Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c. Deponent further states, that, since the said or of my retreat being cut off by Jackson, he remonth of November last past, he has seen brought plied, that the latter was impossible; that Jackin here, by the Indians, a quantity of cottonade son had but five pieces of artillery, and the imand women's clothing, brought, or said to have practicability of the swamp would prevent his been brought, from the American frontier; that assuming any position below me; but that I need these things were publicly sold in this town, not-apprehend no danger from any quarter; that, as withstanding it was notoriously known here that those articles and property had just been taken from those whom the Indians had killed on the American frontier. PEDRO SENAC. Attest: J. B. ROBINSON, Interpreter. PENSACOLA. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 19th day of September, 1818. M. MCKINSEY, SEN., J. P. I, Isaac McKeever, a lieutenant in the Navy of the United States, on oath declare, that the following narration contains a true statement of facts, to the best of my knowledge. I commanded the naval force which convoyed the store-ships, transports, &c., from New Orleans to Fort Gadsden, and from thence to the bay of St. Mark's during the Seminole war. I arrived in the said bay on the 1st of April, 1818, with British colors flying at my masthead; on the next day I was visited by a Spanish lieutenant, the second in command at Fort St. Mark's. The lieutenant was inquisitive as to the character of my vessels and the nature of my visit, and wished to know whether I had any authority from the Captain General of Cuba for entering the territories of His Catholic Majesty. In reply, I asked him if he had seen my colors on entering the bay of St. Mark's, and intimated that the nature of my visit could not be satisfactorily explained until the arrival of Captain Woodbine, at the same time intimating that it was of an illicit character, and that succor, aid, &c., to Hillis Hajo and his warriors, in their present distress, was intended. At the mention of this he expressed much satisfaction, stated that Captain Woodbine and the Spanish commandant of St. Mark's were good friends, and voluntarily gave me every information as to the movements of General Jackson's force, and his strength; the situation of the hostile Indians he detailed at length, and stated what rejoicing the reception of the long promised and expected succor would occasion. He stated that Hillis Hajo and the Spanish commandant were on intimate terms; that the former was then in the vicinity, and had lately been at the fort of St. Mark's, when he had urged, with menaces, the commandant to send on board to ascertain to demonstration the character of the strangers; and, having satisfied himself, he would see Hillis Hajo that evening, after which we might expect a visit from the latter, who accordingly came on board the following morning. He likewise informed me that Arbuthnot, a friend to the hostile Indians, and an acquaintance of Woodbine's, was in Fort St. Mark's. On my expressing to him some apprehension of being blockaded by an American squadron reported to be on the coast, allies, by anchoring under the guns of the fort, protection would be afforded me. About this time we were informed by the Spanish officers and Indians who came on board, that, on our arrival within the bay, the Indian camp demonstrated much joy at the approach of their expected supplies of munitions, &c. I. MCKEEVER. NEW ORLEANS, June 5, 1819. DOM. A. HALL, Dist. Judge U. S. Louisiana Dist. The following statement is made by request: About the 1st of May, 1818, I was sent by the officer commanding at New Orleans in charge of a public transport schooner, with provisions for the garrison at Fort Crawford, with orders to touch at Pensacola, and obtain permission of the Governor of that place to ascend the bay of Pensacola and the Escambia river, through the Spanish territory, to my destination. I arrived at Pensacola on the 16th of May, and immediately reported the schooner, her cargo, and destination, to the Governor; notifying him, at the same time, of my wish to proceed without delay. On the 18th the Governor informed me that he was not authorized to let the provisions proceed without the payment of a transit duty of two per cent., and required an invoice of the cargo to be rendered at the custom-house, in order that an estimate might be made of the duties imposed. I remonstrated with him against the payment of duties on public supplies, on board a public vessel, and designed for public service; and urged a free passage as an act of friendship only, which neighboring nations at peace were bound, in common justice, to extend to each other-all without avail. Fort Crawford being then short of provisions, I was forced by necessity to accept the passage on the terms