Newspaper Page Text
A € O
GEOSGI1 TJELEGR
VKtf£9 STATES &rJttA^CK.
c-
JBmwmMb accompanying ike late special Message.
The Duke tie IS/oglie to Mr Bui ion.
.I’aiub, October 26, 1835.
Xjn: Ihave received the letter which you did
jnc tho honor to address to me, -on the 24th of
this iuou jfi.
Turn arc desirous to givo your Ouve/tuocu; a
‘faithful Account oi the conversation wliich you
'had vyiih luc uu (lie 20ih, while vumuiuiucaiiug
.fit) .me u statement of that couvcrsaiinn. you re
quest tnc to indicate the involuntary errors which
J>::ny remark iu it. \ appreciate the motives
> tiikh iuducL’ce^ou, and the importance which
you attach to the exactness of this staiemeiit;
*80d J therefore hasten to point out three errors,
■Which bavo found their way iuto yojir report^ ac
knowledgiug, at the same time, its perfect cou-
jtamuy our.Jl other pouttp, with the explanations
# interchanged between jus.
in reply to your question, tchcilln the King's
)_ Government MsUmw any fixed and determinate "
'period at which it would be disposed to pay the 1 •*
‘Mptnttf Jiiy millions x youraako too say, “to-mor-
.!/oiv, if necessary, when the Govcruincut of the
Minted .Stales,shall, by a written official commu
nication. have expressed its regret at the misun
derstanding which has taken place between the
jtvo Governments, assuring us that the misunder-
Xtandiug is founded upon au error; and that it
did not intend to cull in qnosiion tho good faj.n
of bis Majesty’s Govcrmncut,” &c.
Now, this is what I really said: “ To-mor-
ro.v. to-day. immediately, if tha Goverumcn: of
tho United States is ready, on its part, to declare
to us, by addressing its claim (reclamation,) to us
officially, in writing, that it regrets the miscuder]
standingwhich lias ariseu between the two coun
tries; that this misunderstanding is founded upon
n mistake, and that it n-.-ver entered into its in
tention (pens'e) to call iu question tho good faith
of tho French Government, nor to take a menac
ing attitude towards France.”
By tho terms of your report, • am made to
have continued thus : "lu the despatch to M. Pa*
goot, wo gave the views of our Government on
Ibis questiou. Mr. Forsyth not having thought
proper to accept a copy of that despatch, aud
having saiil that tho Government of the United
States could not receive the communication iu
that form,” &c.—that was not what 1 said ; be
cause such was not the language of Mr. Forsyth
to Mr. Pngoot. On refusing the copy offered to
him by that Charge d’Affuires, Mr. Forsyth gave
ns the only reason, that it teas a document oj
which he could make no use ; nud that was the
phrase repeated by me. . 1
Mr. Forsyih made uo objection to the form
which 1 had adopted, to communicate to the Fed
eral Government tho views of the King’s Gov
ernment; in fact, not ouly is there nothing unu
sual in the form, not only is it employed iu the in
tercourse bclwocu one Government a id auothcr,
whenever there is a desire to avoid the irritation
which might involuntarily nriso from an exchange
of contradictory uotes in a direct controversy.
Out reflection on the circumstances aud the re
spective positions of the two countries, will clear
ly show, that it was chosen precisely in a spirit of
conciliation and regard for thtf Federal Govern
ment.
Finally, sir. after having said, ** If the Govern
ment of the United Suites does not give this as
surance, we shall be obliged to think that this
niisnudcrstauding is not the result of au error,”
1 did not add, * aud the busiuess will stop there.”
This last error is, however, of so little importance
that I hesitated to notice it.
Receive, sir, the assnrauces of my high consid
eration. V. BROGLIE.
To T. P. Barton,
Charge cf Affair's of the 17. States.
dress to this Government, will promptly receive
aich consideration as may be due to its < outents,
aud the interests involved in the subject to which
it oia; refer.
As tim enclosed paper is not considered the
subject of reply, you will allow tue to add, for
tho purpose of preventing any misconception in
this respect, that my sileurc iu regard to its cou-
tout* is not to he considered as admitting the ac
curacy of uny of tho statements or reasouiugs
contained iu it.
I have ill? bouor to renew. &c. &c.
JOHN FORSYTH.
Mr. Pageot to Mr. Forsyth.
Washington. December 5. 1635.
Sts: 1 yesterday evening received tbo letter
wlticli you did me the honor to write to me. ou
the 3d of this mouth; with it. you return r,i
me the copy of a despatch which 1 had transmit
ted to you two days before, aud the original of
which was addressed to me on the 17ih of June
ast, by bis excellency the Minister of Foreign
Affairs. 1 will unt seek, sir, to disguise from v , lU
the astonishment produced in tnc, by ih;. return
of a document so very important the present
state of the relations between vhe two countries;
neither will I uu.tert Vac to reply to tho reasons
on which ‘his determination of yours is based.—
V<y intention in communicating this document to
you in a form, not only sanctioned by tho diplo
matic u-ages nf all nations and all ages, but also
the most direct w hich 1 could possibly have cho
sen, was to make known the real disposition of
my Government to the President of Hie United
Slates, and through him to Congress, and the A-
nierican people, conceiving that, in the existing
situali m of the two countries it was essential
that each Government should fully comprehend
the intentions of the other: this consideration ap
peared to me paramount t» all others. You have
judged otherwise, sir; and you have thought,
that whatever might be the importance of a com
munication, it was proper, before receiving it, to
examine whether the form in which it came to '
you, were strictly accordant with tire usages ne
cessary, in your opinion, to be observed iu diplo
matic transactions with the Got eminent of the
Republic'. 1 will not insist farther: I have ful
filled nil the duties which appeared to be prescri
bed for me,.by the spirit of reconciliation, ill
conjunction with the respect due by .ne to all
communications from my GAvermucni; mid no
thing more remains for me. than to express my
deep regret that the misunderstanding between
the two governments, already so serious, should
dancing in numbers around the flames. I fall back upon bis resources and await rcinforce-
About twelve o’clock the succeeding day, he | meats so that, upon tho whole the effect upon our
says eleven Indians crossed over to Col. Duiu-
mett's and laid waste toe plantation, demolished
every thing iu tho dwelling except two tables,
and built a fire upon the floor, evidently with a
view io enusume it; but the fire having burnt a
hole in the floor, went out.
