Negro Fort
The fort was viewed as a menace to all slaveholders in the vicinity. General
Jackson was incensed. As commander of the Southeast, he issued an ultimatum to
the Spanish governor: destroy the fort, seize the lawless “banditti” who manned
it, and return all U.S. Negroes who had been “enticed from the service of their
masters.” If not, Spain must face the consequences for harboring brigands: U.S.
forces would invade Spanish territory and destroy the fort themselves.
Sources:
Twyman 97, Jackson 2: 241.
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Part 1, Early Years: l
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