The Seminoles, defeated by the United States…

The Seminoles, defeated by the United States in 1818 the First Seminole War, have slowly settled into the reservation, although there have been isolated clashes with whites.

Fort King is built near the reservation agency, at the site of present-day Ocala.

By early 1827, the Army could report that the Seminoles were on the reservation and Florida was peaceful.

This peace has lasted for five years, during which time there have been repeated calls for the Seminoles to be sent west of the Mississippi.

The Seminoles are opposed to any such move, and especially to the suggestion that they join their Creek relations.

Most whites regard the Seminoles as simply Creeks who had recently moved to Florida, while the Seminoles claim Florida as their home and deny that they have any connection with the Creeks.

The status of runaway slaves is a continuing irritation between Seminoles and whites.

Seminoles and slave catchers argue over the ownership of slaves.

New plantations in Florida have increased the pool of slaves who could run away to the Seminoles.

Worried about the possibility of an Indian uprising and/or a slave rebellion, Governor DuVal requests additional Federal troops for Florida.

Instead, Fort King had been closed in 1828.

The Seminoles, short of food and finding the hunting becoming poorer on the reservation, are wandering from it more often.

In 1828 also, Andrew Jackson, the old enemy of the Seminoles, had been elected President of the United States.

In 1830, Congress had passed the Indian Removal Act.

All problems with the Seminoles are to be solved by moving them west of the Mississippi.

In the spring of 1832, the Seminoles on the reservation had been called to a meeting at Payne's Landing on the Oklawaha River.

The treaty negotiated here calls for the Seminoles to move west, if the land is found to be suitable.

They are to settle on the Creek reservation and become part of the Creek tribe.

The delegation of seven chiefs who are to inspect the new reservation does not leave Florida until October 1832.