Beschreibung:

2pp, 7.5 x 9.75 in. Hermitage, 13 Dec. 1819, and franked on integral address leaf. ALS to Colonel George Gibson Col. Gibson was the 11th Quartermaster General from April 1816 to April 1818. Jackson writes to Gibson: I have just rec'd your letter of the 25th ult. advising of the return of Capt Reed from Madrid, with despatches to Government, advising it of the non ratification of the treaty. 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 peacable possession of Floridas - for I think as soon as we are, Spain will gladly be at peace with us. Mrs. J joins me in good wishes for your health & happiness & believe me to be in haste your friend sincerely Andrew Jackson Spain had long been losing control of Florida, having neither a military presence there nor the will to invest in settlements. The western colonies were threatening revolt, so it made sense for Spain to give up Florida and strengthen Mexico. The British had recruited Indian allies in West Florida in 1814 while still at war with the U.S. Jackson drove the British out, but a few officers stayed to provision Fort Gadsden with ordnance. Major Edward Nicolls told the Indians that the Treaty of Ghent guaranteed the return of all Indian lands lost during the war and handed over the fort. Not the least interested in maintaining it, the Seminoles returned to their villages, so Nicolls offered the fort to fugitive slaves. Southerners were concerned that this would encourage their slaves to escape, and ultimately revolt using the fort, by then known as the "Negro Fort," as a base. When a group from the fort killed some American sailors, Jackson destroyed it when the Spanish Governor would not. Some see this as the beginning of the Seminole Wars. Although the Seminole did not want military installations, there were constant raids and counter-raids by squatters in South Georgia into Florida and Indians into Georgia. Eventually, Secretary of War John C. Calhoun ordered Jackson to invade Florida. In May, Jackson took Pensacola, and the Spanish garrison retreated to Fort Barrancas before surrendering it also. John Quincy Adams (as Secretary of State) had been negotiating for the purchase of Florida. Jackson's actions in the territory put a stop to the negotiations. Adams told the Spanish to control their inhabitants or cede the territory. As the former was impossible with the lack of a military presence, nor could Spain retaliate against the U.S., eventually the two re