a trip TO Washing
ion and emgraied thirteen Indians and these thirteen
runaways from their nation whom their chiefs could not
keep within the limits and this OF 500 900 is part
OF the mere tas" which the government loses by the
failure OF the plan for failed has.
As 10 The expenses OF the plan had il succeeded The
sum laid down is s225ooO, and certificate from the
required After they get there they take care OF
themselves for Mr. Luther Blake is certainly not going 10
support these miserable savages out OF his own pocket
and the government supplies them with nothing. This is
OF the humane features OF the plan Under this
plan Mr. Blake emigated thirteen Indians all told.
The offer made TO the Indians in 1si9 and so was that
each man should receive $780, and each woman and
child $780, which to be given the Indian and not
the agent Tbis adopting the numbers in the inteli.
gencer, would amount TO $4,000 90
For the chiefs, Indian property, presents,
(such as blankets, &c. 10 protect them
from the colder climate TO whioh they
gong) $4,000
For expenses (not srpsrimsntaD OF trans.
porta,on, and subsstng them for twelve
months after emigration 10000
-
Total cost 5000
Or less by $40 900 than the oher the Indian better cared
for and the money given TO him, instead Of being placed