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flattering. The general health of the army was good, and the posts occupied guarantied its continuance. Cheerfulness, good feeling, discipline and sobriety prevailed; and the approaching month of June was looked to with interest, when the Florida war, signalized as it was by prodigal expenditures, by defeat, mortification and disgust, poverty, sorrow, and burdensome unrequited toil, seemed about to be brought to a close.

CHAPTER XIII.

JUNE, JULY, AND TO THE 17TH AUGUST, 1842.

Instructions received by Colonel Worth to bring the war to a close.-Message of the President of the United States to congress upon the subject.-Letter of instructions from the secretary of war to Major-General Scott.-His views upon the subject.-The measures for a time postponed.-Treachery of Halleck-Tustenuggee and dissatisfaction of Octiarche.-Their designs.-Holartooche proceeds to Octiarche's camp with twenty armed Indians.-Their meeting, and the promises of the chief to surrender.-HalleckTustenuggee, finding his plans unsuccessful, prepares for emigration.-Wounded Indians brought in.-Runners dispatched to bring in the plunder of the band.-A messenger sent to the southern Indians.-Holatter-Micco or Billy Bowlegs made chief, who sends an emis ary to the whites to obtain peace. The embarkation of Halleck-Tustenuggee and band for Arkansas.-Their appearance and feeling, and the anger of the chief.-Departure of Hola tooche and the Arkansas delegation for their homes.-Halleck-Tustenuggee; his age, character, and qualities.-His first appearance in council.-The 7th infantry relieved from duty in Florida.-Its service and loss.-Death of Lieutenant Sanderson-Lieutenant Sherwood's death.-His gallantry, and the conduct of Private L. Burlington, in protecting the remains of Mrs. Montgomery.-Arrival of Bowlegs and others at Fort Brooke, to make peace. The influence and authority of Sam Jones and the Prophet disregarded.-They accompany the commander of the army to Cedar Key, and proceed to the camp of Octiarche.Octiarche and Tiger-Tail return with them.-Peace determined upon.-The appearance of TigerTail.-Orders promulgated announcing that hostilities with the Indians in Florida had ceased.Troops remaining in Florida concentrated.-Retrenchment and reduction in all departments.Stations and strength of the 3d infantry, of the th infantry, and six companies of the 4th.-The loss and service of these regiments in officers and men.-Death of Lieutenant J. H. Harvie, and Lieutenant J. A. Reill, 8th infantry-Colonel Worth ordered to proceed to Washington City.-He relinquishes the command of the ninth military department to Colonel Vose, 4th infantry.-Correspondence between Colonel Worth and Lieutenant J. T. McLaughlin, in clesing up the contest.Lieutenaut McLaughlin's instructions to Lieutenant Henry, who succeeded in command of the Florida squadron.

ONE year having elapsed since the change of commanders in Florida, and the adoption of military operations at all seasons, the month of June was looked to with confidence for the termination of the war, and consequent withdrawal of the troops, or the assignment of those remaining to permanent healthy stations for the summer. Past events justified these anticipations.

The future, though bidding fair for a realization of hopes so often illusive, could not be looked forward to without some apprehensions, dependent, as all results were, upon the dilatory and treacherous action of a few roaming Indians, against whom military exertions were of no avail, other than to aggravate and prolong the war.

The authorities at Washington, justly appreciating the state of affairs, and having found that the measures proposed by the colonel commanding, in his communication of the 14th of February, were salutary, now resolved to terminate the contest effectually; accordingly, on the 11th of May, the president of the United States transmitted to congress his views, in the following special message.

"TO THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:

"The season for active hostilities in Florida having nearly terminated, my attention has necessarily been directed to the

course of measures to be pursued hereafter in relation the few Indians yet remaining in that territory. Their number is believed not to exceed two hundred and forty, of whom there are supposed to be about eighty warriors, or males capable of bearing arms. The further pursuit of these miserable beings by a large military force, seems to be as injudicious as it is unavailing. The history of the last year's campaign in Florida has satisfactorily shown, that, notwithstanding the vigorous and incessant operations of our troops, which cannot be exceeded, the Indian mode of warfare, their dispersed condition, and the very smallness of their number, which increases the difficulty of finding them, in the abundant and almost inaccessible hiding-places of the territory, render any further attempts to secure them by force, impracticable, except by the employment of the most expensive means. The exhibition of force, and the constant effort to capture or destroy them, of course places them beyond the reach of overtures to surrender. It is believed by the distinguished officer in command there, that a different system should now be pursued to attain the entire removal of all the Indians in Florida; and he recommends that hostilities should cease, unless the renewal of them be rendered necessary by new aggressions; that communications should be opened by means of the Indians with him, to induce them to a peaceful and voluntary surrender, and that the military operations should hereafter be directed to the protection of the inhabitants.

