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Armando Medina
April 22, 2010
Draft of research paper
“It may be regarded as certain that not a foot of land will ever be taken from the
Indians without their consent. The sacredness of their rights is felt by all thinking g
persons in American as much as Europe” 1
Thomas Jefferson 1786,
The very words of Thomas Jefferson one of the founding fathers of the United
States reflects his thoughts on Indian land rights. This quote is far from the truth of the
actual atrocities committed by the American government in stealing, bribing, and
removing many Indian nations from their land by military force. The Seminole Nation in
particular was a victim of these atrocities by the American government’s ambitious to
expand their empire and control over North America. The authority of who has title to
the land in the North Americans is an on going theme in American history involving the
American government and Indian nations. One of the many focuses of this research
paper is will be the unique relationship that the United States has had with the Seminole
Nation. The clash between two very different nations in way of religion, values, and
beliefs and down right way of life forced these two nations to coexist with one another.
The American mind set of manifest destiny is a unique theme in American history
in which Americans use the idea that God has created these fertile lands for them and use
God to justify their sometimes honorific actions against “savage Indian barbarians” in
order to expand into Indian or foreign territory. The Seminole Nation is on the other side
of the manifest destiny idea in which their very way of life has been changed forever. In
this research paper I will investigate problematic issues involving the Seminole Indians
1
Alvin M. Josephy, The Patriot Chiefs (New York, 1961) p.178
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and American citizens and soldiers that led to the First Seminole War 1817-1818 by
analyzing official military document orders relayed from one general to another, reflects
an insightful perspective of American attitudes towards the Seminole Indians.
The on going theme in my research paper will be how the United States has
successfully impose unfair and one sided treaties with Seminole Nation in order to
expand their American empire. I will present concrete evidence in how the United States
has failed to up hold their treaty responsibilities such as Adam-Onis Treaty of 1819,
Moultrie Treaty of 1823, Payne’s Landing Treaty of 1832 and Fort Gibson Treaty of
1833. By analyzing and breaking down treaty articles, one can see how the United States
has influenced Seminoles leaders in bribing them to sign unfair treaties in giving up land
and committing to an agreement with American government in which the American
government was never going to hold up. In this research paper I will investigate how the
Seminole Nation suffered because of the lack of the American government to up hold
treaty responsibilities by analyzing a number secondary source in way books. The
conflicts between the Seminole Nation and United States will eventually led to war in
which both nations will face the realities of war.
I will analyze motives, attitudes and actions of key military leaders such as the
United States General Andrew Jackson’s role in the first Seminole War 1817-1818 and
his role as President Jackson during the Second Seminole War 1835 – 1842. The key
Seminole leaders that I will analyze are Seminole War chief Osceola and Seminole
warrior Coachoochee (Wildcat) roles during the Second Seminole War. By investigating
key military leaders in depth an individual can get a better understanding of motives and
causes of the Seminole Wars. In this research paper I will bring to light Andrew
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April 22, 2010
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Jackson’s ambitious as General of the United States military and as President of the
United States to expand into the American empire through Seminole territory by
analyzing Congressional documents such as speeches to the Seminole Nation on forced
removal from Florida and military intelligence in way of letters. I will also spend much
time in analyzing Seminole War Chief Osceola and Seminole Warrior Coachoochee
(Wildcat) on their motives and attitudes not to relocate from their Florida lands and their
ability to unite the Seminole Nation to rise up and fight the more powerful American
tyrant. By analyzing secondary sources in way of books, one can get a better
understanding of how the weaker Seminole Nation in way of numbers fought off
American forces by using the Florida everglades, and swamps to their advantage. The
Seminole Nation’s ability to use military tactics never before seen by the United States
military helped the Seminoles resist from being removed from Florida for several years.
The day to day life of the Seminole Indians was being changed with every dispute with
American citizens over land rights and with every unfair and one sided treaties with the
American government the Seminole Nations was slowly being divided and almost
exterminated.
