Manuscript Collection: Seminole Indian Papers
Collection Overview
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
Access Restrictions
Available by appointment only at the Helmerich Center for American Research (HCAR) with the exception of materials with donor restrictions. Contact Library staff in advance to inquire if materials exist pertaining to your research interests.
Use Restrictions
Please contact the Rights and Reproduction Department for information on publishing or reproducing materials included in these records. Permission will be granted by the Gilcrease Museum as the owner of the physical materials, and does not imply permission from the copyright holder. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all necessary permissions from the copyright holder.
Provenance
The Gilcrease Foundation acquired these materials before 1964 and is housed in the Helmerich Center for American Research (HCAR). The library currently receives most materials through community donation, board members, artists and the acquisition of manuscript collections.
Staff, interns, and volunteers of the Thomas Gilcrease Library and Archive have contributed to the organization and maintenance of the files since the collection passed to the City of Tulsa in the 1950s.