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Letter to Editor
August 16, 1837
Alexandria Gazette
Alexandria, Alexandria County, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
A Virginia writer criticizes the U.S. government's plan to use 1,200 Indian volunteers from west of the Mississippi to aid in subduing and removing the Seminole Indians from Florida, decrying it as unjust and unnecessary compared to other nations' policies, urging Congress to investigate.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE.
Is it not extraordinary that our Government with all the lights of Military science, and as brave an army as ever marched to war, should be indebted to the miserable, broken down, broken hearted Indians for aid in subduing the Seminole Indians, who are destitute of the means of carrying on an offensive war; and by the last accounts are suing for peace. During the war with England, the employment of Savages by that nation was viewed with abhorrence by our whole country; and I hope there is still a redeeming spirit abroad in the land ready to burst with indignation at the injustice of sending 1,200 Shawnees, Delawares, Kickapoos and Choctaws to exterminate their red brethren in Florida. If they are sent, I trust the design is to use their influence with the Seminoles (by persuasion) to emigrate, rather than with arms to coerce them.
It is said that Gen. Jesup has asked for 1,200 Indian volunteers from beyond the Mississippi, to be led by American Officers, and that orders have been issued for their enrolment. These with four regiments of Artillery, three regiments of Infantry, and one of Dragoons will form an army for the expulsion of five or six hundred men, women and children from Florida. And when this mighty work is accomplished, what advantage shall we derive? Why cannot this handful of human beings be suffered to remain in the country of their fathers? How is it that the French, the Spaniards, and even the English permit the Indians to remain within the bounds of their Territory?--
Florida abounds in spontaneous productions, upon which these Indians can subsist without expense to the Government. Send them to the barren lands and sterile prairies of the West, and the Government must support them or they starve.
I hope Congress will take up the subject and give it a reasonable investigation, and act as the representatives of a christian country, and not as infidels and heathens.
CINEAS.
Virginia, August 13, 1837.
Is it not extraordinary that our Government with all the lights of Military science, and as brave an army as ever marched to war, should be indebted to the miserable, broken down, broken hearted Indians for aid in subduing the Seminole Indians, who are destitute of the means of carrying on an offensive war; and by the last accounts are suing for peace. During the war with England, the employment of Savages by that nation was viewed with abhorrence by our whole country; and I hope there is still a redeeming spirit abroad in the land ready to burst with indignation at the injustice of sending 1,200 Shawnees, Delawares, Kickapoos and Choctaws to exterminate their red brethren in Florida. If they are sent, I trust the design is to use their influence with the Seminoles (by persuasion) to emigrate, rather than with arms to coerce them.
It is said that Gen. Jesup has asked for 1,200 Indian volunteers from beyond the Mississippi, to be led by American Officers, and that orders have been issued for their enrolment. These with four regiments of Artillery, three regiments of Infantry, and one of Dragoons will form an army for the expulsion of five or six hundred men, women and children from Florida. And when this mighty work is accomplished, what advantage shall we derive? Why cannot this handful of human beings be suffered to remain in the country of their fathers? How is it that the French, the Spaniards, and even the English permit the Indians to remain within the bounds of their Territory?--
Florida abounds in spontaneous productions, upon which these Indians can subsist without expense to the Government. Send them to the barren lands and sterile prairies of the West, and the Government must support them or they starve.
I hope Congress will take up the subject and give it a reasonable investigation, and act as the representatives of a christian country, and not as infidels and heathens.
CINEAS.
Virginia, August 13, 1837.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Ethical Moral
Political
What themes does it cover?
Military War
Morality
Politics
What keywords are associated?
Seminole Indians
Indian Removal
Florida Expulsion
Shawnee Volunteers
Military Aid
Ethical Injustice
Congress Investigation
What entities or persons were involved?
Cineas
The Editor Of The Alexandria Gazette
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Cineas
Recipient
The Editor Of The Alexandria Gazette
Main Argument
the u.s. government should not employ other indian tribes to forcibly remove the seminoles from florida, as it is unjust, unnecessary, and contrary to christian principles; allow them to remain in their homeland.
Notable Details
References Abhorrence Of Employing Savages During The War With England
Mentions Specific Tribes: Shawnees, Delawares, Kickapoos, Choctaws
Cites Gen. Jesup's Request For 1,200 Indian Volunteers
Compares To Policies Of French, Spanish, And English Governments
Urges Congress To Investigate As Representatives Of A Christian Country