Description:

Important association official copy of President John Tyler's message to the Senate concerning the Florida Seminole Indians, May 10, 1842, a 4pp. 4to. "True Copy" issued to Capt. JOHN T. SPRAGUE (1810-1878), a major figure in the history of the Seminoles. Tyler's message reads, in part: "...The season for active hostilities in Florida having nearly terminated, my attention has necessarily been directed to the course of measures to be pursued hereafter in relation to the few Indians yet remaining in that Territory...Their number is believed not to exceed 240, of whom there are supposed to be about 80 warriors, or males capable of bearing arms. The further pursuit of these miserable beings by a large military force seems to be as injudicious as it is unavailing....any further attempt to secure them by force [is] impracticable...It is believed...that a different system should now be pursued to attain the entire removal of all the Indians in Florida...communications should be opened...to insure them a peaceful and voluntary surrender...these recommendations are sound and just...terminating the unhappy warfare...reduce the demands upon the Treasury...I have therefore authorized the colonel in command there as soon as he shall deem it expedient to declare that hostilities against the Indians have ceased...and endeavor by all peaceable means to persuade them [to join] their brethren at the West..." Tyler also asks that land (presumably Seminole) be given to settlers so that they may have room with which to defend themselves (!). JOHN T. SPRAGUE and was sent to Florida in 1839 as an aide to brevet Maj. Gen. Alexander Macomb, who had been charged with bringing the interminable Second Seminole War to an end. Sprague was brevetted captain on March 15, 1842, for meritorious conduct in the Seminole campaign and was promoted to that rank on Sep. 21, 1846. During the Mexican War Sprague remained in Florida in charge of Indian Affairs and served as commanding officer at Fort Brook. He was brevetted to the rank of major on May 30, 1848, for meritorious conduct in the Florida War. Some uneven toning, else very good. Thirteen years later, a U.S. Army survey party - seeking the whereabouts of Abiaka and other Seminole groups - was attacked by Seminole warriors under the command of the colorful Billy Bowlegs. The eventual capture and deportation of Bowlegs ended aggression between the Seminoles and the United States. Unlike their dealings with other Indian tribes, however, the U.S. government could not force a surrender from the Florida Seminoles. Historians estimate there may have been only a few hundred unconquered Seminole men, women and children left - all hiding in the swamps and Everglades of South Florida.

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July 31, 2019 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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