Although in 1810 U.S. President James Madison declared the American
contention that the Spanish-owned District of Feliciana had been
included in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803, the settlers below the 31st
parallel between the Pearl and the Mississippi Rivers, fearing that
Napoleon of France would try to retake Spanish West Florida before the
United States could physically take possession, sucessfully
attacked the Spanish forts on the Mississippi River in Feliciana and formed the independent Republic of West
Florida.
This was one of only four successful revolutions in North America. They made their own Declaration of Independence, a Constitution, elected a President and a Congress and designed a flag of a single large white star in the center of a dark blue field. It flew over their nation from September 23 until December 6, 1810 when finally Louisiana Territorial Governor William C.C. Claiborne officially and physically took possession of the Florida Parishes for the United States of America.
The Lacombe Heritage Center will sponsor a commemorative event to celebrate the bicentenial of the West Florida Republic.
Copyright 2005 Lacombe Heritage Center, All Rights Reserved
This was one of only four successful revolutions in North America. They made their own Declaration of Independence, a Constitution, elected a President and a Congress and designed a flag of a single large white star in the center of a dark blue field. It flew over their nation from September 23 until December 6, 1810 when finally Louisiana Territorial Governor William C.C. Claiborne officially and physically took possession of the Florida Parishes for the United States of America.
The Lacombe Heritage Center will sponsor a commemorative event to celebrate the bicentenial of the West Florida Republic.
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