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Queen. lain not harsh but positive aud bid thee
stay.
(re-enter Übaldo and the two guards, with Lo
tliaire angrily clenching his chains—he does not
perceive the Queen, but boldly walks into the
middle of the court and commences speaking.)
Lot. Why—why am I brought again within
this court? for what is it \ is it to triumph in my
fall? to see the wreck ambition has wrought ; and
hear the clank of these ignoble chains ?-—ls it for
that; or is it to gratify a paltry pride, and over
the fallen fortunes boast of one whose favour oft
ye've sought when days more prosperous were
mine. I ask again, why am i brought into the
court ?
De L. We have brought thee here to pass the
solemn sentence of the law upon the crime tliou’rt
guilty of. Think not that we exult in it—oh no?
we pity thee. See there too {pointing to the
Queen) wliat thou hast done.
(their eyes meet—the Queen’s fixed reproach
fully on Lothaire who turns away confused, un
able to endure it.)
By thee. Lothaire, and the Queen, the King was
of his life deprived. She struck the fatal blow,
hut thou didst instigate her to the deed. Blood
for blood the law demands and both of ye must
die!
(the queen partly swoons staggering back into the
support of an officer standing by her.)
Übaldo go—conduct them hence. Keep them
confined till to-morrow noon, and then bareheaded,
barefoot and chained, lead them publicly along
the streets to the scaffold.
(here the Queen starts, and rushes wildly to De
Lara.)
Queen. Bareheaded, barefoot and chained,
didst thou say ? was that thy sentence 1
De L. It was.
Queen. What, walk along the public streets
unveiled, with shoeless feet, and hear my fetters
clank at every step—must I do that ?
De L. Yes.
Queen. What, be exposed befoie the jeering
rafiblo, whilst followed by a crowd of hooting hoys,
and hear their laughing shouts at my disgrace!---
must I submit to that ? alas, am 1 reserved for
such a fate ?
De L. Such is thy fate :—it is inevitable.
Queen, (with emotions of settled despair.)
Then let me curse my natal hour and wish that
she who gave my being birth had died ere I was
born !
(stands motionless, with her eyes elevated, as if in
a trance.)
De L. Let the great bell be tolled during the
night. Go oil, and toll it now.
(exit an officer—a shert pause ensues, when the
silence is disturbed by the loud and solemn toll of
the bell. The Queen is startled by it, and gazes
wildly around her.)
Queen. Ha! that hell! it warns me of my
fide—it tells me of approaching death!
De L. It does—it warns ye both; and may
Heaven have mercy upon your souls.
Queen. Mercy! talk not of that—the sound
is mockery! I have no hopes of it and it but tor
tures tne to thiuk of it. There stands my ruin—
there*.—(pointing to Lothaire.) He cowers be
neath my gaze—he shrinks from me—(the bell
tolls) ha! that dismal bell again! (starts uttering
a piercing shriek) see there—the King—just ri
sing from the tomb—he beckons me! mercy!
mercy!
(sinks back exhausted but is prevented from fal
ling,—the scene closes.)
’Sce'ne 2. An antechamber in the convent. En
ter two Monks.
Ist M. All’s prepared. The totnb is opened :
the tapers are lighted and the altar is dressed.
2nd M. ’Tis nearh sunset now. The corpse
w ill soon be here—-I expect the train is now upon
its way. Here comes our brother from the city.
(enter a 3d Monk.) Ilow now, Antoine ? what
tidings ?
3rd M. The Queen and her paramour are both
condemned to death. She acknowledges that she
was the murderess, and it was proved that he was
an accessary.
Ist M. When are they to be executed ?
3rd. To-morrow at noon,—-but come let us go
into the chapel. The funeral train is coming and
near at hand. Come. [exeunt together.
Scenr 3. The chapel in the convent, represent
ing the altar with a painting of the crucifixion,
tapers burning Ac. See. preparatory to the burial
of the King—an organ is played, and tire funer
al procession begins to enter; Officers, guards,
noblemen, ladies, soldiers, monks, nuns, flic
abbot, De Lara, Bonavcnture, mourners, rela
tives, pall bearers with the corpse of the King,
banners, symbols, devices, &c. &c. with all the
possible grandeur and pageantry of the Gothic
ages. The corpse is set down in the centre.—
The abbot officiates at the altar. A funeral
dirge is sung by all the ehatacters, at the con
clusion of which the pall bearers take up the
■corpse, aud the curtain descends.
