Treaty of Moultrie Creek facts for kids
The Treaty of Moultrie Creek established a reservation in central Florida for the Seminoles.
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| Signed | September 18, 1823 |
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| Location | Moultrie Creek |
| Negotiators | United States and the Seminole Nation |
The Treaty of Moultrie Creek was an important agreement signed in 1823. It was made between the United States government and leaders of several Native American groups living in Florida. This treaty created a special area of land, called a reservation, in the middle of the Florida peninsula for these groups.
Contents
Why the Treaty Was Needed
For a long time, different Native American groups lived in Florida. By the early 1700s, many of the original people of Florida had passed away. New groups, like the Muskogean-speaking people (often called Creek Indians), Yamasee, and Yuchi, moved into the area. The Spanish government often encouraged them to settle there.
These groups lived in areas that crossed the border between Florida and Georgia. As the United States grew after the American Revolutionary War, more white settlers moved into these areas. This led to more arguments and conflicts.
Florida Becomes Part of the U.S.
In 1821, the United States gained Florida from Spain through a deal called the Adams–Onís Treaty. After this, the conflicts between settlers and Native Americans became even worse. To try and solve these problems, the U.S. government decided in 1823 to create a reservation for the Seminole people in central Florida.
The Moultrie Creek Meeting
A meeting was planned for early September 1823 at Moultrie Creek, which is south of St. Augustine. About 425 Seminole people came to this meeting. They chose Neamathla, a respected Mikasuki chief, to speak for them.
What the Treaty Said
The treaty had several key points:
- The Seminoles agreed to be protected by the United States.
- They gave up all their claims to other lands in Florida.
- In return, they received a reservation of about four million acres (16,000 square kilometers).
Where the Reservation Was
The reservation stretched down the middle of the Florida peninsula. It started just north of what is now Ocala and went south to a line even with the bottom of Tampa Bay. The boundaries were set far from both the east and west coasts. This was done to stop the Seminoles from having contact with traders from Cuba and the Bahamas.
However, Chief Neamathla and five other chiefs were allowed to keep their villages along the Apalachicola River.
Promises Made by the U.S. Government
Under the Treaty of Moultrie Creek, the United States government made several promises to the Seminole people:
- They would protect the Seminoles as long as they remained peaceful.
- They would give the Seminoles farming tools, cattle, and hogs.
- They would pay the Seminoles for their travel and any losses from moving to the reservation.
- They would provide food for one year until the Seminoles could grow new crops.
- The government also promised to pay the tribe US$5,000 each year for twenty years.
- They would provide an interpreter, a school, and a blacksmith for the same twenty years.
Seminole Responsibilities
In return, the Seminoles also had duties under the treaty:
- They had to allow roads to be built across their reservation.
- They had to find and return any runaway slaves or other people who were trying to escape the law. These people would then be returned to the United States' control.
