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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC04193.02 |
| From Archive Folder | Letters from John Moore to James Kelly |
| Title | John Moore to James Kelly on the progress of the Seminole War and his thoughts on their enemies |
| Date | 3 July 1853 |
| Author | Moore, John (1826-1907) |
| Recipient | Kelly, James |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Writes to his sister Mary's husband about the weather and the lack of activity. Anticipates traveling to Cuba with the possibility of American possession resulting from Manifest Destiny. Makes references to Billy Bowlegs harboring slaves. "You now have the honor of receiving from an officer near the Court of King Bowlegs… notwithstanding my brain is as dry as a potsherd and all my ideas have evaporated through the pores of my skull in perspiration…so accustomed to heat that the change in going from here over to Cuba will be trifling….There is at present rather a flattering prospect of being sent there in a hostile attitude…Manifest destiny is impelling Uncle Samuel in that direction and who shall take hold of his coat-skirts and hold him back?...Billy Bowlegs is known to have some runaway niggers among his people, and has been requested several times to deliver them up, but has refused to do so. Some of his subjects came in here a day or two ago; and two of them were forcibly detained here to be kept until the niggers are brought in. Whether William will give them up or choose to fight a little remains to be seen….We intend to celebrate [July 4th] in becoming style. Shall probably roast a couple of alligators a porpoise and a Seminole or two if they can be caught. A basket of champagne is already provided." Billy Bowlegs (c. 1810-1864), also known as "Alligator Chief," was a leader of the Seminoles in Florida during the second and third Seminole Wars, later fighting in the Civil War on the Union side. |
| Subjects | Military History Filibuster Caribbean Seminole War American Indian History Slavery Runaway Slave American Symbols and Seals African American History Fourth of July Holidays and Celebrations Diet and Nutrition Wildlife Alcohol Latin and South America |
| People | Moore, John (1826-1907) Kelly, James (fl. 1853-1860) |
| Place written | Fort Meyers, Florida |
| Theme | Government & Politics; Native Americans; Health & Medicine; Slavery & Abolition; African Americans |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Additional Information | John Moore (1826-1907) was born in Indiana and taught school in Louisiana and Alabama. After medical school in Louisiana, he became an army surgeon and later served as U.S. Surgeon General. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |