The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-26

The measures which had been aJopsea py lhis az
partment, to effect the peacesbie removal OF tne
Seminole Indians from Florida, and expressed the
opinion that they would shortly be crowned With
Success did so, i'll consequence 81 the representa-
ti0ns which had been made TO the department oy
General Blake the special agent employed by the
government TO induce them TO migrate To the coun-
try west of the Mississippi river and who assured the
Commissioner of Indian Affairs that their removal
might be confidently expected al an early day
Within a few days past, however further comina-
nlcations have been received rom General blake,
and other authentic sources which leave no doubt
that the Indians have alsied their pledges, and now
obstinately refuse 70 fulfil their contract 10 remove
frym the State of Florida.
The removal of the remnant Of this tribe beyond
the Mississippi has long been an object OF much in
sefest 10 the citizens Of Florida and 70 the govern
nent OF the United States As long Is they shall be
permitted to remain they will he terror TO the POI
puaton sparcey scattered along the frontiers, and
the settlement and cultivation Of the country must
continue 10 be seriously obstructed. And as they
are now acting open Defiance not only Of the pro-
visions of formal treaty, CONCLUDED more than
twenty years ago, but also OF a written covenant
tered into recently by their principal chiefs with the
Commissioner Of Indian Affairs, by which they re-ac
knowledged their obligation To remove feel it TO be
my duty TO bring the subject to your notice, in order
that you may consider and decide what measures
should be adopted to enforce the stpuatons Of the
treaty between them aud the government OF the
United States.
As early as the 9Th of May, 1882 treaty was en-
tered into with the Semnoles, known the treaty
Of Payne's Landing, by which they relinqaished all
their claims to lands IN Florida, and oound them
selves to therefrom within three years When
that time had expired they refused to comply with
the terms OF she treaty, and resort was had u mill
tary force to expe them from the country. 4
fierce struggle cnsued, which lasted for more
than six years; and after . vast expenditure of
blood and treasure, the government found It.
self bafied in all its attempts to drive them nom
their haunts in the swanps and forests with which
the country abounds and which were Inaccessible 10
tbs regular troops.
On the 18th OF August, 1912, Colonel Worth, then
IN command OF the United States troops in Florida
by the authority OF the Secretary OF War and the
President entered into an arrangement with the In
dams, which was promulgated III an order IN the io
lowing terms by arrangement with the few IN
dians remaing IN the southern portion OF Florida, be-
tween whom and the whites hostilties no longer
exist, they are permitted for a while to plant and
hunt on the lands included within the following
boundaries &c. After describing the boundaries
referred to. the order proceeds within the boun-
diaries thus described, no settlement eau, with safety
propriety, be formed; and any persons making
settlements within these limits will be subjected
t. removal, in conformity with tue law IN reie-
renee to tie Indians and their places OF residence.
The foregoing temporary arrangement being IN
conformity with the instructions Of the President
OF the United States is communicated Tor the inlor
nation OF all whom IL may concern
This arrangement was dequiesCed ia ly the Indians
and the whites until the year ls4j, when collisions
having taken place which threatened a renewal OF
hOstilites, II was modified by an order IRON the
General Land OE.ce, approved by the Secretary Of
the Treasury, Ir Walker) and the President Of the
United States, CJr Polk,) which established neu
trail territory OF twenty miles in width, along the
Sire border Of the district in which the Indians were
allowed 10 remain
twill he perceived that nothing has been done by
the government of the United States TO impair is
title TO any part OF the territory acquired under the
treaty Of Payne's Landing. On the contrary, great
has beer observed to exclude every idea oil the
kind by avoiding the use Of any terms which could
10 construed Into the grant or acknowledgment of
any right ON the part of the Indians inconsistent with
the absolute ownership Of the country by the United
States By the arrangement, they were permitted
Sor a while TO plant and hunt the lands included
within the prescribed boundaries; and still further,
70 guard against Misunderstanding, it was expressly
provided that the arrangement should be merely
Temporary Tie utmost that tue indians can
claim therefore, IS to be considered tenants at the
will Of the United States, and liable to tc removed
whenever the public Interests may require.
Regarding the subject in this lyht and being
anxious to crafty the people Of Florida, who, in
public meetings and through their executive and le-
gilature had manifested the most earnest desire to
have the Indians removed, the department employed
such means a. were deemed most just, hamsnC, and
expedient 20 accomplish that object. The Indians
were notified of the desire Of the government 0. the
United States that they should comply with the
stipulations Of the treaty Of Payne Landing. and
General Blake was employed to 60 among then, and
70 take with him delegation Of the Senin0les who
had emgrated westward TO add their testimony and
couDses to his in favor Of the proposed removal and
thus to effect the desired object peaceaby Some rec
lance having been manifested py portion OF the
tribe and an idea having obtained currency
among them that the government OF the United
States would not insist on their removal, delegation
of the principal chiefs. with their Interpreter
allowed to come to Washington to confer with the
President, and ascertain from him directly what he
expected and desired them to do. Upon receiving
from him the assurance that they would be required
to leave Florida, they acknowledged in writing their
obligation to remove, and agreed to use all their III
fuence TO induce their people TO emigrate at the
earliest possible day.
COPY of this agreement is appended 10 this re-
nnYfa al so q
and of letter from the Hon. {. X. Mallory, OF the
United States Senate, 10 me, enclosing one ad-
dressed TO him by Mr.. Thomas p. Kennedy, OF Tim
pa Bay
On receiving notice Of the refusal o. the Indians TO
comply with the treaty called for report from
the Commissioner OF Indian Affairs which was made
ON the 10th instant, and is now appended TO this
communication.
II will be seen from these papers that il is strongly
urged on the government 10 regard the permission
which given TO the Indians, under the order Of
Colonel Worth, in 1882, to plant and hunt for a
while on the lands set apart for them, as revoked
and annulled and TO proceed at once to survey not
only the neutral territory, but also the country here
tofore occupied by the Indians, and TO bring the
same into market Tor settlement and cultivation al
an early day.
As the adoption of this policy will inevitably lead
70 the renewal Of hostites with the Indians, aud
very large expenditure OF money and Of human lie
IN expelling them and az, in any event. additional
appropriations will be necessary to defrdy the cost
q the surveys, did not feel warranted in assuming
tne responsibility OF setting aside the arrangement
enterd into by the previous administration. Belev-
ing II to'e a subject which appertaDs appropriately
70 Congress now respectfully bring II TO your no
tce, In ordei hat you may lay it before that body,
Judgment demant
have the honor 10 sir very re.pc 5tgullv yonr
Dbetient servant,
ALEX. II. STUART, Secretary.
To the President.
P.s-Snce writing the ,-ecoing have received
a communication from the G6Sr.o =, rho St,ta ~
Florida copy Of which. for fiber information on
the mbject, also enclose.
DEPARTMENT OF THE .-yc,o
Office Indian Affairs, ia I "a ,@,,q
II have the honor TO enclose he ;ih . ,,,,
of a letter from Special Agent Cent Intdy
blake dated December Is, 1852, from VIII, !, -,
pears that the Indians in Florida refuse Y 5mnlv
with Their obligations TO emgrate, and that clnRgy