NEWS ARTICLES
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Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) February 11 1824 Page 2 The Mobile papers of the beginning of the last month, (says to Charleston Courier) contain an account of disturbances occasioned by the Seminole Indians in Florida. Their disaffection, it appears, has grown out of the recent treaty, and the laying out of the new road between St. Augustine and Pensacola, which will pass through their country. In an interview between Governor Duval and their chief, Nehemathla, the latter declared that he was unable to protect the whites against the outrages of the young warriors of his nation, who were so inflamed that they would submit to no authority. Some apprehensions had been entertained for the safety of Colonel Gadsen and Lieut. Ripley, the commissioners appointed to mark the boundary line of the Seminoles, who were without any guard, but from subsequent accounts those apprehensions were believed to be unfounded. Capt. Burch and his party, concerning whose safety some unfavorable reports had also been in circulation, arrived at Pensacola, all well, on the 6th ult. after having been 78 days in the service. By this survey the distance between Pensacola and St. Augustine is reduced to 315 miles. Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) March 31 1824 Page 3 The St. Augustine Herald of the 28th ult., positively contradicts the statements which have been published in the papers respecting the “outrages” said to have been committed by the Indians in Florida, in the neighborhood of St. Marks. The U. S. officers and men under Capt. Bruch and Col. Gadsden, are prosecuting the objects of their expeditions in peace and quiet – and the Herald assures those who have friends in Florida that there is no apprehension of the least disturbance with the Indians who manifest a perfect willingness to be concentrated in the new reservation, agreeably to the terms of the late treaty with them. – Balt. Amer Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) June 2 1824 Florida Accounts have been received at Pensacola, that the Secretary of the Navy had directed Com. Porter, if the situation of the service would permit, to dispatch one of the vessels under his command, with instructions, to St. Augustine, to take the public documents, the books, and furniture, of the Legislative Council, from that place to St. Mark’s from thence to be conveyed to the new Seat of Government, at Tallahassee. Governor Deval had given information that it was his intention to proceed shortly to that place, and have a town laid off, which would enable those who intended making establishments there, to place their buildings in a situation in which they would remain permanently. – Ib. Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) June 30, 1824 An Ohio paper informs us, that the making of the Road through the Black Swamp, from the Western Reserve to the Miami, has been promptly contracted for on favorable terms. This is the road, towards the making of which, Congress granted a mile in width of public land lying on each side, the whole length of the Road. The grant is placed at the disposal of the State of Ohio, and the Road which was very much wanted, is now about to be made under the authority of that State. At the last session, twenty thousand dollars were appropriated by Congress for improving the Road from the termination of the Swamp Road to Detroit, so as to open a regular direct communication with the latter place, which ahs been heretofore almost entirely impracticable during the winter months of each year. – Nat. Intel. Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) July 28, 1824 From Florida The following is an extract of a letter of the late date, (June 16,) from one of our subscribers, who lives in Gadsden county, in Florida, and whose only means of addressing us, he says, is by the hands of individuals who come the explore the country, he being fifty ( or, perhaps a hundred) miles from any Post Office: “Notwithstanding many reports abut the satisfaction of our Indians, I can assure you the Indians between the Tallahassee and the Apalachicola rivers, are by no means satisfied with the late Treaty. They assert, they knew not what the Treaty was, in reality till lately – the Chiefs excepted, who have reserved of land – “I am convinced they will not leave this part of the country cheerfully. A military force will have to see them off.” – Nat. Intel. The Adams Sentinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) December 31, 1828 City of Talahassee The growth of our western towns is almost miraculous. The Floridian says, that no city in the Union ever sprung up with greater rapidity, amidst the wilds of the south and west, than Talahassee. New and convenient shops and warehouses, commodious public buildins, handsome private dwellings, are continually erecting, the abundant fruits of the soil and climate are offered for exportation, the comforts and amusements of older cities are introduced, and four years of uninterrupted health have attested the salubrity of the climate. “Last and not least” says the Floridian, “female society is increasing, both in members and attraction, and is beginning to exert its influence on our sedate bachelors. We see it in the altered mien and cheerful countenance. The planets have certainly retrograded ten years, this last ten months. We know not how else to account for it, except by the bright eyes and fairy forms, that now grace our city.
