(Retyped for clarity)
THE EVERGLADES
TO HIS EXCELLENCY
THE PRIMIER OF SPAIN
FRANCISCO FRANCO
THE SOVEREIGN MICCOSUKEE SEMINOLE NATION, FORMALLY CALLED BY YOU
TALAPUCHEES, OR KRIKES BAJOS, CONVEYS TO YOU ITS GREETINGS AND REQUESTS THE ASSISTANCE OF
YOUR NATION IN REQUIRING THE UNITED STATES TO DISCHARGE ITS SOLEMN
OBLIGATIONS UNDER ITS TREATIES WITH YOUR NATION, WITH OTHER NATIONS, AND WITH OUR NATION.
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OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS HAVE PASSED SINCE YOUR NATION AND OURS HAVE ASSISTED EACH OTHER.
THE TREATY OF PENSACOLA MADE IN 1765 AT, YOUR NATION AND OURS, PROVIDES FOR MUTUAL
COMMERCIAL INTERCOURSE AND MILITARY AID. IN ARTICLE
13 YOUR NATION GUARANTEES THE SECURITY OF OUR LANDS AND COVENANTS THAT, SHOULD WE BE
DISPOSSESSED OF THEM, YOUR NATION WILL GRANT OTHERS EQUIVALENT.
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THE TREATY OF NOGALES (WALLNUT HILLS) MADE BY YOUR NATION AND OURS IN 1791, RECONFIRMS THE
TREATY OBLIGATIONS MADE BETWEEN US THEREFORE AND PROVIDES THAT YOUR NATION WILL MEDIATE
AND SECURE THE SETTLEMENT OF BOUNDARIES ON OUR BEHALF WITH THE UNITED STATES:
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OUR ENVOYS ARE DELIVERING TO YOU HEREWITH A COPY OF OUR BUCKSKIN
DECLARATION DELIVERED TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ON MARCH 1, 1954 AND A COPY OF OUR
STATEMENT OF IDENTITY AND RIGHTS DATED SEPTEMBER 20, 1958, INCLUDING THE MAP PREPARED BY
THE UNITED STATES TO SHOW THE
BOUNDARIES AGREED TO IN 1839 UNDER THE MACOMB TREATY
BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND OUR NATION.
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WE CARRIED OUT OUR TREATY OBLIGATIONS. NOW AFTER MORE THAN A CENTURY WE CALL UPON YOU
TO ASSIST US IN REQUIRING THE UNITED STATES TO LIVE UP TO ITS TREATY OBLIGATIONS WITH YOUR
NATION AND OURS AND TO RESPECT OUR SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORY. WE APPEAL TO YOU R NATION,
UNDER ALL TREATIES, UNDER THE LAW OF NATIONS, AND UNDER JUSTICE, TO HELP US ENFORCE IN THE
INTERNATIONAL TRIBUNALS THE SOLEMN AND BINDING OBLIGATIONS OF THESE TREATIES, WHICH THE
UNITED STATES ENTERED INTO VOLUNTARILY AND WHICH IS THE BASIS OF CIVILIZATION TODAY.
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WE THEREFORE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE REPRESENTATIVES OF YOUR NATION MEET WITH
OUR LEADERS, BUFFALO TIGER, HOMER OSCEOLA, HENRY NELSON PANTHER, AND SAM WILLIE. OUR
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, STILL IN THE EVERGLADES, LIE APPROXIMATELY 40 MILES WEST OF
BISCAYNE BAY IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE FLORIDA PENINSULA. WE ARE WILLING TO LET THE
UNITED STATES PURCHASE SOME OF OUR LANDS AND TO FORGO SOME OF OUR RIGHTS IN ENTERING INTO
ANOTHER TREATY, WHICH WE HOPE THE UNITED STATES WILL RESPECT AND LIVE UP TO THIS TIME BUT
WE INSIST ON PRESERVING SOME OF OUR TERRITORY AND PROTECTING IT AGAINST FURTHER
AGGRESSION.
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THE URGENCY OF THIS MATTER REQUIRES PROMPT ACTION BY YOUR NATION. ANY FURTHER
INTIMIDATION OF OUR CITIZENS OR OUT LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES WILL FORCE US TO TAKE OUR CAUSE
TO THE UNITED NATIONS OR
TO SEEK THE HELP AND PROTECTION OF THE OTHER NATIONS OF THE WORLD, EVEN THOUGH THEY DO NOT
HAVE ANY TREATIES WITH US AS YET.
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BELIEVE US,
YOUR SINCERE FRIENDS
AND ALLIES
THE COUNCILS OF THE NATIONS |
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TRANSLATED AND INTERPRETED BY:
JOHN M. OSCEOLA
WITNESSED BY:
MORTON H. SILVER
LEGAL COUNSEL
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