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Show 1900] SOUTHEASTERN INDIANS 173 tribe and lead those who chose to follow on the war- path; and the council was powerless to prevent him. In general the attitude of the Creek confederacy was strictly defensive, and when any tribe undertook an independent offensive campaign it was not sustained by the others. There was a head chief of the confederacy, but he appears to have been simply an advisory and presiding officer without any particular position of command. The final downfall of the Creek in the east came about in the early part of the last century, when, after a series of disastrous wars with the United States, they were, in 1832, removed to Indian Territory, where they still conduct an independent government similar to that of the Cherokee. A late offshoot of the Creek was the Seminole tribe of Florida. Except for certain minor changes in their industrial life, brought about by their special habitat, what has been said of the Creek would apply to them. Their social organization is much the same, and the green- corn dance is their chief ceremonial and religious expression. They are conspicuous in American history from the war which resulted from their refusal to be removed to Indian Territory. This struggle lasted from 1835 to 1842, and finally resulted in the overthrow of the Seminole and their departure to Indian Territory, where they still reside as one of the " civilized nations." A small number remained in Florida and keep up v |