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you will make arrangements for the monthly or quarterly payment of a commutation. Commute the ration at 12 1/2¢ & the half ration at 6 1/4¢ should it become necessary to commute. On completing this duty you will return to Florida & report to me in person. Very resplly Yr ob set [[signed]] JC Casey [[/signed]] Capt in chg Fort Myers Florida April 11. 1854 Capt. H.C. Prtt Comdg Ft Myers Sir, a strict execution of the Law of Fla. of Jany. 1853 prohibiting all trade or intercourse with the Indians is deemed all-important to the success of the measures of the War Dept: for removing the Indians. I have therefore to ask the aid of your authority and influence in enforcing that Law at this the chief point of communications. I would further & particularly request that while the chiefs may be here to attend council the officers would refuse any & every demand on them for liquor or wine. While the Indian has [[underlined]] none [[/underlined]] he cares but little about it, but even a glass of claret will often suspend or defeat all business & leave him with but one thought & desire. Now to get drunk; hence my urgent request Very resplly Yr obdt servt [[signed]] J.C. Casey [[/signed]] Capt in chg Fort Myers Florida April 22, 1854 Lt. T.H. Walbridge. Should the Seminole negroes, "Simon" & "Zoney" visit this post together you will seize & secure them as hostages for the delivery of the two runaways by "[[underlined] Bowleg [[/underlined]]" & send him word to that effect. There is some reason to suspect a contraband trade, with the Indians, at [[underlined]] Charlotte's Harbor [[/underlined]] and should you have timely notice of a visit to [[underlined]] Pine Island [[/underlined]] & by the boat Indians at any time I desire that you will apply for a party and endeavor to arrest the canoe Indians on their returns down the harbor. Inspect their boats. If they have not fresh goods dismiss them with a warning not to come [[end page]] [[start page]] out of their limits. Should they however have powder] or calicoes, arrest all & send them to Ft. Myers for security & proceed yourself to Ba. Cantina, Lacosta, Pine Island, Casey & etc etc or wherever they may have got them & seek for the deer skin or other Indian good with which they may have bought them & secure such good as evidence in the case Very resplly yr ob st [[signed]] J.C. Casey [[/signed]]In chrg Ind Affr in Fla. Tampa Bay Fla Ap. 30. 1854 Sir, I have the honor to transmit the accounts of Lieut. T.H. Walbridge U.G.A. on Ind duty for the 1st Qr 1854- on a/c of the appriotn for removing the Fla. Indians Mo respectfully Yr Obedt Surt [[signed]] J C Casey [[/signed]] Capt Hon Jeffn Davis } Secy War } Tampa Bay Florida May 3, 1854 Sir, In pursuance of the duties confided to me, by your letter of instructions dated Sept. 21, 1853, I deem it proper to submit the following report on the state of Indian affairs in Florida at this time. All the Seminoles remaining in Florida, have been made familiar with the liberal terms offered to them by the government as an inducement for them to emigrate, and I believe that all the chiefs and head men have entire confidence in my offers & pledges. The Law of Florida prohibiting all trade with them has been strictly enforced, since I took charge, and has, I believe, only been evaded to a very limited extent (on Miami river) - and I have assured the Indians that this Law will not be relaxed. The hopelessness of their prospects, if they remain, has been explained to them, and an influential delegation of their brethren has zealously seconded my efforts. These operations have occupied the past winter, and I now report the result. The Florida Indians seem now united in refusing to leave their country for any pecursiary consideration, and, I believe, that so long as they have ammunition they will hold to that opinion, unless more stringent measures are applied. [[end page]]
