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A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 34/340

Chapter III

THE SECOND SEMINOLE WAR

The Treaty of Moultrie Creek in 1823 did not resolve the
problems between the settlers and the Seminoles in Northern
Florida. Basically the cultural differences were so wide as to
minimize any realization of the two groups living harmoniously in
the same area. Settlers essentially did not want the Indians living
near them, and territorial development generally proceeded after
Indians were moved onto reservations. As early as 1822 proposals
were made for the Indians east of the Suwannee to be moved to
areas to the west.1 Governor Duval, who recognized that the
Indians were not always treated justly, nevertheless concurred
with Secretary of War John C. Calhoun in 1822 that the Indians of
Florida should join the Creeks in Georgia or be sent west of the
Mississippi River.2
Although the Seminoles practiced agriculture and lived in
villages they were still semi-nomadic and hunted game over fairly
wide areas. Settlers felt their property and slaves were in danger
of being stolen when Indian bands were on the move. Moreover,
Indian movements were always a cause of concern to settlers who
felt that an armed uprising was about to commence. On March 6,
1826, the inhabitants of St. Johns County sent a memorial to
President John Quincy Adams expressing concern about Indians
living near Alachua who were “roaming at large over the country,
doing serious mischief to the inhabitants by killing their cattle and
hogs, robbing their plantations, and enticing away their slaves.”3

‘Captain John R. Bell to the Secretary of War, April 22, 1822, in Carter,
Territorial Papers, Vol. XXII, pp. 409-10.
2Duval to Calhoun, September 22, 1822, in Carter, Territorial Papers, Vol.
XXII, pp. 533-34.
3Memorial to the President, March 6,1826, in Carter, Territorial Papers, Vol.
XXIII, pp. 462-63.
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