USA > Florida > Florida, 1513-1913, past and future; four hundred years of wars and peace and industrial development > Part 4
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hostilities between their respective colonies in America for a number of years.
TREATY OF 1763
The progress of the French settlements in the West began to create uneasmess and a conflict of the commercial interests of the three nations most concerned, ripened into intense rivalry. Havana was captured by the English in 1762 upon the renewal of war between Great Britain and Spain, and this cut off St. Augustine and the Florida colonies from their source of supplies. England had long had an envious eye upon Florida, in order that she might enlarge her colonial boundaries. The possession of Havana and Cuba seemed to open the way by an exchange of the Cuban capital for Florida and the Bahamas. The trade was effected by the treaty of Febru- ary, 1763, between Spain, France and England, by which the Floridas were ceded to England and Havana was returned to the Spanish crown.
The change of flags was most distasteful to the Spanish popula- tion of Florida, and although under the treaty, they were given entire and complete religious freedom, many of them left the country, going to Mexico and the West Indies. So universal was this desertion of the country and so great was the hatred of England, that only five Spanish citizens remained in St. Augustine, and, but for the efforts of the commanding officer, every building in the town would have been burned rather than let it pass into the hands of the English.
At this time the Spanish flag had floated over St. Augustine for one hundred and ninety years. Within that period the French had made settlements from the St. Lawrence westward, along the Great Lakes, along the Ohio and on both sides of the Mississippi from the Falls of St. Anthony to the Gulf. The English had occupied the entire Atlantic coast with their colonies, which now numbered about three million people. At this time the Spanish controlled but little more territory than at the beginning of their occupation of the coun- try, and the entire population of Florida hardly exceeded seven thou- sand inhabitants, who were gathered principally at St. Augustine and Pensacola.
ENGLISH OCCUPATION OF FLORIDA
The English divided the territory into four separate governments, known as the Provinces of East Florida, West Florida, Quebec and Granada. The further history of Florida has to do only with the first
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OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE GOVERNOR AT TALLAHASSEE
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ST. JOHNS BLUFF-OF GREAT INTEREST IN FLORIDA'S HISTORY
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two named. The boundaries of East Florida were made, the Gulf of Mexico and the Apalachicola river on the west, as far north as a line drawn from the confluence of the Chattahoochee and the Flint rivers, thence east to the source of the St. Mary's river and thence with the course of that stream to the Atlantic Ocean; thence south- ward, including all islands within six leagues of the shore. These lines today form the boundary of all that part of Florida that lies east of the Apalachicola river.
The Province of West Florida was bounded on the south by the Gulf of Mexico from the Apalachicola to Lake Ponchartrain; on the west by the same lake, Lake Maurepos and the Mississippi river; on the north from that river to the Apalachicola along the line of thirty- one degrees, north latitude, and on the east by the Apalachicola river. Thus, it will be noted that the Florida of 1763 embraced all the present territory of that name, besides all the Gulf coast of Alabama, Mis- sissippi and a part of Louisiana.
In marked contrast to Spanish methods, the English governors of the provinces appointed by the crown were directed to establish representative governments, summoning general assemblies with power to make laws for their protection and welfare, agreeable to the laws of the mother country. They were, within certain restric- tions, empowered to establish courts.
With the purpose of securing speedy settlement of the territory, the English governors were given authority to make free grants of land to military officers and soldiers who had served in the wars of Florida, and to privates who had been disbanded in America. These grants were to be proportioned to the rank of the applicant. A field officer was given five thousand acres; a captain, three thousand; a staff officer, two thousand; every non-commissioned officer, two hun- dred, and every private, fifty acres.
James Grant was appointed the first English governor of East Florida in 1763. He established the capital at St. Augustine and be- gan at once, a campaign of publicity, calling the attention of the world to the advantages of the soil and climate of his province. He was undoubtedly the first practical advertiser of Florida's agricultural possibilities and resources. The result was a large influx of white settlers and of negro slaves.
