Thirty Years' View (Vol. 2 of 2): or, A History of the Working of the American Government for Thirty Years, from 1820 to 1850Benton, Thomas Hart
History
Thirty Years' View (Vol. 2 of 2): or, A History of the Working of the American Government for Thirty Years, from 1820 to 1850
Benton, Thomas Hart
United States -- Politics and government -- 1815-1861
2. _Osceola had violated an order in coming in, with a view to
return to the hostiles; and, therefore, was liable to be detained._
The facts were these: Many Indians, at different times, had come
in under the pretext of a determination to emigrate; and after
receiving supplies, and viewing the strength and position of the
troops, returned again to the hostiles, and carried on the war
with renewed vigor. This had been done repeatedly. It was making a
mockery of the white flag, and subjecting our officers to ridicule
as well as to danger. General Jesup resolved to put an end to
these treacherous and dangerous visits, by which spies and enemies
obtained access to the bosom of his camp. He made known to the
chief, Coi Hadjo, his determination to that effect. In August, 1837,
he declared peremptorily to this chief, for the information of all
the Indians, that none were to come in, except to remain, and to
emigrate; that no one coming into his camp again should be allowed
to go out of it, but should be considered as having surrendered with
a view to emigrate under the treaty, and should be detained for that
purpose. In October, Osceola came in, in violation of that order,
and was detained in compliance with it. This is a second reason for
the justification of General Jesup, and is of itself sufficient to
justify him; but there is more justification yet, and I will state
it.
3. _Osceola, had broken a truce, and, therefore, was liable to be
detained whenever he could be taken._
The facts were these: The hostile chiefs entered into an agreement
for a truce at Fort King, in August, 1837, and agreed: 1. Not to
commit any act of hostility upon the whites; 2. Not to go east of
the St. John's river, or north of Fort Mellon. This truce was broken
by the Indians in both points. A citizen was killed by them, and
they passed both to the east of the St. John's and far north of Fort
Mellon. As violators of this truce, General Jesup had a right to
detain any of the hostiles which came into his hands, and Osceola
was one of these.
Here, sir, are three grounds of justification, either of them
sufficient to justify the conduct of General Jesup towards Powell,
as the gentlemen call him. The first of the three reasons applies
personally and exclusively to that half-breed; the other two apply
to all the hostile Indians, and justify the seizure and detention of
others, who have been sent to the West.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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