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with Great Britain. He was a Seminole chief; but where his residence was previous to that war we have not heard; but after the Seminole war, he lived upon a good estate, at Tallahassee, of which estate a mile square was under improvement. This, in 1823, Neamathla, at the head of the chiefs of his nation, gave up, with other lands, for the benefit of the U. States, by a treaty which they made with its agents at Moultrie Creek, in Florida, on the 18 September of that year.

In an additional article of said treaty, we read-"Whereas Nea Mathla, John Blount, Tuski Hajo, Mullato King, Emathlochee, and Econchatimico, six of the principal chiefs of the Florida Indians, and parties to the treaty to which this article has been annexed, have warmly appealed to the commissioners for permission to remain in the district of country now inhabited by them, and in consideration of their friendly disposition, and past services to the U. States," it was agreed that Neamathla and his followers should have four square miles, embracing Tuphulga village, on Rocky Comfort Creek; Blount and Hajo a tract on Apalachicola River; Mullato King and Emathlochee upon the same river; and Econchatimico on the Chatahoochie. With Neamathla there settled 30 men, with Blount, 43; Mullato King, 30; with Emathlochee, 28 ; with Econchatimico, 38; the other Florida Indians, by the same treaty, were to remove to the Amazura, or Withlahuche River, upon the peninsula of Florida.

The U. States agreed by the same treaty to award 500 dollars to Neamathla, as a compensation for the improvements abandoned by him, as well as to meet the expenses of his removal.

*

A word more of the countrymen of Neamathla, who emigrated to the western coast of the peninsula, before we proceed to other subjects. "The land," says Mr. Williams, to which they are "legally banished, consists of dry sand ridges and interminable swamps, almost wholly unfit for cultivation; where it has cost the U. States more than their land was worth to support them. They are now in a starving condition; they have killed the stock of the American settlers, in every part of the territory, to support themselves, already; and there is no present prospect of their situation becoming improved." What is calculated to add to their miserable condition, is the limits within which they are restricted; they do not allow them to go nearer than within 15 miles of the sea. A garrison was established at Tampa to supply them with necessaries, and keep them in order.

M'Queen, we have had occasion to notice in the course of the present chapter; but without saying all we had to say then, we passed him over for a more convenient opportunity; however, the remainder of what we know of him will require but few words.

Peter M'Queen was a Creek chief, of the family or tribe of Tukabatchie, whose residence was at a place upon the Tallapoosie, of the same name as that of the tribe. When, in 1814, he chose flight rather than submission, he fled from Tukabatchie, and with a few other desperate spirits, took refuge in Florida. In 1817 he resided on the Okolokne River. He was a chief of consequence, possessed a valuable property, in lands and negroes. His effects were seized upon as lawful booty, about the time of · his escape. A half breed, by the name of Barney, had 10 negroes that had belonged to him, and a chief called Auchi-hatche, alias Colonel, had 20 more. To the persons who had made plunder of his slaves, he protested, they could have no claim upon him, and that he had never injured them. He therefore applied to a Mr. R. Arbuthnott, to intercede with the officer at the U. States military post, Fort Gaines, for some relief; this he

* Account of Florida, 72, 73.

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did in a very respectful letter, but with what success, we are as yet unprepared to speak.

King-paine was a chief who might have demanded early attention, but who, not having been very conspicuous but in a single affair, has been deferred to this place. Early in 1812, at the head of sundry bands of Seminoles and negroes who had run away from their American masters, King-paine issued forth in quest of blood and plunder. There were several other chiefs at the same time, (among whom Bow-legs was conspicuous,) who assisted in making war on the frontiers of Georgia. Whether either or both of the above-named chiefs commanded the daring party, who, on 11 Sept. 1812, attacked and defeated a small force under Capt. Williams, we are not certain; but it is certain that they commanded a large force soon after, when Gen. Newman marched against them, and fought him with desperation. Capt. Williams, with about 20 men, was convoying some loaded wagons towards Davis Creek, and when within about 10 miles of their destination, they were attacked by a party of Indians and negroes, supposed to be 50 in number. Although the whites were few, they protracted the fight until all their ammunition was expended, their captain mortally wounded, and six others slightly. They then effected a retreat, leaving their wagons in the hands of their enemies. Two of the Americans were killed, and, it was supposed, a much greater number of the enemy.