Problematic Issues that lead to the First Seminole War
The inability of the Seminole Indians and American citizens to coexist in
harmony, are due to a variety of problematic issues that would ultimately lead to the first
Seminole War. In the early months of 1817 growing tension arose between Seminoles
and Georgians on a number of border incidents involving slavery, land ownership rights,
and claims for justice regarding murders and theft of property. The clash of two very
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April 22, 2010
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different nations in way of religion, values and beliefs can be seen in the problematic
issue of slavery. The southern institution of slavery is the economic foundation of
Georgia and many other southern states in the Union. The Seminole Nation was also
involved in the practice of slavery but did not take it to the barbaric extents of keeping
slaves as second class citizens or even to the sub human levels. Many slaves joined
Seminole tribes and became part of the Seminole community. These successful bonds of
humanity between Negro slaves and the Seminole Indians were seen as a threat to the
southern institution of slavery. As a result slave owners would cross into Seminole
territory and attempt to retrieve their slave property in which just fueled the fire to the
growing tension between both nations.
Another problematic issue was land ownership rights in who had title to the land.
The Seminoles claimed that American citizens would enter their lands to cut down trees,
and to hunt and fish on their lands. On the American side of this problematic issue,
military officials brought claims against the Seminoles in that “They are now stealing
horses, cattle, and hogs from the Georgia lines and have killed one or two families on the
St. Tilla”2. According to an extract of a letter from General Gaines to the Secretary of
War on October 1, 1817, “They charge us with having killed ten of their warriors, and
claiming a balance of three men to be due to them, they admit by necessary implication
that they killed seven of our citizens”3. By analyzing these claims of violent actions
2
Clarke Smith Archibald, Letter from the Secretary of War to General Gaines, April 3, 1817. Http://oweb.Lexis-nexis.com.lib.utep.edu/congcomp/document?V12zSKSAR_md5=6a8febaa298df28784e0e9287c58Je=a.df.
3
Clarke Smith Archibald, Letter from General Gaines to the Secretary of War, October 1, 1817. Http://oweb.Lexis-nexis.com.lib.utep.edu/congcomp/document?V12zSKSAR_md5=6a8febaa298df28784e0e9287c58Je=a.df.
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committed by the Seminole and American Nations, has pushed hostile tensions to the
brink of war.
In November 1817 Seminole Chief Neamathla sent a message to General Gaines
in which he said “I warn you not to cross, nor to cut a stick of wood on eastside of the
flint. That land is mine. I am directed by the powers above and the powers below to
protect and defend it. I shall do so”.4 General Gaines is outraged by the message and
attacks Neamathla’s village and burned it to the ground, in which begins the First
Seminole War. General Gaines drove the Seminoles into Spanish Florida then was order
to stop. “…it is the wish of the President that you should not, on that account, pass the
line and make an attack upon them within the limits of
Florida…”5
This order seems strange if you have the enemy on the run wouldn’t you attack before
they can reassemble? Many question come to mind did the United States have shaking
4
5
Ibid., II, 428.
Henry, Trumbull, Indian Wars: Letter from War Department to General Gaines October 30, 1817.
(George Clark, Boston 1835) p.230.
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relations with the Spaniards? Or was the United States assembling their forces to take
Spanish Florida?
On December 16, 1817 General Gaines receives orders from the Secretary of War
“… It is the wish of the President, that you consider yourself at the liberty to march
across the Florida line and to attack them within its limits… unless they should shelter
themselves under a Spanish fort”.6 This is another interesting order in which many
questions come to mind. Is the United States worried about not going to war with the
Spanish? Or is the United States waiting and calculating their next move in Spanish
Florida? On February 6, 1818 Major General Andrew Jackson received orders from the
Secretary of War “The honor of ours arms, as well as the interest of our country, requires
that it should be as speedily terminated as practicable… assures us that peace will be
restored on such conditions as will make it honorable and permanent”.7 This letter states
the interest of our country in which reflects the American government’s ambitious to take
control of Spanish Florida and their reasoning would be to defeat the Seminoles as they
retreat into Florida. The metaphor of killing two birds with one stone fits this very
situation.
