Andrew Jackson

From 1814 on, Jackson sought pretexts for invading Florida. He communicated to President Monroe that he had a covert plan to secure "the whole of East Florida ... without implicating the Government." The plan revolved around the Black Seminoles. Jackson was acutely aware that Florida was a dangerous haven for fugitive slaves. He used this situation to build support for an attack on the Seminoles and their black allies, on the grounds that Indian depredations were terrorizing the southern frontier. As he explained later, he sought in Florida:

"To chastise a lawless foe, who, combined with a ... band of Negro brigands, have for some time past been carrying on a cruel and unprovoked war against the citizens of the United States."