ACT 5.
(Scene 1- In the prison—a lamp hanging from
the ceiling. A sentinel pacing before the door.
Übaldo enters, aud motions to the sentinel, who
bows and exits. The Queen enters through a
small door at one side.
’Queen. Übaldo—l wish to speak with thee.—
Thou art captain of the guard, and ready at thy
will are all prison keys. I have a strong desire to
see Lothaire—l wish to speak with him before
we die; and ask, tho’ I’ve been used to bid, that
thou’lt permit an interview ?
Übal. Willingly would I oblige thee, madam,
but can’t. I am strictly charged to keep you
apart, by those that tried the crime and sentenced
ye, and therefore dare not grant an interview.
Queen. Nay—a few words only shall pass be
tween us, we’ll then farewell forever bid, and part.
The judges will not know of it; —and thou canst
surely grant so trifling a request.
[Jbal. I dare not.
Queen. Yes—yes! I know thy heart is of the
gentler kind that nature forms—it is not naturally
hard; it is not like the hearts of those that sen
tenced me. Think of thyself if thou wert placed
like me. Suppose that thou didst wish to meet
with one thou loved’st upon the eve of death, and
think how hard ’twould seem to be refused. If
thou wert doomed to d{p, tliy first desire would
be to see tby wife and children, and think how it
would rend thy anxious heart to be denied the
sight of them at that late hour. Would it not?
Übu l. It would, (withfeeling.)
Queen. Then think of it, and grant the lust
request of one who was a queen, but now impris
oned and doomed to die ere sets to-morrow’s sun !
Übal. I would indeed, but dare not for my
life.
Queen. I tell thee tho’ they will no» know of it.
They’ve put us in thy charge, nor is it likely they
mistrust thee. Then think of it;—be kind to
those who have been kind to thee, and bring him
here to take a last farewell of one who loves him
still, tho’ he betrayed and brought us both to
ruin!
Übal. ’Twere certain death were Ito grant
what thou dost wish, and it should be discovered.
My wife and little ones would then have not the
means whereby to live, would stand in bitter need
of my support, and die perhaps of want.
Queen. Nay, plead not as an excuse that which
is scarcely possible. No—but bring Idm here
without delay, that I may take my leave ot him,
my last adieu ! Go; for pity’s sake, go bring him.
Go, go, and let me be oliged to thee. (Übaldo
unable to resist her persuasions, exits, After he
has gone the Queen draws from her bosom, with a
peculiar smile of satisfaction a small phial.) This
drug that in my bosom I have kept, shall poison
the contents of vonder bowls,— (pointing to a
couple of wine goblets upon a table in the centre of
the apartment,) —and by the subtle draught of one
•of them my soul shall wing its everlasting (light.
The public shame, that they who tried the crime
have sentenced n»e to undergo, I never can submit
to, and self-destruction is the only means by which
1 can avoid it. I’ve sent for him, ostensibly to bid
farewell and shake the hand of friendship e’er we
part, but in reality that he may see me die !—Be
fore his sight I’ll drink the poison, and thus pre
vent the shame that they have doom’d me to.—
And he—if in his breast a spark of manhood yet
remains—will drink the w ine within the other
bowl, and unreluctantly die with me.
(She retires, and the scene closes.)
Scene 2. Another apartment in the prison, —
lamp hanging, Ac. Ac. Lothaire deciphering
the names traced upon the w alls.
Lot. How dismal, gloomy, desolate—-how like
the feelings of my soul! And here upon the
walls, by the dim light the lamp affords, I indis
tinctly read the names of those that have been
here before me, and from the prison to the scaf
fold pass’d, as I shall. Fool that I was! If my
ambition had not made roe mad, instead of being
doomed to feel the axe’s edge, I might have lived
in peace till aged grown, and welWbeloved descen
ded to the grave. But repentance coines too late.
(enter Üblado , carrying a torch.) Ilow now?
why com’stthou with a lighted torch? why fling
its glaring light on these bare walls?
Übal. I’ve come at the risk of my life to ob
lige the Queen. She wishes to speak with thee.
Lot. To speak with me?
Übal. Yes—wilt come ?
