The Republic of Florida

From the Florida Memory Blog.

In March 1812 a group of Georgia settlers organized themselves as the Patriot Army and had the defacto support of the U.S. government for the invasion of Spanish East Florida where they hoped to get settlers there to join the cause and proclaim their independence from Spain.  Once this was accomplished, it was the Patriots intention to transfer control of their new republic over to the United States.

They seized Fernadina, on the northeast corner of the Spanish colony without firing a shot. Their next target was to be St. Augustine, farther south.  They approached the Spanish city but couldn't get it to surrender.

Over the next several months, the Patriots fought several skirmishes against the Spanish. the Seminoles and their black allies.

They abandoned the project in early 1813.

Florida remained in Spanish hands for now.

--Brock-Perry

The War of 1812 in Florida-- Part 7: The Patriot War

The beginning of the so-called Patriot War, with the complete approval of U.S. President Madison happened on March 13, 1812 when Georgia George Matthews insurgents known as the "Patriots of Amelia Island" seizing Amelia Island and Fernadina on Amelia island in Spanish Florida.

They raised the Patriot flag, but soon replaced it with the flag of the United States.

American gunboats, under the command of Commodore Hugh Campbell maintained control.

--Brock-Perry

The War of 1812 in Florida-- Part 6: George Matthews, Leading the East Florida Republic,

As governor, he confronted problems with the Indians.  he eventually moved to the Mississippi Territory and was involved in some dealings that may or may nor have been straight up.

As war with Britain loomed, Matthews was commissioned by President Madison to encourage and East Florida rebellion against their Spanish owners in an attempt to annex the land to the United States.  His forces captured Fernadina, Florida, in March 1812 (before war was declared against Britain) and he was in the process of organizing an attack on St. Augustine when Madison recalled him.

Matthews immediately left Fernadina for Washington, D.C., to confront the president, but he died along the way in Augusta and was buried in the cemetery of St. Paul Episcopal Church.

This Man Deserves a Biography About His Life.  --Brock-Perry

The War of 1812 in Florida-- Part 4: Capture of Fernadina

Fernadina, on Amelia Island, just south of the St. Marys River was an important port.  General George Matthews sent nine ships to protect American interests there.  The  small Spanish force commanded by Don Jose Copens was forced to surrender on March 17, 1812.

An agreement was signed to allow Fernadina to be a free port, open to all, but should war begin between the U.S. and Britain, British ships could not trade there.

--Brock-Perry

The War of 1812 in Florida-- Part 3: Beachin' It at PCB

As I sit here typing away overlooking the Gulf of Mexico here in Panama City Beach on a perfect spring day with blue skies, sun, a slight breeze and all that blue and light green water just about 100 yards away, I think it appropriate to delve into the role that Florida played during the War of 1812.

Thunder on the Beach, the annual spring motorcycle gathering just ended.  Bikers are kind of like a modern day Conquistadores.

Try not to disturb the noisy gulls and every so often a pelican flying by.

Earlier this week, we were by the St. Mary's River as well as Jacksonville and its beaches along the Atlantic Ocean.  And, we are not but about 80 miles from Pensacola which also played a role.  We also spent a night in St. Augustine which actually came under attack by forces from the Republic of Florida.

--Brock-Perry

The War of 1812 in Florida-- Part 2: The Republic of Florida

From the Exploring Florida site, War of 1812.

As relations between Britain and the United States worsened in the years  leading up to the war, the U.S.government began to fear that Britain would just seize Florida from Spain and use it as a base of operation against them.  President Madison tried unsuccessfully to get Spain to cede Florida to the United States.

Even before the war started there was a movement to form the Republic of Florida along the banks of the St. Marys (which separated Florida from Georgia).  They decided to act on the Florida question immediately and moved against the Spanish.

--Brock-Perry

Florida's Role in the War of 1812-- Part 1: Early and Late

Florida was still a part of Spain during the war.

But, already, the United States was essentially looking to annex it (much the same as it intended to do with British North America, Upper and Lower Canada).

There was also the nascent Republic of Florida.

Florida's biggest role in the war occurred early on, in 1812 and then right at the end of it, around the St. Marys River.

--Brock-Perry