The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-24


Ne rom our correspondent in East Florida, whose
nom de plume, curious enough appears to be Billy
bowlegs, Jr-
Our Florida Correspondence.
FORT MYERS, East Florida
CARLOoSAHATcHEE RIVER, Dec. 20 1852.
y. ~ BENNETT
SIR-tt is now some time since | have perceived
m your columns anything in the shape of communi-
cation from here; and, deem the news in this re-
mote quarter interesting to many of your readers and
the public generally trust this may prove sufficient
reason for their publicity through the columns of your
world-renowned paper. As matter of course, the
most interesting features Of the have to com
municae is in relation to the red men of the woods
IN whose midst we are stationed, and who continue
10 rove through their much loved hammock, swamp,
and barren, unretarded, anrestrained, and uninfu-
cnced to this day the efforts ofthe government and its
agents to the contrary Notwithstanding.
The visit OF the famous Seminole chief and suite to
your CITY, some weeks since, has not, pres me- been
entirely efaccd from the memory of your citizens and
readers They have returned to their forest home
much improved i'll personal appearance, and deeply
impressed, no doubt, with the knowledge they have
obtained of the power and numbers of their stronger
brothers, the 'pale faces Their interview with
their Great Father, at Washington has not, seeming
~ been attended with the good effects hoped for and
expected from it, that is the emigration of the tribe
West and, what is less to be wshedfor their conduct
Of late seems to reveal their determination to stand
by their primitive homes to the last at any hazard
and if necessary, to seal their devotion to it with
their blood.
Billy Bowegs evidently, has not had the least idea
II emigrating West since the commencement of ne
sotiations between him and the government agent,
although numberless have been his promises to that
o4eet. Immediately upon his arrival here from Wash
mgton and the North, he assumed that determined
east OF conference which the phrenologist would
describe as belonging only to the savage when under
The impression that his rights are tramped upon and
6Aegarded, and his home and family in danger of
humiliation That he has deceived the government
and its agent Is no more strange to the most OF Us
than true. He pledged his word to Gen. Blake, the
agent on leaving this place for his village distant
sixty miles), to return in specified time, or in
81 his inability to do so, to depute OF his chiefs,
for the purpose Of making the necessary arrange
ments preparatory to the immediate emigration of
himself and tribe. The time came, and King Bow
legs his representative failed to make their appear
ance although all looking for him with interest,
but doubtful OF the honesty of his intentions. Some
days elapsed and the agent despatched portion Of
the Arkansas delegation to his village for the pur
pose Of reminding King Bowlegs Of his promises,
and obligations; but on arriving there found the vii
age mostly deserted, and tidings OF him to be OBJ
the agent in his laborious mission, and tended to
cause his suspicion of the treachery of the chief,
but did not by any means dishearten him, for few
days after he despatched the delegation a second
time, headed by Jumper, "a chief and cousin of
Bowegs) on the same mission, but was destined to
meet with like results, with only the addition of
message from the king, through messenger that
= if anybody wanted TO see him they would find him
IN the bush;n reminding one Of General Taylor's
laconic reply to Mexican demand to surrender him
SELF and army: Gen. Taylor never surrenders;" and
BiDy's former intimacy with the " hero departed
would lead to the belief that the same spirit Of
nagnanimity pervaded the breasts of both
1t is now conceded all sdes-in fact has been
proven-that inducements and persuasions, freely
hvished upon this tribe TO effect their removal West,
have failed, utterly failed notwithstanding the few
hopes of success which have from time to time been
entertained by those concerned and there seems to
BE no recourse left but their immediate expulsion by
force OF arms; thus proving to King Bowlegs the
truth Of the words Of his Great Father, at Washing
ton, while holding their big talk there, that your
refusal to emigrate will prove the utter humiliation
Of yourself and tribe" 10 this doubt, they have
made up their minds; and With an instinct invaria-
BILE among the human family, but highly prominent
IN the Indian character, love of country outweigh
ing every other consideration, and with firm
victon of having right aud justice on their side, they
have, doubt, nerved themselves to the resolution
70 occupy the hunting grounds Of their fathers
trammeed, or leave their bones to bleach thereon
meath the genial sun of their native cline.
Thus matters stand at present. Gen. Blake Is 10
~
ments with Governor Broome for the immediate
transmission Of the State volunteers to the Indian
nation OF whom there are about thousand raised,
waiting for the word Z" forward Operations, il is
expected, will commence early in February next.
Many more will necessarily have TO be raised and
everything is being done for vigorous prosecution
Of hostities, but with what success time alone can
reveal Certainly the number Of Indians il compare
lively small when compared beside the force 10
be brought against him but quite sufficient,
nevertheless, to cost much treasure, and,
what is more to be deplored, the lives Of many
Qf our fellow citizens. To conclude this part,
quote here a few words from a speech made
BY General Pierce, our President elect, delivered
ID the U. s. Senate, January 9th, 1870 the
armed occupation of Florida. He says" 1t IS
very easy thing to discourse here OF sweeping
country, embracing As 900 square miles, situated in
the tropical regions, with climate genial to the
savage, but deadly to the white man--portions OF
h, still unexplored Astounding in provisions suited
to the habits of the Indian, and furnishing secure
retreats known and accessible to him alone-but to
do II Is an impossiblity.n And again: "The blood
Of our patriotic citizens has been poured out there
IKE water, the lives Of many Of our most able
officers and faithful soldiers have been sacrificed and
the resources OF tne nation have been drained in
hitherto fruitless attempt to remove cruel arfu and
treacherous bands OF savages whom no treaty oh.
legations can bind. and whose tender mercies are
manifested in the deliberate and inliscriminate
murder Of pless infants and deenceless mothers
This is all too true, a. experience has taught and
history proved 70 us. But the people Of the State
seem determined 10 overlook all so-called impossi.
bilities and choose the lesser evil Of encountcring
che savage foe and virtually expeng him from their
State, rather than be longer retarded IN their adj
vancement and progress by their unwelcome pre-
uence In their midst.
Apropos of General Pierce The news Of his cleo
zion was received here with great appreciation by o
majority of the communicated / may saw was
sanctioned almost unanimously, the few exceptions
occurring among the men Of Mexico, who there
conceived sort Of yeneraion for the old hero and