Resistance     
In November of 1837, as Seminoles languished inside Fort Marion, outside, the allied resistance was dying. Indian warriors and their families were heading toward the relocation camps. And after months of starvation and harassment in uncomfortable swamps, plantation slaves were turning themselves
in.
The great slave uprising seemed to be drawing to a close. For recent runaways, it
had probably peaked during the first months of 1836, when the Seminole allies
were destroying sugar mills and breaking up the East Florida plantations. Eighteen
months in the field had been a trial that few could endure. Faced with limited
options, many blacks preferred even slavery to the ongoing war. Without prospects of freedom,
scores of recent runaways opted to surrender and beg for mercy.*
  
Sources:
Motte 116, Porter Negro 252-53, 278-79.
©
Part 2, War: l
*Plantation runaways were reported turning themselves in earlier in 1837 and up through December. They frequently complained of ill treatment by the
Seminoles. This was probably an effort to obtain sympathy from the masters whom they had deserted. See Mahon 205. |
