Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-03-06
TO TIE EDITORS.


citizens of Florida have recently committed unproyoked
hossaes the Indians of that State Ii is reported
that company volunteers raised by order Of Governor
Brown under the command of Mr. Jernagin took several
prisoners, two Of whom escaped and two. child and
old weman, still detained Itis apprehended the
| Indians will retaliate
Thus has the faith of the Government, pledged to
these unfortunate people been violated and al its efforts
(which have been entirely to
peace with them been frustrated by the
of few individuals, acting not only without but in def
ance of the authority Of the Government.
This circumstance is the to be regretted it is
understood the Government about taking measures to
endeavor to induce these Indians 30 migrate the west
of the Mississippi"
There truth in the report that any volunteers have
been sraised by order of Gov. Brown" The crcun,-
stances attending the capture of the Indians are detailed
in letter from Mr. flanagan, copy of which enclose
and ask you to publish.
observe you are laborng under very common mis-
take in regard the relations Of the Government to the
Indians in Florida. Nowhere and at time has the
faith of the Government been pledged to these Indians
in such that they may claim right to remain
within the State of Florida. On the contrary in the
treaty of Paines Landing it is expressly stipulated that
the Indians shall migrate to the west of the Mississippi
and in all treaties made with them since that time there
has been similar stipulation. The faith of the Gov
eminent then pledged to the people Of Florida
the Indians should be removed and has been pledged
repeatedly since The pghted faith of the Government
the State and people of Florida has been violated
treaty is the supreme law of the land and should be ex
ecuted any other law binding upon the Government
We insist that it the duty of the Government execute
that supreme law by which the Semnoes be removed
from Florida.
understand that certain officers of the regular army
haye various times taken the responsibility of making
agreements with the Indians, by which they to be al
lowed certain conditions occupy portion the terri
tory of the State of Florida they have done this they
- a.
treaty. the supremelaw of the land The terms of these
unlawu agreements have been continually violated by
the Indians. They have kept within their "re-
serve, but have been allowed to over the land
driving off and killing the cattle of the frontier settlers by
thousands. But little two years ago they wantonly
murdered several of citizens and severely wounded
others More recently they penetrated hundred and
fifty miles into the interior carried into captivity and
murdered young of respectable, unofendng citi
my State, and within few months the mail rider
from Tampa to the ST. Johns was fred upon and now
they found again, hundred miles from the
country alleged to have been apart for them,
tinuing their depredations
The Government has failed to give that protection they
bound to give frontiers people have the
right and will exercise it. protect themselves and their
property.
We demand of the Federal Government to execute its
pghted faith to the people of my State If fails in its
duty the public will justify the Government and people of
the State of Florida in taking their own safety
which only be secured by removal of the Seminole
Indians west Of the Mississippi Their presence has blight
ed the prosperity ofmy State and prevented the settlement
of the most lovely portion of the United States 1t natu
raj that should desire and earnestly urge the fument
Of treaty stpulaons for the removal Of these Indians
The ntimaton that any portion of the people of Florida
desire renewal of hostilities is base caay The idea
that people willing to abandon their occupations
and expose themselves and their families the horrors of
savage for the sake receiving eight dollars
month for service in the army, merely preposterous
No renewal of hostilities would be to us uagated
era unattended by single Denent, prospect of
speedier removal of savage neghbors. All they
have done is urge in every way upon the Federal Gov
eminent the necessity of their removal. They have wait
ed patiently for fifteen years. and have resolved if
the Federal Government continues to refuse do its
duty to them, that they will drive these Indians Of
their State at all hazards.
The Of troubles is not with the people Of
Florida but with officers of the army who withhold the
truth from the Government, and SANDER people
find excuses for their neglect Of duty believe and
do not hesitate charge that but for their improper
duct there would not be single Seminole Indian
remaining Florida All that required to their
speedy removal is for them be convinced that they
60 These oosrs have msled them to the purposes of
the Government and induced them to believe that they
will be permitted to continue to occupy portion of my
State There believe others who desire the Indians
to remain in Florida, because service there if they
not to be required to the Indians do any du
y but lo about the pleasant post Of Tampa and other
places is agreeable than duty in New Mexico or
Oregon They will probably prevent any beneficial results
from Gen. Blake's mission; and until the Department
cease to rely implicitly their statements shall have
hope that justice viii be DONE that the duty of the
Government will be discharged us, which requires the
removal Of the Semnoes the home assigned 10 them in
the West.
BY giving place in your paper for this communication
you viii much oblige,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
L. c. CABELL
i Letter Of Mr.. JaraagiR.
"On the I'd February (nstant) ! left again, accom-
panied with five from Tampa, lone of whom Capt
Sparkman,) making my command In ALL twelve men, for
the purpose Of closely examining cattle range
about twenty miles south and east saw signs of Indian
feet and followed their trail brisk rate for about m
teen miles westerly, when came up TO them, having
previously passed many recently deserted camps The
party consisted Of WARRIOR his wife, mother child
whom we captured Luckily having good interpreter
with us (Mr Kendrick) wer, enabled to CLEAN some
information from them The Indian stated that tribe Of
Miccosukcs him. who kill white mans cows
plenty-who drive off plenty cots' "he don't do it,"
information which believe to be eorrcct for out of two
"A LaoI - AL -.