As the Major General Jackson marches through Florida he takes control of the
Spanish fort of St. Marks and documents his reasoning to the Secretary of War in why he
took St. Marks “… They having supplied the Indians, but if in the hands of the enemy, I
will possess it for the benefit of the United States, as a necessary position for me to hold,
to give peace and security to this frontier, and put a final end to Indian warfare in the
6
Henry, Trumbull, Indian Wars: Letter from Secretary of War to General Gaines December 16, 1817.
(George Clark, Boston1835) p.237
7
Henry Trumbull, Indian Wars: Letter from Secretary of War to Major General Jackson February 6, 1818.
(George Clark, Boston 1835) p.240
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south”.8 This letter reflects Major General Jackson’s hidden agenda of controlling
Spanish forts such as St. Marks in order to set up a military presence of American forces.
He justifies his action by stating that the Spaniards were supplying the Seminoles Indians
in which makes them a target in war. Major General Jackson’s aggressive military tactics
of destroying towns, burning hundreds of houses and scorching the swamps for six miles
would break the Seminoles and would end the first Seminole War in 1818. “In a few
months Jackson had done what he promised the President he could do in sixty days. He
conquered Spanish Florida, he punished Spanish Indians for depredation on Americans
passing through Spanish territory, occupied Spanish forts and cities and ousted Spanish
officials without a declaration of war …”9 This statement reveals the United State’s
hidden agenda in making a strong and calculated move in removing the Spanish out of
Florida.
In 1819 the United States officially takes Florida in the Adam-Onis Treaty with
Spain. According to the treaty the United States would recognize the rights of the
inhabitants of Florida. In article six of the Adams- Onis Treaty it states “The inhabitants
of the territories which his Catholic Majesty cedes to the United States by this treaty,
shall be incorporated in the Union of the United States, as some as may, be consistent
with the Federal Constitution, and admitted to the enjoyment of all privileges, rights, and
immunities of the citizens of the United States”.10 As a result the United States failed to
up hold article six of the Adams – Onis Treaty of 1819 in which the Seminoles never
received the privileges, rights and immunities of American citizens. The Seminole
8
Henry Trumbull, Indian Wars: Letter from General Jackson to the Secretary of War, March 20, 1818.
(George Clark, Boston 1835) p.241
9
Virginia Bergman Peters, The Florida Wars. Archon books 1979. p.54
10
Ellen Hartley and William Hartley, Osceola: The Unconquered Indian. Hawthorn books, Inc. New York,
1973 p.7
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Nation had no voice in the negotiations of the Adams – Onis Treaty. The Adams- Onis
Treaty of 1819 portrays the United State’s lack to up hold treaty responsibilities in which
will become an on going theme regarding treaties with the Seminole Nation.
One sided and unfair treaties to lead to the Second Seminole War
With the United States new acquisition of Florida, now their efforts were to get
rid of the Seminole Indians out of Florida. One idea was to use force in order to make the
Seminole Indians obedient to the American government. This idea would be turned
down because of the costly waste of time, men and money that would be needed to
complete the objective. The United States governments decided to present a treaty of
peace and friendship in efforts for both nations to coexist in peace. James Gadsden was
appointed as commissioner to negotiations of the treaty. Commissioner Gadsden actions
would play a huge role in getting the Seminoles to sign the peace treaty. Military
officials were sent to Seminoles towns to spread the message of the peace conference to
be held at Moultrie Creek. The Seminoles selected Neamathla to be the head chief for
the treaty negotiations with the United States.
On September 19, 1823 the United States successfully bribed Seminole Chiefs
Neamathla, Blont, Tuski, Hadjo, Mulatto King, Emathlochee, and Econchtimico to sign
the Treaty in which “They were given large private reservations just where they wanted
them on excellent land they had been occupying”.11 These Seminole Chiefs sold out their
own people for personal gain. According to the Moultrie Creek Treaty of 1823 “the
Seminole agreed to cede and relinquish all claim or title… to the whole territory of
11
Hartley p. 66,67
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Florida, with the exception of such districts of country as shall herein be allotted to
them”.12 By signing the Moultrie Creek Treaty the Seminole Nation had put their trust
and future in the hands of the American tyrant. Commissioner Gadsden would later tell
Secretary of War Calhoun “It is no necessary to disguise the fact to you, that the treaty
effected was in a degree a treaty of imposition”.13 In other words the United States told
the Seminole chiefs this is what’s going to happen.
