General Andrew Jackson in Florida -1818 - Marianna, Florida
N 30° 48.977 W 085° 14.039
16R E 668930 N 3410575
This marker in located within Florida Caverns State Park and can be found at the boat/canoe launch area.
Waymark Code: WM7NHY
Location: Florida, United States
Date Posted: 11/14/2009
Views: 26
The marker Read's:
American desire for the acquisition of Florida grew after 1800 as U.S. frontiers expanded. Border incidents provided motivation for General Andrew Jackson's 1818 expedition against Florida's Seminole Indians. Jackson's army destroyed Indian stronghold in the Apalachee Region. On May 11, 1818, during a 12 day march from Fort Gadsden on the lower Apalachicola River to the Escambia River, Jackson crossed the Chipola River's Natural Bridge near here. Pensacola surrendered to Jackson later that month. This foray into Spanish territory created serious repercussions at home and abroad but paved the way for U.S. acquisition of Florida from Spain.
During the First Seminole War of 1818, Jackson received the command against the Seminoles. During this campaign, Jackson captured two British citizens in Spanish Florida, Robert Ambrister and Alexander Arbuthnot. The former was an ex-Marine turned mercenary who was apparently working with area blacks and American Indians to undermine the Spanish. The latter was a private businessman and trader who, from a combination of humane concern and his own economic self-interest, sought peace between the Seminoles and the United States. Because they were English, because they collaborated with Native Americans, and because they interrupted Jackson's burning and looting of native villages, Jackson demanded satisfaction. Both men were executed. His conduct in following them up into the Spanish territory of Florida, in seizing Pensacola, gave rise to much hostile comment in the cabinet and in Congress. But the negotiations, and subsequent purchase of Florida put an end to the diplomatic difficulty.
Marker Number: F-273
Date: 1977
County: Jackson
Marker Type: Roadside
Sponsored or placed by: Florida State, US Daughters of 1812, through Mrs. Ester A. Poppell, Colonel William Carroll Lee Chapter, Department of State.
Website: [Web Link]
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