leave their native country.  They thought the agent was mad with them.  General Thompson, the agent, told them he was not mad, but was their friend; that what they said was not an answer to his questions, and added, “Your father, the President, will compel you to go.”  He argued that the treaty of Payne’s Landing had been duly signed.  This was denied by Miconopy, when the general told him he lied, and that by the terms of the treaty the decision of the delegation sent out to view the country was binding on the Seminoles, and they were compelled under its provisions to move.  He told them that the Payne’s Landing treaty abrogated that made at Camp Moultrie.  Replying to Charley Amathla’s assertion that the last treaty had been forced upon them, he said:  “You say that the white people forced you into the treaty of Payne’s Landing.  If you were so cowardly as to be forced by anybody to do what you ought not to do, you are unfit to be chiefs, and your people ought to hurl you from your stations.”  He explained to them the white people’s Government; that the Indians living among white people might be charged with all kinds of offenses under the law, and would not be permitted to testify themselves; that the Cherokees, Creeks, Choctaws, and Chickasaws who live in the States were moving beyond the Mississippi River, because they could not live under the white people’s laws, and the Seminoles were a small handful compared to their number; that when the jurisdiction of the State government was extended over them the Indian laws and customs would have to be abolished; and told them it was this view of the subject that had induced the President to settle them beyond Florida; and told them further that the land to which they were to go should be theirs “while grass grows and water runs,” It was for this reason the treaty had been made with them at Payne’s Landing, and for the same reason they would be compelled to keep it and comply with their bargain.  His speech was a long one, reiterating, elaborating, and emphasizing the determination of the Government to make them move, whether they desired to or not.  During this speech the agent was interrupted by Assiola, who urged Miconopy to be firm, and to assure the agent that he did not care whether any more annuity was paid or not.  The agent closed by hoping that mature reflection would make them act like honest men, and not compel him to report them to their father, the President, “as faithless to your engagements.”  The Indians then, through Assiola and Miconopy, announced positively and emphatically that their answer had been made, and that they did not intend to move.  The agent told them that he was satisfied now that they were willfully and entirely dishonest in regard to their engagements with the President, and regretted that he had to so report them.  He told them the talk he had given them must and should stand, and directed them to retire and prepare their stocks to receive their annuity on the following day.