the innocent and unprotected, into adjoining states, where, in revenge, their activity and brutality would be redoubled.

"It is the policy of the general government to remove these remnants of bands to Arkansas by the only means which can effectually accomplish it. First, to locate them where they can be found and numbered: let them enjoy the comforts of peace, which will subdue the instinctive love for blood and plunder, when they can be approached through kindness and regard to their wants, which in time tames their habits and suspicions, and induces them to consider the government and its agents as friends, interested in their welfare and happiness. Then emigration can be successfully urged, and enforced by quiet and conciliatory measures: they will see that the encroachment of whites, and their settlements, subject them constantly and unavoidably to feuds and vexatious annoyances; whereas, in Arkansas, with relatives and friends, they can live in the enjoyment of their customs and habits. This must involve time, but it will effectually succeed; while a hostile attitude on the part of the government or citizens, will turn the country into an extended hunting-ground, existing so long as there remains a hostile Indian in the woods, or a settler comes, dependent upon his own arm and his family around him for defence.

"The withdrawal of the troops from Florida, has caused anxiety among the Indians for their own security. They have been told, that the government had abandoned its policy toward them; and left them to the inroads about to be commenced by the citizens, to drive them from the land. This, if a hostile feeling was predominant, would have been sufficient to provoke a corresponding feeling; on the contrary, they sought the officers of the government, in whom they had confidence, from three years' association, expressed their fears, and asked for protection -but, said they, 'if war is to come, we are prepared for it.'

"The Indians I have met here, return to their villages with renewed assurances on the part of government of protection, at the same time advising and admonishing them to think well of leaving the country, as the surest means whereby they can enjoy their homes, and follow uninterruptedly their vocations and habits.

"To prevent their passing through the settlements, a tradinghouse has been established at Charlotte's Harbor, one hundred miles south of this post, to which they can resort; where the agents of the government will 'meet them at certain periods, and enforce judiciously the necessity of emigration. The subject is now discussed among them; time and circumstances will remove the objections urged by the younger class, and many will be induced to emigrate.

"To carry this out successfully, the co-operation of public sentiment is necessary: if peace and emigration is urged in one quarter, aggression and bloodshed enacted in another, Florida will involve her destiny in that of the Indian.

"Peace with these bands of Indians now costs but little, without the sacrifice of blood, property, or homes; but hostilities will be at a higher price, without ameliorating the condition of the savage, or accomplishing the desired end.

I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. T. SPRAGUE,

Capt. U. S. A., in charge of Indian affairs, Fa.”

To the Editor of the St. Augustine Herald.

Very recent intercourse with the Indians remaining within the limits of the state, has enabled those upon whom the duty devolved, to ascertain correctly the number, and the disposition manifested in regard to peace and future emigration, as well as their present condition. There are now one hundred and twenty men capable of taking the field, consisting of fractions of various bands, viz. Seminoles, 70; Mickasukies, 30; Creeks, 12; Uchees, 4; Choctaws, 4. Of this number, seventy have grown from boyhood to manhood since the commencement of the contest. The remainder do not exceed forty years of age, excepting Arpeika (Sam Jones), and Assinwar. The former is ninety-two years of age, the latter sixty. The women and children average two to a man, making two hundred and forty; of this number one hundred and forty are children. The total number of Indians, of both sexes, is three hundred and sixty. Holatter Micco, or Billy Bowlegs, is thirty-three years of age. He speaks English fluently, and exercises supreme control. He being the nephew of Micanopy, Old Bowlegs, and King Paine, his royal blood is regarded, thus enabling him to exert his authority in such a manner as to govern the reckless and wayward spirits around him. By judicious laws and periodical councils, he has instituted a system of government, salutary and efficient. Arpeika, or Sam Jones, is a sub-chief. This dignity is accorded to him in consideration of his age, more than for his opinions or assistance. He has become childish, and so feeble that he is dependent upon the young men and women for subsistence and care. Assinwar, another subchief, is a smart, active man. He gives a cordial support to the chief in his exertions to introduce wholesome laws, and to continue upon amicable terms with the inhabitants. Otulke-Thlocko (the Prophet), who so long held a commanding position, is dead. The perseverance of the troops, and their penetrating certain points when least expected, caused his advice and opinions to be treated with contempt, as his incantations and prophecies were

found to be impositions practised upon their ignorance and credulity. The Indian villages are located upon the Carlosahatchee river, extending from Charlotte's Harbor up to Lake Oke-chobee. . The country, the larger portion of the year, is nearly inundated with water, so much so, that the Indians have been driven to the coast for safety. Game of all kinds abounds. The skins of the deer, when dressed, afford comfortable clothing; and the meat, when dried, is palatable and nourishing the year round. Bears are killed in great numbers. Oysters and fish are to be obtained in any quantities, at all seasons. They have horses, cattle, hogs, and some poultry. By planting a small lot of ground, they are enabled to raise corn and vegetables sufficient for consumption. Occasionally a few come in to Fort Brooke to trade, but they generally confine themselves to the trading-house within the boundary. Towards the whites an amicable feeling is entertained and encouraged, more from the apprehension of being encroached upon, than from any sentiment of generosity or affection.

In time, when the agents of the government have received their confidence, many will emigrate. Now they are shy and distrustful. If unmolested, they will be harmless. Forbearance and kindness, with the judicious policy of the general government now in operation, will relieve Florida entirely of Indians. Any steps to the contrary will again make it the battle-ground for the lion and the wolf.

