j Total, 259 Capt. Turner not yet arrived. An intelligent gentleman of Alachua, in a 6tter to a gentleman of this place, states that ,apt. Priest, whose plantation at Wacahoutar vas devastated, arid buildings burned by the ndians and son wounded, as noticed in our ast number, lost, at least, one thousand bush- Is of corn, and allhis cotton, of which he had Large crop. All his horses, save five, a4e probably lost. He had about thirty head.- The con and cotton were consumed. Twen- odd fat hrs, ready for the butcher's knife were taken from the pen and driven off.- Capt. Priest is we understand, one of the greatest losers, of the great number of those whose plantations have been devastated and homes laid in ash\s. Another writer Says, the people here are very much alarmed. Most of the families have abandoned their homess and assembled at the different places whtee the inhabitants have erected, or are erecting forts for protec- tion. There are at Newnansville, the Court. House at which place is-turned into a fort, and the Jail into a block-house ; upwards of two hundred people assembled at old Mr. Crum's where is Fort Crum" upwards of three hundred, and more are coming in. 'Mr. Folk who was shot through the throat, died on the llth instant. We select the following editorial state- ment and remarks from the Tallahassee Flo- ridian ofthe 12th inst. THE SEMINOLEs.-An express from Gen. Clinch arrived in the early part of this week, calling pn the Governor of the Ter- ritory for mounted men,.to aid in protect- ing the frontier from the hostile portion of the Seminole tribes.' The demand was promptly responded to by the.Acting Gov- ernor, Mr. Walker, who immediately issu- ed the necessary orders to Gen. Call, for raising volunteers to succor our distressed brethren in the exposed districts. On Tuesday a portion of the 7th Regiment was hastily assembled, and after a very able and appropriate address by Gen. Call, about sixty young men tendered their ser- vices. The company left town the next evening under the command of Captain Throop. They were well mounted, and made a very handsome appearance. Jef- ferson, Madison and Gadsden counties, al- so contributed their quotas. The battalion, when assembled, will be placed under the command of Cols. Parish and Reid, who will no doubt give a good account of their gallant little band. Another levy will be made to-day. It is intended by Gen. Call to raise 250 or 300 additional men in this district, who will be commanded by Col. Parkhill. The diffe- rent corps will be assembled at Hickstown, when Gen. Call will assume the command of the whole in person. A fine company of volunteers arrived last evening from. Quincy, commanded by Capt. Harrison.- The officers and soldiers are entitled to the greatest credit for the promptness with which they have acted oh the occasion. A company of cavalry from Jackson county, is expected to arrive in this placo0-mor- ow. It goes under the command 0o CoL P.ttman. In short, such is the spirit man- ifested every where, that the difficulties cannot fail to be brought to a speedy ter- mination. Mr. Walker, our acting Governor, is enti- tled to great credit, for his promptness in re- sponding to the call of the people of Alachua made to him in their hour of'peril, for succor, and to the subsequent call of Gen. Clinch, for mounted men, to aid in the protection of the Indian frontiers. The spirited efforts of Gen. Call, to raise an efficient force, his despatch in reaching the theatre of action, and the alacrity which seems to have been manifested by the people, of Middle Florida, to succor their brethren" exposed to the enraged red-men's knife and firebrands," meet our warmest commenda- tion. Gen. Call is well and favorably.known in this section, and. his speedy arrival in camp, gives satisfaction and confidence to the people generally, and we doubt not, will inspire, with additional ardor, the spirited and gallant sons from this section, who so readily and freely marched out to battle," under our own commanding officers, upon whose bravery and efficiency, every reliance is so justly placed. INDIAN HOSTILITIES ! LATEST INTELLiGENCE FROM THE THE.A TIE OF W.AR. We insert a copy af a letter from Colonel Warren to General Clinch, which will be t read with great interest-judging from the proportion of the slaa and wounded, the en- gagement was a sevre one. Our anxiety is great to hear farthe particulars, and to know the names of the fite slain, whose names are t put down in the letter as unknown. This letter contahs our latest intelligence, except a report just arrived, that two of the d wounded are sinc(dead-that Weeks, one of the above, who belonged to the Mandarin h Company, fired at he Indians three times- twice after he hadreceived several balls, the t last discharge mate when he was down,- killing an Indian thAt had jumped into one of the wagons,-and that Capt. McLemore had two horses shot under him. How much truth t is in this report, we cannot pretend to say. FEAD QUARTERS, Fort Crum, Dec. 19th, 1835. 