Update from May 28, 2017

4 files changed, 7129 insertions, 1 deletions

diff --git a/54804-0.txt b/54804-0.txt
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..933ddc9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/54804-0.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,7128 @@
+Project Gutenberg's The unwritten history of old St. Augustine, by Various

+

+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with

+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or

+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included

+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license

+

+

+Title: The unwritten history of old St. Augustine

+

+Author: Various

+

+Editor: A. M. Brooks

+

+Translator: Annie Averette

+

+Release Date: May 28, 2017 [EBook #54804]

+

+Language: English

+

+Character set encoding: UTF-8

+

+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY ***

+

+

+

+

+Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed

+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was

+produced from images available at The Internet Archive)

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+[Illustration: Founding of St. Augustine By Pedro Menendez, September 8,

+                                1565.]

+

+                    [Illustration: Text decoration]

+

+

+

+

+                                  THE

+                               UNWRITTEN

+                             HISTORY _of_

+                           Old St. Augustine

+

+                   Copied from the Spanish Archives

+                      in Seville, Spain, by Miss

+                           A. M. Brooks and

+                              Translated

+                                  by

+                          Mrs. Annie Averette

+

+                    [Illustration: Text decoration]

+

+

+

+

+PREFACE

+

+

+We take pleasure in presenting to our readers information connected with

+St. Augustine never before published. It is composed largely of reports

+and letters to the King of Spain, much of it written by Pedro Menendez

+himself, and contains decrees and letters from the King to the Governor,

+Generals and Officers having charge of the Florida Provinces. It has

+been buried for over three centuries, in Seville, Spain. It is reliable,

+having been written in old Spanish and guarded with care. It contains

+facts for which many have sought in vain. The style in which it is

+written is clear and comprehensive, without being diffuse or overdrawn.

+It is the true history of our country.

+

+

+

+

+CONTENTS

+

+

+CHAPTER I--A. D. 1565                                                  1

+

+Royal Decree from King Philip II in reference to further discovery and

+settlement of Florida--Officers and number of men appointed to go in the

+Armada--Reports from the Armada after leaving--Report from Pedro

+Menendez to his Majesty--The English and French have already settled

+here--Necessity of Spaniards taking entire control--Letter from the King

+to Pedro Menendez--Tells of English and French vessels reported to have

+sailed for these Provinces--King sends Fleet with sailors, soldiers and

+supplies that the person of Pedro Menendez may be guarded properly as

+Governor and Captain General of the Province of Florida.

+

+CHAPTER II--A. D. 1565                                                13

+

+Pedro Menendez gives an account to his Majesty of the Fort Matanzas

+Massacre--Menendez and army escape from being made prisoners by the

+French on account of a tornado--Because of the swollen river the Council

+agree to make a land attack--Spaniards surprise and take Fort Matanzas

+without loss of a single man--Killing over two hundred Frenchmen

+and capturing Laudonnier--Find Indians enchanted with the

+Lutherans--Shipwrecked Frenchmen found on coast--With hands tied behind

+them are stabbed in the back by Spaniards.

+

+CHAPTER III--A. D. 1598                                               27

+

+Report of Fernando Miranda, agent to the King, complains of

+Governor--Espionage over vessels--Gives account of work of

+negroes--Houses and churches built, land cleared--Soldiers assist in

+repairing Fort--Report of Bartolome De Arguellas--Capture of rebellious

+Indians--Sending some to Havana to be hanged, some to be

+imprisoned--Casiques render obedience to the Governor who assures them

+of his good intentions--Pedro Pertrene reports to the King of being

+newly appointed to be Captain of a Garrison in Florida--Insufficiency of

+salary to meet expenses--Because of long service to his Majesty implores

+aid and satisfaction--Dona Maria Menendez, Casique, writes the King

+asking aid in meeting the expenses of instructing the Indians in

+Christianity and good government.

+

+CHAPTER IV--A. D. 1598                                                34

+

+Extract from official report made by Gonzales Menendez Canso, Governor

+and Captain-General--Six priests of the San Franciscan order murdered by

+Indians--Lieutenant Eciga sent to see if any of the priests are still

+living--Hears of one--Is refused permission to see him--After much

+persuasion and many threats Friar Fray Francisco is delivered--Manner of

+the death of the others is investigated--Fray Francisco makes a

+statement in regard to the death of the other priests, is forbidden by

+the Canons of the Church to reveal all--Notary Public Juan Ximenes

+swears to the investigation of several Indians through an

+interpreter--Execution of Indian Lucas as participating in the murder of

+Fray Blas.

+

+CHAPTER V--A. D. 1600                                                 49

+

+Letter from one of eleven monks sent out by his Majesty to spread the

+gospel--Report eighty churches in different Missions--Indians lazy and

+improvident--Avarice of Governor causes dissatisfaction--People desire

+his immediate removal--Fray Lopez, a Missionary, has converted many

+Indians in twelve years of service, among them Don Juan, a Casique, who

+stands highly among his people--His influence quells many

+uprisings--Juan Nunez Rios complains of Governor in a letter to the

+King--Begs for an open Port that the people may go back and forth and

+trade--An officer asks to be allowed to serve his Majesty

+elsewhere--Fray Blas De Montes implores that he may be allowed to come

+to Spain for retirement--Gives account of a fire which burned the church

+among other houses--Slow progress among the Indians--Advices that a

+Bishop be sent--Report of Gonzales Menendez Canso to his Majesty--A

+shipmaster bearing dispatches shipwrecked in storm--Governor aids him

+from the Royal Treasury--Auditor from his Majesty arrives--Reports the

+Garrison abounding in fruits and grain--Grieves over the death of the

+Christian Indian Don Juan--Return of Fray Lopez from New Spain in good

+health--Reports the money brought to establish a hospital--More money

+needed for Garrison expenses--Francisco Redondo Villegas, Officer of

+Customs, is not treated with the respect due his Royal Office by the

+Governor--Reports affairs in a muddled condition--Soldiers well

+drilled--Much land under cultivation--Wages small--Rations insufficient.

+

+CHAPTER VI--A. D. 1605-1608                                           67

+

+Minutes of a Bull or Bill of Supplication to be presented to the Holy

+See asking for concession of graces and powers for Catholic residents in

+Florida--Minorcan families brought priest and monk with them--Wish new

+privileges and graces granted--In regard to a Cedula from his Majesty,

+which instructs as to duties on wine--Priests and Monks of Tasco use

+Municipal monies for their own interests--Advises a change in the office

+of Treasurer of the Royal Chest--Vessels carry important papers for his

+Majesty lost--Favors shown to Don Francisco gratifies the people--Letter

+from Pedro Ibarra to his Majesty says there is not sufficient support

+for the Garrison--Solicits aid for a poor widow--Soldiers find amber in

+a fish, for which Menendez exacts a duty--French and English pirates

+cause much anxiety--A few captured, some imprisoned and ten

+hanged--Visiting Indian chiefs so impressed with the religious services

+and processions that they ask for friars to instruct their people--Asks

+for assistance in building a fort at the mouth of Miguel Moro--Endeavors

+to find the source of river San Mateo and Lake Miami--A garrison of

+warlike people--Proposition to establish a Manager of the Inquisition to

+subjugate and control them--Does not wish to let certain priest and

+captain--Report of Juan Menendez Marquez--Deplores the decision to

+reduce the garrison--Advises a return to the policy of Pedro Menendez,

+his cousin--Desires permission to come to Spain to more fully lay the

+condition before his Majesty.

+

+CHAPTER VII--A. D. 1622-1640                                          82

+

+Report of Antonio Benavides to his Majesty--The Spanish King instructs

+the establishment of friendly relations with the English of the

+Carolinas--Don Francisco Menendez with other officers sent out--Mission

+fails owing to the English not having yet received instructions from

+London--Requested the removal of an English fort built on Spanish

+territory--Refusal--The matter fully laid before his Majesty--Report of

+Luis De Rojas--A Frigate sent out to assist a fleet in bringing

+supplies, run down by an enemy, boat stripped and burned, soldiers and

+crew escape to shore and finally reach the garrison--They collect

+Indians and soldiers and return--The enemy take to their launches and

+escape--Forty-seven persons only saved from a Spanish Fleet which had

+been captured by a Dutch Fleet--Recommends that his Majesty build a fort

+at the bar of the place called Jega--Report of Luis Ussitinez to his

+Majesty--The Mandate of the King carried out for prayer to Almighty God

+for the success of the King’s arms taken up against France--At a meeting

+of the Board of the City Council of Havana appears a clergyman of the

+Holy Office of the Inquisition with an Auto from the Señor Comissionado,

+Don Francisco de las Casas, containing instructions as to certain

+ceremonies in connection with the Inquisition.

+

+CHAPTER VIII--A. D. 1655-1657                                         96

+

+An anonymous letter to his Majesty--Death of Governor Benito Ruid

+Salazer--Two others appointed to serve _pro tem._ die suddenly of a

+contagious disease--Certain related officials gather in the night and

+elect Don Pedro Ruitinez Governor--A distressing condition follows--The

+people’s money squandered--Officials intimidated and abused--Material

+sent for repairing Fort used to barter with the Indians for amber and

+the money used by the Governor and Treasurer--Consults his own pleasure

+as to obedience to church laws and vows--A report from Diego Rebolledo,

+1657, as to the necessity of guarding the Ports of the Province owing to

+pirates and as a prevention from the enemy entering and entrenching

+themselves in some of the distant but rich Provinces--The Friars object

+to the fortifications as the Spaniards would retard the conversion of

+the Indians--The Governor thinks the real reason is, that because of the

+present condition the Friars are the masters of the Indians--A Friar

+reports to his Majesty that owing to the Governor insisting upon some

+Indian chiefs carrying heavy burdens of corn, when there were vassals

+for such labor--The chiefs cause an uprising--They march into the

+Garrison and hang the Governor--The Island of Jamaica heavily fortified

+by the English who intend taking Cuba, so it is rumored.

+

+CHAPTER IX--A. D.        1662-1670                                   107

+

+Alonzo Aranqui y Cortez reports the auditing of accounts and condition

+of the Royal Treasury--Finding of large nuggets in a hill, supposed to

+be a silver mine--Goes to investigate--Report of Juan Cebadilla to his

+Majesty of having sent out the King’s orders concerning who shall keep

+the keys of the Royal chest--Administration of the negroes--Harshness

+shown the Royal employees--Francisco Guerra Vega reports a Captain of

+the Garrison for indecency and offense to his superiors, for which same

+he was reprimanded and imprisoned as a warning--Afterward given his

+liberty--The King to the Captain-General of Provinces of

+Florida--Instructions as to the continuance of the passage to Marcana

+Guale--Founding of the town of Santiago--As to the performance of

+certain duties by soldiers, for which money shall be paid--Soldiers

+shall be permitted to raise their crops, and not employed in personal

+work for the Governor--The Governor shall look after the wants and needs

+of his people--By order of the King, 1670.

+

+CHAPTER X--A. D. 1671-1673                                           112

+

+Pedro Menendez received the title of Governor by right of conquest, and

+Captain-General and Commander of the Fleet by conference of his Majesty

+for faithful, valorous service--Don Martin Menendez receives the title

+of perpetual Governor by right of inheritance--Important papers burned

+at Simancas--Manuel De Mendoza reports to his Majesty as to the designs

+of the English enemy--Discovery of the South Sea--Condition of this

+Garrison and other Provinces--Implores aid in completing

+fortifications--Report to his Majesty by Francisco De La Guerra y Vega

+concerning an Englishman taken prisoner in the Province of Guale--One of

+a crew sent out from a settlement of English at St. Elena--This man who

+was second in authority was confined in prison on soldiers’ rations--An

+effort made to break up the English settlement, which was unsuccessful.

+

+CHAPTER XI--A. D. 1675                                               121

+

+Letters to the King from the Governor Pablo Ita Salazer--Oath of office

+administered in the tower of the old Fort which is rapidly going into

+ruins--The Garrison needing supplies and ammunition--No warehouses, and

+owing to the distance and frequency of storms delaying supplies, the

+people are forced to hunt in the woods for roots to appease their

+hunger--The Fort in danger from pirates--Ammunition and guards exposed

+to the fatalities of the weather--Pleads for more money to complete the

+Castle--Its great importance--A pentagonal shape recommended--The

+Viceroy of Spain fails to send the ten thousand dollars--One hundred men

+needed to guard the Castle--Great danger from pirates--Two hundred

+leagues from Havana and five hundred from New Spain.

+

+CHAPTER XII--A. D. 1675                                              130

+

+An effort made to dislodge the English from Santa Elena--Governor

+ordered to complete the Castle and defense of the Garrison--Yucatan

+families--Master weavers asked for to settle in Florida--Appalache

+considered the best Province for settlement--Supplies sent from New

+Spain--Barracks to be made in the Fort for the soldiers--Money sent to

+finish the new Castle, also supplies for the soldiers--The neighbors to

+assist in building the new Castle--Repairs on the bulwarks of

+Guale--Increase of troops for St. Augustine--A fortress ordered built at

+Appalache.

+

+CHAPTER XIII--A. D. 1680-1685                                        136

+

+Letter from Pablo Ita Salazer to his Majesty--Indians of the Province of

+Guale declare themselves friendly to the English, and make war upon the

+Spaniards of the Island of St. Catherine--They surprise the six

+sentinels, killing all but one who escaped and gave warning--The people

+gather in the convent of a Friar and defend themselves from day light

+until four o’clock, when aid reaches them from the Garrison of St.

+Augustine, whereupon the enemy retires--The natives of the Island

+greatly alarmed--Disquieting news of the intentions of the enemy upon

+this Garrison--Implores aid from the King quickly, that the English may

+be ejected from the land--Don Juan Marquez Cabrera, Governor and

+Captain-General of Florida--Gives account to his Majesty of hostilities

+in the Provinces--Two Fleets, French and English, going and coming from

+Havana--Seize Fort Matanzas and, after plundering, burn it to the

+ground--Is now being rebuilt--Great depredations committed up and down

+the coast by the enemy--Pushing the work on the Castle--Grieved over its

+slow progress, owing to lack of workmen--Begs to be allowed to retire

+because of age and long service--To Charles II, our principal Casique,

+the King--From the people of the territory of Habalache--The King to the

+Governor and Captain-General of Florida--Concerning ten negroes from St.

+George, who asked for the water of baptism--A Sergeant-Major from St.

+George comes to claim them--Because they have become Christians the

+Spanish King decides to buy them--After receiving a receipt they are to

+be set at liberty, each one given a document to that effect--The King

+reprimands Don Diego Quiroga for not attending to these matters--Orders

+a full account to be sent as soon as it is accomplished.

+

+CHAPTER XIV--A. D. 1689-1698                                         147

+

+Letter of the Governor and Captain-General of Florida, Don Diego Quiroga

+y Losada, to his Majesty--Giving an account of a custom obtaining in the

+Garrison which endangers the safety of the people--When the Host is

+taken out in the night to administer communion to the dying the bells

+are rung until its return which is often hours, thus preventing the

+hearing the firing of the sentries across the river who are instructed

+to fire as often as there are numbers of vessels sighted--This danger

+fully laid before the Priest, who refused to discontinue the ringing of

+the bells, notwithstanding the city has been in arms awaiting the enemy

+for some days--In a Cedula by his Majesty of July 18th, 1674, he asks

+for a statement concerning the order and place of the Holy Tribunal of

+the Inquisition--These questions answered by Severino Mausaneda March

+17th, 1690--An account of a military review in St. Augustine by Governor

+Don Diego Quiroga y Losada--Also recounts the great advantage to the

+City by building a sea wall to extend from the Fort the entire length of

+the City thus securing it against the sea which at present comes up to

+the houses during a storm--The soldiers and citizens subscribe ten

+thousand dollars, and the King is petitioned for aid that the citizens

+seeing his Majesty’s interest will be encouraged to proceed--The King

+rebukes Governor Don Diego Quiroga y Losada of the city of St.

+Augustine for unjustly taxing the Indians--Misappropriating funds sent

+by agreement for canvas and provisions for them--Not attending to their

+wants and comfort and treating them alone as vassals--Extracts from the

+investigations of the Council as to alleged excesses committed by the

+Governor Don Francisco Moral Sanchez--His ill treatment of a Captain of

+Grenadiers--Acting according to his own will and not to military

+law--The Governor’s removal desired--A report according to the King’s

+command concerning affairs under Governor Don Francisco Morales

+Sanchez--Investigation shows that the facts set forth in the different

+papers and petitions sent to his Majesty to have been only too

+true--Impossible to put upon paper the strange, divers and extraordinary

+excesses committed by this Governor--The abuses sufficient to chill the

+soul and congeal the blood.

+

+CHAPTER XV--A. D. 1708-1723                                          163

+

+Francisco Córcoles y Martinez in a letter to his Majesty reports all

+possible measures taken to prevent the destroying of this

+Province--Indians from the villages bordering on the Carolinas, aided by

+the English, each day carry off certain families, Christians and

+natives, more than ten thousand having been carried off to

+date--Probably sold into slavery--A Treaty urged with the English of the

+Carolinas, else there will be a continuance of hostilities and the

+spread of the Gospel impeded--In a second letter the Governor gives an

+account of certain Friars in a dispute with the Priest of the Parish

+concerning the rights to marry soldiers, Spaniards, Indians and

+half-breeds--The matter laid before the Governor, who in turn refers it

+to his Majesty--Recommends the abolishing of all Heathen customs--By a

+Royal dispatch, A. D. 1721, the Governor of Florida is commanded to go

+in person to the Governor of the Carolinas and arrange with him a Treaty

+of Peace between the English and Spanish of those Provinces

+adjoining--Which same was carried out as far as possible--Trinkets and

+clothing sent to the Casiques and chiefs of Apalachicola as

+commanded--Indians restless making preparations for war--English

+spreading dissatisfaction--A Council of war decides to send a vessel to

+Havana to the Governor asking for men, arms and provisions.

+

+CHAPTER XVI--A. D. 1736-1739                                         174

+

+Governor Señor Montiano in a letter to his Majesty says: It is reported

+that Don Diego Oglethorpe has said openly “that should he receive orders

+from his Government to fix the boundary lines between the Spanish

+possessions and the Carolinas, he would so delay its execution that

+there should never be a sign of these limits”--Montiano thinks “it will

+be impossible to ever discuss matters of importance with such a man and

+it will be best that he be removed”--An Indian, Juan Ygnacio de las

+Reyes, gives himself up to the English, under pretext of having killed

+an Indian, to gain information concerning the strength and intentions of

+the English toward the Spanish--After misleading the English as to the

+strength and numbers in the Spanish fortifications, he makes his escape

+and returns to this Province--Statement of what has been ordered for the

+aid of Florida Provinces--The dislodging of the enemy from certain

+settlements on its territory up to 1674--Dispatch of 1675 commands that

+if the negro slaves sent to Havana have not already been sold, they

+shall be sent to Florida to be put to work upon the construction of the

+Castle to relieve the Indians.

+

+CHAPTER XVII--A. D. 1741-1743                                        185

+

+A letter from the Governor Francisco Córcoles y Martinez--Conduct of the

+Christians worse than the Heathen--Soldiers guarded while cutting timber

+to repair the Fort--The Castle in a tumble-down condition--The Garrison

+to be maintained for the propagation of the Holy Gospel and to shelter

+the workers of the Apostolic faith--A paper of representation to his

+Majesty concerning certain properties willed to the Royal Treasury by

+Don Francisco Menendez, and designated by the King for use as

+hospitals--The Royal Officers of the Province think these properties

+should be sold at auction, and the proceeds applied to the back pay of

+soldiers who are suffering and in need.

+

+CHAPTER XVIII--A. D. 1770-1771                                       191

+

+A letter of resolution to his Majesty concerning a letter of appeal made

+to the Governor and Bishop of Havana asking for patent and Holy oil to

+administer baptism and extreme unction to the Catholic families taken

+from the Island of Minorca by the English--These families bringing with

+them Don Pedro Campos, Doctor of Sacred Theology, as a Parish Priest,

+and Don Bartolome Casanovas of the St. Augustine order as Vicar--These

+same claiming to have received their appointment from the Supreme

+Pontificate, not knowing to which Bishop the jurisdiction of Florida

+belonged--In order that a thorough investigation may be made the whole

+matter was referred to his Majesty--Letter of the Archbishop of Valencia

+concerning this matter--Letter of the Bishop of Cuba to his Majesty,

+expressing gratification over the zeal of his Majesty in this

+matter--Advices that the privileges be conferred--Letter of the Bishop

+of Minorca giving information concerning same.

+

+CHAPTER XIX--A. D. 1771                                              204

+

+The opinion of the Judge--Having examined the different letters from the

+Bishop and made a thorough investigation into the matter concerning the

+granting of certain privileges to these Priests of the Minorcan families

+of the English colony of Florida, decides that these privileges should

+be granted as per reasons set forth in his written opinion, Madrid,

+1771--Bishop of Cuba for the Council to Dr. Don Pedro Campos and the

+Rev. Father Bartolome Casanovas, extending to these same Priests the

+title of Parish Priest and Vicar--Also sending a box containing three

+flasks of sacred oil--Hopes soon to be able to send a more extended

+prorogation of other powers--King solicited these powers from the Court

+of Rome--Asks for a detailed report of the number of families and

+condition of the congregation.

+

+CHAPTER XX--A. D. 1773                                               214

+

+Proceedings of the Council at the Court of Rome concerning the appeal

+made by the Parish Priest and Vicar of the Catholic families established

+in the English colony of Florida--The different Bishops’ letters--Also

+those of the Priest and Vicar asking for patent and further privileges

+and containing a report of the condition of the said Minorcan families

+who are dissatisfied with the lack of spiritual comforts--A brick

+church, and are very devout--Of their desire to throw off the yoke of

+Great Britain and their love for Spain--Reply of the Judge--Testimony

+sent by the Bishop of Cuba.

+

+CHAPTER XXI--A. D. 1773-1786                                         226

+

+Letter from the King to the Bishop of Cuba concerning the petition

+soliciting an extension of time and of the privileges for the Priest and

+Vicar of the Minorcan families in Florida, and enclosing an open mandate

+of His Holiness, enlarging and extending the time for twenty years--A

+copy of a letter and statement sent in by Lieutenant Don Nicolas Grenier

+in regard to the importance of the Provinces of the St. Marys and St.

+Johns rivers--The need of vessels to impress and control the

+inhabitants--Provinces rich in timber, turpentine, tar and

+pitch--Considers it detrimental to Spanish interests for Americans to

+introduce any commerce in the Provinces--Letter from the same Don

+Nicolas Grenier to the Governor urging the necessity of further

+protecting Spanish interests along the St. Marys and St. Johns

+rivers--Tranquility of the country jeopardized by outlaws--Some have

+been arrested and paid the penalty with their lives--Matter referred to

+the Governor--1774.

+

+

+

+

+The Unwritten History

+

+_of_ Old St. Augustine

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER I.

+

+A. D. 1565.

+

+     _Royal Decree of King Philip II in regard to the further discovery

+     and settlement of Florida--Officers appointed--Number of men to go

+     in the Armada--Captains and men to be paid in advance, to increase

+     diligence in service--Reports from the Armada after leaving--Pedro

+     Menendez reports that the English and French have already settled

+     here--Necessity of the Spaniards taking entire control of the

+     country--Letter from the King to Pedro Menendez in regard to

+     English and French settlers._

+

+

+ROYAL DECREE.

+

+THE KING.

+

+     _To our officers who reside in the City of Sevilla in charge of the

+     India contracts_:

+

+I have named the captains, as you will see, from the description shown

+by General Eraso, that they may enlist the 1400 men who are to go to

+Florida in the Armada which we have ordered equipped, instructing them

+immediately upon their arrival what they are to do, and notify me of

+their safe arrival. You must be immediately notified when the men are

+gathered together, and as it is expedient with each captain, you are to

+send a responsible person that he may pay each man one month’s salary in

+advance from the treasury on the day he enlists. It will cost, we

+suppose, upwards of 11,000 ducats, that they may go provided according

+to instructions received. You are to give each captain a copy of the

+order sent, that he may be sure of his men--who, receiving this aid,

+neither he nor they be deceived. I also command that according to these

+orders you instruct the paymasters so that they may well understand that

+each soldier is to have the money in his own hands so that there be a

+good understanding between us. This is paid to them as it will be a long

+and arduous campaign, and so that they may work with more zest and the

+town be established quickly. See that the captains go at this work with

+diligence and haste, and you must immediately see and attend to where

+you are to lodge these people and from there embark them. Send with them

+a person of trust to guide and lodge them and to see that they are well

+provided with food and all necessaries for their money. Keep them well

+together without disorder or vexation to the people of the land. Inform

+me of how you have provided for them and you will have served me. From

+

+BOSQUE DE SEGOVIA.

+

+August 15th, 1565.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+

+REPORT OF DON TRISTAN DE LUNA Y AVELLANO, CONCERNING AFFAIRS IN FLORIDA.

+

+The Armada which went to found the town in Florida at the place called

+Santa Elena in the port of Juan Ponce on the eleventh of June, and

+sailed with good and mild wind. On the seventh day out we were on the

+river Espiritu Santo, twenty leagues south of said river, in 27th

+degree, from there we sailed six days to the southeast and south until

+we found ourselves in the chain. South from there we sailed north in

+search of the coast of Florida, and at the end of the eighth day, which

+was the eve of the visitation of Saint Elizabeth, we discovered the

+coast of Florida eight leagues to the west where the Armada cast anchor

+and took on water and wood. Now we began to have rough weather. From

+there the fleet sailed on the eighth of July in search of the Port

+Achusa, sending ahead along the coast a frigate, the pilot not knowing

+exactly where Port Achusa was. The Armada passed ahead and anchored in

+the Bay of Phillipina, which was discovered by Julio de Labazares, from

+whence the Governor sent to seek Port Achusa, having heard that it was

+the best and safest port on all that coast. Navigating along the same

+coast where the Armada had come, they found Port Achusa which is twenty

+leagues from Bay Phillipina and thirty, more or less, from the Bay of

+Miruelo, so that it is between two bays--latitude 30 1-3 degrees. On the

+return of the frigate with the news, we immediately determined to set

+sail with the Armada. It seemed best to have the horses go by land, so

+we put them off in said Bay of Phillipina, thus some of our captains

+made the trip overland with one hundred and forty horses, out of the two

+hundred and forty we started with, the others having died at sea. On the

+bar of Phillipina we had some trouble with the Armada in crossing, on

+account of its shallowness for the larger vessels, also the strong and

+swift current--besides the weather had changed, and it was rougher. The

+Armada left Bay Phillipina for Achusa on the 10th of August, the day of

+St. Lawrence, and it entered Port Achusa on the day of Our Lady of

+August, for which reason we gave it the name of St. Mary of Phillipina.

+It is the best port discovered in the Indias. The shallowest part at the

+entrance is eleven cubits, and after you enter there are seven or eight

+fathoms. It is spacious, having a front of three leagues, the Spaniards

+are already there. The entrance of the bar is half a league in width, on

+the eastern coast is a cliff at the mouth of the bay, and large vessels

+can anchor in four or five fathoms within a stone’s throw from land. It

+is so safe that the winds and storms cannot hurt one. We found a few

+Indian ranches, they seemed to be fishermen. Judging from appearances it

+seems to be a fertile and good soil. There are many walnuts and many

+fruit trees--good hunting and fishing and good in many ways. We also

+found some plantings of corn. On the 25th of said month of August, the

+Governor sent Don Tristan de Avellano in a galleon, of those we brought,

+for this, from New Spain, with the news of all that had happened so far.

+He entered the Port of San Juan de Ulloa on the 9th of September. He

+will supply himself quickly with provisions, which at present we have

+sent to ask for, and we expect the boats to return soon. They will again

+go to this New Spain, and wait there to see the lay of the land, and

+where we are to found this town, and understand all the particulars and

+qualities to inform you.

+

+When the boats return I will give the details to your Majesty in the

+order that the Governor, Friars and other Officers write me, and I shall

+be careful to aid them in the name of your Majesty with everything that

+they need, so they may not vex the natives, but give themselves up to

+friendly intercourse with them, until the time for planting grain. In

+future it will not be so expensive, the ground being so fertile we can

+gather large harvests, thus serving and exalting your Majesty and the

+Catholic faith of Our Lord.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+

+To His Catholic Royal Majesty Pedro Menendez says:

+

+That what he sends your Majesty is what he declares to know of the coast

+and lands of Florida, and of the corsairs whom it is said have gone to

+populate it and seize the vessels coming from the Indias--and the damage

+they may do, and the remedy to be used in cases where they should have

+settled. Give them no quarter, and appropriate the coast and lands so

+that they can be the more easily turned out--that your Majesty can send

+to spread the Gospel, prevent the damages that can be done the vessels

+coming from the Indias is as follows: That while in Sevilla last May, he

+knew and understood positively from persons coming from the Canary

+Islands that they had been on the Island of Teneriffe and Port Garachico

+with a Portuguese named Mimoso, who is a pilot on the run of the Indias,

+and has a wife and home in France, that he has become a pirate, seizing

+the vessels of your Majesty. He carried four men of war, and it was said

+he was going to settle the coast of Florida; that two other large

+vessels were awaiting him, as soon as he took on water and provisions in

+that port, and he saw them there in a small vessel without disembarking

+for five or six hours, where some of the people who wish to be under

+them came to speak to them. He then returned to his vessel and set sail

+to return to the Indias. Also, that he heard in Sevilla and in this

+court of your Majesty that the English had gone out with a fleet to the

+coast of Florida to settle and to await the vessels from the Indias--and

+about a month ago he learned that five large English galleons with heavy

+artillery had passed about the end of December along the coast of Gaul

+and the tempest had driven them into the harbor of Ferrol, where they

+were anchored for a day and a half without landing, but the fishermen

+had gone on board to speak to them, and he says: If the above be true,

+and the English, French or any other nation should feel disposed to go

+and settle any part of Florida, it would be very damaging to these

+kingdoms, because on said coast of Florida and in said strait of the

+Bahamas, they could settle and fortify themselves in such a way, that

+they could have galleons and vessels of war to capture the fleets and

+other private vessels that came from the Indias, and pass through there,

+as they would run great risk of being captured.

+

+Also, that if last summer the French and English went to Florida as we

+are certain they did, and should have settled and built a fort in any

+port, and summered there, giving notice to their home government as to

+how they are situated, and should they be supplied this summer before we

+can raid upon them, and turn them out, it would be very difficult to do

+so on account of the friendship formed by them with the natives who

+would help them in such a way as to cause serious difficulty, and even

+should we finally succeed the natives would remain our enemies, and

+this would be extremely disadvantageous. Should they be supplied this

+summer the merchantmen which we expect from the Indias would also run

+great risk of being captured. Also, that it would be very annoying to

+have the above mentioned or others settle in Florida. Considering the

+proximity of the Islands of Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico and Cuba, where

+there are such vast numbers of negroes and mulattoes of bad disposition,

+there being in each of these islands more than thirty negroes to each

+Christian. And it is a land in which this generation multiplies with

+great rapidity. In the power of the French and English, all these slaves

+would be freed, and to enjoy their freedom would help them even against

+their own masters and lords and there would be an uprising in the land,

+and with the help of the negroes it would be easy to capture us. As an

+example of this, take Jacques de Soria, France, which in the year

+fifty-three, with one boat of a hundred tons and eighty men, by simply

+freeing the negroes, took and plundered the Islands of Margarite and

+Saint Martha, and burned Carthagena, plundered Santiago de Cuba and

+Havana, although at the time there were two hundred Spaniards there.

+They took the Fort with all it contained, and twelve pieces of bronze

+artillery and carried them all off. I consider these negroes a great

+obstacle to having the French or English settle in Florida or to have

+them so near, even though they should not be in favor with these two

+nations, there is danger of an uprising as there are so many cunning and

+sagacious ones who desire this liberty that I feel sure the design of

+those who should settle in Florida is to domineer over those islands,

+and stop the navigation with the Indias, which they can easily do by

+settling in said Florida. Also he says: That on account of these dangers

+and many others, it seems to him it would be to the service of God Our

+Lord, and your Majesty for the general good of your Kingdoms the Indies

+it would be well for your Majesty to try and domineer over these lands

+and coasts, which on account of their position, if other nations should

+go on settling and making friends with the Indians, it would be

+difficult to conquer them, especially if settled by French and English

+Lutherans, as they and the Indians having about the same laws, they

+would be friendly, and being near could rule and each year send out a

+thousand vessels to easily treat and contract with these lands which are

+said to be fertile and prolific for sugar plantations, which they so

+much need and are supplied from these Kingdoms. There might also be many

+cattle good for their tallow and wool and other necessities. What seems

+to him that your Majesty should do in the service of God and your

+Majesty’s and for the salvation of so many souls, and the aggrandizement

+of your kingdoms and your royal estates, is as follows:

+

+As there are neither French nor English nor any other nation to disturb

+them, that your Majesty should send five hundred persons, sailors,

+laborers, etc., and that among them should be one hundred master

+carpenters, blacksmiths, plasterers and builders of mud walls, all with

+their implements and appurtenances for every thing, with their arms of

+defense, such as arquebuses, cross-bows, etc. That among this number of

+five hundred people should be four Friars, four teachers and twelve

+Christian children, so that the principal Indians would send their

+children to school to learn to read and learn the doctrine of

+Christianity. There should be three surgeons who would go about in small

+boats, canoes or row boats with supplies for one year--go straight to

+Santa Elena and from there find all the paths, rivers and ports most

+suited and best, by land and water. See the condition of the land for

+planting and settle two or three towns in the best vicinity, build their

+fort, to be able to defend themselves against the Indians, that each of

+these forts should have artillery and ammunition. All this supply with

+the cost of the voyage will amount to eighty thousand ducats or more.

+There will be left vessels enough to carry a number of cattle. These

+must be sent from Spain, because in the Indias we could not find

+suitable vessels nor head workmen of the necessary qualifications and it

+could not give the desired results, besides the delay would cause much

+damage. It would be difficult to find the proper kind of people, and

+even if found the cost would be very much greater, as head workmen gain

+very large wages in those parts, as do also laborers and sailors. From

+Havana it would be still more impossible to bring them, as there are

+none to be obtained, and if they have to settle they must go a long way

+’round, as they cannot enter the mouth of the Bahama Channel, it being

+as easy and quick to come from Spain as from Havana. It would be more

+important that your Majesty do this at your own cost and as briefly and

+with as secret a diligence as possible, and if your Majesty is not well

+served in this, find some one in whom your Majesty can place more

+confidence, confer with them and let them take charge of

+affairs--although it would be far better for your Majesty to do this at

+your own cost, and with all brevity and secrecy which is the most

+important thing. Also, he says: That should there be French in this land

+or on the sea awaiting the merchant vessels from the Indias, it would be

+necessary to increase this squadron to four more galleons and one

+thousand men, principally marines--the cost of which for six months

+would be five hundred thousand ducats more or less.

+

+PEDRO MENENDEZ.

+

+

+THE KING.

+

+

+     _To Gen. Pedro Menendez de Avilez, Knight of the Order of Santiago,

+     and our Governor of the Province of Florida_:

+

+Know--Having understood that from the Kingdoms of France and England

+many war vessels have been sent out with a great number of sailors and

+soldiers, with intent of going to that Province, and that now again they

+are arming and equipping vessels for the same purpose at Havre de Grace

+and other Ports of said Kingdoms of France and England. And that you may

+do everything to defend yourselves and capture the Forts they have built

+and thrust them from the land, that you may hold it in peace. You might

+overlook the damage they have done to navigation. We have arranged for

+and ordered 1,500 infantrymen to join you and those you have with you

+and we send them with the fleet and also all the necessaries--and we

+have provided as Captain-General of the fleet Captain Sancho de

+Archimiaga, an expert and experienced man of the sea, ordering him to go

+to said Province, and in joining you, it gives you protection by sea as

+well as by land. Your flag alone must float, as our Captain-General, and

+all undertakings must be done under your flag. And for all enterprises

+to be undertaken by land we have appointed a Field Marshal and five

+Captains to be under him, and that both they and the infantry are to be

+directly under you as our Captain-General and Governor, because this is

+our will, and we have expressly ordered it. That your person must be

+carefully guarded. With your experience both by land and sea we are

+perfectly satisfied, still, that you may the better succeed, and that

+there may be conformity and good will, as it is important, affairs that

+between you and said Captain Archimiaga and Field Marshal and the other

+Captains accompanying him as they are men of much experience in war. It

+is our will, and so we order you, that in all things occurring on sea as

+well as on land concerning the war, you will call these Captains and

+consult with them, more especially Captain Archimiaga and the Field

+Marshal--that in this way alone must you decide upon questions of

+war--because thus it suits us and our service. That I trust in them to

+look into matters and provide all that is deemed advisable in such

+undertakings--and they will follow and obey you as our Captain-General.

+Let it be in such a way that there be good will and intelligence between

+you--no dissensions or quarrels, which would be a great drawback, but

+that you will proceed with mildness and consideration, as I feel assured

+you will, proceeding to free those lands, and give no quarters to the

+enemy to take root in them--and if it were possible, and there should be

+no notable inconvenience, you divide the fleet. Captain Juan Zurita and

+his company of Artillery go with the Infantry, as you will see. Of

+their success you will see to it, and give an account.

+

+PHILIP II.

+

+Madrid, September 8th, 1565.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER II.

+

+A. D. 1565.

+

+     _Menendez reports that his army escapes from being made prisoners

+     by the French on account of a tornado--The Council agree to make a

+     land attack, the river being too much swollen for their

+     transports--The Spaniards surprise and take Fort Matanzas without

+     the loss of a single man, killing over two hundred Frenchmen and

+     capturing Laudonnier--The Indians enchanted with the

+     Lutherans--Shipwrecked Frenchmen found on the coast--With their

+     hands tied behind them they are stabbed in the back by the

+     Spaniards._

+

+

+FORT MATANZAS MASSACRE, 1565.

+

+I wrote to your Majesty from aboard the galleon San Salvador on

+September 11th, this being the day she left Port. The duplicate of the

+letter goes in this, and later on will send the other. While I was on

+the Bar in a sloop with two small boats with artillery and ammunition

+there came upon us four French galleons which had run us down with two

+or three small vessels to prevent us from landing here. Taking the

+artillery and provisions, although the weather was not propitious for

+crossing the Bar, I preferred to take the chances rather than surrender

+myself and one hundred and fifty persons, who were with me, into their

+power. Our Lord miraculously saved us. The tide was low, there being

+only one and a half scant fathoms of water on the bar, and their vessel

+required one and a half long fathoms. They saw we had escaped them, as

+they spoke asking me to surrender, to have no fear. They then turned to

+search for the galleon, thinking we could not escape them. Two days out

+a heavy storm and tornado overtook them. It seemed to me they could not

+return to their Fort, running too great a risk of being lost, and to

+return to capture us they would have to bring a larger force and of the

+best they had. Thinking that their Fort would remain weak and it was the

+right time to capture it I called a council of the captains, who agreed

+with me, and decided to attack the fort by land. I therefore took five

+hundred men, the three hundred arquebusiers, the rest pikemen, and with

+these few, taking our knapsacks and putting in each six pounds of

+biscuit and a measure of one and a half gallons of wine, with our arms

+and ammunition; each Captain and soldier--I was among the first setting

+the example, carrying this food and arms on my back. Not knowing the

+way, we hoped to get there in two days, it being distant about eight

+leagues or so, as we were told by two Indians who went with us as

+guides. Leaving this Fort of St. Augustine in the order above described

+and with determination on the eighteenth of September, we found the

+rivers so swollen from the copious rains that it was impossible to ford

+them and we were obliged to take a circuitous route which had never been

+used before through swamp and unknown roads to avoid the rivers.

+

+After walking until nine or ten o’clock at night, on the morning of the

+twentieth, which is the feast of San Mateo, we arrived in sight of the

+Fort. Having offered prayers to the Blessed Lord and His Holy Mother,

+supplicating them to give us victory over these Lutherans, it was agreed

+that with twenty ladders, which we carried, to assail the Fort. His

+Divine Majesty had mercy upon us and guided us in such a way that

+without losing one man and with only one injured (who is now well), we

+took the Fort with all it contained, killing about two hundred and

+thirty men, the other ten we took as prisoners to the forest. Among them

+were many noblemen, one who was Governor and Judge, called Monsieur

+Laudonnier, a relative of the French Admiral, and who had been his

+steward. This Laudonnier escaped to the woods and was pursued by one of

+the soldiers who wounded him, and we know not what has become of him, as

+he and the others escaped by swimming out to two small boats of the

+three vessels that were opposite the Fort, with about fifty or sixty

+persons. I sent them a cannonade and call of the trumpet to surrender

+themselves, vessels and arms. They refused, so with the artillery found

+in the Fort we sunk one vessel, the others taking up the men went down

+the river where they had two other vessels anchored laden with

+provisions, being of the seven sent from France, and which had not yet

+been unloaded. It did not seem to me right to leave the Fort and pursue

+them until I had repaired three boats we found in the Fort. The Indians

+notified them of our actions. As they were so few they took the two best

+and strongest vessels and sank the other. In three days they had fled.

+Being informed of this by the Indians, I did not pursue them. Later from

+the Fort they wrote me that about twenty Frenchmen had appeared in the

+forest with no clothing but a shirt, and many of them were wounded. It

+was believed that Monsieur Laudonnier was among them. I have sent word

+that they make every effort to capture them and bring them to justice.

+In the Fort were found, among women, creatures and children under

+fifteen years of age, about fifty persons. It causes me deep sorrow to

+see them among my people on account of their horrid religious sect, and

+I fear our Lord would punish me should I use cruelty with them. Eight or

+ten of the boys were born here.

+

+These French have many friends among the Indians, who show much feeling

+at their loss, especially for two or three teachers of their hateful

+doctrine which they taught to the Indian chiefs, who followed them as

+the Apostles did our Lord. It is a thing of admiration to see how these

+Lutherans enchanted the poor savage people. I shall use every means to

+gain the good will of these Indians who were such friends to the French,

+and there is no reason why I should break with them, and if I can live

+with them at peace it will be well; they are such traitors, thieves and

+drunkards, that it is almost impossible to do so. These chiefs and the

+Indians, their enemies, all show friendship towards me, which I return

+and shall continue, unless their depredations increase that I may have

+to do otherwise.

+

+On the 28th of September the Indians notified me that many Frenchmen

+were about six leagues from here on the coast, that they had lost their

+vessels and escaped by swimming and in boats. Taking fifty soldiers I

+was with them next morning at daylight, and, leaving my men in ambush, I

+took one with me to the banks of the river, because they were on one

+side and I on the other bank. I spoke to them, told them I was Spanish;

+they said they were French. They asked me to come over to them either

+alone or with my partner, the river being narrow. I replied that we did

+not know how to swim, but that they could safely come to us. They agreed

+to do so, and sent a man of some intellect, master of a boat, who

+carefully related to me how they had left their Fort with four galleons

+and eight small vessels, that each carried twenty-four oars with four

+hundred picked soldiers and two hundred marines and John Ribaut as

+General and Monsieur LeGrange, who was General of the Infantry, and

+other good captains, soldiers and gentlemen, with the intention of

+finding me on the sea, and if I attempted to land, to land their people

+on the small boats and capture me. That if they had wanted to land they

+could easily have done so, but they had not dared and wanted to return

+to their Fort. That they were overtaken by a hurricane and tempest and

+were wrecked about twenty or twenty-five leagues from here. That of the

+four hundred only forty had survived; that the others had perished or

+were killed by the Indians. That fifty were carried prisoners by the

+Indians; that John Ribaut with his captain were anchored five leagues

+from there in the swamp without trees, and he had in the vessel with him

+two hundred persons, more or less, and they believed them to have

+perished with all the artillery and ammunition, which was a great deal

+and good. Part of it was with John Ribaut and what they had, was

+certainly lost. They were saved, and he asked for himself and companions

+safe passage to their Fort, since they were not at war with the

+Spaniards. I then told him how we had taken their Fort and hung all

+those we found in it, because they had built it without your Majesty’s

+permission and because they were scattering the odious Lutheran doctrine

+in these Provinces, and that I had war to fire and blood, as Governor

+and Captain-General of these Provinces, against all those who came to

+sow this hateful doctrine; representing to him that I came by order of

+your Majesty to place the Gospel in these parts and to enlighten the

+natives in all that the Holy Church of Rome says and does so as to save

+their souls. That I would not give them passage; rather would I follow

+them by sea and land until I had taken their lives. He begged to be

+allowed to go with this embassy and that he would return at night

+swimming, if I would grant him his life. I did so to show him that I was

+in earnest and because he could enlighten me on many subjects.

+Immediately after his return to his companions there came a gentleman, a

+lieutenant of Monsieur Laudonnier, a man well versed and cunning to

+tempt me. After much talk he offered to give up their arms if I would

+grant their lives. I told him he could surrender the arms and give

+themselves up to my mercy, that I might do with them that which our Lord

+ordered. More than this he could not get from me, and that God did not

+expect more of me. Thus he returned and they came to deliver up their

+arms. I had their hands tied behind them and had them stabbed to death,

+leaving only sixteen, twelve being great big men, mariners whom they had

+stolen, the other four master carpenters and caulkers--people for whom

+we have much need, and it seemed to me to punish them in this manner

+would be serving God, our Lord, and your Majesty. Hereafter they will

+leave us free to plant the Gospel, enlighten the natives, and bring them

+to obedience and submission of your Majesty. The lands being extensive

+it will be well to make them work fifty years--besides, a good beginning

+makes a good end, so I have hopes in our Lord that in all He will grant

+me prosperity and success, so that I and my descendants may give to your

+Majesty those Kingdoms full and return the people Christians. My

+particular interest as I have written your Majesty is this: We are

+gaining great favor with the Indians and will be feared by them,

+although we make them many gifts.

+

+Considering what John Ribaut had done, I find that within ten leagues of

+where he was anchored, three of the vessels of his company were lost;

+whether they were lost or not, they would have landed the people,

+unloaded what supplies they could, employed themselves in getting out

+the brass artillery and the upright posts and tackle, if not lost, of

+the three vessels, rig themselves as best they could, and if the vessel

+he was on was not lost he will make every effort to come by sea. Should

+he do so I await him, and with the help of God, he will be lost. He

+might also go inland with one of the Casiques, his friend, who lives

+thirty leagues from here, and is very powerful. Should this be the case

+I will seek him there, because it is not convenient that he and his

+companions should remain alive. Should he come by sea to the Fort I have

+the entrance to the Bar mined with two savage canon and guns, so that

+should they succeed in making an entrance, we can sink them. A

+brigantine is kept in readiness to capture the people and I shall do

+all in my power to prevent his escape. The things found in the Fort were

+only four pieces of brass of about five tons, the canon and guns which

+had come from France were dismounted and carried to the galleons when

+they went in search of me. There were found besides twenty-five bronze

+musket and as much as twenty tons of powder and ammunition for these

+pieces, about one hundred and sixty barrels of flour, twenty casks of

+wine. The balance of the supplies had not been unloaded, as they were

+hesitating whether they should fortify this Port, fearing I should land

+here, which I could easily have done. Since their arrival they had spent

+most of their time in debaucheries over the joy felt at the news they

+had received that northeast of Santa Elena was a range of mountains

+coming from the Zacatecas where there were great mines of silver. The

+Indians from those parts had brought them many pieces of silver to the

+amount of five and six thousand ducats. We found to the amount of three

+thousand ducats, more or less, in clothes and all kinds of valuables;

+some hogs, male and female; also sheep and asses; all this was ransacked

+by the soldiers; nothing escaped them. Besides the two vessels found in

+the Port we found two near the Bar and two others they had stolen from

+the Indians, loaded with hides. Of these they had drowned the crews and

+the cargo had been given to an English vessel to carry it and sell it in

+England or France, and there remained with them two Englishmen. The

+French had no mariners by whom to send these vessels. These two

+Englishmen were hung when the Fort was captured by us. The Englishmen by

+whom they sent the cargo arrived in port at the Fort we have taken from

+them, the early part of August of this year, in a galleon of a thousand

+tons called the Queen of England, with three heavy tiers of artillery;

+all who saw her wondered and had never seen a vessel so heavily armed

+that drew so little water; the other three vessels were smaller. It was

+agreed between the English and French that as the French awaited help

+from France that Monsieur Ludovic, who was Governor here, should wait

+for them until the end of September; failing to return, he, Ludovic, was

+to go to France in search of them, and that by the month of April they

+would return with a large fleet, to await and capture the fleet of New

+Spain, which was forced to pass their Fort; that if aid came, for which

+they had written to France, they would advise the English who would come

+to this coast by the month of April. It was for this purpose that I

+found in the Fort a large vessel and seven small ones, and another five,

+one or two of which had been stolen, and the four they wished to send to

+France to have them equipped with men and provisions to join the English

+and themselves by April; that by that time John Ribaut would have

+returned and with the eight hundred men who remained he wished to go by

+January to Los Martyres, about twenty-five leagues from Havana, and

+there build a fort. They had reconnoitered and found it a very desirable

+port. This was agreed between them, and that before leaving France John

+Ribaut was to obtain the order that they should fortify Los Martyres, a

+strait by which no vessel could enter or depart without being sighted by

+them. To keep there always in readiness six vessels, it being the best

+sea in the world for them. That from there they would take Havana, free

+all the negroes; that they would then send to make the same offer to the

+Spanish of Porto Rico and all other colonies. All this information I

+gained from the skilful Frenchman to whom I granted life. They had with

+them six Portuguese pilots whom they hung when no longer needed; two

+others had been killed by the Indians, and two were with Ribaut. The

+river San Mateo, running by the Fort we captured, goes seventy leagues

+inland and turns to the southeast emptying into the bay of Juan Ponce,

+and from there to New Spain and the port of San Juan de Luca, where

+there is only upwards of fifty leagues. In the bay of Juan Ponce they

+thought next year to build a fort on account of its proximity to New

+Spain, distant a hundred and fifty leagues and about the same distance

+from Honduras and as many more from Yucatan, and where with their six

+vessels they could navigate with ease. On this river are three large

+Indian towns. The Indians are great friends of the French who have been

+there three times in search of corn. These French landed there in great

+need of supplies, having only enough to carry them eight days. Corn they

+found scarce and took it almost by force. The Indians themselves are

+great thieves--a poor but brave people. All the Indians are not more

+friendly to them than to us, and I will not consent to take a grain of

+corn from them, but prefer to give them of what I may have. I consider

+this country so vast and fertile and the danger from enemies and

+corsaires so great and that they can appropriate to themselves the land

+lying north of here near New Foundland, of which they are already lords,

+and can be sustained by them with ease. Everything should be done to aid

+me instead of cutting me off, and your Majesty must be undeceived and

+know that I am much better able than your Majesty to enlarge and

+aggrandize these your Kingdoms. This Port is 29½ degrees, and the San

+Mateo which we captured is 31 degrees. The French and their pilots were

+mistaken. I have had it taken by the sun on land. From here to the Cape

+of Canaveral there are fifty leagues, three rivers, two ports between

+here and Havana, one hundred miles, more or less, which are navigable in

+boats among the keys of Canaveral and Los Martyres, and from there to

+Havana. I agree to take the good field pieces which we have captured

+from the French, and one hundred men go along the borders of the coast,

+the boats by sea, anchoring at night near land among the keys of

+Canaveral where the sea is as smooth as a river, with the boats they

+will be able to discover among the keys the best port and surroundings

+to build a fort. So that with the one in Havana and this one we can at

+all times guard against the enemy and their entering to fortify

+themselves. Nor should we expect fleets or boats of the Indians. With

+the people of Havana, Santo Domingo and Pedro de la Roda, whom I shall

+have to come to my assistance, I will have until the last of March to

+build it, then with these vessels go over to Havana and seek these

+people. Having discovered the Port, and on the arrival of Pedro de la

+Roda in Havana he will find his vessels which I do not propose to take

+out of that Port, also his men, so that he may return to Spain as strong

+as when he left there. That I shall place one hundred and fifty

+Spaniards in possession to guard against the Indians who are great

+warriors and whose good will we must gain. Then, by the 1st of April, I

+shall return to these two Forts, and in six or eight days I shall again

+take to the sea. By the month of March, leaving these two Forts well

+equipped and guarded each with three hundred men, I shall go in vessels

+that draw little water which I will soon have here, most of them the

+ones taken from the French. I will man as many as I can with five

+hundred soldiers and one hundred mariners, found a town at Santa Elena,

+which is fifty leagues from here, and has within three leagues of it

+three Ports and rivers, the largest of six fathoms of water, the other

+four fathoms; admirable Ports and the one we call Santa Elena is the

+third, the one the French occupied is very small; the three are

+navigable, one within the other, so that he who is lord of one is lord

+of the three. It is the best place to build a fort leaving three hundred

+men to finish it, pass on up the bay to Santa Maria, which is 36

+degrees, one hundred and thirty leagues beyond Santa Elena; then on to

+the land of the Indians which is in Mexico, fortify another fort and

+leave another two hundred soldiers. This will be the key to all the

+fortifications of this country, because from those to the new land it

+does not have to be founded. Inland, about eighty leagues, are to be

+found a range of mountains, at their base an arm of sea which leads to

+the New Land. This arm of the sea enters the New Land which is navigable

+seventy leagues where there is another sea turning northeast and we

+suspect it leads to the South Sea. The Indians send many cattle from New

+Spain which were found on these plains by Francisco Basques Coronado.

+They carried the hides to the New Land in canoes to sell to the French

+in exchange for barter. From here, in the past two years, they have

+carried in their fishing boats more than six thousand hides. The French

+can go from here in their vessels to the foot of the mountain range four

+hundred leagues from the mines of San Martin and New Galicia and can

+mine them to their heart’s content. It would be well to fix our frontier

+lines here, gain the water-way of the Bahamas and work the mines of New

+Spain. This key and strength is necessary that your Majesty should

+become Lord of all of it, because by it you will be master of the world.

+I have written to Pedro del Castillo to send me three hundred soldiers

+and supplies for eight hundred persons. It would be useless not to have

+the three hundred soldiers to serve your Majesty and to provide the

+necessaries. Thus on, from the first of February, your Majesty can send

+a hundred mariners and the equipments and let them bring everything

+necessary to found a town in the Bay of Juan Ponce, as this river is

+part of San Mateo, which we captured from the enemy. Eighteen leagues

+inland from this bay, and from one bay to the other, we can easily trade

+with the multitude of Indians that are there and make them soon learn

+the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. In this Bay of Juan Ponce is the

+Province of Appalache, an indomitable people with whom the Spaniards

+have never been able to treat. Thus will all difficulties be overcome so

+far as New Galicia which is about three hundred leagues, and so many

+more to Vera Cruz, and the same distance to Yucatan. From there this

+town will be provided with corn, as there is much of it. As we found the

+place and build a good City, there will be no need of founding others

+in Florida. We will then proceed to the New Land, easily work the many

+mines of silver which are found there, and are the mines of the

+Zacatecas. In a few years the silver worked from them will support this

+country and be a treasure to your Majesty and a suburb of Spain which

+can be reached in forty days from these Kingdoms. With the scarcity of

+supplies in the Forts we are suffering much hunger as the grain was

+burned and so, unless we receive aid soon, we shall suffer terribly. I

+trust your Majesty is satisfied that we serve you faithfully and with

+love and in all truth. Without extending myself further, but promising

+to keep you advised of all that may happen, may God protect your

+Majesty, increasing your royal Catholic personage with greater kingdoms

+and possessions as Christianity has need of and your servants desire it

+should be.

+

+From these Provinces of Florida from the banks of San Pelayo and Fort of

+St. Augustine, October 15th, 1565.

+

+PEDRO MENENDEZ DE AVILES.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER III.

+

+A. D. 1583-1596-1598.

+

+     _Report of Fernando Miranda, agent to the King--Complains of

+     Governor--Espionage over vessels--Gives account of the work of the

+     negroes--Haste makes it necessary to employ soldiers in repairing

+     the Fort for which they were paid--Partial failure of crops

+     increases the cost of living--Report of Bartolome De Arguellas

+     giving account of rebellious Indians--Some of those captured were

+     sent to Havana to be executed, others to be imprisoned--Casiques

+     render obedience to the Governor who assures them of his good

+     intentions--Report of Pedro Pertrene to the King--Is newly called

+     to take charge of a company of Infantry in the Garrison of

+     Florida--Salary not sufficient to meet expenses of living, recalls

+     his long service to the King, and asks for increase of pay--Letter

+     from Dona Maria Menendez, Casique, to the King--Asks for assistance

+     in meeting the necessary expenses for instruction of the Indians in

+     Christianity and good government._

+

+

+A. D. 1583.

+

+     _Fernando Miranda and Rodrego Junco, assistant Agent, who was of

+     these Kingdoms, to His Majesty_:

+

+After the Governor had given a decree of the same suspension, we asked

+him that until your Majesty should otherwise provide, we be allowed to

+continue in office and watch over your Majesty’s interest. Another thing

+which occurs to us to inform your Majesty: Yesterday there sailed from

+this Port for Havana a vessel belonging to some one in Havana, and the

+Governor made every effort to see if we had sent any papers by her--he

+searched the vessel and not wishing to give testimony, we understood he

+did not wish any letters sent, and so we dared not write more. We felt

+that this would be sufficient for your Majesty to place the remedy and

+investigate the cause, and punish the culprit.

+

+In the two years that your Majesty’s negroes have been here, they have

+made a platform for the artillery of this Fort of an indestructible

+wood--as the one they had previous to this rotted away in two years.

+They have made a blacksmith shop, and whatever repairs were needed on

+the Fort. Ten of the best of them were sent to Santa Elena to saw boards

+to cover that Fort which needed it. On beginning the work it was found

+that the whole Fort was in such a damaged condition it was necessary to

+tear it all down and rebuild as quickly as possible. On account of the

+haste required the soldiers were obliged to help for which work they

+were paid. It was completed in four months, during which time the

+negroes had to be fed on bread, meat and wine. Besides they have helped

+to build a church here, sawed lumber for the building of many dwellings,

+and have cleared the woods to some extent for planting. The first crop

+not being good, caused extra expense of food and ammunition which was

+given them--but for the past six months they have been fed on the

+harvest made, with no other expense but the oil and salt. They have corn

+enough to last until the next harvest, and all the expense incurred to

+the end of June of the present year is six thousand five hundred reals,

+from the Treasury of your Majesty--because, although there have been

+some other expenses, we have availed ourselves of advantages we had

+after having had recourse to what has been offered to your Majesty’s

+service. About six months ago eleven of these negroes were hired to

+soldiers of this Fort, without the knowledge of the Treasurer, rendering

+an account of this to the Governor. It is about a year and a half since

+we notified the Governor that he should not keep these accounts, but as

+provided by your Majesty they should be sent to this Court. He has never

+sent them. Your Majesty will act as best suits him in this affair of our

+suspension; we again implore your Majesty to give us a hearing, and some

+satisfaction, since we are left in this sterile country without the

+means of sustenance. May God preserve your Majesty for many years with

+great aggrandizement.

+

+FERNANDO MIRANDA.

+

+St. Augustine, August 20th. 1583.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+

+_Your Majesty_:

+

+As the Governor, Don Domingo Martinez Avendano, has been sending your

+Majesty an account of the proceedings of our journey, I have not done so

+until now, that we have landed in these Provinces of Florida, and seen

+the condition of things, the people of the Garrison and the natives. It

+was a blessing of God that it was all quiet and peaceful, and the

+Governor with much gentleness and discretion entered, and proceeded

+well, to support the service of your Majesty. It was a very fortunate

+thing, as many of the culprits had made threats, which if carried into

+effect, would have resulted disastrously--but they had not the heart to

+carry them out, although a number of the worst criminals were out of the

+country. Of those who remained, ten were captured, and with their

+accusations were sent by Captain Francisco Salazar to Havana, in the

+custody of a trusted lieutenant and twelve soldiers, as guards, so that

+they may be executed there and accomplish your Majesty’s will. With this

+imprisonment and a public reprimand made by the Governor to the other

+Indians, all of which remain quiet. Being overcome with fear, I

+understand they will return promptly to their employment, and your

+Majesty will be well served. The Casiques of this country came to render

+obedience to the Governor, who caressed them and instructed them of the

+manner and order in which they were to attend to your Majesty’s work--he

+told them he wished to visit them in their homes, and the good

+intentions and desires he brings of attending to your service and the

+proofs he has already given of them. We entertain great hopes that all

+will soon be settled. From Havana they dispatched to the Treasurer Juan

+Menendez Marquez to be present at the paying off of the employees of

+this Garrison. While the Governor intended to have me assume control of

+this collection, he seemed to change his mind, and I came here with him,

+where I remain attending to the duties under my charge until he thinks

+that I may go out and make use of the license your Majesty granted me if

+nothing more occurs. May Our Lord guard the person of your Royal

+Catholic Majesty, as we have need of you.

+

+BARTOLOME DE ARGUELLAS.

+

+St. Augustine, Florida, July 6th, 1596.

+

+A. D. 1598.

+

+_Your Majesty_:

+

+I do not wish to make a long report in this letter, as I understand a

+detailed account of all that occurs in these provinces will be made by

+your Majesty’s Governor, Gonzalo Menendez Canso, who in every thing

+appertaining to your Majesty’s service and welfare is proceeding with

+caution--reforming, arranging everything in the most approved manner,

+discovering as he goes, all the secrets of the service, and governing

+himself in accordance. He has strong and brave resolutions, as I know,

+having communicated them to me, and given me an account of his good

+intentions.

+

+Having served your Royal Highness for twenty-six years in this part of

+your Royal Fleet, in charge of your Captains-General the Adelantado

+Pedro Menendez Aviles, Diego Flores Valdez, Cristobal Eraso, and Alvarez

+Flores de Quinones, as Officer in the companies in which I served as

+Lieutenant of the Governor of the Castle, under Diego Fernandez de

+Quinones, in Havana. Being in that City, retired in my home, I was

+called by the above mentioned Governor to give and honor me with one of

+your Majesty’s companies of infantry who served in this Garrison of

+Florida. In his absence to Guale to the chastising of the Indians, who

+so horribly killed six priests of the San Franciscan Order, he left me

+in his place. Of the spoils which are usually divided, he has shared

+with me moderately, but even with these, and the two hundred ducats I

+have as salary, and the advantages given me, I cannot sustain myself,

+nor assist at the obligations of such Captains, on account of every

+thing in the land being so dear--provisions are the same--and the

+servant we had, was taken from us by your Governor. I implore your

+Majesty to attend to the above mentioned facts, and as my desire is to

+end my life in your Royal Service--and that I may live and keep up my

+obligations I may be given some help toward my expenses, and that I may

+be allowed a servant, as is customary with all Captains serving in this

+Garrison, and trusting that your Majesty will grant me these things as

+are granted to all who serve you with good will. God preserve your Royal

+Person as I desire and Christianity needs you.

+

+PEDRO PERTRENE.

+

+St. Augustine, Florida, February 20th, 1598.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+_Your Majesty_:

+

+My poverty and the frequency with which the Indians, both Christians and

+infidels, gather at my home to be instructed in matters concerning their

+conversion, and other important things concerning the good Government

+need with the Governor of these Provinces, places me under the necessity

+of asking your Majesty to assist me in the expenses I am obliged to

+incur with the Indians, as is certified to by the report accompanying

+this letter which implores your Majesty to assist and see to this need,

+since from it will result the coming of the Indians with more heartiness

+to become Christians and in this way guard the faith. Your Royal

+Highness being merciful. That I may do in all the above mentioned what

+is just and right, I also implore your Majesty to send me a letter of

+friendship that the Indians may see the good feeling which exists

+between your Majesty and ourselves. God grant you may have all graces.

+

+Florida, February 20th, 1598.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER IV.

+

+A. D. 1598.

+

+     _Extract from an official report made by Gonzalo Menendez Canso,

+     Governor and Captain General of the Provinces of Florida,

+     concerning the murder of six priests of the San Franciscan Order by

+     the Indians--Lieutenant Eciga sent to see if any of the priests are

+     still living--Ascertains that there is one, but is refused

+     permission to see him--After much persuasion and many threats Friar

+     Fray Francisco is delivered--Makes statement as to death of the

+     others, but is forbidden by the canons of the Church to reveal

+     all--Juan Ximenes, a Notary Public and secretary, swears to the

+     investigation of several Indians through an interpreter--Indian

+     Lucas is found to have been present and participated in the killing

+     of Fray Blas for which he is condemned to be executed._

+

+

+DONA MARIA MENENDEZ--CASIQUE.

+

+This is a good and faithful copy taken from one of the official reports

+made by Gonzalo Menendez Canes, Governor and Captain-General of these

+Provinces of Florida to His Majesty, concerning the death of the

+Religious of the Order of San Francisco, who perished at the hands of

+the Indians who revolted. Its tenor is:

+

+In the city of St. Augustine, Province of Florida, July 1st, 1598,

+Gonzalo Menendez Canes, Governor and Captain-General for the King our

+Lord, says: That in the month of October past of 1597, he was notified

+of an uprising of the Indians of the Peninsula of Guale. They had

+refused to obey your Majesty, and killed the Religious of the Order of

+San Francisco sent out to convert and teach them, and that he had made

+every and the greatest efforts, having gone in person with a number of

+infantry, ammunition and water craft to said peninsula, to investigate

+and punish the cases, and ascertain the cause the Indians had for

+committing such an atrocious crime. Although he made all the ravages he

+could, acting upon advices received, he could not punish them more for

+the time being, nor could he capture a live Indian, except one, an

+interpreter, from whom they could get no information further than that

+the Religious had been killed, as will be seen by his declaration.

+Seeing the importance of ascertaining the root and cause of the killing

+of these Religious, and if any were still living--and why they had lost

+obedience to your Majesty, he has made the boldest efforts possible,

+going by way of the Luna. Finding the Casiques in conference, we agreed

+to send them presents and keepsakes, to induce them to let us know and

+understand if any of the Religious or Friars were still living that we

+might ransom them, sending to offer them even interest for them, and

+also sending a launch with some of the infantry to the Fort Santa Elena,

+distant fifty leagues from this Garrison, to enlist the Casique of that

+country, on account of the friendship he has shown the Spaniards, and

+because he has Indian warriors, and being so near he could do much

+damage to the Peninsula of Guale. Lieutenant Exiga, who went in the

+launch, found him and treated with him to make war and do all the damage

+possible to said peninsula and ascertain if any of them were

+living--bestowing upon him many gifts from your Majesty’s treasury that

+he might go. It was agreed that Lieutenant Exiga should return to the

+Casique in sixty days, and ascertain what military exploits he had had,

+and what success. Being a matter of so much importance to your Majesty,

+Lieutenant Exiga left this port on the 23rd of May, with two launches,

+with infantry and ammunition to accomplish the agreement made with the

+Casique. On the 24th, one day after leaving this fort, having gone as

+far as the Bar of Asae, twenty leagues from here, he was caught in a

+storm and hurricane, forcing him to put into harbor in distress. The

+storm did so much damage to the food and ammunition they carried, that

+he was obliged to strike with the launch for the shore of San Mateo.

+Notwithstanding all the above mentioned, he continued his voyage to the

+port Santa Elena, there taking another launch in better condition for

+making the journey, leaving his in bad condition grounded on the beach.

+Having arrived at Santa Elena and seen and spoken to the Casique who

+delivered to him four gentlemen, he said he had taken from four Indians

+of the Peninsula of Gaule where he went to make war. That three other

+Indians had captured the Casique of Carague, who had accompanied him,

+with the intent of making war. In the same way he certifies that they

+had alive in the Peninsula of Gaule, near Solofina, one of the six

+friars, named Toray Francisco de Avila. Having learned this he came

+coasting along the shore and ports of Guale, to see if any Indians

+should come out to speak to them. None appeared, until he came to

+Tolomato where he saw one, who by much coaxing and presenting of gifts

+and reasoning, succeeded in getting him to tell what he knew. Finally

+they learned from him that the said Friar was still living. They paid

+the Indian to take a letter to him, and they would await the reply--he

+did so, and in the meantime they amused themselves coasting along the

+shores of Tolomato, until the Indian returned with some of the Casiques,

+whom they begged would show them the Friar, that they might certify to

+his being alive, and treat with them for his ransom. At first, although

+they had heaped the Indians with gifts, they would neither accept of the

+gifts nor promise to deliver the Friar, unless in return for certain

+boys, sons of some of the Casiques, who had been brought to Governor

+Domingo Martinez Avendano, as hostages. As better security Lieutenant

+Exiga promised to bring their boys within thirty days as ransom for the

+Friar, also a quantity of hatchets and spades they asked for. Lieutenant

+Exiga returned to Port Tolomato in fifteen days, and began treaty with

+Casiques for the ransom of the Friar, and although he heaped gifts upon

+them with a free hand, it made no impression. They are such liars and

+traitors, and all their treaties are founded on treachery and cunning.

+Seeing that they did not intend to keep their word and deliver the

+priest, he found it necessary to change his tactics and show anger,

+swearing that unless they did deliver the prisoner they would send for

+three hundred soldiers and would run them through with the sword, cut

+down all their crops and follow them to Tama. After these threats they

+promised to deliver the Priest at once, which they did. After receiving

+him, and having him in their power, Lieutenant Exiga made reprisal of

+the hostages he carried, and of seven other Indians he had detained on

+the launch until he saw what success he was going to have. Four of

+these Indians are sons and brothers of Casiques. The Governor holds them

+and has brought them to this city where they are at present, and where

+he protests he will investigate and take their declarations as to the

+manner of death the other friars suffered--where, in what form, and for

+what cause? Finding any of them to have taken part in this crime, to

+punish them and do justice to the service of your Majesty, and that this

+punishment may serve as an example to them, as they have at other times

+committed these treacheries, killing captains and officers and other

+persons. This I provide and sign from his hand, Gonzalo Menendez Vanso,

+by order of His Lordship the Governor and Captain-General.

+

+JUAN XIMENES.

+

+Later the said Governor and Captain-General ordered me, the secretary,

+that I should go to the Monastery of San Francisco, of this city, and in

+his name ask the custodian priest of said house, Fray Francisco Marron,

+to give permission to Fray Francisco de Avila, who had been sent to

+teach and convert the Indians, that under the oath which is administered

+to the Religious of his Order, he declared how his companions were

+killed, what he has seen and heard, and the causes that have moved them

+to commit such a crime as the killing of the priests. To deny obedience,

+and tell only what he knows and understands of the matter. They

+continued the examination, so that all the above may be certified as the

+truth. This I provide and sign in his name--and from the declaration of

+the father custodian might result many worthy considerations in

+questioning the Indians.

+

+GONZALO MENENDEZ CANSO.

+

+Later--The present notary public went to the Monastery of San Francisco,

+of this city, read and showed the decree above disposed of by his

+Lordship the Governor and Captain-General Gonzalo Menendez Canso, to

+Fray Francisco Marron, custodian of the provinces, who said: that

+mindful that Fray Francisco de Avila was one of the friars sent out to

+teach and convert in the Peninsula of Guale, and as the Lord, Our God,

+had seen proper to deliver him from being killed by the Indians, as his

+companions had been, and as a person who knew the habits and manners of

+the Indians, and knew their language, he deemed it wise to give him

+freedom to say and declare all he considered would be to the service of

+God of the killing of his companions--except in cases and things

+criminal where his rights of priesthood prohibited, such as death by the

+cutting of members--and this I say and sign in his name--Fray Francisco

+Marron--in my presence.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., July 20th, 1598.

+

+JUAN XIMENES.

+

+Gonzalo Menendez Canso, Governor and Captain-General for his Majesty in

+these Provinces, ordered to be called Fray Francisco de Avila that in

+virtue of the permission granted him by the Custodian Fray Francisco

+Marron, to say and declare all he knows concerning the killing

+of his companions by the Indians, and of his imprisonment and

+captivity--whether his person was badly treated, and all that had

+occurred worthy of relating--so as to punish such crime as it deserves

+to be.

+

+Fray Francisco de Avila said: Although it was true Fray Marron had

+granted him permission to speak, he could not make use of it, in cases

+so grave and criminal as the present--it was prohibited him by the

+sacred canons of priesthood, to attest in such crimes, because it would

+force him to say that which might condemn some, and so, he did not wish

+to speak or declare in this case, not to fall into any error. Besides

+being mindful that the Governor had brought seven Indians from the

+peninsula at the time of his ransom, to this city, he could know and

+understand from them all that they might claim. This he said, and I sign

+it in his name.

+

+FRAY FRANCISCO DE AVILA.

+

+In my presence--

+

+JUAN XIMENES,

+

+Notary Public.

+

+Later--The Governor and Captain-General Gonzalo Menendez Canso, in order

+to investigate, had appeared before him Gaspar de Salas, an interpreter

+of the Indians of Guale who, having been sworn in the proper form, gave

+promise to tell the truth and nothing but the truth--and that he would

+declare all that he was ordered to say to the Indians who claim to give

+information; that he will say and declare all that said Indians say in

+reply, under the oath that he has taken.

+

+Later the Governor ordered to appear before him one of the seven Indians

+who were brought from the peninsula, to whom the following questions

+were put: From where do you come and what is your name? He came from

+Tupique and that his name was Lucas. Are you a Christian? Yes. The name

+of your parents, are they, or have they been Casiques? His father’s

+name was Felipe, and he was Casique of Tupique. Where was he from? He

+was a native of the town of Tupique. Had there been any priest there?

+There had been one named Fray Blas Rodriguez. Tell and declare what had

+become of Fray Bias? That about ten or eleven moons past, eight Casiques

+held a conference, they were Asao, Tolafo, Atmehe, Fulo, Tupique and

+Alnate. When night came they killed the Priest. A helping hand was given

+them by a chief called Pisiache, that he might kill him with a hatchet,

+with which he gave him a blow on the head, from which wound he died

+almost immediately. Afterward they buried him in the church. Say and

+declare what cause they had for killing this priest? That Micas and

+Casiques said they killed him because he was artful and took away their

+enchantment or witchcraft, and would not allow them to have more than

+one wife.

+

+Did you hear them say anything else? No. Did he know Fray Miguel de

+Annon, and Fray Antonio Lego, among the teachers of Guale, and Fray

+Pedro de Corpa, among the teachers of Tolomato, and Fray Francisco de

+Avila, among the teachers of Ospo?

+

+I have known them all, and they have been killed. Fray Miguel had his

+hands tied behind him, but he did not know if they had killed him--Fray

+Antonio was tied, but he does not know how he was killed--he had heard

+it said that they killed him with wooden weapons, and that Fray Pedro

+Corpa two Casiques had killed in the night while sleeping; that Fray

+Francisco de Avila they had not killed, but had him captive near

+Tolofino until he should be ransomed by the Governor.

+

+Was Fray Francisco well or ill-treated in the prison?

+

+Sometimes they beat him with sticks and abused him. They sometimes fed

+him, but not always, and when they did it was on the leaves and tendrils

+of vines.

+

+Had he seen or heard it said why they killed these Priests and

+ill-treated Fray Francisco de Avila?

+

+He knew no more than what he had already stated, that the Micos and

+Casiques said they were artful and did not wish them to have more than

+one wife, and that they reproved them.

+

+Do you know where the ornaments belonging to the Church are, such as the

+chalices and other things used by the priests?

+

+They were all divided up in such a way, that nothing is left of them.

+

+Was he present at the death of Fray Blas and the other priests when they

+were killed?

+

+He arrived in time to see Fray Blas die--the others he had not seen, but

+had heard it said that they had been killed as he stated above.

+

+Had he seen or heard any of his companions who were brought with him,

+say they were present at the killing of the priests?

+

+One from Tolomato, named Francisco, he heard him say he had seen Fray

+Pedro Corpa after he was killed--the rest he does not know.

+

+All this the said Gaspar Salas said and declared as interpreted under

+the oath which he has taken. He does not sign because he does not know

+how to write.

+

+GONZALO MENENDEZ CANSO.

+

+In the presence of

+

+JUAN XIMENES,

+

+Notary Public.

+

+For further investigation of the above, the Governor and Captain-General

+had appeared before him the other Indian, said to be named Francisco and

+native of Tolomato, and by the said interpreter under oath had him

+declare the following:

+

+Are you a Christian, and who are your parents?

+

+I am a Christian, my name is Francisco, my mother is nearly related to

+the Casique and my father is dead.

+

+What priest was teacher at Tolomato?

+

+Fray Pedro Corpa, and I knew him there for some time.

+

+What became of Fray Pedro Corpa?

+

+He was killed while sleeping, with wooden weapons, and he was killed by

+one of the chief Casiques of the Salcachecos.

+

+Did you see him killed, or were you present at his death?

+

+I was far away, but I heard it said that this Micos of Tolomato and Don

+Juan, his heir, had sent to have him killed. I went there, but he was

+already dead.

+

+Did the little dress which you wear belong to some religious of that

+peninsula?

+

+Yes, but I do not know to which one, I ransomed it from one of the

+Casiques.

+

+What was the cause of the killing of the priests?

+

+The cause was, that they reproved Don Juan, heir of Tolomato. By his

+cunning he had the other Casiques meet with him, and there was an

+uprising in the land, and these killings were done.

+

+Did you know Fray Miguel Annon, and Fray Antonio Lego in the conversion

+and teachings of Guale, and Father Berahula, and Fray Francisco de

+Avila?

+

+I knew them all--they had been killed by the Indians, except Fray

+Francisco de Avila, who was ransomed by the Governor.

+

+Tell and declare what manner of death they have given these religious?

+

+Fray Miguel and Fray Antonio Lego were killed with wooden weapons--he

+had so heard it said--the others he did not know.

+

+While in prison was Fray Francisco de Avila well treated?

+

+I have heard it said that he was badly treated by the Indians of

+Tolofino--they whipped him--the boys teased him. He ate badly, because

+the Indians had little food, and some times he was forced to eat vines

+and tendrils.

+

+Do you know where the ornaments of the Church are, and the other

+belongings of the priests?

+

+All the ornaments and clothes of the priests were divided among them

+all, and the Indians had carried them to their country inland.

+

+Do you know if any of the Indians with you here, were present at the

+killing of the priests?

+

+I have heard it said that the Indian Lucas, son of Don Felipe, was

+present when they killed Fray Blas--that about the others he does not

+know. All of which the said Gaspar Salas Atiqui says and declares

+according to his oath given, and because the Indian Francisco said so,

+and did not sign because he did not know how.

+

+GONZALO MENENDEZ CANSO.

+

+In the presence of

+

+JUAN XIMENES,

+

+Notary Public.

+

+Later the Governor had appear before him the Indian Bartolome, of the

+Peninsula of Guale, who with other Indians was sent to the peninsula

+with a message from him to the Micos and Casiques, to the better

+ascertain, if any of the priests were still living. Although he had been

+sent, he did not return with the message, until after the treaty for the

+ransom of Fray Francisco de Avila. He stated that they would not let him

+come--that he wanted to come and stay with the Governor; that he did not

+wish to remain among the Indians, and through the interpreter, Atiqui,

+he declared the following:

+

+Where are you from, and what is your name, and are you a Christian?

+

+My name is Bartolome; I am a Christian and a native of Tolomato. I was

+sent about eight months ago, by this Governor, with a message to the

+Micos and Casiques of the peninsula; they would not let me come back,

+making threats that they would kill me.

+

+During the time you were in the peninsula tell what you know and heard

+said of the killing of the priests; what kind of death they were given?

+

+I heard that Fray Pedro Corpa was killed at night in his cell, with

+wooden weapons, and that Fray Miguel, Fray Antonio and Fray Blas were

+also killed with wooden weapons. That Fray Francisco de Avila, who had

+just been brought as ransom, was the first one taken prisoner. They

+stuck him with their arrows, but God did not let him die of the wounds.

+They would have killed him as they did the others but for the

+intervention of the Casique of Tulapo, who took him from the Indians,

+saying at the time that he was his father, and as such he would protect

+him.

+

+What was the motive and cause of the killing?

+

+I heard it was because they reproved them; that the priests were crafty,

+and did not care for them, and did not wish them to have more than one

+wife.

+

+Where are the ornaments and appurtenances of the Church?

+

+They were divided among them, those from the interior carrying many, and

+many were also broken, and the children tore and destroyed them.

+

+Did you hear it said whether Lucas, the son of the Casique Don Felipe,

+or any of the other Indians brought in with you were present at the

+killing of the priests?

+

+I heard that Lucas was there at the killing. I know nothing more.

+

+How was Fray Francisco de Avila treated while a prisoner?

+

+I have heard it said that in Tufina and Chacalaga the boys would chase

+him through the streets perfectly naked and whip him with horsewhips,

+and that he was starving to death, because the Indians had little to eat

+themselves and gave him none. All this Gaspar Salas says and declares to

+have been said by the Indian Bartolome under the oath which he has

+taken, and it is the truth; he cannot sign, not knowing how to do so.

+

+GONZALO MENENDEZ CANSO.

+

+In the presence of

+

+JUAN XIMENES,

+

+Notary Public.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+For further investigation of the above, the Governor and Captain-General

+had appear before him another of the seven Indians who through the same

+interpreter said and declared the following: (This declaration is not

+given.)

+

+In view of said declarations of these proceedings, the crime falls upon

+Lucas the Indian, son of the Casique de Tuqui, for having been present

+and participated in the killing of Fray Blas, who was sent to convert

+the people of Tupiqui. I must condemn him by this my decree, sentenced

+according to his declaration, with the penalty of death. The justice

+which I order shall be done him is: That when he leaves the jail where

+he now is, it shall be with a rope around his neck, his hands tied

+behind him, and with a loud voice it must be proclaimed to the public

+his crime; that he be taken to the gallows, already prepared for this

+purpose, and that there he shall be hung by the neck and strangled until

+dead. Because, thus is it well to punish with real justice those who

+dare to commit such crimes, and as an example to the other Indian

+natives of these provinces that they may not commit similar crimes. So

+do I pronounce sentence and command. And if the said Lucas is not

+mindful of receiving baptism and should not die repenting, and in the

+Catholic faith, I order that he be hung and after his death his body be

+burned to powder.

