José María Callava facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José María Callava
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|---|---|
| 17th Governor of West Florida | |
| In office February 1819 – July 17, 1821 |
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| Preceded by | William King |
| Succeeded by | Andrew Jackson as Military Governor of American Florida |
| Personal details | |
| Profession | Soldier and Politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Viceroyalty of New Spain Kingdom of Spain |
| Branch/service | Spanish Army |
| Battles/wars | Peninsular War |
José María Callava was an important Spanish soldier and politician. He was the very last governor of Spanish West Florida. He served from February 1819 until July 17, 1821, when Spain officially gave the territory to the United States.
A Spanish Leader
Callava was an officer in the Spanish Army. He quickly rose through the ranks because of his service in the Peninsular War. This war was fought in Spain and Portugal against Napoleon's French forces.
One of his most notable actions was at the Battle of Almonacid. For his bravery there, he was made a knight in the Royal and Military Order of Saint Hermenegild in 1811. By the time he was under 40 years old, he had become a colonel and a governor.
An author named James Parton described Callava as a "Castilian." This means he was from the Castile region of Spain. Parton said Callava was "of light complexion, a handsome, well-grown man, of dignified presence and refined manners."
Handing Over Florida
After the Adams–Onís Treaty, Florida was transferred from Spain to the United States. Callava stayed in Pensacola for a while. He acted as a representative for Spain. His job was to oversee the loading of artillery and other unfinished business.
During this time, Callava had a disagreement with Andrew Jackson. Jackson was the new military governor of the Florida Territory. The argument was about documents related to the property of a Spanish official named Nicolás María Vidal.
The Document Dispute
Vidal's daughters wanted documents about their father's estate. Callava was ordered to give these documents to them. However, he did not immediately hand them over.
Because Callava did not comply, Governor Jackson had him put in jail. Jackson also had the records removed from Callava's house. Once the documents were in American hands, Jackson released Callava.
Callava later said that the dispute happened partly because there were not enough translators. This made it hard for him and the Americans to communicate clearly. After his release, Callava traveled to Washington, D.C. There, he made a formal complaint against Jackson through the Spanish minister.