offered; and, accordingly, entered the cargo at the custom-house, and paid the duties required into the royal treasury. I inquired of the Governor whether transports, charged with public supplies, and destined for Fort Crawford, would thereafter be suffered to pass Pensacola free of the duties imposed in the present instance; and was informed that a categorical answer could not then be given to the inquiry, as the Captain General of Cuba had not yet given a decision on that point, and whatever he might resolve would be communicated. When the transport came to anchor in the port of Pensacola, I distinctly discovered several groups of Indians on the water's edge; and, aware of the impotency of the Spanish authority, I was apprehensive I should not be permitted to land in safety. Before I was ready to leave the vessel, however, the Governor's aid came on board, and Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c. before we reached the shore the Indians had mostly disappeared. I was afterwards informed that, at the time the transport came to anchor, there were upwards of a hundred in the town, who immediately retired to the neighboring woods by order of the Governor. I was further informed, by a respectable citizen of Pensacola, that, a few days preceding my arrival, a considerable number of Indians, who had taken refuge in that place, had been transported, by the Governor's authority, to St. Rose island, on the opposite side of the bay. The undersigned certifies, upon honor, to the correctness of the substance of the foregoing T. CROSS, Capt. U. S. A. WASHINGTON CITY, Feb. 1, 1820. statement. I was Quartermaster General of the southern division on the Seminole campaign. At Fort Gadsden I received orders to proceed to Mobile and Fort Montgomery, for the purpose of forwarding supplies to the army, then on its march west. From Mobile I sent the schooner Little Sally, Captain Pastes, loaded with provisions, to the Perdido river, with instructions to remain there until the approach of the army, or until further orders. Two days after we arrived at the Barancas, Captain Pastes joined, and informed us, that his vessel had been taken by a Spanish launch near the mouth of Perdido, and brought under the guns of the Fort Barancas, and detained several days. This was confirmed by several Spanish officers after we took possession of the fort. I certify, on my honor, to the truth of the above statement. G. GIBSON, Late Q. M. G. of Southern Division. WASHINGTON, Feb. 1, 1820. NAVY DEPARTMENT, March 27, 1818. SIR: In the present state of hostilities between the Indians and the United States, your aid and co-operation may be required by the General commanding the United States army in the South; you will therefore afford all the aid and support in your power, and keep up a correspondence for this purpose. Despatch immediately two gunboats and two of the smaller vessels to Mobile and to the Appalachicola, to protect the convoys of supplies, and to remove any obstructions to a free communication between the forts and forces of the United States. It will be your duty also to adopt such further measures as the circumstances of the case or the development of events may render necessary. B. W. CROWNINSHIELD. P. S.-Commandant J. D. Henley is also ordered to send one of the small vessels of his squadron to the Appalachicola, which vessel will be subject to your order. Com. D. T. PATTERSON, Com. Naval Station, N. O. A true copy: R. K. CALL, Aid-de-camp. 15th CoN. 2d SESS.-74 HEADQ'RS, DIVISION OF THE SOUTH, GENERAL ORDER. The following detail will compose a special court, to convene at this post, at the hour of 12 o'clock, M., for the purpose of investigating the charges exhibited against A. Arbuthnot, Robert Christy Ambrister, and such others who are similarly situated, as may be brought before it. The court will record all the documents and testimony in the several cases, and their opinion as to the guilt or innocence of the prisoner, and what punishment, if any, should be inflicted. DETAIL. Major General E. P. GAINES, President. Colonel King, 4th infantry. Lieut. Colonel Gibson, Tennessee volunteers. Colonel Willianison, Tennessee volunteers. Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay, corps of artillery. Captain, Crittenden, Kentucky volunteers. Lieutenant J. M. Glassell, 4th inf., Recorder. An orderly will be detailed from Gen. Gaines's brigade, and the court will sit without regard to hours. By order of Major General Jackson: ROBERT BUTLER, Adjutant General. R. K. CALL, Aid-de-camp. A true copy: WAR DEPARTMENT, Oct. 2, 1816. SIR: Your communication of the with its enclosures, have been received, and subultimo, mitted to the President, as well as my letter of the 27th ultimo to you. Since the date of that letter information has been received directly from Spain, which gives additional force to the impressions entertained in relation to Colonel Jesup's communications. The improbability of the information given by that officer will not, in the opinion of the President, justify any arrangement which is calculated to produce public excitement. A judicious disposition of the force under your command, with a view to meet an event of that nature, is all that is considered necessary at the present moment, except the transportation of the arms and munitions of war to the menaced point of attack, which such a measure renders indispensable. These dispositions you will carry into execution agreeably to the instructions contained in my letter of the 27th ultimo, with such modifica Extract of a letter from William H. Crawford, Sec- The destruction of the Negro fort, at the junc- In withdrawing forces from posts now occupied, you will keep in view the preservation of the military stores which may have been deposited in them, which can only be done by transporting them with the troops, or by leaving a sufficient number of them for their protection, until the post can be manned by the militia, or troops brought from the northern division. True copy: R. K. CALL, Aid-de-camp. 2340 Extract of a letter from Major General Jackson to HEADQ'RS, NASHVILLE, Aug. 17, 1818. DEAR SIR: I am happy to find that the notorious Mecodicoxy is at length destroyed. The distresses of the Indians for provisions I expected. Your providing for their wants meets my entire approbation. It will meet the full approbation of the Government, as it corresponds with their usual humanity, always extended to the suffering Indian. I have noted with attention Major Twiggs's agents of Spain, or the officers of Fort St. Auletter, marked No. 5. I contemplated that the gustine, would excite the Indians to hostility, and furnish them with the means. It will be necessary to obtain evidence substantiating this fact, and that the hostile Indians have been fed and furnished from the garrison of the fort of St. Augustine. This being obtained, should you deem your force sufficient, you will proceed to, take, and garrison, with American troops, Fort St. Augustine, and hold the garrison prisoners, until you hear from the President of the United States, or transport them to Cuba, as in your judgment, under existing circumstances, you may think best. heretofore carried on by me, or this order, is not Let it be remembered, that the proceedings on the ground that we are at war with Spain; it is on the ground of self defence, bottomed on the broad basis of the law of nature and of nations, and justified by giving peace and security to our frontier. Hence the necessity of procuring evihaving excited the Indians to continue the war dence of the fact of the agents or officers of Spain against us, and that they have furnished them with the means of carrying on the war. This evidence being obtained, you will (if your force is sufficient) permit nothing to prevent you from reducing fort St. Augustine, except a positive order from the War Department. Orders, some time since, have been given to officers of the ordnance commanding at Charleston, to have in readiness a complete battering train, the number and caliber of the guns pointed out; I have no doubt but that you will find them in Henley, of the naval force on that station; you readiness. I enclose you the report of Captain will open a correspondence with Commandant A. J. Dallas, to insure his co-operation, provided it should be required. HEADQ'RS, DIVISION OF THE SOUTH, Nashville, January 20, 1818. SIR: I have received your letter of the 18th ultimo, and have to regret the situation in which you are unfortunately placed. Every effort will be made, however, to relieve you. I shall leave this place for Fort Hawkins on the 22d, and two regiments of mounted volunteers will rendezvous destroyed the settlement collected at Suwanee. I trust, before this reaches you, you will have at Fayetteville, Tennessee on the 31st instant, This can easily be done by a coup-de-main, proand proceed, by forced marches, direct to our south-vided secrecy be observed, and great expedition ern frontier. The commanding officer of the Georgia militia has instructions this day not to invite a general engagement with the Indians, but at all hazards to aid you in relieving Major Muhlenburg. ANDREW JACKSON, Maj. Gen. Com'g Div. of the South. R. K. CALL, Aid de camp. and great secrecy is observed, you will be disof march used; without expedition of movement, covered, and the enemy will either flee or endeavor to ambuscade you; both of which ought to be guarded against. Have a careful eye to your supplies on hand, that before they are consumed others may be ordered, and reach you: without necessary supplies an army cannot operate with effect. late scarcity ought to teach us a lesson on this The Defeat of the Seminole Indians, fc. head never to be forgotten; I shall, therefore, ex-kind will be paid when presented