Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-17
TO THE EDITORS.

E. c.. CABELL, dated March and although the length
time which eapse before this notice Of his COM
muncaon reach your paper and the want Of interest
in the subject to most your readers make reluctant
occupy your columns, yet the position of Mr. Cabel
and the nature Of the accusations which he brings
against the Army and the Government to demand
some notice.
The substance of his letter take to be as follows
l. BY the Treaty of Paines Landing and all treaties
made with the Florida Indians since that time the faith
of the Government has been pledged to the people Of
Florida that the Indians should be removed
2. the pghted faith of the Government to the State
and people Of Florida has been violated"
g. Certain officers Of the regular army have at various
the Indians, by which they to be allowed on certain
condons to occupy portion Of the territory OF the
State OF Florida. 4
A. The Government has failed give that protection
they are bound to give to our frontier.
very brief history will show the character Of these
charges and shall quote official documents unques-
toned and notorious facts.
To enforce the Treaty of Paines Landing the Govern
ment carried on most expensive from December,
1885, until August, 1912, sparng effort to
exterminae the Florida Indians Volunteers and militia
from all quarters of the Union large bodies of Indian
allies marines, and sailors besides the regular
my employed cost Of between thirty and forty
millions of dollars. The number of Indian warriors was
thus reduced to about hundred and thirty.
In other State has such expense been incurred
remove the red man. The whole country had become
sick and tired of the expenses Of the everendng but
never-ended Florida So long thirty or forty
warriors remained in this peninsula well known
that they could eude for years any reasonable force and
would continue their depredatons if hunted and driven
despair.
The Government on full inquiry thought it for the in
erest of the Territory well of humanity to close
in which the expense dispropoytionate the
tn he If
remaining to occupy for time the southern and least
valuable portion of the State 1t believed that
sation of hostlites followed by mild and persuasive
means, would enable the Government to them
less time and with far less cost than their removal
termination could be effected by any reasonable force
Accordingly, in May (l0th,) 1872 the President COM
muncaed to Congress Message the subject which,
after brief sketch of the condition of this frontier and
the war, he says that in his opinion, the military ope
raons should hereafter be directed to the protection of
the inhabitants" " Ihare therefore authorized
the colonel in command there, he shall deem
it expedient declare that hos against the Indians
hare ceased and that they cW be reaewed unless pro-
rocked and rendered indispensable 5ynew ouroges their
part"
In obedience to the instructions of the President the
colonel in command in Florida, in August, 1872 an
nounced that hostilities with the Indians within this
territory have ceased and he made ogreemenf with
the Indians allowing them for time certain portion Of
country. Under that agreement these Seminoles
more peaceae than any Indians have been under
similar circumstances, and, said by Major Gen.
TwGes (who viii be suspected of favorng Indians
opposition people for years its terms
kept by every individual in the nation The nation
has yet October 8, 1S49) violated stipulation
: In years. unexamped in history, not muir
der was committed Indian frontier of some three
hundred miles" = 7" In Texas, at Corpus Christi
alone thirty have been killed. MANNED or carried
away by the Indians within the past six months "See
Elk. Doc No. 5, p. 1872, $780,
On the demand of Gen. TwIcGs, those who committed
the murders in ls49 given up, dead alive and
again when the little orphan boy (called by Mr. c. ga
young of a respectable unofending citizen of my
State-but alas this respectable citizen had long been
voting in another and hope better" State)
murdered in 1850 the criminals were promptly
dered the demand Of the agent without any threats
display of force, for us to execute.
"The mail rider from Tampa to the st. Johns was
fred upon" but it is pretty well known that it
not done by Indians.
These facts show that the Government has not failed to
give that protection they bound to give From
and that the peaceable occupation Of this frontier
only practicable but that it has becn and is,
more safe than any other Indian frontier
But the Government did not stop here In the same
Message from the President to Congress above quoted
he says:
But render this system of protection eectua 1t is
essential settlements Of citizens should be made
within the line az established and that they should be armed
SO be ready to repel any attack In order to afford
inducements to such settlements, submit to the consi
deration Of Congress the propriey Of allowing
BILE quantity Of land to the head Of each family that shall
permanently occupy it. and of extending the existing pro-
visions that subject TO permit the issue Of ratons
for the subsistence Of the settlers for year.
By such ii is to be hoped that hardy population
will soon occupy the rich soil of the frontier Of Florida,
who will be capable willing to defend themselves
and houses and thus relieve the Government from
further anxiety expense for their protection"
Adopting the suggestions Of the President Congress
passed what is called the armed occupation act and
large portion Of the settlers this frontier hold their
lands as donations from the United States given to
them for being ready and willing TO defend them
II in such persevering efforts and liberal arrangements
for fulfilling the stpulations Of the Treaty Of Panes
Landing, the pghed faith Of the Government to the
State and people Of Florida has been violated" what
might other States sOy-especialy Texas, New Mexico
! and California
II now remains for me to notice remarks which /
hope the honorable gentleman made without that debe
ration which every gentleman and especially in high
station should give before he denounces any body and
still more before denouncng body Of men whose pro-
0 fesson and reputation is honorable in the land
lie says officers Of the army withhold the truth from
the Government"
Has the Government omcans OF getting truth (abou
Forida) except from officers Of the army What is