Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-31
FROM PORT ROYAL-GEN. SHERMAN
VISITS FLORIDA.

l9th and was waited on by committee OF
citizens, who represented the feelings OF all
in town as strongly Union, Many OF the in
habitants left Jacksonville with the rebels,
who threatened 10 hang all who remained.
Bands of rebel regulators or guerllas were pill.
laying and destroying all property of suspect
ed Unionists, under orders from the rebel gem
eral Trapier. AT Jacksonville the night be-
fore the Union troops arrived these regulators
burned large foundry, several saw mills, i've
million feet of lumber, a large hotel and
large dry ,ods warehouse supposed to be
long to Uuionists, and threatened to destroy
the entire city but the gunboats making
their appearance they postponed their threat.
Many are returning to Jacksonville, among
whom are rebel aeserters anxious to take the
oath of allegiance, and WHO say that deser.
tions will be numerous. The sentiment of
eastern Florida is declared loyal. Many are
willing to take up arms to defend themselves
against rebel tyranny, and upon one occasion,
when the regulators were reported as coming,
even the women seized arms The national
troops are treated to every hospitality the town
affords, and the people say they will go with
the gunboats if they leave; but measures have
been taken to fully protect them.
Tue gunboat Ottowa has been 100 miles up
the St. Johns River, beyond Jacksonville,
meeting no opposition, White flags were dis
ptuJ W thS inhdDuAhtSS mo Cldlultu HCT
protection. The steamer St. Marys and the
yacht America were found sunk, but Captain
Stevens of the Ottowa was raising them.
Pensacola has been evacuated, including
also forts Barrancas and McRae, and the reb-
els announce the entire abandonment of Flor
ida. The troops raised in Florida have been
ordered off, but refused to go.
Col. WhippIe OF the New Hampshire fourth
has resigned Lieut.. Col. Bell commanding
that regiment, with headquarters at San Au.
gnstine. Gen. Wright was about removing
his headquarters from Fernandina to Jackson
vile. Some eighty inhabitants Of Fernandina
have returned to their homes
The steamer Oriental had arrived from New
York, with thirty thousand letters for the Port
Royal troops. The news ofour victories great
ly rejoiced our troops. Gen. Sherman had is
sued proclamation to people OF east Florida,
i'll which he states that the troops of the Unit
ed States come to protect loyal citizens in their
property, and enable them to resuscitate a
government. All loyal people who return, or
remain at their homes i'll the quiet pursuit Of
their lawful avocatiOns, shall be protected in
all their constitutional rights. The sole desire
and intention of the federal government is to
maintain the integrity of the constitution and
laws, and reclaim the states that have revolted
| from national allegiance to their prosperous
and happy condition He expresses great sat
| istaction at the evidences OF loyalty, and rec
| ommends the citizens TO assemble in their
| cities, towns, and precincts, throw off the
sham government forced upon them, swear
true fidelity and allegiance to the constitution
| OF the United States organize Il government
and elect officers in the good old way OF the
! past When this is done, he predicts re
turn of prosperous and happy times, immuni
ty from want and suffering, and enjoyment OF
l.l ,I I.
py home, and the consolation of living under
wise and salutary laws. due only to an indus
trious, aw-abiding people.
AT a meeting OF the loyal citizens OF jack
sonville, Fla, on the 10Th, a declaration of
rights protest, aud resolutions we're unani.
mously adopted, TO the following effect That
no state has constitutional right to separate
itself from the United States that the act of
secession adopted by the state convention of
Florida is void, being in conflict with the consti.
tuition, in never having been submitted to the
| people for ratification Florida is an in
tegral part OF the United States, subject to
constitutional jurisdiction, and they believe
that thousands of her citizens hail with Joy
| the restoration oil the government, bringing
deliverance from the terrors OF unrestrained
military despotism They protest against all
acts or ordinances of the convention, depriving
! them of lights citizens of the United States,
! against the despUtlsm which denied freedom
| OF speech and the press, against contributions
of money, property, and labor, and military
eniStmens forced upon them,-against the
tyranny which demands the abandonment of
homes and property and the exposure of their
wves and children TO sickness destilutiun,
| famine, and untold miseries,- against the bar
barous policy which sends brutal soldiery TO
| pillage and burn property and destroy life, as
a minis hDle nj fnpr in nj tIair bnrflns
against the governor, who threatens to hang
| them because they do not tamey submit to
such indgnities. Having been released from
| such dangers aad indgnites, and restored to
the government of the United States, and the
reign Of terror having passed, it now becomes
them as loyal citizens to raise up state gov
ernment, and they recommend that cen en-
ton of all loyal citizens be called forthwith, to
organize a state government of the state of
| Florida also, that the chief Of this military
! department of the United States be requested
to retain sufficient force to maintain order
and protect the people in their persons and
| property,