Pinckney's Treaty Timeline

(October 27, 1795–August 3, 1796)

Pinckney's Treaty, also called the Treaty of San Lorenzo, was a 1795 agreement between the United States and Spain that resolved border disputes and expanded American access to important waterways and trade routes. More Less

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Colonial background

British colonies established in Florida

1763

After the French and Indian War, which formed part of the larger Seven Years' War, Great Britain established the colonies of East Florida and West Florida from territory ceded by France and Spain along the northern Gulf of Mexico coast.

Image source: British West Florida

West Florida border set at the 31st parallel

1763

When West Florida was established as a British colony, its northern border was initially set at the 31st parallel north.

West Florida border moved northward

1764

Great Britain moved West Florida's northern boundary to 32° 28′ north, the junction of the Mississippi and Yazoo Rivers, near present-day Vicksburg, Mississippi. The change gave West Florida additional territory, including the Natchez and Tombigbee districts.

Spain regains East and West Florida

1783

Under the Treaty of Paris ending the American Revolutionary War, Britain ceded East Florida and West Florida to Spain. Spain ruled the two provinces separately and apart from Louisiana.

Image source: Treaty of Paris (1783)

Treaty negotiations

Spain closes New Orleans to American goods

1784

Spain closed New Orleans to American goods traveling down the Mississippi River, intensifying tensions over navigation, commerce, and the southwestern boundary.

United States and Spain settle the border

1795

In 1795, the United States and Spain settled their disputed southern boundary and concluded a trade agreement. Their arrangement became known as Pinckney's Treaty, the Treaty of San Lorenzo, or the Treaty of Madrid.

Southern boundary line defined

1795

The treaty established the southern boundary of the United States with Spanish East Florida and West Florida. The line began on the Mississippi River at the 31st parallel, ran due east to the middle of the Chattahoochee River, followed that river downstream to its junction with the Flint River, continued due east to the headwaters of the St. Marys River, and then followed the channel to the Atlantic Ocean.

Pinckney's Treaty signed

Oct 27, 1795

The United States and Spain signed Pinckney's Treaty, also called the Treaty of San Lorenzo or the Treaty of Madrid, on October 27, 1795.

Treaty presented to the U.S. Senate

Feb 26, 1796

The treaty was formally presented to the United States Senate on February 26, 1796, beginning the Senate's consideration of the agreement.

Senate ratifies Pinckney's Treaty

Mar 7, 1796

After debate, the United States Senate ratified Pinckney's Treaty on March 7, 1796.

Ratifications exchanged

Apr 25, 1796

The United States and Spain exchanged their ratifications on April 25, 1796, bringing the treaty into force between the two countries.

Spain ratifies the treaty

Apr 25, 1796

Spain ratified Pinckney's Treaty on April 25, 1796, completing the Spanish approval process.

Image source: Pinckney's Treaty

Treaty proclaimed

Aug 2, 1796

The United States proclaimed Pinckney's Treaty on August 2, 1796, publicly promulgating the agreement and its provisions.

Territorial consequences

Mississippi Territory organized

Apr 7, 1798

Congress organized the region over which Spain relinquished its claim through Pinckney's Treaty as Mississippi Territory on April 7, 1798.

Image source: Mississippi Territory

West Florida controversy

Unspecified boundaries fuel a new dispute

1800 - 1803

As in 1783, the boundaries of the territory exchanged in the Third Treaty of San Ildefonso were not specified. This ambiguity later contributed to a new dispute when France and the United States negotiated the Louisiana Purchase.

Image source: West Florida Controversy

Spanish Louisiana retroceded to France

Oct 1, 1800

Under the secret Third Treaty of San Ildefonso, Spain formally retroceded Spanish Louisiana, including the vast territory west of the Mississippi and New Orleans, to France. Spain nevertheless continued to administer the territory.

Image source: Third Treaty of San Ildefonso

Louisiana Purchase raises West Florida dispute

1803

The Louisiana Purchase created the second phase of the West Florida Controversy. The disagreement centered on whether the portion of West Florida between the Mississippi and Perdido Rivers, controlled by Britain and then Spain since 1763, had been included in the 1801 treaty and therefore in the purchase.

Republic of West Florida declared

1810

While American and British politicians disputed the territory's status, settlers in the region declared an independent Republic of West Florida in 1810.

Image source: Republic of West Florida

United States annexes the Republic of West Florida

1810

The Republic of West Florida was quickly annexed by the United States and incorporated into the Territory of Orleans.

Louisiana joins the Union

1812

The Territory of Orleans joined the Union as the state of Louisiana in 1812, incorporating the area that had been annexed after the Republic of West Florida was declared.

Image source: Louisiana

Mobile District annexed by the United States

1812

Also in 1812, the United States annexed the Mobile District of West Florida, the area between the Perdido and Pearl Rivers, and declared that it had been included in the Louisiana Purchase.

Adams–Onís Treaty transfers both Floridas

1819

In 1819, the United States and Spain negotiated the Adams–Onís Treaty, under which Spain ceded all of West Florida and East Florida to the United States.

Image source: Adams–Onís Treaty