The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-02-21
VOL. III

noles, that they should be entitled to all the slaves
and other property Of the anemy they might cap
ture. The said WARRIORS in pursuance OF this
engagement, entered into the service Of the United
States, and among other things, captured large
number Of negroes, about l03 of whom were
slaves Of the Seminoles, and became, under said
contract, the property Of the Creek warriors.
Gen. Jesup recognized their right, but sent the
slaves to Fort Pike, near New Orleans, to be kept
safely, subject to future orders. He proposed to
pay the Greeks $1,000, and make some other dis
position of the negroes, and, under the conviction
that they would accept it, directed the payment Of
the money, and advised the War Department that
the arrangement was made. But the warriors re-
fused TO receive that amount, and insisted on their
claim to the negroes. For the purpose Of assert
ing their rights, they sent on delegation to
Washington, in the spring OF 1888, with full
power to arrange and settle the matter Their right
was in no way disputed; but the department
was disinclined to send the negro slaves to the
new settlement Of the Creeks, because it was
feared that, from their proximity to the Semnoles,
some difficulties might arise between the two tribes
on that account, which would eDdanger their
peaceful relations. Under these circumstances,
with the appreciation of the authorities Of this
government, through the agent of the Creeks,
MaJpr Armsfrong, then ut the apitai, sale was
made by the Creek chiefs of all the said negroes
to General James C. Watson, at Sl4 800.
A bill of sale was made, and The Creek chiefs
and deliver over the negroes to General Watson,
under sanction Of the War Departments which
gave an order for their delivery. Lieut.. Reynolds,
who had charge of the emgrating Seminoles, re- |
fused to comply with the order, as did also Gen.
Arbucke at subsequent period, on the ground
that the Semlnoles 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originally made, his claim would have amounted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 $500 in 1912, butthe committe then reduced
it to $2l, 604.1
Mr.. SACKETT, 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 Clerk q desk to be read stipulated that they
should be entitled to all the cattle, horses and
'plunder" which they might take from the Semi
noes. The Committee on Indian Affairs 10 1919,
reported that they entitled to all "slaves''
they might capture. This he (Mr 81 denied
There was no such stipulation in the contract
He 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 an explanation ofthe
reasons for the committees action. He said
that this was the first time that the question
whether slavery existed among the Ssminoles, 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
did 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 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, ofTndana, and J. w. HOWE,
Of PeLnsylvania, opposed il on grounds similar to
those taken by Mr.. SAcKErr.
Without coming TO a decision, the committee
rose and reported progress 10 the House.
ADJOURNMENT.
Mr.. POLK, of Tennessee, moved that when the
House ad5ourns it be until Monday next, in order
to give members an opportunity to join in the cell
ebration Of Washington birthday
Mr.. FLORENCE moved to substitute oTues-
day" instead Of "Monday." Tellers being or
dered, the motion prevailed, sc to ~.
Ihe motion, as amended, was then agreed to, |
by yeas and nays, as follows-yeas 81, nays &c.
KossUrH AND CAPT. LONG.
A message was received from the President OF
the United States transmitting the correspondence
between Kossutb and Captain Long, on fle in the
State and Navy Departments.
Mr.. SMITH, Of Alabama, moved that il 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
mttee on Foreign Affairs.
Mr.. JONES, Of Tennessee, inquired whether
private correspondence, not before the House,
could be printed
The Speaker said il could not be, except by |
unanimous consent
Mr.. JONES objected.
Mr.. SMITH said that his object was to vindi-
cate Captain Long and the navy.
Mr.. JONES withdrw his objection, and the
correspondence was referred TO the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, and ordered to be printed.
ExEcUrIyE coMMSuIc ATOMS.
sundry messages were received from the Presi-
dent, covering communications from the depart 1
ments, which were read, referred and ordered TO be
printed. |
At 4 o'clock, the House adjourned until Tues