+

+Regarding the other six Indians detained for this cause, proceedings

+will not continue for the present against them--they being boys under

+age. We shall so send and notify the Indian Lucas.

+

+GONZALO MENENDEZ CANSO.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+     Alonzo Diaz de Badajoz, Sergeant-Major of this Fort and Garrison of

+     St. Augustine:

+

+

+I order you by this sentence, which will be shown you by Juan Ximenes,

+Notary Public, against the Indian Lucas, prisoner in this city, that he

+shall be executed as is stated in this sentence, because it so pleaseth

+his Majesty. This execution is done in justice to his Majesty, and must

+be so accomplished.

+

+GONZALO MENENDEZ CANSO.

+

+St. Augustine, July 29th, 1598.

+

+Notary Public.

+

+Before me

+

+JUAN XIMENES.

+

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER V.

+

+A. D. 1600.

+

+     _Letter from Father Francisco Parga to the King, as one of eleven

+     monks sent out by his Majesty to spread the Gospel--Eighty churches

+     in different Missions--Complaint of lazy Indians--Avarice of the

+     Governor causes dissatisfaction and suffering among the garrison

+     and impedes the work--Unnecessary war with Indians--People desire

+     the Governors removal--Fray Baltazar Lopez has labored for twelve

+     years converting many Indians, among them the Casique, Don Juan,

+     who stands highly among his people and has quelled many

+     uprisings--Letter from Juan Nunez Rios--Complains of Governor--Who

+     allows one Juan Garcia to represent him--People forced to buy of

+     this Garcia who takes all advantages--Begs for an open port that

+     the people may be allowed to go back and forth and trade--Antonio

+     Menendez Canso writes to his Majesty complaining of injustice by

+     the Governor, and asks to be allowed to serve his Majesty

+     elsewhere--Letter to his Majesty from Fray Blas De Montes imploring

+     that he may be allowed to come to Spain for retirement--Gives

+     account of a fire which burned the church among other

+     houses--Reports slow progress with the Indians and advises that a

+     Bishop be sent to administer sacrament of confirmation--Report of

+     Gonzalo Menendez Canso to his Majesty--A shipmaster bearing

+     dispatches from New Spain shipwrecked in a dreadful storm--He and

+     his crew escape in a boat--Governor aids them from the Royal

+     treasury--Arrival of the Auditor for his Majesty--Garrison

+     abounding in fruits and grain--Death of a Christian Indian, Don

+     Juan--Fray Lopez returns from New Spain in good health--Money

+     brought to establish a hospital--More money needed for Garrison

+     expenses--Report of Francisco Redondo Villegas, Officer of Customs

+     and Auditor for his Majesty--Complains of not being treated with

+     the respect due to Royal officers--Finds affairs in a muddled

+     condition--Soldiers well drilled--Much land under cultivation which

+     will be needed as wages are small and rations insufficient._

+

+

+PATRON LETTER FROM FRAY FRANCISCO PARGA, OF THE SAN FRANCISCAN ORDER, TO

+THE KING.

+

+_Your Majesty_:

+

+This is a duplicate of a letter sent your Majesty by a vessel which left

+this port of St. Augustine in the month of February of this year via

+Havana. I wrote giving an account as I was one of the eleven monks sent

+by your Majesty to spread the Gospel and teach the natives of this

+country. When we arrived we were assigned to different places or posts,

+each one trying his utmost and best to do what he could for the

+redemption of these souls. It being such an arduous and difficult life,

+having to traverse on foot, bad roads, with little or nothing to eat at

+times, that little fruit has yet been yielded, although the harvest,

+which we hope eventually to reap for the Lord, is worth the trials and

+sacrifices made, as we know that He suffered death and passion to

+redeem the souls and rejoiceth over the salvation of one; how much more

+should we be willing to suffer for the conversion of so many souls as

+there are in this country and whom we hope to save with the help of God?

+And so I say that while your Majesty has control of these lands as the

+Religious have charge of this Garrison in time of need, and they also

+help to support the Church under their care and the ornaments and other

+things necessary for the worship of the Divine Lord, not having for this

+purpose any income from your Royal Finance. There are more than eighty

+churches which have been built in the different missions and others

+under construction. We are moved to do this to encourage the Indians who

+are incapable of good conceptions and obedience. They have always had

+their ministry so that they listen with little appreciation to what we

+preach and teach, in grave detriment to the poor newly converted

+Indians, notwithstanding that our teaching and converting accrues to

+their own good, as we aid and provide for them in their time of hunger,

+and when crops have failed. The Indians are so lazy and improvident that

+if we did not take care of the crops after planting they would have

+nothing. They do not even save the seed for another planting. Of the

+Governor I wish to say as little as possible, but the misery, impediment

+and calamities among Indians and Christians is due to his avarice, and

+if the poor Spaniards who are in the Garrison of St. Augustine had not

+the hope that your Majesty would be informed in some way and send them

+relief from the fearful calamity which this Garrison is suffering, the

+affliction among the married men as well as the single would become

+unendurable. They dare not, under any circumstances, send you

+information, as it would cost them their lives, and so they have prayed

+and implored me as Chaplain, who live from day to day upon the charity

+of your Royal Treasury, and have to render a strict account or others

+would slander us, and our account of the war and other matters must be

+true. The war with the Indians where many have been killed and many

+brought in as prisoners was uncalled for and the Indians at “Cabeza de

+Martyres” are much incensed. As it is a place where many vessels are

+wrecked, the Spaniards have taken whole crews and kept them until

+ransomed. We fear the Indians of that place will do much damage to

+vessels passing to and fro. We feel very sorry that the present Governor

+has shown so much anger and resentment towards the Indians and has sent

+your Majesty such meagre accounts of the true condition of this

+Garrison. It is swampy, little inhabited by Indians, and the roads

+difficult to traverse. The Bar is a rough one; there are said to be

+better ones on this coast towards the north. I have not seen them, but

+have heard through Fray Baltazar Lopez, Vicar of that Island, who has

+been there for twelve years working in the conversion of souls, with

+other Friars who came with him, and who have left for New Spain. He

+alone remains at his post, much encouraged, as he has mastered the

+Indian language; it is of great help to him in preaching. He has

+converted many who frequent the sacraments of confession and communion.

+Had it not been for him and through his persuasions, having converted

+and taught the Casique Don Juan, there would have been a terrible

+uprising among the Indians, and probably not a Spaniard left. Thus, by

+the industry and influence of Fray Baltazar over Don Juan, who is highly

+in favor of Christianity and all civilized ideas, this trouble was

+averted. Don Juan has sent relief to the people of this garrison in

+times of famine. I recognize in Fray Baltazar that spiritual zeal for

+the service of God and your Majesty that this land may be converted,

+increase in civilization and aggrandize your kingdom. As Fray Baltazar’s

+experience is of long standing, it has been decided that he write to

+your Majesty and give a full account of all the happenings. To this

+letter of his, which I shall remit to your Majesty, you can give full

+credit, as he speaks scientifically and from long experience.

+

+_Your Majesty_:

+

+As a final remedy and forced by necessity and worry which we poor

+citizens of this garrison suffer ever since the arrival of Gonzalo

+Menendez Canso, we come to implore you, as King and Christian, not to

+permit that your subjects and vassals be so ill treated and afflicted by

+those who govern here, since your Majesty in your Cedulas always orders

+the contrary. There being no corporation as in other cities of like size

+to whom we can appeal for protection, I take the liberty of writing

+this. We have not done so before, and gone on suffering all that is

+possible for us to suffer, because we understood you had been informed

+by other parties, and we hoped and waited daily to be delivered by your

+sending some one else who would proceed in a different manner, and thus

+we poor citizens would receive better treatment at his hands, and

+enable us to proceed in better condition to advance your interests which

+have been decreasing and losing ever since the said Governor came. Much

+of the land that was gained from the Indians, and who themselves had

+become quiet and peaceful, has been lost. I came to this country in the

+year 1568, twenty years ago, with others from your Kingdom, to aid and

+succor, as was commanded by your Majesty in transferring us to these

+Provinces, having assisted and served in them on all occasions which

+have presented themselves at Port Elena and St. Augustine. I married a

+daughter of one of the settlers who was here and had come enthused by

+the promises made by the previous Governors, but who spent his life

+eking out a meagre existence for his wife and children by taking

+advantage of the license which at that time was granted the citizens of

+going abroad to seek work which was so much needed. This Governor has

+withdrawn this license and forces us to remain in the town proper. The

+town is frequently left to the government of his cousin who calls

+himself Juan Garcia and whom he brought with him to this Province with a

+large stock of merchandise which he sells at exorbitant prices and he,

+the Governor, collects all payments. Before this Governor came we were

+paid off, but since his assumption of affairs he forces us to buy all we

+need of this cousin, and the Governor informs us that if we do not obey

+his order in this we must go without. On pay day he keeps all our pay

+saying we have already spent it. If one of the soldiers is sick

+requiring anything and sends to ask for money to get the needed

+medicine the Governor refuses to give it, forcing him to buy it of Juan

+Garcia. All law suits or troubles of any kind which arise are brought

+before the Governor by this same Juan Garcia, who seems to be supreme.

+It is understood that the vast estate is a joint one of Juan Garcia and

+Governor Menendez Canso. My house was burned, as can be testified by any

+of the inhabitants, fearing to notify Juan Garcia of the fact. I sent to

+him and asked him with all due respect to come, accompanied by the

+Mayor, who is the only representative of the law, and see the condition

+I was in. For this act he has levied upon me for fifty maravedies and

+six months’ imprisonment in the Fort. That I must appear before him, and

+he has worried me in many other ways. He has taken from us the only

+means of making a living for our wives and children and refuses to grant

+us any rights whatsoever, except those which in your Cedula are so plain

+he is obliged to grant them. And yet he grants all rights to Mexico. It

+is a great injustice not to allow us the same privileges. We trust that

+being so far from us and it takes so long to inform you, that you will

+have mercy upon us and immediately send some one to replace this

+Governor. One who will treat us with more kindness and justice. We

+implore you to grant the privileges of an open port, that we may be

+allowed to go back and forth and trade, so as to enable us to make a

+living. Others would write to you imploring the same grace, only all

+fear to do so, as we run great risk of having the Governor intercept our

+letters. I send this at the risk of my life. There are many more things

+upon which I could enlighten you, but fear prevents us from doing so,

+and we trust your Majesty will send us relief as speedily as possible.

+

+God preserve the Royal Person of your Catholic Majesty for many years,

+as christianity has need of it.

+

+JUAN NUNEZ RIOS.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., Feb. 19th, 1600.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+_Sire_:

+

+While serving your Majesty in this Garrison of St. Augustine, Florida,

+as Captain of one of the companies with the title given me by General

+Menendez Canso, it is the same position my father served previously for

+a year and a half before the work and place was turned over to me as

+your Majesty’s service required. Later Lieutenant Alvarez Hernando Metas

+having arrived with certain dispatches regarding my father, who had

+preceded me, the Governor, without giving any reason or consulting me in

+any way, has taken the company from me and given it to Lieutenant Metas,

+who is at present serving. The Governor has only said to me that he

+wished to employ me in other services of your Majesty for which reason I

+am detained in this Province on half pay. Although I have asked

+permission to serve on the Armada and assist in any way I am ordered, as

+is my duty, he will not allow me to do so, but detains me here. I

+implore you to send me orders if only to be in the infantry of this

+Garrison; anything until I am ordered elsewhere, to serve your Majesty.

+This is my profession and I have always followed it, and for which I

+shall always hope to receive special encomiums from your Majesty, whom

+I pray our Lord will bless and protect and preserve from all harm.

+

+ANTONIO MENENDEZ CANSO.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., 26th ----, 1600.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+_Sire_:

+

+In other letters I have written to your Majesty I have given an account

+of the fire we had on the 14th of March of last year, 1599, in this

+city. Among other houses burned with the church was ours and we came to

+the hospital for shelter, where we still are, and I implore your Majesty

+to rebuild our house. The seven hundred ducats required to repair and

+cover the house which was burned, and which we hope you will send us,

+will be placed in deposit with the treasurer of this Province until a

+decision has been reached regarding this country. On account of its

+ruined and barren condition it is incapable of maintaining so many

+natives as there are, and as was demonstrated the other day, many seem

+to think they will order this Garrison removed to another part more

+advantageous. Should this be the case, your servants will advise you at

+once of all that occurs.

+

+In the report I give you of the Indians I must say, my Lord, that we

+make little progress and are but poorly esteemed by them. The fault must

+lie in us, as there will no doubt be those who will so report it to your

+Majesty. The good esteem which I am ordered to have for the Governor I

+shall comply with in every respect except that I shall not lose my

+rights; sending out the Friars to convert and teach the doctrine, I

+have always observed the order given by your Majesty with the title of

+Royal Patron. Since it is a truth perfectly well known that no Friar has

+been sent by me or my predecessors to convert and teach without the

+permission and sanction of the Governor, and should it become necessary

+I will so make him confess this truth, which he well knows, as there are

+so few of us he cannot ignore it, as we eat from his hands at all times.

+If this country is to be increased and civilized it would be well to

+send a Bishop here, as it is quite necessary to administer the sacrament

+of confirmation; therefore, for the peace of those who live here, it

+would be well for your Majesty to consider and provide as you see fit

+and God would wish. There is nothing a man can desire more than the

+salvation of his soul, for this it seems to me urgent that I should

+retire from this work and take shelter where I can obtain this end,

+serving in quietude your Majesty. For this I beg and humbly implore your

+Majesty to send me a permit to go to Spain, as I feel assured of the

+little success I can obtain by remaining in this country. May our

+blessed Lord preserve your Majesty in peace and love, Yours,

+

+FRAY BLAS DE MONTES.

+St. Augustine, Fla., Feb. 25th, 1600.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+_Your Lordship_:

+

+On the 13th there arrived in this city Diego Ramirez, a citizen of

+Triana of Sevilla, a second class shipmaster from New Spain, sent by

+your Viceroy and Royal Officers from San Juan de Ullva. On entering the

+Bahama channel he was overtaken by a dreadful storm, his vessel sprung a

+leak and took in so much water they were forced to make for the nearest

+land which was on the coast of this Province about one hundred and

+eighty leagues from this city to the north, about thirty-four degrees,

+more or less, where, on entering a port, the vessel was completely

+wrecked and the Master made his escape in one of the boats with the

+papers and dispatches for your Majesty and also some private letters.

+Coming along the coast, landing at night until he reached the Province

+of Guale, where last year the Indians had killed two Friars. There he

+found two vessels in the service of this Garrison which had been sent to

+carry three or four Casiques, two of them men of great influence in

+their tribes, who had come to implore mercy for themselves and others

+for the terrible crime they had committed. I now have them quiet and

+pacified. These natives carried the master to the ships of this Garrison

+where he and his men were given shelter and brought to this City.

+

+The natives also gave them what relief they could. On the arrival here

+of the Master he told me of the dispatches he brought for your Majesty

+and which he understood were of much importance as they had learned in

+New Spain that Chinese, English and Flemish were settling there. He

+asked me for passage for himself and men, for any dispatches I might

+have for your Majesty and any private mail. He also asked for the means

+of sustenance from your Royal Treasury, for himself and men, as they had

+lost all. Considering the importance of the dispatches and papers, and

+that you might receive them with the utmost speed, I granted their

+request and also gave them a change of clothes. He did not wish to go to

+Havana on account of the variable winds and so, as I had a frigate in

+Port just suitable for the purpose, I fitted it out against the wishes

+of its owners, to whom I paid the cost of the trip which three pilots

+assured me would amount to one thousand ducats, not counting the

+maintenance of the Master and his men. I felt it my duty to aid them

+from your Royal Treasury, as they were shipwrecked and there was no one

+in this country who could raise a subscription to supply their wants,

+all being soldiers or men who have no employment. An account of this may

+be kept by the judges and officers in Sevilla against this Province.

+Pedro Redondo Villegas, Auditor of the Artillery of Havana, whom your

+Majesty nominated to come here to straighten the accounts of this

+Province, arrived and has commenced his work. He tells me that he is

+notifying your Majesty of all and calling your attention to some. He

+says that having notified me of the Royal balance made to Juan

+Sebadilla, deceased, being as it is, a large sum, it will be well that

+you send a bill, stating what must be done about its collection. Captain

+Alonzo de las Alas has not yet satisfied his balance because while

+investigating his accounts in virtue of the royal decree of appointments

+and of which he was in charge, was suspended for four years. In accounts

+taken of different royal officers, they have paid up many losses against

+your royal estate. I had noticed this and when the accountant Pedro

+Redondo arrived I suspended these payments until he could look into them

+and I shall point out to him the result of what I found in them.

+

+On the eighth of February of this year I rendered your Majesty an

+account of how I sent the collections to your Treasurer, Juan Menendez

+Marquez. This time the causes made known in the letter which arrived at

+this Port on the 21st of this month with four vessels and their cargo of

+provisions, ammunition and money collected from the allowance was too

+late, so that hereafter your Royal order set forth in Cedule will be

+obeyed.

+

+This Garrison and territory is at present abounding in the fruits of the

+earth--corn and other vegetables. Having encouraged and aided in

+cultivating the land our Lord has seen proper to give us the most

+fertile year ever known in these Provinces. On the 16th of this month

+Don Juan, Casique of the Province of San Pedro, died--the one your

+Majesty was so kind to in sending him two hundred ducats which were

+given him. I feel his death very much as he was one of the most faithful

+and influential in this Territory; he was sagacious and practical,

+having faith, and agreed in all that you ordered. He died as a good

+Christian, receiving the sacraments and giving a good example at the

+hour of his death to all the Indians and natives. His niece becomes his

+heir; according to their custom the nieces and nephews become the heirs

+and not the children.

+

+Fray Baltazar Lopez, of the Franciscan order, has arrived from New

+Spain. He was crippled and sick, so I gave him permission to go to New

+Spain where he was cured and has regained his health which has been a

+great happiness for me as he is greatly needed in the conversion. He has

+brought many to a realization of the truth of Christianity, and I trust

+in God he

+

+[Illustration: Land Approach to Fort Marion.]

+

+may keep well and continue his good work. In this I try to aid him as

+much as possible and with some of the officers and soldiers go to visit

+the Indians from time to time to assure them of our good will and to

+trade with them. They have just brought from New Spain the five hundred

+ducats your Majesty gave in charity to the hospital of this City,

+established for the benefit of the poor soldiers of this Garrison. They

+also brought five hundred more from Mexico for the Franciscan Convent,

+and we have also given to said Convent two thousand eight hundred and

+forty-two reals which were in this Treasury and which were found on the

+beach of San Mateo from some of the vessels wrecked on that shore, and

+although your Royal Cedula said it should be three thousand and

+forty-two reals and a half, the Royal Officers have not been able to

+find that much on your books, only the amount stated above which was

+delivered to them for the repairs of the convent. If your Majesty wishes

+to obtain information regarding Jacon from England you must ask for it

+by the name of Virginia which is the name given it by the English; if

+you inquire for Jacon you will get no satisfaction. I send with this a

+duplicate of the letter written you on February 28th by Pedro Alvarez

+Castillon via Havana, on the fleet in command of General Sancho Pardo,

+and as the sea is an uncertain thing I send a duplicate. The frigate

+which carries this paper and those of the Auditor, Pedro Redondo,

+belongs to Pedro Gonzales, of Havana, who also goes on her. Should you

+wish to send dispatches for this Province, Havana or New Spain, this

+vessel is very appropriate; it is good, small, and sails fast, being of

+only fifteen tons, and Pedro Gonzales is perfectly familiar with all

+this coast and is a practical and experienced sailor and can be trusted

+with anything you wish to send by him. I cannot fail to remind you to

+grant me a reasonable sum for expenditures of this Garrison, as the

+expenses are so heavy I am obliged to implore this grace of your

+Majesty.

+

+May God preserve you in health for the good of Christianity.

+

+GONZALO MENENDEZ CANSO.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., June 28th, 1600.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+I wrote your Majesty by General Sancho Pardo, giving full and detailed

+account of how I had arranged matters and placed in office as Auditor of

+the Custom House, of this City, Pedro Redondo, my son, a person

+perfectly trustworthy, competent and reliable. I have done everything

+according to your Majesty’s orders. I came to the Province of Florida on

+the fleet, as you graciously ordered me to investigate the accounts of

+your Royal Officers and other employees. I arrived in Florida on the

+29th of March, presented my commissions, which were accepted by the

+Governor, Gonzalo Menendez. On the 14th of April, after making all

+inquiries necessary regarding the accounts, I commenced to investigate,

+not meeting from the Officers that respect which is shown by the army

+and navy to your Royal employees. Their books being in such a disordered

+condition, it will take more time than I calculated to finish these

+investigations, but I will accomplish them with all possible speed. As I

+have informed your Majesty through others who the persons are, having to

+give account and the many and arduous difficulties encountered, there

+being among auditors, agents and shipmasters, about twenty persons--it

+will take a longer time to accomplish, although I came quite encouraged

+and desirous of finishing speedily so as to return to Havana to attend

+the grand artillery review and take my command. I left town for the term

+of one year, but find I shall be unable to complete these investigations

+in that time, as it is impossible to leave them in the muddled condition

+they are at present. Doctor Juan Gonzales, of the Royal Court of the

+Indias, has told me he could obtain with the consent of the Governor, a

+prerogative. I implore your Majesty will send this prerogative and see

+and notify me as to what I am to do. As I have been here so short a time

+I cannot inform you of all that you ordered me to investigate. All I can

+say at present is that there are about two hundred and fifty soldiers in

+this Garrison; they are good and well drilled and disciplined; that the

+Governor has planted and under cultivation many acres of land, which

+will be a great help in the sustenance of these people, who are mostly

+married, and whose small wages and rations given them does not suffice

+for their support. They certainly need this grain. Besides others,

+seeing the good results and what good land it is, are following the

+example and are clearing and planting fields. With the cutting down of

+the timber it has done away with the vast quantities of mosquitoes and

+has helped to improve the City, as one sees on all sides houses in

+course of construction. The greatest difficulty I find is the difference

+existing between the Officers of the Royal command and the people. As

+you have ordered that all should obey them, they are overbearing, as

+occurs in many other places. If you could devise some remedy for this,

+all would go well. I shall continue to keep you advised of all that

+occurs, especially on the matter of investigations and as to who the

+guilty parties may be. May God grant you a long life of prosperity.

+

+FRANCISCO REDONDO VILLEGAS.

+

+St. Augustine, Florida, April 18th, 1600.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER VI.

+

+A. D. 1605-1608.

+

+     _Minutes of a Bull to be presented to the Holy See, asking

+     concession of graces and powers for Catholic residents in

+     Florida--Minorcan families brought a Priest and Monk with them, and

+     wish privileges and new license granted--Instructions as to duties

+     on wine--Priests and Monks of Tasco use municipal monies for their

+     own interests--Advises change in office of Treasurer of the Royal

+     chest--Loss of vessels carrying papers for his Majesty--People of

+     the Kingdom gratified at favor shown by his Majesty to Don

+     Francisco--Letter from Pedro Ibarra to his Majesty--Insufficient

+     support for the Garrison--A widow, who was the wife of two Army

+     Captains, in need--Two poor soldiers find amber in a fish for which

+     Menendez exacted a duty--Anxiety on account of French and English

+     pirates--Some taken prisoners and ten hanged--Several Casiques and

+     chiefs visit Augustine--Are impressed with religious services and

+     procession--Ask for Friars to return to their country with them to

+     instruct their people--Asks for men to assist in building a fort at

+     the mouth of Miguel Moro--Has made inquiry as to origin and source

+     of River San Mateo and Lake Miami--A Garrison of warlike

+     people--Proposition to establish a Manager of the Inquisition to

+     control them--Does not wish to let go certain Priest and

+     Captain--Report of Juan Menendez Marquez to the King--Deplores the

+     decision to reduce the Garrison--Advises return to the policy of

+     Pedro Menendez, his cousin--Desires permission to go to Spain to

+     more fully lay the matter before his Majesty._

+

+A. D. 1605.

+

+

+

+

+Minutes of the Bull or Supplication which the Minister of this Court in

+Rome should present to the Holy See, asking for the concession of new

+graces and powers in favor of the Catholic residents in Florida, which

+precepts have been formulated by the Judge complying with the Royal

+Decree of your Majesty in consultation with the Council.

+

+As formal instructions they should state that these Minorcan families

+transmigrated to Florida under the English dominion, but with the free

+use and privilege of their Catholic Religion. They carried with them as

+spiritual directors Don Pedro Campos, secular Priest, and Padre

+Bartolome Casanovas, a Monk, that these, for the legitimate discharge of

+their Ministerial duties, repair to the Holy See, begging they be

+constituted Pastor of that flock, dispensing them all the powers

+necessary, that your Holiness benignantly accede to their urgent

+petition, to grant them different privileges and powers, among others

+the administering to that Catholic people all the sacraments, even those

+not Parochial, except confirmation and Orders, extending this privilege

+for a term of three years when they shall obtain a new license from the

+superior Prelates or Bishop nearest to Florida. That is what has been

+done, because I have received a new Cedula from your Majesty ordering

+that the proceeds of the duties on wine should not be spent on anything

+but the bringing of water. I cease, satisfied, that before suspending

+the execution of this Cedula. I shall take time to inform your Majesty

+that it was necessary for me to avail myself of this money for these

+purposes. I do not at present send an account, until I can send it

+finished, that it may not be a work which the Viceroy may consider

+impossible to accomplish at so small a cost. I beg of your Majesty to

+consider it. Otherwise I shall obey to the letter this Cedula and I

+await your reply. Not receiving a reply, I shall take for granted that

+your Majesty is satisfied. Being so general and important in this

+Kingdom the practise of other business, and there being a possibility of

+misunderstanding in this matter, I resolved to visit some of the

+vineyards of this kingdom, and so I went to Tasco, some twenty-eight

+leagues from this city, taking advantage of the Christmas holidays, not

+to lose any time from my ordinary business, it has been of great

+advantage as I can state just how these things are conducted. I have

+stated to your Majesty in other letters, the municipality of this City

+is not governed as it should be, because the Priests or Monks think more

+of their own interests, reducing all to their own profit. As this takes

+place the Royal Officers cannot ordinarily attend the meetings, it would

+be well that the Viceroy should elect four persons of the best standing

+and principles upon whom your Majesty should bestow Government offices

+and that the Viceroy should oblige them to accept, for at least four

+months in the year, giving them precedence after the Royal Officers, and

+thus assure their attention to matters which are looked upon

+indifferently in one of the best Cities you possess, and which is

+improving each day. If the Council will consider this proposition and

+your Majesty pleases to execute it.

+

+The Decree sent by me and the Official documents for the high notaries

+of Government and legislative bodies of this Audience and particularly

+for the notaries of the Treasury, that they might transact some

+important business which was taken from the books and have been badly

+attended to because there is no one to be solicitous about this matter,

+and it not belonging to the duties of the Judge, it is neglected as are

+other affairs. It becomes obligatory to find some faithful and

+trustworthy person of influence to take charge of this Office and assign

+them a salary of $800.00 a year. Show and make them understand the

+anxiety which I feel concerning it and how it retards other business.

+Being new in my Office I have not cared to assign any one until I had a

+license from your Majesty for doing so. I shall await your decision. It

+seems to me the salary could be assigned through the Legislature, and if

+they neglect their duties discharge them.

+

+In New Vera Cruz, Pedro Casco Calderon has been serving as Treasurer of

+the Royal Chest by nomination of your Majesty, he also occupied other

+Offices in Spain. He is old, the many years of service at that Post and

+the conduct of his wife, have disturbed his mind; he is also running a

+butcher shop and other enterprises not in accordance with the Royal

+Office. The situation is such that nothing should be concealed from you.

+In being served you might give him some small Office at home, and I

+should remove him to some other place, if I did not understand the

+necessity of his attending to his estate, which is in that

+neighborhood, and all his other profitable enterprises.

+

+The first registered vessel was lost on the coast of Campeachy, and

+although the Papers for your Majesty were taken out, they had been under

+water so long that they were useless, scarcely legible. The second

+vessel of advice was taken by the French on its return from Saona, and

+they stripped it of everything, leaving vessel and crew in such a ruined

+condition they could proceed no further than Santo Domingo. Seeing that

+they were lost they threw the papers for your Majesty overboard. Thus it

+becomes necessary that one and the other be duplicated. Your Majesty

+will please see that the person in Sevilla who has charge of these

+vessels be careful of the person to whom he entrusts these Documents as

+so far the person in charge does not seem to understand their

+importance, and so, it is only miraculous that we get them at all. It

+has been very gratifying to all in this Kingdom the favor shown by your

+Majesty to Don Francisco. I trust he will serve you well and faithfully.

+It is prohibited that an Alderman should serve a private individual

+under penalty of losing his Office. In this city Don Luis Maldona, son

+of Maldona who was Judge of this Supreme Court, has a regiment. On

+account of his talent and the good services he can render I have him

+occupied in my service, and that he may not fall under the penalty of

+the law I implore your Majesty to send him a permit that he may attend

+to both, or a license that he may resign his place in the regiment and

+serve your Majesty otherwise, on a salary that you shall name. I

+consider the first plan best. Don Luis Valasco has arrived and I

+thought best to introduce him and have some attention bestowed upon him,

+on account of his position. I shall show him all respect and visit him,

+feeling sure you will thus be well served. The case is free of

+consequences. Having sent you a letter of dispatch through the Supreme

+Court of Castile stating that Dr. Lievana will go over to that Kingdom

+and render an account of the expenses of the residence and trip of the

+first Lieutenant of Assistencia of Sevilla. Dr. Lievana acted as Mayor

+in the interim between the death of Señor Trufillo and your appointing

+Don Francisco de Onate. He is a person who will render you good service,

+he can be relied on, is among the noblest here, and could fill any

+office. I have detained this vessel that I might inform you of the

+departure of the vessel for the Philippines.

+

+May God preserve you for many years.

+

+THE MARQUEZ OF MONTES CLARAS.

+

+Mexico, March 31st, 1605.

+

+(There is a Rubrica.)

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+A. D. 1605.

+

+_Sire:_

+

+I sent your Majesty one of your royal Cedulas dated in Valladolid, April

+3rd, in which I laid before your Majesty the necessity and want these

+poor married men are in. It is impossible for them to support

+themselves; there are seven and eight in a family to be fed on the

+father’s rations. As I have before stated to you, it would be a great

+charity as well as a service to God to help them that they may not

+perish. This may be remedied when the other people arrive. I can then

+give permission to the valetudinarians and sick to return home, your

+Majesty having sent as a reward for so many years of service the means

+to defray the cost of the voyage. I can give according to the condition

+of each one and to the married men who remain here in service please

+order an extra half ration for each child with some other slight

+assistance while they serve as soldiers and their daughters are too

+young to marry. I assure you that aside from being a great charity it

+will be no more than justice, as they are among the best soldiers I have

+ever seen on land or sea. Among the necessities your Majesty may see

+proper to relieve is the suffering of a lady of standing, widow of two

+captains who served many years in this Province and who had charge of it

+in the absence of the Governors. Aid given here will be one of the

+greatest of charities, as before stated. The negroes who were here for

+over forty years, working in the Havana forces, have died, and it will

+be well to send about a dozen more and three or four negro women.

+

+Your order that I should not collect from the New Spain more than was

+necessary I have carried out so far, and I wish to remind you to send a

+trustworthy accountant as the one at present occupying that office is

+not fitted for it. During the residence of Gonzalo Menendez Canso, the

+Treasurer, Juan Menendez, asked and exacted that duty should be paid

+your Majesty on some amber which Bartolaine Perez and Gaspar Martin,

+soldiers, had found in a fish’s craw, and with promises which Gonzalo

+Menendez made the soldiers, he palliated them and said the duty must be

+paid according to one of the chapters of royal instruction. At that time

+we could not ascertain if it were true. The said soldiers had already

+put in a plea to the said Gonzalo Menendez and as interested parties

+could not be witnesses in these investigations. The other person through

+whose hands it must pass was Lieutenant Fabeicio Lopez, and he was not

+here. He has returned now and makes the accompanying declaration, which

+you can place with the declaration of the soldiers, and you can have

+your duties and give the soldiers what was taken from them, not allowing

+them to make a manifestation. The Treasurer has asked me to let him use

+a permit he has to go to that kingdom on business and solicitations. I

+have not allowed him to use it, because we are so much in need of men

+and there are so few I can put my hand on in case of need. God protect

+your Majesty.

+

+PEDRO IBARRA.

+

+Dec. 26th, 1605, St. Augustine, Florida.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+

+A. D. 1607.

+

+_Sire_:

+

+In a letter of the 22nd of January of the present year, which was sent

+from Havana with a notice of the death of Governor Don Pedro Acuna I

+have forwarded you, I have also notified you of what I thought of doing

+with the French and English pirates I held as prisoners. One day after

+the departure of the boat I sent to have them hanged, using with them

+such religious treatment as is customary. Ten of them were baptized, the

+others stated they had already been baptized. It seems that all died as

+Christians, so that this whole City with their fraternities turned out

+to lay them out and bury them. I only wish that with these pirates we

+might put an end to them all on these coasts. There are so many they

+keep me in great anxiety and I implore you to send me people to destroy

+them. I have every one on this coast enlisted to aid in their

+destruction. But my experience is that many have not only sheltered

+them, saved their lives and estates, but continue to serve them and

+allow them to come and go at will. They come from a distance of a

+hundred leagues with all confidence and safety. This week, which is Holy

+week, I have had here several Casiques and Chiefs who are the lords of

+the mouth of Miguel Mora, where, I have before told you, we should erect

+a fort and from there capture the fleet of Charles. I shall tell you the

+names of these Casiques that you may know who they are and the great

+achievement I have made in gaining their services. They have returned to

+their country dressed and very happy and edified with the religious

+services and processions they have witnessed during this Holy season.

+They ask for Friars to instruct them. I told them I would come there to

+visit them. I notify you that this is the time that with more security

+and less cost a fort could be built there; they themselves would act as

+peons, and if possible to do so I would myself ask that from Havana they

+would send me an engineer and eighty men with two launches. Look into

+this, as I am quite sure they would all lend themselves to serve in the

+building, as they would feel safe all along that coast from the

+invasions of the enemy. The other Provinces are very peaceful. With the

+warriors, silver miners and woodmen I have so long asked your Majesty to

+send me. I trust in God that we can touch with our hands the great

+wealth we surely have in the interior of this land. All this I ask of

+you I am moved to do by the zeal to serve you and enlarge your estate

+and not for rest or gain. From all these parts I have had here this week

+over five hundred Indians, and, God knows, to make them understand it,

+will require more men than I have in our Order to guide them.

+

+In a letter of September 23rd your Majesty commands me to make every

+possible inquiry to know the origin and source of the River San Mateo

+and Lake Miami. As I have always tried to make inquiries, about six

+months ago I discovered on the southern coast a river which I have had

+examined by three different pilots, and find that it has nine fathoms of

+water at the entrance of a much wider river. I notified your Majesty of

+this new river. This garrison is composed of a warlike people and the

+Friars of San Francisco are thinking of establishing a Manager of the

+Inquisition to subject them and control their passions. When I came here

+these warriors were in great want and I have come to an agreement

+together with the Royal Officers, that we should have Juan Nunez go to

+Castilla and try to make terms with some merchant to remedy these

+occurrences. To Fray Pedro Ruiz they have brought an Order from your

+Majesty in which you command me to let him go to Castilla on account of

+his age and failing health; that he is of no further use. It seems to me

+this Friar has not been here so many years and he is perfectly sound and

+fresh and robust, never having had so much as a headache.

+

+Captain Alonzo de las Alas has presented me a Cedula from your Majesty

+which gives him permission to go to Castilla for a term of two years

+and that during that time he is to receive no salary. He claims that it

+is an oversight in not appointing some one in his place and allowing him

+to draw his salary as heretofore and which is just, because whoever

+takes his place is entitled to half of his pay, and for this it will be

+necessary that your Majesty order Bartolome Arruchas to return to his

+Post as the permit granted him by your Majesty has expired.

+

+God protect your Majesty.

+

+PEDRO IBARRA.

+

+May 16th, 1607, St. Augustine, Fla.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+A. D. 1608.

+

+_Your Lordship:_

+

+Through a letter of September 20th of last year, 1602, and an account

+rendered the Bishop of Cuba (the past year of 1606) who came to confirm

+the Spanish Christians not yet confirmed and the native Indians of these

+Provinces, I told him all that I thought would be most convenient to the

+service of God our Lord and your Majesty regarding the conversion of

+this Garrison to which I again refer, it having come to my knowledge

+that your Royal Council did not repeat it to you, fearing to tire or

+annoy you. Now, on learning the resolution you have taken of reforming

+this Garrison and reducing it to one hundred and fifty infantry, I am

+sure you have listened to the advice of persons who have never seen this

+coast, nor do they know anything about the interior of the country, nor

+the great benefits which have been accomplished in the conversion of the

+natives who are idolaters and savages, hesitating at no crime however

+horrible.

+

+If Gonzalo Menendez Canso were moved with the true zeal of God and a

+proper desire to serve your Majesty it would have been no more than just

+that when he first assumed control of this Government he should have

+given you a full and detailed account of the existing state of affairs

+and sought your advice and not waited until he was quite sure that his

+Office was to be filled by some one else.

+

+Again, I decided to write this to implore you to consider and look

+closely into the matters upon which I have advised you and which I have

+done in all truth and fidelity as I am obliged to for my King. Knowing

+also that the King of glorious memory, your father, had more trouble and

+combats than at present on account of economy and the abandoning of this

+Garrison, he never listened to such things; on the contrary, in the time

+of Governor General Pedro Menendez Marquez, my first cousin, he

+increased the force to one hundred and fifty soldiers of Infantry and by

+thus assigning them to this Post their aid and succor succeeded in

+subjugating the Indians and in bringing and attracting them to hear the

+Holy Gospel, and listen to the words of the Friars who preached. This is

+a public truth. And since that time no Governor has made any conquests

+or discoveries, nor gone in person to treat with the Indians nor draw

+them towards civilization by gifts or other means. And if you would at

+least grant us a Garrison of defense of three hundred Infantry and

+thirty marines besides the Friars, Governor and Royal officials, with

+orders that they proceed to ferret out the secrets of the interior of

+the country, where Lieutenant Mocana entered, and in which latitude

+there can no doubt be found an excellent port, particularly at Cayagua,

+where any Armada could with safety enter in an altitude of thirty-three

+and one-fourth degrees, and where I have myself been in the past year of

+1588. Should it prove advantageous and convenient in the Bay of the

+Mother of God, of Macan, at a height of thirty-seven degrees at its

+mouth, and which terminates at the foot of the mountain range where I

+was also, in the same year, in search of the English settlement. It is a

+more sheltered harbor than this one and nearer for obtaining aid, and an

+entrance could be made through the Province of Guale in the land of

+Tulufino, which corresponds with that called Tama, on the skirts of the

+mountain range. It might be a very advantageous move which would result

+in the glory of God and your Majesty’s interest; for if we could bring

+these people to honor the Governor of the garrison and when they found

+that he was working for their good and not the contrary, there would

+naturally result a reform among the enemies and we might aspire to carry

+out your designs in a satisfactory manner. Under existing circumstances

+it is impossible for this Garrison, composed of so few men, to march out

+or in any way try to defend themselves against the enemy, and nothing

+remains but to die bravely defending the Garrison as best they can, and

+when there remains no one else to defend it, it leaves the Friars and

+converted Indians to the mercy of God, for it is the only help they can

+look to, the Forts and Castles of Flanders being so far away they would

+be slow to respond. If there is to be no more infantry sent I think it

+would be well to agree upon making this Fort a ravelin and build a good

+trench of defense along the coast to prevent the enemy from jumping

+over and in every possible way attend to the preservation of all the

+above mentioned regarding the Friars and converted natives. Put a stop

+to all these ambushes and skirmishes and other nuisances which oblige

+them (the natives) to leave their settlements and fortify themselves

+upon your domains and do great damage to vessels coming in and going out

+at the mouth of the Bahama channel, making it unsafe all along the coast

+of this part of the Indies, possessed by your Majesty and which you will

+possess for many years for the glory of God and the welfare of the souls

+of these poor natives, and may His Divine Majesty not permit these

+arbitrations and troubles caused by a few men who are incited by their

+passions and own selfish interests and with the pretext of saving you

+some twenty or thirty thousand dollars cause such great trouble that

+your expenses will be more than doubled in repairing the damage. You

+support and maintain the Garrisons of Havana and Porto Rico from rents

+and taxes of New Spain and it is not just nor proper to put difficulties

+in your way to prevent you from preserving and sustaining in the same

+way this one which should be well defended as it is a Port from whence

+you can pass through those same inland regions to Mexico, and, in my

+opinion, it is very important to preserve it for this purpose. Havana is

+of importance, being the key to the Indias and a place where the Armadas

+and fleets can replenish and repair to continue their voyages through

+these Kingdoms. With all humility I beg you receive my zeal and good

+wishes which is to always serve you with fidelity and truth as has been

+done by my parents, and if on this occasion I did not call your

+attention to these matters, which are of vast import, I should be

+committing a crime, and in all this I subject myself to better judgment

+and implore your Majesty with all humility that as I can be of no other

+use in this Post, but to serve as Treasurer of these Provinces, which I

+am at present doing, you will consider my application and give me

+permission to go to Spain and render an account of the Royal finances

+intrusted to my care since June of the past year of 1602, hereafter and

+for this purpose that I be given receipts of my charge, and that during

+my absence from this Port the employment be at the risk and account of

+the person left in my place, and who must give bond as is customary in

+vacations of similar Posts and offices and at the same time that the

+Governor provide that he be given one half of the salary and that I

+receive the other half as a means of helping me to defray my expenses,

+and if my mind does not deceive me my services are deserving of it for

+the care and anxiety I have suffered in this Garrison by wishing to

+defend the cause of the profit of the Royal finance of your Majesty and

+the desire that I have of settling my accounts, not only those I have of

+my own, but also those of Pedro Redondo which will seem to have been

+given with pay, which will be the case with those I render if God will

+give me life for it to employ in your Royal Service. May God grant you

+many and happy years for the mercy and defense of the faith, the

+preservation of peace and tranquility of many more kingdoms, and the

+conversion of as many idolaters as are in these parts.