5 t Sir-rhe troops under my command, took up the line of march on yesterday morning, to scour out the Wacahouta and adjacent homtocks, and not wishing to be encumber- ed with baggage, I despatched baggage wag- i ons to take the. direct route for Wetumpka, via Micanopy; on arriving at the Kanopaha prairie, I immediately took Capt. McLe- more's and Capt. Lancaster's companies, and pursued on the trail, and on arrival at Benj. Warren's, found his house in flames, passing I on we found that a body of Indians, fifty or sixty in number, had attacked and captured our baggage as it passed over the Prairie, and set the wagon on fire. The officer in com- mand of the baggage train, with several of the escort had retired to Miccanopy, and I have not been able to ascertain correctly, what loss has been sustained : two Sergeants and four mer. have returned into Camp un- hurt, and one Sergeant and one private be- longing to Captain M'Lemore's Company, mortally wounded, still lingering at this fort. I am not able to make a more correct return, as I am unadvised of the numbers who have escaped to Miccanopy, but will make a more full return as soon as possible. By this un- fortunate affair, all our papers, such as orders, reports, &c. and all our ammunition, surgical instruments, &c. are lost. Gen. Call, with his reinforcement, is ex- pected here to-day, and as I am assured that the whole body of Indians are in the Waca- h-t.a nird dii-cent hammocks; the sign is great, .ntd ",i i'e the force seen in different parties, we are assured that they are all here. I think it advisable that you send all the regular force, to co-operate with us immedi- ately. The fighting is to be done here. We are in want of ammunition and camp equip- age, having, as I before stated, lost all in our wagons. Yours respectfully, JOHN WARREN. Co!. and Com. Mil. in service. Gen. D. L. CLINCH. P. S. Killed, Serg't. Hunt, privates Tillis and U. Roberts and five others not known, wounded six, oie mortally (Weeks,) escaped sixteen; five hprses killed, six wounded. Gen. Call hat just arrived in Camp with 250 men, and assumed the entire command. A,report has also arrived, that the Indians were penned in a Hammock in the Prairie, and that, on Monday last, firing was heard, and a general e engagement had taken place. The mail rider, from Micanopy via. New- nansville, who arrived here on Sunday morn- ing last, one day later than the mail was due, reported that he saw on his route fresh signs of Indians, and that he might probably have been picked off" by some of them, had he not joined a company of persons with whom he travelled aS far as Black Creek. He said every dwelling is abandoned by the inhabi- tants on the rods leading from Black Creek to Newnansville, and to Micanopy, also from Newnansvilleto Aligator, and from Picolata and Palatka to Micanopy. Picolata is the highest point on the St. Johns unabandoned by the inhabitants. The rider brought also the first intelligence of the attack on the house of Mr.Simmons. The following letter from Col. Mills to a gentleman in this place, gives probably a more correct version of the attack. HEAD QUARTERS, (near Fort Crum) 12 o'clock at night, 17th Dec., 1835. Sir-Intelligence has arrived in Camp, that about 30 Indians made an attack on Mr. Simmons' houseon the Palatka road, about 8 miles from yliccanopy, and 20 from this Camp. They rushed on the house with fu- rious yells and heavy firing; but Simmons, and J. Carr and two others, who happened to be there, barred up the house and defended themselves urtil day light-when the Indi- ans took a drove of fat hogs out of the pens and drove them off. Immediately Captains Sumerall's and Gibbon's companies were de- spatched off at 20 minutes notice, (with Carr to show the trail) and with orders to pursue and destroy the Indians wherever found. SWe march on for Wacahouta in the morn- .ing, where it is reported that a great show of Indians is seen. Further, I have not time to say. Yours truly, SW. J. MILLS. We have not yet heard any thing, in refer- ence to the success of the detachment under Capt. Sumerall and Capt. Gibbons, despatch- ed in pursuit of them. -I, From a file of Official Orlers, and copies of Orders furnished us by the- politeness of Capt. D. S. Gardiner, commandant of this post, and Maj. I. D. Hart, commanding the Regimental bounds. We select the following: REGIMENTAL ORDER. 