The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-21

Washington, in the spring Of 1898, with full
power to arrange and settle the matter. Their right
was in no way disputed: but the department
was dlslncned to send the negro slaves 70 the
new settlement of the Creeks, because it was
feared that, from their proximity TO the Seminoles
some difficulties might arise between thstwo tribes
on that account, which would endanger their
peaceful relations. Under these circumst ances,
with the appreciation of the authorities Of this
government, through the agent of the Creeks,
Major Armstrong, then at the capital, sale was
made by the Creek chiefs of all the said negroes
to General James c. Watson, at 900.
A bill Of sale was made, and the Creek chiefs
agreed to receive from the United States officers
and deliver over the negroes 10 General Watson,
under sanction Of the War Department, which
gave an order for their delivery. Lieut.. Reynolds,
who had charge of the emigrating Semnoles,
fused TO comply with the order, as did also Gen.
Arbuckle at a subsequent period, on the ground
that the Ssminoes were unwilling to part with
the negroes, and that their delivery could not be
effected without serious troubles. Gen. Watson
made several attempts to obtain the property, but
was defeated by the government officers. As
originally made, his claim would have amounted
to $50 900 in 1912, but the commite then reduced
it to S2l goal
Mr.. SACKETr, Of New York, opposed the
bill, on the ground that the contract made by Gen.
Jesup with the Creek Indians, (Which he sent to
the Clerks desk to be read, stipulated that they
should be entitled to all the cattle, horses and
"punder" which they might take from the Semi
nOles. The Committee on Indian Affairs in 1872
reported that they were entitled to all "slaves'
they might capture This he (Mr S.) denied
There was no such stipulation in the contract
File denied that it had been made to appear that
the Seminoles held any slaves; and admitting
that they did, as they were fighting for their own
the law of nations presumed that they were free
men. Again, It had not been satisfactorily shown
to him that Gen. Watson was ever paid this
money at all
Mr.. DANIEL, chairman of the Committee on
Claims, who reported the bill at the present ses-
sion, replied, and went into explanation Of the
reasons for the committees action He said
that this was the first time that the question
whether slavery existed among the Seminoles, was
ever raised. Gen. Jesup, and all concerned, had
considered the contract to embrace not only cattle
and horses, but slaves The assertion that slavery
ala not exist, was bold assertion, made in the
face ofofficial reports. This matter had not been
inquired into by the committee, as they considered
it their duty to take the facts presented by these
reports.
Mr.. ABERCROMBIE, OF Alabama, said that,
being resident on the borders Of Florida during
the war, he had personal knowledge of the fact
that the contract was understood to embrace slaves
and that the Creeks were to have all the property
they could capture from the Seminoles, including
negroes.
Mr. DANIEL continued, in support Of the bill
and in explanation Of the grounds upon which il
was reported.
Messrs. MACE, ofIndiana, and J. w. HOWE,
of Pehnaylvania, opposed it on grounds similar to
those taken by Mr.. SAcKErr.
Without coming to a decision the committee
rose and reported progress to the House.
| ADJOURNMENT.
Mr.. POLK, of Tennessee, moved that when the
Houae adiOurna IL he mill Mondov naxt II, cd N,
to give members an opportunity to join in the eel
ebration of Washington birthday.
Mr.. FLORENCE moved to substitute "Tues-
day" instead of "Monday." Fellers being or
dered, the motion prevailed, sc to az.
| The motion, as amended, was then agreed to
ny yeas and nays, as follows-yeas 81, nays g.
KossUTH AND CAPT. LONG.
| message was received from the President Of
| the United States transmitting the correspondence
between kossutb and Captain Long, on file in the
State and Navy Departments.
Mr.. SMITH, of Alabama, moved that it be re-
ferred, together with Captain Longs late letter to
himself, to select committee of five, and printed
| Mr.. SEYMOUR moved its reference to the Com.
| mittes on Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. JONES, Of Tennessee, inquired whether
private correspondence, not before the House
| could be printed
The Speaker said it could not be, except by
unanimous consent.
| Mr.. JONES objected.
Mr.. SMITH said that his object was to vind
cate Captain Long and the navy.
| Mr.. JONES withdrew his objection, and tn.
| correspondence was referred to the Committee on
| Foreign Affairs, and ordered to be printed
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.
Sundry messages were received from the Presi-
dent, covering communications from the depart
ments, which were read, referred and ordered TO b,
printed
AT o'clock, the House adjourned until Tues
doy