The Creeks, Cherokees, and other Southern tribes, had gradually adopted the institution of Slavery, so long practiced by their more civilized neighbors, and thus became interested in every effort to extinguish the hope cherished among their own bondmen, of regaining freedom by fleeing from their masters. And many circumstances now appeared to favor the idea, that no more attempts would be made to compel a return of the Exiles to bondage. CHAPTER III. HOSTILITIES MAINTAINED BY GEORGIA. Mr. Madison's election--His character--Desire of people of Georgia to enslave Exiles--They demand annexation of Florida--Congress passes a law for taking possession of that Territory--General Mathews appointed Commissioner--Declares insurrection--Takes possession of Amelia Island--Spanish Government demands explanation--The President disavows acts of Mathews--Governor Mitchell succeeds Mathews--Georgia raises an Army--Florida Invaded--Troops surrounded by savage foes--Their danger--Their retreat--Stealing Slaves--Lower Creeks join Seminoles--Georgia demands their surrender--Chiefs refuse--Georgia complains--President refuses to Interfere--Another Invasion of Florida--Towns burned; Cattle stolen--Troops withdrawn from Amelia Island--Public attention directed toward our Northern frontier--Lord Cockrane enters Chesapeake Bay--Issues Proclamation to Slaves--Dismay of Slaveholders--Slaves go on board British ships--Several vessels enter Appalachicola Bay--Col. Nichols lands there with Troops--Gathers around him Exiles and Indians--Builds a Fort, arms it, and places Military Stores in Its Magazines--Treaty of Peace with England--Provision in regard to Slaves taken away during War--Claimants of the Exiles encouraged--Col Nichols delivers Fort to the Exiles--Their plantations, wealth, and social condition--Our Army--General Gaines represents Fort as in possession of Outlaws--Plans for its destruction--Correspondence--General Jackson's order--Col. Clinch's Expedition--Met by Sailing-Master Loomis and two gun-boats--Fort blown up--Destruction of human life--Negroes captured and enslaved--Property taken--Claimed by Governor of Florida--First Seminole War commenced.