Moore, John, 1826-1907 to James Kelly
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04193.02 Author/Creator: Moore, John, 1826-1907 Place Written: Fort Meyers, Florida Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 July 1853 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
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.
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