the most sacred rights inherent in the organization and design of the constitution of the country, which guaranties to all "peaceable possession of homes and firesides." Any measure having a tendency, however remotely, to encroach upon this declaration, is an infringement of the privileges of every American citizen. If a certain policy is adopted, the law-makers should look around, and first ascertain if there be the means to execute it, regarding most sacredly the rights of those who bring into being this governing power; if the treasury of the country will not warrant it, or the prejudices of legislators will not sanction the measures which are necessary for the maintenance of a regular force, the policy, whatever it may be, should be abandoned, at least for a time, or until the period arrives when proper feelings and motives actuate those to whom our rights are confided. If persisted in, and the Indian, outraged by wrongs, dares desperately to assail the intruder, the government is bound, by ties of duty and consanguinity, to give to settlers on the border ample protection by regular troops. If mustered into service, each man inevitably leaves his home unprotected. While absent, solicitous for the safety of others, his own dwelling may be fired, and his family murdered; his farm, from which he draws his daily food, becomes a barren waste, and the habits of industry, which have grown with his growth, become enervated by pernicious example. Indolence is as well rewarded as patient toil, his daily pay is as much when spent in vice and slothfulness as when usefully engaged, and that zeal which should stimulate him in his new vocation is weakened by a consciousness, that, when executing his duty, he is liable to the fate of a soldier, and knows, and feels too, that when snugly in camp, participating in the revels of a militia force, he is free from all danger. Even should motives of ambition excite him to duty, this is lessened by the fact, that his employment is temporary, and that if the enemy is found and subdued, his daily income must cease, and he be thrown again upon those qualities which the vicious indulgences of an undisciplined camp tend so strongly to undermine. Nor do these pernicious influences fall alone upon the border settler. The mustering of militia into service becomes intermixed with the political aspirations of men, who, by good fortune and frugality, have risen above the crowd. The political aspirant moves in the midst of many who rely upon his exertions for a livelihood, readily yielding their opinions of government and law to the more potent and paramount demands for bread. These aspirants, thus born to command, become known, and before the lapse of twelve months, after a campaign, their important services are lauded, and they comfortably housed in a position distinguished and profitable, while the frontiersman, a fellow-campaigner, has become penni

less and houseless, thrown out of employment, and reduced to the necessity of again seeking his once cultivated field, petitioning that the regular soldier may be stationed in his neighborhood to protect him. If the ballot-box is corrupted, how can the treasury of the country escape? Experience has taught, that within the last ten years, the demands upon the national treasury, and a large portion of that which has been drawn, was the result of criminal prodigality, and effected through the means of reckless corruption.

"For years after the Indian is expelled from the soil, and peace restored, claims accumulate with a rapidity truly remarkable. Muster-rolls, certificates, affidavits, losses exaggerated by loud complaints and threats, roll in upon congress and the treasury like a torrent, when the establishment of these demands becomes an effectual and important element in the approaching canvass for representatives.

A country once agitated by border wars, requires years for society to regain its former channels. Industry and morals are crushed by that recklessness which ever is the lot of man, when driven from his home, and freed from those obligations which bind him to his country and the society which has grown up around him.

The white man soon imbibes the habits of an Indian, and, divested of his native simplicity of character, he combines the recklessness of the savage with many inherent vices, that give redoubled waywardness and force to the degrading propensities of man in a barbarous state. The society of a frontier once thrown from its axis, revolves in disorder until it is lost in ignorance, slothfulness, and vice.

Calling out militia under the act of congress of February 28th, 1795, could be done so as to effect the object designed—“ that is, to repel invasion from any foreign nation or Indian tribe;” but when political ambition and the lust for public money becomes paramount, the intention of the law is perverted, and the community, instead of manfully battling invaders, sits passively in camp, enjoying the monthly pay. It is the abuse of the law which renders this kind of force so expensive and ineffectual. If this does exist from the nature of things, it is not surprising that experienced officers, with a full knowledge of it under their immediate observation, reluctantly become instruments thus to drain the treasury of their country, and be the means of sowing the seeds of corruption, which, from year to year, as the war is prosecuted, adds to the embarrassments surrounding them.

The correspondence upon the subject, shows clearly the opinions entertained by the general government. It preferred leaving the matter discretionary with the regular officer who was

accountable for the protection of the frontier, and best able to form a correct opinion (as results showed), with a full knowledge of what was necessary, and at the same time responsible for the security of citizens; as ample means and power had been placed at his disposal.

