Zachary Taylor (1849-1850)
TAYLOR, Zachary (1784-1850). Letter signed ("Z. Taylor"), as Brevet Brig. General, to Maj. Gen. Alexander Macomb (1782-1841), Tampa, Florida, 9 May 1839. 1 page, 4to, horizontal creases neatly mended.
細節
TAYLOR, Zachary (1784-1850). Letter signed ("Z. Taylor"), as Brevet Brig. General, to Maj. Gen. Alexander Macomb (1782-1841), Tampa, Florida, 9 May 1839. 1 page, 4to, horizontal creases neatly mended.
DURING THE SECOND SEMINOLE WAR, TAYLOR COMMENTS ON PROPOSED BOUNTIES OF $200 "TO BE GIVEN FOR EACH SCALP!"
An unusual early letter of the future President. Taylor, writing his superior officer, takes the pulse of the Floridians during the Seminole War and finds it beating at a murderous rate. "I learn from private letters from Middle Florida that the people in that region are violently opposed to any arrangement which would permit the Indians to remain, even temporarily in the country. Subscription papers are in circulation for the purpose of raising a fund for the payment of any person who kills an Indian--two hundred dollars to be given for each scalp!" Taylor also discusses the status of hostile tribes: "Nothing yet has been heard from the Chief Nethlokemathla or of the party which left here with him." He warns Macomb that "in the event of your coming to Tampa by the Military road, I would mention that we found the bridge over the Weethlokochee [sic] badly burned--and were obliged to cross our baggage on the shoulders of the men. It would perhaps be advisable to send a party in advance who with a few tools might easily repair the bridge in a short time."
Taylor's preferred method for dealing with Indians was far more diplomatic. "He scrupulously honored agreements with the American Indians who assisted him and with those who surrendered to be transported to the West" (Elbert B. Smith, American National Biography Online). The Second Seminole War (1835-1842) made Taylor's military reputation, especially his victory in the December 1837 at the battle of Lake Okeechobee. Macomb, the commanding general of the U. S. Army, then named Taylor the head of all regular and militia forces in Florida, giving "Old Rough and Ready" a contingent of some 30,000 men.
DURING THE SECOND SEMINOLE WAR, TAYLOR COMMENTS ON PROPOSED BOUNTIES OF $200 "TO BE GIVEN FOR EACH SCALP!"
An unusual early letter of the future President. Taylor, writing his superior officer, takes the pulse of the Floridians during the Seminole War and finds it beating at a murderous rate. "I learn from private letters from Middle Florida that the people in that region are violently opposed to any arrangement which would permit the Indians to remain, even temporarily in the country. Subscription papers are in circulation for the purpose of raising a fund for the payment of any person who kills an Indian--two hundred dollars to be given for each scalp!" Taylor also discusses the status of hostile tribes: "Nothing yet has been heard from the Chief Nethlokemathla or of the party which left here with him." He warns Macomb that "in the event of your coming to Tampa by the Military road, I would mention that we found the bridge over the Weethlokochee [sic] badly burned--and were obliged to cross our baggage on the shoulders of the men. It would perhaps be advisable to send a party in advance who with a few tools might easily repair the bridge in a short time."
Taylor's preferred method for dealing with Indians was far more diplomatic. "He scrupulously honored agreements with the American Indians who assisted him and with those who surrendered to be transported to the West" (Elbert B. Smith, American National Biography Online). The Second Seminole War (1835-1842) made Taylor's military reputation, especially his victory in the December 1837 at the battle of Lake Okeechobee. Macomb, the commanding general of the U. S. Army, then named Taylor the head of all regular and militia forces in Florida, giving "Old Rough and Ready" a contingent of some 30,000 men.