4th Regt. Florida Militia, Jacksonville, Nov. 10th, 1835. Sir-You are hereby required to muster he company under your command, forth- with; and cause a complete inspection of the same to be made, as to their arms and equip- ments, and make an immediate return to me f the same. You will impress on the men he necessity of their equipping themselves according to law, and be particular in re- urning to your company Court Martial all defaulters, in not appearing armed as requir- ed. The General commanding this Brigade, has informed the Colonel of this Regiment, That as the Indians are to be removed about he 8th of January next, in the event of their not complying peaceably with the Treaty with the General Government, circumstan- ces may require -him4a call on a portion of the Brigade for their services, and he confi- dently expects support in such an event, from this Regiment." I think it unnecessary for me to say more to you, than fully to express my confidence in yourself, and the officers and men under your command, being held n readiness to meet promptly any call that may be made on their services, and that this Regiment may, in the event of their being called to the field, shew that patriotic and military character that has always so particu- ulirly distinguished the sons of Florida. I lave the honor to be, &c. W. J. MILLS, Lt. Cpl. 4th Regt. F. M Com. 1st Batl. To Capt. DANIEL S. GARDINER. REGIMENTAL ORDER. 4th Regt. Florida Militia, December 5th, 1835. Sir-You are hereby required to muster the company under your command, at Isaac Hen- dricks', Esq. Cowford, on Monday morning, the 7th inst. at 9 o'clock, A. M. completely armed and equipped, and all mounted that have horses, or that can procure them,, when you will make immediate report to me of the full effective strength, in men, arms, equip- ments and horses. And at that time and place, you will receive such further orders., for your guidance, as shall be communicated to me by the Colonel commanding this Regi- ment. The Indiana having committed some depredations on the frontiers, the General commanding the United States troops in Florida, has made a requisition for the servi- ces of a portion of this Regiment, you will therefore impress on your company, the ne- cessity of being Fully prepared for immediate service, at a moments warning after your pa- rade is formed, as herein ordered. By order of Col. JOHN WARREN, Commanding 4th Regt. F. M. W. J. MILLS, Lt. Col. Com. 1st Batl. To Capt. D. S. GARDINER, Company D. HEAD QUARTERS, Jacksonville, Dec. 7th, 1835. Sir-You are hereby ordered to hold the company under your command, in readiness to march at a moment's warning. You will cause all the men to be immediately fully prepared for actual service. Press all the arms in the district, and make report to me forthwith. The Regiment being called into actual service by the Commanding General of the Brigade. By order of Col. WARREN. W. J. MILLS, Lt. Col. 4th Regt. F. M. Capt. D. S. GARDINER, Company D. HEAD QUARTERS, Jacksonville, Dec. 7th, 1835. Sir-You are hereby ordered to muster the Battalion under your command into immedi- ate service, and order the companies to take up the line of march for Wetumnpka, via Black-Creek, to-morrow morning; you are also required to establish a post at Jackson- ville, under the command ef a Captain and twenty-five men-one post at Mandarin, un- der the command of a Lieutenant and twelve men-one post at Whitesville, under a Lieu- tenant and twelve men-you will charge the Captain commanding the post at Jackson-. ville, to keep a regular mounted guard, and to take into custody all slaves and free per-. sons of color, except they are in the actual service and presence of their owners, over. seers or employers, and to keep'them in close confinement, subject to the disposition of the civil authorities; and you will order the Commandant at Jacksonville to issue the same peremptory orders to the Commandants, of the posts at Mandarin and Whitesville- and to require regular reports from them; anc he is required to report to Major Isaiah D Hart, who will remain at Head Quarters as commanding officer of the Regimental Boundi -you are further required to take all armt found within your command, -for the purpose( of arming the Battalion-you will also ch'rg<( the Guards with the duty of bringing in al If, in the course of their consultations, facts are erroneously stated, or unjust deductions are made, they require no other induce- ment to correct them, however informed of their error, than their love of justice, and what is due to their own character; but they can never submit to be interrogated upon the subject as a matter of right, by a foreign power. When our discussions terminate in acts, our responsibility to for- eign powers commences, not as individu- als, but as a nation. The principle which calls in question the President for the lan- guage of his message, would equally justi- fy a foreign power min demanding explana- tion of the language used in the report ofa committee, or by a member in debate. This is not the first time that the Gov- ernment of France has taken exception to the messages of American Presidents.