+

+JUAN MENENDEZ MARQUEZ.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., January 5th, 1608.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER VII.

+

+A. D. 1622-1640.

+

+     _Report of Antonio Benavides to his Majesty--Endeavored to execute

+     order of the King to establish friendly relations with the English

+     of the Carolinas--Sent Don Francisco Menendez together with other

+     Officers--The Mission a failure owing to the English not having

+     instruction from London--Find that the English have built fort on

+     Spanish territory--Requested its removal in order to avoid trouble

+     between the two nations--The English Governor refused--Matter fully

+     laid before his Majesty--Report of Luis De Rojas--Frigate sent from

+     Augustine to Havana to help fleet from New Spain bring over

+     supplies for Garrison--They discover thirteen vessels, which proves

+     to be an enemy who give chase to the Frigate--The pilot and

+     soldiers landed, followed by the enemy, until a forest is reached,

+     where the enemy leaves them--Returning to their launches the enemy

+     strip the Frigate and burn the hull--The enemy coast along shore

+     frightening the Indians, lodging in their huts--A large force of

+     Indians were gathered together with one hundred and fifty soldiers

+     to pursue the enemy at which they reembark and sail away--A Spanish

+     Frigate arrives bearing forty-seven persons, all that was left of

+     three vessels which had been captured by the enemy who proved to be

+     bearing provisions to a Dutch Fleet in Havana--Recommends his

+     Majesty to build a fort at the Bar at the place called Jega--Report

+     of Luis Ussitinez to his Majesty--The Mandate of the King has been

+     carried out in regard to prayer to God for the success of the

+     King’s arms taken up against France--1636--An account of a meeting

+     of the Board of the City Council of Havana at which a clergyman of

+     the Holy Office of the Inquisition appears with an Auto from the

+     Senior Commissionado, Don Francisco de las Casas, of the Holy

+     Office of this city, containing instructions as to certain

+     ceremonies in connection with the Inquisition._

+

+_Your Lordship:_

+

+By your Royal dispatch of last year you ordered me to immediately

+establish friendly relations with the English of the Carolinas, and that

+your Majesty had asked that the Court of London should pass efficacious

+measures to have the order repeated, which was given in virtue of the

+suspension of arms between your Majesty’s crown and that of England, to

+the end that these vessels be not disturbed by the English of the

+Carolinas, nor the Indians of their Province, so that they may derive

+the benefits of the land and live in tranquility and love as your

+Majesty desires. That for this purpose I should in my ministerial

+capacity go to the Governor of Carolina instigating him to make them

+observe punctually the treaty of suspension of arms. I executed this

+order immediately and sent the Auditor Don Francisco Menendez

+accompanied by other Officers of the Garrison of this Post, with orders

+to adjust a firm agreement with the Governor that on the part of the

+English they should cease to incite the Indians, and thus they and the

+laborers might live without injury one from the other; that this

+agreement was equally important for both Nations. To this proposition,

+and others certified, in the testimony of the letter which the referred

+to Don Francisco Menendez carried and on this occasion I remit to you.

+The Governor and parliament of the Carolina replied that they had

+received no orders from the King of Great Britain, but that

+notwithstanding they would try to maintain friendly relations with this

+Government during the suspension of arms. Immediately upon the arrival

+of Auditor Don Francisco Menendez in Carolina, he was informed that the

+English had built a wooden fort at the mouth of Talaje, one of your

+Provinces, where for many years were settled the Indians, and on account

+of the blockade we put upon it, they retired. Don Francisco immediately

+demanded of the Governor and Parliament the reason for building there;

+that it was your Majesty’s Territory, etc., and stating that it might

+cause trouble between the two Nations and once that war was started it

+would be difficult to stop on account of the Indians. His reply was

+simply that to secure his dominions from invasion and harm, the King of

+Great Britain had ordered it built, and that they should found Towns in

+the best and most approved manner. The Auditor requested its removal

+from your Territory, but they refused to do so, stating that his orders

+were not sufficient, and expressed nothing whatever in regard to this

+Fort. I infer that with the incoming of this new Governor in the

+Carolinas, not only will the Fort be completed, but they will settle all

+the Islands belonging to your jurisdiction, and thus make the Carolinas

+impregnable and reduce this Garrison to a more lamentable condition

+than it is, and the Indians watching their opportunities will come upon

+us and also takes sides with the English, who will supply them with arms

+and ammunition, a thing they most ardently desire. The Auditor was also

+informed that in the Carolinas they were waiting the arrival of large

+quantities of arms and ammunition from England. They can in time of war

+easily invade this Castle, the only desire and aim they have, on account

+of the great importance it would be to the preservation of their

+colonies in this New England and the facility it would give them for

+capturing vessels coming and going through the Bahama Channel, the

+nearness of this Castle being just what they most desire. In giving you

+this information I not only appease my conscience but fulfilled my

+obligations to you by showing you the great danger which threatens you

+and the terrible results it might cause, and I leave it to the

+intelligence of your Royal Highness to act in this matter as best

+pleases you.

+

+May God save you.

+

+ANTONIO BENAVIDES.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., April 21st, 1622.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+

+1627

+

+

+_Sire_:

+

+After having written your Majesty giving an account of having faithfully

+fulfilled all the instructions of your different Royal Cedula, I will,

+in this, give a detailed account of what occurred on August 25th of this

+year. I ordered Captain Diego del Pozo to embark in one of the frigates

+of your Majesty’s Service in this Garrison, and proceed to Havana, to

+help bring over the supply for this Garrison, which was to come on the

+fleet from New Spain. Following his journey and coasting along these

+Provinces, near the Cape of Canaveral, on Sunday, the 13th of September,

+in the morning, he discovered thirteen vessels, ten large ones and three

+smaller ones. Believing it to be the Fleet, he made signals and hoisted

+the flag, but as no answer was returned he saw clearly that it was the

+enemy. At the same time one of their three smaller vessels came forward

+and gave him chase. The Frigate being small went so near in shore that

+the vessel could not reach it, seeing which they lowered two rowboats to

+chase and attack the Frigate, each boat carrying twelve soldiers and ten

+mariners. The Frigate resisted the attack with arquebuses. The enemy not

+making any headway, called for more aid, which was sent them by two more

+larger launches with a hundred men. Captain Diego del Pozo finding

+himself in such a tight place, and the pilot and soldiers thinking they

+would stand a better chance on land, he decided to land. The enemy

+followed close, he fought them step by step until they came to a thick

+forest, when the enemy decided to leave them. The skirmish lasted about

+two hours. On returning to their launches the enemy first stripped the

+Frigate of all they wanted and burned the hull. When Captain Pozo saw

+that he would have to abandon the ship, he threw the two pieces of

+artillery he carried overboard. All this occurred about forty leagues

+from this Garrison. In a few days I was notified of this misfortune and

+I sent a launch with infantry to get the men from the Frigate. All

+arrived safely without the loss of a single man. I had the testimony

+taken and ascertained the truth and found that the Captain and his men

+were here and did their duty faithfully. Further proof and truth was

+ascertained a few days later from the soldiers I sent by land to

+reconnoitre the coast where the Frigate was lost--they brought word that

+the thirteen vessels which had been sent to chase the Frigate were

+coasting along slowly taking on water and wood. They had disembarked and

+taken up lodging in the Indian huts, the Indians fleeing with fear.

+Some, by gifts, had been induced to return, others came to me for

+protection. Following this, I received further news that three of the

+thirteen vessels were lost and the crew on land. This proved not to be

+true--in going over the Bar three launches were lost and a few of the

+men drowned. Feeling it was not right to have the enemy land on your

+Majesty’s domain, where we are at present safe and on friendly relations

+with the Indians, I immediately gave orders and gathered a large force

+of Indians and, with a hundred and fifty of our men, I set out

+determined to find the enemy and thrust them out. I appointed Captain

+Melchar Durante to take command here during my absence, he being an old

+man of much experience. I was continuing my pursuit of the enemy when I

+received news of their having re-embarked and sailed off, so I returned

+sending one of the Sergeants with a squad of twenty men to the Bar, and

+that they might recover the three launches if they were worth it. This

+they did promptly, returning with two of the launches in fair condition,

+the third they left as it was too badly injured to be of use. They

+brought the same news of the enemy’s proceedings. On the 20th of said

+month a Frigate arrived. On sending out to recognize her, we found it to

+be Spanish. It was one of the fleet which was overtaken by the enemy

+and brought in forty-seven persons, mariners and passengers, among them

+an Augustinian Monk. It was what was left of the three vessels taken by

+the enemy of the thirteen vessels. They were captured off Cape San

+Antonio. On one of the vessels were the papers and information sent by

+the Viceroy to Don Carlos Ybarra, General of the Spanish fleet, which

+was coming from Spain. They captured it near Cape Catoche, and the

+papers for General Ybarra and your Majesty were thrown overboard to

+prevent the enemy from getting them. They were in the enemy’s power for

+twelve days, when they put them on this small Frigate with scant

+rations, and told them they were free to come to this Garrison, where

+they arrived half-starved. I took them in and fed them at your Majesty’s

+expense, as part of them had lost their lives in your service and they

+were your vassals. They remained here a month, and on the first

+opportunity which presented itself, I gave them passage for Havana.

+Among the forty-six persons were four pilots and four boatswain who gave

+a long account of what they heard while prisoners. They particularly

+spoke of the Armada in charge of Tomas Raspuro, which they had been

+waiting for, but on seeing so many large vessels of war and knowing they

+would be outnumbered, they desisted and retired along the coast--it was

+then they captured these three frigates of this Garrison of which I have

+given you detailed account. These Pilots informed me that these thirteen

+vessels came with supplies and ammunition and provisions for the Dutch

+fleet, which was in Havana, but they learned it had departed and they

+were too late. Being unable to assault our Fleet as she entered the

+mouth of the channel, they decided to take one of the Pilots who was

+experienced in the Honduras waters and there await the Admiral and

+Captain of our fleet and make them prisoners. They questioned them the

+whole time they were prisoners and asked their advice, finally turning

+them loose on the small frigate, so that it was a miracle they were

+saved. The thirteen vessels were manned by very young men, most of them

+boys, and they could not tell the name of the squadron, but the Admiral

+was Pedro Yanez, a German, a native of Amsterdam. They got all the

+information possible regarding this Garrison, and say that next summer

+they will come and ransack and burn the City. At that time there were

+only forty men, less than the three hundred you should always maintain

+here--so, I selected others, forced them into service and have them

+drilled and armed. I have given you a full account of all the happenings

+on the coast this summer. I hope I have done so, as a good vassal, and

+for this reason I should warn and advise your Majesty to build a Fort at

+the Bar at a place they call Jega--it being the place where vessels all

+come to cast anchor when they want to take on water, wood, and to await

+the merchant ships and others they wish to capture. Many of your ships

+and nearly all those bringing supplies to this Garrison are lost in this

+way. A Fort at this place would act as a sentinel, and guard against

+their landing and helping themselves. It would also be well to have it

+in case of vessels being wrecked along this coast, as so many are, to be

+able to rescue and save the crews and passengers, who so often perish at

+the hands of pirates and cruel Indians. One cannot trust the Indians,

+they are children born of traitors. I am sure the Germans would not

+approach if they saw the place occupied by Spaniards. For this you would

+be obliged to increase a hundred soldiers more than are in this

+Garrison. Besides the men would have to be relieved from time to time

+from there as the work would be arduous, and no soldier or any one could

+withstand the mosquitoes which are so bad they kill the men, and destroy

+much of the food. The cost of this Fort you would have to send some one

+to estimate. I could not feel that I had properly complied with my duty

+until I have notified you of this great and urgent need. Hoping your

+Majesty may spend many happy years, as your vassals need you.

+

+LUIS DE ROJAS.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., February 13th, 1627.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+A. D. 1636.

+

+

+_Sire_:

+

+By a Cedula of your Royal Highness, dated in Madrid, on the 28th of June

+of last year, you command me to have a general offering of prayer in all

+the churches in the district under my command, imploring God that you

+may be successful in the arms you have taken up against France, on

+account of her evil designs against you. You also recommend that I

+improve the conduct and manners of the people here; that if necessary I

+punish them publicly for their offences. I immediately complied with

+your order, and had them go out from the high church in procession,

+those of the Seraphic Order joining with all the others. They went

+through all the streets of the City, then a high mass was sung, and

+prayers offered for your success. I also sent a message to all the

+other Churches and Convents to have like services celebrated. In regard

+to the conduct of the residents of these Province, Spaniards as well as

+natives, I have great care in every respect, and from today, complying

+with your Mandate, I shall redouble my vigilance. May God spare your

+Majesty many years, for the good of Christianity.

+

+LUIS USSITINEZ.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+Havana, A. D. 1640.

+

+In the city of Havana on the 13th day of April, 1678, there was a

+meeting of the Board in the Hall of the City Council as is usual and

+customary. The Master of the Field, Don Francisco Davila, Governor and

+Captain-General of said City, and the Messrs. Nicolas Castellan,

+Lieutenant-Major Don Pedro Valdes, Don Pedro Recio de Oquendo, First

+Alderman, Captain Don Blas Pedraso.

+

+In the presence of the Notary, the following was agreed:

+

+They had begun to discuss some business when there was a rap at the

+door, the Governor rang the bell, the porter opened the door and said

+that outside was the Lieutenant Don Antonio Grazeano, a noted clergyman

+of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, that he brought a message from

+the Inquisition for his Lordship of the Board. He sent this youngest

+Alderman with the Secretary to receive him, as he came in the name of

+the Inquisition. Entering and having been seated in the midst of the

+Aldermen, he announced that he brought an Auto from the Señor

+Commissionado, Don Francisco de las Casas, of the Holy Office of this

+City. He was told to read it, which he did, and delivered it. His

+Lordship asked that he give testimony of his authority in order to agree

+upon the matter of which it treated, and for the better veneration of

+God and of so Holy a Tribunal. Don Antonio Glaziano drew forth from his

+pocket a folded paper which he delivered in my, the Notary’s’ presence.

+Opening it, it contained a sheet of paper, the first leaf of which was

+written on both sides, signed, it appeared, by the said Don Antonio

+Graziano. This duty performed, he arose and left, accompanying him to

+the door, the same ones who received him, and I, the present Notary. The

+door being closed his Lordship ordered inserted to the letter the

+testimony, the tenor of which is as follows:

+

+In the City of Havana on the same day, Dr. Francisco de las Casas,

+“Comissionado” of the Holy Office of the Inquisition in the City of

+Carthagena, said: That last Sunday, the eighth of the current month,

+seeming to him opportune, and by order of the Holy Tribunal for which

+purpose he warned and made known to the present Notary and all the

+gentlemen of the Board, that they might concur to their duty as ordered

+by your Majesty, preceding these courtesies and compliments.

+

+That on the day appointed they should go from the residence of the Lord

+Comissionado to the Holy Parochial Church of this City, in the order

+referred in the testimony given by the present Notary. The function

+terminated, they should leave the church, return to the residence of the

+Lord Comissionado. It seems they wished to alter this form at the gates

+and places they had been, and, as on the day of the Anathema the same

+celebration must be repeated, the Lord Comissionado wished, with the

+best intentions, and not to be lacking in the form observed by the

+Tribunal for said act to which they should cling, this was entirely for

+the reasons of his Office and to avoid public altercations, from which

+originate unnecessary noise and unrest, contrary to the decency and

+gravity of this Tribunal. This is well known to the Tribunal and Board

+of said City, it must be done in the following manner: That the Board

+should come in this form to the residence of the Lord Commissionado and

+conduct him to the church, he going by the side of the Governor, the

+other ministers each one between two Aldermen, according to the Office

+and time of service and somewhat in advance of this Lord Commissionado

+and Governor with the standard of the Faith which must be carried by the

+person of greatest authority who should be present. The balls of the

+standard by the next in authority. That on arriving at the church the

+priests must come out to receive them, sprinkling them with holy water,

+and conduct them to their seats, which shall be in the High Chapel, on

+the Gospel side, in a chair covered with velvet and a carpet at the

+feet. Consecutively, next to the Governor and Lord Commissionado on a

+covered bench, the High Constable and other attendants and ministers of

+the Holy Office. That the Governor and Board are to be seated thus the

+day of publication, on the Gospel side; that the Lord Commissionado

+should be the preferred in all things; that at the hour for leaving, the

+Notary accompanied by two attendants, will mount the pulpit and from

+thence he shall swear them in, in a loud voice, to the oath of Faith.

+This finished, they are to take the Lord Commissionado back to his

+residence. They are to try and carry out these ceremonies in as grave

+and reverential a manner as possible, this being one of the most

+important ceremonies of the Holy Office of the Inquisition, and this

+City belongs to its District. There are reasons for other ceremonies,

+and so I, the present Notary, was ordered to witness them, that I might

+give testimony and the work proceed according to the acts published, and

+so that all could be reported to the Lord Inquisitadores of the Holy

+Tribunal. Then it was provided and ordered to be signed.

+

+DR. FRANCISCO DE LAS CASAS.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+This agrees with the original which I have in my possession, and having

+consulted the matter, the following was agreed upon:

+

+First: As regards the form in which the City, according to the acts of

+Faith, must proceed to the Residence of the Lord Commissionado and

+Minister of the Holy Office, as also in the public streets, we cite or

+quote a Cedula from your Majesty where you refer to Don Juan Solozano,

+whose political authority in Peru entitles him to have a voice, and on

+this point we are warned by your Majesty to guard against the Lord

+Commissionado assuming superiority of the Governor. In Peru, where the

+matter was first discussed of precedence the form is as follows: The

+City goes from the City Hall, as customary, to the residence of the Lord

+Commissionado, where he is awaiting them in the yard. There he is

+incorporated in the procession, being placed at the left of the

+Governor, and all march in twos, the magistrates and constables of

+longest standing given the preference, and the Ministers of the Holy

+Office intermixed, but preference always to the Officers of Justice. On

+arriving at the church, assigning seats and all through the ceremonies

+care is taken that the greatest preference and respect be shown the

+Governor, as stated in your Royal Cedula, and thus it was conducted last

+Sunday in going and coming from which much discussion has arisen, as

+certified in the testimony which I, the present Notary, insert to the

+letter, although the Lord Commissionado states in the Auto that all

+preference was given the Governor.

+

+1640.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER VIII.

+

+A. D. 1655-1657.

+

+     _An anonymous letter to his Majesty recounts the death of Governor

+     Benito Ruid Salazer by a contagious sickness during the absence of

+     the Sergeant Major--The office is held by two others pro tem.--They

+     also died suddenly after serving a short term--Certain officials of

+     the Garrison who are related meet at night and elect as Governor

+     Don Pedro Ruitinez--Who intimidates the people and squanders the

+     money sent for their support--The Treasurer a partner in the

+     illegality, and the Judge receives hush money--This Governor

+     maltreated an official who is also a soldier and a conveyor of

+     monies and goods for this port from Havana, for his

+     Majesty--Traffic in amber from the Indians--Taking the iron and

+     implements sent to be used in repairing the Fort as money to

+     purchase this amber--Declares he will consult his own pleasure

+     concerning the laws of the Church, taking communion once in one and

+     one-half years--A distressing condition of mismanagement--No name

+     signed to the letter--A report from Diego Rebolledo, 1657,

+     concerning the necessity of having an officer to guard the port for

+     incoming and outgoing vessels as pirates had frequently entered and

+     landed before notice could be given--Also the appointment of an

+     officer and twelve infantrymen to guard other ports of the

+     coast--He desists from building more fortifications because of the

+     opposition of the Friars, who protested that the proximity of the

+     Spaniards would retard the conversion of the Indians--The Governor

+     feels that the danger is far greater to the development of his

+     Majesty’s Provinces to allow the enemy a foothold in a Province as

+     rich as Apalachicola--The great distance of some of the

+     Provinces--Indians dying with smallpox--The burden of carrying food

+     such a distance on the shoulders of men--Fray Juan Gomez reports

+     (1657) of the uprising of some of the Indian Chiefs who march to

+     St. Augustine and hang the Governor because of his insistance on

+     their carrying heavy loads of corn into the settlement, when they,

+     the Indians, had vassals to perform such labors--Reports that the

+     Island of Jamaica is heavily fortified by the English who intend

+     taking Cuba--These reports causing much uneasiness in these

+     Provinces._

+

+

+A. D. 1655.

+

+_My Lord_:

+

+Moved by piety, and a desire for peace and quietude, it has seemed to me

+timely to notify you regarding the Government of this Province and

+Garrison of St. Augustine, Fla., being as you are so high and

+compassionate a Minister, who is always thinking and caring for the

+welfare of his people. My Lord, Governor Benito Ruid Salazar, former

+Governor of this Province, died at the time the Sergeant-Major was

+absent. God, it seems, took him by a contageous sickness, and although

+two others have been nominated _pro tem._, by the death of Benito Ruiz,

+the reins of government were left in charge of the Auditor Nicolas Ponce

+de Leon, who governed for six months more or less, when he died

+suddenly. For this reason, a few of the Officials of this Garrison, who

+are related, met at night in different parts of the City, and with

+sufficient defamatory speech elected as Governor Don Pedro Ruitinez,

+with flattering promises to those who would give their vote. When he had

+been Governor one year and a half, he had given twenty-three patents of

+captain, the most of them to two companies of this Garrison, four

+positions as wardens of the Fort, three Sergeant-Majors said to be

+andantes--three Auditors, one Treasurer--calling himself Governor and

+Captain-General. In granting these patents, and other things he has

+done, he has thrown down the flags, and had the artillery at the Fort

+salute. He arrived here on the seventeenth of July, with the Auditor,

+Treasurer, Sergeant-Major and the two captains of infantry who all left

+that court at the same time. The Sergeant-Major brought a Cedula from

+your Majesty, for the Governor, which he presented to Don Pedro

+Ruitinez, and it was not possible to comply with it, it being a military

+promotion, placing the Sergeant-Major as Governor. Don Pedro Ruitinez

+had received notice that Don Diego de Rolallado had been appointed

+Governor and Captain-General of this Port--he sent some friends over to

+Havana to meet and entertain him during his stay in that City, and thus

+Don Pedro has maintained his friendly relations with the Governor,

+although he has not said a word of how he intimidated the people to

+elect him Governor--nor his other doings--nor how he refused to turn

+over the Government to the Sergeant-Major. But he did demand his pay.

+Your Lordship, the Governor and Captain-General arrived at this

+Garrison on the 18th of June, 1654, having received in Havana $20,000

+sent by the Auditor and placed to the credit of this Garrison. This

+money he used in Havana as follows: Goods--$7,000, gaining in this

+purchase more than 200 per cent. He sent Don Alonzo Menendez with $8,000

+to relieve the suffering and need of the infantry and others who are in

+your service, and he sold to advantage the remaining goods. In the month

+of February of this present year there arrived a vessel laden with

+flour, iron implements and other goods, and although it is true that the

+person in whose charge they came, brought over $40,000 to be delivered

+to this treasury, he only delivered $15,000, because in Havana the

+duties were so heavy and they demanded the pay. The soldier in whose

+care this money and goods came, is Domingo Nunez. He spent in Havana

+$2,000 on clothing, filling an order received from the Governor, and

+another $2,000 in clothing he was to bring from New Spain. The Governor

+after ordering this became infuriated with Domingo Nunez, cursing him,

+beating and slapping him in the most unheard of manner--accusing him of

+not bringing all the clothing ordered, and finally he had him placed in

+the stockade on the beach. He then had the boxes and packages taken to a

+neighbor’s and soldier, and opened them--finding after pricing them and

+adding one-fourth more than the cost to them, that they amounted to more

+than the $2,000. He then went several times to Domingo Nunez, demanded

+his papers, searched them, kept him in prison, and then without cause or

+reason turned him out. It is true he becomes enraged for the slightest

+cause. It is a positive fact, that he and another spendthrift named

+Fanfan, have sent out from his (the Governor’s) house, chocolate to be

+sold on the streets by his body guards. At the time there was such great

+distress and scarcity, he sent out wine to be sold at such exorbitant

+prices that only those compelled to have it could buy. In this tavern of

+his, the people sell cutlasses for bread, chocolate and tobacco. In the

+large store, run now by Lorenzo Josi, they sell rum and clothing--a

+bottle of rum costs eight dollars which is an outrage. According to

+Manuel Barrios, the tavern keeper, he makes thirty-one dollars on a

+cask. Since there is no more money left to buy these commodities for

+cash he has adopted another method of selling them in exchange for

+labor, and makes out checks for this amount. My Lord, in the month of

+July of last year, there came to this Garrison a party of Indians, who

+live on the coast near the Bahama Channel with a large quantity of

+amber, some of which they presented to the Governor, the rest they gave

+in exchange for goods, and because a few of the soldiers bought some in

+exchange for clothing he was exceedingly angry. When these Indians left

+the land he had them followed by two rowboats with soldiers. He finally

+sent Don Alonzo Menendez with goods that he should bring him all the

+amber he could obtain, he also sent out others. The Lieutenants were Don

+Alonzo Menendez and Juan Dominguez and Alonzo Garcia. This trading for

+amber was carried on for six months. They used up all the iron

+implements. At first we thought that these implements were broken and

+thrust aside as worthless, soon, however, we discovered they were used

+to trade for amber, as well as five hundred tons more of iron which was

+brought from New Spain. All this was paid for from your Treasury. The

+amber was sold in Havana for the sum of forty thousand dollars. In the

+meantime the Fort has been allowed to suffer, it is falling to pieces in

+many places, the timber that was cut in the forest has rotted and the

+troops’ time and iron implements are all used in the trade for amber.

+The infantry and other persons drawing a salary from your Highness have

+been on several occasions in a great rage with the Treasurer who abuses

+them and threatens them that Don Diego Rovellado will have them killed

+in the field--the guards, for the slightest offense, are beaten through

+the streets, and even imprisoned in the Church of San Francisco, and at

+times when he can catch them in his own house he slaps and beats them

+unmercifully. In a year and a half that he has been Governor he has only

+once complied with the laws of the Church, confessing and receiving the

+communion publicly. He says that every one can do as he pleases; that he

+does as he pleases. At the Fort he does not have the flag hoisted, only

+two guards at night and their round is an easy one, but he takes the men

+to guard his house every night, paying them a few dimes, and in the day

+he takes others to whom he pays two or three dimes, notwithstanding that

+your Majesty sends money each year to pay these men, but I am told that

+Don Diego Rovellado has paid the judge some five or six thousand dollars

+and he can escape free from any charge made against him. All that I

+state to your Highness in this letter, you may be quite sure is the

+truth, and I hope you will deem it proper to relieve your vassals from

+this unnecessary suffering. May God guard you and make you happy for

+many years.

+

+NO SIGNATURE.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., November 20th, 1655.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+A. D. 1657.

+

+_His Lordship_:

+

+Having begun the conversion of the Indians in the Province of Apalache

+at the close of the administration of Governor Louis Harristenir, who

+was immediately succeeded by Dannian de las Vegas. He placed a few

+soldiers in this Province to guard the going out and incoming of

+vessels. Having been informed that they entered and left the Port, and

+there was no one to give any report of them. This guard was kept there

+during the assumption of power by Benito Ruiz Salazar and the Auditor

+Nicolas Ponce de Leon, until the Sergeant-Major Don Pedro Harristenir

+entered as Governor. This latter, to please the Friar, he not only

+dismantled the estates of your Majesty in those parts, but he also

+retired the Lieutenant and soldiers who assisted him, having no one to

+administer justice to the Natives, nor to give information concerning

+the Post, and so, immediately upon my taking the place of Governor,

+having been informed by the General Governors and other notables who

+were convened in Havana, and notified further by all the principal

+people of this Garrison who demonstrated how necessary it was to have a

+Lieutenant in said Province to guard and advise, as there had entered a

+vessel of the enemy, and the natives had aided them and supplied them in

+exchange for furs, hatchets, knives and other goods, without its being

+known in this Garrison. For this reason I named to the position Captain

+Antonio Sartucha and two soldiers with the instructions which I send

+enclosed--so that justice might be administered to the Natives, it being

+too laborious and the distance too great for them to come to this

+Garrison to adjust their quarrels and differences and to guard the Port

+and advise me. In a few days after his arrival he notified me of another

+vessel of the enemy (pirates) who had entered the Port. He asked for aid

+for infantrymen, which I sent him, to the number of forty, in command of

+Captain Gregorio Bravo. Before this aid reached him, the enemy was able

+to procure what they wanted. By pushing into service the natives, he was

+however able to prevent them from landing. It being urgent that I should

+go in person to pacify and punish the natives of the Province of

+Timagua, testimony of which decrees were made. I remit them to your

+Majesty. I passed on to visit the other Provinces and investigate the

+condition of the harbors. I did this with the consent of all the

+Casiques, and the approved judgment of Fray Francisco de San Antonio and

+other Friars, with the advice also of the Treasurer of the Royal

+Hacienda, and many of the reformed natives. I left in command the

+Sergeant-Major Don Adrian de Canizares, being a person of experience and

+trustworthy, giving him twelve infantrymen with which to defend the Port

+and coast of these Ports, and that he should administer justice to the

+Natives for which purpose I elected a syndicate of Friars who work in

+said Province, and some of their friends. Having determined upon this at

+the time you ordered me to be vigilant and careful, since the English

+enemy had attempted to occupy one of the Ports of this Province,

+according to information given your Majesty by Don Diego Cardenas,

+ambassador to England, and had been sent to me by Field Marshal Don Juan

+Montiano, Governor who was of Havana--information he gained from some

+prisoners, which confirms the information you had. There has been a

+fleet of the enemy on these coasts of Florida and the Bahama Channel.

+Although I had intended to increase the force of soldiers, build a Fort

+and found a settlement of Spaniards as I reported was agreed upon in the

+visit, which testimony, and that of the taxes and good government I

+remit with the decrees. I have desisted from this on account of the many

+contradictions and opposition of some of the Friars, who with the

+pretext that the vicinity of the Spaniards would be dangerous to the

+conversion, and who do not consider that this danger has a remedy, and

+it would be much more dangerous that the enemy should occupy that Port

+and plant foot on your territory and fortify themselves in a province so

+rich and abundant as those of Apalachicola, the knowledge of which the

+enemy is sure to be fully aware, and the danger would be irreparable and

+would lose in totem the conversions of these Provinces, and this

+Garrison would be unable to dislodge the enemy, from the distance at

+which we are, and that we could not scatter our forces, being too few of

+them, besides the consequences and damage which would accrue from

+pirates on the coast of Havana and the Bahama Channel--and there is no

+way of reaching us under five or six days of sailing. Finally your

+Lordship, the greater part of these conversions are reduced to three

+Provinces where Friars officiate--they are the Provinces of Guale,

+Tunnuqua and Apalache. In the two first there are few Indians, because

+for some time they have been diminishing, many having died out from the

+plague and small-pox which has been raging. The same is the case in

+Apalache, and in a few years very few will be left, and even now the

+condition they are in, it is unnecessary to assign as many Friars as

+you have. Besides their conversion would long be delayed owing to the

+great distance from this Garrison, the impassable roads and untold

+difficulties in sending relief, even should your Majesty send the

+wherewith to do so. Food must be carried eighty leagues from this

+garrison to the Province of Apalache and Chacata, on the shoulders of

+men--the burden is often more than they can carry. Although I have been

+admonished to relieve the twelve soldiers and Lieutenant for the good of

+the natives and the benefit they receive. I have sent persons there to

+remedy the evil, and seeing all I have herein stated that you may order

+things as you deem most advantageous and I shall carry out your orders

+regardless of the petitions of the Friars, who only base their

+objections in not wanting the Spaniards about them, as in their present

+condition they are absolute masters of the Indians.

+

+May God preserve your Catholic Majesty.

+

+DIEGO REBOLLEDO.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., October 18th, 1657.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+A. D. 1657.

+

+Things are in a most disastrous condition in Florida, there will soon be

+no government left, if God does not help us. The Casique of Tarihila

+refused to send some of his principal Indians to St. Augustine with

+heavy loads of corn. I don’t know why the Governor insisted on this

+labor, but the Casique gathering together the other Casiques insisted

+that their principal Indians should not be made to do this work that

+they had vassals to perform their labor. The Governor took the refusal

+much to heart, and as a man of so little experience insisted until he

+caused them to rise. They said they were not slaves; that to obey God

+they had become Christians--they had never been conquered, but had

+listened to the word of God the Priest had taught them. So the Casique

+of San Martin at the head and all the Casiques who would follow him,

+which were the Casiques of Santa Fe, Potano and San Pedro, who marched

+from San Francisco and San Mateo with the others, making in all eleven

+Casiques, entered and hung the Governor. Think, your Fatherly Majesty,

+of such happenings. In a land where such war is carried on, I cannot

+tell you of the atrocities perpetuated by these poor Florida Indians.

+Nor do you understand how the Island of Jamaica is settled by the

+English, who have it well fortified with three strong Forts, and all the

+harbors are guarded. All prisoners from there tell us, and all who come

+from there tell us that now, in this month of May forty store ships

+arrived for them, and it is their intention to take Cuba. This has been

+known here and in Havana by mail, which has come. It is very important

+to notify you of all this, for soon it will be impossible to travel from

+here to Spain nor from there here. By giving this information I feel

+that I fulfill my duty, and you can act towards your vassals in a

+fatherly manner.

+

+FRAY JUAN GOMEZ.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., April 4th, 1657.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER IX.

+

+A. D. 1662-1670.

+

+     _Report of Alonzo Aranqui y Cortez concerning the auditing of the

+     accounts and condition of the Royal Treasury--Reports the finding

+     of a large hill supposed to be a silver mine--Report of Juan

+     Cebadilla to his Majesty--The Governor not to keep the keys of the

+     Royal chest--The administration to be adopted with the negroes--Too

+     much harshness shown the Royal employees--Francisco Guerra y Vega

+     reports a Captain of the Garrison for indecency and offense to his

+     superiors, for which same he was reprimanded and imprisoned as a

+     warning, then given his liberty--The King to the Captain-General of

+     the Provinces of Florida--Instructions as to the continuance of the

+     passage to Marcana Guale--Founding the town of Santiago near

+     Augustine--The performing of certain duties by soldiers for which

+     money shall be paid--Soldiers shall be permitted to raise crops

+     which are their principal sustenance--That the Governor shall not

+     employ the people of the town in personal work for personal

+     aggrandisement--But shall look that he, the Governor, shall look to

+     the needs and wants of the people--By order of the King, 1670._

+

+

+_To His Catholic Royal Majesty_:

+

+Having presented before the tribunal on behalf of the Royal officers of

+Guadalapara the sworn bills, and others not sworn to, by which were

+adjusted and proven the accounts of your administration which had been

+running from the 7th of March, 1663, up to August 15th of the same year,

+it was found to result in a liquidated balance in favor of your Royal

+Treasury. Information of which was immediately sent to Don Geronimo de

+la Luna, judge for your Majesty, that he should have it delivered to the

+Treasury. He provided an Auto ordering Don Diego Salazar, Treasurer, to

+place it in the Treasury. This person replied to him stating that he had

+no money whatsoever from Jacon or Virginia. The infantry I sent out to

+investigate tell me that in the Province of Apalache there is a very

+large hill, which, in their opinion, is a silver mine, from the

+specimens found in the ground and from pieces they picked up on the hill

+and brought as samples. Persons who are versed in such matters say that

+from their accounts they must be mines.

+

+As these matters do not admit of delay, and much care and caution is

+required, I am myself going to investigate the matter thoroughly, and

+give you a long and detailed account, being absolutely necessary for the

+tranquility of this Province. May God preserve your Majesty for many

+years.

+

+ALONZO ARANQUI Y CORTEZ.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., September 8th, 1662.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+A. D. 1666.

+

+_To His Catholic Royal Majesty_:

+

+On the 27th of November of this year we received a document from Your

+Royal Highness with six orders containing the form and manner in which

+the Royal Treasury must be conducted in its administration and other

+things which were herein referred to, and what has passed in the

+accomplishment of them. The order in which your Majesty states that the

+Governor is not to keep the keys to the Royal Chest, but that your

+officer alone must keep them, and that an account must be kept and sent

+to this Treasury each year. We notified him and he obeyed, but as to its

+accomplishment he desired us to say nothing to him about it, as things

+were different here from other places--because all allowances and pay

+are collected by his order, and thus he wishes the keys to the chest

+where the money is kept. As to the accounts, he will provide them as

+should be just, which is the same answer he gave before as shown in the

+accompanying letter. The order for the administration that must be

+adopted with the negroes was obeyed by the Governor, and all are placed

+in compliance with it. We also notified him of the order your Majesty

+sent, reproving him for speaking so harshly to your Majesty’s Royal

+Employees.

+

+As the order sent by your Majesty regarding the labor of the estates,

+all necessary steps have been taken. The one received stating that

+hereafter one of your employees should be present at the paying of the

+workmen, and the providing of supplies and ammunition for these forts,

+was obeyed, and although the Governor also obeyed in the fulfilment of

+it, he did not do so to the letter and there has been trouble between us

+ever since.

+

+JUAN CEBADILLA.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+_Your Highness_:

+

+Don Francisco Larra whom your Majesty has had the mercy to send as

+Captain of a Company of soldiers to this Garrison of St. Augustine,

+Fla., is a person of such daring, restless and bold and has a mind--who

+is led astray by the impulses of his will--that with his manner of

+acting and talking he has given offense to the better and greater part

+of the people of this Garrison, not excepting the Ecclesiastics whom he

+offends and speaks in such abusive and indecent a manner of their

+character. And so on this account as well as the little respect with

+which he treats me, not paying the slightest attention to my office

+extrajudicially. I have admonished him in the kindest terms to correct

+his ways and fulfill his duties as Captain of the Infantry--not alone

+was this effort a vain one, but he took a bold and daring step with me,

+in the presence of the Ministers and principal people of the

+Garrison--for this incivility and profanation I had him imprisoned in

+the Fort, expressing to him my wrath and indignation, a copy of which I

+send you. With this as a warning, I then had him set at liberty. I beg

+your Highness that seeing this, you will proceed as you think best for

+the peace of this Garrison. May God give you the prosperity of a

+Christian.

+

+FRANCISCO GUERRA Y VEGA.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., September 2d, 1666.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+

+THE KING.

+

+_To My Captain-General of the Provinces of Florida_:

+

+The principal people of the town of Santiago de Tolomato have written me

+a letter on the 21st of March, 1658, that Don Luis Reyes y Borhas,

+being Governor of those Provinces, laid the foundation of the town of

+Santiago, which is three leagues distant from the Garrison of St.

+Augustine with the intention of continuing a passage to Morcana Guale

+and surrounding Provinces and although at the founding there were many,

+only about thirty remained including Casiques and persons of standing,

+to continue the work. They beg that you will send more people, since

+they are quick and disposed to work, so that they may complete the

+passage as far as San Juan, a distance of twelve leagues, as much for

+the relief of the soldiers as other things that may occur. That they

+should not be called upon to perform other duties, as they have been by

+the Governors who has not recompensed them for their services. Calling

+upon them to unload vessels arriving at the Garrison, cut timber from

+the forests and other services not in their line of duty, taking them

+from their labor when planting corn, which is the principal sustenance

+for themselves and families, causing them to lose their crops and suffer

+hunger. Having seen in my Council of the Indias what I said to my Judge,

+it has seemed right that I should order and command you, as I have done,

+that hereafter you do not employ the people of said town in your own

+personal work and that you proceed to preserve them and relieve their

+wants by every possible means in your power and you will serve me best.

+

+I THE KING.

+

+Madrid, February 26th, 1670.

+By order of the King our Lord.

+

+JUAN TUBIZA,

+Chairman of the Council.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER X.

+

+A. D. 1671-1673.

