Daily National Intelligencer

It is with considerable reluctance that we publish the subjoined communication from an anonymous correspondent, because we are averse to casting a general imputation on all contractors; many of whom are entitled to high respect and have faithfully performed their duties—a character which, nevertheless, there may have been some who have not merited. In the indecision created by a wish on the one hand to do justice to the public interest, and, on the other, to avoid inflicting unmerited reproach on any individuals, we have been determined to the publication of this article, by the reflection that it will afford an opportunity to any who may feel themselves thereto moved by any consideration, to reply to our "Subscriber," and to the class of those who think and speak with him.

TO THE EDITORS.

In your paper of this day I perceive further accounts of disasters attending the military operations on our S. Western frontier. The progress of the petty war against the Seminole tribe of Indians, (you justly remark) is not such as to gratify either the friends of humanity, or the friends of economy in public expenditure.—

The following extract from a letter received from a gentleman in Georgia, will bring to light the true cause of those disasters :

"In consequence of some murders committed on the frontiers of this state, and a refusal on the part of the Indians to give up the offenders, General Gaines made a requisition on the Governor for 1,200 men for two months, which was promptly complied with; the men were marched to the frontier, but the contractor failed to furnish supplies, in consequence of which the term of service has now expired; the men have returned home without rendering any essential service to the United States. Another detachment is now called out and the men are preparing to march. How this expedition will turn out I cannot say, but hope better than the former. It is impossible for us to carry on war effectually under the present system of supplying our army by contractors yet it seems we have not the prudence to gain wisdom by experience."

It must be obvious as the writer of the letter from which the above is an extract states) that the failure of the contractors to furnish supplies has been the cause of the protracted duration of that "petty war." The fact is notorious, that the contractors failed at some of the most critical moments during the late war between the United States and Great Britain I have understood it is their usual custom to fail, whenever they are required to furnish supplies under circumstances of such disadvantage that they cannot make a given per cent. on each ration; looking always to their own, never to the advantage of the country.

No nation can deserve, much less expect success if such abuses are permitted to exist. How much money and blood have been unnecessarily expended in the war carried on at present against the Seminoles? Would it not be better that the contractors themselves should be subject to martial law—that an hundred of them should be shot, than that the lives of so many generous and patriotic soldiers should be lost, and so much treasure wastefully expended? This little war could have been terminated in one or two months, but for the failure of supplies Congress should turn its attention to the subject immediately, and interpose such remedies as will check the evil effectually.

A SUBSCRIBER.

February 14, 1818.