to this Departpect that no scarcity will exist at any place, post, or garrison intrusted to your care. ment. Upwards of one hundred thousand dollars have been forwarded to the paymasters of the fourth and seventh regiments, for the payment of the militia, before they are discharged. General Jackson will adopt such measures as will be proper to secure this object. The desire of the President, that the disbursing officers of the regular forces should be charged with the expenditures of the campaign, is the only obstacle to appointing the gentlemen recommended by the officers of the Tennessee brigade. Every attenR. K. CALL, Aid-de-camp. tion will be given to secure the object of their I shall expect to hear from you shortly, and that you and your brigade may be successful in all your operations, and cover itself with glory, is my heartfelt wish; and, with this feeling, I am, very respectfully, &c. ANDREW JACKSON, Brevet Major Gen. GAINES. True copy: wishes. Extract of a letter from the Secretary of War to the I am well aware of the difficulties to be overHon. W. Lowndes, Chairman of the Committee of come to organize efficiently, and satisfactorily to Ways and Means, dated 13th April, 1818. the officers and men, a volunteer corps for the The estimate formerly transmitted for the ex-field. In the present instance, the pride and spirit pense of calling out the militia during the present year, was made for infantry; but as upwards of twelve hundred men of the present militia force in the field are mounted volunteers, an additional sum of ninety thousand dollars will be necessary to meet the increased expense. HEADQ'RS, TENN. VOLUNTEERS, SIR: I have the honor to transmit to you the muster-rolls of the volunteer mounted gun-men, of West Tennessee; also, a consolidated morning report of the brigade. I have had much trouble in procuring these returns. I have the honor, to be, &c. A. P. HAYNE, Insp. Gen. To Brig. Gen. D. PARKER, Adjutant and Insp. Gen. A. P. HAYNE, of veterans, aided by patriotism, and directed by superior intelligence, have handsomely surmounted every obstacle. The alacrity with which the brave Tennesseans have again resumed their arms in defence of their country, is a sufficient earnest that their efforts will be successful, and that their efficiency, joined with the gallant exertions of other corps, will speedily terminate the conflict. I have the honor, &c. JOHN C. CALHOUN. To Colonel A. P. HAYNE, True copy, taken from the original on file in I, Richard K. Call, captain of the United States army, and aid-de-camp to Major General Jackson, do swear, that, some time during the last session of Congress, I was summoned to appear before a committee of the Senate of the United States, to give evidence in relation to the occurrences of the Seminole campaign; that, after giving the statement, which appeared as one of the documents accompanying the report of the committée, (which statement was taken in writing by one of its members,) I was told by Mr. Lacock, chairman of the committee, that my testimony could not then be copied in order to receive my signature, but that by the next morning at ten o'clock it should be prepared; at which time I should have an opportunity of comparing it with the original, and of correcting any mistake which might arise in its being transcribed. I accordvol-ingly repaired on the day appointed to the Senate Chamber, and was informed by Mr. Lacock, It is a subject of regret that there is no public chairman, that the committee would not meet arsenal in that section of the country, from which that day, and that my testimony was not yet coparms and equipments could be drawn. The ied. I again mentioned to him, that, from the course which you have taken to remedy the evil, number of mutilations and erasures which had I trust, will be effectual. So far as it may be been made in recording my evidence, if it was practicable, let the arms be preserved and returned, copied, I should expect the right of seeing it beafter the campaign closes, to the owners. Where fore it should be given to the public. He replied this cannot be done, let the account, properly that he did not know that the committee would vouched, be paid by the quartermaster's depart- make any use whatever of my deposition; but if they should ultimately determine to intro DEPARTMENT OF WAR, March 7, 1818. SIR: I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 9th, and three of the 15th instant. I have the pleasure of expressing to you my entire approbation of all the measures you have adopted to insure a prompt movement of the patriotic unteers confided to your command. ment. The bills drawn on account of supplies of every | duce it as a document on which a report would Defeat of the Seminole Indians, &c. JAS. C. BRONAUGH, U. S. A. Sworn to, and subscribed before me, this 24th be framed, it should be previously copied, sub-made me by