A Bit of History
1835
Micanopy Disposed?
In April of 1835 a council with the Seminoles was held at Fort King. Chief Micanopy’s nephew, Jumper speaking as the “sense bearer” for Micanopy declared that the Seminole people would not move west which brought rebuke by the U.S. representative Wiley Thompson. General Duncan Clinch then told the chiefs that the United States would use force if the Indians did not comply with moving. Upon reconsideration, eight of the chiefs agreed to move west but five of the most influential chiefs, including Micanopy, refused to sign upon which Thompson declared that the five were “deposed” as chiefs making appear that moving west was unanimous. Of course, disposing a chief could only be done by the Seminoles. Although the threat of removal by force was approved by President Andrew Jackson, the disposing of chiefs was not and brought rebuke by the Secretary of War.#38
Wiley Thompson and Osceola
In the summer of 1835 Osceola had been in negotiations at Fort King with General Thompson who, as an offer of “friendship”, bestowed gifts upon Osceola including a rifle. On one occasion Osceola went to Thompson’s office “in a very bad humor” and used violent and insulting language toward Thompson who Osceola said was an intruder on Indian lands and would make him leave. Thompson in return arrested, handcuffed and threw Osceola into the guardhouse until he “came to his senses and apologized.” After several days two other chiefs, Charley Amathla and Coahajo, came and negotiated with Thompson for Osceola’s release. Thompson then released Osceola under the condition that he talk to his people and return with them in ten days and sign the treaty. Good to his word, Osceola returned on the tenth day with about twenty-five of his followers and signed the treaty. Upon signing the treaty Osceola seemed,
“to all appearances an altered man. He was on the most familiar terms with the garrison; visited us in the most social and friendly manner; invited us to his town, and performed many little acts of kindness, which could not be forgotten.”[1]
But all was not as it seemed, underneath his façade Osceola was plotting. On November 26th a group led by Osceola executed Chief Charley Emathla who had help get him out of imprisonment by General Thompson. The reason was said to be the Indian law that, “any Indian who should leave his people and aid the whites forfeits his life.”
Indian Attacks
The Jacksonville Courier, Dec. 31st, 1835
On December 17th, 12 o’clock at night about 30 Indians attacked Mr. Simmons house on the Palatka road about eight miles from Micanopy. “The rushed on the house with furious yells and heavy firing; but Simmons and J. Carr and two others, who happened to be there, barred up the house and defended themselves until day light.” The army arrived the next day for Wacahoota where, “a great show of Indians” had been seen.
The Jacksonville Courier, Dec. 24, 1835
[1] From letter in the National Intelligencer, February 23, 1838, from an unidentified soldier who was present at the time.