- President Washington, and the first Presi- dent Adams, in the performance of their duties to the American People, fell under the animadversions of the French Directo- ry. The objection taken to the Ministry of Charles X, and removed by the expla- nations 'made by our Minister upon the spot, has already been adverted to. WVhen it was understood that the Ministry of the present King took exception to my mes- sage of last year, putting a construction up- on it which was disavowed on its face, our late Minister at Paris, in answer to the note which first announced a dissatisfaction with the language used in the message, made a communication to the French Government under date of the 20th January, 1835, cal- culated to remove all impressions which an unreasonable susceptibility had created. He repeated, and called the attention of the French Government to the disavowal contained in the message itself, of any in- tention to intimidate by menace-hle truly declared that it contained, and was in- tended to contain, no charge of ill faith against the King of the French, and prop- erly distinguished between the right to complain, in unexceptionable terms, of the omission to execute an agreement, ard an accusation of bad motives in withholding such execution-and demonstrated, that the necessary use of that right ought not to be considered as an offensive imnputa- tion. Although this communication was made without instructions and entirely on the Minister's own responsibility, yet it was afterwards made the act of this GoTern- ment by my full approbation, and that ap- probation was officially made knows on the 25th of April, 1835, to the French Gov- ernment. It, however, failed to have any effect. The law, after this friendly expla- nation, passed with the obnoxious amend- ment, supported by the King's Ministers and was finally approved by the King. The people of the United States are just ly attached to a pacific system in their in tereourse with foreign .. '-ons. It is prop- er, therefore, that they should know wheth- er their Government has adhered to it. In the present instance, it has been carried t( the utmost extent that was consistent with a becoming self respect. The noteo the 29th of January, to which I have be fore alluded, was not the only one which our Minister took upon himself the respon sibility of presenting on the same subject and in the same spirit. Finding that it was intended to make payment ofa just deb dependent on the performance ofa condi tion which he knew could never be com plied with, he thought it a duty to mak( another attempt to convince the Frenc Government, that whilst self respect anc regard to the dignity of other nations woulk always prevent us from using any language( that ought to give offence, yet we coulc never admit a right in any foreign Govern. ment to ask explanations of, or to interfere in any manner in, the communication., Which one branch of our public council, made with another; that in the present case, no such language had been used, .anc .that this had in a former note been full} and voluntarily stated, before it was con- templated to make the explanation a con- dition and that there might be no misap- rehension, he stated the terms used in thai note, and he officially informed them thai it had been approved by th'e President and that therefore, every explanation which could reasonably be asked, or honorably given, had been already made-that the contemplated measure had been anticipat- ed by a voluntary and friendly declaration, and was, therefore, not only useless, but might be deemed offensive, and certainly would not be complied with, if annexed as a condition. When this latter communication, tc which I specially invite the attention ol Congress, Avas laid before me, I entertain- ed the hope.that the means it was obvious- ly intended to afford, of an honorable and speedy adjustment of the difficulties be- tween the two nations, would have beer accepted; andI therefore did not hesitate to give my sanction and full approbation This was due to the Minister who had made himself responsible for the act; and it was published to the people of the U. States and is now laid before their representatives to show how far their executive has gone in its endeavors to restore a good under.- standing between the two countries. It would have been, at any time, commumi- cated to the Government of France, had it been officially requested. The French Government having receiv.- ed all the explanation which honor anc principle permitted, and which could it reason be asked, it was hoped it would no longer hesitate to pay the instalments now due. The agent authorized to receive the money was instructed to inform the French Minister of his readiness to do so. In re- reply to this notice, he was told that the money could not then be paid, because the formalities required by the act of the Cham- bers had not been arranged. Not having received any official com- munication of the intention of the French Government, and anxious to bring, as far as practicable, this unpleasant affair to a close before the meeting of Congress, that you might have the whole subject before you, I caused our Charge d'Affaires at Par- is, to be instructed to ask for the final de- termination of the French Government; and in the event of their refusal to pay the instalments now due, without further ex- planations, to return to the United States. The result of this last application has not reached us, but is daily expected. That it may be favorable is my sincere wish.