Lot. 1 will, since she desires it. T little ex
pected this request from her—but—lead the way ;
i’ll follow thee, (exeunt.)
Scene 3rd. In the prison the same as the scene
1. The Queen seated at the table in a reverie of
thought—her elbow resting on the table and
her hand against her forehead. Her musings
are interrupted by the entrance of Übaldo and
Lothaire. (Exit Übaldo.) The Queen rises
and approaches Lothaire.
Queen. 1 have sent for thee, Lothaire, tho’
once resolved to never see thee again. 1 could
not conquer tny desire to speak with thee, and on
the captain of the guard prevailed to grant this
stole* interview. What I have said was said in
haste, for l am one whose passion and feelings are
of the warmest kind, and in one moment 1 may
do that 1 shall be sorry for the next. Forgive me
then.
Lot. Nay—rather let me forgiveness ask for
being so false to thee. The unexpected sight of
that polluted blade,so suddenly produced within
the court—produced when 1 supposed it in the
earth where I had buried it—entirely unnerved
me with the shock, ?nd 1, not knowing what I did,
confessed our critrie ;—-our crime, of which too
late the error we perceive for irretrievably we’re
lost!
Queen. Wliat’s done cannot be helped. Over
the past ’tis useless to regret, and recollection can’t
repaii the deed, (the, belt tolls.) Hark ! hear’st
thou the tolling of that muffled bell ? How sad
it sounds amidst the silence of the night! It tolls
for us ;—»t bid us be prepared a few short hours
is all the time we have left to live. Behold—
(pointing to the goblets upon the table ) —yon silver
goblets that thou see’st are filled with wine—and
here’s a poisonous drug, within this little vial,
which shall attaint the liquor there; and which
when drank or even tasted of, shall thro’ the veins
instil the blight of death. See—(emptying the
contents of the vial into each of the bowls)-— here
in the wine I pour tho fatal drug and mingle them.
Lot. But, for what purpose is this ?
Queen. For self-destruction!
Lot. Is it possible ?
Queen. Why wonder at it ? Am I not doom
ed to walk barefooted thro’ the streets ?—chained
too! a public spectacle! Yes—such is my sen
tence, and rather than endure it 1 have resolved
to swallow poison | The reason that I sent for
thee, was not to bid farewell only, but to let thee
see me die, and, take my example. Behold !
(takes one of the goblets from the table and is in
the act of raising it to her lips but is prevented bv
Lothaire laying his hand upon her arm.)
Lot Nay, put down the treacherous bowl.—
Thou canst not mean to drink the poison ?
Queen. Ido and w ill!
Lot. Nay, nay—attempt it not. At this late
hour when another death than suicide is near,
drink not the poison, I charge thee. Our fatal
doom is near enough—and why accelerate the
dreadful hour?
Queen. Along the streets with shouts, huzzas
and public clatnorings, I’ll not parade!—-No—
and here’s the ouly way to escape—by poisoned
wine, and death that’s premature. ( raises the cup.)
Lot. Nay—dash at once the goblet down
commit not suicide, but think of this no more
Thejhour of death will soon be here, and where will
be thy sense of shame when on thyneck the sharp
edge of the axe descends ? ’Twill sever head and
body at one blow, and we shall scarcely feel the
change from life to death.
Queen. ’Tis not the stroke of death that lam
fearful of—but the degradation, scorn, contempt
and disgrace attending it. What, be a public
sight—exposed—disgraced ! no, no! the poison
first! (raising the bowl.)
Lot. Nay—nay—raise not the fatal goblet to
thy lips. For Heaven’s sake, hold! (attempting
to take it from her.) Nay, thou shalt not—-let go
it.
(she succeeds in swallowing a portion of it just as
he dashes the goblet from her bauds.)
THE GEORGIA MIRROR.
Queen. Too late—'tis done ! I’ve drank of it;
and all with me will soon be at peace! (shudders;
her face becoming very pale.) I feel the poison in
my veins—it freezes me—cold—cold shivering—
[sinks back insensibly into the arms ot Lothaire,
who appears very much alarmed and agitated.]
Lot. Oh, fatal deed! she is dying ! Why no,
there—Ubaldo!—But see, she revives—the blood
is rushing to her cheeks again.
Queen, (starting up.) And—now-—the poi
son burns within me! it mounts into tny brain
like Aetna's fire! my very heart-strings seem
to crack aud kindle with the blaze! ’tis ail on
fire—it rages—flames ! ha!
