THE PANTON, LESLIE and COMPANY

THE PANTON, LESLIE and COMPANY

While Spanish Florida had few farmers and planters, many English fur traders remained in Florida reluctant to desert the profits found in the forests of West Florida. Since the Spanish had little to offer the Creek Indians in this area, Spanish officials realized that English traders had the loyalty of the Indian tribes and provided some economic benefits to Pensacola.

Zespedes wished to maintain good relations with the increasing number of Creeks fleeing Alabama Territory as American settlers moved westward. He realized the Indians would provide a buffer zone between St. Augustine and the American settlements.

In order to develop a strong alliance with the Creeks, the Spanish allowed a Charleston merchant WILLIAM PANTON and his business partner JOHN LESLIE to establish a fur trade business in West Florida. The PANTON, LESLIE, AND COMPANY developed a lucrative fur trading empire with offices at Pensacola and Apalachicola. The picture shows company headquarters in Pensacola, based upon a 1900 drawing by E, D. Chandler. The firm sold the Indians every conceivable product, excepting rifles which were disallowed by Spanish law. In East Florida, the Spanish selected the FORBES AND COMPANY to handle the fur trade.