New-York daily tribune., 1858-08-23

once been slaves IN TIER own State and in South
Carolina, living in the quiet enjoyment Of freedom,
surrounded BY their focks AID herds, in the mids,
Of their wives ard children, and sustained BY
Spanish laws because they were on Spanish soil.
Tie spectacle WAS TOO much ior them TO endure
with patience IL order t. meet tie difficulty, 1t
was necessary, in The fret place, to gam possess On
Of the territory. The annexstion Of Florida 10 the
United States was accordingly urged on the General
Government A l,w was passed BY Congress, 10
secret session, ard approved by the President, for
taking pouession If Florida slavehoder OF Geor-
gia, Gen. Mathews, was appointed Commissioner
for the purpose. HesdiDe an nsurrection whl1h had
been fomented for the occasion, lie took possession
OF Amelia leland AID Of tie country opposite TO it
on the mainland. The Spanish Government, on
learning the outrage demonstrated with the Presi-
dent, who dissyowed the acts of Mathews, aud ap-
pointed Gov. Mitchell Of Georgia in bis place.
The latter continued to hold military possession Of
the island aud part Of the mainlsud, carrying out
the policy commenced by Mathews.
Meantime, the State of Georgia, taking the
sword of execution into her own hands, raised an
srDy, which entered Florida with the ayowed IN
tention Of extermnating the Seminoles, who had
90 long refused to surrender the fugitlves while
It was the real object to reduce them again to
Slavery. The Creeks OF the Lower Towns took
sides with the Seminoes Af:er penetrating more
than hundred miles into florida, the army found
ittelf surrounded by hostile ssvages Their sup
plies were cut OFF. The men were brought almost
into itate Of starvation and compelled to retrace
their steps. Many of them perished on the way
the survivors only reaching Georgia after great loss
The Spanish inhabitants whom they met were
robbed of their provisions and left to suffer for
want of food. The Georgans were greatly incensed
at the Creek Indians, who had assisted the Semi
noes in defending themselves, and the Governor of
the State demanded the surrender of those who
had thus offended agains. the sovereignty Of that
Commonwealth. The Chefs refused 10 comply,
ard the Governor complained of their conduct to
the Federal Executive. Little notice was taken of
the matter at Washington, and Georgia was left to
carry On the war by hersef. Hunters, trAppers,
vagabonds and men Of desperate fortunes were
collected from that State, from East Tennessee,
and from other Southern States to the number of
FIVE hundred. Florida was again invaded. The
expedition was more successful than the first.
Two or three towns were burned; several c)rn-
fields planted by the fugitiyes were destroyed;
large herds of cattle stolen from the negroes were
driven back to Georgia; but the chief obsc. Of the
expedition failed; not single exile was captured
After struggle of more thon two years Nay
1879 the State Of Georgia found itself unable TO
- 30 fba ,oifi ha
war was prosecuted no further the troops were
withdrawn from Amelia Island, and peace was
restored.
The tru:e, however, for such it proved, was
short-lyed. After the peace with Great Britain IN
1915, portion of the army was stationed on the
southern frontier of Georgia. and the officers soon
took strorr ground agsinst the exies. They were
frequently the subject Of communication between
Gen. Gaines and the Executive. "Of these com
munications the e1iles were ignorant They con-
tinued in peaceful retirement, cultivatng the earth,
and gaining support for themselves aud iinilies.
In the Autumn Of 1915, they gathered sher crops,
provided for the support Of the aged and iutrm, /"
well as for their children. They carefully nursed
the sck they buried their dead; they lived in
peace, ard enjoyed the fruits Of their labor. The
following Spring and Summer found them in this
enyiable condition"
At length May lG, lsl6) orders we're issued by
Gen. Jsck,on directing Gaines to destroy the
Negro Fort" is it was called, ani return the
stolen negroes and property to their rghtful own
ers Upon the receipt Of this order, Gen. Gaines
detailed Col Duncan l.. Clnch, with bis regiment,
two pieces Of artillery, and FIVE hundred friendly
Creeks to carry out the Instructions of Gen. Jack
SOD. This was the commencement of the first
Seminole war, which, at the time, was unknown to
the people of the United States Such was the
origin Of hos.ilities which have cost the people of
this country millions OF treasure and hundreds OF
human lives.
The result ef the expedition is thus given by Mr..
GiddiDgs;
On the morning Of the 9th July, Loomis, with his
bosts asceD6ed the river and cast anchor opposite the
fort while Col. Cinch and the Creek Indians LOOK po
sOns 20 ss to cut oil retreat by land. The cannonade
WAS resumed, aud tine land aud naval forces of tne
United States were engaged 10 Throwing SPOT and
sbells for the purpose @ muIdeilng those Iiepaiess
eAes, those women and children, who had committed
no other oense than that Of having been born OF pa
rents who, q century previously, had been held IN
bondsge. Mothers ana children now shreked with
terror Sc the rear OF cannon, tue whistng OF bss,
the explosion OF Shells the rNhoops OF the ssvagss
the eroars Of The wounded and dying foetold the sad
fate which awaited them. The stout hearted old men
cbeered and encouraged their friends, declaring that
death wss TO be preierrsd TO Slavery.
The struggle however, was not protrac!ed. The
cannon balls not taking eec. upon the embsnk nents
of eath they prepared their furnaces and commenced
the ire of hot shot, directed st the principal magazine.
This mode proved more successful. bslI taly
heated reached the powder in the magazine. The
n...1 &ha<N ND nm n
in IT, rendered the explosion unusually iatsl. Many
were entirely buried in the ruins, Others were killed