No state or territory in the Union from which the Indian has been expelled, has had the good fortune to find so few of these natural enemies to civilization remaining in their midst, as the state of Florida. Other parts of the country have been annoyed with remnants of bands lingering about them, disgusting objects of compassion; but the Indians in Florida, from the prolific resources of the soil, and the deliciousness of the climate, so well adapted to their habits and wants, are placed far above the demands of charity or sympathy.

CHAPTER XVI.

QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT-COMMISSARY DEPARTMENTSETTLEMENT OF THE TERRITORY.

The quartermaster's department of the army.-The efficiency of its officers, and their importance in the discharge of duties in the field.-The concurrence given by General Jesup in carrying out retrenchment in Florida.-Officers on duty there.-The manner in which duty was discharged.-Report of retrenchment made by Lieutenant-Colonel T. F. Hunt, deputy quartermaster-general of the army of Florida. The subsistence department.-The importance and good effect of the log-hut in defeating the Indians, and deterring them from aggressions.-Exertions made to induce settlers to occupy the interior of the country.-The efforts for a time successful.-The act of congress of February 1st, 1836, for the relief of distressed inhabitants.-Instructions from the president of the United States under its provisions.-Major D. 8. Wilcox, 5th infantry, intrusted with the duty of settlements and issuing of rations.-His instructions from the commander of the army.-Death of Major Wilcox.-Lieutenant Patrick, 2d infantry, ordered to assume the duty. His instructions in reference to the discontinuance of government supplies.-The total failure of establishing permanent settlements.-The conduct of those who professed to occupy the country and draw rations.-Lieutenant Patrick's final report of settlements, the number of persons, ages, &c.-Steps taken to cause citizens drawing rations to reoccupy their plantations.-Success.-Abuse of the act of congress in issuing supplies.

THE efficiency and experience of the officers belonging to the quartermaster's department of the army, on duty in Florida, aided materially in perfecting the system of retrenchment begun and carried out in the midst of active operations. Closing the war cut off the drain upon the national treasury, furrowing deep from year to year, at the rate of twelve hundred thousand dollars per annum. Large amounts of money and public property were intrusted to the officers of this department, and scattered throughout the territory, in depot and in the field, for which they were responsible, being charged with both its safe custody and its judicious application to the wants of the service. Their varied and complicated duties require unceasing activity and attention, and an intimate acquaintance with all branches of business, civil and military. The rigid accountability enjoined by the government in the execution of vouchers and returns, imposes a laborious task, requiring care and method, more resembling the order and regularity of a bureau, than a place where duties are to be performed with brevity and dispatch. It is necessary that an officer, in the discharge of these functions, should combine an intimate knowledge of the practical duties of the soldier, in and out of the field. Without it, commands are embarrassed at every turn, as their mobility and efficiency materially depend upon the promptness and judgment exercised by the assistant-quartermaster in the execution of his orders. The transportation of supplies of all kinds is dependent upon his experience and ability.

A commander unable to superintend the details of service, relies upon the staff-officer for a faithful co-operation and aid, and those of the quartermaster's department being more numerous

and complicated than any other, involving pecuniary responsi bility, renders it imperative that the officers of this corps should possess the highest qualities both of the soldier and the citizen. He has at stake the honor of his country in the efficiency of the soldier, as well as being a trusty sentinel over the coffers of the

nation.

Major-General T. S. Jesup, quartermaster-general of the United States army, eminently qualified by his experience in and out of the field, gave a cordial support to the measures put in execution to perfect retrenchment in Florida.

Twenty-five officers of his corps, from the rank of colonel down, have performed a tour of duty in the territory, participating in the toils of the service, and guarding, at the same time, the public interest with zealous care, and in a manner honoring to themselves and to their profession.

Colonel T. Cross, assistant quartermaster-general, when on duty there in 1839, saw the evil of large expenditures of money, and by vigorous measures endeavored to arrest plans then in contemplation to augment demands upon the government, which would not have added to the efficiency of troops, or have contributed to terminate the contest. Lieutenant-Colonel H. Whiting, deputy quartermaster-general, in relieving Colonel Cross, met the current sweeping throughout the country with vigor, firmness, and justice, bearing his full share of the odium heaped upon the colonel commanding the army of Florida, for taking measures calculated to deprive many of lucrative employ

ment.

From the 1st of June, 1841, retrenchment was commenced, and carried vigorously and steadily onward from month to month, in the midst of active operations, without embarrassing or retarding the vigilance of troops. On the 12th of March, 1842, Lieutenant-Colonel T. F. Hunt, deputy quartermaster-general, relieved Lieutenant-Colonel Whiting, his tour having expired, and continued the reduction, which, from the manifest conclusion of hostilities, was increased from day to day.

The regiments on service in Florida were fast approaching their regular establishments, requiring no more than when in garrison in other parts of the country. Expenses heretofore required were cut off, confining the labor of mechanics and clerks to the regular soldier, duties which had before been executed by hired citizens. The ability and precision of Lieutenant-Colonel Hunt, united to a scrupulous and unwearied zeal in the performance of his duties, gave to the means in force rapid execution and effect, breaking up, by kind and judicious steps, the combination by which the livelihood of deserving men and their families were involved. On the 23d of June, 1842, he submitted his re