Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-07-03
Gbe Anti- 5lauerp BuoIr.
THE EXILES OF FLORIDA.

The following extract is taken from the volume
entitled "The Eziles of Florida" by Hon, Joshua
Il. Giddings. 1t is full of spirit.
The Cherokee Delegation had reached the Indi'
an country. The address of john Ross was direct.
to Wild Cat and Osceola two of the principal
Seminole chiefs. They were together and receiv-
ed the talk of Ross, the Cherokee chief, assuring
them of the integrity and honor of the United
States. After due consideration, il determ'
ined that Wild Cat should comply with flial obi-
cations due to his aged father, bearing with him
the peace token of Osceola, consisting of a neatly
wrought bead ppe, together with a beautiful
white plume, to be presented to General Herman
dez, as the assurance of Osceolas pacific desires.
Co.IIado, another chief, bore similar message
md cmblems.
These were received by General Hernandez,
who communicated immediate information thereof
to General Jessup. They were propositions for
negotiating peace. forwarded at the special re-
quest and advice of the Cherokee Delegation, who
were active in their efforts to stop the etusiOn of
blood, and restore harmony between our nation
and the Seminoles. By direction of General Jes-
sup, Hernandez returned varou spresents to Osce
OLA by Co.l1adjo saying, that General Jessup and
himself would be glad to hold o conference with
them The same assurance and presents were
given to Wild Cat. who also became the messen.
ger between General Jessup and General Herman
dez on the one hand, and his brethren the other
With the hope Of effecting an arrangement bene
fetal to his friend and TO mankind. Wild Cat left
San Augustine with the promise to return in ten
days,
Punctual to the day he returned with the very
satisfactory assurance that OsceOla and one hun
dred Indians and as many EXiles, were on their
way toward San Augustine Tor the purpose OF
entering upon negotiations. With tie intention
of fastening their arrival, and maniiesting an
earnest desire FOR peace, General Hernandez pro-
ceeded, with Wild Cat and other friendly Semi
noles to meet the advancing Chiefs some twenty
NrtI,.t tDf Snn Au nstip nj yI1
ed "Pelican Creek" Here he learned that Osceo'
Ia would Join them at evening. General Herman
dez left quantity of provisions with them, and,
desiring them to select their encampment for the
next day (Oct.22) somewhere near Fort Peyton, at
which place he would meet them with q proper
escort left them and returned to San Augustine.
They accordingly encamped the next day near
Fort Peyton, situated seven miles southwest from
San Augustine. They approached their encamp-
ment with great formaty. Osceoa and other
chiefs bearing white flags, expecting to meet 4
suitable escort under General Hernandez, with the
well-understood intentions Of entering upon diplo-
matte negotiations with that grave dignity for
which the Indian is much distinguished. These
flags were kept flying in their encampment
through the night and the next morning.
At ten o'clock (Oct 33), General Hernandez, ac,
companied by his staff and1 by most of General
Jessup's staff in full dress, met them had been
promised with the apparent purpose of escorting
Them to headquarters at San Augustine. After
the ordinary salutations had been exchanged, in
stead of preparing to march, General Hernandez,
from a written paper signed by General Jessup,
road the following questions addressed to Osceola:
'Are you prepared at to de!irer up The negroes
taken from tie citizens Why have you not sur
rendered them already, as promised by Co,lladio
at Fort King? Have the chiefs of the nation held
council on this subject ?"*
Osceola exhibited the most perfect astonishment
Mt hearing these questions propOunded at such
moment, lie appeared however, instantly to com
prehend his situation. Turning to Co,IIadjo, he
raid to him in his own dialect, "You must answer
! am choked" at the same time exhibiting unuau.
al emotion for an Indian cheff
At this moment, by concerted signal armed
troops at once surrounded the whole encampment
gathered rapidly in upon the occupants made
prisoners Of them and at once dsarmed them.
They were then marched to San Augustine and
closely imprisoned in the ancient castle of that
city. There was about an equal number of Ex.
H. as captured, at this violation of our pghted
fait,.; they were, however, sent to Tampa Bay for
safe keeping
Wild Cat having been made the instrument for
be:rsyng Oteeoa and other friends, felt great in
dipnation az what he regarded as the perfdy prac.
ticed upon him and his brethren, and determined
To escape from his imprisonment so soon as an
onnortunity should offer. But ho was imprisoned
in the Castle of San Augustine. whose gray walls,
lortv turrets battlements and Catholic chapel,
must have presented to the young warrior spec
tacle in striking contrast with the rude huts IN
which he was accustomed to lodge, in the interior
of the Territory. We prefer letting him tell the
storv of his escape, which we copy from the works
of one who was then serving in our armyf SAID
Wild Cat
"We were in a small room, eighteen or twenty
feet square All lie light admitted was through a
hole tembrasure) about eighteen feet IRON the
aoor. Through this We must effect cur escape or