[a reaction takes place; she becomes ghostly pale
and her voice weak.)
All is cold again—my chattering teeth resemble
icicles; — and in my rattling throat, with hollow
voice, as if the sound did issue from a tomb, death
bids me come!
[sinks exhausted into the arms of Lothaire again.]
Lot. Alas, she raves! Is there no help at
hand? does no one come? What ho, Übaldo!
Übaldo!
Queen, [wildly, and with vehement gestures.]
See there —see there—the King—see where he
stalks—clothed in a bloody shroud ! Behold ! and
in his outstretched hands he grasps the sheets on
which he died ! See—see—be calls me to him !
he bids tnecome and points lo hell! mercy ! mer
cy ! mercy !
(her voice fails and she staggers with weakness.
Lothaire springs forward, and prevents her from
falling as she expires. Deeply agitated, he calls
the captain of the guard by name, several times and
very loudly.)
Lot. Vbald# ! Übaldo! (calling). —Site’s dead
—dead ! alas—and I am left, a withered leaf,
alone and desolate amidst the world !
[looking anxiously out and calling for the cap
tain of the guard].
Übaldo ! within there! Come, come take her from
my arms, or 1 shall sink with horror and affright!
[enter Übaldo, hastily.]
Übal. Win calls ?—alas ! what ails the Queen?
she is not dead ?
Lot. She is—next to her breast she had con
cealed a vial with poison in it: she drugg’d the
wine in yonder bowls with it, announced the reso
lution she formed of dying, and raised the cup—
-1 stopp’d her hand at once and with persuasion
begg’d her to refrain ; —but suddenly site raised it
to her lips, and drinking deep of its contents, ex
pired as thou dost see, within ray arms, (a noise
within.) Hark! what noise ?
Übal. Thy voice, when calling for me, has
rousad the guards—they are coming. Quick !
Lay down the corpse ami hurry back with me to
tliy cell, or I shall be discovered.
Lot. (laying down the corpse.) It is" too late
to do so, or 1 would. They are in the pas
sage.—But here’s a private eorrider—tty thou
thro’ it—fly, for thy life depends upon it—and leave
me tt my fate ! Away at once or thou’lt be seen
—star.d not hesitating—thy only hope remains in
flight!
I'bal. But my wife and little children—what
will become of them ?
Lot. Heaven will protect them. Fly thou—
preserve thy life—it is thy duty. Awhile in dis
tant lands txile thyself, and after years have rolled
around tlniu canst return to them; but as it is,
if thou dost staythou’rt sure to perish.
Übal. Farewell—
Lot. Forever! (they shake hands.)
Übal. Not forever 1 hope. Perhaps we may
meet agaii.
Lot. Kotin this world.—But away ! (Übaldo
hurries of) by a private passage.) Ha! they’re at
the door! I have no hope for mercy at their
hands, an] will defend myself till overpowered,
[a body of guards burst into the room. Ilis ef
forts to defend himself are useless, for he is im
mediately vanquished by numbers, and dragged
oil’.]
Scene 4. An apartment in the palace. [En
ter De Lara and Bonaventure, accompanied by
several guards.
De L. What means this stir ? what can have
happened? Go one of you and bring me word.
(exit a guard.) Here comes our aged friend in
haste—from him we'll learn the tidings, (enter
Montalt.) How now, Montalt? what means this
clamor? what has happened?
Mon. As near as I could learn, the captain of
tlie guard permitted an interview between the
Queen and Lothaire. She took poison and died
upon the spot—the captain fled, and the guards
who discovered it succeeded iu capturing Lothai
re.
DeL. Come then—orders shall be given for
the execution immediately. He shall not live a
notherhour. Go, ring the bell—loudly—and n
wake the sleeping citizens that they may witness
it. Go. (exit another guard.) Come, friends,
we’ll go ourselves, and see that Justice has her
due. [Exeunt.
ScteneS. The place of execution. An elevated
scaffold with steps leading up to the platform.
Tire executioner standing by tlie block with the
axe in his hand. The bell tolling, and citizens,
one after another, enter from all sides.—Enter
in regular file, guards, officers, noblemen, torch
bearers, DeLara, Bonaventure, Montalt, St.