Capt. Williams also says, that Depuystcr’s
dwelling house, outhouses and sugar works were
burnt, and the negroes, with but ono or two ex
ception, captured and taken off.
Hunter's cotton house burnt and 4 or 5negroes
taken.
The lantern iu the light house a* Musquito de
molished.
At Anderson's plantation but ilttlo injury was
done.
Mr. S. II. Williams* dwelling house burnt, but
sugar works uninjured.
Major Ucrriot’s sugi
sugar works, dwelling and
small corn house burnt. But bis ucgio houses
Idd principal grauery untouched. All tho no-
grous captured aud taken off.
The following being a more particular account
will be read with interest.
On the mottling of the 26th or 27th December,
the Seminole Indians, under the chief I’bilip. to
gether with a small party of Uchecs, aud a num
ber of Indian negroes, estimated from 80 to 120,
cams to Now SmyruH, south of Musquito iulet
interests is tantamount to a defeat. The whole
country is open to the ravages ot tho enemy’
aud we are. in all probability, iudchied for our
presentsafety, to tho ignorance of the Indiaus of
our exposed and destitute situation.
“A very large portion of the able bodied am'
effective men, iu town, have been detached to
defend the remaining Plantations on the coast
below. Our old men nre almost worn out with
constant watching—we arc obliged to keep up
picUet guards and patrols, when both are supplied
We have not men enough left to relieve them.
500 stand of arms have late’y arrrived at Pieola
ta, with ball cartridge, accoutrements, &c. which
we arc getting hauled over land to this city, at
au expense very far exceeding what it would
have cost to have shipped them directly here
from your city and besides this operation adds
greatly to the fatiguing our small force, for it
would bo very unsafe to bring them without a
strong guard. These arms will add consideiably
to our strength, as hitherto, the few men «ve had,
have either been badly armed or not at all; and you
nil! be surprised when I tell you that there is not
a pound ofgrapo or canister ahot, ora bag of buck
shor, in the magazine here, and that the only
cannon powder we have, is some belonging to the
United States, which was long since condemned
ns unfit for use. Giapo aud cauistcr shut would
took possossion of, and plundered the house of be indipcnsatile in case of an attack upon the
Mr. Dunham. Parties of them scattered about
tho neighboring plantations of Cruger and Do-
poyster aud Mr. Humer. Tbo Indian uegro John
Cesiu endeavored to decov Mr. Iluuter from
his liouso, on pretence of selling him cattle and
horses. He. however, having heard from his
negroes that largo numbers of Indians were a-
bout. refused to go, aud iu tho afternoon crossed
the river to Col. Duinmctt’s. The Indiaus had
possession of Dunham's house all day, aud about
one in tiie morning of the following day, set it
ou fire aud burned it, together with all the out
buildings to the ground ; in the cou~so of that
day, they burned nud destroyed all tho buildings
on Cruger aud Depeystcr’s planmtion except a
com house, A party of II Indians then crossed
tho river and plundered and destroyed every tiling
iu Coi. Duminctl’s house, aud set it ou fire, from
some cause or other it did unt burn. Tboy also
burnt the dwelling house of Mr. Racliff, * tittle
to the north of Col. DuuinictU’ and broke aud
destroyed the lantern ..nd overy thing they could
at the light hobse. The uext day they proceed
ed up ;,, 0 river 16 miles to the uorth to Ander-
city, and buck shot are equally indispensable iu
defensive or offensive operations uguiust on In
dian foe.”
be kept up. not by weighty difficulties, which ta-f sou’s, plundered the dwelling house, and carried
volveMbe iuteresis and the dignity of the two; °ff the boats, flats and stoics of every descrip-
enuntries, but by questions of form, us uncertain j tion, but did uo other damage. They burnt the
iu their principles, as doubtful in their applica
lion.
I have the houor to renew to you. sir, the as
surances of my high consideration.
A. PAGEOT.
To the Hou. Joun Forsyth,
Secretary of State. ,
Z*
Seminole War!
Mr. Forsyth to Mr. Pageot.
Dt
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, December 3, 1835.
