In this enlarged and illustrated edition of “The Seminoles of Florida,” the demand for which seems to come insistently from every hand, the author wishes to acknowledge the courtesy and great kindness of Mr. C. B. Reynolds and Mr. E. W. Histed for their assistance in its illustrations.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Catlin and others give “the black drink” as the signification of Osceola, or Asseola, from the man’s capacity for that drink. Asseola was doubtless the original and true name. But “Asse” or “hasse,” in the present Seminole tongue, means “the sun.” This, with the affix “ola,” or “he-ho-lar,” would mean “the rising sun” rather than “the black drink.”
[2] As a glimpse into Indian character, it is worth recalling that Tecumseh, the Shawnee Chief, rose to the distinction of a Brigadier General in the British Army under King George III, in the War of 1812.
[3] Since the above writing, the Department of the Interior has investigated the status of the swamp land and the Government has guaranteed against purchase 23,000 acres of land to be held in trust for the Indians. Only a small part of it is arable, but when all else is wrested from these Indians, they may retire in safety to this land.
[4] Since the above writing, word has been received from the Indian camp as follows: “Hungry Land, Fla., Tallahassee, big sleep, one Moon.”
[5] For history of Coa-coo-chee (Wild-Cat) see [page 33].
[6] Vocabulary prepared by J. M. Willson Jr.
[7] In this vocabulary the words are arranged according to their subject or character, no attention being paid to alphabetical succession.