Sidetrack:
Excerpts from the slave-catching treaties with the Creeks
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Following are excerpts from the original treaties with the Creeks, highlighting the articles relating to recovery of fugitive slaves from Florida. These slaves in reality lived with the Seminoles, not the Creeks, but both the Creeks and the Southerners negotiating the treaties were willing to overlook this fact.
From TREATY OF NEW YORK WITH THE CREEKS
AUGUST 7, 1790
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A Treaty of Peace and Friendship made and concluded between the President of the United States of America, on the Part and Behalf of the said States, and the undersigned Kings, Chiefs and Warriors of the Creek Nation of Indians, on the Part and Behalf of the said Nation.
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ARTICLE 3. The Creek Nation shall deliver as soon as practicable to the commanding officer of the troops of the United States, stationed at the Rock-Landing on the Oconec river, all citizens of the United States, white inhabitants or negroes, who are now prisoners in any part of the said nation. And if any such prisoners or negroes should not be so delivered, on or before the first day of June ensuing, the governor of Georgia may empower three persons to repair to the said nation, in order to claim and receive such prisoners and negroes.
From TREATY OF COLERAIN WITH THE CREEKS
JUNE 29, 1796
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A treaty of peace and friendship made and concluded between the President of the United States of America, on the one Part, and Behalf of the said States, and the undersigned Kings, Chiefs and Warriors of the Creek Nation of Indians, on the Part of the said Nation.
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ARTICLE 7. The Creek nation shall deliver, as soon as practicable, to the superintendent of Indian affairs, at such place as he may direct, all citizens of the United States; white inhabitants and negroes who are now prisoners in any part of the said nation, agreeably to the treaty at New-York, and also all citizens, white inhabitants, negroes and property taken since the signing of that treaty. And if any such prisoners, negroes or property should not be delivered, on or before the first day of January next, the governor of Georgia may empower three persons to repair to the said nation, in order to claim and receive such prisoners, negroes and property, under the direction of the President of the United States.
Sources:
Native American Indian Treaty Library Online.
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