The Republic of West Florida was a short-lived republic in West Florida that existed from 23 September to 10 December 1810. Fulwar Skipwith and several other American settlers, believing that West Florida rightfully belonged to the USA after the Louisiana Purchase, launched a rebellion against Spain in September 1810, capturing Fort San Carlos at Baton Rouge on 23 September 1810. On 26 September, the republican declared independence from Spanish Florida, and President James Madison decided to send William C.C. Claiborne to take possession of the rebellious region. Skipwith believed that the USA had given up its right to the land by tolerating seven years of Spanish "occupation" (referring to the Louisiana Purchase in 1803), and Skipwith and several of the republic's legislators moved to Baton Rouge rather than surrender. On 6 December 1810, the US Army captured St. Francisville, and it accepted the peaceful surrender of John Ballinger and the garrison of Baton Rouge on 10 December. The West Floridian flag was lowered and the US flag raised, and the USA annexed the republic in 1811. The republic would be annexed into the state of Louisiana soon after.
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