The letters of the Hon. J. C. Spencer, secretary of war, exhibit a comprehensive knowledge of the nature and character of the Florida war. The state of affairs in that territory received his special attention, upon first assuming the administration of the department, in which he persevered, until his acute mind and untiring industry opened the subject fully, divested of the mystification which five years' drain upon the treasury had invested it. He sternly marked his course of conduct, and resolutely adhered to it, which gave to the commander, and officers within his command encouragement, instead of ill-digested plans, experiments, and suggestions. He felt that the officer in the field was better able to suggest, than the councils emanating in the bureaux remote from the scene of action. To his firmness and wisdom the country is greatly indebted.

The soldierly and statesmanlike views of Major-General Scott, commanding the army, awarded to the militia much praise for the forbearance they manifested, and the readiness with which they had mustered and pursued the enemy upon emergencies. His opinions and instructions throughout, are characterized by a just and judicious discrimination; doing justice to officers and men, both of the militia and regular force.

CHAPTER XI.

JANUARY AND FEBRUAY, 1842.

The hiding-place of Halleck-Tustenuggee found; strength and character of his band; his own character. -Precautionary measures taken to prevent his surprising the settlements.-Major Plympton ordered to take the field with three companies of the 2d infantry.-Fight with Halleck-Tustenuggee.-Band retreats Two Indians taken prisoners.-Pursuit of Halleck by Captain Casey, 2d infantry, with one hundred men.-Lieutenant Wessels ascends the Ocklawaha river to intercept him.-He eludes them successfully.-Capture of Powis-Fixico or Short-Grass.-Nethlockemathlar repairs to the mouth of the Withlacooche to meet the Creeks.-The Creeks plotting to take his life, and rescue the Indians encamped at Fort Brooke.-Indignation of the chief.-He organizes an armed party; takes the field to punish the Creeks.-Thirty Indians, armed completely. proceed to Fort Clinch.-Conduct of Tiger-Tail or Thlocklo-Tustenuggee in council.-Escape of Tiger-Tail from Fort Brooke.-His schemes frustrated. -His wife and child re-captured.-His repeated interviews with Octiarche to concert means of releasing the Indians in camp.-The Indian war-party supposed to be privy to his escape.-Orders sent to Fort Clinch to disarm the party at once.-They sent to Cedar Key, thence to Fort Brooke.—Indignation of the Chief Nethlockemathlar.-Active measures of the army.-Troops recalled from the South.Campaign in the Big Cypress ended, resulted as anticipated.-Major Belknap secures a sub-chief, and sixty-seven followers.-Supposed hiding-place of Bowlegs, the Prophet, and Sam Jones.-Much praise due the troops, if the service was understood -Ponce de Leon landing in 1522 on the margin of the Everglades.-Memorandum of reports of officers.-Scouts.-Explorations sent to the adjutant-general. -Orders issued for the relief of the 3d artillery.-Movements of the regiment, and their service in Florida.-Disposition of the troops from the South.-2d dragoons; 4th, 6th, and 8th infantry.-Embarkation of two hundred and thirty Indians-Creeks, Seminoles, Uchees, and Mickasukies, their character and feelings, vicious and abandoned.-Detachment, 8th infantry, fired upon in the Wahoo Swamp.-Movement of troops to find the Creeks.-Indians under Octiarche attack the settlement with arrows, killing women and children.-They pursued.-Night attack upon their camp in the Swamp. --Capture of the women. Men escape.-Humanity of officers, and soldiers.-Embarrassments in closing the contest.-Colonel Worth's letter of February 14th, urging upon the government certain measures to finish it.-Major Cooper, assistant-adjutant general, dispatched to Washington.-The contents submitted by the secretary of war to a council of officers.-Not acceded to.-General Jesup dissents from the opinion expressed.—The measures prosecuted, though uninstructed by the commander in Florida.-Orders issued for retrenchment.-6th infantry relieved, and ordered to Jefferson Barracks; its service; its loss by disease and battle.-Sick and deaths in the army in January, February, and March-The total number in the army taken sick during nine months' active service.—An asylum for old soldiers, and invalids.-Condition of those discharged the service for disability.

THE hiding-place of Halleck-Tustenuggee, the most formidable Indian chief in Florida, had at last been found. Seven months' diligent search by friendly Indians, as well as by zealous and wide-extended operations of troops, had proved unavailing. Some atrocious act upon the settlements, or an humble message to the commander of a post for subsistence, had heretofore, occasionally disclosed his whereabout or his habitation. Now he was doubtless on Haw Creek or at the head of Dunn's Lake, east of the river St. John's: this was a most eligible spot, from which to emerge at pleasure upon the roads leading to St. Augustine, forty miles distant, and the intermediate places, or intercept travellers on the way to Picolata, on the St. John's.

From the best information which could be obtained, he had with him thirty-five warriors, mostly Mickasukies, resolute and vindictive, who considered the soil theirs by inheritance. A few Seminoles and Creeks were among the number, who had been forsaken by their companions less cruel and blood-thirsty. They were now reduced to the necessity of combining for safety with