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Map of West Florida
Within Blue Border the
Territory Referred to in This Proclamation*
Presidential Proclamation October
1810
It follows a transcript of
President
James Madison's
proclamation from October 27, 1810, regarding the annexation
of West Florida.
Go here for the entire
history of West Florida.
And here for the
West Florida Revolt 1810.
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Image Above
Detail from the
map
East and West Florida 1765
*
= Illustrating the situation at the end of 1810:
Completely blue - Occupied by the U.S.; Blue
border -Claimed by the U.S. The rest of West Florida is
still in Spanish hands. |
By the President of the United
States of America
A Proclamation
Whereas the territory south of the Mississippi Territory and
eastward of the river Mississippi, and extending to the
river Perdido, of which possession was not delivered to the
United States in pursuance of the treaty concluded at Paris
on the 30th April, 1803, has at all times, as is well known,
been considered and claimed by them as being within the
colony of Louisiana conveyed by the said treaty in the same
extent that it had in the hands of Spain and that it had
when France originally possessed it; and
Whereas the acquiescence of the United States in the
temporary continuance of the said territory under the
Spanish authority was not the result of any distrust of
their title, as has been particularly evinced by the general
tenor of their laws and by the distinction made in the
application of those laws between that territory and foreign
countries, but was occasioned by their conciliatory views
and by a confidence in the justice of their cause and in the
success of candid discussion and amicable negotiation with a
just and friendly power; and
Whereas a satisfactory adjustment, too long delayed, without
the fault of the United States, has for some time been
entirely suspended by events over which they had no control;
and
Whereas a crisis has at length arrived subversive of the
order of things under the Spanish authorities, whereby a
failure of the United States to take the said territory into
its possession may lead to events ultimately contravening
the views of both parties, whilst in the meantime the
tranquillity and security of our adjoining territories are
endangered and new facilities given to violations of our
revenue and commercial laws and of those prohibiting the
introduction of slaves:
Considering, moreover, that under these peculiar and
imperative circumstances a forbearance on the part of the
United States to occupy the territory in question, and
thereby guard against the confusions and contingencies which
threaten it, might be construed into a dereliction of their
title or an insensibility to the importance of the stake;
considering that in the hands of the United States it will
not cease to be a subject of fair and friendly negotiation
and adjustment; considering, finally, that the acts of
Congress, though contemplating a present possession by a
foreign authority, have contemplated also an eventual
possession of the said territory by the United States, and
are accordingly so framed as in that case to extend in their
operation to the same:
Now be it known that I, James Madison, President of the
United States of America, in pursuance of these weighty and
urgent considerations, have deemed it right and requisite
that possession should be taken of the said territory in the
name and behalf of the United States. William C. C.
Claiborne, governor of the Orleans Territory, of which the
said Territory is to be taken as part, will accordingly
proceed to execute the same and to exercise over the said
Territory the authorities and functions legally appertaining
to his office; and the good people inhabiting the same are
invited and enjoined to pay due respect to him in that
character, to be obedient to the laws, to maintain order, to
cherish harmony, and in every manner to conduct themselves
as peaceable citizens, under full assurance that they will
be protected in the enjoyment of their liberty, property,
and religion.
In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the United
States to be hereunto affixed, and signed the same with my
hand.
Done at the city of Washington, the 27th day of October,
A.D. 1810, and in the thirty-fifth year of the Independence
of the said United States.
JAMES MADISON.
By the President:
R. SMITH,
Secretary of State.
***
Source: Gerhard Peters and
John T. Woolley, The American Presidency Project
More History
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