The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-10-30
THE SEMINoL.ES.

enterprise of fernando de Soto, TO discover and
conquer second Mexico, the natives of Florida
have been continually subjected to the nvasions
and encroachments of white men. They have
resisted them perseverngly but fruitlessly, and
are new battling amidst swamps and morasses
Tor the foothold OF their native soil, with all the
teroclty OF despair. Can we wonder at the bit
terness of a hostility that has been handed down
from father 10 son, Tor upwards of three centu-
rles, and exasperated by the wrongs and mise
ries OF each succeeding generation2 The very
name ofthe sayages with which we are fighting,
betokens their fallen and homeless condition
Formed OF the wrecks of once powerful tribes,
and driven from their ancient seats oil prosperity
and dominion, they are known by the name OF
the Seminoles or 0Wanderersn
Barram, who travelled through Florida in the
latter part OF the last century, speaks Of passing
through great extent OF ancient Indian fields,
now silent and deserted, overgrown with forests,
orange groves, and rank vegetation, the site OF
ancient Alachua, the capital OF famous and
powerful tribe, who, in days Of old, could as
semble thousands at bull play and other athletic
exercises "over these then happy fields and
green plains" "Almost every step we take D
adds he, 'over these fertile heights, discovers
the remains and traces of ancient human habta-
tons and cultivation"
About the year l76S, when Florida was coded
by the Spaniards TO the English, we are told that
the Indians generally retired from the towns
and the neighborhood OF the whites, and bury
ing themselves in the deep forests, intricate
swamps and hammocks, and vast savannahs of
the interior, devoted themselves to a pastoral
life, and the rearing Of horses and cattle These
are the people that received the name of the
Semlnoles, or Wanderers, which they still re-
tain.
Bartram gives a pleasing picture Of them at
the time he visited them in their wilderness !;
where their distance from the abodes of the
white man gave them transient and quiet Sc
cunty "Ths handful Of people" says he, ''pos-
sesses vast territory, all East and the greatest
part OF West Florida, which being naturally cut
and divided into thousand OF islets, knobs and
emlnences, by the lnnumerable rivers, lakes
swamps, vast savannahs and ponds, form so
many secure retreats and temporary dwelling
places that eiiectually guard them from any sud
den invasions or attacks from their enemies :;
and being such swampy, hammocky country,
furnishes such a plenty and variety of supplies
for the nourIshment Of yaritles of animals, that
can venture to assert that no part of the globe
80 abounds with wild game, or creatures fit for
the food of man.
'.Thus they enjoy superabundance of the
necessaries and conveniences OF life, with the
security of persons and property, the two great
concerns of mankind. The hides of deer, bears,
tigers and wolves together with honey, wax
and other productions of the country, purchase
their clothing, equlpage, and domestic utensils
from the whites. They seem to be free from
want or desires. No cruel enemy to dread !;
nothing to give them disquietude but the gra-
dual encroachments Of the white people. Thus
contented and undsturbed, they appear as blithe
and free as the birds of the air, and like them as
volatile and active, tuneful and vocferous. The
visage, action, and department of the Seminoles
form the most striking picture of happiness in
this life; Joy, conientment, love and friendship
without guile or atlectation, seem inherent in
them, or predominant in their vital principle, for
1t leaves them with but the last breath of life
They are fond of games and gambling
and amuse themselves like children, in relating
extravagant stories, 10 cause surprise and mirth
The same writer gives an engaging picture of
his treatment by these savages.
'sSoon after entering the forests, we were met
in the path by small company Of Indians, smil-
ing and reckoning TO us long before we Joined
them This was family of Talahasochte. who
had been out on hunt, and were returning
home loaded with barbacued meat, hides and
honey. Their company consisted of the man,
his wife and children, well mounted on fine
horses, with number of pack horses. The
man offered us iawn skin of honey, which
accepted, and at parting presented him with
some fish hooks, sewing needles, etc.
"On our return to camp in the evening, we
were sauated by party OF young Indian war
rors, who had pitched their tents on a green
eminence near the lake. at a small distance from
our camp, under little grove of oaks and palms.
This company consisted of seven young Semi
noles, under the conduct of a young prince or
chief of Talahasochte, town southwark in the
isthmus. They were all dressed and painted
with singular elegance, and richly ornamented
with silver plates, chains, ETC., after the Semi
mole mode, with waving pumes of feathers on
their crests. On our coming up TO them they
arose and shook hands, we alighted and sat a
while with them by their cheerful fire.
1.-THE young prince informed our chief that
he was in pursuit of a young fellow who had
fled from the town carrying off with him one of
his favorte young wives. He said merry he
would have the ears of both Of them before he
returned. He was rather above the middle sta
ure, and the most perfect human figure ever
saw; of an amiable, engaging countenance, air
and department; free and familiar in converse
ton, yet retaining becoming gracefulne $ and
dignity. We arose, took leave of them, and
crossed little vale, covered with charming
green turf, already illuminated by the soft light
of the full moon.
touOH IpiiiiS Jul toilpdl1ltS at camp
our neighbors, the prince and his associates. paid
us visit. We treated them with the best fare
we had, having till this time preserved our spirit
Gus liquors. They left us with perfect cordiality
and cheeriuness, wishing us good repose, and
retired TO their own camp, Having a band of
music with them, consisting of drum. flutes
and rattle gourd, they entertained Us during the
night with their music, vocal and instrumental
There distinguishing soltness and melancholy
air in the Indian convivial songs, especially of
the amorous class, irresistibly moving attention,
and exquisitely pleasing, especially in their soil
tary recess, when all nature is silent.
Travellers who have been among them in
more recent times, before they had embarked in
their present desperate struggle, represent them
in much the same light; as leading pleasant,
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