| William King | |
|---|---|
| 12th Governor of West Florida | |
| In office 26 May 1818 – 4 February 1819 |
|
| Preceded by | José Fascot |
| Succeeded by | José María Callava |
| Personal details | |
| Born | late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century United States |
| Died | Unknown Unknown |
| Profession | Military and Political |
William King was an American army officer who was military Governor of West Florida from May 26, 1818 to February 4, 1819. He was appointed to the position by Andrew Jackson, who led the American occupation of Spanish West Florida during the First Seminole War.
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William King was born in the United States between the late eighteenth century and early nineteenth century. He was of English descent. As a youth, he joined the United States Army.
King rose to the rank of Colonel, and led the Fourth Infantry under Andrew Jackson during the First Seminole War. He was with Jackson during his controversial 1818 invasion of the Spanish colony of West Florida and the occupation of Pensacola. Following Governor José Masot's surrender on May 23, Jackson appointed King military governor of West Florida on May 26 of 1818[1]. Jackson interpreted Masot's terms of surrender as giving the United States control over the entirety of West Florida.[2][3]
As military governor, King was charged with upholding Spanish law in the colony, overseeing Spanish property, and caring for soldiers wounded in Jackson's campaign. After Jackson's departure from Florida on May 29, he also oversaw the dispersal of the Tennessee and Kentucky militia.[2] However, Jackson's invasion of Florida threatened to derail the Adams–Onís Treaty, by which the United States hoped to acquire Spanish Florida, and the James Monroe administration wanted West Florida restored to Spanish control. King served in his post until he was relieved by Edmund P. Gaines on orders from U.S. Secretary of War John C. Calhoun.[4] He was succeeded by José María Callava, West Florida's final Spanish governor.[5]