Andrew Jackson, seventh President

2 pages (10 x 7 3/4 in; 250 x 195 mm) on 2 sheets, "Hermitage," 13 December 1819, to Colonel George Gibson, with autograph address leaf marked "Free";  pinholes at intersecting folds. Matted, framed, and glazed.

“I TRUST IN GOD, IT [MY HEALTH] WILL ENABLE ME TO BE UPON MY LEGS UNTIL WE ARE IN THE PEACABLE POSSESSION OF FLORIDAS—FOR I THINK AS SOON AS WE ARE, SPAIN WILL GLADLY BE AT PEACE WITH US.”

In December, 1819, as the House of Representatives was still debating whether to censure Jackson for his arguably unauthorized invasion, Jackson here writes that he had just learned that the Spanish had not ratified the Adams-Onis Treaty. He discusses confidential preparations for renewed military action with the recipient, George Gibson, who had efficiently served as Quartermaster General during the 1818 campaign against the Seminoles, procuring and sailing supplies cross the Gulf to Apalachicola Bay, where they were taken upstream by keel boats.

On May 2, 1818, Jackson’s forces had returned to Pensacola. Masot, the Spanish governor of West Florida, with his 175-man garrison, retreated to Fort Barrancas. After exchanging cannon fire for a couple of days, the Spanish garrison surrendered on May 28. 

Secretary of State John Quincy Adams could now attack Spanish control of Florida, claiming the territory had become “a derelict open to the occupancy of every enemy, civilized or savage, of the United States, and serving no other earthly purpose than as a post of annoyance to them.” Florida had become a burden to Spain, which could not afford to send settlers or garrisons. Madrid therefore decided to cede the territory to the United States. On February 22, 1819, the Adams-Onis Treaty was signed in Washington, giving all of Florida to the U.S. The Senate ratified the treaty unanimously. Spain may have wanted to use the treaty as an incentive to keep the U.S. from giving diplomatic support to the revolutionaries in South America, but in any event clearly had misgivings and did not ratify, so issue of ownership of Florida remained unresolved.

By the fall of 1819, Jackson was denouncing Spain for “treachery and perfidy” and chafing at the bit to invade Florida again. In early December, Jackson received instructions from Secretary of War John C. Calhoun to bring the bulk of his troops back to the Florida border. Jackson responded with approval, reporting that he was getting his forces to a state of preparedness, and discussing tactics and logistics for an invasion. This letter was part of his preparation. In the end, President Monroe did not want to launch yet another military action in Florida without Congressional approval, and as 1820 dawned he sought to obtain it. Congress was considering the momentous Missouri Compromise, however, and did not divert itself.

"I rec’d on the 10th ult. communications from the Dept. of War, (confidential) preparations are making to carry into effect, whatever may be directed. I set out to Tennessee, Florence, this morning to make arrangements for orders such as I anticipate to receive in ten days from this date - unless the Ordinance Department should detain a movement, by not having a battering train ready. Barrancas, altho much strengthened, and strengthening, can be possessed in a short time. I shall expect you with me, with the order for operations - and I have to request that you see Colo. Bumfort the chief of the ordinance dept, and inquire of him in what state from the last report to him I may expect to find the ordinance at Mobile. I receive no reports on this subject, but am advised that the field carriages are entirely unfit for use - and I am informed that there is no 24 or 18 that are mounted on carriages fit for the field. Report gives the number of regulars & militia at Pensacola & Barrancas 2000. it also states a reinforcement of 1500 to have reached Cuba. Let these numbers be as it may, if we have the necessary supplies of provisions, ordinances & quartermasters stores, we can reduce the Floridas in a short time. As you are upon the spot, will thank you to procure the necessary funds for your Department, and that of the quarter masters Department & urge the ordinance Department to have everything ready.

"I rejoice to hear of your recovery, and that Mr. Calhoun is out of danger. my health is precarious, but I trust in God, it will enable me to be upon my legs until we are in the peaceable possession of Floridas—for I think as soon as we are, Spain will gladly be at peace with us."