Sia : I h id yesterday the houor to receive your
note of the 1st instant, with ihe accompanying
paper, purportiug to be a ropy of a letter ad
dressed under date of the 17th June last, by his
excellency the Duke de Broglie. Minister of For
eign affairs of France, to yourself. After refer
ring to what occurred iu our interview of the 11th
of September, iu regard to the original letter,
aud expressing your regrets at the course 1 theu
loll it my duly to take, you request me to place
the copy enclosed in your letter, uuder the eve of
the President.
in allowing you, during that iuterview, to read
to tne the Duke de Broglie's despatch, which I
cheerfully did, you were enabled to avail your
self of that luformal mode of apprizing this De
partmeut of the views of your Government, iu
the full extent nuthuiised by diplomatic usage.—
The questiou whether or not I should ask a copy
of that despatch, was, of course, left, as.it should
have been, by your Goveruutnetit, exclusively to
my discretion. My reasons foi not making that
request were frankly stated to you, founded on a
couvictidli that, iu the existing state of the rela
tions betweou the two couutrtcs, the President
would think it most proper, that every commu
nication upon the subject iu difference between
them, designed to influence his conduct, should,
before' it was submitted to his consideration, be
made to assumo the official form belonging to a
direct communication from one Govcruincut to
another, by which alone, he could be enabled to
cause n suitable reply to be givcu to it, aud to
'submit it should suena step become necessary, to
his associates in the Government. 1 also had the
honor, at the same time, to assure you, that any
direct commutikation from yourself, as the rep
resentative of the King’s Government to mo,
embracing the coutcuts of this despatch, or any
other matter you might be authorised to ccuunu-
oicato, iu the accustomed mode, would be laid,
without delay, before the President, aud would,
undoubtedly, receive from him an uarly aud just
consider* ti»n.
'It cauuut have escaped your reflections, that
my duty required that tho circntnsinucrs of tho
interview between us should be reported to the
Prcsideu;, and that the discovery of any error, ou
my part, iu represeuting his views of tbo course
proper to be pursued on that occasion, would,
without fail have been promptly communicated
to you. That duty was performed : the sub
stance of our interview, and the reasons by which
my course iu it lias beeu guided, wcio immedi
ately communicated to, and entirely approved by
him. I could not, therefore, have anticipated,
that after so long a period had elapsed, and with
out any change iu the condition of affairs, you
should have regarded it as useful or proper to re
vive tho subject, at tho time and iu tho form you
have seen fit to adopt. Cordially reciprocating,
however, the conciliatory sentiments expressed
in your uote, and iu defcrenco t*» y«ur request, 1
havo again consulted the President on the sub
ject, and am instructed to inform you, that the o-
piuinn-expressed by me, in the interview bo-
twcon us, and suliscqueutly confirmed by him,
remains unchanged ; and 1 therefore respectfully
restore to you ilie Duko tie Broglie’s letter, as J
cannot make the use of it you desired.
I am also instructed to say, that a departure,
in the present case, from the ordinary and accus
tomed method of international communication,
it calculated to inert- ue, rather than to dimmish,
the difficulties unhappily existing between France
amt the United States; and that its observance
in thei- future inrercourso, will lie most likely to
hriug about the amicable adjustinout of these dif-
ficuitiu*. on terms honorable to both parties.—
such a result is sincerely dcsirod by him, nud he
will omit nothing, consistent with the fiithful dis
charge of bis duties to the United States, by which
it may be promoted. In this spirit, I am direct
ed hy I lim to repent to you, tho Issmrxuco made
io our interview in September last that any offi
cial c*fj|njantP n, ion you may think proper toad-
From the St Augustine. Florida Herald.
OUR INDIAN DIFFICULTIES.
We learu from an officer of the iirmy just from
Camp King, the following particulars in rclntiou
to the affair of the 31st ult. T wo huudred reg
ulars and thirty volunteers were cuge;od in the
battle. The other portiou of the volunteers had
not crossed the river at the time or were not or
ganized when the attack was made. Forty or
fifty afterwards were crossed and stationed from
the river iu a line parallel with the regulars to aid
in covering the landing and temporary bridge that
had been fiuished afier the actiou was over.
The attack of tho Indians was desperate, and
a number of charges were made by nur forces
before the enetny gave way, and before they were
finally routed. Our troops kept the field 3 hours
after the actiou, uutil all tho horses (which had
been swam over) and tbo wotm-P-d aud dead
were recrosscd. The regulars lo?i 56 iu kilted
and wounded, aud (lie volunteers 7 wounded.
The attack was eommenecd about 12 o’clock,
hy a few Indiaus firing from the south west side
of the river, on the militia that had not cro>scd
over, which fire was instantly returned by them
with effect, as several of the Indiaus fell dead,
and the rest precipitately retreated further back.
At the same moment a heavy fire was opened by
tile Indians on the regular troops, which was re
turned by them, aud from this time a constant
sheet of fire blazed along both liues. The Indi
ans posted iu a thick scrub, aud the troops iu au
opeu pine barren. The militia under Col. War
ren were ordered to form a lino from the riv^r
through the hammock and scrub to cover tho
landiug place, horses, baggage. Sec. but a small
poriioij of the militia crossed over, consisting of
office's aud men from different companies of the
4th regim- nt: and a few from the l.euu tioops,
together with the field and staff of the 4th Regi
ment.
We are happy to learn that Col. Warren who
was severely wounded, is recovering, aud that ho
was able to return with his troops Maj. Cooper
was too severely wounded to he brought from
Fort Dram, although siatod to be in » fair way
to recover.
Our informant states that the enemy is suppos
ed to have lost .<bout lUU iu killed mid wounded.
Ho states further, that the day after the action
the term of service of the volunteers expired :
and would return to their homes. Gen. Clinch
was obliged to return to Fort Drauc, on account
of tho wuuuaed.
We learn nlso from various sources, that the j
officers and soldiers behaved with the most deter
mined bravery. Gen. Clinch (who of course had
the command) distinguished himself upou the oc
casiou, and the soldiers speak with animation of
the cooluess and deliberation with which he con
ducted his uieii to ihe charge.
We have heo" furm-hed with a diagram of tho
battleground, aud we think nothing could iudicate
greater skill tliau the posili u which ihe enemy
had takeu. The approach to tho Ouilhlacoucliy
is from the N. E. side. The crossing to the S.
