Republic of East Florida

The Republic of East Florida, also known as the Republic of Florida or the Territory of East Florida, was an unrecognizedproto-state declared by insurgents against the Spanish rule of East Florida, most of whom were from Georgia. John Houstoun McIntosh was chosen as "Director" of the self-named Patriots in March, 1812, to receive formal Spanish capitulation at Amelia Island. In July, while under the occupation of U.S. forces, the Patriots created a constitution of government that provided for an executive office, a legislative council, and a court system. The constitution explicitly stated that East Florida sought annexation by the United States, which reflected the Patriots' goals of joining the U.S. rather than forming an independent republic. Under its provisions on July 27 McIntosh was named "Director of the Territory of East Florida"; he was later succeeded by General Buckner F. Harris. Patriots wished neither independence nor statehood in the United States; they desired annexation by the U.S., connoted by the word "Territory" in their name of the country, and as expressly declared by the delegates at their constitutional convention.