Now the question becomes would the United States up hold their treaty
responsibilities? According to article three of the Moultrie Creek Treaty it states “United
States would give the Seminoles $6,000 in stock and farm implements. Also pay
Seminoles $5,000 a year for 20 years”.14 This seems like a fair agreement but the United
States would not come through on what they have promised the Seminole Nation. In
article four of the Moultrie Creek Treaty “unauthorized whites would not be permitted to
hunt, settle, or intrude on the reservations”.15 The United States also fails to up hold
article four in which white settlers continued to trespass on Seminole territory, and hostile
tensions started to grow once again. Article five of the Moultrie Creek Treaty “United
States would give the Indians rations of corn, meat and salt for 12 months being February
1, 1824…”16 The United States inability to provide rations as promised, many Seminoles
Indians experienced server starvation which would lead to death. Many Seminole
reservations were located on poor unfertile land to wet for cultivation, and also lacked
decent drinking water. Florida Governor Duval travel through Seminole reservations and
12
Hartley p. 67
13
Gadsden to Calhoun, September 29, 1823, Territorial papers, XXII, 753
14
Hartley p. 68
15
Hartley p. 68
16
Hartley p. 68
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he wrote “The best of the Indian lands are worth but little: nineteen twentieths of their
whole country within the present boundary is by far the poorest and most miserable
region I ever beheld…”17 Governor Duval’s statement brings light to the horrible land
and living conditions the Seminoles Indians had to endure.
According to article six of the Moultrie Creek Treaty “$1,000 a year for 20 years
would be provided to establish a school on the reservations. Another $1,000 per year
would be paid to support the services of a blacksmith and gunsmith for twenty years”.18
The United States will end up paying not a cent to the Seminoles and will not provide any
such services as blacksmith and gunsmith. In article seven it states “Indians would
prevent runaway slaves from entering the reservation and would attempt to capture any
who come in”.19 This article is forcing the Seminoles to stop their practice of allowing
slaves to join their tribes, in which will help the southern institution of slavery. Article
eight of the Moultrie Creek Treaty “would be surveyed in the presence of a chief or
designated warrior”.20 One of the warriors who got to survey the land was Osceola in
which he witnesses first hand the horrible land his people were forced to live on. It’s no
question that the Seminole felt sold out by Neamathla and the United States government.
In 1828 the fierce Major General Jackson would become President of the United States in
which the Seminole Nation knows far to well.
President Jackson would use his military success as a political platform to gain
office and continued his conquest to remove the Seminole Nation. On May 28, 1830
President Jackson signed into law the Indian Removal Act. The Indian Removal Act
17
Duval to Mckenney, February 22, 1826, Territorial Papers, XXIII, 445.
18
Hartley p. 68
19
Hartley p. 68
20
Hartley p. 68
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required that all Indian nations must relocate west of the Mississippi. The Seminole
Nation felt the Indian Removal Act did not apply to them since the Moultrie Creek Treaty
did expire till 1843. Hostilities grew higher as white settlers demand the government to
enforce the Indian Removal Act on the Seminoles Indians. As a result the United States
had another conference with the Seminole Nation, which was the Payne’s Landing Treaty
of 1832. The Payne’s Landing Treaty of 1832 is very controversial in which 15 Seminole
Chiefs were force to sign the treaty. In article one of the Payne’s Landing Treaty “The
Seminole Indians agreed to send a party of chiefs to examine the country assigned to the
Creek west of the Mississippi and should they be satisfied with the country the
subsequent articles for removal would be binding”.21
21
Hartley p. 93
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This agreement outraged many Seminoles that they were to give up their identity and
join the Creeks a tribe who was their bitter enemy. Article one of Payne’s Landing
Treaty illustrates the United State’s plan to take the rests of the Seminole land in Florida.
