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.Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed)
Philosophy
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.
Giddings, Joshua R. (Joshua Reed)
Maroons; Seminole War, 1st, 1817-1818; Seminole War, 2nd, 1835-1842
"SIR: Your letter, dated twenty-seventh ultimo, enclosing copies of
two communications received at your office from Mr. N. F. Collins,
the Creek attorney, came to hand on the tenth instant. I was
surprised at being called upon to answer for 'my conduct' toward
Mr. Collins, as also the Department for disregarding its orders.
Indeed, sir, I have been, in my own estimation, too faithful a
servant in the special department in which it was the pleasure of
General Jessup to assign, and you to continue, me, to make a
defense to the allegations advanced by Collins. At the time of Mr.
Collins's departure from this city, he did not evince that
virulence of feeling that he has thought proper to express in his
letter; on the contrary, he was then apparently under the full
conviction that I had done all that was possible to aid him, and
carry out the orders received in relation to the negroes in
question. What object could I possibly have in wishing
clandestinely, and in the very face of orders, to send those
negroes to Arkansas? Had Mr. Collins been here, sir, so far as I
was concerned, he should have had the negroes upon _identity_. I
enclose papers, sir, from various gentlemen to disprove the
assertion of Mr. Collins, 'that the negroes were in my possession
during the time he was here;' on the contrary, they did not come
into my hands until some time after his departure. It is true, I
have frequently referred to Major Clark for advice in matters
relative to my official situation. It was on account of the high
regard I have of his character as a gentleman, and an officer of
long standing and experience, and whose integrity stands
preeminently and deservedly high.
"I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully,
Your obd't servant,
JNO. G. REYNOLDS,
_U. S. M. C. Disb. Agent, Ind. Dep't._
C. A. HARRIS,
Com. Ind. Affairs, Washington City, D. C."
We have too little space in this work to copy official papers to any
considerable extent. Those which accompanied Lieutenant Reynolds's reply
were--
First. A full statement of facts from Sheriff Buisson, showing that the
thirty-one prisoners, who had been in his charge, were not turned over
to Major Clark until the twenty-eighth of June, 1838.
Second. A full statement of facts by George Whitman, owner of the
steamboat, who contracted to carry the prisoners West.
Third. A similar statement by Major Clark of the facts that came within
his knowledge, accompanied by a copy of a communication from Jno. C.
Casey, Acting Seminole Agent.
All these statements showed that Lieutenant Reynolds had strictly obeyed
his orders; and whether they proved satisfactory to the War Department
or not, we are unable to state. It is, however, believed, that no
further proceedings were had in relation to the conduct of that officer.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account