Within a month, Brown submitted his first report to Major Furlong, primarily comprising three lists. One was of settlers who had proved themselves to be completely loyal to the crown, listed under the heading “Tories.” The second, a somewhat shorter list, included the names of Whigs, who by their actions or reported words were known to support the revolutionary cause. The longer column of names was of families who were known to have little interest in political affairs or who had expressed equivocal opinions concerning events in Charles Town or Savannah. Although the Ranger commander did not reveal his intentions, he was determined to increase the first list at the expense of the other two.

In St. Augustine, the results were all good. There was an unprecedented influx of produce, and the surplus provided substantial income when exported to the West Indies. Although Thomas Brown and his renegade group were at first ridiculed, the Florida Rangers became well known as the months passed, acknowledged as a source of satisfaction among British officials, at least during their more private moments. The number of Rangers continued to expand, with groups roaming an ever-larger area. The major never accepted offers of an accounting of all the goods seized, but Brown kept detailed records in case they were ever wanted. He was able to keep his volunteers well pleased with what they were able to take home. He himself showed no desire for income above his army pay, and he forbade any stealing of seized goods by Rangers.

Commander Brown was satisfied to direct the operation, assure its success, and make plans for an expanded future. He was a rigid disciplinarian, brooking no disloyalty or questioning of his final decisions, but he understood the need for consulting closely with his immediate subordinates and particularly with the leaders of returning groups. He worked closely with Sergeant Baker and Sunoma, from whom he constantly sought advice on tactics, knowledge about the countryside, and intelligence about every family in the territory. Sergeant Baker was adept at extracting information about the raiding parties themselves, and it was not difficult for him to compare what was taken with what was delivered to the fort. Two cases of thievery resulted in a hearing before Brown at one of their outposts near the St. Marys River, and the guilty men were promptly hanged.

These actions established the character of the Florida Rangers and the primary duties of their commanding officer. Whenever possible, he left Baker in charge of acquiring supplies for St. Augustine and spent his time among the Indian tribes, learning about them and, with a portion of spoils secured from Whig settlers as gifts, securing their trust and friendship. Working closely with Indians on both sides of the Chattahoochee River and with Tory sympathizers throughout Florida and along the Atlantic Coast, Brown was developing an intelligence system that provided him information almost as soon as it reached the commanders of the Continental forces or the Georgia militia.

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