New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-05-31


III. Floridas were retr0ceded to Spain, which
also retained its other possessions in North
America. Thus the United States was then
bounded on the North BY Canada and the great
lakes. on the West by the Mississippi, AMI on
South BY the BIS. parallel of n. latitude, which
divided il from the FlOrdas.
Tn 1926 the United States obtained from Spain
the free navigation of the Mississippi, which
had become an urgent public want; but Spain
,ftervard threw many obstacles in the way of
trade. and ii is probable that hostilities with
that nation were only prevented BY its cedins
Louisiana to France, March u, 1901, in ac-
cordapce with the treaty Of San Ildefonso, of
October !, lS00.
About this period the general attention of the
nation was drawn by many circumstances to
consideration of the probable destiny OF sac
great Mississippi Valley, and the earnest sensl-
mept n our people began to show itself through
the public press, and Congress was called on TO
make arrangements for purchasing the entire
nrovince. On the Recommendation of Presi-
dent Jefferson in 1903 Congress provided for the
exploration of the country, which was accord
irgly accomplished by Capts. Lewis and clarke
NEGOTIATIONS were commenced with France,
and the condition of her affairs so favored the
proposed purchase that it was speedily cousum-
mated. The treaty was signed April 10, lSo5
and perfected on the 30th Of that month. Lou
isiana now became the property of the United
States, SIS, 900, 600 being paid for the same
Tn December following the territory was duly
surrendered. The Sl5,O00,000 was paid in
stock and money. The amount paid for inter-
est ON that stock up to the time it became due
was IS, 500, 353 50, making the total payment to
France for Louisiana SO, 500, 353 49, In ISL
that norton of West Florida south of BE- and
now included in Alabama and Mississippi, was
occupied by the United States, the Spanish au-
tbority having been subyerted by revolution.
After Louisiana had been acquired there was
grave controversy with France concerning the
western limits of that province, which lasted
until 1920, when by the Florida Treaty of
that period the Floridas were ceded to the
United States and Texas was confirmed to
Spain. Spain in 1921 ceded the whole of Flor
ida as indemnity for spoliations committed on
also received $5,OO0,000 which with Sl,4s9,-
76S 66 paid in the shape of interest on stock
issued, made together the sum of So, 49, 65 g.
Thus we paid France and Spain for new ter
ritory S3O,Ol9, l22 %. But this is not ALL
Georgia. BY its charter Of 1872, extended west
ward to the Missippi River, and hence, though
at that period the territory beyond its present
limits now Alabama and Mississippi was dc
tacfo French possession. yet on its coming into
the possession of Great Britain in 1863 and of
the United States in 1883, it was of course
claimed by Georgia as falling within the limits
of its charter. In l795 this country was formed
into the Territory Of Mississippi, and Georgia's
claim to lit was ceded to the United States in
1902 for the sums Of 81, 250, 900, paid in money
and arms, and i,262, Isl II paid for YazOo
claims under that State-total, 1852, Isl IL.
Thus far the aggregate cost is So, ,273 81.
We cannot now state the cost of extnguishing
the Indian title TO these regions.
Now, a word in regard to the Florida war
which was commenced in 1884, for the ostensi-
bic object of compelling the Seminoles-a war
like tribe inhabitng East Florida-tO remove
west of the Mississippi, according to the treaty
which they had been induced to make some
time previous. Gen. Jackson insisted on their
removal; they refused to go; hence this most
bloody war There was nothing like absolute
necessity for their removal. If the tribe had
not been abused by the whites they would have
been peaceable and would have willingly re-
moved, as did the Deawares and other tribes
ON the Atlantic coast, when they required
wider field for hunting. But unfortunately the
great speculating mania of 1S33-6h had commenced.
Some individuals wanted possession of Florida
as basis for their svindling operations. Per-
haps few Of them may have believed the
fabulous accounts touching its fertility and eli
mate Shareholders wanted new plantations, and
slaye-breeders wanted new markets. To crafty
these laudabe desires the Seminoles were or
dered to remove. The principal chlei-Osceola,
or Powell, whose father was an Engllshman, mis-
mother Seminole--decared that he would not
leave his native home and the sight of his fathers
tomb. Other chief warriors were half-breeds,
which accounts for their opposition to removal.
The first proof of their fixed determination was
their killing Charley Amathla, chief favorable
70 removal The entire war was proportionally
the most sanguinary that our Government has
ever been engaged in. Great numbers OF Of
6cers and brave soldiers were killed in bait
tie or persisted in the fatal swamps. The
Indians. although few in numbers, we're
srsblzd from the favorable nature OF the coun-
try TO battle the pursuit of the troops and kept