W- side was in nu Indian canoe which carried
eight men ; of course, much time was consumed
iu ilie crossing of 23U. After 'he crossing to an
open lauding place, a tiail led, by a sinuous route,
to au open field in the shape of a horse shoe, iu
which the whole of our force was posted. This
position was surrounded ou nil sid-*s by a thick
li-nmnuck. The firing commenced from the
hammock, which concealed the enemy, and pro
tected them, in a great measure, from the des
tructive fire of our troops.
From the same officer wo learn that the gene
ral impressiou was that an understanding exists
between the Creeks and rien.inoies ; aud it was
his opinion that during the actiou, the Seminole*
were reinforced, as he saw several Indians come
into the action with packs ou their backs.
This is our opinion also, and has been from the
time that we were advised of tho murders com.
dwelling house of Mr. S. 11. Williams, but the
sugar works, having a latge quantity of corn
stored in them, were left uuliarined. On
Mqjur llcriot’s plantation they burnt every thing
to tile grotiud, sugar works, uegro houses, and
all except the corn house, aud carried off all the
negroes, about 75 in number. Some of Depeys-
ter’s negroes joined them and they carried off all
the rest, about 60, except one old negro man,
whom they shot aud burned in his hut. All the
negroes from the other plantations escaped ex
cept Huuter’s.
At Spring Garden w e learn from Mr. Forres
ter, that the loss was a total one. The planta
tion laid waste nud the buildings and 35 hogs
heads of sugar, aud the cane sufficient to manu
facture 70 hogsheads more, destroyed, and the
negroes amounting to 160, and horses aud mules
takeu off. Loss about $130,000.
In the Herald, untiie is taken of the killing ol
Lienovar. ou the £t. Jehus. This is a deeply af-
flictiug occurrence. We understand he was 23
years old—bad just returned from Ficolati, where
he had heeu on duty and had distinguished him
self by his good conduct and soldierly deport
ment ; nud had gone to the plautatiou of Mr.
Bayu to endeavor re save as much of the crop of
provisions there as could ho brought away. Two
irothers of the young man were theu absent in
auothcr part of' the country for the purpose of
protecting the plantations south of us
The Indian Chief Powell.—The character
of this chief is but littio known, and not suffici
ently appreciated. Ho is represented to bo a
savage of great tact, energy of character, aud
bold daring. Tho skill with which he has for a
long time managed to frustrate the measures of
our government for the removal of the Indians
bovotid the Mississippi entitle him to be consid
ered as superior to Black Hawk Charity
Omathla, n chief of the friend I v paity, interpo
sod difficulties ro the execution of his plans, and
he at once shot him, He iiore nu iuve.lerate
hatred towards Gou. Thompson, the Agent, aud
yet he concealed his antipathies so skilfully as
completely to deceive the agent, nud to induce
him to consider Powell, as personally friendly
Gen. Tomphfon. fell hy the hands of Powell.
This warrior chief was present three days after
at the battle of the Ouilhlacouchy, a detail nf
which, so far as we are able to collect the same,
is contained in this day’s paper. It is proper to
observe that ho ought not to be called Powell.
as that is only a uit-k name. His ludiau name
is “Oskola,” aud by that he should be distin
guished . It is apprehended that he will give
the Government much trouble, if they do not act I ed mutilation, having been dragged by Mr Wat
with that pccision amt euergy. that becomes the j son to a place Of concealment.
gers being iu the diniug cabiu th
i oilapsed iu the direction of iho'f, '* tesia V
two passengers being in t | )at ,r<J HbZ
the hands ol the boat were so s C l |.| P a’k an<l W
that they expired iu a few hours Tk ytlle «e 1 »l
scugers all escaped without th’ P u 1,6 01ll «ftot
any one. eds t injn^T 1
The unfortunate passeu^ers
ga, & B.F.Rogers, a young* u M '-D„ (
b.a. S C. MonofthCadi^s
diately from the Gibbons, on bo ar( i , keBi mait“
can, which was lying i„ the
steam boats came down from th»»-.° #d '
the packet up. Wo arrive,! f au il
'0114
packet up. Wo arrived abou
1 hursday in the city. The d»i,iJ“ S “ u *et«,
sufferers—their bloated, disfiL-fi , 8Us of4,
feeble, expiring cries f or water 1
tormenting pain—together wiih’.J; ******* <it
one to get overboard for relief f rt ' n . 1 t teia fi u
agony, w
forgotten
> get overboard for relief f rtD . tC0] fI «
h were scenes and sounds t ' Ur “iir
tten. I trust the event kas been 1 ?^
to the spectators who were nwSHi
aud that it wi!l be blessed to their
teaeiiiutr us all. that in the miik; ^ ! a f Dtfn cn«!j.
surrounded with death, audthatu is wL!?***
to stand prepared for that „ * S
call us to the bar of God. ,llai *■"
From the Columbus Sentinel.
Tho town of Coluuibu* bus siuce Monday
last, been in a Martial attitude. Ou the night
of that day au express was received by Maj. Gen.
M’Dougafd that a strong party of the Greek In
dians, amounting to between three and five hun
dred, had arrived at Bryant’s Ferry, about fifteen
miles below this town on the Chattahooehie, ta
ken forcible possession of the flat, and passed li
ver to the Georgia side of the river. Gen. M’-
Dougald upou this information immediately gavo*
orders to the Volunteer corps and militia of the
town, to muster at 10 o’clock on the succeeding
day. for the purpose of orgauiziug for the pro
tcctiou pi the place, siuce which time the citizens
have been constantly uuder arms, musieriu
each day and patroliug at night. On Tuesday
rumours came in, statiug that the Indians inten
ded to attack the town that night, but thus far
wc nre happy to say no hostile demonstrations
have openly been manifested towards the place,
Tho exact intention of the Indians are not known
though hostile wi'hout a doubt. The citizens
are doing every thing hi their power to put the
town iu astute of defence, and give the luiiiatis a
warm reception should they come upon us.
The melancholy task already devolves upou us
of reporting the loss of two lives bv these uiurde
rous savages. As near as wo could gather the
facts attending this butchery, they are these;
Tho citizens of tho vicinity hearing.of the hos
tile invasion of the Indians, assembled to the a-
luouut of about thirty, and proceeded to tho
place where they understood they were. A
they approached a party, supposed to ho about
fifty iu number, theimliau* hoisted a red flag. Sc
the Whiles continuing to advance towards them,
thev look to the thickets and commenced firing.
Mr Johnson aud Mr McBride, both citizens of
this county, were killed, aud Judge Speers recei
ved three wounds which it is feared will prove
mortal. Mr John H Watson o r this placo,
(who it will bo recollected by our readers propo
sed in our last to raise a body of vollunteers for
Florida.) was sent down by Gcu. McDongald to
to reconnoitre. He commanded iu the engage
ment, and is said to have acted witli the utmost
intrepidity. He received five bullets in different
parts of his cl Jibing, but fortunately uone entered
his body Two ot the Indiaus were killed, one
by tho baud of Mr Watson.
Ou the news of this reucontre at Columbus,
which was brought by Mr Watson, Col. Bates
raised a parly of about thirty volunteers, took
the steamei* Anne Calhoun, theu lying at the
wharf, aud proceeded down the river to the
scene of action. The Indians had temoved, but skill”—aud to its iudiscrect publication h* n
they found the bodies of tbe unfortuuate deceas- Executive. This position hash P *ii... ..r,. ' .
ed, Johnson, most horribly butchered and muug-
led, which they brought to this place oil the uext
day and interred. The body of McBride escap-
pon er au«l force of the country. The devasta
tion and ruin that ho has already caused will uot
full short of million of dollars.—Herald.
From the Floridian.
OSEOLA. OR FOWEL.
Mr. Editor—Tho following facts in relation
to this interesting personage, 1 collected from au
thentic sources duriug the late campaign, and
may he relied on.
Oseola, or J‘owcl. the head chief ot the hostile
Semiuoies, is likely to figure in history witii l*hi-
lip of Pakauokee, or Tecunn&B, possessing a 1 !
their noble daring aud deep love of country, with
more intelligence, mjd perhaps, .more ferocity.—
He is a half breed (his father an Englishman) of
the Creek Natiou and Red Stick Tribe. Iu per
son ho is slight, well proportioned .and active,
complexion rather light, deep restless -tyes, and
a remarkable clear aud shrill voice, nml supposed
to be from 30 to 35 years of age. lie bus brought
liimsclf iuto uotice, and raised himself to his
prcscut siaiiou, by his superior taleuts, courage
and atnbi:iou—uot having inherited any title or
command. Formerly lie was proud, gloomv and
iusoleut. and ou oue occasion, iu a talk with the
late lamented ugeu, Gen. Thompson, burst into a
Spring Carden burnt.—This valuable Plan
tation belonged to an enterprisug citizen from
the state of South Carolina. It is situated on
Spring Garden Creek, which empties itself into
the St.Johns, about 12 miles above Lake George.
The settlement was made at great expense, aud
labor, and under the active aud judicious manage
ment of Mr. Forrester, aud advanced to great val
ue. Besides cotton, corn, and other articles of
provision, which The place had yielded in very-
great abundance the present season '.he proprie
tor reasonably calculated on upwards of oac hun
dred hogsheads of sugar.
The settlement is in the way of sm old aud con
stantly used crossiug placo of the Indians, and as
a frontier position, a station might have been
formed here which would have been advantage
ous to the public service, aud i’ is the opinion of
mauy, that if tho government had afforded tho
means of stationing twenty men there, aud at
twu or three other points on the St. Johns,it would
have afforded complete protectiou to all the
settlements east of the St. Johus. The estiina
ted loss cf Col. Rccs, is from $13ft,0UU to $15U-
000— a.
Accounts from Mobile suggest that arms aud
ammunition may have been furnished the Indi
ans, asd tile disaffected of tho Florida population,
by persons from the West India Islands.
Major Geu. Gaines reached Mobile on the
17th iust. on his way to 2’eiisacola, where he
expects to obtain the assistance of some vessels
of war, to co-operate with the land forces, aud
cut off tho communication of tho Indiaus with
these foreigners. A single ludiau Chief i£ said
to he iu possession of fifty casks of powder.—■'
This traffic most bo stopped immediately,
and for tho purpose, some small armed vessels
must be despatched to lhc coast, to commnud
all the approaches by water.
Ge*. Gaines, who fortunately was ou a tour
of inspection when the late intelligence was re
ceived. took immediate measures for despatching
all tho aid in his power, to the Fort at Tampa
Bay. Orduauce, subsistence. Quarter Master’s
It is
We have uo disposition to-excite the feelings cf
our fellow citizens, either at home or abroad.—
We give them uu unvarnished tale of our situa
tion. from which they can infer that it is uo envi
able oue. A place of asylum has heeu appoint
ed in the town for the safety of the females and
childreu, and every other means has beeu taken
to render the place ns secure as our limited means
will afford. Too iuurh praise cannot be bestow
ed upon the activity of Gen. MeDougald, Col.
