Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-09-18

the oemnoies mat their Ureat rather, the President,
would in like manner with himself listen patiently to all
they might desire to communicate. This the first
time Billy Bowegs had been to Washington or indeed
out Of Florida.
To the Presidents inquiry If Billy Bowlegs had any
thing to say, Billy replied that he had come here TO
learn from his Great Father the whole truth respecting
their affairs. His father was warrior 90 was he and
he came here not to ask for ayor but for justice He
came not to pay visit of compliment but to seek
for justices and whatever his Great Father decided
give, he would be satisfied with The white people are
his friends and brothers. and it with these feelings
that he asked for justice He said he had no ifeeng
against the whites; none whatever
Finding Billy Bowlegs somewhat slow in coming the
real subject for consideration the Comm ssioner of In
dian Affairs suggested that the motive which brought the
Indians to see the President hear from him his
sentiments respecting the removal Of the Seminoles
naming in Florida to the west of the Mississippi.
Gen. BLAKE remarked that he had often advised the
Semnoles that the arrangement with Gen. Worth was
merely temporary and did not amount to the force of
treaty.
BILLY BowLEG said he had not yet mentioned any thing
respecting treaty with Gen. Worth Gen Worth told
him he had authority from the President to make
treaty The General said he had orders to make friendly
treaty; that he had among the Semnoles to put
stop to bloodshed and that there should be no more
fighting All the Seminoes continued Gen. WORTHY that
were left in Florida gather together, draw line
and live within it. When the line was run the Semnoles
might live south of it, and could remain in the country
This repeated Gen. WORTHY to tell you on the au-
thority Of the President do nothing without his
authority, and telling you the truth. After this
Gen. Worth said 'We have made treaty there is to be
more fighting between us war is all over; you have
ia
Gen. Worth again stated that he said all this by authority
Of the President. He had,' he said made treaty
of peace with the Semineles and if it were ever denied
the seminoles might call him Gen WORTHY liar for
ever" Il,
To question here put by the PRESIDENT asking if this
was done in writing or in verbal conversation,
Billy replied that Gen. Worth had paper before him.
To another question from the PRESIDENT inquiring il
Billy himself had signed any paper to this effect
Billy replied that he had mott he 50 glad at the peace
that he did not think of such thing Gen. Worth adj
vised him how he and his people should conduct them
selves he told him go and raise their children and
keep hold of the country and they saved the lives
any of the whites who might be shipwreked on the
should stray into their country they should be paid
for them In consequence of this Billy said that he and
his people had conducted themselves accordingly and by
had been rescued from impending deahby starvation and
exposure
One of these was the case of young man who had drift
ed to rock piece of wreck, ano had been seven
days without food or fresh water another was that of
who had strayed four days travel into the Indian
country third was insane person whose track be-
trayed him; and fourth drummer-boy who having
lost himself whilst cunning and becoming reduced as to
ed had lal
die but discovered by Blys brother Simon, who,
by udicous management in the very gradual admins
traon of nurmen restored the boy to life and health
1t was such things this that Gen Worth told him to
do and said that he would mention such acts to you
(meaning the President for the time being and he
obeyed Gen. Worth in generally ghting every thing that
went wrong. Such was his BILLY Bowegss) anxiety to
remain in the country that he would deliver up for pun
ishment any Of his people who should commit wrong
He would always obey the whites orders, and give up
malefactors. He loved his home very much yes If il
only little place with pine stump upon it. he
should wish to stay there He would do any thing
so stay. In fine, he would willingly listen to hi
Great Father for he had heard Of him for long time
and had wished to see him.
The president answered that he was happy to Sc,
Billy Bowlegs and the rest of his red children from Flo
rida have, said the President heard of him long be
fore saw him here 1 know he is q great man among
his people and glad to hear that he has done Sc
many good things the whites feel great regard
for all my red children wherever they may be, but for
none more than those living in Florida. have lived
many years my life close by the Seneca Nation and
am therefore acquainted with Indian habits lam happy
to hear that you here simply to ask for justice
am anxious do every thing to make your people
happy and do justice to them far the laws and
treaties Of the country win permit Treaties made
between the whites and Indians, between different
tons Of whites are ldps and all must obey them Twenty
years ago treaty made between the whites and the
Seminole Indians in Florida BY that treaty the Semi
noes granted all the land in Florida to the whites and
agreed to remove west Of the Mississippi and settle by
the side OF the Creeks That treaty has been abro-
gated or set aside and treaty has been made
This treaty made twenty years ago, made binding on
me and the people of the United States, and all the
Seminole Indians whethern Florida Of the Nisss-
sppi Such treaties always made in writing and
signed BY Indians and the Commissioner who make them
They are then printed in books that may look
at them and see what we have agreed do and also
what the Indians have agreed to do Such treaties
these have no end. Sometimes our Commissioner or
General carrying on a war; makes truce, agrees to
stop fighting but that is not treaty Such arrange
ment or truce that by which the parties stop fighting
and keep apart are not always made in writing but by
word Of mouth Billy says he made the arrangement
with Gen Worth We understand that Gen. Worth made
truce or agreement by which fighting to be stopped
and the Indians we're 70 south Of certain line But
this arrangement was permanent; it understood
as temporary and that the Indians there to 20
Of the Mississippi.
am continued the President anxious only do what
n for the Indians good and for the good Of the people Of