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→The transfer ceremony
The '''transfer of [[Spanish West Florida]] to the United States''', resulting from the [[Wikipedia:Adams-Onís Treaty|Adams-Onís Treaty]] ([[1819]]), took place in Pensacola, at [[Plaza Ferdinand VII]], on [[July 2117]], [[1821]].
==Background==
{{cquote|The Spanish Governor's guard, consisting of a full company of dismounted dragoons of the regiment of Tarragona, elegantly clad and equipped, was paraded at an early hour of the morning in front of the Government House. About eight o'clock a battalion of the 4th regiment of United States infantry, and a company of the 4th regiment of United States artillery, the whole under the command of Colonel Brooke, of the 4th infantry, were drawn up on the [[Plaza Ferdinand VII|public square]], opposite to the Spanish guard, having marched into town from the encampment at Galvez' Spring. The usual military salute passed between them. Four companies of infantry from the American line, under the command of Major Dinkins, of the 5th infantry, were then detached to take possession of [[Fort Barrancas|the Barancas]] <nowiki>[sic]</nowiki>, which is nearly nine miles below this city.
At ten o'clock, the hour previously appointed, General Jackson, attended by his aids, secretary, interpreters, etc., crossed the green, passed between the double line formed by the troops of both nations, who simultaneously saluted him by presenting arms, and entered the Government House, where the [[Source:West Florida transfer of sovereignty document, 1821|formality of the transfer]] was soon dispatched, and the Spanish sergeant's guard at the gate was immediately relieved by an American guard. After a few minutes, Governor Jackson, accompanied by Colonel Callava, the late commandant, and their respective suites, left the Government House, and passed through the same double line of troops to the house which the Governor has rented for the temporary accommodation of his family. The Spanish troops were then marched to the place of embarkation — the American flag was displayed upon the flag-staff, and grand salutes were fired by the artillery company and the United States ship [[Wikipedia:USS Hornet (1805 brig)|Hornet]], a gun being given to each State and Territory of the Federal Union, not forgetting Florida, and the regimental band, and that of the Hornet, playing the ' Star Spangled Banner' all the while. In the course of the day a number of the citizens waited on the new Governor to pay their respects and offer their gratulations. The delivery of the Barancas was performed with a little more parade. The Spanish flag was lowered to half-mast. The American flag was raised to a level with it. Both flags were, in this situation, saluted by the Spaniards. After which, the Spanish colors were hauled down and the American ensign was hoisted. The Americans then saluted their national flag. The American troops made a fine and martial appearance, and the Hornet was gaily dressed.|20px|20px|James Parton's ''Life of Andrew Jackson'', p. 601-602.}}
Jackson's wife Rachel also offered an account of the events in a letter to her friend Eliza Kingsley: