The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-11-28

who owned that Island, and who gave il celeb
rity by the culture OF the sweet orange. Peter
being absent, party Of his enemies crossed
the river, surprised his habitation, and muir
dered his wife and two children On his re-
turn he did not hesitate a moment on the course
to pursue; he fastened up his house contain
ing the dead, repaired to Mr. Fish's dwelling
near by, TO borrow gun he knew that Mr..
Fish had had made with a large bore, express
ly for shooting ducks in large focks. In this
Peter put an uncommon load Of buck shot, and
getting into his canoe, proceeded up the river,
all alone, about six miles TO creek on the
main, as though instinct had pointed out TO
him the way they went. He had not ascend
ed the creek far when distant smoke, curl
ing above the forest, apprised him Of an Indian
camp. he landed, and taking his course
through the woods of hostile country, dis
covered four Indian men sitting on log side
by side, and fifth near by, employed in
cooking; he circled round SO as to bring the
four in a range, crept up close, fired, threw
down his gun, and rushed up with his toma-
hawk. The report the fall of four Indians,
and Peters presence, armed with such wea-
pom and not very pleasant countenance, were
so sudden and impressive, that the one who
was cookidg neither attempted defence or
flight and became an easy prey to vengeance.
BY this time he found that one Of the fallen
was but wounded, and was endeavoring to
reach his arms, but Peter had the advantage
of being already armed. On searching, he
found the scalps Of his wife and children
stretched and hung out to dry, which he
brought off, with several articles of his pro-
perry they had stolen, some of their arms,
and the scalps Of the five Indians he had
killed, the greatest Of all trophies, in the con-
ception of the Indians; returned home and
buried his wife and children the same even
ing: and literally pinned to death over their
grave. This anecdote had from Mr.. Fish,
who pointed out to me poor Peter 8 grave.
About the year 1850, chief appeared
among the Seminoles, named Seacofee, who
pitched his head quarters at Alachua, about
seventy miles south west Of St. Augustine.
Noted for his violent passions, active and vim
dictive mind, and that subtle cunning which
constitutes, in savage conceptions, an essen
tial part of the hero; and combining with the
fears Of ferocity, the seductions Of oratory,
he held supreme influence over his people,
and directed the whole to the point he
pleased.
This Indian hero, who was the king, and
may be styled the founder of the Seminole
nation, had sworn perpetual enmity to the
Spaniards and certainly gave them more un-
easness in Florida than all other Indians nor
did he relax his animosity while the Spanards
continued in Florida-until 1853. But to the
English, during their occupancy, until 1854,
he was valuable ally. Nor did twenty odd
years absence of the Spanish government
modify the virulence Of his feelings towards
them, for on hearing that these provinces were
receded to Spain, he repaired to St. Augustine
for certain information and on being convinc-
ed Of the reality, he returned home meditahng
vengeance. He had embodied large force,
and disposed for its march in few days,
when he was overtaken by fever, that even
tually saved much bloodshed. His violent
exertions, in the middle of summer, had been
more than his advanced age of seventy could
bear. Finding himself fast approaching to
the land of spirits he called for his two sons,
Payne and Bowlegs, and having, in long
and pathetic speech, unfolded his plans to the
former, who was to succeed him as king,
charged him to continue the expedition he
had on foot and closed with requiring of him
to kill for him fourteen Spaniards, saying that
himself and kindred had, with their own hands,
killed eighty-six, and that without the compile
ton of the hundred he and they had vowed
to the Great Spirit, their spirits could never
rest in peace.
Payne, who succeeded him, was of another
character, mild, but decided, and noted for
wisdom and veracity, he pursued other mea-
sures. His care was the happiness of his
people; and his examples and councils soon
relaxed, in great measure, the savage fero-
city of his warriors the conduct and precepts
of his father had so greatly increased. The
Ratchet lifted against the returning Spaniards
was laid by; and with his principal men,
Payne repaired to St. Augustine, on friendly
visit, at the first invitation from that govern
ment, where he was received with great cor
diality. Talks were exchanged, presents
made, and general meeting at Pensacola to
form treaty of incorporation, arranged and
which treaty was concluded on the first of
June, 1884.
The history from that period would afford
but of little interest to the present object. few
partial broils with the Spaniards some scenes
oirapine and bloodshed with southern frontier
inhabitants of Georgia and two invasions
from the United States. They are now re-
duced to handful of scattered, detected, and
extremely impoverished beings, more sinned
against than SHINING"
The following instance of Seminole hero
ism, however, are worth mentioning. In
skirmish between party Of Spanish troops
and Indians. Tohopahany, chief, was Sc
verely wounded by load Of buck shot. He
got over it for some years, but becoming dis
ordered from the effects of his wounds, and il
being the opinion of his friends that It would
at length occasion his death, he exclaimed,
at shall not be said that | was killed by a
Spaniard n'-and deliberately hung himself.