Commodore George Johnston, of the British navy, was made the first governor of West Florida, and he came to Pensacola in 1764. The question of good roads came up for early settlement and their importance was quickly appreciated in the development of the country.
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The construction of a highway, which eventually connected the capitals of the two provinces, was undertaken, and to it was given the name of the King's Road. Its cost was met by subscription, to which Gover- nor Grant and other wealthy citizens were liberal contributors. This road is still in use and it is still known as the King's Road in several of the northern Florida counties through which it passes, although its original sand surface has been much improved by modern engineer- ing in some localities.
TURNBULL COLONY
Among the early colonization propositions, the first of large im- portance of which record has been kept, was that backed by English capitalists, under the leadership of Dr. Andrew Turnbull, a Scotch- man of some wealth. At an expense of one hundred and sixty thou- sand dollars, he and his associates recruited from Smyrna, the islands of the Mediterranean, Italy, and the Island of Minorca, fifteen hun- dred people and settled them on a tract of several thousand acres near Mosquito Inlet, on the eastern side of the state. To the settlement they gave the name New Smyrna, and this attaches to the locality today.
The colonists were under indentures by which in consideration of the sums paid for their passage and support, they were to labor for their employers without wages for a specified number of years, after which they were to receive allotments of land in proportion to the size of their respective families.
The location was well chosen, among natural conditions closely resembling those from which the settlers had come. Much labor was expended in building roads, opening canals for drainage and transpor- tation, and for other improvements which remain and are in use today. Special attention was given to the cultivation of indigo and sugar cane, but various other crops were raised successfully. The colony was pros- perous, but within a few years complaints were made of the injustice and hardships inflicted by the managers, who appear to have reduced the tenants to a pitiable condition. A revolt of the laborers brought more severe restrictions and the execution of the leaders. These com- plaints were brought to the ears of the attorney general and the gover- nor at St. Augustine. Proceedings were begun in the English courts there to cancel the indentures and the colonists were released from their contract obligations.
The original colony had been reduced by death and suffering to
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about six hundred persons, men, women, and children, and the sur- vivors were brought to St. Augustine where they were given allot- ments for homes in that section of the eity north of the fort, where their descendants remain to the present time. These immigrants were known as Minoreans and the name still belongs to the remnant of the race.
The Turnbull colony was established in Florida in 1767 and it was dissolved nine years later. It appears financially to have been a total loss, for it was abandoned before it could have become largely profit- able. The cause of its failure can only be conjectured, but the uncertain and conflicting reports of history appear to relieve Dr. Turn- bull of much of the direct blame, for it is handed down that the cruel- ties which resulted in the disbandment of the colony were inflicted by his overseers without his knowledge and during his absences from the place.
Governor Grant resigned his position in 1771 and was succeeded by Lieutenant-Governor Moultrie, and he by Patrick Tonyn in 1774.
Governor Johnston in West Florida was replaced in 1766 by Montacute Brown, who was followed by Peter Chester in 1772. Under the administrations of these executives the provinces flourished and many settlers were attracted from Carolina and from Europe.
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR
The revolt of the American colonies from British rule in 1776 and the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marked the begin- ning of new troubles for the Florida provinces. East Florida soon became a rendezvous for the royalists and a base for English opera- tions against the rebellious colonies. From Georgia and Carolina came more than seven thousand colonists who had remained loyal to the mother country. Military operations of greater or less magnitude were threatened between the United States and the British posses- sions, which were separated only by the arbitrary boundaries between the two sections. An expected attack by American forces along the cast coast of Florida, was prepared for by the crcction of fortifica- tions on St. Johns Bluff, near the mouth of the river of that name. on the same site that had been the scene of the Fort Caroline massaere and of the retaliation by De Gourges. However, no clash of arms occurred at this point during the War for Independence.
Great Britain was too much occupied with her operations in the North to offer or afford much aid to her colonists along the South
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Atlantic seaboard. During and previous to this period, foreign com- merce with these southern ports grew to considerable proportions, and the ports of St. Augustinc, Fernandina and Pensacola became important.
Taking advantage of England's preoccupation with the American colonies, Spain improved the opportunity in 1781, to attack and cap- ture Pensacola and with it the Province of West Florida. These operations were begun under De Galvez, the Spanish governor of Louisiana, who two years before had captured the English post at Baton Rouge. The loss of these posts and of the Province of West Florida, was in part compensated by the capture of the Bahamas under Colonel Devereux, with an expedition that had been outfitted at St. Augustine.
SPAIN RE-OCCUPIES FLORIDA
At the close of the American Revolution, the English government having acknowledged the independence of the colonies, concluded that the Florida provinces had little value to it and it proposed to recede these possessions and the Island of Minorca in the Mediterranean, in exchange for the Bahamas. This was accomplished by the treaty of September 3, 1781, between England and Spain, by which the latter assumed control and sovereignty over the Floridas.
The change of flags was hardly less than a disaster to the English colonists in the ceded territory. Some of them returned to England, others went to Nova Scotia and the Bahamas. Many of them moved with their slaves to Jamaica and others returned to Georgia and the Carolinas, now a part of the United States. Fine estates along the Atlantic coast and up and down the St. Johns river, abandoned by their English proprietors, soon fell into decay and ruin.
Only an insignificant migration of Spaniards to Florida followed its recession to their government, although the Spanish governor offered large inducements in the way of land grants as rewards for civil or military service.
Negotiations between Spain and France in 1795 resulted in the cession of all that part of West Florida lying west of the Perdido river, thus establishing for the first time the boundaries which mark the present limits of the Peninsular State.
LOUISIANA PURCHASE
France, in 1803, after holding possessions in North America for two hundred and thirty years, withdrew from the last of these posses-
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sions by ceding the Territory of Louisiana to the United States for a consideration of fifteen million dollars. Upon the conclusion of the Louisiana Purchase, the United States enclosed Spanish territory on the American continent within narrow limits.
Difficulties between the United States and England again assumed a serious phase in 1811. The latter government was suspected of plans to seize Florida, in order to secure a frontier along the southern border of the United States. The matter was considered of sufficient importance to be brought to the attention of the Continental Congress, which in secret session directed the President to anticipate any attempt of England by occupying the Florida territory with military forces.
The President appointed a commission to confer with the Spanish government to secure the temporary cession of Florida to the United States, but this the Castilians refused to make. A considerable num- ber of persons who feared the seizure of Florida by the United States, met at St. Mary's, Georgia, and organized as Patriots, seeking to establish a republican government in Florida. A provisional govern- ment was formed, on paper, and officers were elected, but while this movement as a government never came to power, the Patriots became an aggressive and belligerent rallying center for many years.
Fernandina had become by 1812 an important port. It was pro- tected by a small garrison in Fort Clinch. Under the pretext of pro- tecting American interests, a fleet of nine gunboats entered the harbor and after a brief resistance, the American flag was raised over the fort. Securing an alliance with the Patriots, the United States forces marched upon St. Augustine, but were driven back toward the St. Johns river by the Spanish garrison. The Spanish minister at Wash- ington remonstrated against this violation of treaty obligations, and the British minister entered his protest. The president in apology declared that the invading forces had far transcended their instructions and he expressed his sincere regrets at the mistake. General Mat- thews, who had commanded the invasion, was relieved and Governor Mitchell of Georgia, was appointed in his place. The President then finding that Congress was unwilling to undertake a war with Spain, ordered the United States troops withdrawn from Florida.
INDIAN AGGRESSIONS
The Indians under Chiefs Payne and Bowlegs had begun a preda- tory warfare upon the settlements in Florida and southern Georgia in 1811. They were resisted by volunteer forces under Colonel Newnan
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of Georgia. A condition of anarchy continued for eighteen months; plantations were destroyed, slaves were carried away and property ruined under the immunity afforded by the flag of the United States or by the neglect of the government to stop the outrages.
