Florida Becomes a United States Territory 6th grade · age 11

By Simit Patel · published October 9, 2026

Why did Andrew Jackson think he was right to march his army into Spanish Florida in 1818, even though Florida still belonged to Spain?

The source

John Rhea to Andrew Jackson, January 12, 1818

John Rhea · January 12, 1818 · Washington

About this document

As the reading describes, by 1817 fighting between American settlers and the Seminole Indians along the Georgia-Florida border had grown into the First Seminole War. General Andrew Jackson was ordered to lead American troops to the border. Before marching south, though, Jackson wrote a private letter to then President James Monroe. In that letter, Jackson offered to seize all of Spanish Florida for the United States — if the president would just give him a secret signal of approval. Monroe did not write back to Jackson directly. Instead, a congressman from Tennessee named John Rhea served as a go-between, passing messages between Jackson and the president.

On January 12, 1818, Rhea wrote this letter to Jackson from Washington. The letter talks about messages Rhea has passed along and says that the president's plan should be "satisfactory" to Jackson. But Rhea never spells out exactly what the president approved. The language is full of vague hints rather than clear orders. After the invasion, Jackson and Monroe argued bitterly over what this letter meant. Jackson claimed it proved Monroe had secretly approved the invasion of Florida, while Monroe denied ever giving that approval.

It is there suggested that Jackson, getting a letter from Rhea containing indefinite expressions of approval with reference to the Long order, understood them as the hints he had asked for, through Rhea, with respect of the invasion of Florida.
I expected you would receive the letter you allude to, and it gives me pleasure to know you have it, for I was certain it would be satisfactory to you. You see by it the sentiments of the President respecting you are the same.
I am gratifyed indeed that the plan of the President is satisfactory to you. I am confident that he intended it to be so.
at present will write no more relative to things mentioned in your letter of the 22d above mentioned.

Glossary

indefinite adj.: vague; not clear or specific (excerpt 1)
invasion n.: sending an army into another country's territory (excerpt 1)
sentiments n.: feelings or opinions (excerpt 2)
gratifyed adj.: pleased, satisfied (old spelling of 'gratified') (excerpt 3)
relative to adv.: about; having to do with (excerpt 4)

John Rhea. “John Rhea to Andrew Jackson, January 12, 1818.” Library of Congress, Manuscript Division — Andrew Jackson Papers, January 12, 1818, https://tile.loc.gov/storage-services/service/mss/maj/01046//01046_0348_0349.pdf.

Your turn

Setting the scene

What has happened in our unit story by the time this document was created?

What does it say?

In paragraph one, what does the editor say Jackson understood Rhea's letter to mean?
In paragraph two, what does Rhea say about the President's feelings toward Jackson?
In paragraph three, what does Rhea say about the President's plan?
In paragraph four, what does Rhea say he will not do right now?

What does it mean?

In paragraphs two and three, Rhea never clearly states what the President's "sentiments" or "plan" actually are. Why do you think Rhea uses such vague language instead of plainly writing, "The President wants you to invade Florida"? Who might Rhea be trying to protect, and from what?
In paragraph four, Rhea says he will "write no more" about the topics in Jackson's letter. Why would Rhea suddenly stop writing about those topics? What does his refusal to put more on paper tell you about the kind of plan Jackson and the President were discussing?

What did the author assume?

Which assumption about the President's approval do you think John Rhea would agree with?
A. A military leader like Jackson can be given secret permission to act, even if that permission is never written down clearly.
B. A military leader like Jackson should only act on orders that are written down clearly and officially for everyone to see.
Which assumption about keeping plans secret do you think John Rhea would agree with?
A. If a plan could get the President in trouble, it is better to talk about it using hints rather than put the details in writing.
B. If a plan could get the President in trouble, it is better to write the details down clearly so everyone understands exactly what was decided.

Write your answer

Use Rhea's letter to Jackson to answer our question: Why did Andrew Jackson think he was right to march his army into Spanish Florida in 1818, even though Florida still belonged to Spain?

From Florida Becomes a United States Territory, a 6th grade history lesson on Pallas.