Niles’ Florida: Onward to Statehood

Niles’ Florida: Onward to Statehood (Volume 5). For years this desolating war has been maintained within the boundary of the United States. Our most experienced generals and our best-appointed armies have been unsuccessful in its prosecution, though all has been done which skill, bravery, and untiring perseverance could accomplish. Many of the Indians have been captured or destroyed and every portion of the enemy’s country has been invaded. The forest must be subdued before the enemy can be finally conquered. Every inch of ground taken from him must be firmly held by permanent settlers who will cultivate the soil and make the wilderness their home. Enormous growth takes place under the armed occupation policy of the U. S. government. Florida’s first constitution is adopted at the newly formed panhandle town of St. Joseph. Niles’ Weekly Register highlights the excitement and intrigue of Florida through its admission in the Union, the death of Andrew Jackson, and beyond. Two of the final events reported on by the venerable newspaper are the rejection of the Wilmot Proviso by Florida and the death of Major General Edmund Pendleton Gaines, who was involved in the Seminole Wars from the very beginning.