The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-15
Florida The SeminoIes.

The Jacksonville correspondent of the Savannah
Herald writes as follows under date of April 4:
Florida has been settled by Europeans three hun
dred years During that long period, leading staple
of her history has been Indian hostites The Mick
astkes are generally admitted be the earliest den
zens of the soil The Creek Nation, properly
the Muscogees whose hunting grounds extended
the States of Georgia and Alabama, were nu
merous race, divided into Upper and Lower Creeks
In 1850 separation took place chief named lie
Coffee with large number Of followers left the tribe
cast off the Creek authority and refused be repre-
sented III Greek councils. They elected their own
chiefs, and in all respects became an independent
tribe uniting with the Mickasukes On Florida soil
As they settled in the neighborhood Of body of fu
gtves from slavery, known as Senlinoes, associated
and married with them, and, like them, being ugitives
from what they believed to be grevous oppression,
they also called Seminoes, which in their Ian
guage means wanderers Then this remnant of the
Creek Nation uniting with certain fugitive negroes from
the Spanish and English colonies formed the nucleus
of the nation, subsequently, called Seminoes, who pos
sessed themselves of the whole peninsula OF Florida
Nearly forty years ago1he United States Govern
ment undertook to the Seminoes west OF the
Mississippi river After spending in the war, which
the scheme of removal provoked, forty millions OF dol
lars, and calling to its aid pack OF Cuban blood
hounds the United States abandoned the contest and
the Indians still hold ali that portion OF the peninsula
south of the Caloosahachie river Or the twenty-sev
enh degree of latitude. These Indians peaceable
and industrious-attend to their business but
their white neghbors will not, hence another Seminole
may be opened before the close of the year. 1t
is said that the Indians hold slaves that the negroes
desire their freedom, but, against their Wishes
kept in bondage by their masters. The truth is the
negroes free as the Indians; work when they
please, and remain with the tribe from choice.
When the last removal Of Seninoes took place in
1853, several white men who had married squaws
pocketed the bounty which the Government offered
for Indians, and permitted their wives and children to
be separated from them and sent West There was
gain both Sides the white got present sup
ply of grog money, his better half emancipated
from graceless scoundrel, disgrace to the Indian
name and character. just such characters provoke
Indian hostilities. Col. John 7. Sprague command
ing the District of Florida, if his advice is needed,
will avoid another Indian An incredible number
of invalds visit Florida for health. Why should they
not? DeLeon the first white adventurer to these
shores, not in search OF medicine to heal the sick,
but living fountain which restored the aged youth
The ambitious old warrior did not discover the myth
ical spring still evidence is wanting of the native
Foridians preserving to great age remarkable vigor
4 French officer, under Laudcnniere ranging the
forests in 1865, met venerable chief, who assured
him that he the father of five successive genera
tons, and that he had lived two hundred and fifty
years. Civilization is great condenser of human life