Bates, aud indeed all the officers in command.—
With oue or two field pieces and some more
smal arms, we should feel ourselves entirely sc-
stores. See, were sent from Baton Rouge,
paroxysm of passion, declaring that the country j .sxpectcd that the 6tb Regiment of Infantry at
w as theirs, that they wanted no Ageut, aud that Jefferson Barracks, will be immediately ordered
by .the Departmental Washington, to N- Orleans
he had bettor be off: for this he was arrested and
confined ; afterwards he appeared pcnitcut, be
came cheerful, signed tbe treaty, and was releas
ed wi'li mauy fair promi-es.
lie then made himself very useful to the Agent
i and officers at Camp King, performing many da
ring feets in arresting criminals among the trou
blesome Mieosukees, w ith which tribe he was at
variauce ; and for these services received repeat
ed marks of friendship ftuin (bo agent, and gain
ed his eutire coi finance-
Suddenly he threw off the guiso of friendship
—murdered Charley Matlda, a friendly Chief-
forced his followers to joiu him—received as al
lies, the Mieosukees, w ho were glad to have such
a leader,—and raised, forthwith, the fire-brand
aud scalping knife.
11c, ii is supposed, led or the parly which at
tacked aud defeated the advaucc guard of Col.
Warren's regiment about tho 17th December.
On the 28rh he was seen at tho head of a band
who rushed upon Gen. Thompson and some o-
thcr gentlemen, w itbin the range of tho gnus at
Fort Kiug, nud shot aud scalped them.
On tho 3tst, he made a sudden and unexpect
ed attack upon tho army uuder Gcn’ls Call ami
t’iiiieh, w hilst engaged iu crossing a drop nud
dangerous stream, the Wiiblaceonhee—attacking
at two poiuts simultaneously, ami ouly yielding
alter a desperate struggle of an hour.
During the action he was recoguised by the of
ficers aud meu of the regular army, fighting sev
eral paces iu advance of his ni«*u and after each
discharge of his rifle, wiping it with the utmost
cooluass; and his voice was distinctly heard
wheu his ineH wore flying, trying to rally them.
a:td theuee under command of Col. Twiocs
(Gen. Atkinson being ill) to Florida. The pre
sent force of the 6th is about 500 men—added to
those n bich can be spared from Baton Rouge—
the wholer aid from that quarter will be about
GbOrcgulai’S. Gen. Gaines has, in addition, ad
dressed a letter to Gen. White, of Louisiana,
asking for cijiit companies of roluutcers to be
held iu readiness. The hostile ludiau force is es
timated at 250(f.-—Char. Cour.
The Mobile Chronicle, of the 16th inst, says:—
** Aidin' tho refusal of tho officer uow in com
mand at Now-Orleans to march to tho relief of
the people of Florida, was sufficient excuse to
justify our volunteers hero to abandon their pur
pose, yet it does not relieve him from the eon-
sure to which his apathy and manifest dread of
responsibilty niU9t subject h*n in pablk opiu
ion.”
He is, or pretends to ho, of the belief, that the
milted by tho creeks ou the ChatiHhoochio river- old treaty of Payuo's landing is the only biuding
There is also to apprehend a union of a more a- one, aud according to his aceouut, tile time stip-
pprehend
(aiming uature, and one that may render our po
sition deoply interesting to tho Southern States
generally.
Capt. John S. Williams haviug just reiurued
from Tornoka and Spriug Garden, has obliging
ly informed us of some particulars which enables
us to correct our former accounts.
lie confirms the lossof Judge Dunham’s house.
Iu relation to the destruction of this place, Mr.
Sholctou informs us that tho occurreuco took
place at 12 o’clock at night—that ho was on the
opposite side of tho Hillsborough, aud saw by
the light of the fire a great numbei of Indians, as
he supposed as mauy as 100. Thu whole prem
ises are acnmpleto ruin. Mr. Sheldon says that
when tho roof of Dunham’s house fell in, tho
stip
ulated for their removal by that treaty, does not
expire for five years yet: and lie says he can
fight the whites for that length of time. * .
Ertract of a letter, dated,
• ST. AUGUSTINE. JAN. 17.
“Our .situation, for several weeks past, has
beeu not only distressing but perilous in the ex
treme; the battle of \V jihlacoochce. which was
fought ou the 31st ult. shews that it is uo com
mon ludiau foe with whom we have to deal, aud
although our regular troops fought bravely, aud
were victorious in that engagement. Gen. Clinch
was, in consequence of tho loss which he sus
tained, in killed ami wounded, aud the Volun
A letter from Fort George Island, iu tho neigh
borhood of St. Augustine, dated on the 19th iust,
mentions, as nn evidence of die daring of tho
Iuoians that four of their number way laid and
fired upon tho whole body of Florida inilitia,
nearly 600 strong, as they were passing through
the Alachua country ;—they were however, pur
sued, ami all four of them killed. The same
letter adds, that a great uuinber of inhabitants
from tho maiu had taken ivfuge at Fort Georgo
Island.
It appears hy the Tullaiinssce Floridian, of
the 16th inst, that Governor Eaton has ordered
a draft of 600 of the militia of that Territory, to
servo for six months, if ueccssary r although the
hope is expressed that their services may uot be
required for more than sixty days.
In this hasty sketch we cannot pass ovci the
praiseworthy conduct of Maj. Dunti, who is now
teaching a military class in Columbus. Of hut a
few week’s residence, nud au eutire stranger but
iu character wheu he came here, ho volunteered
his services with Col Bates ou his expedition down
the river, and has been active otherwise to the
town iu her critical posture.
To our fellow citizens of Columbus we would
say. be active and vigilant. Tho munition of the
Indians is said to he to attack the town. This
report L confirmed by friendly Indians, and In-
diau negroes. They are now making an effort
io embody themselves in the viciuity, and when
they do so, what else tb iu an attack should wc
calculate upon. A strict military discipline and
strong patrols should he eoustautly kept up. If
the attack is made, it will no duuht be between
midnight aud daylight. Great Vigilanco should
therefore be used to keep the patrols up all night.
This might be easily ct&cted by alternating, ono
half w atebiug antil two o,clock, aud the other
half until sunrise. We are entirely without can
non, but there is a dismounted howitzer iu some
part of the toivu which might at a small expense
he set upon a carriage and made to do effective
service hy scattering small shot amoug the eue-
tuy. A strong guard should also he posted along
the bank of the river, as the enemy will most pro
bably steal upon us iu that direction. Above all
let our citizens he cool nud deliberate, prompt Sc
vigilaut, and in case of an attack, repair without
delay to their place of rendezvous, emulating
each other iu their efforts to protect their families
their lives and their property.
Maj. Geu. MeDougald has ditties of a high re
sponsibility to perforta, and bis fellow.citizens
look maiulv to him to take measures fouheir se
curity Without having consulted Gcu. !Hc-
Hougtd'J, aud with due deference to his own
judguicut, we would respectfully suggest whether
a formidable body of meu should not at once be
organized to carry the war into the enemy s
country, sack thrir towns, aud terminate the war
atmiec.
Since writing tho above, no have called ou
Gen MeDougald aud received from him tho fol
lowing information :
That he has ordered out ono thousand meu
from his division to rendezvous at this place im
mediately. with tho fixed resolution of lending
them in person iuto the heart of th.: enemy’s coun
try, aud striking au effectual blow before they em
body to givo us further uneasiness. This course
seems to us to be wise- military and tho most ef
fectual measure of euding this alarm at once.—
The tribe of fcsti'o Indians are well known—tho
head meu should be told distinctly that the offen
ding Indiaus are to be giveu up, or the town and
themselves take the consequences. There rent
aius uo doubt it >w. that it will require the vigil
tint energy of the officer# of our division to march
foward without delay and teach the niuiilattu,
murderers how to cross tlio Chattahnochie in de
fiance of our statute laws and march among de
fenceless citizens in hostile array. Wo go tor
this measure heartily.— Columbus Sentinel.
ii us to tue oarol lion. irjS
in great haste, very respectful, v , VOll „ ,
SAMUEL. K. Tuft,**.
New York, Jau, 1836.
MR. CALHOUN.
We lay Mr Calbouu’s speech ,I
probability by himself, before our a° M *"*
wish to do him justice— aud, theref,,^' U *
him speak tor himself. I* s h a |] b e ( : e ’ ** te
which shall stab his owu rcputatio * °s U ***
speech,, at such a crisis, must prosi™. ir *
general hurst of indignation h as loll uW ed bV A
Nuliificr has nullified himself. \y e l 1 ‘ ‘“s
perused so factious,
an attack madeu ider such circumstance i ^
ny man who professes to be a polii !flau \ b ; Vi '
is uot usentiment in it, wbirh fl mv . r ^
heart of au American. f0Bl 4
Throughout the whole speech there i s 3 ..
red effort to condemn bis o»vu 0UUll!r ,. , s ““-
f Frauce. VvSl^u
thought of a man, who has uot poured forth
generous burst .1 indignant patriotism, uudrr^
circumstances which appealed to the spirit
American Senate ? 1 0 811
Mr Calhoun labours to account ford* dda ,
of trance in complying with her solemnm,.?
meuts. Ho ascribes the defeat of th» first 6 ''
ui.y bill to Mr Rivo’s letter,
iudiscrect publication h
position hasbeen soufieuw,.
ted, that nothing but the infatuation of aa
ated Faciiouist could hajc hazarded a ropejw'
It was unmasked m a most conclusive |„,J.
ft ^t- rien u° fT - Uth :' in “*
IU, 18-Jo. lie explicitly proves that tbnc was W
boasting iu the letter—that ho had laereive^
ressed the opinion iu the despatch which irj s -
•nitted tlio treaty, that ‘ the amount of the iudem
imy stipulated by it might probably be sufficicci
to pay the just claims of our citizens, ami ih, :
the arrangement he had made w*s, in oilier re-
spects, such as ought to be accepted by the com-
try. Let it be recollected-that Air Rives had
concluded this arrangement, on his own respou-
sibility. His instructions fixed uo amount which
he was authorised to accept iu satisfaction of .{■
nierican Claims, uor the sum ho was to alW
for Freach Claims. Tho reduction of duties o a
French wiues, in consideration of the abauJoa-
incut of the claims uuder tins flrh article of ike
Louisiana Treaty, aud ail the details comiecied
with it, were, iu like manner arranged by tiim
on Iris responsibility, in acquiring himself <f
this responsibility, uo very light oue, wheu the
magnitude and delicacy of the Jiutcrcsts iinalred
are considered, was he not permitted, in coi-
| muuieatiug the result of his labor to his omitio-
verument. to state facts ami observations which
he believed to be well-founded and true, iu josti-
ficatiou of himself for the arrangement he bad
■nude ? 3 hat. his despatch, w as coureived it
thin spirit, and none other; that it contains, espe
cially, uo boast of overreaching, unless to stip
ulate tor what, it was believed, might be "stiE-
cifcnt” to pay “just” claims, but not inoro than
sufficient, is, according to the system of ttbi,t
professed by tbe modern whigs, to ottrnuch-
That such is the true character aud spirit of Mr
Rives’ despatch, un candid man, who wtH-retd
if, can fail to perceive, or hesitate to admit.”
