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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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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. Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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. Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper 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 Bibliography Primary Sources; Josephy M, Alvin. The Patriot Chiefs. (New York, 1961) American State Papers NA, Military Affairs, Volume 17. (1832-1860) Florida. Archibald Smith Clarke, Defeat of the Seminole Indians capture of Spanish post in Florida, and the trial and execution of Arbuthnot and Ambrister. Agency Department of War. Congression- Session: 15-2 (1818-1819). Http://o-web.Lexisnexis.com.lib.utep.edu/congcomp/document?V12zSKSAR_md5=6a8febaa298df28784e0e9287c58j58Je=a.df. Archibald Smith Clarke, Letter from General Gaines to the Secretary of War. 1 October, 1817. ). Http://o-web.Lexis-nexis.com.lib.utep.edu/congcomp/document?V12zSKSAR_md5=6a8febaa298df28784e0e9287c58j58Je=a.df Archibald Smith Clarke, Letter from Secretary of War to General Gaines. 3 April, 1817. Http://o-web.Lexis-nexis.com.lib.utep.edu/congcomp/document?V12zSKSAR_md5=6a8febaa298df28784e0e9287c58j58Je=a.df Clarence, Edwin. Territorial Papers of United Sates. Letter from Jesup to Secretary of War. 9 April 1837. Territorial Papers XXIII. Letter from Duval to McKenney.25, February, 1826. Territorial Papers XXII. Letter from Gadsden to Calhoun. 29, September, 1823. Trumbull, Henry. Indian Wars: Letter from Secretary of War to General Gaines. 16, December, 1817. (George Clark, Boston 1835) Trumbull, Henry. Indian Wars: Letter from Secretary of War to Major General Jackson. 6, February, 1818. (George Clark, Boston 1835) Trumbull, Henry. Indian Wars: Letter from Major General Jackson to Secretary of War. 20 March 1818. (George Clark, Boston 1835) Secondary Sources: Armando Medina April 22, 2010 Draft of research paper Emerson, C. William. The Seminole: Dwellers of the Everglades. (Exposition Press. New York, 1954). Hartley Ellen and William Hartley. Osceola: The Unconquered Indian. (Hawthorn books, Inc. New York 1973). McReynolds, Edwin. The Seminoles. Norman University of (Oklahoma Press, 1957): Miller A. Susan. Coacoochee’s Bones: A Seminole Saga. (University Press of Kansas): 2003. Peters, Bergman, Virginia. The Florida Wars. (Archon Books 1979). University of Texas at El Paso Library, Special Collections, MIL E 83.817 Trumbull, Henry. Indian Wars. ( George Clark, Boston 1835): University of Texas at El Paso Library, Special Collections, RARE 81.T8953 Sprague, T. John. The Origins, Progress, and Conclusion of the Florida War. New York/ Philadelphia: Doubleton, and Appleton and Co. 1848.