Lot
34 
First Seminole War. Folded letter datelined "London, 10 August 1818" to New York City, red "Boston, Ms., Sep 22" cds and straight line "Ship" handstamp with "20½" rate, rare blue "Ship Milo, S.G. Bronson, Sail'd Aug 16" dotted circular date stamp (BPM 276A), letter contains reference to an act of Andrew Jackson that nearly caused another war with England…Very much interest is excited here by the capture of Pensacola & the execution of A Arbuthnot & until these occurrences wear off or if satisfactorily explained by your government, the transactions in your funds will be precarious, Very Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Jackson served in the military again during the First Seminole War. He was ordered by President James Monroe in December 1817 to lead a campaign in Georgia against the Seminole and Creek Indians. The Seminoles attacked Jackson's Tennessee volunteers. The Seminoles' attack, however, left their villages vulnerable, and Jackson burned them and the crops. He found letters that indicated that the Spanish and British were secretly assisting the Indians. Jackson believed that the United States could not be secure as long as Spain and the United Kingdom encouraged Indians to fight, and argued that his actions were undertaken in self-defense. When Jackson captured Pensacola, Florida, with little more than some warning shots and deposed the Spanish governor, he then captured, tried and executed two British subjects, Robert Ambrister and Alexander Arbuthnot, who had been supplying and advising the Indians.
Realized: $1,100