West Florida: Polity Style: 1763-1781 - Archontology
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West Florida: Polity Style: 1763-1781

10 Mar 1763 the possessions of Spain in North America, including the Floridas, are ceded by the King of Spain to the King of Great Britain in accordance with a treaty signed by the plenipotentiaries of the kings of Great Britain, France and Spain on 10 Feb 1763 in Paris, effective on the exchange of ratifications on 10 Mar 1763 (Martens, 1:104-131; Chalmers, 1:467-494; Paris Treaty 1763 (Spanish official publication), pp. 139-314; France Diplomatie, Traités et accords de la France, TRA17630001)
7 Oct 1763 the territories in North America ceded by Spain constituted the Provinces of East Florida and West Florida in accordance with a proclamation issued by command of the King of Great Britain on 7 Oct 1763 (Canada Constitutional Documents 1759-1791, 1:163-168) [1]
7 Oct 1763 - 9 May 1781 Province of West Florida
9 May 1781 the Province of West Florida is placed under the administration of Spain in accordance with the articles of capitulation signed by the Governor-in-Chief of West Florida (on behalf of Great Britain) and the Superintendent and Governor-General of the Province of Louisiana (on behalf of Spain) at Pensacola on 9 May 1781 (Pensacola Campaign Diary (English), pp. 75-83; Pensacola Campaign Diary (Spanish), pp. 35-44)
19 Sep 1783 East Florida and West Florida are ceded by the King of Great Britain to the King of Spain in accordance with a treaty signed by the plenipotentiaries of the kings of Great Britain and Spain on 3 Sep 1783 at Versailles, effective on the exchange of ratifications on 19 Sep 1783 (Chalmers, 2:229-248; Versailles Treaty 1783 (Spanish official publication), pp. 29-94)
  1. The proclamation of 7 Oct 1763 referred to the territories as placed under the "distinct and separate Governments, styled and called by the names of Quebec, East Florida, West Florida and Grenada." The commissions to the Governors-in-Chief of East Florida and West Florida issued on 21 Nov 1763 defined the boundaries and referred to the territories as the Province of East Florida and the Province of West Florida.