Collection summary derived from "Guidebook to Manuscripts", 1969: A collection of papers relating to Seminole matters, almost all in Florida. One group relates to military aspects of the war in Florida against the Seminoles, some of a personal character. There are also a few general comments on conditions: destitute Indians, cattle stealing, property laws, etc. In the late 1830's a few letters speak of the Negro slaves of the Seminole chiefs-ownership claims. A large document of the original Seminole Tribal Laws is written in the Seminole language with a photostatic copy presented to the Gilcrease Library by James Gulley of Kansas, Oklahoma, (1949). Interesting item: A letter written in March, 1838, by General R. K. Call to the President of the United States asks permission to purchase 150 Negroes from the Seminoles "to convert them into species," for such a transaction would remove one obstacle to the removal to the West; the Negroes did not want to move and were influencing their masters. Another letter (May, 1835) from the Secretary of War to another general states that it is legal for the Seminoles to sell their slaves as well as skins, furs, and wine because if taken West the "Creeks will steal them." See Guidebook for related Seminole material: Seminole Capitulation Jesup Papers Parch Corn Letter Mary Waite letter John F. Brown papers Casey papers Motte papers

The Seminole Papers consist of a collection of materials such as personal letters, military letters, military orders, capitulations, lists of deceased prisoners, slave records, memorandums, and tribal laws ranging from 1821-1897. Letters include correspondence from R.K. Call, Captain James Hallam, Elbert Herring, General Wiley Thompson, C.A. Harris, J.F. Lee, Lieutenant John G. Rynolds, and others.  The collection documents show the tactics used by the military to remove the Seminoles from Florida, including descriptions of various battles and purchase of the Seminole’s slaves.