Pierre, guards and Lothaire chained. The o
tliers range on either side of the stage, leaving
the prisoner in the centre. St. Pierre advances
to him. He kneels, takes the crucifix, kisses it,
returns it to the abbot, anti ascends the scaffold.
Upon the platform he shakes hands with the
executioner an acknowledgement of no existing
enmity between them—afterwards lays his
head upon the block and is decapitated by a
sintrle stroke of the axe. The executioner
holding up the bleeding head exclaims, “So
perish the enemies of France !”
De L. Justice is satisfied!
In a capital ease an Irishman was called as a wit
ness. “Did not you see defendant shoot the de
ceased through the heart ? inquired the counsel.
“No faith how can that be, your lordship,” res
ponded the other, for he often told me that lie
had left his heart in ould Ireland and it was here
iu Ameriky that he was kilt.
“Never judge from manners,” says Lord Byron,
“for I once had my pockeiS picked by the civilest
gentleman I ever met with.”
Rascality. —Beim fool enough to get found out
in deeds of wickedness.
Shrewdness. —Wheedling a livingout of others,
and living iu idleness.
ipq&smaaAe*
INDIANS! INDIANS'!
From the Southern liecordt r.
We have authentic intelligence of the murder
ot a family in Ware county, by the ludiaus toii
cealeu iu the Okel.iuokee swamp. A letter from
that county dated on the 25th nit. says, that “on
Sunday morning, 22d, between day-break and
sun-rise, the house of Maxey M. Miles, resident
about seven miles from Waresboro’, was attack
ed by a party ol Indians, supposed to be about
fifty iu number, and barbarously murdered Miles,
fits wife, and six children, together with one of
his neighbor’s children, who happened to be there
at tlie time-four only, out ol thirteen, made their
i scape to tell tile sad news. They plundered
and burnt the house to the ground. Immediate
ly on the alarm being given by Miles’ oldest son,
vviio is one of those escaped, (.’apt. Dane, of the
United States Dragoons, who were stationed
within three miles of the scene of depredation,
with about forty men, went iu pursuit el' the In
dians, and reached tlie place by one hour by sun;
the Indians were then gone, but not more than
half an hour in advaure, but succeeded in reaching
the swamp before the troops could overtake them.
It was not considered advisable that so small a
party of men should enter so dense a swamp
where there was so much sign.
A slip from the Darien Telegraph office, gives
the additional intellegence of two other families
having been murdered, on the 17th aid 24th nit;
but as the letter referred to abov , which is from
the commanding officer of Ware bounty, and
who ought to be best informed iu regard to tlie
matter, is dated on the 2oth, being one day later
than the latest murder mentioned in the slip, and
no notice being taken of such murders in the let
ter referred to, we have every reason to doubt the
correctness of the report.
In order to show that every measure has been
taken by the Executive, that ought to he taken,
and which if carried out by the proper officers, as
have been ordered and commanded to do, would
give the most ample security to the whole coun
try threatened, we lay before our readers the fol
lowing official correspondence by which it will
be seen tiiat Gen. Taylor, the commander of the
United States Troops, in Florida, in obedience to
orders, iu reference to this service, personally re
connoitered the position ofthe Indians, and made
such military arrangements as he deemed neces
sary to tne occasion. The troops placed iu that
position were, of course, in his judgment, ade
quate to the emergency. But before personally
leading that position under the command of a high
subordinate officer, Major Dearborn, he ordered
him, in Case of necessity, to call into service the
militia ofthe contiguous counties. It will like
wise be seen from the Governor’s corespondence,
that he has notified the Colonels of Camden and
Ware counties, to meet any requirement upon
their command by the United States- commander,
for any aid necessary for the and fenceof the country.
We cannot see, after this, why there should be
any embarrassment on the part of our citizens in
those counties, while their officers have such ain
pie powers to do all that may be deeemed neces
sary.
Head Quarters, Army of the South.
Camp Gilmer, Suwannee Hirer.
(Near the mouth of the Suwanouchee’ Ware
County, Georgia.) July 13th, 1838.
To ilis Excellency the Governor of Georgia :
Sir: —l have received from the Secretary of
War, under date Kith of June, a copy of a letter,
enclosing documents transmitted by your Excel
lency to that Department, concerning disturban
ces around the Okefanokeeswamp.
In relation thereto, I have tlie honor to inform
you, that I reached this on the 9th inst., and am
now here with two companies of Infantry and one
of Dragoons, the latter of which, with one of Die
Infantry companies, will continue tooccupy this
position. One company of infantry will be loca
ted at some suitable point intermediate between
this and Trader’s hill, on the St. Mary’s river.
A company of dragoons is now on the march for
the vicinity of Waresborough, where it will take a
position to protect that neighborhood. A com
pany of militia is also employed to act as guides
and spies for the troops operating in this quarter.
I flatter myself that this force will be sufficient
for the defence ofthe region around the swamp,
by confining the Indians to it, or catting them up,
should they attempt to leave it, as there will be re
connoitering and scouting parties constantly in
motion. But should it prove otherwise, Maj.
Dearborn, who locates the company of dragoons
near Waresboro’, is empowered to muster into
service, such an additional militia force as may at
any time be required.
From the best information I can obtain, I am
induced to believe, that there are not exceeding
fifty warriors in the Okefanokee, which are believ
ed to be refugee Creeks, of the tribes emigrated
from Georgia and Alabama.
Col. Twiggs, who was commanding at Black
Creek and on this side the peninsula, previous to
tny crossing from Tampa Bay, ordered a company
of dragoons, a short time since, to the swahrp, iii
the vicinity of this place, but as neither forage or
provisions could be obtained there,it was compelled
to fall back.
An officer of the Quarter Master’s Department
is now ordered to Trader’s hill, to make such ar
rangements as will ensure supplies to the posts
now or about to be established, as well as to any
other troops that may be called into the service.
The disposition above having been completed,
T shall return through East Florida, to Tampa
Bay, where 1 shall he happy to receive any com
munications you may think proper to address to
me.
With the highest respect, l am
Your Excellency’s most ob’t serv’t.
Z. TAYLOR,
Bt. Br Gen. U. S. Army, Commanding.
To His Excellency Geo. R. Gilmer, Gov
ernor of Georgia.
Executive Department. >
Milledgevifle, 24th July, 1838. \
To Gen. Z. Taylor:
Sir:—Your communication of the 13th inst.
has been received. lam very much gratified at
the arrangements you have made for the defence
of the people in the neighborhood of the Okefa
nokee swamp from the Indians who have taken
refuge in it.
I rely with great confidence upon your judgtnen
as to the number of troops to be employed, anti
their proper disposition.
The distance of the Okefanokee swamp from
the seat of Government—the difficulty of obtain
ing correct information as to the number of In
dians-the danger to be apprehended from them—
tlie want of the knowledge ofthe force which might
be necessary, aud how to employ it to protect the
people, Ac. Ac , have occasioned much etnb
ras.-ment to this Department.
Upon receiving a communication from A \
Adjutant 1 lai den, ot the 7th iustai.t, giving t Ji
inlurinatio.i that provisions and troops had be *
j ordered by you to the neighborhood of the (
j lanokee swamp, a:i the- Hoops that were cui : o l
| out by the militia officers ol Camden and \y v',
cofimies, were ordered to be discharged, q.
continued refusal ol tiie Government to suj ,*|X
eitherTutuis o, provisions for their support, '
dered this unavoidable, it the mihtis thus dis'
charged make any part of the force upon w } 4 iih
you rely, aud are necessary to carry out your c
rangements for the defence ofthe people oft.
State, you have my authority to take them a
- service of the I t :ted States, and are requi'.
ted to do mi. II an increased number of tioost
become necessary at any time, and volunteer
companies can nut be obtained, upon vour a ,
! » requisition upon this Department, the force
I called loi wili ho immediately ordered into service
Very iti-pectiuliy, yours, Ac.
GEORGE R. GILMER.
Executive Department, Georgia « )
Miliedgeville, 25th July,lß3B. C
To Maj. Edward Hopkins:
Sir : —1 enclose to you tlie copy of a letter j ust
received from Gen. Taylor, giving an account of
the number and disposition ofthe troops ordered
by him to tlie deft nee of the peoj le of the State
in ihe no; kborhood < i the Ui elatfokee Swanii,'
ou w ill perceive tk it Major Dearborn is au
thorized to receive into the si rvicc ol the I nitci
States, any a.'ti.Romil tone which may he found
necessary, iou will therefore consult with him
if you should think it necessary, that any of tlie
troops under your command should be mustered
into the service of the United States for the pro
tectiou ofthe people.