In article two of the Payne’s Landing Treaty “They would receive 15,400 for their
Florida reservation, the money would be paid on their arrival in the west”.22 The
Seminole Nation learned from the Moultrie Creek Treaty of 1823 that the United State
wouldn’t pay in full the amount they promised the Seminole on their arrival to the west.
Article three of the Payne’s Landing Treaty “each Seminole would given a
blanket and a homespun frock, the nations would receive 3,000 a year for fifth teen years.
But the whole amount would be divided between Creeks and Seminoles as members of
the Creek Confederation”.23 The United States knows the Seminole Nation and the Creek
Confederation are hated enemies, and demanding that the Seminole Nation must divide
their rightfully own money with Creek Confederation which makes no logical sense.
Article seven of the Payne’s Landing Treaty “They would remove within three years
starting in 1833, the first group of Seminoles occupying the big swamp”.24 The Payne’s
Landing Treaty of 1832 angered many Seminole Indians especially Osceola who lived in
the area of the big swamp and would be one of the first Seminoles to be relocated.
Another attempt by the crooked United States government to force the Seminoles out of
Florida came on March 28, 1833 with Fort Gibson Treaty. The United States would use
intimidation to get Seminole Chiefs to sign the treaty.
22
Hartley p. 93
23
Hartley P. 93,94
24
Hartley p. 94
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The United States would hold the Fort Gibson Treaty of 1833 as a binding
contract the Seminole Nation agreed to by signing. The Fort Gibson Treaty stated “here
by declare themselves well satisfied with the location provided for them… and agree that
their nation shall commence the removal to their new homes as soon as the government
will make arrangements”.25 The Seminole Nation would claim the Seminole Chiefs who
signed the treaty had no authority to speak for the Seminole Nation. Those Seminole
Chiefs were to observe the land and report back their findings to the head leaders of the
Seminole Nation. On April 1834 the Payne’s Landing Treaty of 1832 and Fort Gibson
Treaty of 1833 were ratified by President Jackson.
On October 23, 1834 President Jackson sent agent Wiley Thompson to meet with
the Seminole Nation and discuss a detailed plan for their removal from Florida. The
Seminole listened to agent Thompson speak then left to their council grounds at Silver
Springs to discusses their options. Many Seminole chiefs were discussing their
relationship to the land and the spirit world in which Coacoochee ( wildcat) said “The
moon brings back the spirit of our warriors, our fathers, wives and children”.26 This
statement reflects the Seminoles connection to their dead relatives in which binds them to
the land. Osceola also addressed his people “My brothers! The white people got some of
our chiefs to sign a paper to give our lands to them…They did wrong; we must to
right!...When the agent tells me to go from my home . I hate him; because I love my
home and will not go from it…The white man says I shall go and he will send people to
make me go; but I have a rifle, and I have some powder and lead. I say we must not leave
25
Hartley p. 104
26
Ibid. p. 260
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our homes and lands!”27 In Osceola’s speech to his people a lot of emotion and hate for
the white man is reviled in which Osceola would rather go to war than leave his home
lands. The Seminole Nation would have a conference with agent Thompson in which
they stated that they will not leave Florida lands. This decision angered agent Thompson
“your talk of today is the foolish talk of a child”.28 Agent Thompson’s attitude and lack
of respect for the Seminole Nation will for see his ultimate fate in the start of the Second
Seminole War. After agent Thompson’s outburst he then stated “the Seminoles could
have until January 1836 to prepare for emigration. The chiefs agreed knowing this would
give their warriors time to store powder and lead”.29 At this point the negotiations are out
the window and the Seminole Nation prepares to fight for their native lands.
