TOTAL FAILURE OF ALL EFFORTS TO ENSLAVE THE EXILES.

Indians and Exiles complain—Government disregards their complaints—Further efforts to enslave Exiles—They fail—General Arbuckle’s Report—Collins charges Reynolds with misconduct—Reynolds called on to explain—His reply and proofs—Collins desires claim to be made against Creek¹ Warriors²—They refuse to notice it—Political feelings—Watson presents his claim to Congress—Resolution of that body calling for information—Answer—House Doc. 225—Digression—Proceedings⁴ on claim before Congress—Its final settlement.
1838.

The Indians and Exiles who had emigrated, now found themselves separated at the distance of more than a thousand miles from their brethren in Florida, with whom they could hold no intercourse⁵. They were without a country—without permanent homes—residing upon the lands of the Cherokees, at the mere⁶ sufferance of that Tribe, whose humanity had been awakened⁷, and whose sympathy had been extended to them. Their situation and discontent were duly communicated to the Executive; but it appears to have been regarded as of too little importance to receive attention.

But while the President and the War Department disregarded all complaints coming from the Seminoles and Exiles, they relaxed no effort to secure Watson in the possession of the ninety human beings whom he had purchased of the Creek Indians, at the request of the Executive.

As the last resort, instructions were sent to General Arbuckle, commanding in the West, to make investigations⁸, and ascertain¹⁰ what more could be done for the re?nslavement of those people. That officer replied to this communication as follows:

“Head Quarters 2d Department, Western Division,}

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