Viewing page 70 of 105

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[lot]]or division, the old Councillor decided that the dispute should be ended by putting the boy to death.

[[underlined]]Bowlegs[[/underlined]] offered $100= to each of the claimants to save the boys life.  They accepted of the money and he became master of the boy.

In 1849-50 Gen. Twiggs agreed to pay Col. Dell $1000= for [underline]]Toney[[/underlined]] & give [[underlined]]Bowlegs[[/underlined]] a Bill of Sale  & title to [[underlined]]Toney[[/underlined]] — in case the Indians should emigrate.

That arrangement was then made with the sanction of Col Dell, but he is now tired of waiting.

The Indians now visit the agency under my pledge that they may safely do so, as it is desirable to keep up this amount of communication until hostilities begin.

Whether the interests of the U.S. or of the state of Florida would be advanced by now arresting this nepo(of the head Chief) in order to deliver him to his original  owner is very questionable.

It would probably suspend all intercourse and so cut off what little means we still have for getting information about the Indians. 

Mr [[underlined]][[Farham?]][[underlined]]is daily expected from New Orleans when I shall go to Ft. Myers and remain some weeks to watch the effect produced, by the increased force, on the Indians.

Col. Munroe is so much better that he will probably be able to go at the same time.

With great respect Yr Obd. Serv
[[signature: J.C. Casey]]

N.B.  The negro [[underlined]]Toney[[/underlined]] has not been allowed to visit the agency since I detained him as a hostage, altho the other negro [[?]] has often been in

I sent especially for [[underlined]]Toney[[/underlined]] but they [[?]] in only excuses —

[[end page]]
[[start page]]

Fort Myers, Florida
January 20, 1855
Hon Jeffers Davis
Secty. of War, The Indians altho still peaceable, do not exhibit any disposition to emigrate, but seem rather to be preparing for resistance.  They were told not to be alarmed and to remain at their homes and their chiefs are said to have so instructed them, so long as the troops did not molest them, but all Indian settlements thus far approached by the troops had been lately abandoned or were about to be so.
I entertain but slight apprehensions of an outbreak before we commence the use of force, but it is not impossible that a few vicious Indians may seize the occasion to provoke hostilities.
This risk however must be incurred.

As the operations of our troops proceed, I shall endeavor to watch their effect on the Indians, and I hope that in a few months we shall know finally whether to prepare for quietly removing these people, or, for the use of force.

I have told the Indians that we shall make roads and forts wherever we please that we do not trust them and are always ready for them. The parties of troops will not be less than 150 men each, I believe, and they are always ready for hostilities.

It is hardly necessary for me to say that the comdg officers of the troops are vigorously executing the plans of the Dept.
Most resplly
Yr obed. srvt
[[signature]]
John C. Casey
Capt &c &c

end page