Contributed by: Nancy
Piper WEST FLORIDA The Centinel, Gettysburg, Pa , January 22, 1812 Natchez, Dec. 21, 1811 We have been informed by a gentleman of the first respectability that letters have been received at the cantonment Washington, from Gen. Hampton, dated Town of Mobile, &c. stating that he had possession of all the country claimed by the United States as far as the Perdido and that an amicable arrangement had taken place between him and the Spanish authorities. It is further said that all the troops in this neighborhood have been ordered immediately to march to Baton Rouge and Mobile. Contributed by: Nancy Piper AMELIA ISLAND In March 1812, The U.S. troops stationed at St. Mary’s Island aided revolutionists in taking Amelia Island from Spain. Unfortunately this was done without U.S. authorization, and the Island was given back to Spain.
The Centinel, Gettysburg, Pa , April 15, 1812 Amelia Island Taken Charleston, March 27, 1812 We had the pleasure of conversing with a gentleman who left Amelia Island on Sunday and who arrived this morning from Savannah. He states that a day or two previous to the 16th inst., Amelia Island was summoned to surrender by the revolutionists at St. Mary’s who accompanied their summons with a declaration that the U.S. troops stationed there would assist them in taking possession of it, should they refuse. The commandant of Amelia having requested and obtained a short time to return an answer, wrote immediately to Major Laval and Commodore Campbell to know whether it was their intention to cooperate with them. The Major returned for answer that having had no instructions from his government to that effect, he should not. In the mean time, Major Laval was superceded in command by Col. Smith. The Commodore did not answer until the next morning when he stated that he had no instructions to render such assistance but that he should act with them on his own responsibility; and accordingly, on the 16th or 17th, proceeded to drop the gun boats down the river. Some signal guns having been fired by the Commodore, Amelia was taken possession of, without opposition on Wednesday, the 18th, by the Spanish revolutionists, conjointly with the United States troops. One company of riflemen was sent from Colonel Smith’s command. The gentleman mentioned above, on whose information we rely with confidence, entertains no doubt of their having proceeded immediately to St. Augustine, where we understand there is some considerable force. Contributed by: Nancy Piper
The Centinel, Gettysburg, Pa , April 15, 1812 Extract of a letter from St. Mary’s dated March 20th, 1812 “The Insurgents or Patriots formed a camp on Rose’s Bluff opposite to St. Mary’s at the same time the gun boats were ordered to proceed down to the sound, when they were moored, their guns loaded and every man to his station – several signal guns were fired by the commodore. The Insurgents then embarked from Rose’s Bluff and proceeded to Amelia Island, where they landed, Col. Ludwick Ashley at their head and demanded surrender of the island to the Patriots, which was refused by the commandant, but who requested a parley until he could send a deputation to Commodore Campbell, who was then sailing up and down the harbor, to ascertain whether he would assist the insurgents in case they were resisted. The commodore’s replay was that he would assist the insurgents. The Island was then surrendered to Ashley and the flag of the patriots was immediately on the ramparts of the fort, which was soon succeeded by the flag of the U. States. The United States troops are now in possession of the Island of Amelia. The country of East Florida in possession of the Patriots and the town of Augustine and the garrison in possession of the soldiers of Ferdinand the 7th. The Governor of that place is determined to hold out to the last extremity. Contributed by: Nancy Piper FLORIDA FRONTIERS
The Centinel (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) January 20, 1813 Troops are still approaching the frontiers of the Floridas, both regulars and militia, on the Mississippi, and on the St. Mary’s; for the patriotic purpose of driving the unoffending Spaniards from their possessions. Contributed by: Nancy Piper WEST FLORIDA Republican Compiler (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) February 23, 1825 On the 3d ult., as Col. White, one of the commissioners for ascertaining the nature and amount of land claims in West Florida, was walking in the streets of Pensacola, he was suddenly struck behind with a bludgeon by Peter Albo, jr., the Mayor of the city, who had at the same time a stiletto about him, which, in the struggle that ensued, he attempted to plunge into the Colonel’s body. They were separated, but Colonel White had received a severe wound in the head. It is said in the Pensacola Gazette that the cause of this attack was the detection and disclosure by the Colonel, of some improper proceedings of the Mayor in relation to lands claims. Contributed by: Nancy Piper Southern Medical Journal 1921 FLORIDA The Mecca Hotel and Sanitarium Company, Jacksonville is considering the erection of a $4,000.000 group of buildings or sanitarium, hotel and allied purposes. The plans call for a main building four stories with wings . Deaths Dr. Murray Wisner Seagears, St. Augustine, aged 46. died April 19 following an operation for ulcer of the stomach. Contributed by: Tina Easley
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