James Dell Et Al to the President
About 0ctober 1829

General Andrew Jackson Pres. Of the United States of America, Washington

     Sir.  Acting as a committee appointed at a meeting of the Citizens of Alachua County 
for the purpose of communicating with the General Government concerning the helpless 
and unprotected condition in which the inhabitants are left, in relation to the Indians by 
the removal of the garrison from Fort King, we beg leave to hand a memorial signed by 
its citizens. 
     Your good sense will no doubt enable you to readily to perceive from the tenor of this 
memorial the necessity which exists, of our being protected by an adequate force, and 
that too promptly; for already has report reached us, tho not yet properly confirmed, that 
a family of the name of Howard have been butchered at Suwaney Old Town  by the 
Indians - they are moreover buying up all the powder they can get at unusually high 
prices.
     It may be proper to mention that our settlements are scattered from the northern 
boundary line of the Seminoles to the Suwanney and St. Mary's River.  From the manner 
in which the settlements are generally located, the junction of the males of any two 
families at the house of either would leave entirely exposed the property and family of 
the other.  From this you may conclude would be the consequence if all the men were 
ordered out;  Our force would be too week to permit its being divided, so that it could be 
efficient but at one point at the same moment- while the rest of the county, thru which 
would be scattered their respective families, would be without the smallest shadow of 
protection.  And what must be the result of this fact?  Why, that in a case of danger every 
man will be compelled to remain at home to protect to the best of his ability with his 
single arm, the objects most dear to him, thus leaving it in the power of an enemy to cut 
us off piecemeal, or as it were, in detail with little or no hazard to themselves.
     The only remedy for this state of circumstances which presents itself to our view, is 
that proposed in the memorial above referred to,- to wit,  that a garrison of four 
companies of United states Troops be stationed at Micanopia in this county- By this 
means whenever an alarm occurred, the inhabitants from every part of the county would 
flock to it, with their families, and having deposited them thus in a place of safety, would 
be unburdened   of his chief care, and be then ready to fight the battles of his country  
which would be rendered more effectual, by the power, which the adoption of this plan 
would afford of cooperating with the regular forces.
     These advantages were not afforded by the station at Fort King - being located so far 
within the boundaries, that in time of war, no man would have risked his family through 
an enemy's country to have reached; while it had but little power of restraining the 
Indians from roaming at large in the Territory of the whites, for from their situation it was 
rendered troublesome to send detachments among us - and when such detachments were 
sent, they could stay but so short a time that the Indians ha it in their power to conceal 
themselves until the danger was past, without the least possibility of detection.
     Micanopia is situated about twenty five miles north of the agency- and thirty east of 
the Suwanney Old Town -  It is well watered- a high and healthy situation.  The land 
carriage to the St. Johns would be between forty and fifty miles - one half the distance 
that was required for the delivery of the stores at Fort King, until shortly before their 
removal- nor will the cost of the beef and the grain required for their consumption 
amount to half the expense which was found necessary for its obtainment at that station.
     The situation of Micanopia is such that with all ease and convenience detachments 
might be constantly kept on duty, which will be the only possible means of keeping the 
Indians within their boundary and of putting a stop to their depredations - while in time 
of danger it would be of easy access to all parts of the country.
     Again with regard to the arms requested to be sent among us.  We stand sir in actual 
need of them.  There are not more in our opinions than one tenth of our men who could 
bring into action guns proper to be used there.  Besides which our regiment is almost 
universally desirous of forming into volunteer uniformed companies, which are generally 
the most efficient arm of the militia, being better disciplined but are prevented from 
doing so, by their being unable to obtain regular arms there being but few public arms at 
the seat of Government.
     The major part of the force at present stationed at Tampa Bay might with propriety be 
removed to this part of the Country at Tampa they are of little use or benefit, which will 
appear to you by a reference to the map of this country.
     We might enlarge, Sir, our views to a considerable extent on the subject on which we 
have the honor of addressing you, but have concluded that in resigning the matter, with 
the few remarks above submitted, entirely to your own good judgment, we shall have no 
reason to fear its reception of proper attention - yet permit us, Sir to add one remark - 
that we are an integral part of the citizens of the United States, and stand in need of 
protection from the General Government.  We have the Honor to be Sir with the highest 
esteem Your Fellow citizens.

                                              James Dell
                                              J. Beckham
                                              Thomas Harn