- France having now through all the branch- es of her Government, acknowledged the validity of our claims, and the obligation of the treaty of 1831; and there really ex- isting no adequate cause for further delay, will, at length, it may be hoped, adopt the course which the interest of both nations, not less than the principles of justice, so imperiously require. The treaty being once executed on her part, little will re- main to disturb the friendly relations of the two countries; nothing, indeed, which will not yield to the suggestions ofa pacific and enlightened policy, and to the influ- ence of that mutual good will, and of those generous recollections, which we may confidenily expect will then be revived in all their ancient force. In any event, how- ever, the principle involved in the new as- pect, which has been given to the contro- versy, is so vitally important to the inde- pendent administration of the Government, That it can neither be surrendered nor Scompromitted, without national degrada- tion. I hope it is unnecessaey for me to say that such a sacrifice will not be made through any agency of mine. Thie honor of my country shall never be stained by an t apology from me, for the statement of truth Sand the performance of duty; nor can I Give any explanation of my official acts, except such as is due to integrity and con- Ssistent with the principles on which our Institutions have been framed. This determination will, I am confident, be approved by my constituents. I have, - indeed, studied their character to but little purpose, if the suin of twenty-five millions - of francs will have the weight of a feather - in the estimation of what appertains to , their national independence; and if, un- happily, a different impression should at - any time obtain in any quarter, they Will, - 1 am sure, rally round the government of - their choice with alacrity and unanimity, - and silence forever the degrading imputa- Stion. ) Having thus frankly presented to you t the circumstances which, since the last f session of Congress, have occurred in this - interesting and important matter, with the views of the Executive in regard to them, " it is at this time only necessary to add, , that whenever the advices now daily ex- s pected from our Charge d'Affaires shall t have been received, they will be made the - subject of a special communication. persons who are defaulters, in appearing at thedifferent places of rendezvous. ly order of Gen. J. M. HERNANDEZ, Com. 2d Brig. F. M. JOHN WARREN, Col. 4th Reg. F. M. .0 Col. W. J. MILLS, Com. 1st Batl. F. M. THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24. Extract from a letter written by Col. Mill, to 'he Commandant of the post at Jackson- vile, dated Camp, Dec. 12th, 1835. Force at prsent in Camp at Newnansville. 4U Regt. Comp. A. Capt. Ross, 41 men e B L. Lancaster, 32 " C. Hutchesonr,39 " 41 H. Lt. Haddock,* 28 " 6ft Regt. under Capt. Gibbons, 34 " Sumerall, 45' McLemore, 34 " Feld and staff, 6 " I CONTENTMENT. What has often surprised me is to hear people lament the evils of this life, and to call the world a vale of sorrow. Surely enjoyment and well-being is manifestly, throughout the world, the positive and nat- ural state of animated beings: And evil suffering and organic defects, the negative or partial shadow of this general brightness. Is -not creation a continual feast to the healthy eye, the contemplation of which, and of its beauty and splendour, fills the heart with delight and adoration ? And were it only the daily sight of the enkind- ling sun and glittering stars, the verdure of the trees, the gay and delicate beauty of flowers, the joyous song of birds, and the luxuriant abundance and rich animal en- joyment of all living things, it would give us good cause to rejoice in life. But how much still more wondrous wealth is unfold- ed in the treasures of our own minds!- What mines are laid open by love, art, sci- ence, the observation and history of our race, and in the deepest chambers of the .soul, the pious, reverential sentiment of God and his universal work! Truly we were less ungrateful, were we less happy ; and but too often we stand in need of suf- fering to make us conscious of this. A cheerful, grateful disposition is a sort of sixth sense, by which we perceive and re- cognize happiness. He who is fully per- suaded of its existence, may, like other utin-, thinking children, break out into occasion- al complaints, but will soon return to rea- son; for the deep and intense feeling of the happiness of living, lies like a rose-co- loured ground in his inmost heart, and shines softly through the darkest figures which worldly disappointments can draw upon it.-[Waldie's Port Folio. MARTIN VAN BUREN was born at Kin- derhook, on the 8th December, 1782-con- sequently he has now nearly completed bis 53d year. It is said that he begun the stu- dy of law at fourteen, practiced at sixteen, and soon after became "active and con- spicuous as a party politician." / rl The Courier.