Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/209

Rh a constitution and elected General John Mclntosh governor. Colonel Ashley was appointed commander of the military forces. The patriots, as they were called, aided by American gunboats, demanded from Don Jose Lopez the surrender of Amelia Island and Fernandina. The capitulation was made March 17, 1812, to General John McIntosh, who claimed to be governor of the independent State of Florida. March iQth, General McIntosh, as governor of Florida, surrendered the post to General Matthews. Lieutenant Ridgely, of the United States army, with a force of United States troops, was placed in command. Fernandina had been for some time past a depot for neutral trade and a port for smugglers avoiding the commercial restrictions. The patriot army, numbering about 300 men, now marched to attack St. Augustine. Here they were repulsed by Governor Estrada and retreated to the St. Johns.

When these proceedings became known at Washington, the Spanish and British ministers protested against them. The United States government disavowed them. James Monroe, secretary of state, wrote to General Matthews, April 4, 1812 (Annals of Congress, 18 11-1812, p. 1689-90): &quot;But in consideration of the part which you have taken which differs so essentially from that contemplated and authorized by government, and contradicts so entirely the principle on which it has uniformly and sincerely acted, you will be sensible of the necessity of discontinuing the service in which you have been employed. You will, therefore, consider your powers revoked on the receipt of this letter.&quot;

Governor Mitchell, of Georgia, was appointed in place of General Matthews, and was instructed to restore Amelia Island direct to the Spanish governor. These instructions were issued April roth. In consequence of letters received from Governor Mitchell, Secretary Monroe wrote again May 27th. (Ibid., p. 1692.) In this letter Governor Mitchell is authorized to hold the island during