Seminoles attack and start Second Seminole War
The Seminole Nations selects Osceola as Tusenuggee Thlocko ( Head War Chief)
in which he will unite the Seminole Indians to fight against the United State’s orders of
removal. On November 1835 Osceola had Seminole chief Charley Emathla executed for
treasonous offense of cooperating with American plans of removal.30 This murder
commit by Osceola on his own people illustrates the attitude are you with us or are you
against us. This bold action speaks volumes of Osceola’s power as Tusenuggee Thlocko
(Head War chief) in which he knows he will need the loyal of each one of warriors to
defeat the United States military. Osceola will begin to carefully mastermind his attacks
on American forces “A message must also go to our brothers, Philip and his son
27
28
Hartley p. 110.111
Potter, War in Florida, p. 61. Cohen writes that Thompson exhibited “exciting feelings” and that address
might have struck the Seminole counsel exhibiting more “violence of passion than, according to their
habits, comported with a deliberative occasion” (Notice of Florida, p. 59)
29
Peter, p. 95
30
Boyd, “Asi-Yaholo or Osceola,” pp. 277-78
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Coachoochee. When the sun has risen twenty five times, they should attack the white
man’s plantations in their country”.31 On December 28, 1835 the Seminole would be on
the war path as Osceola put his plans to attack American forces in motion. Osceola has
sent out three carefully timed attacks on Agent Thompson, General Dade’s unit, and
plantations raids. Osceola would lead the ambush attack on Agent Thompson and his
secretary at fort King “Thompson had fourteen bullets in him and smith had only two.
Osceola had had his day!”32 Thompson’s demeanor in previous talks with Seminole
Nation made him a target in which Osceola took care of the order personally. Seminole
Chiefs Jumper and alligator would lead the ambush on General Dade’s Unit by
surrounding the unit and showing no mercy killing 107 soldiers with only one survivor.
The ambush will be known as the General Dade Massacre. Seminole chief king Philip
and Coachoochee (Wildcat) would lead attacks along the St. Johns River. These three
calculated attacks on December 28, 1835 would start the Second Seminole War.
31
Hartley p. 134
32
ASAPMA, 6:561; TP
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As the Second Seminole War raged on the Seminoles used a variety of defense
tactics to fight off the larger United States military. One of the defense tactics was “hid
the Indian women and children in the swamps…”33 the Seminoles would use the
Withlacooche swamp to their advantage. The Withlacooche swamp would prove to be
nearly impenetrable and would slow down the enemy. Another swamp advantage was
that American forces could be heard before they are seen which gave the Seminole
Indians valuable warning time before battles. Another defense tactic was that
33
William C. Emerson, The Seminoles: Dwellers of the Everglades. New York, 1954 p. 31
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Withlacooche swamp was in striking distance of military roads which the Seminoles
“Burned bridges crossing the streams and rivers between Fort King and Fort Brooke”.34
This defense tactic forced American forces to travel through the swamps, in which
allowed the Seminoles to use guerilla tactics effectively.
Osceola’s knowledge of
American weapons helped the Seminoles better defend their lands “teaching his warriors
to scatter whenever they saw soldiers with big guns”.35 Osceola also understood that
their Spanish rifles were far more accurate than American muskets. As a result “The
Seminoles had won repeatedly at least in terms of holding their enemies in check”.36
The turning point of the war came in 1837 when American forces captured
Seminole Chiefs such as Philip, Coacoochee (wildcat), Osceola, Coa Hadjo, Euchee
34
Hartley. p.134
35
Peters. p.100
36
Hartley. p. 194
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Billy, and Holata Tustengugge. The United States believe the second Seminole War
would soon be over. Seminole Chief Coacooche (wildcat) “…was taken prisoner while
visiting sick relatives near St. Augustine, they were held at fort Marion”.37 The biggest
blow to the Seminole Nation came in October 22, 1837 when “…Osceola appeared under
a flag of truce for a conference with General Hernandez… was seized, manacled, and
taken prisoner”.38 On November 29, 1837 Coacoochee (Wildcat) and several other
Seminoles starved themselves and managed to escape from Fort Marion prison. As for
Osceola he would be to sent to Fort Moultrie prison in South Carolina where he would
died at the age 38 of malaria on January 30, 1838.
