Fulwar Skipwith, elected as governor of the Republic of West Florida on November 7, together with members of a bicameral legislature, had been inaugurated on November 29.

A week later, he and many of his fellow officials still lingered at St Francisville preparing to go to Baton Rouge, where the next session of the legislature is to consider his ambitious program.

The impending U.S. takeover apparently comes as a surprise to Skipwith when the Mississippi Territory governor, David Holmes, and his party approach the town.

Holmes persuades all except a few leaders, including Skipwith and Philemon Thomas, the general of the West Florida troops, to acquiesce to American authority.

Skipwith complains bitterly to Holmes that, as a result of seven years of U.S. tolerance of continued Spanish occupation, the United States has abandoned its right to the country and that the West Florida people will not now submit to the American government without conditions.

Skipwith and several of his unreconciled legislators now depart for the fort at Baton Rouge, rather than surrender the country unconditionally and without terms.