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Senator Yulee said the Florida Delegation would hardly sanction (so far as they could speak) the plan of [[?]] Bryan and other Creek chiefs. Meade to communicate this note to Gen. Scott. Very truly yours JCCasey Maj Williams} ADC} P.S. It may be noted that in 7 or 8 months the peaceful plan has removed 96 including 25 warriors, a greater no than was ever fairly caught in a year by the operating army in war - and this under adverse circumstances. [[line]] New York City August 7. 1850 Col. Wm. Freeman} AAG U S army } In compliance with your request of the 1st this moment received - I submit my views of the best points, to be occupied as military posts in Florida until the Seminoles shall have been removed. 1. On the Atlantic (near old Ft Pierce) [[underlined]] one company [[/underlined]] (10 or 15 mounted men) - to give confidence to the whites, and to prevent Indians from settling or hunting east of the Boundary 2. A depôt in Charlotte's Harbor (JCasey) from which supply posts on [[underlined]] Pea River, Caloosa Hatchee, [[/underlined]] and down the coast. [[underlined]] One company (or half a company) [[/underlined]] will suffice. Sail or steam vessels can reach this depôt with supplies at all seasons without detention. It is perfectly healthy and the sick from all defendent posts can resort to it with advantage. 3. A post at Ft. Myers, or [[underlined]] Caloosa river [[/underlined]] of [[underlined]] two companies [[/underlined]] this is the most important post, in peace or war. From it the Indian settlements can be reached in one to three days march of cavalry. Hence it is the strongest check on them. 4. A post near mouth of Pea river of [[underlined]] one (or one & a half) [[/underlined]]company. (20 to 30 men mounted) From this post a road along the new Boundary (from mouth Pea river by edge of Big Prairie to S. end of L. Istohposa and on to Kissimmee should be patrolled from time to time and the march should be extended (in the dry season) occasionally to the Atlantic post on Indian river. Two wagons, ([[?]]) at the post on Pea river and one at Indian river would be the only land transportation required [[end page]] [[start page]] beyond that necessary at, and for, each post. The supplies to all the posts could be furnished by sail vessels and boats at all times. I would entirely abandon the old line from Tampa Bay (both Fort Brooke & Hanes) as being no longer necessary and as being very expensive. The depôts on Tampa Bay are difficult of access-requiring lighters- and the posts near the Indian frontier can only be reached & supplied by a land train and at some season only with difficulty Tampa Bay is 50 miles from the nearest point of the old [[?]] & is 85 or 90 from the nearest point of the new boundary Lastly, I would add that in a country like Florida a military cordon of any reasonable force, remote from the Indian Settlements and hunting grounds is without most effect on them - while a comparatively small force within striking distance of the towns will restrain the warriors from leaving their families to roam beyond the lines. I consider the single post on the Caloosa Hatchee to be of more service than a chain of posts from Tampa Bay to Indian River, and the expense in men & money is but a fraction of what is needed for the cordon. These views were submitted to the Com. Official in Florida soon after his arrival in the Fall of 1849, but at that the disposition of the Indians was not as well known, the Boundary was further than it now is. Very respectfully JCCasey Capt U.S.A [[line]] New York City August 12 1850 Luke Lea Com. Ind. Affrs. Sir, I return herewith my Account Current for 2 Oc. 1850 corrected and completed as required in your letter of the 8th. I hope to pay my respects to you in person before the end of the month as my health is improving. Respty Your obt. servt John C. Casey Capt Fla. Indians
