Seminoles of Florida by James

¶ … Seminoles of Florida by James W. CovingtonThe Seminoles of Florida. Contributors: James W. Covington - author. Publisher: University Press of Florida. Place of Publication: Gainesville, FL. Publication Year: 1993. Page Number: 1.

Although the Native Americans shared many traits, regardless of where they were located in North America, they also had their own distinct culture, including the greater or less ability to resist assimilation into the white society. The Seminoles of Florida, written by James W. Covington, provided insights into why this indigenous Florida culture, originally part of the Creek nation, was more successful in retaining its culture that stemmed back as far as 10,000 BC. Previous to this book, most other accounts about this tribe dealt especially with a distinct time or event. Covington, however, for the first time provides an entire overview of recent Seminole history from their formation as a confederation to modern times. The most significant contribution is his are his report of the formation and growth of the Seminole reservations and the interactions with the white people and both the U.S. And Florida governments within the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. He clearly described how the Florida Seminoles have developed a workable economy and maintained their identity. Although primarily written as a scholarly book for educational purposes for others in the field, and a compilation of many of the author's papers he wrote during his college years, Covington's book provides interesting information for anyone who would like a well-rounded background on this Native American tribal unit.

Seminoles migrated into Florida in three different times: Between 1702 and 1740, when making raids against the Spaniards and their Apalachee allies, although not creating any villages; between 1740 and 1812, when they established about six Seminole villages in northern Florida and searched for deer, bear, and other game and made contact with Cuban fishermen; and between 1812 and 1820, when circumstances in Alabama and Georgia coerced a large number of Upper and Lower Creeks to move into the state.

Many historians believe that the Seminoles are unique, because they protected numerous runaway slaves. This integration of the African-Americans slaves into the Native-American culture is of considerable interest. Whereas, these slaves were literally considered non-humans to many Americans, they were accepted by these Native Americans, which had a very different culture. As Covington noted, the Seminoles' idea of slavery was very different than that of the whites. Although it was accurate that the Seminoles had their own slaves before blacks arrived in Florida in large numbers, these were most often war captives who usually fulfilled the labor demands of those warriors who had died in battles.

Some of these slaves were actually adopted into the tribe, particularly through intermarriage with their captors, which was often encouraged. Although early Florida Seminoles are reported to have owned "a considerable number of Yamassee slaves," these individuals were usually well treated. Also, children born to Seminole Indians and Yamassee captives were not considered slaves. Therefore, the Seminole Native-American society did not have a cultural ancestor of chattel slavery to govern their relationships with these slaves.

These black slaves, who were integrated into the culture, also helped the Seminoles fight their battles against the Europeans. For example, in 1783, colonial competition led to Great Britain's cession of Florida to the Spanish. In the second phase of the Spanish rule, this country's control of Florida was even more unstable than was previously during the First Spanish period. In the Patriot War of 1812, Colonel Daniel Newnan led troops to fight the Seminoles, Native Americans and blacks, which was called the Seminole Wars. These united Seminoles were able to retain their power, but with considerable losses. During Newnan's three-week campaign, Seminole settlements, crops, cattle, horses and other livestock were taken or destroyed. The Seminoles have to rebuild their lives. Meanwhile, to survive, the Seminoles and the runaway slaves traded weapons with the British throughout the early 1800s and supported this European country during the War of 1812.

The American government sent Andrew Jackson to Florida with his army of 3,000 troops. He successfully attacked the Seminoles and left many dead and dying behind in their destroyed villages. The United States seized control of Florida. When the settlers came in, they invaded Tallahassee, a Seminole settlement. The governor asked the Seminole to move and the Seminole refused. In 1823, the governor to offered to sign a treaty with the Seminoles, called the Treaty of Moultrie Creek. It required the Seminoles to give up their land and move south and to agree to discontinue hiding runaway slaves. The Seminole were then given a reservation of four million acres of land in the area south of present-day Ocala. However, unlike other Native American tribes, the Seminoles refused to go onto the reservations. They therefore fought again, in the Second Seminole Wars. However, the results were not as favorable. Many Seminoles were sent to Western reservations, and those who remained went to there are some still living in this area today.

According to Covington, many changes have taken place for the Seminole Indians since 1858, when less than 300 remained on the peninsula just since the federal government did not have the money nor men to remove them to Indian Territory. Presently, less that 1,500 Seminoles and Miccosukees live in Florida, including those living away from the three larger federal reservations. For many it is indeed a changing life, with more comfortable housing, food purchased at the supermarket, color television sets, the latest fashions in clothing, and late model cars. To some older Seminoles, however, remaining on the reservation guarantees them the good life; it will be the younger Seminoles whose choices decide the future of the tribe. If they no longer have the desire to use their language or if they believe hat life outside the reservation is better, the Seminole land will greatly alter. Yet of all the tribes in the United States, it has been these Seminoles of Florida that have been the most reluctant to adjust themselves to the white world, and they still have reservations to which they can retreat from it.