February 16, 1835
My Children:
I am sorry to have heard that you have been listening to bad counsel. You know me, and you know that I would not deceive, nor advise you to do anything that was unjust or injurious. Open your ears and attend to what I shall now say to you. They are the words of a friend, and the words of truth.
The white people are settling around you. The game has disappeared from your country. Your people are poor and hungry. All this you have perceived for some time.
My Children, I have never deceived, nor will I ever deceive any of the red people. I tell you that you must go, and that you will go. Even if you had a right to stay, how could you live where you are now? You have sold all your country. You have not a piece as large as a blanket to sit down upon. What is to support yourselves, your women, and children? The tract you have ceded will soon be surveyed and sold, and immediately afterwards will be occupied by a white population. You will soon be in a state of starvation. You will commit depredations upon the property of our citizens. You will be resisted, punished, perhaps killed. Now is it not better peaceably to remove to a fine, fertile country, occupied by your own kindred, and where game is yet abundant? The annuities payable to you, and the other stipulations made in your favor, will make your situation comfortable, and will enable you to increase and improve. If, therefore, you had a right to stay where you now are, still every true friend would advise you to remove. But you have no right to stay, and you must go …
You shall be comfortably taken care of, and kindly treated on the road, and when you arrive in your new country, provisions will be issued to you for a year, so that you can have ample time to provide for your future support.
But lest some of your rash young men should forcibly oppose your arrangements for removal, I have ordered a large military force to be sent among you … If you listen to the voice of friendship and truth, you will go quietly and voluntarily. But should you listen to the bad birds that are always flying about you, and refuse to move, I have then directed the commanding officer to remove you by force. This will be done. I pray the Great Spirit, therefore, to incline you to do what is right.
Your Friend
A. Jackson
1. What is the purpose of this letter?
2. Why do you think President Jackson refers to the Seminole as "my children"?
3. In what ways was Jackson telling the truth?
4. In what ways was he not telling the Seminole the truth? Explain why the statements are untrue.
5. Describe the Cherokee experience during the Trail of Tears.
6. How was the Seminole experience during Indian removal similar to and different from that of the Cherokee?
1. The purpose of this letter is to convince the Seminole people to peacefully relocate from their current lands to a new territory allocated for them by the government.
2. President Jackson refers to the Seminole as "my children" to convey a sense of care and guidance, and to position himself as a paternal figure looking out for their best interests.
3. Jackson was telling the truth about the dwindling resources in their current territory, the encroachment of white settlers, and the potential for conflict if they resist relocation. He also mentions the provisions and support that would be provided during their relocation.
4. However, Jackson is not telling the truth when he claims that the Seminole had "sold all your country" and have no rights to stay. There were disputes and disagreements over the treaties that were signed, and many Seminole did not agree to them. Additionally, the promises of support and provisions during their relocation were not always fulfilled, leading to much suffering and hardship.
5. The Cherokee experience during the Trail of Tears was marked by forced removal, harsh conditions, lack of provisions, and significant loss of life. Many Cherokee people died during the journey, and their culture and way of life were severely disrupted.
6. The Seminole experience during Indian removal was also marked by forced relocation, resistance, and conflict with the United States government. The Seminole Wars were fought as the Seminole refused to leave their lands, leading to further suffering and loss of life. However, unlike the Cherokee, some Seminole were able to resist relocation and remain in Florida, leading to the formation of the Seminole Nation today.