The War of 1812, between the United States and England in- volved Florida once more. A British fleet entered the harbor of Pen- sacola and with the consent of the Spanish governor landed troops. The British flag was raised over the forts and the Indians of that region were incited to carry on hostilities against the settlers in Geor- gia. They were armed with British guns and ammunition and were promised liberal bounties for their attacks.
General Andrew Jackson was sent by the United States Govern- ment in 1814, to put an end to these depredations upon Americans. With a body of regulars he marched against Pensacola and stormed the town. He drove the British forces from Forts St. Michel and Barancas, and occupied the city. He then marched with his forces to New Orleans.
At the instigation of the British officers who had been dislodged by General Jackson, runaway negroes and Indians were encouraged to continue their depredations upon the American settlements. These lawless forces became increasingly bold and again General Jackson came to the rescue. His second visit to the section was in 1818. Mak- ing a treaty with the Creek Indians to attack and repel the renegade Seminoles, he made a vigorous campaign against them in January of that year. Quickly he destroyed the Miccosukee and Fowl towns. He attacked Fort St. Marks, which promptly surrendered. The vil- lage of Old Town, on the Suwanee river, was the next to fall before his onward march. Here he encountered a large body of Indians whom he scattered, besides capturing many prisoners. Among the captives were two Englishmen, Arbuthnot and Ambrister, whom he charged with being the chief agents in supplying the Indians with arms and directing their expeditions against the whites. They were tried by court martial, found guilty as charged and executed, one by hanging and the other being shot.
Learning that the Spanish authorities at Pensacola were furnish- ing the Indians with arms, General Jackson marched against that place for the second time. It was quickly capitulated, the governor and many of his troops having fled to Fort Barancas. General Jack- son established a provisional government over West Florida, with Colonel King as civil and military governor. This government was
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continued fourteen months, when Pensacola was restored to Spanish authority in September, 1819.
FLORIDA AS PART OF THE UNITED STATES 1821-1912
A treaty was negotiated between Spain and the United States in February, 1819, whereby Florida became a territory of the Ameri- can government. This treaty for the cession of the Floridas to the United States, which involved a consideration of five million dollars, was ratified February 19, 1821. The change of flags took place at St. Augustine, July 16, 1821, and at Pensacola on the twenty-first of the same month.
Upon this final change of flags the administration of Florida's civil affairs devolved upon the military authorities until the passage of the Act of Congress of March 3, 1822, established a territorial gov- ernment. It was provided that this government should be adminis- tered by a governor appointed by the president, who was also to name all local officials, a legislative council of thirteen, to be named annually by the same authority, and two superior courts.
General Jackson was the military governor of Florida until the formation of the territorial government in June, 1822, when Governor William P. Duval was appointed. The first legislative council was convened at Pensacola and the old provincial divisions were merged into counties. Escambia and Jackson counties were created from the former province of West Florida, and St. Johns and Duval from East Florida.
General Joseph M. Hernandez was chosen the first territorial dele- gate to Congress. He was succeeded by Colonel Joseph M. White, who occupied the position for many years. Charles Downing followed him until 1841, when David Levy (afterward changed to Yulee) was selected and continued to hold the position until the admission of Florida as a state into the Union.
BUILDING OF TALLAHASSEE
The second session of the legislative council was held at St. Augus- tine in June, 1823. It named a commission to select a location for a permanent seat of government. Its choice was a beautiful hill near Vol. 1-4
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the old fields of the Tallahassees, in the center of the Fowl towns and but two miles from the site of old Fort San Luis. Here a new city, the present capital of the state, was laid out and received its name from the historical associations. The first house was built in 1824 and the capitol building was commenced in the same year, although it was not completed for many years thereafter.
This location had the disadvantage, which has become greater with the development of the state, of being far removed from the geographi- cal and the later industrial center of Florida. It is probable that in making this selection the original commission could not have foreseen the possibility of the great industrial development that has come in the central and southern parts of the peninsula. Although several times the suggestion has been made that the seat of the state govern- ment should be removed to a more central location, it has never progressed beyond the initiative stage.