"These views are corroborated by the governor of the territory, by many of its most intelligent citizens, and by numerous officers of the army who have served and are still serving in that region.

"Mature reflection has satisfied me that these recommendations are sound and just; and I rejoice that, consistently with duty to Florida, I may indulge my desire to promote the great interests of humanity, and extend the reign of peace and good will, by terminating the unhappy warfare that has so long been carried on there, and at the same time gratify my anxiety to reduce the demands upon the treasury, by curtailing the extraordinary expenses which have attended the contest. I have therefore authorized the colonel in command there, as soon as he shall deem it expedient, to declare that hostilities against the Indians have ceased, and that they will not be renewed, unless provoked and rendered indispensable by new outrages on their part; but that neither citizens nor troops are to be restrained from any necessary and proper acts of self-defence against any attempts to .molest them. He is instructed to open communications with those yet remaining, and endeavor, by all peaceable means, to persuade them to consult their true interests by joining their

brethren at the west. And directions have been given for establishing a cordon, or line of protection, for the inhabitants, by the necessary number of troops.

But to render this system of protection effectual, it is essential that settlements of our citizens should be made within the line so established, and that they should be armed, so as to be ready to repel any attack. In order to afford inducements to such settlements, I submit to the consideration of congress the propriety of allowing a reasonable quantity of land to the head of each family that shall permanently occupy it, and of extending the existing provisions on that subject, so as to permit the issue of rations, for the subsistence of the settlers for one year. And as few of them will probably be provided with arms, it would be expedient to authorize the loan of muskets and the delivery of a proper quantity of cartridges, or of powder and balls. By such means, it is to he hoped that a hardy population will soon occupy the rich soil of the frontiers of Florida, who will be as capable as willing to defend themselves and their houses, and thus relieve the government from further anxiety or expense for their protection.

Washington, May 10, 1842.

JOHN TYLER."

The letter herewith, from the secretary of war to MajorGeneral Scott, is more minute in the details as to the method of closing the affair:

"War Department, May 10th, 1842.

"SIR-The communication of Colonel Worth, of the 14th February last, and the suggestions of the major-general commanding the army, contained in his letter of the 27th ultimo, in relation to the state of affairs in Florida, and the continuance of hostilities there, have been maturely considered, and I have now to communicate to the major-general commanding the army, the views of the president upon the subject.

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The very reduced number of the hostile Indians now in Florida, believed not to exceed two hundred and forty, including probably eighty warriors, would seem to indicate that all has been accomplished which can be effected by the employment of a large military force in offensive operations. Unless such operations are to be continued until the last Indian in the Peninsula shall be destroyed or captured, there must be some period when they should cease. That period, it is believed, has now arrived, and the protection of the inhabitants must be secured by other means, which it is believed can be effectually employed for that purpose.

The season is approaching which forbids the active and

energetic movements which have distinguished the army in Florida, particularly during the last year, and the course of measures intended to be pursued, must now be determined.

"The communication of the governor of Florida, of many of its intelligent citizens, and of various distinguished officers of the army, corroborate the views expressed by Colonel Worth, of the propriety of terminating the present system of hostilities' with the few Indians remaining in that territory.

"Anxious to curtail the extraordinary expenses incident to the warfare, and sincerely desirous of promoting peace, the president directs that Colonel Worth be authorized, as soon as he shall deem it expedient, to declare that hostilities against the Indians in Florida have ceased, and that they will not be renewed, unless provoked by new aggressions on their part. And they will accordingly cease until their renewal be authorized by the proper authority. But this is not to be understood as forbidding any act of self-defence, either by the troops or by citizens, against any attempts of Indians to molest them.

"Such a reduction of the military force in Florida as may be made consistently with the protection of the inhabitants, will, therefore, immediately be made; and the troops ordered out of the territory will be stationed as the exigency of the public service may require. But it is deemed advisable that a force equal to at least two regiments be retained, to form a cordon, or line of protection, for the frontier settlements. The action of congress will be invited to aid in the defence of the territory, by the settlement of our citizens there, and offering to them inducements for such settlements, by gratuities of land, by allowing them rations for subsistence, and by the loan of arms. Until the decision of congress is had on the subject, it is desirable that the settlements to be made should be within such line of protection as shall be established by Colonel Worth, who will take the necessary measures to effect this arrangement.

"He will also use the means he possesses of communicating with the Indians yet remaining, and inducing them to consult their true interest, by joining their brethren at the west.

"Shipments of forage and subsistence to Florida will be suspended until expressly called for by the officer in command there.

"The quartermaster-general will instruct the senior officer of his department in Florida, as to the manner of disposing of the public property that may not be required for use under the arrangements now directed, such as mules, horses, wagons, &c., subject to the orders of the officer commanding the army in Florida.

"Colonel Worth will be informed that the naval force on the coast has been directed by the secretary of the navy to with

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