Mr. Forsyth was violated; and that mitted to my inspection, and receive my sig- I never saw the deposition afterwards, until it nature; none of which promises were complied was published in the documents accompanying with. After my interview with Mr. Lacock, I the report. remained in Washington five or six days, to the best of my recollection, during which time I heard nothing from Mr. Lacock or my deposition; neither did I learn that my statement had been applied to any purpose until my return from Philadelphia to Baltimore, at which place I saw it attached to the report of the committee. My deposition, however, though published without my having an opportunity of correcting errors which might arise in transcribing it, and in direct violation of Mr. Lacock's promise, is, according to my recollection, correct, with a trivial exception. It is not, however, without error; and this error will be found in the omission of the expression, I believe. When interrogated by the committee, in relation to the purpose for which Lieutenant Sands had been ordered to Mobile, my answer was, I believe he was ordered there for artillery; and not positive to the fact. I, moreover, observed to the committee, that I did not, at that time, belong to the personal staff of General Jackson; my duties were remote from his person, and therefore I was little acquainted with the views and opinions of the commanding R. K. CALL. Sworn to, this 30th day of July, 1819, before W. TANNEHILL, J. P. R. K. CALL, Aid-de-camp. General. True copy: NASHVILLE, July 29, 1819 day of July, 1819. True copy: R. C. FOSTER, J. P. R. I. EASTER, Aid-de camp. R. K. CALL, Aid-de-camp. NASHVILLE, April 21, 1819. the subject of the report of the committee of the SIR: In a conversation with Mr. Forsyth on Senate, I stated that the committee had misstated several facts in relation to the occurrences of the Seminole war. "First. That the Governor of Tennessee was in Nashville when you received your instructions to call for a portion of the militia of the State, and that you neglected to make which you were authorized to call; informing any requisition upon him for the number for him that he was not then in Nashville, and that you had written him immediately on receiving your instructions. I further told him that you were prepared to prove that you had not appointed the officers to their respective commands as alleged by the committee." To all which Mr. Forsyth replied, that it was much to be regretted that, in an investigation so important to the country and the character of the individual, evidence so closely connected with the matter in consideration had not been earlier before the committee. I am, sir, respectfully, &c. RICHARD I. EASTER. Major Gen. A. JACKSON. R. K. CALL, Aid-de-camp. DUNLAPSVILLE, TENNESSEE, I, James C. Bronaugh, of the United States army, and attached to the staff of Major General Andrew Jackson, do swear, that, during the last Winter, whilst at the City of Washington, I was summoned to appear before the committee of the Senate, in pursuance of their resolution of the 18th December last, "that the Message of the President, and documents relative to the Seminole war be referred to a select committee, who SIR: On the 22d of February, 1819, Governor shall have authority, if necessary, to send for McMinn came to Kingston. Immediately on his persons and papers; that said committee inquire arrival I informed him of my intention to raise relative to the advance of the United States troops a volunteer company, to join your army on its into West Florida, whether the officers in com- march to Fort Scott. The Governor went to mand at Pensacola and St. Mark's were amena-John Laya's tavern, and made a public and anible to, and under the control of, Spain; and par- mated appeal to the patriotism of the people of ticularly what circumstances existed to authorize Kingston and its vicinity; and assured all those or justify the commanding General in taking who would go with me, or go from any part of possession of those posts." That, when I appear the State, that they went with his warmest ed before said committee, I was questioned upon wishes, as he felt anxious to facilitate every the subjects contained in my deposition, which is movement of the volunteers at so important a published in the documents accompanying their crisis. Governor McMinn pledged his faith and report of the 24th February, 1819; that the sub-reputation, as Governor of the State of Tennesstance of my answers was taken down by Major John H. Eaton, a member of the committee; and that it was expressly declared to me by John Forsyth, another member, "that if my testimony was used by the committee, I should have timely information, for the purpose of affording me an opportunity of correcting it." That this promise see, to those who went with me, that remunera- RICHARD G. DUNLAP. A true copy: R. K. CALL, Aid de-camp. |