a particular settlement, letters complaining that tracks had been seen, appeals for rations and security, constituted the general character of these communications and demands, which, to have complied with, would have required unlimited authority and a force of fifteen thousand men. These contending influences, rendered the more embarrassing by the prevailing ignorance of the nature of the service, and authority vested in the commander, mingled with political objects and aspirations, were enough, combined, to induce those in power to open the flood-gates of the treasury of the nation, and look upon and treat the Florida war as an interminable conflict.

The contemplated meeting of the Creeks at the mouth of the Withlacoochee river, as agreed upon by the messengers dispatched by Lieutenant-Colonel Garland, created much interest, as these Indians were not only treacherous to the whites, but regardless of any ties or obligations towards those of their own color. The chief Nethlockemathlar was dispatched, with other Indians, in a steamer, to the appointed place, where, in conjunction with Lieutenant-Colonel Garland, the interview was to take place, about the 30th of December. The chief and his companions were encamped near the margin of the hammock, at the mouth of the river, where, for five days he held communication with Octiarche, chief of the Creeks.

From his ingenious and artful excuses, it was evident his object was to obtain subsistence and ammunition. His band, he said, could not be assembled for the purpose of surrendering, before the 10th of January; in the mean time he urged that the troops might abstain from pursuit. This was acquiesced in, on the condition that the Indians also abstained from hostilities; and the 12th of January was agreed upon, when another meeting would be had at the same place, preparatory to coming in to Fort Brooke.

Octiarche could not be induced by any artifice to visit the steamer; friendly messages were interchanged between the officer on board and the chief, but to urgent and polite invitations he always expressed his deep regret, that at the present moment his acceptance of such hospitalities was not practicable.

Had he accepted, he would have been secured, and held as a hostage for the surrender of his companions. But though disappointed here, good fortune crowned the exertions made in another quarter. The combined movements south, as was anticipated, had broken the league existing there; the enemy finding their haunts simultaneously assailed by land and water. WaxeyHadjo, one of the youngest and most intelligent chiefs of the Big Cypress, was intercepted on his retreat north from Lake Okechobee, with seventeen men and thirty women and children. He could give no satisfactory information of Billy Bowlegs, of

the Prophet, nor of Sam Jones. The last he saw of them was in the Everglades, with only their families, retreating from the swamp. The remaining Indians had scattered, in parties of three or four, for safety.

The attack upon the settlement of Mandarin, twenty miles south of Jacksonville, on the eastern bank of the river St. John's, and thirty-five miles from St. Augustine, on the 20th of December, counterbalanced all that was realized at Fort Brooke. This marauding party consisted of seventeen men, belonging to the band of Halleck-Tustenuggee. They came from the neighborhood of Dunn's Lake and Haw Creek. Following the hammocks, which border the river for forty miles, and crossing the main road from St. Augustine to Picolata, they found the small village unprotected. The men, in a body, that morning, had left upon an extensive deer-hunt, ranging the country for ten miles round. The Indians assailed the houses, yelling most furiously, and shot the inmates, as they, frantic and confused, ran for the main road. Two men who had returned from the hunting excursion, two women, and an infant, were killed. The dwellings were plundered, then burnt, and for sixteen hours these savages danced around the smouldering remains and mangled corpses of the slain. At that time it was impossible to tell from whence these Indians came. So sudden an outbreak in a section of country thickly settled, caused much dissatisfaction and alarm.

Since the capture of Coacooche not an Indian had been seen or heard of east of the St. John's river. The trail of these Indians was taken up by practiced guides, and followed to their haunts, which divulged the hiding-place of Halleck-Tustenuggee, which for seven months past had been diligently sought, by wideextended operations of troops, aided by the knowledge and sagacity of friendly Indians. Powis-fixico or Short Grass, with five men, well known as a crafty and vindictive Indian, was with him.

A petition was at once sent to the commander of the army for a force We now," says this paper, "most humbly pray that you would allow us a mounted force for our protection. There are a sufficient number of men in the settlement to form a company, and if we are allowed a mounted force, either volunteers or dragoons, the families will return to their homes; if not, the whole settlement will be abandoned." The letter from Colonel Worth shows that ample measures were adopted for security:

Head-Quarters, Arm, of Florida, Tampa, }

"SIR-I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your communication of the 26th ultimo, which has received the most respectful attention.