+

+     _’Tis the judgment of the Court that Pedro Menendez received the

+     title of Governor of Florida by right of conquest, Captain-General

+     and Commander of the Fleet by appointment of the King, Don Felipe,

+     the Second, as well as other positions of trust because of his

+     valor and faithful service and that these titles shall be given to

+     his legitimate heirs and for which same the Don Gabriel Menendez

+     Tarres y Aviles doth petition and it is the judgment of this Court

+     that said titles shall be so conferred--Important papers burned in

+     Simancas--Manuel De Mendoza gives information commanded by his

+     Majesty as to the designs of the English enemy--The discovery of

+     the South Sea by the four vessels sailing through the Straights of

+     Magellan--Condition of this Garrison and fortification and other

+     Provinces implores assistance for completing the work already

+     begun--Report of Francisco De La Guerra y Vega to the King

+     concerning an Englishman taken prisoner while he was Governor--The

+     prisoner was one of a crew who landed in the Province of Guale--The

+     Indians killed seven men, imprisoned three and two women--They

+     proved to be part of company coming over to settle in St.

+     Elena--This man, who was second in authority in the settlement, I

+     detained as a prisoner, putting him on soldier’s rations--He was

+     turned over to my successor upon the expiration of my term of

+     office--An effort was made to break up this settlement upon your

+     Majesty’s soil, without success, however._ (1673.)

+

+

+JUDGMENT OF THE COURT.

+

+The Governor, Don Gabriel Menendez Torres y Aviles, sets forth in the

+preceding petition that His Highness the King Don Felipe II (whom God

+grant may come to glory) agrees with the Governor Pedro Menendez y

+Aviles, Knight of the Order of Santiago, that his uncle, brother of his

+grandfather, had agreed about the year 1565, that he, the said Pedro

+Menendez, had to discover all the provinces of Florida, settle and build

+in them two or three towns, all at his own expense, for which service

+your Grace granted him the title of Governor of said Province and lands

+of Florida, with all the privileges and prerogatives that are granted

+the other Governors of Castile--and that having set sail to accomplish

+this, and make these settlements with a private galleon of his own, of

+900 tons, and many other ships and vessels which he also carried at his

+own expense and having conquered, as he effectively did, the said

+Province, and having settled and established two towns in it, which are

+today flourishing and supplying this crown, even before completion of

+this conquest. Your Majesty has named him Captain-General of the Royal

+Fleet which is to be commanded and joined in Santander against the

+English, commanding him to assist in this military exploit,

+notwithstanding that he is under obligations in the first place, by the

+treaty and agreement he had made of discovering all the land of the

+Province of Florida within the given term of three years counting from

+the day he embarked and set sail in the Bay of the Port of Cadiz with

+the fleet he carried for said conquest. Being of the greatest importance

+the business for which the Royal Fleet was formed and arranged, and

+while he was preparing and getting it ready, the said Governor Menendez

+de Aviles died--and by his death the Duke of Medina Sidonia was

+immediately named Captain-General. Afterwards having been asked on the

+part of the legitimate heirs of the said Governor Pedro Menendez de

+Aviles, the accomplishment of all these services which your grant had

+offered him, it was contradicted by the Attorney-General of this

+Court--taking advantage of one of said agreements which reads: “That if

+in the expressed term of three years the Governor Pedro Menendez de

+Aviles should not have finished and completed in all the said conquest

+according to agreement, neither your Majesty nor any other Kings, your

+successors, should be bound to fulfil any of the rewards offered.” For

+this reason the heirs brought suit against the Attorney-General which

+was continued. For sentence, by revision of the Court it was ordered to

+be given to Don Martin Menendez, oldest brother of the petitioner, the

+title of perpetual Governor of said Provinces, as had been done with his

+uncle, and besides they were to give him forty thousand ducats of

+silver.

+

+Withholding the charge of the Indias to augment from the right of

+succession which his uncle left established, and a fishery in said

+Province which the said Don Martin should select without any

+remuneration for the many expenses he incurred in the conquest, Don

+Martin Menendez having died without issue, or heir to his estate, the

+petitioner asked they expedite the title of Governor upon him, as it was

+expedient. Although endeavors have been made in the archives of Simancas

+to find these papers, they have not been found, and it is said they were

+burned in the fire which occurred in these archives. Imploring your

+Majesty’s order that the pre-eminence and prerogative be reserved and

+observed as with the title of all the other courts and marquises of

+Castile, and also in consideration of the services rendered by the

+Governor his uncle, and other Generals of the Indias who were members of

+his house. Having seen in the Council of the Indias the petition and

+letters patent of nobility, and considering the great services done by

+Pedro Menendez de Aviles in the conquest of Florida as well as in other

+positions of trust where he has acted with so much valor as to deserve

+that his King Felipe the Second should have voluntarily given him the

+title of Governor, and that his successors continue to occupy positions

+as Generals--his house having spread such glory and honor as to be

+noted, it has seemed well that your Majesty should grant the petitioner

+the title of Castile, that he may enjoy the honors he so well deserves

+as a reward for his many and remarkable services. Your Grace will

+command that which is most deserved.

+

+Madrid, November 28th, 1671.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+_Sire_:

+

+By Cedula of January 20th of this year, your Majesty commands me to give

+information regarding the designs of the English enemy. Also of the

+discovery of the South Sea by the four vessels which sailed through the

+Strait of Magellan, from which I had news that they arrived at Baldivia

+dismantled. A German Captain was in command. He showed great zeal in

+serving you. He gave a long account of the Viceroy of Peru, and what he

+intended doing. The Government Places under my charge are the Garrison

+of St. Augustine, Harbour and Port of Apalache and the river St.

+Catherine, a frontier of St. Elena, where the English enemy are at

+present; a few other less important harbours, all of which I desire to

+have guarded as by your orders I am obligated.

+

+As regards this Garrison, head of this Province, and the state of the

+Fortification which is being built and the designs of the English enemy

+and the overtures made by them. This being a frontier of the Province of

+Guale where I have stationed some infantry to watch the movements and

+intuitions of the enemy, and where they could detain them, while I sent

+aid and as strong a reinforcement as possible. It seems the proper thing

+for us to have sufficient troops there to impede the approach of the

+enemy on this Garrison and place sentinels all along to notify should

+they approach by land or sea. As to the Province of Apalache which falls

+almost in the bosom of Mexico, I am sure it is a place of no less

+importance than this Garrison, rather I should say more so, being

+thickly settled and reached by land from all the Provinces far as New

+Mexico, and all others still to be discovered far as the Strait of

+David, of which the German Captain discourses at such length in his

+statement. Besides, it is a fertile land, and much longed for by the

+enemy as it is noted for its agriculture, for which cause it should be

+well settled and fortified, its Harbour should have a good fort and at

+least one hundred infantry who could at any rate give the English enemy

+some trouble to occupy it or set foot in said Province. This should be

+done to prevent any damage, not alone in the Province, but to vessels

+plying the Mexican path. I implore you to look into the matter with the

+care and attention the case requires. So far as I am concerned, I have

+made every effort in my power to secure and protect it. I shall try to

+push this building through rapidly, that I may go and reconnoitre that

+Province, carrying with me the military engineer, Ygnacio Daza, who

+resides in this Garrison, that he may point out what is needed at

+present. I implore your Majesty most earnestly to look with pious pity

+upon your Royal Provinces and send all the assistance you can to

+complete this building and the other works of which this Garrison stands

+in such need, lacking all the means of protection by which we can serve

+your gracious Majesty.

+

+May God spare you for many years.

+

+MANUEL DE MENDOZA.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., Dec. 15th, 1672.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+1673.

+

+_Your Majesty_:

+

+In a letter of Yours of the present month and year, you tell me that

+seeing in the Council a letter which was received, written in English,

+it was agreed that I should inform you of what had happened to an

+Englishman, said to be prisoner in St. Augustine, Fla., where I was

+Governor. The cause and pretext for making him a prisoner. Complying

+with what your Majesty asks, I inform you in the following manner:

+

+About the end of May of last year there arrived in one of the ports of

+the Province of Guale, which belongs to the Christian Indians, an

+English vessel. Some of the crew having landed in a launch, the Indians

+of that Province killed seven men, imprisoned three men and two women,

+then the vessel with all speed turned and went off, not giving time that

+from St. Augustine, where I was Governor, we should send help to those

+Ports to aid in imprisoning them. Bringing me these prisoners I ordered

+that their declaration be taken, at which I was present. They declared

+that they had come over with vessels to settle in the Port of St. Elena,

+distant from the Garrison of St. Augustine forty or fifty leagues north.

+In the month of June of last year there came to the Garrison a soldier

+with the news that the vessels had returned and entered the same Port,

+reinforced and with the flag of truce, the captain and four other men

+had landed and that speaking to a Lieutenant in command of the infantry

+on guard, they told him how they were establishing a settlement near St.

+Elena, with two hundred men, and that they came in search of the

+prisoner, delivering at the same time to the Lieutenant two letters from

+the Governor of that settlement, written in Latin, in which he asks that

+the prisoner be delivered, if not, they declared themselves enemies.

+

+With this news I called a general meeting of the Royal Officers and

+Commanders of the war, from which resulted that all agreed it was the

+better way to serve God and your Majesty, and secure the quietude of

+those Provinces, to break up said settlement, and that we should go to

+work before they fortified themselves and take possession of more land.

+For this purpose they prepared themselves and equipped three vessels at

+that time in Port. The Chief in command being appointed by the Board,

+assigning him a number of warriors to obtain the object for which they

+went. A storm overtook the vessels and they could not get there in time

+and so arrived without accomplishing anything. Of the referred to

+notice, on two or three occasions, it was presented to your Majesty and

+to the Marquez of Macera, Viceroy of New Spain, always stating what was

+best to the service of God and your Majesty. To make every effort to

+dislodge the said settlement, it belonging to the Christian Indians, and

+they being new to our doctrine, might be easily influenced by the

+heresies of the English. And although not new to our Holy Faith, we

+might have the same doubts as they are a variable and roving people. It

+was advisable for your Majesty’s service that we should dislodge them at

+that time, that they might not possess themselves of that Province and

+the interior land, and make themselves owners. It would not be well to

+have a settlement of a strange Nation on your Majesty’s territory

+without your orders. From this information I awaited a reply to follow

+out the Orders from your Majesty and the Viceroy, and that together you

+would aid me, and with some help, as that Post lacks people, I detained

+the prisoner, not ill-treating him, in the house of one of his

+countrymen, allowing him military rations, which is what the soldiers in

+service have. As I was advised that the prisoner was the second person

+in authority in that settlement, I placed him under better security,

+that he might not escape and inform them of the lack of forces in the

+Garrison, for without doubt knowing it the settlement would come and

+take possession at very little cost. Just at this time my term of

+Governor came to an end, without having determined upon a method to work

+in this affair, I turned all over to the Governor, my predecessor, that

+he might act as ordered in the reply to my information. This is all that

+I can tell you regarding the English prisoner. By this the Council will

+know that I always worked with Christian zeal, trying to stop anything

+opposed to the increase of our Holy Catholic faith. God preserve you

+many years.

+

+FRANCISCO DE LA GUERRA Y VEGA.

+

+Madrid, July 12th, 1673.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER XI.

+

+A. D. 1675.

+

+     _Letters to the King from the Governor, Pablo Ita Salazer--The oath

+     administered in the tower of the old Fort, which is tumbling

+     down--The Garrison in want of supplies and ammunition--No

+     warehouses--Exposed to the fatalities of the weather--The Fort in

+     danger from pirates--Necessary to use Spanish daggers for the land

+     side protection--More money badly needed to finish the

+     works--Importance of the Castle to the Garrison--A pentagonal form

+     recommended--A hundred men needed to guard the Castle--The Viceroy

+     of Spain did not send the ten thousand dollars--Fort in danger from

+     pirates--Two hundred leagues from Havana and five hundred from New

+     Spain._

+

+

+A. D. 1675.

+

+_Sire_:

+

+I have repeatedly given you an account of the manner in which I assumed

+control of this Government, taking the oath of fidelity in the tower of

+the Old Castle, which is almost in ruins, the artillery dismounted and

+scattered as if on a beaten field of battle. The blind obedience my duty

+demands in any employment of your Majesty, forces me to again repeat the

+condition of things. The old wooden Fort is in ruins, the stone one

+incomplete and with no defense whatever. No income or means to finish

+it. In the commissary department only one hundred “arrobas” of corn, and

+no other produce of any description. The Garrison is in the greatest

+want, as no vessels with supplies have yet arrived from New Spain.

+Seeing that we could not hold out three weeks longer, I seized two small

+vessels carrying about two thousand arrobas of corn. As the Fort was in

+such a demolished condition, with no defense and exposed to losing what

+was done, I detained these vessels, intending to give them some amount

+of embargo, conceding to each his share, but having communicated it to

+the Royal Officers, they thought it too severe treatment and that I

+should pay freight and the conquered’s pay; that it would be better to

+pursue such a course. I let the matter stand for the present, retained

+the crew and the vessels I sent to bring peons to continue the building

+of the Castle, which is so absolutely important. This was done with the

+greatest care and promptness, as demonstrated on the maps I submit to

+you. Being entirely without means for carrying on this work, I implore

+you will send it. The Fort has neither walls nor moat, some of the

+ramparts only half finished, no means of closing it to make it secure.

+It would seem that they have been careless in the guarding of the Fort,

+sending only twenty-five men each day to do duty when it should have at

+least one hundred men constantly on the watch. I repaired things as well

+as I could for the lodging of the men and guards that they might stay

+in, as is done in Flanders and Milan and other places, but the Officers

+refuse to occupy them, stating they are in no condition nor have they

+sufficient conveniences for them to go in. As it will be profitable and

+advantageous to you, I implore you again not only to send the money but

+the order compelling them to enter at least one hundred to guard the

+Castle. May God guide thee in what is right.

+

+PABLO ITA SALAZAR.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., Aug. 23rd, 1675.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+_Your Highness_:

+

+Not to fail in my duty, knowing as I do from twenty-two years’ service

+in your Majesty’s States of Flanders and other ports, the importance of

+fulfilling. It has seemed necessary for me to give you a full and

+detailed account of the fortification being built in this Garrison by

+your Royal Order. I have already informed you of the condition I found

+it in, on assuming control of this Government of Florida. Considering it

+one of your defenses and territory under whose banner it was conquered,

+I have taken the greatest pains to investigate matters thoroughly. At

+first I could not give as true a statement as I should have wished,

+seeing so many faults and errors; but the untiring efforts I have made

+to ascertain facts have brought to light certificates of the enormous

+cost of this building. Being a place for the defense of the Bar, or

+entrance to the Harbor, I find that by making this fortification in a

+pentagonal form the bulwarks will point directly towards the Bar serving

+to defend from and towards an attack, and by building a battery it

+covers us in a measure from the enemy. Wishing to discuss this matter I

+called a meeting of the Royal Officers showing them the great saving of

+cost to the Royal Exchequer; but they seem opposed to the plan and,

+having no orders from your Highness, I am obliged to leave the work as

+it is. My greatest desire is to finish it and have the opportunity of

+defending

+

+[Illustration: Remains of the St. Augustine City Gateway.]

+

+it with my life. As on other occasions in other places, I have exposed

+that life. God grant you a long life.

+

+PABLO ITA Y SALAZAR.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., Nov. 23rd, 1675.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+_Sire_:

+

+Having done me the honor to appoint me Mayor of the new city of Vera

+Cruz and port of San Juan de Ulloa, you still further honored me by

+appointing me Governor of Florida.

+

+I immediately began an investigation of the state of the Old Castle and

+the new stone one being made by your order. In the first place I found

+it had the shape which will be clear to you in the report and letter of

+the same date as this. Secondly, they continued with many difficulties

+the building of the new one, as the Viceroy of New Spain has not

+assisted with the ten thousand dollars a year to which this Garrison is

+entitled by provision of your Majesty, and as you have no money or other

+effects in your Royal Chests to supply the wants, I have made it known

+to the Archbishop and Viceroy of New Spain by report and petition,

+showing them how urgent it was to send us a certain sum for the

+continuance of the building. I also notified the Judge of the Royal

+Audience of Mexico, as is evident through all that I place before you

+also what I have forwarded to the general finance office, who refused to

+send any sum whatever until I had from this Garrison given a report of

+the state of the building of the Castle, and the distribution made of

+the salary assigned since I took possession of this Government. I found

+the Port in a most dilapidated condition with no defense. I took the

+oath of fidelity as you ordered, and not to be wanting in my duty as a

+faithful vassal, as by being this, I have merited the great honors you

+have bestowed upon me in the field. Having taken the oath I received

+different Royal Cedules, among them one in which you command the Viceroy

+to send ten thousand dollars more for the building, and that the

+citizens and soldiers aid as far as they are able, as is done in other

+places, as the benefits redound to their good and security. I must tell

+you that they do, coming in person to assist in the building, with the

+accustomed punctuality which is all they can do, because this Garrison

+is composed of a few married soldiers who are extremely poor, their

+income not exceeding the salaries earned each year. This being a land of

+no commerce nor communication by entrances or departures of vessels,

+there being no produce or other necessaries with which to accumulate an

+income. And although you pay their salaries they never receive it in

+full, as they must first assist in the buying of accoutrements for the

+three vessels that bring the supplies. From their salaries they have

+also paid for the repairs of the Old Castle and the furtherance of the

+new building, warehouses, Royal Houses and all other necessary things

+which present themselves in a post, as you have not assigned to this

+Garrison any means for similar expenses, nor is there anything in the

+Royal Chests. There are no rents of any kind to supply them and it is in

+charge only of Royal Officers. The poor allowance divided among the

+infantry and the state of the Castle will be evident to you from the

+reports sent you, and I assure you that having served you for a period

+of forty-two years in the armies of Germany, Flanders and Badajos, in

+none of them have I been so well pleased as in this one, for the many

+difficulties and dangers. The lack of means for completing the

+fortification, the invasions and the lack of forces in which I find

+myself, as you will see by the lists I forward you of the subjects who

+are disabled and old and enjoy the privileges of false muster through

+your kindness. The soldiers and sailors, who at present run on these

+vessels and are absent most of the time, and those who are on guard as

+sentinels. So, when the boats are obliged to go out for supplies I am

+left with about eighty men who can serve. Besides this, we have no

+ammunition nor supplies, so much so that when I arrived the want was so

+great that families were obliged to go in the woods and hunt for roots

+to keep themselves from starvation. So exposed and in need were they

+that had a vessel landed and offered them food they would have miserably

+surrendered. And we are always thus exposed to this fatality, because we

+have no warehouses of food supplies as in every other port such as San

+Juan de Ulloa, Acapulco and Morro of Havana, in these parts. My

+experience in Flanders, Castillo de Amberes, Gante y Cambria, they have

+supply stores of vegetables, biscuit, cheese and hung beef, enough to

+last at least one year. I have sent them supplies for a long time, for

+in cases of accident, and here on account of the distance and slowness

+of communication there should be more care. Havana, the nearest point,

+is two hundred leagues, and New Spain is five hundred, so you see the

+vessels have to sail a long way exposed to the fatalities of storm,

+weather and pirates, which can at any time overtake them. I have

+thought proper to place all these statements before you, as being so

+important to your Royal Service you may consider them. And I beg you

+will aid in this building of the Fort, by sending the required means for

+its continuance. It would be a very great affliction for these Provinces

+to leave it in its present state. While I have seen many castles of

+importance and great renown, none surpass this one, nor have been built

+at so small a cost in the Indies, as will be demonstrated to you in the

+accompanying certificates given by the Royal Officer. It seems that the

+peons earn only one real a day and three pounds of corn, making the

+twenty-five pounds come to eight reals, which is the correct price.

+Their living in other places would be at least four reals. Two of the

+Captains who assist in the building and hewing of stone, earn only six

+reals a day, where in other places they would make at least three and

+four dollars per day. All the material and other things needed are in

+other places placed convenient for the workmen, so that had it been

+built elsewhere than in this Garrison it would have cost more than

+eighty thousand dollars. I find it very damaging for this Garrison to be

+without any fortification. We are obliged to tear down the old Castle

+just next to it, and the new one is not yet closed in, so that we fear

+the enemy who with a much larger force could easily capture us. They are

+only distant fifty leagues, two days’ sailing, and once that they were

+owners of this Port, they would be of the entire Province destroying all

+the conversions of the Indians who to the service of God are supported

+and protected by the King and a great trouble to your vassals who sail

+back and forth in the commerce with this America. Being owners, they

+would have all the ports, and with their pirates stationed everywhere

+that vessels should pass. I feel the Port a little more secure than when

+I came, for one of the bastions is about completed, and by closing the

+other side looking landward with a palisade of Spanish daggers and tuna,

+I can retire if it should become necessary. In the meantime your Majesty

+will kindly apply the means sufficient to finish the work as speedily as

+possible, as the petition states the danger and risk this Garrison is

+in. May God spare you many years of the work of Christianity.

+

+PABLO ITA Y SALAZAR.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., June 15th, 1675.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER XII.

+

+A. D. 1675.

+

+     _An effort to be made to dislodge the English from Santa

+     Elena--Orders to complete the Castle--Appalache considered the best

+     Province for settlement--Families from Yucatan for settlers, also

+     the Carrabies--Supplies sent from New Spain--Barracks to be made in

+     the Fort for the soldiers--Money sent to finish the new Castle,

+     also supplies for the soldiers--The neighbors to assist in building

+     the new Castle--Repairs on the bulwarks at Guale--Increase of

+     troops ordered for St. Augustine--A Fortress ordered built at

+     Appalache for the defense of that Province._

+

+

+By dispatch of the same month and year notice was given Governor Pablo

+Ita Salazar of the commands issued to his predecessor and to the Viceroy

+of New Spain regarding the dislodging of the English from the Port of

+St. Elena, of which they had taken possession with the intention of

+settling near the mouth, which in effect they did, occupying a passage

+called St. George. For this reason notice was sent the Sergeant-Major

+Nicolas Ponce de Leon to proceed to dislodge the English from this

+settlement, gathering all the forces of that Province and asking aid of

+the Viceroy of New Spain who was ordered to reinforce him with what he

+needed. He did not think there would be any considerable difficulty in

+accomplishing this, as from four English fugitives he had learned all

+they had done.

+

+By another dispatch the Governor of Florida was told that the Viceroy of

+New Spain had notified them of having aided that Garrison with all the

+supplies needed. As to the hundred families he asked for, that should go

+as laborers for the increase and culture of crops, they would look into

+the matter and attend to his representation of it when the case came up,

+and he was specially charged to be very careful and watchful in

+completing the Castle and defense of that Garrison.

+

+By Cedula of 1673 the Governor of Yucatan was asked to send to Florida

+twenty-four families of Indians--master weavers--for the increase of

+those Provinces for which purpose he would place himself in

+correspondence with the Governor of the Islands, that both might work

+out the best means of accomplishing it.

+

+The Governor of Florida replied that the best and most desirable

+Provinces for the Spanish nation to settle would be Appalache and others

+very near it. It was exceedingly fertile, and if the settlers were

+laborers the crops would be very abundant. They gather wheat as

+abundantly as corn which is the general sustenance. It would be easy to

+grow the fruits, the land being level and easy to reach on account of

+the many navigable rivers--to cultivate the lands in cotton, grain and

+indigo, which grows wild in those Provinces and the crops lost for the

+want of some one to cultivate them--and it would pay beautifully. This

+could be increased by putting the twenty-four Yucatan families in for a

+limited time. Having seen all this in the Council, they again commanded

+the Governor of Yucatan to place himself in communication with the

+Governor of Florida and try to send these families, since such great

+gain would result from it, to those who go as native Indians of Florida

+to whose Governor he ordered, if this was carried into effect to supply

+them with the necessaries as per order of Cedula of 1673.

+

+By dispatch of this same year the Governor of the Canaries was ordered

+and informed of the statement made by the Government of Florida

+regarding the hundred families going over to settle, telling him the

+means which could be used, and that it be carried and quickly and

+effectively that they might have the chance of obtaining the settlements

+of these Provinces. The Council of War having seen what Governor Pablo

+Ita Salazar had to say of the lack of food from which the Province was

+suffering, and the lack of means for obtaining it, commanded the Viceroy

+of New Spain to send that Garrison the necessary supplies for six months

+in advance, both ammunition and food, on account of the condition of the

+Garrison, so that it could be prepared for any emergency which might

+arise, and not be without defense, and to give an account of its

+execution. It was also commanded the Viceroy to send the necessary money

+to Florida that they might make Barracks and lodgings in the Fort for

+the soldiers who entered as guards, that they might be comfortable under

+cover and suffer less hardships. He was advised that all should be done

+with as little expense as possible, and to communicate with the Governor

+to whom the same order had been given. He said Don Pablo Ita Salazar

+made a report of the state in which he found the building of the new

+Castle in Florida, and the lack of means with which to continue it. The

+Council of War having seen this report notified the Viceroy to send the

+supplies of three hundred troops, the quota of that Garrison, and three

+thousand dollars to be expended in the delayed fortification of said

+Castle; approved by the Governor, it should continue the work of the

+Castle, and he was recommended to try and reduce the expenses to the

+absolute necessary. That the neighbors might help in the building, as

+they were interested, and it was for their own convenience and defense

+that they could assist without loss of time, and with the supply of

+three hundred troops who would remain in the Castle. That the number of

+soldiers there was so reduced it would not only pay the people well but

+there would be a surplus of capital to provide all that was needed. That

+this complement of infantry should be kept in the Garrison, and his

+Majesty had resolved to send a hundred more soldiers by the first

+opportunity. He again commanded the Viceroy to punctually supply the

+wants, so that no cause can stop the building of the Castle.

+

+In a letter of August 24th, 1675, the Governor, Don Pablo Ita Salazar,

+reported to have decided upon making a roof or covering for the bulwarks

+at Guale, to put the powder and other ammunitions used in the Garrison,

+and a Barracks and guard house, because what they had was of wood and

+exposed to incendiaries. That the Royal Officers were so opposed he

+desisted in its execution to avoid unpleasant encounters until it should

+be known in the Council, and together with the reports of the Officers.

+He ordered the continuance of the Castle for better security and defense

+at the least cost to the Royal Treasury.

+

+

+FORTIFICATION OF APPALACHE.

+

+Don Manuel Cendiga, being Governor of Florida, reported among other

+things the need of infantry in that Garrison--of what they had, much was

+in the Province of Appalache which belongs to that jurisdiction. For

+this reason his Majesty resolved to increase the troops of the Garrison

+of St. Augustine. He commanded the forty-three missionaries and the

+Viceroy of New Spain to order the Royal Officers of Mexico to increase

+the supply of troops in Florida, so that the quota remain at three

+hundred and fifty, besides the missionary fathers who must punctually

+supply them each year and solicit their complement.

+

+Don Pablo Ita Salazar, Governor of Florida, gave a report of the

+numerous infidel Indian settlements there were in the Province of

+Appalache, and that in the Province of Guale the English had a

+settlement at St. George. That with the vexations, killing and thefts,

+with the vicinity of one and the other the Christian Indians receive, we

+find the only remedy to be in erecting a fortification in the Province

+of Appalache and place in it one hundred soldiers, and a body of one

+hundred families around them. Then we might promise to keep them in

+obedience and subjection to this throne. The Council having seen this,

+ordered that at present they should prepare to make a fortress in the

+Port of Appalache in the best and easiest manner for the defense of that

+Port, and report by the first opportunity the time and amount required

+for building it. By still another dispatch he ordered the Governor to

+send a perfectly clear report of what he had already done regarding the

+fortress of the Port, and of all the Province; the spot best adapted for

+it, the form and disposition, forces needed for the defense, and if

+there would be any difficulty in opening up the entrance of the Bay,

+where it was built; the depth of the water, if vessels could enter, and

+of what tonnage; have a very careful and minute report from some one of

+experience and a master. Send a map and report attached of what this

+work will cost, giving your opinion so that seeing it and the

+information asked on the matter the most advantageous resolutions may be

+taken for the security and defense of that Province.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER XIII.

+

+A. D. 1680-1685.

+

+     _Letter from Pablo Ita Salazer to his Majesty--Indians of the

+     Province of Guale ally themselves with the English and together

+     with over three hundred men make war against the Spaniards of the

+     Island of St. Catherine--Surprising and killing the sentinels, only

+     one of whom escaped to warn the Garrison--The people gather in the

+     convent of a Friar and defend themselves from daylight until four

+     o’clock, when aid from this Garrison reached them--The enemy

+     retires--Natives of the Island greatly alarmed--Disquieting news of

+     the intentions of the enemy upon this Garrison--Implores the aid of

+     the King quickly that the English may be ejected from the land--Don

+     Juan Marquez Cabrera, Governor and Captain-General of Florida,

+     gives an account to his Majesty of hostilities in the

+     Provinces--Two Fleets, French and English, going and coming from

+     Havana--Seize Fort Matanzas and after plundering, burn it to the

+     ground--Is being rebuilt--Great depredations committed up and down

+     the coast by the enemy--Indians and half-breeds taken and sold into

+     slavery--Pushing the work on the Castle--Grieved over its slow

+     progress, owing to lack of workmen--Begs to be allowed to retire

+     because of age and long service--To Charles II, our principal

+     Casique, the King--From the people of the territory of

+     Habalache--The King to the Governor and Captain-General of Florida

+     concerning ten negroes from St. George who asked for the waters of

+     baptism--A Sergeant-Major from St. George comes to claim

+     them--Because they have become Christians the Spanish King decides

+     to buy them--After receiving a receipt they are to be set at

+     liberty, each one given a document to that effect--The King

+     reprimands Don Diego Quirago for not immediately attending to these

+     matters--Orders a full account to be sent as soon as it is

+     accomplished._

+

+

+A. D. 1680.

+

+_Sire_:

+

+In a letter of April last year I stated to you the misgivings I felt

+about the English who have populated the Province of Carolina and River

+St. George. In November of the following year I repeated this with some

+evidence, and such a plan or a map from the River St. George to Mobile.

+Afterwards I was notified that five Englishmen had put to flight one of

+the Towns and penetrated as far as the Province of Guale, which belongs

+to the jurisdiction of this Garrison, where they came to take

+declarations and give information concerning the coming of the English

+to those parts; all of which I submit to your Majesty.

+

+My duty today is to give an account of what happened in the Province of

+Guale this year. The Chuchumacos, Bechizes and Chulucas who were at war

+among themselves, but had maintained friendly relations and trading with

+this Province, became friendly with the English and have declared

+themselves our enemies. They made an invasion first on the Island of

+Guadalquiri in Guale, then on the main land they killed and scalped a

+number of the Natives until these latter rallied and, with one of our

+Lieutenants at the head, sallied forth and repulsed them. A few days

+later they made an entrance on the Island of St. Catherine, one of the

+frontiers, with a force of over three hundred men. They killed the

+Sentinels who were six in number, one only escaping, who gave the alarm

+and the citizens were able to defend themselves. There were forty-five

+Spaniards from this Garrison and about a hundred Natives. They took

+refuge in the Convent of the Friar, who teaches the Gospel in that

+Province, Captain Francisco Suentes, whom I sent two years ago to take

+charge of that place, who defended himself and army with great valor and

+distinction from daylight until four o’clock in the afternoon against

+these Indians, who were armed with firearms. Instantly upon receiving

+information of the danger I sent aid to the number of thirty soldiers on

+foot and a vessel with eighteen marines. When they arrived the enemy had

+retired. I am assured that among them were several Englishmen who

+instructed them in the use of the firearms, which consisted of long

+guns. This caused great consternation and horror among the natives who

+at first evacuated the Island of St. Catherine, but am informed have

+since returned doubling their forces. I had sent eight men to them from

+this Garrison and I am resolved to send twenty--it being a place of the

+utmost importance to this Garrison, as a protection against invasions

+and also to obtain food and supplies. The entrance to the Bar of Zapola

+is easy and distant from it, as you can see on the map, only two

+leagues. Information has been brought me by a pilot, who left here and

+was taken prisoner by the French, that he overheard them say they would

+come to this Province, possess themselves of the Island and Bar of

+Zapala. This is damaging news, and my greatest trouble is lack of

+troops, for altogether I have only some two hundred and ninety. I have

+increased this with a few natives of seemingly good disposition, should

+a fight occur in this Fort, but so inexperienced that they could not

+support us. This Post is mainly composed of mariners, pilots,

+shipmasters and mates, twelve artillerymen, six widows and a few

+children to whom, through your mercy, you grant pay, and ten or twelve

+decrepit old men who by age are exempt from toil. I have twenty-four men

+in Apalache, distant eighty leagues, and two in Timuqua, two in the pass

+of Salamatoto, ten leagues distant from this Garrison. The sentinels of

+Matanzas and the Bar. All this causes me great distress as I should be

+obliged to repair to the field and I have no resources possible with so

+few people. Notwithstanding, I propose, with the help of God, to improve

+it, and thus will the conversions advance and secure the road to Mexico.

+It is expedient to run the English out of that land, and there are not

+two hundred firearms in the armory nor among the soldiers and natives.

+If the thirty lancers and hundred infantry I sent for three years ago

+had come, things would be in a different shape. With a hundred families

+to protect, a good deal of aid is needed as speedily as possible and

+your Majesty will send them promptly as to the interest of your service.

+God protect you.

+

+PABLO ITA SALAZAR.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., May 14th, 1680.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+A. D. 1682.

+

+_Sire_:

+

+Don Juan Marquez Cabrera, your Governor and Captain-General of the

+Provinces of Florida, gives you an account of how since last February of

+this year they have experienced many hostilities in these Provinces from

+two French and English fleets who, since they discovered and settled

+with ten vessels they brought on these coasts towards the south, have

+taken and settled all the entrances and Ports, having seized seven

+vessels that were coming and going to the City of Havana, entered and

+plundered the Fort of Matanzas with no resistance from those within, and

+on another occasion in the same place, where there were forty-five

+Spaniards, captains, lieutenants and soldiers, there came four hundred

+Indians with firearms and arrows to one of the trenches at the edge of

+the two rivers at the foot of the Fort and this time they did not

+discharge a single shot, but set fire to the Fort and burned it, being

+of wood. I am again rebuilding it in the shape of a bonnet or cap with

+its inclinations bias, which it did not have before, with twenty-five

+stone houses, so that twelve or sixteen soldiers can defend it. On

+retiring they entered the River of Point Martin in Laungara, eighteen

+leagues inland and forty from this Garrison; thirty-five Frenchmen

+entered and plundered the estate Lachua, imprisoning the owner and some

+of his slaves and other persons and their servants. They were assisted

+in this by three of the neighbor Casiques, with sixteen Indians. As they

+retired they were met by an ambush who liberated the owners of the

+estate with the loss of one Indian. Although there were five Spaniards,

+with the degree of Captain who enjoy the rank and pay, excused

+themselves on the occasion because they feared if they had any one to

+encourage them the enemy would not have left one. As soon as I received

+the news, although I am very scarce of people for the defense of the

+Castle, I made every effort possible to send the Sergeant-Major of this

+Post with forty soldiers as quickly as possible. Finding the enemy

+already embarked, I ordered him to obstruct the river, seeing the danger

+to this Province, not having had any orders from you to keep it open.

+Notwithstanding all the Sergeant-Major’s efforts to place obstructions,

+I fear the enemy will invade this Garrison if only to see the Fort that

+is being built. It is to be in the shape I have shown you on the map,

+and plan I have given the Adjutant Alonzo Solano, superintendent of the

+work, a man of much intelligence and quite capable of carrying it on. At

+the time the French were destroying the estate Lachua the English landed

+at the bar of Mosquito Inlet; they killed ten Indians and captured

+eighteen. They had also captured the frigate that left this Post for New

+Spain; they captured it with a pirate vessel which had come from

+Jamaica, as testified to by the “Autos” I sent, in which I also stated

+the other hostilities and depredations as you can see in the Office of

+the Royal Council. It is a source of grief to me to see the manner in

+which they take these poor Indians and sell them into slavery, as they

+have done with many, selling them on the Island of Barbado. They even

+take the mixed ones, children of Spaniards and Indians. Although I am

+quite advanced on the building and defense of the Castle, I feel

+disconsolate when I think of the scarcity of troops and the inferior

+quality of those I have who are cowardly and pusillanimous as I have

+before represented them to you. I repeat it, in hopes that you will send

+me at least two good Captains and a hundred first class men. Besides

+being dastardly those I have, many of them are too old to be of service,

+having been retired and pensioned off. I am heartily sick of those who

+have been pensioned off, and of the children who have been pushed into

+service with no other object than to receive the pay. While mindful of

+the humane interests, this at times is exceedingly trying to my

+patience. And so, since the Fort is assuming such shape, I implore you

+to give the order needed of sending more men. I also implore your

+Majesty that having served you so many years without complaint against

+me, that you will replace me in this Garrison and give me permission to

+retire.

+

+God grant you a long and prosperous life.

+

+JUAN MARQUEZ CABRERA.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., July 16th, 1682.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+CHARLES II, OUR PRINCIPAL CASIQUE, TO THE KING.

+

+God, who with His power has created us from nothing, it being His

+will--we live, although with work and misfortune, it matters not how, so

+we live, with our limited understanding, every day without ceasing as we

+are commanded by our Creator, since He so wishes it, we praise and

+reverence Him. Leaving this apart we also, the nobility and all in

+general, old men and old women, children, orphans and disabled, as many

+as are found in this territory called Habalache, every day we say it

+seems to us, we do not reverence, embrace and receive in our hearts our

+principal Casique and King and his noble words. Saying this among

+ourselves it seems to make us more humble and disposed to receive your

+words when it reaches our ears. As at present, we could long since have

+written you, for the obedience we show you, and not waited for your many

+noble works, and to make known to you of what we are here seeing and

+suffering, being not only ourselves, but all in this world, who were

+created from nothing by the will of God. Our priests whose duty it is to

+care for our souls, cleanse them and absolve them, teaches us good

+things, and takes away and quenches in us ugly and evil things helping

+us on to be good Christians, as it is for this you have shown us such

+great mercy, and so we recognize it, and are believing with one heart.

+Second: Although we are ignorant people, we think that our hearts and

+souls belong to our Creator--our bodies and their government, and to

+whom they belong to teach and punish is to our Head, whom thou art, and

+whom we recognize as our chief Casique and King, and as the grass grows

+and has roots, bathed by the dews of night, so we and all your miserable

+vassals are nourished by your noble words, and although bodily we do not

+see you with our eyes, we take it from the one who represents you as

+your Governor and Captain-General--and to him we look as to you and as

+your words coming from him who we see, hear and understand, and guard,

+believing and obeying him--

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+_Sire_:

+

+From information that I was able to gather by means of gifts to the

+native Indians, I succeeded in finding out the designs of the settlers

+of St. George and of the new settlement in St. Elena, where this

+Garrison was first--distant from here some sixty leagues. About 50

+Indians, with orders from the Governor of St. Elena, were to enter the

+Province of Tamaqua, do all the damage and hostilities they could,

+taking prisoners and killing the natives. I immediately sent a dispatch

+by carrier to the Lieutenant of that Province to be on guard and care

+for the towns. It seems that some six hours before he received my

+notice, they had entered and destroyed the town of Afinca, a place of

+about sixty natives. About fifty men entered with sixteen guns and the

+balance with bows and arrows and machetes, everything exactly as I had

+been informed. They belong to the Yamares nation who have retired from

+this dominion and gone over to the English. They killed and carried off

+the prisoners as certified by a letter from the Lieutenant. I have

+restored as far as possible the Garrison of Tamaqua for the peace of its

+natives. If I had had the force sufficient I would have sent the vessels

+that I have to the settlement of Santa Elena and done them some damage,

+but, as it is, I have not sufficient forces for anything. The two

+Captains experienced in that part of the country are old, one of 70 and

+the other 60 years old. I am sorry to say, the enemy are settling in the

+interior, where they find the lands so rich and productive of all kinds

+of fruit. Should they come here they could easily capture us for the

+lack of men--we need men--more troops. I am informed that forty days

+ago, eleven vessels with seven hundred men, had been sent out from

+England. I am awaiting them with fear, for lack of men and ammunition we

+have. I also distrust my sentinels. I hope you will immediately send me

+re-enforcements.

+

+God preserve you, etc.

+

+JUAN MARQUEZ CABRERA.

+

+St. Augustine, April 15th, 1685.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+

+THE KING.

+

+

+ _To my Governor and Captain-General of the City of St. Augustine in

+ the Province of Florida, and Field Marshal Don Diego de Quiraga y

+ Lasada, in whose charge that Government is now_:

+

+The Royal officers of that City have given me an account in different

+letters of their having arrived at that Garrison ten remaining negroes,

+eight males and two females, from St. George. That they asked for the

+waters of baptism, it was given them, after which a Sergeant-Major from

+St. George came to claim them. Not appearing to be the proper thing to

+return them after becoming Christians, it was agreed upon with the

+Sergeant-Major to buy them with the money from my Royal exchequer for

+the sum of sixteen hundred dollars, granting a writing to that purpose,

+to pay said sum at a stated time specified. To satisfy this I sent to

+the new city of Vera Cruz for this sum of money which was brought and

+deposited in my Royal coffers of that city, advising the Governor of St.

