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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC01829 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1839 |
| Title | Zachary Taylor to William Davenport regarding slaves and Indians |
| Date | 18 July 1839 |
| Author | Taylor, Zachary (1784-1850) |
| Recipient | Davenport, William |
| Document Type | Correspondence; Military document |
| Content Description | Brevet Brigadier General Taylor directs this letter to Colonel Davenport or the officer commanding at Fort Lawson, Florida. Replies to recent correspondence from Davenport related to "the Negro captured near Fort Andrews... The Negroes statement is undoubtedly somewhat exagerated- it is not probable that there are so many Indians in that quarter as he reports, it would nevertheless be well to take the Negro as a guide, and with a sufficient mounted force commanded by some discreet Regular Officer..." Reports that Indians have come in at the Southern posts, and "manifest every dispositions to adhere to the treaty." Mentions Sam Jones, the Seminole leader, noting that Jones and others will force the Tallahassee Indians to comply with the treaty. Cautions Davenport against disturbing the Indians, since they seem compliant at this time. Discusses military assignments and specifics. |
| Subjects | African American History American Indian History President Prisoner Military History Treaty |
| People | Taylor, Zachary (1784-1850) Davenport, William (d. 1858) |
| Place written | Tampa Bay, Florida |
| Theme | African Americans; Native Americans; The Presidency; |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | Written during the end of the Second Seminole War. Zachary Taylor was in command of the Army forces in Florida beginning in May 1838. In May 1839, Commanding General of the Army, Alexander Macomb, concluded negotiations with the Seminoles to end the war. The resulting treaty guaranteed the Seminoles a reservation in southern Florida in return for an end to the hostilities. Sam Jones, also called Ar-pi-uck-i (c. 1760-1860), was the Miccosukee Seminole leader who helped negotiate the treaty with Macomb. However, a few days after the present letter was written, on 23 July, a group of Indians attacked a trading post, reigniting hostilities; some blamed Sam Jones and his associates for the attack. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |
| Transcript | Show/hide |