"The possibility that some small bands of Indians might attempt to steal west, between the St. John's and Atlantic, had not for a moment escaped attention, and so early as November 18th, detachments were put in motion under an active and zealous officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Riley, to cover that part of the country, and intercept, if possible, such as might thus attempt to elude the hot pursuit below. No one can more sincerely lament the catastrophe at Mandarin than myself. The assailing party was small, the highest estimate carrying it twenty-one, while a more careful examination leads to the belief that it may not have exceeded twelve, which number coincides with that of the only band which could, in any probability, have committed the act; and it is to be regretted, making all due allowance for the time of attack and character of the foe, that some of the fifty-one signers to a call for succor had not been found to give some account of so despicable a foe. Nevertheless, sufficient force has been placed at the disposal of the commander in that quarter, with ample instructions to give protection to every exposed point, which, I am happy to say, the near close of the contest enables me to do, without withdrawing troops from any other quarter of defence.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

Gen. J. M. HERNANDEZ, Col. G. HUMPHREYS,

and others, St. Augustine.

W. J. WORTH, Colonel Commanding."

The closing of the month of December, as well as the year 1841, brought with it many incidents and results rewarding the army for the toils, privations, and sickness, which had fallen to the lot of all. Hardly a man had escaped sickness in some form, and none had escaped from a full share of the burden. The contest, however, was far from being closed. So long as ten Indians in the woods remained hostile to the white man, so long would the Florida war be protracted. No material change had occurred in the condition of the army. The season of the year was more favorable, and all ranks were eager for the most active duty. How far this disposition could be gratified, was an embarrassing question. Negotiation and military measures had to go hand in hand, requiring the utmost circumspection, lest the one might defeat the other. During the month of November, 1576 men were taken sick, 44 died, 8 discharged the service. In December, 1569; 23 died, and 44 discharged the service.

The beneficial results from the measures adopted in inducing settlers to enter the country, and stimulating those to return who had fled from their plantations, now began to be realized. Major D. L. Wilcox, to whom was confided this duty, assisted by Lieu

tenant Patrick, second infantry, had, by untiring industry, accomplished more than was anticipated. Thirty-two settlements had been established in various parts of the territory, at points heretofore subjected to the incursions of the enemy. The timid had become resolute, thereby introducing the most formidable antago nist to the Indian-the log-hut, the ploughshare, and pruning. hook.

Block-houses were erected by the army in each settlement, as a place of refuge; arms and ammunition were placed in the hands of men accustomed to them from boyhood, and with the rations issued by the government from month to month, there was every guarantee that, with ordinary industry and courage, these settlements would be a home for many who for years had been houseless, and ultimately be an efficient and effectual means of reducing and expelling the enemy.

CHAPTER X.

Correspondence between the executive of the territory of Florida, and of the state of Georgia; with the federal government, and with Colonel W. J. Worth, commanding the army of Florida, in regard to the mustering of militia to co-operate with the army for the protection of the frontier.-Character of the applications made by citizens for employment.-Remarks upon the expediency of calling out militia to expel the Indians, or to prevent incursions.-Letters from officers of the army, showing the state of the frontiers of Florida and Georgia; the necessity of troops, and the disposition among the border settlers.-The firmness of the Hon. J. C. Spencer and Major General Scott, added much to the successful progress of the war, and to its termination.

THE employment of militia in the state of Georgia and the territory of Florida, since the commencement of Indian difficulties, caused misunderstandings between the civil and military. The civil officer endeavored to shield the citizen from molestation and murder; while the military, having this in view, hoped to guard the coffers of his country from wanton and useless expenditures. Signs of Indians having caused alarm in the neighborhood of Tallahassee, his excellency the governor of Florida, C. K. Call, again reminded the commander of the western district, Major Wilson, 3d infantry, of the necessity of more troops in that quarter; and at the same time, urged upon the authorities at Washington, the propriety of mustering into service a militia force. The war department, on the 2d of August, authorized the colonel commanding to muster into service, two companies of foot for three months. In reply to this, as well as to the admonitions of the governor of Florida, the following extract of a communication of August 17th, from the commander of the army to higher authority, will show clearly that this section of country was not lost sight of.

I respectfully ask a careful perusal of the enclosed reports of scouts from Major Wilson, commanding the western dirtrict; from which it will appear, that sympathizing to the fullest extent in the governor's solicitude for the safety of the settlers, not only in Middle Florida, but at every other exposed point, not doubting but that the enemy, after being routed and his fields destroyed, would seek food and vengeance upon the settlements. It will be perceived, on perusal of Major Wilson's reports, a high degree of activity and zeal distinguished the officers under him; and also that it is not in human foresight or sagacity, to guard against occasional acts of violence of the enemy, so resolute and vindictive. It will be with extreme reluctance, and only in the last resort, that I shall muster in militia; and I must be permitted to say, that a desire for the service enters largely into every panic."