+Augustine and notifying the Governor of St. George to send for it. It

+seems they came for it at the time the Governor was distributing aid to

+the soldiers. He had notified me of the receipt of this money, but not

+receiving a reply, he supposed I was not satisfied with the transaction,

+imploring I should tell him what to do with the negroes. The men had

+been put to work on the Fort, and the women the Governor had retained as

+servants in his household. He paid the cost of them, and he only awaited

+my orders. In view of all that he asks, through the judge of my Council

+of the Indias, it occurs to me to say to you that Don Diego Quiraga was

+wanting in his duty by not sending to pay the money deposited in the

+Royal coffers for the purchase of said negroes and in the word he had

+given the English. He should have considered that in refusing to deliver

+them to the English, it was done to protect the religion; this alone

+would have sufficed, being as I am such a Catholic. For any excess

+expended in their purchase, notwithstanding my failure in replying to

+him on this point, and so, it appears strange what this Governor has

+done. And so, that you perfectly understand what I order you, as I do

+order you, that of the first money which comes into my Royal coffers of

+that City you immediately pay up the whole amount, and give the Governor

+of St. George perfect satisfaction for the 1,600 dollars agreed upon for

+the sale. The defraying of this to be done as quickly as possible. And

+as a reward for having come to these provinces to live under the laws of

+the Gospel and become Catholics, I order that immediately upon receipt

+of this, you give them all their liberty in my name, giving each one,

+males and females, a document to that effect, so that seeing their

+example others may do likewise. As soon as you have accomplished this

+you are to send me a full account, as this is my will.

+

+I, the King, sent by the King our Lord,

+

+DON JUAN DE LA VEA,

+_Chairman of the Council_.

+

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER XIV.

+

+A. D. 1689-1698.

+

+     _Letter of the Governor and Captain-General of Florida, Don Diego

+     Quiroba y Losada, to his Majesty--Giving an account of a custom

+     obtaining in the Garrison which he deems dangerous to its

+     safety--That is, the ringing of the church bells at midnight, when

+     the Host is taken out to administer communion to the dying until

+     the same is returned, oftentimes lasting hours, which same drowns

+     the fire of the sentinel across the river, who is to fire as many

+     times as there are vessels sighted--This danger has been fully laid

+     before the Priest, but to no purpose, notwithstanding the city has

+     been in arms for some days awaiting the enemy--There is also

+     testimony accompanying this letter of the same purport--His Majesty

+     by a Cedule of July 18th, 1694, asks for a statement of the order

+     pursued in the functions of the Edicts of Faith and Anathema and

+     the places where they conduct the Holy Tribunal of the

+     Inquisition--These questions answered by Severino Mausaneda, March

+     17th, 1690--In 1691 Governor and Captain-General of Florida, Don

+     Diego Guiroga y Lorada, gives an account of a military review of

+     St. Augustine--Of the great advantage and security to the city of

+     building a sea wall extending from the Fort the entire length of

+     the town, thus securing it against the sea which in storms comes up

+     to the houses--The soldiers and citizens subscribe ten thousand

+     dollars and his Highness is implored to designate a sum to help to

+     build this wall that the people will be convinced of his Highness’

+     interest--The King, A. D. 1698, to the Governor and

+     Captain-General, Don Diego Guiroga y Losada, of the City of St.

+     Augustine, in which he rebukes the said Governor for unjustly

+     taxing the Indians, whom he wishes civilized, and not treated alone

+     as vassals, but as his children, attending to their comfort and

+     want, and imposes a fine if the money sent to be spent for canvas

+     and provisions be not paid to these Indians as per

+     agreement--Extracts from the investigations of the Council, in

+     regard to alleged excesses committed by the Governor of Florida,

+     Don Francisco Moral Sanchez--Besides the scandalous reports

+     certified to, is his ill treatment of a Captain of Grenadiers

+     acting according to his own will instead of by military law--The

+     Royal Officers protest--Certify to the truth of these

+     investigations, and implore justice from the King--A report

+     according to his Excellency’s desire concerning affairs under

+     Governor Don Francisco Marales Sanchez--The investigation shows

+     that the facts set forth in the different papers and petitions sent

+     to his Majesty to have been only too true--Impossible to put upon

+     paper the strange, divers and extraordinary excesses committed by

+     this Governor._

+

+

+A. D. 1689.

+

+_Sire_:

+

+Today I must give you an account of a custom I have found here, which

+might redound to the injury of this Garrison. It is that at any hour of

+the night when the Host is taken out to administer communion to the

+dying the church bells are rung and continue to ring until its return to

+the church, with the same solemnity as is done in the day time. Now,

+this might cause very serious results, as when we have the sentinel who

+is on duty across the river, to fire as many times as there are vessels

+in view, then the bells are rung and the people gather together. This

+makes us very attentive in listening for the firing and the noise of the

+bells at all hours prevents us from hearing and would give the enemy an

+opportunity of entering and capturing the Town. I always keep the Fort

+well guarded and am prepared, but as we know from so many occurrences in

+the Indias in the past few years, all the misfortunes of invasions have

+come from carelessness. I have solicited the Priest not to have this

+done and even refused to let him have the soldiers to follow in the

+procession, but he is very impertinent and says the church belongs to

+him and he shall do as it pleases him. Since the 28th of May we have

+been in arms awaiting the enemy, and I sent the Priest word not to ring

+by one of the soldiers, then by the Sergeant-Major--in spite of my

+message he rang the bells from half-past ten at night until half-past

+two o’clock. To avoid danger from this, I have given orders that none of

+the soldiers attend. If he desists from ringing I will allow him all the

+soldiers necessary. Things will work thus until your Majesty orders

+otherwise for the safety of this Garrison. God grant you long life.

+

+DIEGO QUIROBA.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., August 16th, 1689.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+

+TESTIMONY WHICH ACCOMPANIES THIS LETTER.

+

+In the City of St. Augustine, Fla., May 28th, 1689.

+

+The Captain of Cuirassiers, Don Diego Quiroba y Losada, Governor and

+Captain-General of this city and Province, by order of your Majesty.

+

+Says: That this Garrison being in arms and awaiting signals since

+Sunday, the 22nd. The church has on several occasions rung the bells

+after midnight in taking out the Holy Sacrament, continuing the ringing

+for two hours or more, without ceasing. This is contrary to all customs

+in Spain and the Indias, where the sacrament is not carried in pomp

+after night, but only by the Priest, the sacristan and two other persons

+who carry the lights. In a close Garrison it is more strictly observed,

+and for that reason should be more strictly enforced in this Garrison,

+as such things are risky, especially as we are under arms, and injury

+might result, as it would give the enemy time and opportunity to

+accomplish their intentions. We are trying to stand on the defensive and

+it might injure this very church itself. For this reason I sent word to

+the Priest, Don Alonzo de Legurion, Parish Priest and Vicar of this

+city, in all due form by St. Sebastian Lopez begging him to cease the

+ringing and setting forth the danger which could result. That he should

+not go out in pomp, but ask for all the soldiers he wanted and they

+would be sent. He would not listen, and threatened the Lieutenant with

+excommunication should he return. Another message I sent by the

+Sergeant-Major, Pedro Arauda y Avellanedas, to whom he made the same

+reply, stating that the Church was his and he would ring when he

+pleased--it had been given him by the Pontificate, and the Governor had

+nothing to do with it, and must not meddle. Such language and conduct

+disturbs the public peace. That all this may be certified to I have

+ordered testimony taken of the case and had the Sergeant-Major and

+Adjutant Sebastian Lopez examined, and so I sent it and sign

+

+DIEGO QUIROBA Y LOSADA.

+

+Appeared before me, Alonzo Solano, Notary Public of the government, in

+the City of St. Augustine, Fla., as witness.

+

+SEBASTIAN LOPEZ.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+May 22nd, 1689.

+

+Captain Diego Quiroba y Losada, Governor and Captain-General of said

+city, ordered to appear before me, the Adjutant, Sebastian Lopez, who is

+the actual Sergeant-Major in the Garrison, who was in my presence

+received and sworn in by the Notary Public, in the name of God and the

+Holy Cross, and having promised to tell nothing but the truth. Asked for

+the tenor of the Auto at the head of this Document, he said: That at

+about half-past two o’clock the bells of the church of this City were

+ringing. Having started out, his Lordship, the Governor, called him and

+ordered him to take a message to the Priest, telling him that he knew

+well that the City was in arms, the enemy being on this coast, and they

+had received signals that the vessels were in sight of the City, and to

+cease ringing the bells as the noise would prevent them from hearing the

+signal “to arms.” That coming to the church he told the Priest to stop

+ringing, that it made too much noise. The Priest’s reply was to order

+him to leave the church under pain of excommunication, the witness

+returned three times with the Governor’s Message, but no attention was

+paid to his Lordship’s Message, and the bells continued to ring. That

+this is the truth, under sworn oath he states and affirms and that he is

+twenty-two years old and he signs it.

+

+SEBASTIAN LOPEZ TOLEDO.

+

+Before me, Alonzo Solano, Notary Public and of the Government. It agrees

+with the original of which mention has been made and which I send.

+Executed in St. Augustine, Fla., on July 15th, 1689.

+

+ALONZO SOLANO,

+Notary Public and of the Government.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+By Cedule of your Majesty dated in Madrid, July 18th, 1674, you ask for

+a statement of the order pursued in the functions of the Edicts of Faith

+and Anathena and the places where they conduct the Holy Tribunal of the

+Inquisition. And also the cause of the controversies offered by the city

+whenever they are performed and what has been done this year. The city

+to avoid all scandal resolved to allow the Commissioner of the

+Inquisition to conduct things his own way--taking testimony of all the

+proceedings to report to your Majesty. These acts have no fixed time,

+but left to the arbitration of the Commissioner who has them when he

+pleases, every two, three, and even six years. After discussion it was

+decided not to have them executed this year, as it is not a regular

+custom, and we wished to report before giving more examples of

+dissensions. For twenty years the City has allowed itself to be fined

+for neglect of duty in assisting at the performances. As there is no

+Tribunal of Inquisition here the Commissioner succeeded in getting the

+City to go to his house for him, and he, precedes the City. In church,

+his place to be on the Gospel side, with the humility recognized in such

+places. The decision of this controversy seems to depend on Law 20,

+Chapter 26, of the ninth recompilation of the Indias. This last, the

+Holy Tribunal of the Inquisition pretends is only understood by your

+Majesty, the Viceroys and Captain-Generals in whom are found a living

+representation. So that to represent the Holy Tribunal of the

+Inquisition the power is solely invested in your Commissioner--from this

+comes the act of tramping under foot your Government, whom the

+Commissioner tries to subdue in all, to his will, as well as the Notary

+Public and Ministers. That a stop may be put to his audaciousness it has

+seemed wise and prudent to make a report with testimonies attached to

+your Majesty, that you may act as you deem proper in the case.

+

+May God grant you long life.

+

+SEVERINO MAUSANEDA.

+

+Havana, March 17th, 1690.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+A. D. 1691.

+

+_Your Highness_:

+

+Don Diego Quiroga y Lorada, Governor and Captain-General of the Province

+of Florida, in a letter dated January 8th, 1690, gives you an account of

+the general review which he passed on the soldiers of infantry and

+militia of that Garrison. He proposed the advantages and security

+occurring to the City by building a wall from the Fort, the whole length

+of the City along the sea, seeing the danger in which it now is of being

+ruined by floods from the sea (which already comes up to the houses)

+when we have the slightest storm. The soldiers seeing the necessity of

+it, immediately offered what they could, the citizens of the Province

+doing likewise, that the work might advance. I send a certificate

+showing that the amount of the offering they have made is ten thousand

+dollars, and that they will use every effort to build the wall, and they

+have commenced to get out the stone and other necessary things. I

+implore your Highness to designate a sum to help build this wall, which

+is so important and that these poor soldiers and citizens may feel

+encouraged to give more, seeing that your Majesty helps them in such

+needed work, since nothing less depends upon this wall than the

+preventing a flood of the place and separating the Castle, losing all

+that has been spent in the building of it. The Board is obliged to

+represent you. What the voluntary contributions of the soldiers and

+citizens of the Province is for the building of this wall, estimate the

+cost of it, and how much will be needed to continue the work, and with

+this and what you order, the Count of Galva, Viceroy of the New Spain,

+must send to Florida the sum of two thousand dollars, that the Governor

+may apply it to this work, and that he inform the Board of the size,

+latitude and thickness, the design of it, that they may better

+understand it. And that the Royal Officers certify that said portion of

+the two thousand dollars was spent on this work, sending an exact

+account and cause. Then, the soldiers and citizens of Florida seeing

+that your Majesty takes an interest in them and helps them, will feel

+encouraged to continue subscribing. You will decide as most convenient.

+

+Madrid, August 11th, 1691.

+

+

+THE KING.

+

+     _To the Field Marshal Don Diego Quiroga y Losada--My Governor and

+     Captain-General of the City of St. Augustine, in the Province of

+     Florida, or to the Person or Persons in Whose Care His Government

+     May Be_:

+

+In a letter of June the 8th, 1640, it refers, among other things, that

+you have sought the means of spending the money assigned for the

+purchasing of canvas and provisions for the Indians of the Pass of the

+River Salamototo, as was evident by the certificate and agreement that

+together with the Royal Officers of that city you made. Seeing all in my

+Council of War of the Indians--how special attention was called to the

+new tax imposed for the canoes that serve as transports at the referred

+river, I have resolved to order and command you (as I do) that the

+moment you receive this order, that you revoke the one by which you have

+distinguished yourself together with the Royal Officers, as the

+agreement of the 1st of February, of 1698, being worthy of reproof, the

+one that you and they are working in this matter, without any orders

+whatsoever from me--as should always be the case in questions of this

+nature especially when my royal soul is so moved towards the Indians, my

+desire so great, that they should be civilized and treated not alone as

+my vassals, but as my own children subjugating them and attending to

+their wants and comfort. Thus you will proceed to revoke what you have

+done. Advise my Royal Officers by dispatch of the date that they take

+note of this resolution in the books under their charge--so that at all

+times it shall be evident. And I also command that you immediately have

+published and posted proclamations to this effect in all public places

+in the city and Province inserting to the letter in the proclamation the

+contents of this dispatch, and sending to the board by the first

+opportunity presenting itself, testimony of having executed this

+procedure. A fine of a thousand reals imposed upon you, to be remitted

+if you do not execute this order immediately in the form that I have

+imposed and commanded. And that the canoes remain and be paid as they

+have been up to the present, and as they were up to the date when you

+imposed the above expressed tax. And you shall advise me clearly and

+plainly what has been the amount of these taxes up to the date of

+receipt of this dispatch, and if there be any portion of it, you have it

+placed at once in my Royal Chest in that city, to remain there until

+receiving my further orders. So does it suit me and my Royal service.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+

+THE COUNCIL.

+

+Continuing the account of investigations which have been obtained and

+were promised in a letter of October 22nd to ascertain with certainty of

+the excesses committed by the Governor of Florida, Don Francisco Moral

+Sanchez.

+

+The Council makes known that the events are so strange and

+extraordinary, which by divers means have been understood to have taken

+place in that Garrison and its administration, that the very excess

+itself stuns one with astonishment and paralyzes the credulity of our

+mind--but, having complied with his duty as commanded, he explains: That

+he is quite assured of the truth of the report of the Engineer Don

+Antonio Arredondo, who was an eye-witness and had no reason whatever to

+judge him otherwise than impartially, being in no conceivable manner

+dependent. That his report agrees in every particular with the other

+letters written of the excesses of the above mentioned Governor as will

+be recognized by the document which accompanies this and is certified to

+by the Engineer Arredondo at the continuation of them in a private

+declaration made by the decree expedited for this purpose.

+

+That the few Indians of our faith represent and express their true

+sentiments, as indicated by a document I remit to this Council, through

+the Rev. Bishop of Micale, which they obliged Señor Arredondo to receive

+and remit to your Majesty. That other certificates of military and

+private individuals of that Garrison, with other documents which

+accompany this, and not only confirm, but add such scandalous excesses

+of the private life of that Governor, that it is impossible to find

+decent and decorous words with which to express them. And some of these

+words are from the mouth of religious Monks and Priests who affirm all

+these letters as well as the one written by Don Antonio Benavides--there

+are also later letters giving accounts of the same proceedings.

+

+Besides the scandalous reports being certified to by all, in about the

+same manner, they accuse the Governor of his treatment of the Captain of

+Grenadiers Don Felipe de Iturrieta, commandant of the detached troops,

+forgetting his personal merits, and official position, and his being a

+person of implicit integrity. He had him thrust into prison in a most

+shameful and scandalous manner--even depriving him of the resources of

+writing--and after trampling him in every way he incriminates him for

+disobedience in the performance of his duties--a mere pretense, for it

+was that this Officer refused to neglect his duty or allow his men to do

+so, by being off guard at the Barracks, where it is imperative,

+according to all military laws that guards should be at their post. The

+Governor wishing the men for his private purposes ignored or formed

+false conception of military duties and suspended and imprisoned the

+Captain. Of the same nature is the charge made against him of violating

+the Royal ordinance and defying it--when he replied to the Governor in

+words which would rather indicate respect. It is a shameful act to treat

+an Officer of honor of his well known character, who has the heavy

+responsibilities which are recognized as belonging to said Captain, and

+are certified to in the statements of the circumstances, as also a

+petition in which is set forth all that has occurred, and imploring that

+justice be shown Captain Iturrieta that he may not be stigmatized. While

+all written in these reports and certificates are true, I did not depose

+him immediately from office until I received the report asked of the

+Bishop of Micale, knowing his prudence and virtue and that his word

+would be more approved than all else in the case. In the meantime while

+awaiting his report I am taking every step to conquer the difficulties

+which may arise to name a subject who can act in the interim, because it

+seems the need is so great that it is impossible to form any resolution

+whatever in the case pending in that Province, and this consideration

+has suspended all movement of removing him until the order comes for

+doing so. This in our judgment being more prudent, as the referred to

+Governor is so engrossed in his private affairs as certified to in the

+papers of Don A. Arredondo, in which he speaks of the Barracks for

+lodging the soldiers, and the looking into this matter belongs to the

+Viceroy of New Spain--that in proper time he take the precautions which

+he deems most essential.

+

+Concluding with the disposal of the reports, and taking the less

+scandalous means to depose the Governor of Florida, Don Francisco Moral

+Sanchez, as he has not been forewarned of what is to happen, it seems

+doubtful which is the best means to adopt, we will therefore consider

+the matter with more deliberation proceeding in the safest and most

+certain way and rendering a personal account as quickly as possible

+thereafter.

+

+THE COUNCIL.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+_Excellent Lord_:

+

+In conformity with what your Excellency desires, and satisfying the

+private order sent me, asking a report and true statement of affairs

+under the Governor Don Francisco Morales Sanchez. To assure myself from

+a responsibility devoid of all partiality, and to the truth of the

+excesses perpetrated by this Governor and a few other private

+individuals and priests, of which that Garrison wrote you a complaint,

+asking that you immediatly depose the Governor and name some one in his

+place, _pro tem._, so that your Majesty being informed, may place some

+one who looks more to your interests. For this purpose you sent me a

+blank dispatch, that in time, I might fill out with the names of the

+subject elected and the investigation I had made in this affair. I must

+say, that they are so strange and extraordinary, and such divers means

+used in their performance--that the accounts I hear in this garrison

+chill the soul and congeal the blood in one’s veins. There is no way of

+hiding the misery and misfortune to which this Garrison is exposed. With

+the same truthfulness I must expose the fact, that I am positively

+certain from the reports of the Engineer Don Antonio Arredondo, as an

+eye-witness, that all the excesses committed by this Governor are

+strictly true as written you and certified to in a report from this

+Garrison.

+

+The few Indians of our faith represent and express their lamentable

+sentiments on a paper written you, and sent through the Rev. Bishop of

+Micale. Other certificates of priests, military men, and private

+individuals of that Garrison, which I enclose add such scandalous

+excesses in the manner of living of that Governor that I cannot find

+decent words in which to express it. Some of these are signed by the

+same priests who wrote to Don Antonio Benavides, and there are others,

+citing what the Governor has perpetrated on the Captain of Grenadiers,

+Don Felipe Iturricta, whom I sent there. Forgetting his merits and that

+he was a person of implicit confidence, whom I trusted for his

+unimpeachable conduct, they have placed him in prison under scandalous

+circumstances, intending to take from him the management of the troops

+over whom I placed him. He has been under the most rigorous guard,

+searching even his food, depriving him of the privilege of writing to

+ask for a hearing, accusing him of crimes and lack of obedience. They

+have no other course, in my opinion, than a pretext, as this Officer has

+fulfilled his duty with promptness and rectitude, showing only the

+ordinary precautions observed in the regiments for infinite reasons. The

+guards cannot be excused from the Barracks where the troop is

+stationed--which is one of the principal rudiments of military

+tactics--as well for safety as anything which might occur. The Captain

+insisted on maintaining these principles from which has arisen this

+trouble, and the assigning of the wrong conception of duty and want of

+obedience preferred against him. Of the same nature is the other charge:

+that he had defied the Governor. To this Captain Iturricta replied: if

+you were not the Governor you could not use such language to me--showing

+that he respected the office of Governor. The Governor does not seem to

+recognize the respect due to a man and Officer of standing and

+distinguished character, and let me add incidentally, placed here by me,

+as commandante of a detached body, to encourage and hold this fagged out

+Garrison. They should consider it an honor, for so distinguished a

+personage to accept this place, and so honorably discharge his duty.

+Your Majesty will understand all from the report of said Captain and the

+testimonials stating the circumstances. I also enclose a petition from

+the Captain in which he implores you to do him justice, a virtue so in

+keeping with your Royal heart, and not allow an officer of his standing

+to remain in disgrace. I can positively assure you, that had not the

+Captain and other Officers been true and faithful to their duty, they

+could have caused much trouble among the inhabitants of this Garrison,

+from this unjust act. Although I have reported all the abuses said to

+have been committed by the present Governor of Florida, and you should

+place some one of experience and good conduct in his place. I hope that

+your Majesty with your great experience, will pardon me for troubling

+you on the present occasion, and look unprejudiced into this affair. All

+that has been said of the matter, and all that I have been commanded in

+so important a trust--I am trying to investigate to the very root. Going

+cautiously, feeling my way, trying to right troubles without any

+scandal, so that I may send you the name of some worthy subject who can

+act _pro tem._ in that capacity--as, from all the information I have

+expounded it seems urgent you should remove this man, so as to restore

+the confidence your vassals have in your Majesty, and the responsibility

+I represent. The engineer, Don Antonio Arredondo, assures me no other

+expedient can be taken, while the present Governor is so engrossed in

+his own private interests, as you may infer from the last chapter.

+

+Regarding the Barracks for lodging the hundred men, it is an evident

+fact, that but for the persistent effort of the Engineer Arredondo, they

+would have been returned to that Kingdom. All of which he reported to

+the Viceroy of Mexico that he might take the necessary precautions.

+Having disposed of the duty of having the Governor removed, I am

+doubtful of what will be best to do next toward your Majesty’s

+interests, but I shall act as in my judgment seems best and as

+circumstances present themselves.

+

+May God preserve you.

+

+JUAN FRANCISCO HORCASITAS.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER XV.

+

+A. D. 1708-1723.

+

+     _Letter from Francisco Carcoles y Martinez to his Majesty reports

+     all possible measures taken to prevent the enemy from destroying

+     this Province--The Indians, aided by the English who supply them

+     with guns, ammunition, knives and pistols, come from the Indian

+     villages bordering the Carolinas and carry off each day certain

+     persons--Families and Christians taken off to be sold into

+     slavery--More than ten thousand up to the present have

+     disappeared--A treaty urged with the English of the Carolinas, else

+     there will be a continuation of war and the spread of the Holy

+     Gospel impeded--In a second letter the Governor gives an account of

+     certain Friars who are getting up a dispute and lawsuit with the

+     Priest of the Parish concerning the right and whose right to marry

+     soldiers, Spaniards, Indians or mixed Indians--These disputes

+     brought before the Governor to settle, who in turn refers them to

+     his Majesty--Recommends the abolishing of all Heathen customs--By a

+     Royal dispatch, A. D. 1721, the Governor of Florida is commanded to

+     go in person to the Governor of the Carolinas and arrange with him

+     the observance of the Treaty of Peace between the English and

+     Spanish of those Provinces adjoining, which same was carried out as

+     far as possible--A letter from the Governor, Antonio Benavides,

+     reports the sending of clothing and trinkets to pacify the Casiques

+     and Chiefs of the Province of Apalachicola--Find the Indians

+     restless and making preparations for war--English spreading

+     dissatisfaction--A Council of War decides to send a vessel to

+     Havana for arms, men and provisions in anticipation of troubulous

+     times._

+

+

+THE GOVERNOR’S LETTER.

+

+A. D. 1708.

+

+_Your Lordship_:

+

+My principal care since assuming control as Governor has been to procure

+by all possible means to prevent the enemy from destroying at once this

+Province, and the few natives of it who have remained. When I took

+possession I called a meeting of the Board to discuss matters and we

+decided to retire the troops from the town of Santa Fe, adding those of

+San Francisco and the infantry that was at the pass of Salamototo river,

+as I have already informed you on the 20th of November, 1706, so that

+with a larger force we might resist the enemy, and the citizens of this

+City feel some relief. I had built on the line a thick palisade, as I

+informed you. I have also organized a company of cavalry who should go

+about on the skirts, as they have done, to gather up stores and guard

+the carpenters and persons who go out to work cutting timber for the

+Royal buildings. This has not sufficed to stop the enemy from continuing

+their scalping and hostilities which are being constantly felt. They

+come from the Indian villages bordering on the Carolinas, aided by the

+English, who supply them with guns, ammunition, knives and pistols; at

+times they even accompany them, which strengthens and encourages them

+so that all the terra firma along the southern coast is desolate. And

+each day the number of families these Indians carry off is increased.

+The Christians have all disappeared, no doubt they have taken and sold

+them into slavery--more than ten or twelve thousand persons have gone. I

+have about three hundred with men, women and children. Even these are

+being carried away daily, when they go out to gather (guano) palmetto

+with which the Indians clothe themselves--and wild roots which they use

+for eating, not having sufficient with the Royal Rations which we daily

+allow them. Today they bring me an account of how they carried off ---- to

+Mica, who had gone out in search of roots--in all they have carried

+today twenty-eight persons, four of whom escaped and have brought the

+news. The fact of there being some capitulation of peace would be much

+added to the service of God and your Majesty by relieving us of these

+miserable Indians. All the natives from this Province are sold,

+imprisoned or detained in the Carolinas. If a treaty could be made with

+England to prevent the English in Carolina from supplying them with

+arms, ammunition, etc., for it is with this they make war against us,

+and the dexterity with which they use them is amazing--as though they

+had been brought up to their use. Unless such a treaty can be

+immediately reached, hostilities will continue, and in this America

+there will never be anything but war. And the English will always have

+the Indians on their side, as they protect them and furnish them with

+arms and ammunition, as they have done heretofore. Unless this treaty

+can be effected immediately, the best thing for us to do will be to

+abandon the place entirely, as you have sug-gested, before they

+desolate it. But as it is so important to the Crown and the vast

+importance and revenue which will and can be derived from it would make

+it deplorable to give it up now. Besides the great importance of

+spreading the Holy Gospel, as it is being done, has made me delay in

+giving you this necessary information.

+

+May God guard you for many years as a true Christian.

+

+FRANCISCO CÓRCOLES Y MARTINEZ.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., January 14th, 1708.

+

+

+LETTER OF THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA TO HIS MAJESTY.

+

+A. D. 1708.

+

+_Sire_:

+

+The continued coming of the enemy who took up quarters at San Francisco

+Garrison, caused the natives to retire to this Garrison to seek

+protection under the Royal arms. From the same fear, the palisade castle

+of Salamototo having been attacked, the few natives withdrew, running

+from the cruel ravages of these enemies. About eight or nine persons

+having called a meeting to discuss the matter of evacuating these

+Garrisons, the board decided that for the safety and better security of

+these natives it would be best to evacuate them. A more extensive

+account is given you in the testimony of each thing that I remit with

+this information, so that you may be well notified of the reasons for

+retiring from these two towns and others near them, that had already

+been deserted. We have assigned them land near by, in line of the cannon

+of this Royal Fort, and we are maintaining them and helping with the

+best we can at your expense and from the Royal warehouses so that they

+may not perish until they can till the land and raise a crop to help

+support themselves, until things take a better turn. I hope your Majesty

+will approve and accept in good faith the step taken by the Board and

+that I am working and maintaining these natives for the best and

+greatest service of your Majesty. May God guard you as a Christian.

+

+FRANCISCO CÓRCOLES Y MARTINEZ.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., November 30th, 1708.

+

+

+LETTER OF THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA TO HIS MAJESTY.

+

+A. D. 1709.

+

+_Sire_:

+

+I write to give you an account of the Friars of San Francisco. Fray

+Francisco, Teacher of the Gospel at Santa Maria de Guale, and the

+guardian of this Convent, Fray Martin de Molina, have been trying to get

+up lawsuits and have had disputes with the Pastor of this Parish, Don

+Pedro Lorenzo Acevido. These Friars are opposed to having the Pastor

+marry the soldiers or any Spaniard to the Indians or mixed Indians,

+wishing themselves to administer this and the other sacraments to them

+and their children. For this they have drawn up Autos and presented them

+to me that I might grant them justice. I referred them each to your

+Majesty, suggesting that they draw up their testimony and I am to

+reserve the right of informing you on the subject. I therefore call to

+your Royal attention how these law suits, occurring daily, only tend to

+disturb the peace. This is all done, because these Friars, to obtain the

+fee, wish now to administer these sacraments, which have been

+administered for the last thirty years by the parish priest of this

+parish, who has performed the marriage ceremony and had them watch

+(velar) from the fathers down to the grandchildren, without once

+interfering with the rights of these Friars to administer to their own

+people, the Indians in the towns they have charge of, and whose language

+they understand, and as is customary, if a soldier or any one wishes to

+marry an Indian or mixed Indian they must do so in the Parish and church

+to which the Indian belongs--thus, by degrees, leaving off all Heathen

+customs. Your Majesty after seeing the Autos and receiving this

+information will decide as he thinks best and most desirable for the

+good of all. May God preserve your Royal person that you may show

+justice.

+

+FRANCISCO CÓRCOLES Y MARTINEZ.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., September 12th, 1709.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+A. D. 1722.

+

+_Sire_:

+

+By your Royal dispatch of May 25th of last year, 1721, you commanded me

+that taking advantage of the suspension of arms and the friendly

+relations I had observed with the English of the Carolinas since then;

+that your request at the Court of London had been granted. That under

+all these circumstances I should go in my official capacity to the

+Governor of Carolina and arrange with him to observe strictly the

+Treaty, that the vexation among the Indians who were allied to the two

+nations should cease. I immediately complied with your order and sent

+the Contador, Don Francisco Menendez, accompanied by other officials,

+from this Garrison, with the commission of having a firm agreement with

+the Governor of Carolina to make the Indians attached to his nation and

+to cease aggravating those with us, and thus live in peace and

+tranquility, pursuing agriculture. This peace being as important to one

+nation as the other, for, should war be declared, there would be no end

+to it. To this proposition and others as certified in the accompanying

+letter which I take this occasion of sending you, the Governor and

+Parliament of the Carolinas replied that they had received no such

+orders from the King of Great Britain, but that notwithstanding he would

+try to enforce peace during the suspension of arms. Immediately upon the

+arrival of Don F. Menendez in the Carolinas he was notified that the

+English had constructed a wooden fort on the tongue at the mouth of

+Talauje Province on your Majesty’s territory, where, for many years the

+Indians and Guajas were settled and by reason of the siege this nation

+put on this Garrison, they had retired to where they still are. Don

+Francisco Menendez hearing this, considered it wrong for them to

+trespass upon your Territory, and so stated it to the Governor, and also

+that he feared harm would result from it. The reply given was: that the

+King of Great Britain had ordered them to strengthen his dominions with

+fortifications in any form they deemed expedient. Under different

+pretexts the “Contador” tried to have them show the order, but they

+refused to do so, saying it was sufficient that they said they had the

+order, and the Governor of Florida had nothing at all to do with it.

+From which I infer, your Lordship, that with the arrival of this new

+Governor in these colonies, not only will he complete the building of

+this Fort and settlement, but that he will also settle all the islands

+belonging to this jurisdiction, thus making the Carolinas impregnable

+and reducing this Garrison to a more lamentable state than it is in

+today on account of its easy access to the Indians who would immediately

+come to possess themselves of the ammunition and arms which it is the

+very heighth of their ambition to obtain. So Menendez learned that

+provision had been made by the English Government to equip this Colony,

+and they were awaiting, at any moment, vessels with supplies and arms.

+Then, at a moment’s notice, they will invade this Castle, it being their

+great ambition, and the only and sole aim of it, to capture this Fort

+for the protection of the New England, and the great use they could make

+of it in capturing your Majesty’s vessels coming through the Bahama

+Channel. In giving you this information I feel that I not only comply

+with my royal duty, but also discharge the debt to my conscience in

+showing you the danger of this Province. With this intelligence you can

+act as most agreeable and convenient. May God preserve your Royal

+personage for many years.

+

+ANTONIO BENAVIDES.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., Apr. 21st, 1722.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+The letter accompanying it:

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., Feb. 11th, 1722.

+

+Finding myself with an order from the King of Spain, my Lord and Master,

+for security with this and that government of reciprocal relations

+regarding the hostilities which on one and the other side has been

+completed, for the welfare of the Indians, I resolved to send to the

+Carolinas the “Contador” Don Francisco Menendez Marques, with other

+officials accompanying him, to confer with his Excellency and the Lords

+of Parliament for some agreement by which the annoyances of the infidel

+Indians toward those attached to our nation, might cease, and they be

+allowed to continue their agricultural pursuits without further

+disturbances and incentives--and not forgetting the agreement with Don

+Francisco Menendez Marques that during the suspension of arms, they try

+not to hostile the Indians of this Nation. That I, for my government,

+will keep them in subjection as I have done ever since the news of

+suspension of arms arrived, but that, if they should in any way fail in

+their agreement, they might rest assured that I shall take vengeance,

+and nothing shall deter me but their absolute subjection to our

+agreement. I shall make all necessary provision and watch with zeal, as

+I am fully persuaded that the keeping of this reciprocal agreement is

+the only foundation for tranquility and peace. Your Excellency will

+acknowledge receipt of this, and the agreement reached with Señor

+Menendez Marquez, that I may report to our King and Master.

+

+ANTONIO BENAVIDES.

+

+

+TO THE KING FROM THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA.

+

+_Sire_:

+

+I place in your Royal hands the testimony of the letter written me by

+the Commandant whom I have in charge of the Garrison and Fort of San

+Marco, forwarded to him by Lieutenant Don Diego Pena who, by order, was

+sent to visit the Province of Apalachicola, with clothing and trinkets

+to gratify the Casiques and Chiefs. Both inform me that the Province of

+the Talepuses and others partial to the English of the Carolinas, are

+restless and trying to destroy the nation of Arinaco who yield obedience

+to this government. That they are making all preparations for war, which

+from the evil designs we may soon expect. The number of the discontented

+is far in the ascendency of those who seem to be on our side, but in

+whom we can place no confidence, they being so deceitful. Then again,

+the fear they may entertain seeing that the English are mustering the

+Indians of so many nations and spreading dissatisfaction among them,

+against the Spaniards. The news given us by the Lieutenant that some of

+those we should and ought to trust have him detained in Colache from

+where he wrote this letter which, with the one from the commandant, I

+attach to these “Autos.” Of the steps taken by the Council of War, whom

+I called together to discuss this matter, I will not send you testimony

+nor in any way trouble you. I shall only make known to your Royal

+intelligence that the Council of War decided to send a vessel to Havana

+with letters to the Governor of that place, that he might aid us in

+sending provisions, arms and men--the latter to land at some point

+further down and, taking horses, make their way in by land. The enemy

+may already have the place blockaded. Should you decide that this plan

+ought not to be carried out I am willing to sacrifice my life to have

+the disturbances among these Nations cease, and that all under control

+of this Government should live in peace, without any of the prejudices

+of those who disturb them. Besides, as is written in the Holy Gospel,

+“we will ravish the enemy, punish and destroy them.” But, my Lord, the

+condition of this garrison is such that it will be impossible for us to

+hold out for any length of time. The rapidity with which they are

+gathering and preparing indicates we are to have serious and trying

+times. Ever since 1702 our forces have been falling off, and we are

+weak. In giving you this information I am stating truths and fulfill my

+duty. Act as in your judgment with the aid of God is best.

+

+ANTONIO BENAVIDES.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., August 18th, 1723.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER XVI.

+

+A. D. 1736-1739.

+

+     _In a letter to his Majesty Governor Señor Montiano says it is

+     reported that Don Diego Oglethorpe has said openly “that should he

+     receive orders from his Government to fix the boundary limits

+     between the Spanish possessions and the Carolinas he would so delay

+     the execution that there should never be a sign of these

+     limits”--Montiano thinks it would be wise for such a gentleman to

+     be removed as it can never be possible to discuss questions of

+     importance with him--In A. D. 1738 the same Governor reports the

+     result of a trip of investigation by one Juan Ygnacio de los Reyes,

+     an Indian--Under the pretext of giving himself up from having

+     killed an Indian, he gains much information concerning the English,

+     their plans against the Spanish, misleading the English as to the

+     strength, numbers and condition of Spanish fortifications, finally

+     escaping under pretext of hunting--Returns with valuable

+     information to the Spanish--Statement of what has been ordered

+     regarding the aid to Florida Provinces, the dislodging of the enemy

+     from certain settlements on its territory, since its government up

+     to 1674--Dispatch of 1675 commands that if the negro slaves sent to

+     Havana have not already been sold, they shall be sent to Florida,

+     to be put to work on the construction of the Castle to relieve the

+     Indians._

+

+

+LETTER FOR HIS MAJESTY FROM THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA, SEÑOR MONTIANO.

+

+_My Lord_:

+

+In a letter of the 28th of March of this year, you were kind enough to

+acknowledge receipt of my letter of August 14th of last year, in which I

+reported that Don Diego Oglethorpe, Commander of the English colonies,

+had said openly that although he should receive orders from his King and

+Court to fix the boundary limits between this government’s possessions

+and those of the Carolinas, he would delay the execution of it, so that

+there should never be a sign of these limits, and they must bear this

+always in mind, for whatever might present itself. With this

+intelligence it would be well to relieve these Colonies of such a man,

+because on questions of importance upon any occurrence which should need

+discussion, it would be exceedingly troublesome to manage a gentleman

+who even refuses to answer my former letters. This is all I can say on

+the subject--placing it before your Sovereign Majesty to whom God grant

+many years.

+

+MANUEL MONTIANO.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., August 11th, 1736.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+A. D. 1738.

+

+Information given by the Indian, Juan Ygnacio de los Reyes, of the

+Iquaha Nation, one of the neighbors of the town of Pocotalaca in the

+immediate vicinity of this Garrison. He says: That he left under my

+orders on the 4th of July of this year to go to the neighboring English

+colony, and ascertain by as many ways and artifices as he could, their

+intentions, the state or condition they are in, and everything. He took

+a small canoe at the Fort of Picolata and went down that river and

+sailed through the mouth of the Sarabai, going as far as the Fort of San

+Pedro, which belongs to the English, meditating upon what scheme he

+should take to gain all this information, and not go about hiding and

+endangering his life needlessly. He thought of delivering himself up, as

+he did, pretending that he had killed an Indian here, and was fleeing

+not to be hung; that he was seeking protection from them. On learning

+this he was favorably received, and could see a Fort which was square

+and stockaded with two pieces and a cannon looking seaward; in it was a

+detachment of twenty soldiers more or less, there is no neighborhood,

+and saw but four houses before coming to the Fort or Stockade; a few

+laborers planting corn; that the soldiers who are there are from a small

+vessel or Piroque of war, intended to seek the mouths of rivers; that

+from this Fort of San Pedro he was taken by two soldiers to the Bar of

+Ballenas, that is where the first place called San Andres is, there he

+saw a number of soldiers drilling with spears, and although he did not

+then know their exact number, he afterwards learned in St. Simons from

+Lieutenant-Colonel Cochran that there were three hundred; that he there

+saw a number of houses, newly built and close together as in Havana, a

+number of English women, wives of the soldiers, but he could not tell

+the number of houses in the place; that there is also a square Fort,

+with four cannon, towards the sea, and on the other side he could not

+see; that there were small guard houses around it. He could not see if

+they had artillery, because they would not allow him too near; that from

+here to the sea inland by the Bay there is a thick palisade of earth

+with a parapet and at the extreme end there is a wharf and they told him

+that there they had flints for the Spaniards, and they keep a launch

+ready and armed so that at any moment of the day or night she can be

+used. She is manned with sixteen men. They carried him to St. Simons to

+the presence of Colonel Cochran. Immediately upon his arrival there,

+they sent six soldiers with bayonets to escort him to the Colonel’s

+house. He was asked where he was going, he replied to seek protection

+and favor from them; he had killed an Indian in St. Augustine. Colonel

+Cochran extended his hand to him, but when he went to take it he only

+gave him one finger. He was asked about the Armada which was to

+encounter them; how many vessels and men it brought. He told them he had

+not seen it, but had heard there were a hundred vessels with more than

+4,000 men, and that the Governor of St. Augustine had told them to

+return, that he did not wish to hurt the English. He was asked how many

+troops were in this Garrison--he replied that there used to be four

+companies of one hundred soldiers on horse, but that recently five more

+companies of one hundred men each had arrived. They then asked if there

+was much silver in Florida. He replied: Yes, as there were so many

+soldiers, money flowed freely. Then Colonel Cochran told him all that

+would soon belong to the King of Great Britain. He was then asked about

+the Castle and Garrison. He told them the Castle had one hundred and

+sixty cannons so large he could not reach around them; the Garrison had

+twelve bulwarks with ten cannon each. To which Colonel Cochran told him:

+Well, see here; when you hear that General Oglethorpe, whom I am

+expecting with seven thousand men, has arrived, then you will see me

+place a vessel of war at the mouth of the Bar, and prevent any food from

+entering Florida. On the keys I shall place others and no one shall

+enter Havana, expressing himself in such a way as to say that the King

+of England would gain more by taking Florida than Gibraltar; that while

+that was advantageous, this would yield them a great deal more. This

+conversation was continued, asking if the Castle could be reached if

+there was water inside, to all of which he told them it was impossible.

