New-York daily tribune., 1858-08-23
Ntm11ork daily Gribn,rs
NEW PUBLICA WONS.
THE SEMlNOLES.

emo. ". $50 CcGusa,, O.: Foliet;, Fcs;er \ Co.
Tie distinguished author Of this volume has Sc
leced theme Of peculiar interest, both on account
Of lie novelty and its bearing on several questions
intimately related to the cause OF humanity. Prior
to the middle Of the last century, very consider
able number Of Afrcsn slaves, as well as of indians
who had been reduced to bondage in Carolina, made
their escspe to Florida, and by the year 1876 they
had increased to .uch degree that they were relied
or BY the FOrdians to aid in the defense OF the
Territory, They were permitted to occupy lands
on the same terms as the citizens of Spain, aud 10
al respects were treated as free subjecs OF the
Spanish crown. In 1888, demand was made by
the Colonial Govern ment of South Carollns upon
the Governor of St. Augustine for the return Of the
faetivts This was promptly rejected, and thus
commenced a controversy which has lasted for more
than century, without being finally decided In
order TO afford protection to the planters OF Caro-
nns, smOng other reasons, the colony Of Georgli
was funded. The Creek Indians gave the name
Of Semnoles to these runaways (the literal meaning
Of the term) and although it has since become the
spytllstion of certain tribe of Indians, it was
originally used exclusively with reference to the
fugitive slaves from Carolina.
In 1850, a difficulty arose among the Creeks,
which led to a separation from the tribe Of chief
named Seaeofiee, with large number of followers.
They left the territory where they had resided,
within the present limits of Georgia and Alabama,
and continuing their journey to the South took up
their abode in Florida. They settled in the vicinity
Of the fugtives from Carolina, with whom they
soon made friends; frequent intermsrriages took
plsce, and the Indians, who had fed from their
native land and taken refuge unier Spanish laws,
were .I,o called Seminoles, or runaways.
The ranks OF the fugitives were increased by
accs,sons from Georgia. During the WAT OF the
Revolution they remained in the undi'turbed enjoy
mept Of liberty. The Creeks were powerful
and warlike people, whose friendship was then court
ed by the Americans. The exies were safe under
their protection. Selecting rich bottem-auds ior
cultivation, many OF them became wealthy in iocks
and herds. Difficulties soon arose between the
State of Georgia and the Creeks, and, after various
negotiations, were thought to be permanently set
tied in 1871. But the Seminoes refused TO recog-
nze the conditions of the treaty. The Creeks
dared not attempt to bring back the eIies by force,
and the United States Government were unwilling
to invade Spanish colony in which they had found
refuge.
In this state Of affairs, an agent was sent to
FLORIDA Q792) for the purpose of negotiating with
the Spanish authorities for the return OF the iugi-
tyss. But they we're unwilling to accede to his
views. They regarded the rights OF the exlles Is
efno less Importance than those Of the white cti-
zeD,. Nor were the people of Georgia disposed to
ABIDE by the terms Of the treaty. They were dis
sstsfed With its surrender Of large Territory, aud
instead OF observing its siiPulations Of pesce pro-
ceeded to raise an army. They invaded the Creek
country, killed some Of their people, took others
Pr.sorer', burned their dwellings, and destroyed
Ger crops. The Creeks declared their inability to
return tie iusitiyes, and the Semnoles. sustained
BY the Spanish authorities, were memorable 10 their
refusal. No efec.ual measures to compel their
surrender were adopted until the administ, atom Of
Nh Madison. Meantime, they had become ,ccus-
toned TO freedom, and hsd learned 70 a,iov II.
tiessngs. Many h.d been born in the Seminole
country, and DOW saw around them Children and
SrsnochIdren in possession OF q comforta5;e share
% us worlds goods Many of the original fugi-
Lves had departed this life, but their survivors had
stsn comparatively free from persecution for
isf'e' OF years. Living under tie projection Of
SPiR ilsJ to6k !. !or granted tsa, the UIxd