Drawn On Stone

"Fellow citizens & soldiers! In presenting this standard to the 1st Regiment of Bloodhounds I congratulate you on your promotion from the base & inglorious pursuit of animals, in an uncivilized region like Cuba. To the noble task of hunting men in our Christian country! Our administration has been reproached for the expense of the Florida war, so we have determined now to prosecute in a way that’s dog cheap! Hence in your huge paws! we put the charge of bringing it to a close. Be fleet of foot & keen of nose, or the Indians will escape in spite of your teeth! Dear Blair here shows you a map of Florida the theatre of your future deeds. Look to him as the trumpeter of your fame, who will emblazon your acts, as far as the Globe “extends. He feels great interest in all his Kith & Kin” and will therefore transmit your heroism, in doggrel verse to remotest posterity!"

Van Buren’s Secretary of war, Joel Poinsett (left), was widely criticized for the incompetent handling of the war and for the cruelty of bringing Cuban bloodhounds to hunt the Seminoles in early 1840. Runaway black slaves had joined the Seminole communities, causing many to believe that the dogs were really brought in to capture the former slaves and their families.

	"I take pleasure in pointing out to you my brethren-in-arms the seat of a war the honor of terminating which our master has put in the hands of our race. I have no doubt you will all prove like myself- good collar men in the cause."
Francis Preston Blair (holding map of Florida) edited the pro-administration newspaper, the Globe. A good collar man refers to the term “collar press” which was used to indicate newspapers that supported the current administration.