Back in Pensacola the furious slave owners were appealing to the federal government. Since Florida was a territory and not a state (statehood would come in 1845), federal marshals had jurisdiction. A letter was sent to President James Tyler, a Whig and a Tennessee slave owner. Tyler became president when William Henry Harrison died one month into office and Tyler's term was seen as illegitimate. The Whigs, nevertheless, had just nominated Tyler as their candidate in 1844 and before the campaign began he went to New York to marry Julia Gardner. Agent Joseph Quigles, acting on behalf of the slave owners, sent this letter on 28 June 1844. On 29 June Quigles followed up with a letter to John C. Calhoun, who had been appointed Secretary of State the previous April. Some see this second letter as an indication that many did not accord the Tyler presidency any legitimacy. It could well be that Quigles was covering all bases, or he knew Tyler would be honeymooning and not around to conduct this business in a timely fashion, or Quigles wanted the secretary to begin negotiations should Walker and his group leave US territorial waters. Nevertheless, federal aid was requested and "Wanted" posters were sent out.
On 27 June 1844 Walker piloted the boat up St. Joseph's Bay. He intended to haul the craft over land to St. George's Sound and thus avoid going around Cape St. Blass. It soon became apparent that the distance was too great. The group went around the Cape on the 28th and 29th of June. Today these places are known as Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas. The group Today these places are known as Port St. Joe and Cape San Blas. The group had a 4close encounter with another boat that appeared to approach them. But the other craft changed course and never approached Walker's group.
Thirty miles east the group reached the eastern end of Florida's panhandle and started the southerly course to the keys and Florida's tip. By 1 July 1844 the group reached Cedar Key (parallel to today's city of Ocala). The trip would become tediously slow as Walker's health deteriorated. Walker became delirious and could no longer direct the escape flight. Considering the seven slaves may have never sailed and likely knew little about Florida's geography, progress would take much smaller steps. Walker wrote about that day: "I was somewhat delirious. I remember looking at the red horizon in the West, soon after sundown, as I thought for the last time in this world, not expecting to behold that glorious luminary shedding its scorching rays on me more."
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3.
Jun 20, 2003 9:35 AM
In response to message posted by jeffsrv:
My mother does a bit of geneology, but I don't know how far she has reached ...
-- posted by H2O
2.
May 18, 2003 8:23 PM
I read that Captain J. Walker, was in Pensacola, Florida in 1844 and had a short stay in Alabama. While in the midst of conducting research on my "Walker" Family tree, I have hit a brick wall. Betwe ...
-- posted by jeffsrv
1.
Mar 21, 2003 10:01 AM
I wish to apologize to my readers on this topic. I have been burdened with a cumbersome failing hard drive and family health issues that have required travel. I pray the worst is past and I can resume ...
-- posted by H2O
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