Support for the revolt is far from unanimous, due to the presence of competing pro-Spanish, pro-American, and pro-independence factions, as well as the presence of scores of foreign agents.

The faction that favors the continued independence of West Florida secures the adoption of a constitution at a convention in October.

The convention had earlier commissioned an army under General Philemon Thomas to march across the territory, subdue opposition to the insurrection, and seek to secure as much Spanish-held territory as possible.

"Residents of the western Florida Parishes proved largely supportive of the Revolt, while the majority of the population in the eastern region of the Florida Parishes opposed the insurrection. Thomas' army violently suppressed opponents of the revolt, leaving a bitter legacy in the Tangipahoa and Tchefuncte River region." (Christina Chapple, quoting Southeastern Louisiana history professor Sam Hyde, in "Commission planning for West Florida Republic bicentennial" on the Southeastern Louisiana University web site, posted July 6, 2009 (accessed March 25, 2018).