Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 1.djvu/210

178 conference with the Spanish authorities, or in case of any attempt of British troops to enter Florida, and is notified that he will be sustained by the United States forces.

In the meantime, a detachment of United States troops composed of invalids was attacked by a party of negroes, supposed to be instigated by the Spanish authorities at St. Augustine. The commander, Lieutenant Williams, and seven of his men were killed. The negroes were repulsed, but this act caused such indignation that Governor Mitchell made preparations to attack St. Augustine. At this point, the new Spanish governor, Kindelin, arrived and made formal demand for the withdrawal of the United States troops. In compliance with this demand, all the military forces of the United States were withdrawn from East Florida, except from Amelia Island.

The Indians and negroes being now freed from all restraints, commenced a series of depredations. The patriot government, aided by volunteers from Georgia, organized for the protection of the whites. The impotent Spanish government was content to occupy a few stations on the coast, claiming jurisdiction over the whole province, but incapable of maintaining it. A desultory warfare was maintained in the interior between the Indians and negroes, led by Payne and Bowlegs, against the whites, under Colonel Newman, of Georgia.

Simultaneously with these complications concerning Florida, the commercial question assumed overshadowing importance. The outrageous aggressions of Great Britain forced Congress to declare war, and Florida became involved in it. June i, 1812, President Madison sent his war message to Congress. (Annals of Congress, 1811-1812, part 2, pp. 1624-1629.) This able public document, after reciting the long series of injuries and insults which Great Britain had heaped, and was still continuing to inflict, on the United States, sums up the situation in these impressive words: &quot;We behold, in