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and its dependencies be occupied with an American garrison. The package, marked B, are documents substantiating the charges, in part, against the conduct of the Spanish governor, having knowingly and willingly admitted the savages, avowedly hostile to the United States, within the town of Pensacola. The peaceable surrender of the fort at the Barrancas was denied. I marched for, and invested it, on the evening of the 25th of May, and on the same night, pushed reconnoitering parties under its very guns. On the morning of the 26th, a military reconnoisance was taken; and on the same night, a lodgment was made, under a fire from the Spanish garrison, by Captain Gadsden, of the engineers, aided by Captains Call and Young, on a commanding position, within three hundred and eighty-five yards of the Spanish work, and a nine pounder mounted. A howitzer battery was simultaneously established on the capitol, and within seven hundred and sixty yards of the fort, at day light on the 27th. The Spanish garrison opened their artillery on our batteries; a parley was sounded, a flag sent in, and the surrender of Fort Carlos de Barrancas again demanded; the favorable positions obtained were pointed out, and the inutility of resistance urged. Anxious to avoid an open contest, and to save the effusion of blood, the same terms previously offered, were again tendered. They were rejected, and offensive operations recommenced. A spirited and well directed fire was kept up the greater part of the morning, and at intervals during the afternoon. In the evening, a flag was sent from the Spanish commandant, offering to capitulate, and a suspension of hostilities was granted, until 8 o'clock next day, when articles of capitulation were signed and agreed The terms are more favorable than a conquered enemy would have merited; but, under the peculiar circumstances of the case, my object obtained, there was no

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motive for wounding the feelings of those, whose military pride or honor had prompted to the resistance made. The articles, with but one condition, amount to a complete cession to the United States, of that portion of the Floridas hitherto under the government of Don Jose Masot.

"The arrangements which I have made to secure Pensacola, and its dependencies, are contained in the general orders. I deemed it most advisable to retain, for the present, the same government to which the people had been accustomed, until such time as the executive of the United States may order otherwise. It was necessary however, to establish the revenue laws of the United States, to check the smuggling which had been carried on successfully in this quarter, for many years past, and to admit the American merchant to an equal participation in a trade, which would have been denied under the partial operations of the Spanish commercial code. Captain Gadsden was appointed by me collector, and he has organized and left the department in the charge of officers, on whom the greatest confidence may be reposed.

"Though the Seminole Indians have been scattered, and literally so divided and reduced, as no longer to be viewed as a formidable enemy; yet as there are still many small marauding parties, supposed to be concealed in the swamps of the Perdido, Choctawhatchey, and Chapouley, who might make occasional and sudden inroads on our frontier settlers, massacring women and children, I have deemed it advisable to call into service for six months, if not sooner discharged, two companies of volunteer rangers, under Captains M'Gird and Boyles, with instructions to scour the country between the Mobile and Appalachicola rivers, exterminating every hostile party who dare resist, or will not surrender, and remove with their families above the 31st degree of latitude.

"The Seminole war may now be considered as at a close, tranquillity again restored to the southern frontier of the United States, and as long as a cordon of military posts is maintained along the Gulf of Mexico, America has nothing to apprehend from either foreign or Indian hostilities. Indeed sir, to attempt to fortify, or protect an imaginary line, or to suppose that a frontier on the 31st degree of latitude, in a wilderness, can be secured by a cordon of military posts, while the Floridas lie open to an enemy, is visionary in the extreme.

"Under this firm belief, I have bottomed all my operations. Spain had disregarded the treaties existing with the American government, or had not power to enforce them. The Indian tribes within her territory, and which she was bound to keep at peace, had visited our citizens with all the horrors of savage war; negro brigands were establishing themselves, when and where they pleased; and foreign agents were openly and knowingly practicing their intrigues in this neutral territory.

"The immutable principles therefore of self-defence, justified the occupancy of the Floridas, and the same principles will warrant the American government in holding it, until such time as Spain can guaranty, by an adequate military force, the maintaining her authority within the colony.

"At the close of a campaign which has terminated so honorably and happily, it gives me pleasure to express my approbation, generally, of the officers and soldiers of every species of corps, which I have had the honor to command. The patience with which they endured fatigue, and submitted to privations, and the determination with which they encountered, and vanquished every difficulty, is the strongest indication of the existence of that patriotic feeling, which no circumstances can change, and of that irresistible ardor in the defence of his country,

which will prove her strength and bulwark under any experience. I should do violence to my feelings, if I did not particularly notice the exertions of my quartermaster general, Col. George Gibson, who, under the most embarrassing circumstances, relieved the necessities of my army, and to whose exertions was I indebted for the supplies received. His zeal and integrity, in this campaign, as well as in the uniform discharge of his duties since his connexion with my staff, merits the approbation and gratitude of his country.".

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CHAPTER XV.

General Jackson returns to Nashville-His reception— Cession of the Floridas to the United States-General Jackson appointed governor of them-Delicacy of his situation His proclamation to the people-Spanish officers-Colonel Callava-His measures in relation to them justified..

HAVING closed the Seminole campaign, General Jackson prepared to leave Florida for Nashville. He arrived there in June, and was received by his fellow-citizens with their accustomed cordiality and respect. From this period till the summer of 1821, nothing occurred particularly worthy of remark. In August of that year, Florida was by treaty to be ceded to the United States. By act of congress of the 3d March of the same year, the president was authorized to appoint a governor of East and West Florida, and the person so appointed was vested with all the military, civil, and judicial powers, exercised by the existing government of the same. In virtue of this act, Mr. Monroe, on the 10th of March, commissioned General Jackson, and vested him with "all the power and authority heretofore exercised by the governor and captain general and intendant of Cuba, and by the governors of East and West Florida."

At the time designated, General Jackson proceeded to Florida, and commenced the duties of his appointment. What were the extent of the powers given him is unknown, because they were undefined, and are believed to

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