The Seminole Nation
would continue the fight lead by Coacoochee (wildcat) “bitter at the treatment he had
received, and again the Seminoles were on the warpath…the Seminoles were more
37
38
Emerson. p.31
Emerson. p.31
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aggressive…killing all the occupants and departing with loot.”39Regardless of these more
aggressive attacks the Seminole Nation knew that American forces would continue the
fight and their women and children would be targets. The Seminoles would have “boys
practice daily in the use of arms and old men did what they could to teach the young and
to supply their embattled warriors”.40 As the war raged on more Americans took notice to
the Seminoles will to fight, American Commander in Florida Thomas Sidney Jesup is
quoted as saying about Seminole Chief Coacoochee (wildcat) “he is decidedly the most
talented man I have seen among the Seminoles, and should, and no doubt will, be the
principal Chief of the Nation…”41United State military official such Jesup were taking
notice to the high level of intelligence and bravery many Seminole Chiefs showcased
throughout the Second Seminole War.
The second Seminole War would take a toll on Coacoochee’s (wildcat) mindset of
the actual reality of winning the war “The whites are too strong… They go by land and in
boats; why should our women and children suffer? I can live like a wolf, a dog; why
make others suffer?”42 This quote illustrates the effects the second Seminole War has on
the suffering of women and children of the Seminole Nation. In 1841 Coacoochee
(wildcat) would declare that he is tired of war, and ready to lay down his arms.43 With the
will of the Seminole Nation depleted American forces would bring the second Seminole
War to end in 1842. After the war many Seminole Indians were forced once again to
migrate west of the Mississippi in which many Seminole Indians would die on their
39
Emerson, p. 32
40
Peters, p.110
41
Edwin Clarence, Territorial Papers of the United States. Letter from Jesup to the Secretary of War, April
9, 1837.p. 385-86
42
Ibid. p.297
43
Edwin C. McReynolds, The Seminoles. 1957 p. 225
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journey west to their new homes. Coacoochee (wildcat) would say “I was in hopes I
should be killed in battle, but a bullet never touched me. I would have rather be killed by
a white man in Florida than die in Arkansas”.44
Conclusion
The American government’s interest in expansion would almost nearly
exterminate the Seminole Nation way of life. The United State’s methods of expanding
their empire would come during the First Seminole War, which would give them
justifiable reasoning to cross into Spanish Florida with military forces to defeat the
Seminoles and to take Spanish Florida. The American government’s method of
exterminating the Seminole Nation from Florida would come in a variety of ways. The
American government’s inability or lack to up hold treaty responsibilities with the
Seminole Nations can be seen in the Adam- Onis Treaty of 1819, the Moultrie Treaty of
1823, Payne’s Landing Treaty of 1832, and Fort Gibson Treaty of 1833. Another way
the United States government would exterminate the Seminole Nation would by bribing,
and intimidating Seminole Chiefs to sign away lands and to agree to unjust treaty
agreements such as the Moultrie Treaty of 1823, Payne’s Landing of1832, and Fort
Gibson Treaty of 1833. Every one of these one sided and unfair treaties that were
imposed on the Seminole Nation forced them to rise up in arms against the American
tyrant. Imagine a foreign power telling that you must leave the only home you have ever
known, and relocating you to live the rest of your days near your worst enemy. This was
the very situation the Seminole Nation face, severely out numbered and out gunned the
Seminole Nation would fight the longest Indian War in American history. Till this day
44
McReynolds, p. 200
Armando Medina
April 22, 2010
Draft of research paper
the Seminole Nation has never signed a peace treaty with United States. The heart of the
Seminole Indians would never be taken away, Coacoochee (Wildcat) states “…They may
shoot us, drive our women and children all night and day; they may chain our hands and
feet, but the red man’s heart will always be free…”45
45
John T. Sprague, The Origins, Progress, and Conclusion of the Florida war. New York/Philadelphia:
Doubletor, Appleton and Co. 1848
Armando Medina
April 22, 2010
Draft of research paper
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