Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images available at the University of Florida Digital Collections.) [Illustration: Death of Waxe hadjo] THE EXILES OF FLORIDA: OR, THE CRIMES COMMITTED BY OUR GOVERNMENT AGAINST THE MAROONS, WHO FLED FROM SOUTH CAROLINA AND OTHER SLAVE STATES, SEEKING PROTECTION UNDER SPANISH LAWS. BY JOSHUA R. GIDDINGS. "I, as commander of the army, pledged the national faith that they should remain under the protection of the United States." GENERAL JESSUP. COLUMBUS, OHIO: PUBLISHED BY FOLLETT, FOSTER AND COMPANY. 1858. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858. BY FOLLETT, FOSTER & CO., In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio. TO MY CONSTITUENTS, THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SO LONG HONORED ME WITH THEIR CONFIDENCE, THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED. J. R. GIDDINGS. INTRODUCTION. Discarding that code of morals which teaches the suppression of truth, for the purpose of upholding the honor, either of the Government, or of the individuals who wield its administration, the Author of the following work has endeavored to give a faithful record of those interesting events which appear directly connected with the Exiles of Florida. Torn from their native land, their friends and homes, they were sold in the markets of Carolina and Georgia. Feeling the hand of oppression bearing heavily upon them, they fled to Florida, and, under Spanish laws, became free. Holding lands of the Spanish Crown, they became citizens of that Territory, entitled to protection. To regain possession of their truant bondmen, Georgia made war upon Florida, but failed to obtain her object. At a time of profound peace, our army, acting under the direction of the Executive, invaded Florida, murdered many of these free men, and brought others to the United States and consigned them to slavery. An expensive and bloody war followed; but failing to capture more of the Exiles, our army was withdrawn. This war was followed by diplomatic efforts. Florida was purchased; treaties with the Florida Indians were made and violated; gross frauds were perpetrated; dishonorable expedients were resorted to, and another war provoked. During its protracted continuance of seven years, bribery and treachery were practiced towards the Exiles and their allies, the Seminole Indians; flags of truce were violated; the pledged faith of the nation was disregarded. By these means the removal of the Exiles from Florida was effected. After they had settled in the Western Country, most of these iniquities were repeated, until they were driven from our nation and compelled to seek an asylum in Mexico.