The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-11-10
HE DAILY DISPATCH
An Hour wi h Billy Bowiexs,
TIE SEMINOLE CHIEF.


EDITORS DELTA:-I was in Tampa Rav
when Billy arrived from his northern tour. and
being desirous OF knowing how he was pleas-
ed, invited him TO call on me the next morn
ing. At the appointed time, Billy arrived at
my office, and after giving him something to
drink-u hich ifyou should happen to omit,
you would be very sure TO incur the -displea
sure of Bity-I asked him to describe his trip
to me; and he commenced. WELL said Billy,
in our trip from Fort Meyers to Savannah,
saw nothing but what had been accustomed
to see every day, and began to doubt if all
the tales had heard about the great cities
were true, but when | arrived in Savannah
thought TO my self that the white people were
not su1h great liars. after all, and when | got
10 Charleston and the other cities, as | pro-
ceeded. found out | had not been told half
like the steamboats, said Billy, when
they 60 on smooth water; but when they go on
| the big water, they make me feel bad. And
the railroads, how fast they do go-you cant
see the trees hardly, butl think had pony
before the war that could run with them. Oh,
yes. the railroads run fast; but | think my
oIy could beat them. When got TO Wash.
iDgton | sa~ the Great Father. had always
understood that he was an old man, and was
surprised to see him look so young. The
Great Father has white hair, but his cheeks
are round, like mine; think be is about the
same age as myself told the Great Father
that came there for justice, and didn't want
him to suppose | came there to beg. | told
him he was great man aud l was a great
warrior. Oh, yesl saw the Great Fathe,, in
the White House, told him that no one could
scare me from Florida; If l wanted to 60,
would, if | did not, 1 would not
Il saw plenty ofsquaws. They all looked
verv pretty, but they all looked alike. Iwen,
IN Codi ruh nj
So many people and wagons ANY children,
Billy asked l? My God. dom, talk-there
is nothing but children. like Washington
better than New York, for in Washington you
have plenty Of room to ak; in New York the
road is full Of people, just like grass. The
| Great Father and every body gave me presents
but could not bring half
After be had fnishs about the journey, he
said: Il told the Great Father [ would see
| my people, and try leave next spring. | told
him wanted to stay in Florida this winter
He dislikes any one to question him about
| the number of warriors in his tribe. Some one
| asked: Billy, how many have you in your
lrihe?" He Immediately answered-"My
sell, Ave more, and old Abraham 1.-THE negro
! interpreter )-ueaning the delegation.
When it was time for him to leave, he shook
| hands, and said-'You must give me anothe
| drink As Billy never let's an occasion to i'm
blbe pass, We were obliged TO 'Four out AT
ter visiting some more of bis friends, Billy be
came so unmanageabIe, that General Blake
though,it bes; to send him down to Fort Mey
ers. just as he was embark ing, a crowd g a,h
cred round to see him. Some one said-'fh,
Cow bows will be after you, Billy, if you don
move soon.' 'D-n the Cow boys!' said Bill
| ly: 'one Of my men can whip dozen of them!
| Billy is very abusive when intoxicated, ant
cursed every one who happened to come il
his way He was sitting down when the boa
left, and some one asked him to give the war
whoop; heiumped up, and gave some of tn
loudest tei,s have ever heard from an In
dian. Billy Bowlegs is about FIVE feet eigh
inches 10 height, rather stonr, has e round face
and an expression one never forgeis. He
said to be possessed Of more cunning thar an,
other Seminole Chief that ever lived. Gene
raj Twiggs tried several times to entrap him
bot always failed. 1t ia my opinion he vii
never leave Florida until driven out by al
army. | am certain he will not 60 mex
spring.
| Yours M.