But it is idle to attack, in detail, the to!t-
meats of Mr < -alhoun. They are tinged through-
uut with party coloring. They are the <JbW-
tions of a mind, which is bent ou abusaig the Ad
ministration, and softening or shirring over eve
ry’ thing in tho couduct of the Frei.cb, wbirh
ought to touch the heart of au Amcricitu. Oar
specimeu is sufficient. What can bo thought of
an American statesman, who, with the lute a-
vclopciuenU 'aid hefore him, with the amgut
terms demanded by the French Aliuister, cinwr.
“I shall not offer hi, opinion ou tbe message *1
ilonuncnts which have just heeu read, till lima
had time to read them at ieisitic, and more hi-
ly comprehend their character aud bcariu;."-
Nut an indignant murmur escaped his lips! Not
one burst of generous feeling at the arrogant terms
winch are demanded C orn his owe country.
Aud in what terms too, can we speak t
Statesman, who protests against our niakiug wf
preparations to defend ourselves, while ,i I ’reach
fleet is about to hover on our coasts—l-ut wb-»
declares that the attempt to prepare is tu pror-
oke a war ? How much nobler, how much Ki
ser. is ill. Thiers, when ho declares : ".V.'itw-'
arm themselves not only for a certain, lm: Lr a
Contingent war.”
Yes let us prepare for a “contingent tier-
M ho knows hut we tuny want force to repel ! “*
•neony ? and if we should want it, how poor as-
defenceless .would Joint G. Calhonu leave ut
the feet of France '.—Richmond Enq.
tcers from tbe Middle Districi baring left him
yells of the savages were terrific, nnd he saw them tbo next day, to return to theirhomes, obliged to^
Threatened. Hostility of the Creeks !
A letter from Columbus of the 26iji. published
in tho Cou9tituticualist, says :
“You may imagine the confusion and conster
nation now hero among every class. One thing
is certain, if ono hundred Indians should attack
this place they would destroy it, for there is not
sufficient force enough, arms and aniunition. &c.
to protect it. The ouly feature that I can disco
ver like war, for I placo no confidecc iu tho re
ports of the day) is the fact that for tho last ton
days, the Indians have bought up most of the
powder here. This information is correct, and
may be relied upon. Auothcr circumstance is
that the Indians and isqnaws ganernliy I-.mt,
absented themselves to dav.
Explosion on board the WmOibbons
To the Editors of the Constitutionalist.
! As there were eight passengers from Augusta
on hoard tho steam packet William Gibbous, du
ring the melancholy disaster yesterday, 1 hasten
to send you a brief account" of it, to allay the
anxiety of friends. Iu consequence of tbo eas
terly wiuds, we did not Icavo Charleston until the
morning of the 17th inst. We had a fine run
ou Sunday aud .Monday, and passed Cape Hnt-
tercs before rnght on Monday, the wiud being
strong froui'tlie South. On Monday night tho
boiler spruug^aloak at If o’clock. By tho direc
tion of a kind Provideuee the wiud had died
n;yny, and the ocean was perfectly calm. The
steam was let off* and the boiler mended in about
eight hours—the passengers generally remaining
unconscious ol the accident, iu utidisurbcd sleep.
On Tuesday morning early, wo were again un
der weigh, and had to conteud wtih head winds
during that and the following day. Yesterday
(Thursday) morning, we rose, finding that we
had passed Sandy Hook, and were expecting to
be in New York in two hours. We had an ear
ly breakfast, and tlio passengers were all iu hi"li
spirits preparing for their arrival in tho city. In
n tow minntes after hnskNo, most of the panto-
MEDIATION OF GREAT BRITAIN. .
We ought uot to took to any other power w'
the vindication of our rights—but rely upon
selves, onr immense energies and oxhnust'.css rt-
sournvi. We ought to prepare ourselves ior I j
worst. This is the counsel i.f every StttM® sil
who can feel for the honor of his rouutrv —
France basset us the example—we ought prompt
ly to follow tt.
Neither ought wc to seek the th’ediclioii o'® 8 ?
other power. But if Great Britaiu show*'®/
fer it in a spirit which inav be fairly accepts-
to both parties, we should at once frankly aw*l'
it. iu so extraordinary a quarrel, we wouhI “
void war; if peace can he maintained withhoaor-
We understand, that Mr. Bankhead, the 1 ”,
isj Charge at Washington, jiated ou the
inst. to a gentleman, (uot a member ol d' 5 ‘‘ 5 .
cutivo Department.) in reply to a qaeiU° B
dressed to him, that his Government hau
to rod their mediation to that of the United
—and however willing they might be to “ - .
they would scarcely tender it until ibf s 11
find" it to bo aceeptablo to both parlies I _ ^
Some curiosity has beeu excited at fov<o «
the rrivai of the armed brig Fantalnou. *
from Falinoth. The event was so unexP'■ '
that it had giveu rise, iu that Borough, to
conjectures about tilts offer of utedialic' 1 -
In tho present slate of our reli» t,< ’ n * . af
France, we believe it to be tho opinion
Government, that wc should bciullv »
by a Aliuister Pleuipoieutiary at the '
London—and wo understand that a non.'
will piobably ho mado in the course _
scut week to the Semite of tho United
ib.
■iluce the snhO
. t' 1
A resolution in the Senate to redu-.. ■■■ ^
of tho Governor of L«usiaua from v
000 dollars wa- lost bv a vote off !n /
