GENERAL HOSTILITIES¹.

The Troops along the Florida frontier become active—The Exiles on Suwanee and Withlacoochee prepare for War—General Gaines’s representation of their numbers—Depredations² committed during the Spring and Summer of 1817—Massacre³ of Lieutenant⁴ Scott and his party—Its Effect upon the Country—Congress not consulted as to this War—General Gaines authorized⁵ to Invade Florida—General Jackson ordered to the Field—Mr. Monroe assumes the Duties of President—His Cabinet—Character of Congress—Public Sentiment in regard to discussion of Subjects connected with Slavery—General Jackson concentrates his Army at Fort Scott—Proceeds to Mickasukie—Battle—Destruction of the Town—Marches to St. Marks—Indian Chiefs decoyed on board a Vessel—Hanged by order of General Jackson—The Army moves upon Suwanee—Its Situation—Exiles prepare for a decisive Battle—Severe Conflict—General Jackson takes the Town—Captures Indian Women and Children—Burns the Villages of that region—Returns to Pensacola—Capture and Trial of Arbuthnot and Ambrister—Their Execution—Invasion of Florida condemned⁷ by some of our Statesmen, and vindicated⁸ by others.

The nation having been precipitated⁹ into war (1816), the Officers of Government, and the army, at once became active in carrying it on. Orders were sent to General Gaines, exhorting¹⁰ him to vigilance, caution and promptitude. He was on the southern frontier of Georgia, where it was naturally supposed the first blow, in

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