NLAMATILA was a warrior of note and renown, before the war of 1812 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 United 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 chiers 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 Ouithlacooche river, upon the peninsula of Florida.

But whether "the other Florida Indians" had any hand in making this treaty, does not appear, though from after circumstances, there is no probability that they had. Hence two facts are duly to be considered concerning this transaction, as they have led to fatal mistakes: one is, as it concerns the number of the Seminoles; and it will be asked, Were their numbers greatly underrated, that it might seem that those who made the treaty were the most important part of the nation? If this problem come out affirmative, then, I say, this mistake, or imposition upon the inhabitants of the United States, has been a fatal one. The other fact or circumstance resolves itself into another problem, but not more difficult of solution than the other. It may be thus stated: Had these few chiefs any authority to stipulate for, or bind any others but themselves? If not, where is the obligation for them to leave their country and habitations? But I forbear to pursue this subject further in this place, and will return to Neamathla.

The United 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 are not allowed 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. Recent events, however, had considerably changed their condition before the commencement of the present distressing war, and they are found much more numerous, and far better off, as to resources, than was supposed they could be.

A chief, whom the whites called Peter M'Queen, has been incidentally mentioned, in our account of the Creek war. His Indian name was TALMUCHES HATCHO, and he belonged to the tribe of Tukabatchie. In 1814 he fled before the Americans under General Jackson, and took up his residence in Florida, and was among others declared an outlaw. In 1817 he was chief of the Tallapoosies, and resided upon the Oklokne or Okoloknee River, and was styled "an old Red Stick." He was one of the 12 Creek chiefs who gave Mr. Alexander Arbuthnott power of attorney to manage their affairs. This was done on the 17 June, 1817. 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 from Tukabatchie. A half-breed, by the name of Barney, shared 10 negroes that had belonged to him, and a chief called

* Account of Florida, 72, 73.

406

KING-PAINE IS KILLED IN BATTLE.

[Book IV. 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 Mr. R. Arbuthnott, to intercede with the officer at the United States military post, Fort Gaines, for some relief; this he 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 September, 1812, attacked and defeated a small force under Captain Williams, we are not certain; but it is certain that they commanded a large force soon after, when General Newman marched against them, and fought him with desperation. Captain 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 Bowlegs 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 General 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 Bowlegs 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 again 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 King-paine, 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.

*To a document exhibited in the trial of Arbuthnott and Ambrister, his name is signed BOLECK. This was probably his real name, which required but a slight corruption to change it into Bow-legs.

Thomson (Hist. War, 51) writes this officer's name Newnan; but Brannan, Perkins, and Brackenridge, all write it as in the text. There is a town in Florida called Newnansville, where a newspaper is printed.