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Letters Concerning Spanish Spies in Florida During the Spanish American War,
1898
(From: Governor Bloxham, Correspondence, 1897-1901, Series 578; and
Governor, Territorial and State Governors' Letterbooks, 1836-1909, Series 32)
Page 1 | Page 2 | Page
3 | Full Text | About the Letters
In the 1890s, United States support for
Cuban revolutionaries fighting for independence from Spain led to a deteriorating
relationship between the two powers. Cuban revolutionaries such as Jose Marti
frequently visited Florida in search of economic and political support, and so-called
Yellow Journalism fanned the flames of anti-Spanish feeling in the U.S. Early
in 1898, President William McKinley sent the battleship Maine to Havana to protect
American interests. On February 15 the ship exploded. Though it is now believed
that the deadly blast that sank the ship was accidental, at the time most Americans
blamed the Spanish. "Remember the Maine! To Hell With Spain!" was the cry of many,
as war fever spread. In April, after some hesitancy, McKinley asked congress for
a declaration of war.
Upon the outbreak of the war, Florida became the scene of intense military
activity. Training camps were established in various locations, and Tampa was
selected as the main port of embarkation for an American expeditionary force
headed for Cuba. Despite mass confusion, U.S. forces would successfully land
in Cuba and force the surrender of the Spanish garrison after a brief campaign.
The war lasted only until August, when the two belligerents signed an armistice.
A final treaty was signed in December 1898.
William D. Bloxham was Florida governor during the war. He dealt with issues
such as the organization of a Florida regiment to serve in Federal service,
the logistical nightmare of supplying so many troops in what was still essentially
a frontier state, and the resulting social problems caused by such a large influx
of military personnel. The close proximity of Florida to Cuba led some individuals
to be concerned about possible attacks, or acts of sabotage or espionage. The
following letter, in which a detective asked for a job hunting Spanish spies
in Florida, along with Bloxham's brief, yet polite reply, is an example of the
many issues with which the governor had to contend.
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