+Speaking of the Governor, he asked for a grape arbor he had in his

+house, said to yield great quantities of grapes. He told them the

+Governor was a saintly man, and that while he knew him to be so good, he

+could not help but flee from the punishment he knew he deserved for

+killing the Indian, because the Governor was also a just man. That it

+was true he had a grape arbor producing large quantities of grapes.

+Colonel Cochran then said: Very well, within one or two years we will

+make our wine and whiskey there. He says that day and night he never

+tired asking about Florida; that now they were fortifying to afterwards

+come and take it; that in St. Simons he had three hundred troops, as

+many more in San Andres and Sabanato. He had brought these to take

+Florida, but hearing of the Spanish Armada, they had desisted and sent

+for seven thousand more men, whom Oglethorpe would bring, and upon the

+arrival of this Commander in less than two months they would gather

+506,000 Indians; that he would make his entrance by the river St. Johns

+in schooners and small vessels and disembark at a place some seven

+leagues distant from Florida, where they had two small ports. These Juan

+Ygnacio saw with his own eyes, where they have the men they were

+drilling at San Andres. That in St. Simons he saw ten squares with ten

+houses and seventy houses in six squares, the other four squares were

+not completed. That in each of the houses they lodged six soldiers. That

+he also saw a Fort with fifteen cannon, and as it was in a bad

+condition, they were making brick to rebuild it. That going out to hunt,

+he came near the house of “Frederico” distant from St. Simons three

+leagues more or less. The English would not allow him to enter there,

+but turned him back to St. Simons. That about one league from this place

+he saw a vessel called the Mamal, and there he saw them building six

+large houses in which they had fifty men, that they had large timber

+works. This he knows positively, having been there twice. That Cochran

+and another Englishman whom he thinks they call William Houston, he

+overheard say that they had offered the Indians fifty dollars for every

+Spanish scalp they killed, black or white, or Christian Indian, any one

+partial to Spain. That his escape to return was accomplished in the

+following manner: That one Thursday at ten o’clock in the morning he

+told Cochran that he was going hunting, if he found no game he would

+remain over night and fish, returning the next day; he allowed him to

+go; taking advantage of the occasion he took his canoe and sailed along

+the rivers until Friday morning, when he got on terra firma, leaving

+his canoe he walked two days in the direction of the sunset, then

+crossed over the land and at the end of ten days he was on the St. Johns

+river where he found the launch from this Garrison, which is there on

+guard. Having called and taken his shirt for a flag, they went and

+brought him over. The same day he started for this place where he

+arrived at twelve o’clock at night and gave the information as I send

+it.

+

+MANUEL MONTIANO.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., Aug. 20th, 1738.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+By a Cedula of June 20th, 1671, the Viceroy of New Spain has been

+ordered to communicate with the Governor of Florida, hoping that through

+his zeal much can be accomplished in the cause of the English,

+preventing them from getting a strong foothold so near the mouth of the

+river St. Elena, which would be prejudicial to our interests. Therefore

+the Viceroy is requested to give all the aid required. As to the

+proposed fortification to this Port for its defense, do what is

+necessary to defend the Province and communicate also with the Viceroy

+whom I have commanded to try and give all the assistance possible,

+always bearing in mind not to violate the laws of the capitulation of

+peace. The Governor of Havana being nearest to Florida was also

+commanded to communicate with the Governor of Florida and render all the

+aid and assistance possible in the dislodging of the English from the

+river St. Elena, who if remaining in said place would cause much

+trouble. The Governor of Florida must also keep him informed of the

+state of affairs. In a letter dated April, 1671, the Viceroy Marquez de

+Mancera gives an account of the aid sent to the Garrison of St.

+Augustine in accordance with Cedula received. The papers showing that

+this aid had been received and approved by the Council of War,

+accompanying this letter, which also states the order given the Governor

+of New Spain to be very careful in keeping a continual correspondence

+with the Governor of Florida, send supplies promptly, and notify the

+Viceroy of all that occurs. Act in every way for the best security of

+that Garrison, using the greatest diligence in its fortification and

+defense, being as I understand of such importance. State what steps have

+been taken in regard to the fortification that was to be built, and to

+which reference is made in this dispatch to the Governor Manuel Cendovia

+and if the supplies of the soldiers and provisions to begin the work

+have arrived.

+

+By Cedula of May 9th it was again commanded the Viceroy, calling his

+special attention to it, that he must aid and supply this Garrison that

+it may be in readiness for any emergency which may arrive. By another

+Cedula the Governor of Florida was to inform the inhabitants of that

+Fort, find out if they had their full quota for its defense, or if they

+found it necessary to increase the number on account of the new

+settlement of English sixty miles north. How long they had been there,

+and if they were sufficiently provided to dislodge the English, which

+information must be given so as to provide all and anything that is

+necessary. The Governor represented that in the past, the number of

+infantry in the Garrison was three hundred in which were included men of

+different trades, forty missionary priests without whom the number was

+not complete, adding that the total number was three hundred. When the

+news of the looting by the English arrived they immediately sent to the

+Viceroy of New Spain to send five hundred men to increase the infantry,

+appealing to Mexico for more men to complete the number, they replied

+that they had sent assistance to other Garrisons where they were

+watching and had to have supplies and artillery, so that the War

+Department had provided all it could. But to send to Havana and have the

+Governor of that Post to act as he had been commanded and send with the

+utmost speed the necessary defense for that Garrison. That the Viceroy

+had been notified to order the Royal officers of Mexico to increase the

+supplies of Florida each year by forty-three recruits, so that there

+should never be less than three hundred and ninety in quarters. A Notice

+of which was sent the Governor of Florida that he might keep them

+informed of its fulfilment. To pay special care and vigilance to the

+Province, having it well defended against accident from the enemy

+entering, they could instantly banish and punish them. The Governor of

+Florida also made known the great want of artillery, having consulted

+with the War Department that same date, the War Department ordered the

+Viceroy of New Spain and Governor of Havana each to send without delay

+two pieces of bronze artillery at the same time they had sent an order

+to the contracting house in Sevilla to send other pieces that were in

+that City on the first occasion and also the two hundred arms asked for,

+that the Garrison may not be without the means of defense and safety. To

+keep the infantry under good discipline and that the Governor place

+himself in communication with the Viceroy and the Governor of Havana to

+see that they send him four pieces of artillery. The Florida Governor

+gave an account in this letter also, of having formed a cavalry company

+and a military company enlisting in them all who were able, old men and

+boys not yet of age, his own sons among them. This he did for the

+greater safety of the place against the enemy. He was giving the utmost

+zeal and care to his duties. In a letter of 1674 the Sergeant-Major

+acting as Governor of the Province of Florida, states that a vessel had

+arrived at that Port and they had received four pieces of artillery and

+other ammunition from the contracting house in Sevilla, that with this

+and the artillery that was to come from Havana and New Spain, these

+would be sufficient for the defense of the Garrison. By a dispatch of

+1674 thanks were sent the Archbishop, Viceroy, for having sent to

+Florida all the supplies due that Garrison. It was sent that it might

+leave on the fleet passing Vera Cruz for Spain.

+

+By another dispatch the Governor, Pablo Ita Salazar, was recommended

+that he apply himself with much zeal in perfecting the fortification of

+the Royal Fort being built in that City and that it be accomplished in a

+manner for the best safety of the Province. By Cedula of 1675 the

+Sergeant-Major Don Nicolas Ponce de Leon, in reply to a letter of his,

+and attentive to an order sent the Governor of Cuba, that if the negro

+slaves sent to Havana had not already been sold, he should send

+immediately upon their arrival fifty of them to Florida, where they

+should be put to work on the Castle under construction. The Indians who

+served as peons were not strong and their people were much opposed to

+their leaving the planting of corn which is the sustenance of their

+families. And the Governor was ordered upon their arrival in Florida to

+apply them to this work and relieve the Indians and to finish the

+construction as quickly as possible.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER XVII.

+

+A. D. 1741-1743.

+

+     _Conduct of the Christians worse than the heathen--Soldiers guarded

+     while they are cutting timber to repair the Fort--The Castle in a

+     tumble-down condition--The Garrison to be maintained for the

+     propagation of the Holy Gospel, and to shelter the workers of the

+     Apostolic faith--A paper of representation to his Majesty

+     concerning the properties belonging to the Treasurer, Don Francisco

+     Menendez, deceased, left by will to the Royal Treasury--The

+     pressing need of the Infantry of this Garrison; it having no

+     capital, the property should be sold at public auction and proceeds

+     go to restore back pay of troops to alleviate suffering, hunger and

+     need for clothing, instead of being used for a hospital as per the

+     King’s desire--A letter from Governor Manuel Montiano informs his

+     Majesty of fourteen English vessels anchored off the Bar of this

+     Port--Six Spanish galleys sent to meet them at which the enemy

+     retires._

+

+

+A. D. 1741.

+

+_Sire_:

+

+By the dispatches which, on this occasion, I send you duplicates as well

+as the original, you and your Royal and Supreme Council of the Indias

+will see the condition of this Port. The continued watch and worry I

+have. The continuous watch by day and night of the Infantry to repulse

+the hostilities of these enemies. The heathen not being as bad as the

+Christians who have risen and commit the most bloody deeds upon all

+those whom they catch, carrying off Indians as well as soldiers

+prisoners to the Carolinas, where they sell them into bondage. For the

+execution of this they have a different set of soldiers stationed at the

+terminus of all the roads leading to this Garrison. I am forced to send

+out troops on foot and horse to accompany any party going out to fell

+and saw timber for the much needed repairs of the ramparts, gather wood,

+coal, etc. I began these repairs as soon as I took possession, otherwise

+the whole thing would have been demolished and left us with no defense

+whatsoever. These repairs cannot last long, for the reasons I have

+already repeatedly informed you, and lastly, the great need the Royal

+Troops have of rebuilding the ramparts, quarters, warehouses and roofs

+that they may stay in at all. To save you such enormous expense as each

+day occurs, it will be necessary to fortify the place at once, because

+with the English in such close proximity as the Carolinas, this Port is

+in the greatest danger of being lost, as the troops are defenseless and

+needy as you have been repeatedly informed, and you have given such

+stringent orders that the Viceroy should supply all that is needed for

+the expulsion of these English, and for which I have done my part far as

+possible, as you will see from the consultation I had with him on the

+10th of April of this year, an account of which I rendered your Majesty.

+Notwithstanding the risk of encountering these enemies, no occasion is

+lost of going out to find what is needed and necessary for the

+preservation and defense of the Port. Cutting and sawing timber for the

+stables and artillery, the most important things--the soliciting of

+supplies that we may not be in want as the entire Garrison and

+neighborhood depend entirely upon the Royal Warehouses for their

+sustenance, as I long ago informed you on the 24th of March. I am hourly

+awaiting my successor, to whom I shall give all needed instruction

+regarding the defense of this Port from the enemy. I have decided to

+surrender as far as possible the execution of the repairs I have

+mentioned that he may apply all that he gets to the service of the two

+Majesties; that this Garrison may be maintained for the propagation and

+extension of the Holy Gospel, as has been done by the good Catholics,

+the Kings, your predecessors of a hundred and sixty years, at such

+enormous expense with no other interest than to shelter with these arms

+the Workers of the Apostolic faith to the greater honor and glory of

+God. May He preserve your Majesty.

+

+FRANCISCO CÓRCOLES Y MARTINEZ.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., December 11th, 1741.

+

+

+REPRESENTATION.

+

+1743.

+

+The Officers of the Royal Treasury of this Garrison, at the most

+convenient time and without prejudice to the definite appeal and

+protests made in favor of the same Royal Treasury, represent to your

+Highness that in view of this Post having more than seven hundred men,

+re-enforcement over and above the troops of its Garrison. That with the

+demise of Don Francisco Menendez Marquez, Auditor who was, of these

+same Royal Coffers, your Highness has thought that the houses occupied

+by him as residence, and all the balance of his property to which he

+made the King his sole and only heir, should be dedicated to the use of

+hospitals to serve these same troops of the infantry of this Garrison

+when occasion offers, on account of the war. Before your Highness

+determines to take this step, it becomes indispensable that we should

+expose the fact to you that we cannot consent to have the abovementioned

+houses assigned to any such uses for the following reasons:

+

+First, because in his will Don Francisco Menendez Marquez himself

+declares that, not being able from the balance of his accounts to

+satisfy the Royal Treasury, he understood directly that it became

+compulsory for him to ease his conscience that he should name the King

+his sole and only heir. From this is deduced that all property known as

+that of Don Francisco Menendez is, with legitimate title, the property

+of the Royal Treasury. Not having the authority to sell these without an

+order from your Majesty, it is consistent that we who are his executors

+and lack the Royal permit to determine what disposition to make of it

+resist the intention and thought your Highness has formed of the use of

+the above mentioned houses and balance of property of the aforementioned

+gentleman. It seemed to us that in all fairness and justice they should

+be closed out at public auction and the proceeds thereof distributed

+among the Infantry of this Garrison; because this Garrison has no

+capital of its own, it follows that the legitimate creditors to the

+property are these same troops. The Royal Treasury is under obligation

+to restore to the Infantry the back pay due them, and never better than

+now, that they lack clothing and are perishing, should aid come at a

+more opportune time, and it could be done with the proceeds of this

+property, lessening the obligation of the Royal Treasury that amount.

+

+Second: Your Highness can have no conception of the increased suffering

+occasioned by the war. The curing of the wounded soldiers and sailors

+who have been in this Post for over two years, there being no capital to

+apply to the indispensable expense of medical attendance for this

+purpose, it is easy to understand that the situation is burdened by

+heavy expenses, and to make it clearer, up to the present date no

+provision has been made to cover the cost of the many works of

+fortification in this Post and on the bar of Matanzas to defend them

+against the continued attacks of our enemy, and for the multitude of

+Indians who have attached themselves to us with so much firmness and

+friendship, who forgetting us, and the word given to your Highness of

+remaining neutral in the actual war between ourselves and the English,

+and of the liberality of the King who orders them always to be treated

+with so much kindness and affection when they come.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+In a letter of September 15th of last year we explained to your Majesty

+how fourteen English vessels had anchored off the bar of this Port,

+coming prepared and perfectly sure they could disembark and take

+possession. The six galleys of your Majesty met them, and

+notwithstanding their continued firing they made them retire. We await

+and naturally expect them to return and try to carry out their

+intentions. And therefore, your Majesty’s service is as vigilant as

+possible to be on the alert to prevent it. It has been a great pleasure

+and satisfaction to us to inform your Majesty of the good results

+obtained by the efforts of your six galleys in expelling the enemy. We

+are watching closely along the coast of this Province for any other

+design they may have of entering. God preserve you.

+

+MANUEL MONTIANO.

+

+El Prado, March 30th, 1743.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER XVIII.

+

+A. D. 1770-1771.

+

+     _A letter of resolution to his Majesty in respect to a letter of

+     appeal made to the Governor and the Bishop of Havana asking for

+     patent and Holy oil to administer baptism and extreme unction to

+     the Catholic families taken from the Island of Minorca by the

+     English--These families bringing with them one Don Pedro Campos,

+     Doctor of Sacred Theology, as a Parish Priest, and Don Bartolome

+     Casanovas, of the St. Augustine order, Vicar--These same claiming

+     to have received their appointment from the Supreme Pontificate,

+     not knowing to which Bishop this jurisdiction of Florida

+     belonged--At the end of three years to appear in writing to the

+     Prelate of the Apostolic choir of that Diocese--This letter sent

+     secretly by a fisherman--In order that a thorough investigation may

+     be made, the matter is referred to his Royal Highness--Letter of

+     the Archbishop of Valencia concerning same--Letter of the Bishop of

+     Cuba to his Majesty, in which he expresses gratification over the

+     zeal his Highness has shown concerning this matter--Advises that

+     these privileges be conferred upon Dr. Pedro Campos and Pedro

+     Casanovas--Letter of the Bishop of Minorca giving information

+     concerning the exporting of these families from the Island of

+     Minorca by the English._

+

+

+LETTER OF RESOLUTION.

+

+A. D. 1770.

+

+_Sire_:

+

+By order of his Majesty I sent the Knight of the Order, Fray Don Julian

+de Arriaga, with papers of February 27th of this year, to the Governor

+of Havana, and documents which treat especially of the appeal made to

+the Bishop of that diocese, asking him for patent and Holy oil to

+administer baptism and extreme unction to the Catholic families who were

+taken from Minorca, to colonize the territory in Florida, belonging to

+the English, so that it may be recognized and consulted in the Council

+whatever may come up on this subject. The proclaimed Governor Don

+Antonio Bucareli y Ursna give an account referring to the above

+mentioned documents. He states that he received a letter addressed to

+the Bishop of that diocese by one of the passing fish boats on its way

+to the northern coast for the fisheries. That immediately upon its

+receipt, he made returns of a copy of it, and its entire sentiment,

+which he forwarded. From the appearance of its contents, the subject

+treated, in their judgment it seemed proper to lay the whole matter

+before your Majesty, including a copy of the aforementioned letter, that

+you might decide what was most agreeable to your Royal pleasure. In the

+already mentioned letter signed it seems by Don Pedro Campos, Doctor of

+Sacred Theology, dated from Mosquito on the 20th of October of 1769, the

+prelate lays before the public the fact that one year previous Mr.

+Andrew Turnbull, an Englishman, had taken from the Island of Minorca

+about 1300 persons to colonize Florida, for whom he was appointed

+Parish Priest and Don Bartolome Casanovas, of the St. Augustine order,

+Vicar of said jurisdiction. They had received their appointment from the

+Supreme Pontificate, not knowing to which Bishop this jurisdiction of

+Florida belonged, but it was their duty to appear by writing before the

+expiration of three years to the Prelate of the Apostolic chair in that

+diocese. That both of them are natives of Minorca, which Island was

+temporarily subject to the King of Great Britain and spiritually to the

+Bishop of Minorca. That he had studied philosophy and theology, received

+all the orders, been one of the governing body and Vicar. This last

+office he had held for twelve years in Minorca. Preached during several

+Lents, as had also Padre Casanovas. For all these reasons he begs that

+he be sent a patent of Parochial Priest and one of Vicar to Fray

+Casanovas. He also asks for some of the Holy Oil used in baptism and

+extreme unction. That all these be sent him by the same secret means of

+the fishermen for the spiritual aid and advancement of those Catholic

+people.

+

+Successively the same Knight of the Order sent another paper and

+testimony to the Bishop of Cuba, Don Santiago Echevarria, saying that

+the dispatch or expedient sent belonged to the Council. With the order

+of February 27th referring to the solicitude felt by that Vicar and

+Parish Priest for the families who had been transported from Minorca, so

+that they might be united to this tribunal which could proceed to

+recognize them as stated in the prepared information. In it the same

+prelate, Don Julian Arriaga, of the diocese, states that at the same

+time he had full knowledge of the letter of Dr. Campos, the Governor

+passed a bill considering it not worthy of his consideration and not

+recognizing the legitimacy of the letter of the pretendent nor his

+pontifical jurisdiction. Affirming that the testimony was of little

+value or belief. The simple say so of a letter. The class of foreigners

+who lived among heretics, diminished their estimation of the Holy Oil,

+finally that he considered it absolutely necessary to lay the whole

+matter before your Majesty. Considering each clause of the letter, he

+deemed that it should be answered by the minister, arranging all

+according to his judgment and resolution to be made known, so that

+hereafter he may know how to proceed in similar cases. The Council, in

+view of the referred report, placed it before the Judge, whose original

+answer is in the hands of your Royal Highness confirming the opinion it

+contains and placing before your Royal consideration that the judgment

+found by the Bishop of Cuba has been very prudent, that he has worked

+with wise precaution, because truly the contents of Dr. Campos’ letter

+are very delicate, and one should be cautious in being influenced by a

+weak letter entrusted to uncertain fishermen. That at all events it

+lacks the necessary antecedents required for an affair of less

+importance. That the foundation should be the legitimizing of the

+persons referred to by the Priest and the Fray Casanovas. The claims

+with which they passed to Florida in company with the families from

+Minorca and the jurisdiction they assure us to have received from the

+Supreme Pontificate. Nothing of this has been sent in document form, nor

+promised to be sent in such form, ignoring also whether the families

+from said Island taken out by the English were Catholics, and if they

+had passed into Florida as such and with the freedom of enforcing their

+religion. That Catholics, permanent residents of Florida, should ask

+spiritual aid of the Bishop of Cuba, is perfectly proper, because,

+before the occupation of the English, Mosquito was under his

+jurisdiction. Neither should sacred things be exposed to the scorn and

+ridicule of heretics, nor should it be badly administered. The secret

+manner in which Dr. Campos seeks this aid, so very queer, because if the

+families from Minorca are Catholic and were transported as such to

+Florida with the free privilege of their religion, as is seen by their

+efforts in bringing with them a Parish Priest and Vicar. The English

+would certainly not oppose them in publicly asking for and having all

+that is required by these same Catholics for administering the

+sacraments, education of the masses, and spiritual good of their souls.

+All this makes it indispensable that we should have a thorough knowledge

+and investigation of these affairs by other means before we can decide

+on this matter with any certainty. To which is added that by the article

+eleven of the Treaty of Peace adjusted on the 13th of July of the year

+1713, in which was ceded to the crown of Great Britain the Island of

+Minorca, (among other things) promised by his British Majesty was that

+the inhabitants of the said Island should enjoy in all safety and

+peacefulness all the honors and privileges of the Roman Catholic

+religion, and also that for the preservation of this religion they

+should take all measures which did not appear exposed to the Government

+of Sevilla and laws of Great Britain. Thus it seems to the Council that

+your Minister in Rome should be appointed to investigate the matter

+with the greatest solicitude, because if the Catholics of the above

+mentioned Island of Minorca, transported by the English in the year 1768

+(as we deduce from Dr. Campos’ letter), have made an appeal to the

+Apostolic Secretary in order to carry with them their own Pastor, and if

+his Holiness has named in the capacity of the Parish Priest and Vicar

+the referred to Don Pedro Campos and Don Bartolome Casanovas of the St.

+Augustine Order, and such jurisdiction assigned to them.

+

+Being informed as briefly and clearly as possible, extend an order to

+the Captain-General of the Island of Minorca and to the Bishop of that

+Diocese that they may separately inform if they know of the exportation

+of the families of Minorca by the English to populate Florida. If the

+declared families were Catholic, and if the Prelates lived and behaved

+as priests; if they passed over here with the understanding that they

+had free use of their religion, if Dr. Campos and Pedro Casanova were

+elected as Parish Priest and Vicar of them. What is the character and

+circumstances of these two subjects, and if on accepting they gave

+notice and obtained permission of that minister and that prelate. In the

+meanwhile if the steps have been taken, it is imperative that the

+Governor of Havana and the Bishop of Cuba be given to understand that

+the prudent steps taken by them was exactly and perfectly agreeable to

+your Majesty. Their determination and your agreeing with it perfectly as

+though they had anticipated your resolution on the present subject. That

+without appearing in it, the Bishop should try by all means available to

+investigate the manner of practising the Catholic religion by these

+Minorcans in Florida. The position of Dr. Campos and Fray Casanovas who

+are supposed to be Parish Priest and Vicar of the Catholic portion of

+the settlement. Let a similar order be given the Governor so as to

+advance as speedily as possible with the news, giving information of the

+results of the search that your Majesty may decide on what is most

+agreeable to your Royal Highness.

+

+Madrid, Sept. 27th, 1770.

+

+

+LETTER OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF VALENCIA.

+

+_My Dear Sir_:

+

+Having formed the corresponding petition, begging for an extension of

+the privileges granted Don Pedro Campos and Pedro Bartolome Casanovas, I

+also asked the Pope in the name of his Royal Majesty to grant these

+ministers all privileges in their spiritual management, as requested by

+his Majesty.

+

+Your Lordship notified me as seems quite proper the time to investigate

+concerning these privileges, he being one of the supervisors at the

+tribunal of the Holy Office, he immediately accomplished what was asked

+by sending to his Holiness at the instigation of Monseñor Autoville,

+Assessor of said Tribunal, who spoke favorably of helping them with his

+influence, as he did, and you will see by the enclosed letter of

+Saturday sent by Señor Zelada. He informs me that his Holiness extends

+to them the privileges for a term of twenty years and inquires of me if

+I have attended to the balance of the communications soliciting greater

+privileges for these Ecclesiastics, enclosing for my instruction the

+printed pamphlet of privileges granted the Bishop of Cuba, where he

+facilitates the authentic open mandate. Seeming to me to be agreeable

+and satisfactory to the King, I replied that he should ask these

+privileges and notify me, as he has done, and which I send you, hoping

+they will deserve your approval and the pleasure of his Majesty. I take

+this occasion of placing myself at your disposal, and may God grant you

+a long life is the wish of

+

+THE BISHOP OF VALENCIA.

+

+Trascati, August 28th, 1771.

+

+

+LETTER OF THE BISHOP OF CUBA.

+

+_Sire_:

+

+I have had the honor of receiving the Royal Cedule of your Majesty dated

+in Idelfonso 16th of August, of this year, in reply to my letter of

+February 19th. You condescend to enclose me a copy of what the Rev.

+Bishop of Minorca has written regarding the Catholic families who were

+taken from Minorca to establish themselves in the English territory of

+Florida, called Mosquito, and a literal copy of the privileges granted

+by the Apostolic See to the Parish Priest and Vicar of them.

+

+You order me that in the use of peculiar privileges and delegated in

+consequence of the subordination under which these Presbyters declare

+themselves. I should grant them the titles they ask of parochial and

+assistant in the most approved form under the present state of

+affairs--to furnish them with the Holy Oil as long as there should be no

+reason for withholding it, and take entire care of those faithful,

+governing them by means of these ministers, and taking as many

+precautions as I consider proper to the preservation of the faith,

+availing myself in case of need of the Governor and Captain-General of

+this Island. Your Majesty advises me of the official letters addressed

+by the Secretary of State to the Court of London, representing clearly

+what was said by the Bishop of Minorca, and also the result of the

+solicitation which by your order has aided the Rev. Archbishop of

+Valencia with his Holiness, in obtaining from him an extension of the

+privileges granted these Ecclesiastics extend even beyond mine--and it

+is well and needed for the spiritual good of this Catholic portion. Have

+the goodness to permit me to express the sweet commotion my soul has

+felt at seeing the proper zeal on the part of your Majesty, and the

+interest you take in extending the Kingdom of Christ over all the world.

+This example must influence the Pastors, as we have the honor of

+rendering homage to so great and Catholic a Monarch.

+

+As to the instructions of your Sovereign Majesty that I should

+communicate your resolutions to the Marquez de la Torre, the new

+Governor and Captain-General of this city and Island, I did not have to

+encourage his zeal in the affair. Full of the greatest energy in the

+service of God and your Majesty, he immediately fitted up a vessel

+which, under the pretext of fishing along the coast of Florida, should

+approach Mosquito Inlet and deliver to Dr. Pedro Campos, through safe

+hands, the two titles, for himself that of Parish Priest and Vicar for

+his companion, Pedro Casanovas--a delegation of various privileges I

+have considered advisable for the spiritual good of that Diocese under

+its dangerous constitution. A casket containing three vessels of the

+Holy Oil needed, and two assistants for the divine worship, all of which

+I offer up to the service of God.

+

+These documents I place at the foot of your throne. By them you will see

+how I have written to these Ministers inspiring them with a spirit of

+gratitude. I encourage and sustain them to carry out their good

+enterprise, exacting a report under pretext of aiding them in their

+spiritual emergencies. The moment I obtain them I shall send to your

+Majesty all the light I obtain on the subject. I shall be on the lookout

+to consult the books used by these Religious men, and aid them in all

+that is needed for the reasonable administration of the sacraments and

+health of their souls. Judging by the measures I have taken of their

+delegation they will scarcely need the extension of the first words of

+the Holy Chair. On the arrival of these, I shall take other means more

+suitable to these circumstances, and in all shall try to carry out the

+real intentions your Majesty has deemed proper to state to me and

+nothing will be more gratifying than to ascertain them through my

+fidelity to God, who I hope will preserve you for many years.

+

+Havana, December 14th, 1771.

+

+

+LETTER OF THE BISHOP OF MINORCA.

+

+_My Dear Sir_:

+

+On date of October 27th just passed and by order of your Majesty, on the

+occasion of a representation made you by common accord by the Bishop and

+Governor of Havana, I was commissioned by Don Tomas Melio, predecessor

+of your Majesty’s, to give any information I could regarding the

+exporting of the families from the Island of Minorca by the English to

+colonize Florida. If these families were Catholics and if Dr. Pedro

+Campos and Padre Bartolome Casanovas, who accompanied them, had been

+elected for that purpose, their character and circumstances and if for

+the acceptance of this commission they notified me and obtained my

+license.

+

+It seems suitable to my ministry to give a categorical reply to what has

+been asked, the impediments imposed on my jurisdiction by the Governor

+of said Island when the exportation was carried into effect, with me to

+the extent of opening my private letters, suspecting others might be

+enclosed in them for me. This deprived me of all news regarding the

+exportation, which by means of some who came from said Islands brought

+me news of my Vicar-General by word of mouth, it being impossible to

+write under the circumstances, that the families were all Catholics and

+passed over with the free use of their religion having accompanied them

+two Ecclesiastics to serve as Parochial Priests, and I am persuaded they

+were the same who gave rise to the representation. During the opposition

+of that Governor to the exercise of my authority I many times resorted

+to carry from the Island to the Court, to men who were worthy to protect

+the benignity of our Catholic religion with messages to your Ambassador

+at the Court and at my instigation they were placed at your Royal feet

+by the Marquez of Grimalde with whose powerful help and meditation we

+finally obtained a hearing of the private Council of the King of Great

+Britain which took place on last June, when a Decree was sent stating

+that no state, and I have placed myself in communication with the Vicar

+to whom I have written that without loss of time he informed me of all

+that had occurred in the exportation, how executed, the circumstances of

+the two Ecclesiastics and if they went with this permission, and all

+else conducive to a satisfactory reply. This I will fulfill immediately

+I receive a reply. In the meantime the exportation being undoubtedly

+public and notorious, also that it was occasioned by the want and

+suffering endured in that Island by many families on account of poor

+crops for several consecutive years which obliged me to grant

+dispensation from the eating of lactenacious food and meat on prohibited

+days. Most of the families who went to Florida had come to this Island

+to colonize the unhappy city of Aludia, and if I rightly understand, I

+do not doubt but that some went to Cierra Morena or other places in

+Spain, from the manner in which the Vicar-General communicated to me the

+exportation, I doubt if the Ecclesiastics went with his permission, he

+would only have allowed and tolerated it for the good of the religion

+and not to irritate the Governor more by reports which, when I first

+arrived on this Island, he gave me of all the Ecclesiastics. It results

+that Dr. Campos was a good and laborious Priest, devoted strictly to his

+ministerial duties, and had been Vicar for some years. That he was Vicar

+of a village of that Island. This is confirmed by several persons of

+Minorca who, in this unsettled state, are still here, and although some

+of the clergy do not give such good reports, those they have given of

+his conduct are not bad, but being obliged to state all that I

+understood in this city regarding the exportation, I am assured by

+several persons that bad news is being spread of the unhappiness in

+which these families live, their disgust with the country where there is

+nothing but hard labor and want, in place of the happiness and riches

+they had been promised by the English, and what is worse, that they

+themselves (without stating the reason) had assassinated the said

+Clergyman who had accompanied them. This is all I can tell you at

+present, until I have a reply for the worse from my Vicar-General of

+Minorca. In the meantime I take this occasion to congratulate your

+Majesty upon your new destiny and after my services praying God may

+grant you long life.

+

+BISHOP OF MINORCA.

+

+Palma, February 5th, 1771.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER XIX.

+

+A. D. 1771.

+

+     _The opinion of the Judge, after having examined the different

+     letters from the Bishops and those in authority connected therewith

+     and after making thorough investigation into this matter concerning

+     the granting of the patent and graces asked for by these Priests of

+     the Minorcan families of the English colony of Florida--The Bishop

+     of Cuba for the Council to Dr. Don Pedro Campos and the Rev. Father

+     Bartolome Casanovas, extends to these Priests the title of Parish

+     Priest and Vicar--Also sends a box containing three flasks of

+     Sacred Oil--Hopes soon to be able to send a more extended

+     prorogation of other powers--This grace having been solicited by

+     the King from the Court of Rome--Asks for a more extended report of

+     the number of families and condition of the congregation._

+

+

+The Judge has seen a letter of the Rev. Archbishop of Valencia, Minister

+of his Majesty, in the Court of Rome, dated Dec. 13th of the last year,

+in which replying to another of Nov. 3rd by the Secretary of State, he

+informs him of some indulgences and privileges granted by the Apostolic

+See to Dr. Pedro Campos, secular priest, and to Father Bartolome

+Casanovas of the St. Augustine Order, who accompanied the Catholic

+families of Minorca in the year 1768 selected by the English for their

+colony in Florida in America. He has also seen another letter from the

+Rev. Bishop of Minorca of the 5th of February last, who informs him that

+by Royal Cedula of November 7th of the past year, he has been asked

+regarding the manner practised in the selection of the families of

+Minorca and the circumstances of said prelates; he gives all the

+information he knows and can at present, promising that immediately upon

+receipt of news he expects and has asked for he will forward. Lastly

+that he has investigated and informed himself of the Royal order of the

+1st of the present March by which these letters have passed to the

+Council, that they may agree in the provisions they deem worthy and

+advisable. For the better understanding of all this affair it must be

+remembered that the Governor of Havana, Don Antonio Bucareli, gave an

+account on the 11th of January of the referred to year, of the arrival

+of another certificate of the virtues of one for Beatification, directed

+to the Rev. Bishop and seemingly written by Dr. Pedro Campos who calls

+himself Parish Priest of the families of Minorca who were selected by

+the English for their colony of Florida; that this letter had been put

+in the hands of the Diocesan Prelate; that one and the other had

+notified his Majesty of the difficulties surrounding the request and

+proposition of Dr. Campos, as has been demonstrated by the antecedent

+documents. It is also worthy of consideration that Dr. Campos in his

+letter at the same time that he states the selection and transmigration

+of the Minorcans to Florida participates that he had been elected Parish

+Priest of said families, and Father Casanovas, Vicar of them, which

+jurisdiction they had received from the Supreme Pontificate who ignored

+to which Bishop they were subject in that English colony; but placing

+them under obligation to appear by writing before the expiration of

+three years to the Holy See and the Diocesan Prelate that one and the

+other were natives of Minorca, subject under the temporal power to Great

+Britain and spiritually to the Bishop of Minorca, both having exercised

+for many years the position of priests in preaching the Gospel and moral

+doctrines. And for this reason they begged the Rev. Bishop of Cuba to

+send them patents of Parish Priest and Vicar for Father Casanovas, as

+also the Holy Oil for baptism and extreme unction, and two assistant

+priests, proceeding with circumspection and secrecy and taking advantage

+of the fishermen of that coast, being all the inducement required for

+the help and benefit of the spiritual good of the Catholics. The Rev.

+Bishop of Cuba, considering the grave importance of the matter,

+refrained from replying to Dr. Campos, being ignorant of the quality and

+jurisdiction of his authority, and not to expose to irreverence the

+sacred matter of the Holy Oil, sending it to a Protestant Colony, and

+not knowing the person nor authority he had for exercising the place of

+Parish Priest, especially as the letter had not come in a legitimate

+way; but by the uncertain conduct of fishermen entrusted with the secret

+of an affair which did not seem to require this means, as there was

+liberty of religion observed in the English Colony, and as the Minorcans

+reserved the right to practise the Catholic religion.

+

+The Judge, in view of all this, adopts the idea of the Rev. Bishop of

+Cuba, and approves his prudent resolution, and was of the opinion that

+this matter be illustrated by investigation, as to whether it was true

+that this authority was granted by the Apostolic See, to the Prelates

+Campos and Casanovas--and under what terms and considerations. What

+subjects they were, if they had been appointed by the Diocesan of

+Minorca, if they were of good habits, and if the Minorcans were

+Catholics. If under these terms they had come to Florida with the view

+of carrying out the necessary orders of the Prelate and Governor of

+Minorca, and the Minister of your Majesty in the Court of Rome. All of

+which was accomplished, this being the antecedent which gives motive to

+the reply of the letters which have remained so long unanswered. The

+Minister of Rome gives information that in the month of June of 1768

+were deputised as Apostolic missionaries for the English Province of

+Florida, the aforementioned Dr. Campos and Father Casanovas, this last

+as Vicar for the Minorcan families who asked of the Apostolic See, that

+different authority should be granted these Prelates for the term of

+three years, and in the meantime permission of his Holiness, according

+to terms which result by a simple copy which will accompany their

+letter. This Minister adds to have stated to his Holiness that if it

+were agreeable to His Majesty that this authority be promulgated and

+privileges granted that his only object was to please and serve the

+Catholic King.

+

+The Apostolic indulgences being examined, it results that they were

+reduced to six: administering the sacraments, asking permission of the

+Bishop, and under the same condition the authority in all hidden cases

+of granting dispensation to the poor, for contracting matrimony, to

+erect churches and chapels--all these must be exercised without pay for

+the term of three years, in the meantime with the approbation of the

+Apostolic See. The Rev. Bishop of Minorca says: that he cannot furnish

+the information asked of him until he obtains news of his Vicar-General

+of Minorca, who has not been able to execute it by writing, but he

+assures us that these Prelates and all the Minorcan families were

+Catholics and passed to Florida carrying with them two Ecclesiastics who

+might be the said Campos and Casanovas. The Judge, with reference to

+all, considers that he has discovered sufficient truth to assuage the

+just fears of the Rev. Bishop of Cuba, to the recourse to the Apostolic

+See, by the Minorcan families or of the Prelates Campos and Casanovas

+and the authority granted to these by his Holiness. The application for

+help of Dr. Campos dispels all doubt which might arise from the distance

+between Florida and the Island of Cuba. From all this result other

+useful things, since all this authority granted Dr. Campos and Father

+Casanovas is left at the disposal of the Bishop of Cuba and as this

+Prelate and to all those of America so many pontifical authorities are

+granted, he can very well make use of it for the spiritual government of

+the little flock of Catholics residing in the English Colony and examine

+the privileges granted to these Presbyters, adopting them according to

+the nature and delegate of the authority of their Pastoral Office. It is

+true that the secrecy asked by Dr. Campos caused some misgivings, but in

+view of what it expounded by the Rev. Bishop of Minorca the mystery is

+solved, as perhaps it has happened in Florida as in Minorca and Minorca

+in regard to the disturbances of the Catholic religion, the English

+having been wanting in their promises drawn up in their agreement. So

+that, as the Vicar-General of Minorca had no expedient in his

+jurisdiction, the same may have happened to Dr. Campos and Father

+Casanovas who, in consequence of the determination of the Court of

+London, cannot proceed in all concerning the education and spiritual

+care of the Catholics.

+

+Under these considerations the Judge feels that the Rev. Bishop of Cuba

+should send him a copy of all that he wishes, sharing with him the care

+of the faithful of Florida, governing them by means of the

+aforementioned ministers and taking as much forethought as his zeal

+dictates and he considers convenient to a good government and conversion

+of that Catholic portion, availing themselves of the necessary form of

+Governor of Havana and Captain-General of that Island of Cuba, not only

+for having been the means of which Dr. Campos availed himself, but also

+that he may communicate with the Governor and Chief of Florida, and that

+the Rev. Bishop of Minorca send him notice of his letter and beg him to

+take charge and investigate such reports as may come up, informing

+himself through the Vicar-General of Minorca and also of those Catholic

+subjects who from said Island have passed to the city of Alzuvia as we

+are assured in his letter. That the Commandant of Minorca be stimulated

+anew to obtain the information demanded of him. And that he send

+documents to the Marquez of Gremaldin to the effect that he send notice

+to the Council of the church service, which by the Secretary in charge

+has been made in the Courts of London at the instance of the clergy and

+Bishop of Minorca, and of the resolution taken by the Council, provided

+by the King of Great Britain. These documents being necessary, to send a

+copy to the Governor and Bishop of Cuba that they may proceed securely

+and provide such resources as are needed, for all of which they can free

+themselves with necessary speed. Notwithstanding the Council will

+remember what is most agreeable.

