William King (Governor of la Florida)
Encyclopedia
William King was an American army officer who was military Governor of West Florida
from May 26, 1818 to February 4, 1819. He was appointed to the position by Andrew Jackson
, who led the American occupation of Spanish West Florida during the First Seminole War.
between the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century. He was of English descent. As a youth, he joined the United States Army
.
King rose to the rank of Colonel, and led the Fourth Infantry under Andrew Jackson
during the First Seminole War. He was with Jackson during his controversial 1818 invasion of the Spanish colony of West Florida
and the occupation of Pensacola
. Following Governor José Masot
's surrender on May 23, Jackson appointed King military governor of West Florida on May 26 of 1818. Jackson interpreted Masot's terms of surrender as giving the United States control over the entirety of West Florida.
As military governor, King was charged with upholding Spanish law in the colony, overseeing Spanish property, and caring for soldiers wounded in Jackson's campaign. After Jackson's departure from Florida on May 29, he also oversaw the dispersal of the Tennessee and Kentucky militia. However, Jackson's invasion of Florida threatened to derail the Adams–Onís Treaty, by which the United States hoped to acquire Spanish Florida, and the James Monroe
administration wanted West Florida restored to Spanish control. King served in his post until he was relieved by Edmund P. Gaines
on orders from U.S. Secretary of War John C. Calhoun
. He was succeeded by José María Callava, West Florida's final Spanish governor.
West Florida
West Florida was a region on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico, which underwent several boundary and sovereignty changes during its history. West Florida was first established in 1763 by the British government; as its name suggests it largely consisted of the western portion of the region...
from May 26, 1818 to February 4, 1819. He was appointed to the position by Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
, who led the American occupation of Spanish West Florida during the First Seminole War.
Biography
William King was born in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
between the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century. He was of English descent. As a youth, he joined the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
.
King rose to the rank of Colonel, and led the Fourth Infantry under Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson
Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States . Based in frontier Tennessee, Jackson was a politician and army general who defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend , and the British at the Battle of New Orleans...
during the First Seminole War. He was with Jackson during his controversial 1818 invasion of the Spanish colony of West Florida
West Florida
West Florida was a region on the north shore of the Gulf of Mexico, which underwent several boundary and sovereignty changes during its history. West Florida was first established in 1763 by the British government; as its name suggests it largely consisted of the western portion of the region...
and the occupation of Pensacola
Pensacola
Pensacola is a city in the western part of the U.S. state of Florida.Pensacola may also refer to:* Pensacola people, a group of Native Americans* A number of places in the Florida:** Pensacola Bay** Pensacola Regional Airport...
. Following Governor José Masot
José Masot
José Masot was a Spanish soldier and commander who was Governor of West Florida from 1816 - May 26, 1818. He was West Florida's governor through much of the First Seminole War, until he was deposed by American general Andrew Jackson and replaced with William King.- Biography :José Masot born...
's surrender on May 23, Jackson appointed King military governor of West Florida on May 26 of 1818. Jackson interpreted Masot's terms of surrender as giving the United States control over the entirety of West Florida.
As military governor, King was charged with upholding Spanish law in the colony, overseeing Spanish property, and caring for soldiers wounded in Jackson's campaign. After Jackson's departure from Florida on May 29, he also oversaw the dispersal of the Tennessee and Kentucky militia. However, Jackson's invasion of Florida threatened to derail the Adams–Onís Treaty, by which the United States hoped to acquire Spanish Florida, and the James Monroe
James Monroe
James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States . Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States, and the last president from the Virginia dynasty and the Republican Generation...
administration wanted West Florida restored to Spanish control. King served in his post until he was relieved by Edmund P. Gaines
Edmund P. Gaines
Edmund Pendleton Gaines was a United States army officer who served with distinction during the War of 1812, the Seminole Wars and the Black Hawk War.-Early life:...
on orders from U.S. Secretary of War John C. Calhoun
John C. Calhoun
John Caldwell Calhoun was a leading politician and political theorist from South Carolina during the first half of the 19th century. Calhoun eloquently spoke out on every issue of his day, but often changed positions. Calhoun began his political career as a nationalist, modernizer, and proponent...
. He was succeeded by José María Callava, West Florida's final Spanish governor.