Mateo González Manrique

Mateo González Manrique was governor of West Florida between 1813 and 1815. During his rule, he had to face an American invasion of the then Spanish province.

Career

Manrique was first named lieutenant colonel and Sergeant mayor. Later, Manrique was appointed governor of Florida.^[1]

After Manrique's appointment to the Florida governorship, Andrew Jackson criticized Manrique and warned him that he would consider Manrique personally responsible for any damage committed against American citizens, and that he would exact an Indian revenge.^[2]

Peter McQueen, a Creek Indian chief, prophet, trader and warrior from Talisi, demanded ammunition of Manrique and threatened to burn Pensacola if Manrique didn´t show sufficient leadership. Due to the American threat, Manrique relayed to his superiors the Redsticks´intention of launching a war because of the American incursions in Creek lands. Manrique considered Redsticks to be an important ally against the American forces, although initially he set Spanish troops against the American forces.^[3]

Manrique agreed the British King established a British garrison in the towns and Forts Barrancas and Saint Michael. In September 15, four British warships and a force of marines hailed from Pensacola and other American places, attacked the American Fort Bowyer, in Mobile Bay, but they were defeated and Manrique expel them of Florida (thing demanded by Andrew Jackson, who headed the American army for conquer Pensacola^[4]). In addition, his Spanish garrison had little resistance to the next Andrew Jackson´s attack in Pensacola, who finished conquering the place.^[5]

References