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Rebellion February 1, 1837     
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Burning of the town Pilak-li-ka-ha by Gen. Eustis
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"Burning of the town Pilak-li-ka-ha by Gen. Eustis." Pilak-li-ka-ha was also known as "Abraham's town," having served as his home and headquarters since the 1820s. General Eustis razed the village in 1836 in one of the only early military successes for the U.S. Army. From the Gray & James series of hand-colored lithographs on the war (1837). Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, LC-USZC4-2727.

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Porter adds the detail that Abraham and his allies watched the town burn from a secluded distance, although he cites no source for this information. Known more definitely was the existence of a large orange tree in the center of the town, near the home associated with the Seminole Indian chief Micanopy, who maintained a principal residence in Peliklakaha. Myer Cohen, an officer of the division that burned Peliklakaha, waxed poetic on the orange tree as he described its conflagration:

"Did the pond governor, (as [Micanopy] is at times called,) who cooly murdered the martyr Dade, prune and nurture this glorious tree, and pleasure in the beauty of its spotless blossoms, and the delicate verdure of its leaf, and the agreeable odour of both? Did the hand that pulled that cruel, fatal trigger, ever pluck hence a wreath to twine, like pearls, amid the raven and braided tresses of wife or daughter?
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With the turn of events, Abraham suddenly had strong incentives to negotiate. In the January raids he had lost all of his property, including his freedom papers.

It is possible that Abraham had been predisposed to negotiate all along. Known as a realist and diplomat, he had traveled to Washington and the West, and was familiar with the power of the United States. In his mind, it was probably inevitable that the Seminoles would leave Florida. The question was: Could they leave on terms favorable to the blacks?

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Sources: ASPMA 7: 829, Childs 2: 373, Porter Black 70-71, Porter Negro 249, Cohen 174. ©
Part 2, War: Outline  l  Images
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 Trail Narrative
 + Prologue
 + Background: 1693-1812
 + Early Years: 1812-1832
 - War: 1832-1838
+ Prelude to War
+ Revenge
+ Deceit
spacer spacer General Jesup
Jesup's Tactics
Hostages
The Diplomat
Peace
Slaveholders
Betrayal
Escape
Rage
White Flags
+ Liberty or Death
 + Exile: 1838-1850
 + Freedom: 1850-1882
 + Legacy & Conclusion