Expecting a force would be soon sent against them, King-paine, with Bow-legs as his lieutenant, marched out from the Lotchway towns, at the head of 150 warriors, as was supposed. They were not disappointed with regard to a force being sent against them, for in the mean time Gen. Newman,* of the Georgia volunteers, marched with 117 men to destroy the Lotchway towns. When he had arrived within about six miles, he fell in with the Indians, all of whom were mounted. It appears the parties met unexpectedly, and no time was lost on either side in preparing for battle. Having dismounted, the Indians advanced a few paces, hoping thereby to intimidate their adversaries; but Newman, at the same time, ordered his men to charge, which being promptly obeyed, the Indians were put to flight. The battle ground, being skirted with swamps upon three sides, was advantageous for the operations of the Indians; nevertheless, before gaining these coverts, a well-directed fire stopped the flight of many, among whom was King-paine himself, and Bow-legs was severely wounded; but this was only the commencement of the fight; for no sooner was the fall of the great chief known among his men, than they returned and charged in their turn, but were again forced to fly, leaving the body of their leader in the hands of the whites. This, more than any, or all considerations together, wrought up their minds to desperation, and they determined on its recovery, or to sacrifice themselves in the attempt; and they accordingly returned to the charge, which, it is said, was met with firmness by the whites, who, after encountering several shocks, again succeeded in routing them; but they immediately returned again, with greater fury than before, and with greater success; for they obliged the Americans to give ground in their turn, and after some time spent in this most desperate work, they succeeded in recovering the body of Kingpaine, and carried it off. Their loss in the several charges was unknown, but supposed by the whites to have been about 30; while on their own side, they report but one killed and nine wounded. This fight was on the 26 September, and lasted about four hours.

The whites were greatly distressed after this fight, for the Indians

*Thomson (Hist. War, 51) writes this officer's name Newnan; but Brannan, Per kins, and Brackenridge, all write it as in the text.

were reinforced, and harassed them until the 4 October, when they gave up the business and retired. Gen. Newman, having thrown up a slight work, was able to prevent being entirely cut off, and at length retreated out of the country. The Indians did not give up the siege until they had been pretty severely cut up. The whites, by concealing themselves on the night of the 3d, made them believe they had abandoned their fort; and they came up to it in a body without apprehending danger; when on a sudden they received a most deadly fire, and immediately withdrew.

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CHAPTER VII.

RETROSPECTIVE-Of the Creek Indians-Muskogees-Prohibit the use of Ardent Spirits-Their rise and importance-Their origin-CatawbasChikasaus-Cherokees-A mode of flattening their heads-Complexion lighter than other Indians-Seminoles-Ruins at Oakmulge Fields-Expedition of Soto-Kills 2000 Indians-Laudonniere-Gourges, expedition-Grijalva-Voyage of D'Aillon-Carries off Indians to sell for slaves-Mortor, made Emperor of the Cherokees-Sir Alexander Cumming-His travels among the Cherokees-Seven Chiefs accompany him to England Attakullakulla-SKIJAGUSTAH-His speech to the king-Tomochichi-His death-War with the Cherokees-EMISTESSIGO-His expedition and death-GRANGULA-KOPAK, first advocate of temperance.

In the preceding chapters of this book, much has been narrated of the southern nations in general; and in particular of many prominent individuals and events. It is designed, in the present chapter, to speak more particularly upon the events of the great nation of Creek Indians; in doing which, something of retrospection will appear.

It will be proper, in the first place, to give some general account of the nation, whose men of eminence have been and are to be noticed; for there are some facts that will not necessarily fall in otherwise; but in such digression, if so it should be termed, our chief axiom is not overturned, which is, that to write a history of the men of a country is to write the history of such country. The reader, however, should be reminded that a general history of a people at one period will not exactly apply to them at another. This observation is not only true with regard to their political and civil history, but also in regard to the manners and customs of the same nations: these facts are true, both as they regard people called civilized and savage. Hence descriptions of tribes or nations by one observer, at one time, differ from those of another at a different period; and yet both may be true 'in the main particulars. Students, therefore, not aware of this fact, may be disposed to discredit writers for such disagreements, which, in fact, are altogether imaginary. But it is time to commence upon the more immediate business of the present chapter.

The Creek Indians take their name from that of the country in which they live; that is, the English gave them the name of Creeks because their country is full of creeks.

The nation of most importance among the Creeks was, in 1775, the Muskogees. That community, or nation, like the Iroquois, was more politic than their neighbors, and vastly increased their strength and importance by encouraging small declining tribes to incorporate themselves with them. At one time, another most wise resolution was adopted among them, which, above all others, should be mentioned; that was a

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