[AUTOGRAPH LETTER, SIGNED, FROM GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT TO ADJUTANT GENERAL JAMES GADSDEN, REPORTING ON DIFFICULTIES WITH ORDERS RELATING TO THE CUTTING OF PUBLIC TIMBER IN THE FLORIDAS, SUGGESTING NEW LOCATIONS FOR GARRISONS, DISCUSSING THE POTENTIAL SETTLEMENT OF SOUTHERN FLORIDA, AND MORE]

Scott, Winfield

Published by Fort Columbus, Fl, 1822

[5 1/2]pp. autograph letter, signed, on two folded folio sheets. Docketed on the blank eighth page. Old folds. Paper neatly splitting along the center fold of the first bifolium. Lightly tanned. Near fine. An unusually lengthy and interesting autograph letter, signed, from General Winfield Scott to Adjutant General James Gadsden (of the eponymous purchase) during Scott's command in Florida in the early 1820s. Scott had already become a brigadier general during the War of 1812, and remained one of the army's leading commanders in the brief time of peace which followed. In 1820, Scott was sent to Florida with a military detachment to oversee and facilitate the cutting down of public timber. Here at the beginning of his second year in the southernmost territory of the United States, he has much insight to offer on his orders and on the military development of Florida. At the time, a garrison was stationed on the hotly contested Amelia Island for the purpose of protecting trade on the St. John's and St. Mary's rivers. Scott disapproves of the encampment, which he believes can "afford no direct protection" and describes it as "wholly worthless." He suggests instead that, "if it be thought necessary to keep a company in the vicinity of Saint Mary's," they move it to Point Petre. Point Petre, he argues, is a more defensible location and "in point of unhealthiness it is something less bad than Fernandina." Apparently, the troops stationed on Amelia Island suffered through a "decisive experience" the previous summer (the likes of which would continue to plague U.S. operations in Florida over the next several decades), and "it would be cruel to keep the company in the same quarters during the next." Scott opines that the entire operation should be moved to St. Augustine, "not that the latter is a station of the least military importance, but on account of the excellent quarters both for officers and men which can be had there (in the old Convent which will be speedily repaired) and without additional expense for that object." After these administrative observations, Scott continues to discuss the difficulties he is facing while trying to control the lumber trade. "Until the land titles of Florida can be placed on other footing than sweeping claims," he writes, "I fear that the intentions of the Government relative to timber cannot be well executed by the troops stationed in the Province.The guard for the Cutter; detachments sent from St. Augustine to the nearest point of the St. John's river, to intercept craft loaded with timber; and the detaching of individual officers occasionally to collect information as to depredations - seem to be the only means now in the power of the military for the execution of the law in question." Scott goes on to observe that "it is presumed that as soon as land offices shall be opened for the southern part of Florida, a military post will be required in that direction." While Scott expresses disappointment that he could not venture further south to examine the territory himself, he relays that according to his best intelligence "Key West will be found a healthy Island and containing a good harbour for shipping," and recommends putting a "respectable fortress and garrison" there "as a cover for our Gulph or Mississippi trade, in time of war or of practical depredations." In keeping with his nickname, "Old Fuss and Feathers" closes his letter by complaining about a "Captain Erving," an officer who has not been adequately following procedure and had thereby contravened one of Scott's orders and caused some confusion. This letter was lot 76 in the 1968 Parke- Bernet sale of inventory from Edward Eberstadt & Sons, where it sold for $300. A lengthy report with much excellent content on the early American military presence in Florida and the desire to exploit its natural resources, by one of the nation's most distinguished generals. Seller Inventory # WRCAM57646

Bibliographic Details

Title: [AUTOGRAPH LETTER, SIGNED, FROM GENERAL ...
Publisher: Fort Columbus, Fl
Publication Date: 1822