Very respectfully, yours. A'e.
GEORGE R, GILMER.
(Tr’ A similar letter was addressed to Col. lli!-
hard, of Ware county.
FROM FLORIDA.
The following particulars of more Indian mur
ders, we copy from the Tallahassee Watchman
ot the 28th u!t. The information was derived
from an express which arrived at that place with
despatches to the Governor.
“On Tuesday morning, about 8 o’clock, as a
Mr. Leslie and his two sons, residing about 4
miles front Jackson’s bluff, on tho west side of
the Ocklocknee river, were returning from their
house to the field, they were suddenly fired upon
by a party of Indians, supposed to be about 50 iu
number, but without effect; they immediately
returned to the house', whence tin- Indians follow
ed them, and having some guns and ammunition
commenced defending themselves from the in
side, and it is said fought the Indians in this mari
ner, until about 1 o’clock, when having partly
whipped them off, they imprudently attempted to
retreat to the woods; the Indians again attacked
them, ami killed the father and his daughter, a
girl about 10 or 12 years of age, and shot one of
the sons through the hand, he and his brother
then effected an escape. A portion of the regu
lar troops were immediately ordered to the spot,
also a company of volunteers from Jefferson, who
are now on their w ay thither.”
The following is from the Floridian of the’samc
date:
“On Friday last, a scout from Capt Hunter's
command, then at the mouth ofthe Ocklocknee,
discovered three canoes of Indians, principally
woman and children, making their way down the
river, (.'apt 11. immediately ordered a company
to a point w here the passage of ihe boats could be
intercepted, but on approaching the bank of the
river the troops were fired upon by Indiaus secre
ted on the opposite bank. Tho fire was prompt
ly returned, aud the Indians fled. The command
having no boats, were compelled to retire about
thirty miles, and again return nearly the same
distance—pursuit was not given until Saturday.
Capt. Hunter was in hopes of overtaking the fugi
tives when last heard from.”
“The War nearly ended.”— Within the
last ten days we have heard of the murder of not
less than half a dozen of onr citizens by the In
dians, and yet we are told “the war is nearly en
ded.” It is true a number of the hostiles have
been captured and removed out of the country,
but there are numbers yet left sufficient to baffle
all the efforts of our troops. Our citizens have
no security on the frontier, they are either
compelled to abandon their homes, and suffer
starvation, or remain with almost a certainty of
being massacred by the savages. Many of our
frontier settlers ; would gladly avail fhemseles of
the scanty pittance for their families which would
fie received by volunteer service in the army, but
their propositions tire met with the reply that there
arc troops in service already sufficient. The best
evidence we have to disprove this, is the fact of
the frequent depredations and murders commit
ted by the savages, and is we think sufficently con
clusive. Tlie government have mostly with
drawn their supplies, and commenced calculating
the expense of protecting tlie defenceless citizen,
as though the value of human life could be esti
mated by the pitiful calculation of dollars and
cents. For the honor of our country and the
cause of humanity, it is time this course was aban
doned
In relation te the fugitive Creeks, it is true sev
eral companies of regular troops have been in con
stant service since their escape; neither have
they or their officers lacked energy or industry
they have scoured the country on foot, carrying
their provisions on their backs, til! they have worn
out their clothing and almost their persons— and
tailed for nearly two months in discovering scarce
ly any trace of the runaways. Their recent dis
covery ou the banks of tiie Oclockonee, prove
however that the Indians have been in the coun
try, from which nothing but a very superior force
to that now in the field will he successful in dis
lodging them. We conceive such policy to be
most wretched and certainly most expensive.
The war is protracted, the country laid waste,
our citizens murdered, and their property scatter
ed to the four winds of Heaven—oirr national
character disgraced at home and abroad, and our
whole arnrv successfully foiled in all its attempts
to remove the most worthless of all the Indian
tribes from one of her Territories. Ilow long
such a state of affairs will continue, Heaven only
knows.
Later from Florida.
By the steamer Charleston, which arrived at
Savannah, from Black Creek, the editors of the
Georgian received the following from their cor
respondent :
Fort KiSg, E. Flor. Aug. I-
Sru—l havens usual, but little news to commit
nicate. Last week two soldiers were killed by
the Indians, in the vicinity of Fort Micanopy--*