Research Symposium

BIO

I am a first year student at Florida State University. Coincidentally enough I was born and raised in St. Augustine, the location that is the focus of my research. I'm an Environmental Science student and when I'm not doing my schoolwork I like to surf, spend time in nature with my friends, and watch movies.

Ego & Power: A Look at the Relationship Between Gov. Patrick Tonyn and Royal General Augustine Prévost in 1777

Abstract

East Florida was governed by the British during the American Revolution. The capital of East Florida during this period was Saint Augustine, and its governor was Patrick Tonyn. Tonyn sought to fight back against the revolution, however, this never happened to the extent he desired. Why?
The answer is internal dissension in East Florida’s chain of command. The person most responsible for this dissension is Royal General Augustine Prévost. Prévost believed that he had full authority over the militia in East Florida. But Tonyn had his own militia, called the East Florida Rangers, and he would not relinquish control of these troops. My research looks at the relationship between Tonyn and Prévost and the power struggle for control over the East Florida militia and Rangers. By looking at the findings that have been published by authors researching East Florida under British governance and analyzing many primary sources, particularly a letter between Tonyn and Prévost, I was able to find two specific examples that illuminate the conflict between these two men. These findings can be used to explain other conflicts between Tonyn and Prévost, like the movement of troops. These findings can also help us paint a clearer picture of what British East Florida looked like during the Revolutionary War and how citizens of St. Augustine were affected by the actions of royal officials.

Keywords: American Revolution, St. Augustine, Dissent, History