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


| the river, displaying from her masthead our ever
glorious banner the stars aud stripes while along
the hank Of the river stood portion of that gallant
little army, Companies Z, q, and b, LIST Artillery)
ready to do honor to either man who should be
elevated to the chief magistracy of our glorious
Union; and the election Of General Frank. Pierce
was hailed with JOY by some who could bear witness
| to his gaantry in the field, by more who have
viewed with pride his services to his State and
nation as jurist and statesman, and by all for his
patriotism, sound principles, and spotless character
as soldier, statesman, and citizen; Certainly we
all expected to do honor to General Scott, as our
next President taking for granted his long and
arduous services to his country, his bearing as a
military chieftain and gallant soldier, as public
worldwide fame for all that is noble and generous
that his election was sure. But the people have
wiled otherwise; and may their choice fulfil their
highest expectations his administration prove a
blessing to our common country and the name OF
Franklin Pierce add lustre to that roll OF great
and good men, the head of which is placed that of
our own beloved Washington. More anon Yours
truly, BILLY BOwLEGs, JR.
AS still further bearing upon this interesting sub
ject, we think it proper to repubsh the communica
ton laid before Congress last week by the President
Of the United States, which shows the animus of the
existing government in relation to the Indians of
WASHINGTON, Jan. 49, 1853
To THE SENATE AND HOUSE REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE UNITED STATH:-
have the honor herewith to transmit report from the
Secretary of the Interior which appears
efforts of that department induce the Indians
ing in Florida to migrate the country assigned to their
tribe west Of the Mississippi have been entirely
cessfu The only alternative that now remains Is either
compel them by to comply with the treaty made
with the tribe in May, 1882 by which they agreed to
migrate within three from that date or to allow the
arrangement made with them in 1874 referred to in the
Secretarys report by which they to remain in the
temporary occupancy of portion Of the peninsula until
the government should tit TO remove them to
tinue
1t cannot be denied that the Withholding Of Large
portion Of her territory from settlement serious in
Jury to the State of Florida and although since the
arrangement above referred the Indians have mani
Tested desire to remain at peace with the whites, the
presence OF people who may at any time and upon any
real or fanced provocaton be driven to acts Of hostility
is source Of constant anxiety and alarm to the nha
btants on that border
There be doubt, also, that the welfare OF the
Indians would be promoted by their removal from ter
rtory where frequent collisions between them and their
more powerful neighbors are daily becoming more in
eyitabe.
On the other hand there is every reason to believe
that any manifestations of design to them by
force or to take possession of the territory allotted to
them would be Immediately retalated by acts of cruelty
on the part of the defenceless inhabitants.
The number of Indians remaining in the State is
il is true, very nconsiderabe mot exceeding it is be-
heNed, five hundred but owing to the great extent of
country occupied by Them and its adaptation to their
peculiar mode of warfare, force very dsproportoned to
their numbers would be capture expe them
to protect the white settlements from their incur
sions: The military force not stationed in that State
would he inadequate to these objects and if it should be
determined to enforce their removal survey the
ritory allotted to them, some addition 10 it would be
/ avail
able for that service Additional appropriations for the
support OF the army would also in that event be
sary.
For these reasons have deemed it proper to submit
the whole matter to Congress- for such action they may
deem best. WILLARD FILLMORE.
! As the finale to these important pieces Of infor
nation, we give the following editorial from the
Washington Union of the 2lst instant, all which
/ will suffice to enlighten our readers the war in
! which our government is about to reengage with
| the relics of the Seminole nation, and which must,
/ as an inevitable consequence, terminate in the ex-
pulsion of the red men from their ancient hunting
grounds
THE FLORIDA INDIANS.
/ We publish to-day special message relating to the
Seminole Indians, which sent the House of Repre-
sentatiyes Wednesday. This message is confession
by the admins that it is not competent to deal
with the handful of savage which hold large portion
of the peninsula of Florida for it turns the subject
to Congress after nearly four years of ncfcency and
inability to cope with the Seminole savages applied
to Congress for advice and direction earlier day
would not have complained. But the annual estimates
have been in; the Committee OF Ways and Means
has made its report; and but six weeks of the session
remain while many grave matters demand the attention
Of Congress
Our readers will remember that we have from time to
time oretold the result Of the policy which being
pursued toward the Semnoes and urged vigorous
on the score of economy and in justice to the
people of Florida. Some time ago announced,
liable authority that the Indians would not fulfil their
promises and that the engagements which the admins
tration prevailed upon Billy Bowlegs into in this
city would be repudiated and the ridiculous proceeding
end in nothing. We also stated our belief that matters
would be delayed, to throw upon the next admins
tration task which the administration now ir power
bound to perforn-rendered vastly diAcal by
stoid neficiency and ridiculous mismanag cement BY
the treaty Of 1882 the Florida Indians engaged to 20 West
10 lands set apart for them A large portion of them
have gone West, and now occupy the lands which
given by the in lieu of those in Florida which
they stipulated TO leave fragment consisting Of
more than five hundred souls, remain under the
rcrary arrangement OF 1872 whose presence great
to Florida, and serious check to the prosperity
of that State.
At an early period General Tayor's administration
outbreak occurred which demanded prompt action
the part OF the government There was great show of
activity and vigor, but nothing accomplished A
co 1o Florida where Il was Iep for s sps'
and then withdrawn in order to give full scope stroke
Of Iolicy which was worthy Of the wing party. The
Indians and the State authorities not permitted
take the necessary steps to force the Indians emgrate
but message sent to the West TO induce Wild Cat
TO at the head OF commission and persuade the
Seminoles to evacuate Florida 1t required unusual
degree of sagaeity TO foresee that such ridiculous
scheme would miscarry. Since the failure of the Wild
Cat commission, Mr. Filnore's administration concluded
contract for the removal of the Florida Seninoles
We have been informed that large amount Of money
has been paid under that contract Not that dstory de-
vice tuI out to be failure also, doubted
ii would and the President within six weeks OF the end
OF the session gives up and appeals to Congress under
circumstances which afford time for adequate legsla
tion. In this behalf the conduct Of the wing dynasty
would justify severe antmadyersion But We forbear;
for its policy is in keeping with its long OF ine
cheney and its unbroken series OF blunders.
FIGHT WITH A JAGrAR, OR AMERICAN TIGER.-
A correspondent Of the Galveston Netcs gives the
following account of desperate fight between Mr.
Absolom Williams, who is about seventy years Of
age his wife, and an enormous tiger, which occurred
about the 1st Of December, at Mr.. WIS residence
The tiger was first discovered on the premises OF Mr.
James Drake, who lives in the north portion of JEFF
ferson county, where it entered his enclosure, at
tackled his horses and killed one besides wounding
two others. While the tiger was committing his de-
predations it was discovered by Francis Drake, son
Of the proprietor of the premises, who fired shot
gun at it, wounding it in the side, but not DANCE
rously, when it made its escape. The next day
while Mr.. and Mrs. Williams were sitting in their
house, (the rest Of the family being absent) they
startled by strange noise ia the yard, in front
OF their house Mr. W., going out discovered his