Year: 1859

On Saturday last, a delegation of those Seminoles who emigrated west with Billy Bowlegs, presented themselves at the resi- dence of the Superintendent Maj. E. Rec tor. They were headed by Surnucka Micco, the chief, who they have elected as the suc- cessor of Bowlegs. He is the son of Assin- Wa. There were also with them Nocose Tustunuggee, or Long J ohm Bowlegs h. spector General and Woxee Harjo, power ful men among them, accompanied by about twenty others of the people of less importance.

 On being asked by Mai Rector the object of their visit, the chief said: We have come to see you ill regard to our country; we are dissatisfied with the country that has been given us, and our former leader, Billy Bow Jews, told us that you had promised to give us another country; and after telling at some length about their aversion to settling in the new country, he set down, and Mai Rector said: 1 have complied with every promise ever made to your people or to Bowlegs, to the smallest degree. Bowlegs refused to let any of his men go to Florida last winter, until would promise to use my influence with the department to have him ordered on to Washington that he might lay his claim for negroes which he said had been taken from him, before the President, for payment; also he wished the government to purchase from the Creeks, a small DOT tion of their country for him and his party to settle upon. These things l have done. l stated the case to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, who said, he had no use | II, I,1 purchase any more country for him or his people; that they would be expected to live Ill the country the government had given them.

 Long John then rose, much excited, and spoke with much animation. He said that the country the government wished them to live in, was not suited to their wants and they wanted another and would have it. Maj. Rector then told him, that, if such was his determination, he supposed he intended, of course, to whip the United States and take country for themselves and that he had better commence at once, for the sooner commenced the sooner ended John said they did not wish to fight for a country, but that they did not like the one assigned , them; that they did not so much object to the country, as they did to living with the ? Old Settler Seminoles. He said they had been raised up under the ancient laws and

 customs of the tribe; that the most of theil people were young men who knew no other laws; and that their intercourse with the , world had been but little; that they were easily led into violation of laws they knew nothing about; that, for himself and his friends with him, that had seen service and [ had some experience, and could live under {, , any laws, but for the sake of the young men and children, they wished to keep up their , ancient laws and customs; that the Old Set tier Seminoles had lost all their ancient customs and had made new laws and be- come new people; they did not know them as Semlnoles any more, and they asked for little spot of ground somewhere, upon which they could live by themselves under their own laws and raise their children in their own way.

 Major Rector told him that the govern ment could not nor would not buy them any mole country; that the Creeks would not sell any of their country, and if they would, the government would not buy it.

 that they could take their choice to live in

  the annuities and benefits arising from the treaty, or they could live in the Creek country and be prohibited from drawing annulties, or participating in making their laws, but would be subject to their laws and regulations and would be poor set of lndians,-neither Seminoles nor Creeks but said he, if you are opposed to living with the Western Seminoles, you know the treaty provides that the country may be divided according to population. If you cannot live psaceably together that you could have small portion of the country set apart for yourselves, if the President would allow 1t, which he had no doubt he would.

 The Chief then said We know not how to call upon the President, only through you; that we look upon you as our friend

 that you have always told us the truth and we wish you to have portion of the coun- try set apart for us, and the money coming to the nation, divided and let us live alone and we will be satisfied and happy The Maj. promised them to have it done for them, if he could, which pleased them very } much.

 The chief then rose and thanked him kindly for his many acts of kindness to them and he was glad to meet him under his own roof, where every thing wore the appearance of comfort and happiness. He saw his squaw looking healthy and happy, and his children bright and cheerful, hoped they would always be happy; and now, said he, relying on your promise to us, I bid you good bye.

 Long John rose and said: Major, before l bid you good bye, I will take drink with you, as we once did in the everglades, but know you have better whisky than we had there, for l am told you always have q little on hand, that is better than can be found in the country-et's have q