Daily national Democrat., 1859-03-06
Violation of the Flag OF Truce.

Chief OsceOla, when he came by invitation
into the American camp under a flag OF truce,
wanted to challenge some man to horO"i
combat for alluding to that portion ot MS
history. He had better challenge tie 'oho's
,porld and be done with it, for, if the world
has read history Alright he was undoubtedly
ouiltv of an act which disgraced him as
soldier, and his country as civilized Gov
ernment. I've publish below" says the
National Era, interesting extracts from Mr.
! Giddngs's new work, the Exies of Florida,
at the request OF a subscriber. 1t gives the
facts authenticated by the public records in
relation to the alleged violation of the flags
of Truce during the Florida war. The work
is written with great care, after many years
Of research, and in the spirit of candor and
fairness. 1t contains important historical
statements, involving the honor and charac
ter Of the Government of that day, which its
friends should look to. If the statements OF
Mr.. Giddings can be shown to be inaccurate,
or partial, or incomplete. it will behoove the
| friends of Mr.. Van Buren's administration to
set the matter right. 1t will be borne in
mind that the action of General Jesup was
reported to the War Department, and duly
approved, and thereby became the action OF
the Government, showing that he acted
within the scope of his instructions. We
should be gratified, in the name of the ma
tional honor. to see the picture presented by
Mr. Giddings relieved by any extenuating
facts which may not have come under his
observation. But, unless such explanations
are furnished, the public judgment will set
tie down in the conviction that the ca Sc nd
mits of no palliation."
1t seems that the Cherokees, then friendly
with the United States, had been induced to
use their influence in persuading the Semi
mole Chiefs to agree to peace One of the
Cherokee Chiefs had addressed Wild Cat and
Osceola, as two of the principal Seminole
Chiefs. They were together and received
the talk of the Cherokee Chief, assuring
them of the integrity and honor of the Unit
ed States We quote now from Giddings
work. alluded to:
after due consideration, it was determin
ed that Wild Cat should comply with the
tilial obligations due to his aged father bear.
ing with him the peace token of Osceola,
consisting of neatly wrought bead pipe,
together with beautiful white plume, to be
presented to General Hernandez, as the as.
surance of Osceola's pacific desires Co.
Hadio, another chief, bore similar message
and emblems.
"These were received by General Herman
dez, who communicated immediate informa
tion thereof to General Jesup They were
propositions for negotiating peace, forward
ed at the special request and advice of the
Cherokee Delegation, who were active in
their efforts to stop the effusion of blood, and
restore harmony between our nation and the
Seminoes. BY direction of General Jesup,
Hernandez returned various presents to Os-
ceola by Co Hadio. saying that Gen. Jesup
and himself would be glad to hold confer
ence with them. The same assurances and
presents were given to Wild Cat, who also
became the messenger between General Jesup
and General Hernandez on the one hand,
and his brethren on the other With the
| hope of effeeting an arrangement beneficial
to his friends 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 hundred Indians, and as many Elk
lies, were on their way toward San Angus
tine, for the purpose of entering upon nego-
tiations With the intention of Fastening
their arrival, and manifesting an earnest de-
sire for peace, General Hernacdez proceeded,
with Wild Cat and other friendly Seminoles,
to meet the advancing Chiefs some twenty
miles southwest of San Augustine, at a place
called Pelican Creek Here he learned that
Osceola would join them at evening. Gen.
Hernandez left quantity of provisions with
/ them, and, desiring them to select their en-
campmeGt for the next day October 22)
somewhere near Fort Peyton, at which place
he would meet them with proper escort
left them, and returned to San Augustine
They accordingly encamped the next day
near Fort Peyton, situated seven miles south
west from san Augustine. They approached
their eneampment with great formality-
Osceola and other chiefs bearing white flags.
expecting to meet q suitable escort under
General Hernandez. with the we'll under
stood intentions of entering upon diplomatic
negotiations with that grave dignity fol
which the Indian is so much distinguished.
These flags were kept flying in their encamp-
ment through the night and the next morn
ing
AT ten o'clock, (Oct 2S) General Her
nandez accompanied by his staff and by
most Of General Jesup's staff in full dress
met them had been promised. with the
apparent purpose of esc0rting them to head
quarters at San Augustine. After the ordi-
nary sautations had been exchanged, instead
of preparing to march, General Hernandez.
from a written paper signed by Gen. Jesup,
read the following questions, addressed to
Osceola; Are you prepared At once to deliver
up the negroes taken from the citizens Why
have you not surrendered them already. rs
promised by Co-lIadjo at Fort King? Have
the chiefs of the nation held a council on this
suhjectT
"Osceola exhibited the most perfect aston
ishment at hearing these questions pro-
pounded Mt such moment. lie appeared,
however instantly to comprehend his situa-
tion. Turning to Co-Hadio he said to him
in his own dialect, You must answer, am
choked,' at the same time exhibiting unusual
emotion for an Indian chief.
"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 disarmed them. They were then march
ed to San Augustine, and closely imprisoned
in the ancient castle of that city. There was
about an equal number of Exiles captured at
this violation of our plighted faith; they
we're, however, sent to Tampa Bay for safe
keeping"
Osceola, finding himself thus treacherously
mastered, died of broken heart, while yet