+

+Madrid, April 16th, 1771.

+

+

+FOR THE COUNCIL.

+

+A. D. 1771.

+

+_My Dear Sir_:

+

+I have not forgotten your Excellency’s letter of Oct. 20th of 1768, in

+which you state to me your merits and occupation as also that of Father

+Bartolome Casanovas of the St. Augustine Order, and you expound to me

+the motives which induce you to apply to me for your title of Parish

+Priest of the Catholic families of Minorcans established in Mosquito,

+English territory of Florida, and that of Vicar for the other Priest.

+Also asking for the Sacred Oils with which to administer baptism and

+extreme unction, and for two assistant Priests of the Divine office. In

+order that I might reply to your claims I considered it advisable to

+submit it to the higher authority and intelligence of the King, my Lord,

+and that I might be enlightened by his Sovereign order regarding all

+requirements for so delicate and serious a subject. I have received all

+the light on the subject I wished through a Royal Cedula of Aug. 16th of

+the present year, composed of documents which legitimatize the

+character of your executive and that of your companion. The power and

+authority invested in you by the Holy See and the professed Catholicism

+of the Minorcan families to whom you both administer. Also the various

+instructions all relative to my government in that Catholic Colony whose

+obedience and prompt attention to the kind intentions of the King our

+Sovereign, I extend to you (by means of a safe and trusty guide) the

+title of Parish Priest and Vicar. A copy containing the only and

+extraordinary powers of the Apostolic Chair, which I hold and which I

+convey to your Excellency and by your death, sickness or other

+legitimate impediment, to your companion. That the time with the

+requirements expressed therein, two assistant priests of the Divine

+office and a box with three flasks of sacred oil, distinguished as the

+Chrisma, Catecuma, and for the sick. I hope soon to send you a more

+extended prorogation of other powers, that you may make good use of them

+to the benefit of that small flock, and in case of you and your

+companion’s death, the Priest I should nominate. This is a grace that

+the Catholic and clement heart of the King has solicited from the Court

+of Rome, through the means of his Minister. It is also reserved that I

+shall be promptly advised of the results of the Offices made in the

+court of London, by order or representation of the Illustrious Bishop of

+Minorca, and the resolutions taken by the private council of the King of

+Great Britain in the month of June of the past year, with the only

+desire that their people do not become discouraged in the Holy Religion

+they profess, and that they owe such great blessings to the best of

+Monarchs whose large soul guides all his thoughts and intentions to the

+sustenance and propagation of the true Roman Faith, making it noticed

+and perceived by the whole world his pious and eminent care for humanity

+and his heroic and glorious zeal. Your Excellency will make it

+understood by those chosen few, the gratitude and acknowledgment these

+sublime demonstrations bind them to fulfill. Apply yourself to guide

+them and make them patient with all love and charity. Apply yourself to

+all this and count on my assistance in all that is needed to secure this

+important work. That I may better form an idea of your wants and desires

+to relieve them with the spiritual aid that your condition requires, it

+would be well you should send me immediately an individual report of the

+constitution, material and formula of your church and a list of the

+families who compose your congregation. State all excesses, and anything

+you deem worthy of my consideration and within my Province. These last

+will always have for their object the salvation of the souls confided to

+the good conscience and care of your Excellency and your companion,

+whose good conduct I flatter myself leaves nothing to desire, being

+perfect and complete in the discharge of his respective ministerial

+duties to the honor and glory of God. These are of such interest that we

+are obliged to sacrifice our best efforts, the repose and even loss of

+our own lives. I remain with best wishes and always ready to conciliate

+your wishes. May God guide you for many happy years.

+

+I kiss your hand and am your affectionate and sincere Chaplain,

+

+THE BISHOP OF CUBA.

+

+Señor Dr. Don Pedro Campos (absent).

+

+Rev. Father Bartolome Casanovas.

+

+It agrees with the original letter and its contents, which remain in the

+Secretary under my charge and which I remit by order of the Bishop, my

+Lord. I took this out in Havana on the 3rd day of December, 1771.

+

+DR. JOSE DE LA BANDERA, Secretary.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER XX.

+

+A. D. 1773.

+

+     _Proceedings of the Council upon information obtained from his

+     Majesty’s Minister at the Court of Rome concerning the appeal made

+     by the Parish Priest and Vicar of the Catholic families established

+     in the English territory of Florida--The matter contained in the

+     different Bishops’ letters, also the letters of the Priest and

+     Vicar asking for patent and further privileges rehearsed--A report

+     of the condition of the said Minorcan families who are dissatisfied

+     with the lack of spiritual comforts--Have built a brick church and

+     are very devout--Of their desire to throw off the yoke of Great

+     Britain and their love for Spain--Reply of the Judge--Testimony

+     sent by the Bishop of Cuba._

+

+

+COUNCIL.

+

+Report relative to information obtained from His Majesty’s minister at

+the Court of Rome in reply to the order expedited as a result of the

+appeal made by the Parish Priest and Vicar of the Catholic families

+established in the English territory of Florida, to the Bishop of Cuba,

+asking for the Holy Oil.

+

+

+PROCEEDINGS.

+

+First--In Council on September 27th of last year, it was called to your

+Royal attention in Council, what had been represented by the Governor of

+Havana and Rev. Bishop of Cuba, concerning the appeal made to the

+Bishop of Cuba by Dr. Pedro Campos and Padre Bartolome Casanovas, the

+first Parish Priest, the second Vicar of the Catholic families who were

+taken from Minorca to colonize the territory of Florida, belonging to

+the English, asking for the Holy Oil, with which to administer baptism.

+It seemed that your Majesty’s Minister in the Court of Rome was the most

+worthy person to solicit and obtain with promptness the information as

+to whether the Catholics taken from the Island of Minorca by the English

+in the year 1768, had made an appeal to the Holy See that they might

+carry with them their own Pastors, and if his Holiness had named in the

+capacity of Parish or Parochial Priest and Vicar of the referred to

+people, the Presbyters Dr. Campos and Padre Bartolome Casanovas, and

+what jurisdiction had been conceded to them, giving all information with

+the greatest clearness; also, that the correspondence and letter be

+expedited to the Captain-General of the Island of Minorca and the Bishop

+of that Diocese that they should inform separately all details they knew

+of the extraction of the families of Minorca made by the English to

+colonize Florida, if said families were Catholics and lived and behaved

+as such. If they went over with the privilege of the free use of their

+religion, and if Dr. Campos and Padre Casanovas were elected Parish

+Priest and Vicar of them. What was the character of these two Subjects,

+and if for the acceptance of this charge they gave notice and obtained

+permission from that Minister. In the meantime, while such steps are

+being taken, that they should acknowledge to the Governor of Havana and

+Bishop of Cuba, the receipt of their letters stating it to have been to

+the Royal approval of your Majesty the determination they had agreed

+upon--notifying each that your Majesty would take some action in the

+matter, but that the Bishop should try to inform himself of the manner

+of practising the Catholic religion by these Minorcans in Florida, and

+the manner of assistance by the Parish Priest and Vicar of the Catholic

+Town and that the same be forwarded to the Governor, so that one and the

+other advance the information resulting therefrom. And your Majesty

+having agreed in this opinion should order the corresponding Royal

+Cedulas and letters agreed upon with date of October 27th and November

+7th of last year.

+

+

+FINAL CONDITION.

+

+In this condition the Council received a letter from the Rev. Bishop of

+Minorca of February 5th of this year, stating that he could not take the

+required steps for obtaining information asked, as he awaited news of

+his Vicar-General of Minorca, who had sent him some messages by word of

+mouth, not being able to do so by writing on account of the interference

+of the Governor of that Island. Notwithstanding the difficulties the

+Vicar had communicated to him the fact that all the families were

+Catholics who went to Florida with the free use of their religion,

+carrying with them, to serve as Parish Priest and Vicar, two

+Ecclesiastics, one secular and one monastic (belonging to an order), and

+they might be the ones mentioned. This Prelate adding that the first was

+a good and laborious Priest, applying himself strictly to his

+Ministerial duties, and had been Vicar for many years on that Island.

+That of the other he did not have such good reports, although those he

+had were not so bad. That it was reported the English had assassinated

+this Priest without stating a reason for doing so. That last June, on

+account of the troubles between this Court and the Court of London, a

+decree was obtained from the private Council of the King of Great

+Britain that in Minorca there should be no further interference with the

+Ecclesiastics; that now a more quiet state exists and things are

+restored to their normal state, therefore the Rev. Bishop awaited news

+of the matter from his Vicar, having asked for it last October 27th.

+

+Prior to this Fray Julian Ariaga had sent a document, dated March 1st of

+the present year, written upon the resolution of your Majesty, expressed

+in a letter notifying your Minister at the Court of Rome, who having

+verified and accomplished the same the accompanying note, showing the

+powers and privileges invested in Dr. Campos and Padre Casanovas. These

+documents are sent by order of his Majesty to the Council, that upon

+seeing them they may agree upon the provisions most expedient. In this

+letter the Minister of your Majesty in Rome states that in the month of

+June of 1768 they were empowered as Apostolic Missionaries for the

+English Province of Florida. The Minorcan families had petitioned the

+Holy See to invest these Prelates with certain powers, which was done,

+granting them these powers for a term of three years, in the meantime a

+Permit of His Holiness accompanied it set forth in these terms, as shown

+by the copy--if it should be agreeable to your Majesty that they make

+use of these powers and privileges--that he was only too glad and

+willing to serve and please so good and Catholic a King.

+

+From the above mentioned letter of indulgences, it appears that they are

+six, reduced to the administering of the Parochial Sacraments, obtaining

+first permission from the Bishop or his Vicar. These places are near,

+not further than two days’ journey of ten leagues each day by land from

+the Province of Florida, and under the same conditions these Priests are

+invested with the power of absolving abroad all such hidden cases,

+although it be reserved for the Holy See to give dispensation to the

+poor, where they wish to contract matrimony within certain degrees of

+kinship. Some of these privileges of dispensation are granted to some

+Priests approved by their Bishop. They could construct churches and

+chapels in the Colony under the same restrictions of getting a permit

+from the Diocesan Bishop, if not absent and at too great a distance.

+These privileges were to be exercised in a gracious manner for only

+three years, in the meantime under permit of the Holy See. The Council

+of March 4th of this year, having agreed that this expedient be

+transferred to the Judge with the former proceedings. In his reply of

+August 16th is the following. With regard to all that is stated he says:

+that he discovers ample reasons to quiet the mind and anxieties

+indicated by the Bishop of Cuba, as it is evident the Minorcan families

+obtain direct permission from the Holy See granting these powers to Dr.

+Campos and Padre Casanovas--leaving them, however, subordinates to the

+Diocesan Bishop while he was not at too great a distance. That the

+proceedings of Dr. Campos remove all doubt which might arise of the

+distance of the Bishop, as this Presbyter recognizes him as his own and

+proper Pastor. From this the Judge decides that the Bishop of Cuba can

+grant, without any further fear, the requests of Dr. Campos; that he

+should contribute to it, not alone for the consolation it would bring

+those Catholic families, but also to confirm and establish his

+jurisdiction, and have it under his control in all things concerning the

+Faith. Under these terms occur many others which are useful, as the

+privileges are granted these Ecclesiastics, but places them legally

+under control of the Bishop of Cuba. And as to this Prelate, as well as

+to all those in America, such ample privileges are granted, he might

+well avail himself of them for the spiritual government of the flock of

+Catholics residing in the English Colony. He could examine the

+privileges conceded and interpret them as the new ones of his Pastoral

+Office. It is true that the caution and secrecy used by Dr. Campos

+caused some anxiety and suspicion, but in view of what the Rev. Bishop

+of Minorca says, the mystery is discovered, supposing that the same

+circumstances had arisen in Florida as in Minorca, and there had been

+religious disturbances, or that the English had failed to comply with

+the treaties of the capitulation. That as the Vicar-General of Minorca

+was prevented from carrying on his correspondence with the Diocese of

+Minorca, the same might have occurred with Dr. Campos, owing to the

+proceedings at the Court of London he could have no intercourse with any

+other Diocese. That aside from these considerations, which are to be

+regretted, the Judge considers it well for the Bishop of Cuba to retain

+a copy with all the particulars given by the Bishop of Minorca,

+referring to the good standing of the Catholics who emigrated to the

+English Colony, and that the high standing of Dr. Campos and Padre

+Casanovas and send a literal copy of the privileges granted to them by

+the Apostolic See, omitting the expression used in the summary of the

+“Bula de la Cena.” But that the Bishop make use of all the privileges

+granted him, and expedite the titles of Parochial Pastor and Vicar which

+have been asked of him in such terms as are best suited for the present,

+and send them the Holy Oils, if nothing new should arise to prevent it.

+So care for the faithful of Florida and govern them by means of these

+same Ministers--using all the zeal and care he considers good for

+them--making use of the Governor of Havana and the Captain-General if

+necessary. Not only that he was the means used by Dr. Campos for

+obtaining these concessions, but that documents may be passed between

+himself and the Governor of Florida, he should have the Bishop of

+Minorca to acknowledge receipt of his letter, and beg him to verify the

+reports and information given by the Vicar-General of Minorca of those

+Catholic subjects who passed from the City of Alusia (Alcubea) as he

+assures us in his letter. That the commandant of Minorca make it

+obligatory that he give this information asked, and that an official

+report be made of it and sent to the Marquis of Grimaldi that he in turn

+may report it to the Council as his individual report of what the

+secretary under his charge has done in the Court of London at the

+representation of the Clergy and Bishop of Minorca and the resolution

+taken by the private Council of the King of Great Britain in the month

+of June of the past year, as affirmed by the same Bishop. These

+documents are necessary according as what may be produced or forwarded

+by the Governor or Bishop of Cuba, so as to proceed with security and

+remit to the Ministers of Florida the necessary resources and forward

+categorical documents if found necessary. By means of these dispatches

+and letters all things may be facilitated.

+

+

+NOTE.

+

+This expedient being ready for the Councils, two letters have been

+received, one from the proclaimed Bishop of Minorca and the other from

+the Commandant of that Island, Marques de Alos, both dated April 22nd of

+the present year. The first states that in consequence of what he spoke

+of in his preceding letter of February 5th, that an account of the

+troubles on the Island of Minorca in trying to open war with this Court,

+His Vicar-General who resides there did not dare to answer His letter of

+December 14th past, regarding the various families who had passed into

+Florida. That only by a note, without his signature, did he intimate

+that this Priest had the title of Prelate and the power to confess and

+preach. That he was a person of merit, capacity and virtue. That the

+Monk who accompanied him had the license and power to preach and hear

+confessions; that immediately after the publication of peace he heard

+from the same Vicar, who after writing of several affairs corresponding

+to his ministerial duties, He states that from his Parish alone on

+account of the great suffering from failures of crops, there had gone to

+Florida with others from that Island and Spain, more than three hundred

+families. They were urged by insinuations from the Government who

+offered them homes, with land to cultivate and hold and the free use of

+their Catholic religion, adding these remarks regarding the proclaimed

+Priests: Dr. Campos, who had served as Vicar and Parish Priest in the

+Parish of Mercadal, had asked him for letters and testimonials to pass

+over to Florida, which he granted and in them stated the good character

+He bore and exemplary life He had led and good work he had done for the

+Church, having served many years as Vicar and being well versed in

+literature. The St. Augustine Monk who accompanied Him was Padre

+Bartolome Casanovas; he found nothing wrong in His conduct; He had

+preached in the Parish of Alazor and was consequently the Confessor of

+men; he did not remember more. He concludes his letter stating that this

+is about all He can say on the subject. The Commandant, Marques de Alos,

+in His letter stated that He had not been able sooner to make the

+necessary inquiries and comply with the order on account of the

+differences between this Court and that of London, but that things

+having quieted he has been able to ascertain that the transmigration of

+these families was made by the offer of lands to cultivate and retain

+with the free use of their Catholic Religion as practised by the

+Minorcans of that Island, according to the treaty between both Courts.

+That Dr. Campos was assistant Parish Priest of Mercadal--a Priest of

+exemplary life and habits, taking with Him his credentials from the

+Vicar of the Diocese in Mahon. It was supposed that the Augustine Monk

+went also with permission of his Superior, but of that nothing certain

+was obtained, as that portion of the Island of Minorca was under the

+dominion of Great Britain, and only the Ecclesiastics recognized the

+superiority of the Bishop of that Diocese--this was all he could certify

+in obedience to the command received. Later a letter came from the

+Bishop of Cuba, dated February 19th; on the same subject in response to

+the order sent by Royal Cedula of November 7th, he says: That having

+devoted himself to find out, with every precaution, he was able to

+obtain the following information from one of the fishermen who has been

+in the Catholic Minorcan settlement. That these families are established

+in their homes, the house of Dr. Campos and Padre Casanovas being the

+principal one of the place. They have a church built of brick, quite

+commodious and decent; that having obtained last year large and abundant

+crops of corn and indigo, they loaded two vessels with indigo, but that

+they are dissatisfied on account of the number of deaths occurring among

+them and also the lack of spiritual comforts from this same Priest, who

+had asked for the Holy Oil of the Bishop of Cuba. That most of the

+Minorcan Colonists are very devout; He saw them daily praying the Rosary

+and receiving communion, but all wish to throw off the yoke of Great

+Britain and pass again to the dominion of your Majesty--demonstrating

+with strong and lively expressions their love and conservatism for the

+Crown of Spain. This I believe, from all He tells me, He saw during His

+stay among them. The Bishop concludes by stating: It is all he can tell

+us regarding this affair, but he has taken steps for further information

+which he will forward to your Majesty when obtained. All of which I make

+known to the Council that it may proceed as most convenient.

+

+Number 87--3--27--      Year 1773.

+

+

+REPLY OF THE JUDGE.

+

+The Judge being cognizant of your Majesty’s Royal Decree regarding the

+consultation held by the Government on December 10th, 1772, at which

+time said Tribunal recalling the proceedings and last state of the

+expedient of the Minorcan families who passed over to Florida, with the

+free use of their Catholic religion, he brings to the consideration of

+your Majesty, among other things, that they implore of the Apostolic See

+the grace and power for the actual missionaries of the Commission or

+Bull from the Vatican, that they may administer the Sacrament of

+confirmation to these faithful ones, while the Bishop of Cuba does not

+dare concede these powers to them, on account of the natives and his

+peculiar Episcopal dignity. That your Royal person deign to confer with

+the Council in the following terms. As the Judge has decided, it seems

+proper that my Minister in Rome should supplicate the Vatican for a

+Bull, granting power to these missionaries, and have it sent by the

+reserved way for their direction. In obedience to this sovereign

+resolution, and to accomplish it in the spirit intended, the Judge has

+had present the origin of this affair and the motive which actuated the

+sentiment of the Council to the referred consultation of December 10th,

+and with reference to one and the other He has found the minutes which

+are rubricated by His hand, and accompany this reply. The proclaimed

+minutes comprehend a general idea of the manner and style in which the

+Minister of this Court in Rome should present the supplication and urge

+the granting thereof in the order and regularity with which these

+affairs are conducted in the Offices and Tribunals of Rome. The Judge

+has not seen proper to state the form of these Bulls, leaving that to

+the arbitration of your Majesty’s Minister, that time may not be lost

+when the opportunity presents itself. The Judge feels that if the

+Council finds nothing to correct in the minutes they should be sent by

+the “via reservada” as arranged by the Royal Decree already mentioned,

+that your Majesty may give it the direction which corresponds and is of

+your Royal pleasure.

+

+Madrid, Aug. 21st, 1773.

+

+

+TESTIMONY SENT BY THE BISHOP OF CUBA.

+

+_Sire_:

+

+With regard to the Royal Cedula of the present January 3rd in which your

+Royal Highness advises me to assist, care for, and aid the Catholic

+Minorcan families established in the English Territory of Florida, in

+accord with the Governor of the Post, I have given the interlocutory

+decree comprehended in the testimony which I remit to your Majesty for

+your sovereign approval.

+

+May God preserve your Majesty for many years.

+

+SANTIAGO JOSE, Bishop of Cuba.

+

+Havana, June 30th, 1773.

+

+

+

+

+CHAPTER XXI.

+

+A. D. 1773-1786.

+

+     _Letter from the King to the Bishop of Cuba concerning the petition

+     soliciting an extension of time and the privileges conceded to Dr.

+     Pedro Campos and Padre Bartolome Casanovas, Parochial Priest and

+     Vicar of Catholic families of Minorca in Florida--Enclosing an open

+     mandate of his Holiness enlarging and extending the time for twenty

+     years, Madrid, 1773--A copy of a letter and statement sent in by

+     Lieutenant of Hibernians, Don Nicholas Grenier, in regard to the

+     importance of the St. Johns and St. Marys river Provinces, stating

+     the need to his Majesty of vessels armed to impress and control

+     these Provinces which are rich in timber, turpentine, pitch and

+     tar--Considers it detrimental to Spanish interests for Americans to

+     introduce any commerce in those Provinces--Letter for the

+     Captain-General of Florida to the Governor of the post of St.

+     Augustine concerning the great necessity of further protecting the

+     Spanish interests along the St. Marys and St. Johns

+     rivers--Tranquility of the country jeopardized by outlaws--Some

+     have been arrested and paid the penalty with their lives--Matter

+     referred to the Governor, 1774._

+

+

+THE KING TO THE REV. FATHER IN CHRIST, BISHOP OF THE HOLY CHURCH,

+CATHEDRAL OF SANTIAGO DE CUBA.

+

+In a letter of August 29th, 1771, I am informed by Don Lamas Acpuro,

+Archbishop, who was of Valencia and my Minister to the Court of Rome,

+that in virtue of a warning from the Marquez of Grimalde in a letter of

+July 23rd, he had formed the corresponding petition soliciting an

+extension of time of the privileges conceded to Dr. Pedro Campos and

+Padre Bartolome Casanovas, Parochial Priest and Vicar of the Catholic

+families of Minorca, who went to establish themselves in the English

+territory of Florida, asking also that his Holiness accord to these

+Ecclesiastics and their successors the other graces and privileges

+needed to administer to the spiritual nourishment of their flocks--and

+having deemed it desirable to transmit them through Monseñor Zelada of

+whom they had also availed themselves to investigate the truth of these

+privileges, being one of the Prelates who served in the Tribunal of the

+Holy Office. He immediately complied with the petition in consequence of

+having sent it to his Holiness at the instigation of Monseñor Antonelli,

+assistant of the same Tribunal, who spoke to his Holiness in audience,

+using his favorable influence with the result shown in his letter to

+Monseñor Zelada of August 24th, informing him that his Holiness extended

+these privileges to twenty years--asking if he had complied with the

+balance of the communication for greater privileges and followed the

+instructions mentioned in the open mandate. He replied asking if he

+would pass on to solicit in the practical way which was proper, and

+hoping it would deserve my approbation. Having seen the referred to

+document with my Council of the Indias, represented by Marquis de la

+Torre, Governor and Captain-General of that Island, by letter dated

+December 4th, 1771, concerning what you had done in consequence of the

+warning given you in the affair of the aforementioned families,

+explained by my Judge, and consulted me regarding it about the last of

+December past. I have resolved (among other things) to send the

+aforementioned open Mandate which has been obtained from his Holiness to

+certify to you the enlargement and extension of time granted the

+aforesaid Dr. Campos and Padre Casanovas and charging you (as I do) to

+use all means that are proper for your Pastoral Ministry and those of

+his Holiness, it has latterly been conceded you--having present by

+Chapter 28 of the Mandate, you can communicate it to all the Priests

+whom it may effect, and as the notice given you by the referred to Royal

+Cedula of August 16th, 1771, you will attend to and aid spiritually all

+the Catholics of Florida, this being my will.

+

+THE KING.

+

+Madrid, August 4th, 1773.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+_Excellent Sire_:

+

+I enclose you a copy of a letter and statement which by my order was

+sent in by Lieutenant of Hibernians Don Nicholas Grenier, upon his

+return from the River St. Mary’s where since my arrival I have placed

+him rather as a Commissioned than a detached Officer, as I have before

+notified your Majesty, because it has seemed to me that is the most

+important place in this Province as no doubt it will be in the future,

+on account of its fine and accessible Bar, the abundance of magnificent

+timber, the thorough knowledge the English have of the river, the

+scarcity of this nation for building material would be a stimulus to the

+Bahamas as well as to Satavento and Barlovento, that in future they

+should be supplied from them. In a previous report I stated to your

+Majesty the necessity I felt for two vessels for said river and the St.

+John’s, but today I consider it my duty to make known to your Majesty

+the great need we have of vessels, and would ask that you send a

+Man-of-war with some schooners, launches and boats around as reserve

+guards, not only for the St. Mary’s, but the St. John’s also, where the

+Bar, although not as many feet deep as the St. Mary’s, is better and its

+waters are navigable for larger vessels thirty leagues up the river, and

+its banks abound in magnificent timber, especially the pine, from which

+the English have taken many millions of barrels of turpentine, pitch and

+tar. I also consider it important to have the armed vessels to secure

+the tranquility of this Country and put a restraint upon the many

+disturbers of peace who not knowing where to go and wishing to remain in

+the Province refused to be subjected to Government or laws of any kind.

+It is certain that in such cases a few armed vessels would make more

+impression than two regiments since the swamps and woods make it almost

+impossible for them to operate. The twenty-five Dragoons I now have are

+not sufficient to maintain my orders with the proper authority,

+therefore I fear to issue orders not to compromise the dignity of this

+Government. My only resource and hope is that your Majesty will place me

+in a position where, when occasion demands, I can act with the proper

+spirit and decorum. God preserve you for many years.

+

+St. Augustine, November 12th, 1784.

+

+

+COPY OF LETTER OF COMMANDANT OF DETACHED BODY OF TROOPS ON THE ST.

+MARY’S RIVER TO THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA.

+

+_My Dear Sir_:

+

+Acting upon the order imposed upon me by His Majesty, when I presented

+myself for resignation of the commission under my charge on the river

+St. Mary’s. I enclose adjusted a report stating as far as my ability

+allows all that I have observed and consider worthy of your notice. God

+preserve you many years.

+

+NICOLAS GRENIER.

+

+

+STATEMENT.

+

+The Bar of St. Mary’s, so called, although its true name is Bar of

+Amelia, is considered one of the best and least dangerous of the America

+Septentrional. Vessels of 500 tons can enter. On either side are

+Islands. The one on the right is called Cumberland, belonging to the

+Americans; it is sparsely inhabited, exceedingly fertile in timber, as

+American vessels come to cut it. The one on the left is called Amelia,

+its land is considered very fertile, producing pine, cedar and oak in

+abundance. Its inhabitants number some twenty families; these people

+belong as much to one Island as the other, being variable and erratic in

+their habits. The distance between Amelia and Cumberland, which forms

+the channel where all vessels going up the St. Mary’s are obliged to

+pass, is more or less--miles. For this reason a Fort or Castle at the

+northern extremity of Amelia would be of the greatest advantage. The

+channel formed by these Islands is at the mouth of the river. In front

+of these Islands is a third one called Tiger, entirely depopulated, as

+it is sterile, full of swamps and lakes so that no advantage can be

+derived from it. From the anchoring grounds of Amelia to the entrance of

+St. Mary’s river is a distance of one and a half miles and the River is

+navigable for forty miles. At the mouth of said River there is a place

+called by the English New Town or Princetown which was selected for

+building a City, but the work was never carried out. The number of

+outlaws between the towns of St. John’s and St. Mary’s is about sixty

+families. Among them some might be useful to our Nation, but the others

+the sooner we drive them out of the Province the better, as they are men

+who have neither God nor law, and men who are capable of the greatest

+atrocities. There is another River further in where vessels can navigate

+for several miles, but it requires an experienced pilot, on account of

+the numerous sand banks and small streams and the most experienced are

+frequently deceived. There are four or five other small Islands. The

+Talbot, St. George, Doctor and the Pierce, all these Islands, although

+in themselves small, are of much value for their beautiful pines, cedars

+and oaks. I consider it detrimental to our interests that the Americans

+introduce any commerce in this Province, and at the same time I believe

+the best way to prevent it would be to establish a fleet. These Islands

+produce timber to build the vessels.

+

+NICOLAS GRENIER.

+

+St. Augustine, Fla., Nov. 10th, 1784.

+

+

+1786.

+

+LETTER FOR THE CAPTAIN-GENERAL OF FLORIDA TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE POST OF

+ST. AUGUSTINE.

+

+Don Vicente Manuel de Cespedes gave an account in three letters directed

+to your Excellency that Don Nicolas Grenier, who commanded the detached

+company on the River St. Mary’s, stated the urgency and necessity of

+protecting that post for the advantages which would accrue from it to

+the Royal service, and tranquility of the Country. The inhabitants have

+openly declared against us, but conceal themselves in wilderness on the

+banks of the St. John’s as far as St. Mary’s controlling that Province.

+He warned the English Governor Don Patrick Louin to prosecute the

+perfidity of such men, if he would secure a peaceful Government. The

+opinion he had formed of them was afterwards confirmed by the frequent

+thefts and deprivation, it could not be remedied for the want of aid.

+Under such circumstances I judge it better to wait and allow them to

+leave and then vigorously oppose their re-entering the Province. At

+present, the beginning of the year 1785, we find ourselves free from

+many of the principal leaders of them, who went over to Pensacola and

+other English settlements and to the United States, where some have paid

+the penalty of their misdeeds with their lives. The Señor Louin seemed

+to think the time had arrived when they should be prosecuted, and so he

+sent to arrest one of the outlaws, Daniel Mc----, in the name of Great

+Britain. Candido Salteador and Guillermo Cunningham are even worse than

+the others, being constant receivers of stolen goods. He afterwards gave

+them their liberty under bond that they should leave the Province with

+the tide, using the launch San Pedro to convey them, he made them take

+oath never to re-enter the Province nor surrounding country. We are to

+consult with Providence as to what steps must be taken with Cunningham’s

+wife and children. The reports having been examined by the Council of

+Indians, they have decided to take no steps at present, the King

+agreeing to the proposition, and his Majesty commands me to return your

+Excellency the above referred reports and testimonials, that as

+Captain-General of the Province of St. Augustine, is to proceed in the

+case, as your Excellency, under the circumstances, should determine in

+things of weight as well as in minor affairs, as behooves a Governor of

+Florida. Render a just account of the results, and of the Royal Order. I

+warn your Excellency that you fulfill it.

+

+God preserve you for many years.

+

+SEÑOR.

+

+Madrid, December 5th, 1786.

+

+       *       *       *       *       *

+

+

+ Typographical errors corrected by the etext transcriber:

+

+ Jaun=> Juan {multiple times}

+

+ Jaun Cebadillo=> Juan Cebadilla

+

+ Juan Cebadillo=> Juan Cebadilla

+

+ take Jaques de Soria=> take Jacques de Soria {pg 7}

+

+ Fernando Mirando=> Fernando Miranda {pg 27}

+

+ Notary Public Juan Ximanes=> Notary Public Juan Ximenes {pg viii}

+

+ Fray Blas DeMontes=> Fray Blas De Montes {pg viii}

+

+ day of the Anethema=> day of the Anathema {pg 93}

+

+ Don Diego de Rolallado=> Don Diego de Rebolledo {pg 98}

+

+ Diego Robelledo=> Diego Rebolledo {pg x, 96, 105}

+

+ retard the convertion=> retard the conversion {pg x}

+

+ Alonzo Aranqui y Cartez=> Alonzo Aranqui y Cortez {pg x}

+

+ Report of Fernando Mirando, agent to the King=> Report of Fernando

+ Miranda, agent to the King {pg vii}

+

+ Notary Public Juan Ximanes=> Notary Public Juan Ximenes {pg viii}

+

+ Juan Ximanes, a Notary Public and secretary=> Juan Ximenes, a Notary

+ Public and secretary {pg 34}

+

+ Nothwithstanding all the above=> Notwithstanding all the above {pg 36}

+

+ he saw what sucess=> he saw what success {pg 38}

+

+ go to the Monastary=> go to the Monastery {pg 38}

+

+ they proceed to feret=> they proceed to ferret {pg 78}

+

+ three hudred=> three hundred {pg 89}

+

+ Senor => Señor {x10}

+

+ Monsenor=> Monseñor {x4 }

+

+ such exhorbitant=> such exorbitant {pg 100}

+

+ large quanitity=> large quantity {pg 100}

+

+ Francisco De La Guerre y Vega concerning=> Francisco De La Guerra y

+ Vega concerning {pg xi}

+

+ Francisco Guerray Vega reports=> Francisco Guerra y Vega reports {pg

+ 107}

+

+ Jaun Marquez Cabera, Governor and Captain-General of Florida=> Juan

+ Marquez Cabrera, Governor and Captain-General of Florida {pg xii}

+

+ The King reprimands Don Diego Quiraga=> The King reprimands Don Diego

+ Quiroga {pg xii}

+

+ Don-Diego Quiroba y Losada=> Don Diego Quiroga y Losada {pg xii}

+

+ Augustine by Governor Don Diego Guiroga y Losada=> Augustine by

+ Governor Don Diego Quiroga y Losada {pg xii, xiii}

+

+ His illtreatment of a Captain=> His ill treatment of a Captain {pg

+ xiii}

+

+ Francisco Carcoles y Martinez=> Francisco Córcoles y Martinez {pg xiii}

+

+ Francisco Carcales y Martinez=> Francisco Córcoles y Martinez {pg xiv}

+

+ Appalachicola=> Apalachicola {pg xiii. 97, 164}

+

+ Corcoles=> Córcoles {x4}

+

+ so they many not vex the natives=> so they may not vex the natives {pg

+ 5}

+

+ them a canonade and=> them a cannonade and {pg 5}

+

+ the keys of Canavarel=> the keys of Canaveral {pg 23}

+

+ Diego Fernandez de Guinones, in Havana=> Diego Fernandez de Quinones,

+ in Havana {pg 31}

+

+ Having been imformed=> Having been informed {pg 102}

+

+ which to accummulate=> which to accumulate {pg 126}

+

+ ocupying a passage=> occupying a passage {pg 130}

+

+ send me reenforcements=> send me re-enforcements {pg 145}

+

+ Diego Guiroba y Losada=> Diego Quiroba y Losada {pg 151}

+

+ He proposed the the=> He proposed the {pg 153}

+

+ Antonio Bienavidos=> Antonio Bienavides {pg 160, 170, 171, 173}

+

+ Antonio Bienavides=> Antonio Benavides {pg 164, 173}

+

+ Governor of St. Augutine=> Governor of St. Augustine {pg 177}

+

+ they were drillng=> they were drilling {pg 179}

+

+ they are cuttng=> they are cutting {pg 185}

+

+ available to investige=> available to investigate {pg 196}

+

+ Fray Casanova=> Fray Casanovas {pg 194, }

+

+ Father Bartolome Casanova=> Father Bartolome Casanovas {pg 204, 205,

+ 212}

+

+ Fray Casanova=> Fray Casanovas {pg 193, 194, }

+

+ Don Bartolome Casanova=> Don Bartolome Casanovas {pg 196, 197}

+

+ Father Casanova=> Father Casanovas {pg 206, 207, 208}

+

+ From all this results=> From all this result {pg 208}

+

+ St. Marys River to the Governor=> St. Mary's River to the Governor {pg

+ 230}

+

+ the America Septentional=> the America Septentrional {pg 230}

+

+

+

+

+

+

+

+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The unwritten history of old St.

+Augustine, by Various

+

+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY ***

+

+***** This file should be named 54804-0.txt or 54804-0.zip *****

+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:

+        http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/8/0/54804/

+

+Produced by Chuck Greif and the Online Distributed

+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was

+produced from images available at The Internet Archive)

+

+

+Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions

+will be renamed.

+

+Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no

+one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation

+(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without

+permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,

+set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to

+copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to

+protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project

+Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you

+charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you

+do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the

+rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose

+such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and

+research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do

+practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is

+subject to the trademark license, especially commercial

+redistribution.

+

+

+

+*** START: FULL LICENSE ***

+

+THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE

+PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK

+

+To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free

+distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work

+(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project

+Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project

+Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at

+http://gutenberg.org/license).

+

+

+Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm

+electronic works

+

+1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm

+electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to

+and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property

+(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all

+the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy

+all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.

+If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project

+Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the

+terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or

+entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.

+

+1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be

+used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who

+agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few

+things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works

+even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See

+paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project

+Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement

+and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic

+works.  See paragraph 1.E below.

+

+1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"

+or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project

+Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the

+collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an

+individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are

+located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from

+copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative

+works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg

+are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project

+Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by

+freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of

+this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with

+the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by

+keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project

+Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.

+

+1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern

+what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in

+a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check

+the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement

+before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or

+creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project

+Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning

+the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United

+States.

+

+1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:

+

+1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate

+access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently

+whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the

+phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project

+Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,

+copied or distributed:

+

+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with

+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or

+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included

+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license

+

+1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived

+from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is

+posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied

+and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees

+or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work

+with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the

+work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1

+through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the

+Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or

+1.E.9.

+

+1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted

+with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution

+must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional

+terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked

+to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the

+permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.

+

+1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm

+License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this

+work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.

+

+1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this

+electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without

+prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with

+active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project

+Gutenberg-tm License.

+

+1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,

+compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any

+word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or

+distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than

+"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version

+posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),

+you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a

+copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon

+request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other

+form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm

+License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.

+

+1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,

+performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works

+unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.

+

+1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing

+access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided

+that

+

+- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from

+     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method

+     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is

+     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he

+     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the

+     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments

+     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you

+     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax

+     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and

+     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the

+     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to

+     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."

+

+- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies

+     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he

+     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm

+     License.  You must require such a user to return or

+     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium

+     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of

+     Project Gutenberg-tm works.

+

+- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any

+     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the

+     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days

+     of receipt of the work.

+

+- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free

+     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.

+

+1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm

+electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set

+forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from

+both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael

+Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the

+Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.

+

+1.F.

+

+1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable

+effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread

+public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm

+collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic

+works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain

+"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or

+corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual

+property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a

+computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by

+your equipment.

+

+1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right

+of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project

+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project

+Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project

+Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all

+liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal

+fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT

+LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE

+PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE

+TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE

+LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR

+INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH

+DAMAGE.

+

+1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a

+defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can

+receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a

+written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you

+received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with

+your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with

+the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a

+refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity

+providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to

+receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy

+is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further

+opportunities to fix the problem.

+

+1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth

+in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER

+WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO

+WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.

+

+1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied

+warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.

+If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the

+law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be

+interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by

+the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any

+provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.

+

+1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the

+trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone

+providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance

+with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,

+promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,

+harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,

+that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do

+or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm

+work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any

+Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.

+

+

+Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm

+

+Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of

+electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers

+including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists

+because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from

+people in all walks of life.

+

+Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the

+assistance they need, are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's

+goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will

+remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project

+Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure

+and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.

+To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation

+and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4

+and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org.

+

+

+Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive

+Foundation

+

+The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit

+501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the

+state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal

+Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification

+number is 64-6221541.  Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at

+http://pglaf.org/fundraising.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg

+Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent

+permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.

+

+The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.

+Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered

+throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at

+809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email

+business@pglaf.org.  Email contact links and up to date contact

+information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official

+page at http://pglaf.org

+

+For additional contact information:

+     Dr. Gregory B. Newby

+     Chief Executive and Director

+     gbnewby@pglaf.org

+

+

+Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg

+Literary Archive Foundation

+

+Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide

+spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of

+increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be

+freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest

+array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations

+($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt

+status with the IRS.

+

+The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating

+charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United

+States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a

+considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up

+with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations

+where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To

+SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any

+particular state visit http://pglaf.org

+

+While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we

+have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition

+against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who

+approach us with offers to donate.

+

+International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make

+any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from

+outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.

+

+Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation

+methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other

+ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.

+To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate

+

+

+Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic

+works.

+

+Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm

+concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared

+with anyone.  For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project

+Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.

+

+

+Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed

+editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.

+unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily

+keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.

+

+

+Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:

+

+     http://www.gutenberg.org

+

+This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,

+including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary

+Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to

+subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.

diff --git a/54804-0.zip b/54804-0.zip
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..7f6f503
--- /dev/null
+++ b/54804-0.zip
diff --git a/54804-h.zip b/54804-h.zip
index b7e0153..e708e63 100644
--- a/54804-h.zip
+++ b/54804-h.zip
diff --git a/54804-h/54804-h.htm b/54804-h/54804-h.htm
index 615e041..2c7b7b6 100644
--- a/54804-h/54804-h.htm
+++ b/54804-h/54804-h.htm
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"

+<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN"

 "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd">

 

 <html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en" xml:lang="en">