The location of the capital placed it in a section still occupied by Indian tribes who were inclined to dispute the rights of white settlers. The Miccosukees were regarded as the original occupants of the country and the Seminoles were, as the name indicates, runaways from the Creeks and other tribes living along the Apalachicola river. Chiefs Payne and Bowlegs were the leaders of the two principal tribal organizations. The white settlers demanded that the Indians should be confined within narrower limits than had been allowed them, and a treaty was negotiated by which the Indians agreed to remove to the south of a line running east and west through what is now about the southern border of Alachua county.
The whites were still dissatisfied and insisted that all the tribes should be moved to some place beyond the Mississippi river, and that Florida should be forever rid of them. A delegation of chiefs accom- panied the Indian agent to Arkansas, in accordance with the provi- sions of the treaty of Payne's Landing in 1832, to select a location, with the understanding that the tribes should be removed to the chosen location during the years 1834 and 1835. They were to receive a cash payment of fifteen thousand dollars and an annuity of three thou- sand dollars for the following ten years. The chiefs on their return expressed themselves satisfied with the arrangements and with the country they had investigated, but the younger chiefs had a strong following in their refusal to accept the terms and conditions that had been made. They declined to leave Florida and the infection spread rapidly through the tribes.
PRESENT DAY VIEW OF PRE-HISTORIC INDIAN BURIAL MOUND
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THE SEMINOLE WAR
Measures were taken under the authority of the United States Government to enforce the removal to the West, and this led to in- creasing troubles, which developed into the Seminole war. This cost the government twenty millions of dollars and eight years of time. Twelve hundred and thirty officers and soldiers died in battle or from wounds and disease during this conflict, which for ferocity and savage butcheries has never been surpassed in the history of the United States. Incidental to this strife and to the inroads by the Indians which the government could not foresee or prevent, a mass of claims was piled up against the Federal Government which involved millions of dollars.
At the beginning of these troubles with the native tribes, the num- ber of Indians in Florida was estimated at two thousand, including warriors, women, and children besides the negroes who had escaped from the plantations and had made their abode with the natives. That this was a serious underestimate became apparent later and led to entirely inadequate preparations for their subjugation.
Almost countless raids were made by the unruly red men; women and children were ruthlessly slaughtered, plantations laid waste, crops destroyed and buildings burned, until the industrial development of the state, from the Everglades to the northern and western boundaries was stopped. In many encounters the regular troops, unfamiliar with savage methods of warfare, were defeated. By ambuscade the In- dians massacred detached commands and committed horrible indigni- ties upon the bodies of their dead foes. The most notable of these treacherous slaughters was Dade's Massacre, which occurred near the present town of Bushnell in Sumter county, December 28, 1835. It aroused a feeling of horror in every part of the country and forced upon the Federal Government a realization of the serious task it had in dealing with the Florida Indians.
DADE'S MASSACRE -
It was brought about when Major Francis L. Dade, Fourth Infan- try, U. S. A., was ordered with his command from his station at Key West to reinforce the post at Fort King. Marching from Tampa, where he had come by boat, he had one company of infantry and two companies of artillery, the force under his command numbering eight officers and one hundred privates. Crossing the Hillsborough and Withlacoochee rivers, the little force proceeded in open formation
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through several miles of prairie country, the road being bordered by low growing palmetto scrub. Behind these lurked one hundred and eighty Indians under Chief Micanopy. At a signal from the red war- riors poured forth a volley of rifle fire, each selecting his particular victim. Half of Major Dade's command fell at the first round of fire and the slaughter was continued by the merciless savages until the last soldier had fallen, wounded or dead. So sudden had been the onslaught that effective resistance was impossible. The horrible work of the Indians was completed by a band of renegade negroes, who came upon the scene and beat to death every soldier who showed signs of life.
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