The ceremonies of transfer from Spain to the United States took place on July 17, 1821 in Pensacola.

Previously, on March 10, 1821, General Andrew Jackson was named by President Monroe as "Commissioner of the United States with full power and authority to take possession of and to occupy the territories ceded by Spain to the United States..."

On the same day, he was also appointed by President Monroe to use in the territories of East and West Florida "all the powers and authorities heretofore exercised by the Governor and Captain General and Intendant of Cuba, and by the Governors of East and West Florida."

Three months later Jackson left Florida, never to return.

President Monroe appointed William DuVal to succeed Andrew Jackson as Governor of Florida, ignoring Jackson's recommendation of Colonel William King for the job.

Born in Virginia, William DuVal left home at the age of 14 for the Kentucky frontier, settling in Bardstown to study law. He was admitted to the bar at 19.

He came to Florida as a Territorial Judge. He was appointed Governor of the Florida territory in 1822 and reappointed by Presidents Adams and Jackson.

n 1839, President Van Buren removed Territorial Governor Richard Keith Call from office on the grounds of "disagreement on military policy". Van Buren then appointed Robert Reid Governor to take Call's place.

During his governorship, Call had repeatedly petitioned the Federal government for more military assistance in the removal of the Seminole and Creek Indians from Florida. Frustrated by what he considered to be a continued inadequate response, Call proposed to organize and lead an independent force.

While this was the official reason given for his removal, Call suspected that Van Buren was looking for an excuse to appoint someone who would more rigidly follow the Democratic party line. Call participated in the establishment and operations of banks and insurance companies. These actions were at odds with the reigning Democratic Party beliefs about the relationship that should exist between government debt and private enterprise.

During the next presidential election, Call canvassed in the North for the Whig candidate, William Henry Harrison. Harrison defeated Van Buren and became President of the United States.

Harrison then appointed Call to his old place as Governor of Florida.