The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-08-19

THE EXILES OF FLORIDA: OR THE CRIMES
COMMITTED ny OUR COUNTRY AGAINST TIE MA
ROOMS, VINO FLED FROM SOUTH CAROLINA AND
OTHER SLAVE STATES, SEEKING PROTECTION UN
DER SPANISH LAWS bv Joshua X. Giddings.
Published by Folletl, Foster & CO., Columbus,
Ohio,
This is a volume of about three hundred and
forty mo. pages, in which the author has, TO give
his own language, "e endeavored to give faith
rul record OF those interesting events which APP
near directly connected with the ExlLEs OF Flor
IDA.
A work of this kind, from the pen of so con-
spicuous aud distinguished man as Mr.. Gid
dinrs. cannot fail to be interesting to any one
who wishes to inform himself respecting the
history and policy of our government, in reia-
ton to that "pcculOr institution, which has
bcen,and still is,n bone of contention,and which
even threatens the perpetuiy OF the Government
itself The subject is one which the author has
studied for years,and he evidently not only has the
ability to do it justice, but with him it
has been an Offering Of the heart, as we'll as
he head lie has entered upon his task with
that chara cteristic zeal which has distinguished
his long public life, and has given to the world
in this volume, facts respecting the Florida Wars,
their origin and the manner in which they were
conducted, which were never made public before
In doing this, he hus confined himself chiefly to
documentary facts, and "whcre the action OF
individuals is concerned" quoting himself
again, "he has endeuvored to make them speak for
themselves, through official reports, orders, let
ters or written evidences FROM their own hands (;
and he nattors himself that he has done injus-
tice to no person." While he volume before us
is strictly record of history, it is nevertheless
entertaining as n romance and may be read by
all classes of citizens with interest and profit
The people of South Carolina as far back as the
year 100, sought to enSlavo the Indians. but
they, uuaccustomed to the restraint of their free
dom, soon began to escape to the woods OF
Georgia, aud when in later years they were pur-
sued into their hiding places for the purpose of
reinstatement, they penetrated even into the
Businesses Of Florida, and there, comparatively
undisturbcd, they cultivated the land, and in con
junction with the Africans, who also escaped
from bondage, had gone far in introducing aud
cultivating the arts OF peace.
II is the history of these Seminoes, or Rama
,rays. which the author has given us in the "Ex-
lies" in connection with the forts of the peo
pie ofSouth Carolina and Georgia and later the
Government of the United States to claim then
and to rc-enslave them; and these efforts, in
the shape of treaties with the Indians, and wars
have been continued down 20 a late period, ant
oft II in an mscrupulous manner by our Govern
ment, aud in way which must forever leav,
stain upon the character of those public men
whose business it was to act as the representa-
tives Of this Government in the various treaties
made with the different tribes of Indians resi-
dent in Florida,
In describing the condition of these Exilcs i,
the year 1913, we cannot do batter than to quot
the authors own words: Their plantation
extended along the river several miles above an,
below the fort Many of them possessed larg
! herds OF cattle anl horses, which roamed in III
forests, gathering food both in summer and win
| ter, without expense or trouble to their owners
The Pioneer Exiles of South Carolina had sci
tied here long before the Co'ony of Georgia exis
ed Several generations had lived TO manhood
and died in those lorest-homes. To their descenC
ants 1t had become consecrated by many an of
| told tale OF early adventure, of hardships an
suffering, the recollection of which, had been II
tanned in tradition, told in story, and sung
their rude lays, Here were the graves OF the
/ ancestors, around whose memories were cluSte
, Ell the lonlest recollectiouS ot the human min
The climate was genial, Trey were surround'
hy extensive forests and far removed from Il
hsbitations Of those euemies of freedom wi
' SOU sht to enslave them; and they regarded then
- selves us secure in the enjoyment OF liberty
Shut out from the carSS aud suites OF more CT
iizod men, they were happy in their own 5
|, cal solitude 81 Far from seeking Ia mjure I
,t people of the United States, they were only al
d ious to be exempt AMI entirely free from
~ :, contact with our populstion or GNvernmen
:. while they faithfully maiutaiuel th, IL allvj