CONTENTS
| [Chapter I]—A. D. 1565 | [1] |
| Royal Decree from King Philip II in reference to further discoveryand settlement of Florida—Officers and number ofmen appointed to go in the Armada—Reports from the Armadaafter leaving—Report from Pedro Menendez to hisMajesty—The English and French have already settled here—Necessityof Spaniards taking entire control—Letter from theKing to Pedro Menendez—Tells of English and French vesselsreported to have sailed for these Provinces—King sendsFleet with sailors, soldiers and supplies that the person ofPedro Menendez may be guarded properly as Governor andCaptain General of the Province of Florida. | |
| [Chapter II]—A. D. 1565 | [13] |
| Pedro Menendez gives an account to his Majesty of the FortMatanzas Massacre—Menendez and army escape from beingmade prisoners by the French on account of a tornado—Becauseof the swollen river the Council agree to make a landattack—Spaniards surprise and take Fort Matanzas withoutloss of a single man—Killing over two hundred Frenchmenand capturing Laudonnier—Find Indians enchanted with theLutherans—Shipwrecked Frenchmen found on coast—Withhands tied behind them are stabbed in the back by Spaniards. | |
| [Chapter III]—A. D. 1598 | [27] |
| Report of Fernando Miranda, agent to the King, complainsof Governor—Espionage over vessels—Gives account of workof negroes—Houses and churches built, land cleared—Soldiersassist in repairing Fort—Report of Bartolome De Arguellas—Captureof rebellious Indians—Sending some to Havana to behanged, some to be imprisoned—Casiques render obedienceto the Governor who assures them of his good intentions—PedroPertrene reports to the King of being newly appointedto be Captain of a Garrison in Florida—Insufficiency of salaryto meet expenses—Because of long service to his Majestyimplores aid and satisfaction—Dona Maria Menendez,Casique, writes the King asking aid in meeting the expensesof instructing the Indians in Christianity and good government. | |
| [Chapter IV]—A. D. 1598 | [34] |
| Extract from official report made by Gonzales MenendezCanso, Governor and Captain-General—Six priests of the SanFranciscan order murdered by Indians—Lieutenant Ecigasent to see if any of the priests are still living—Hears ofone—Is refused permission to see him—After much persuasionand many threats Friar Fray Francisco is delivered—Mannerof the death of the others is investigated—FrayFrancisco makes a statement in regard to the death of theother priests, is forbidden by the Canons of the Church toreveal all—Notary Public Juan Ximenes swears to the investigationof several Indians through an interpreter—Executionof 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 tospread the gospel—Report eighty churches in different Missions—Indianslazy and improvident—Avarice of Governorcauses dissatisfaction—People desire his immediate removal—FrayLopez, a Missionary, has converted many Indians intwelve years of service, among them Don Juan, a Casique,who stands highly among his people—His influence quellsmany uprisings—Juan Nunez Rios complains of Governor ina letter to the King—Begs for an open Port that the peoplemay go back and forth and trade—An officer asks to beallowed to serve his Majesty elsewhere—Fray Blas De Montesimplores that he may be allowed to come to Spain for retirement—Givesaccount of a fire which burned the church amongother houses—Slow progress among the Indians—Advicesthat a Bishop be sent—Report of Gonzales Menendez Cansoto his Majesty—A shipmaster bearing dispatches shipwreckedin storm—Governor aids him from the Royal Treasury—Auditorfrom his Majesty arrives—Reports the Garrisonabounding in fruits and grain—Grieves over the death of theChristian Indian Don Juan—Return of Fray Lopez from NewSpain in good health—Reports the money brought to establisha hospital—More money needed for Garrison expenses—FranciscoRedondo Villegas, Officer of Customs, is not treatedwith the respect due his Royal Office by the Governor—Reportsaffairs in a muddled condition—Soldiers well drilled—Muchland under cultivation—Wages small—Rations insufficient. | |
| [Chapter VI]—A. D. 1605-1608 | [67] |
| Minutes of a Bull or Bill of Supplication to be presented tothe Holy See asking for concession of graces and powers forCatholic residents in Florida—Minorcan families broughtpriest and monk with them—Wish new privileges and gracesgranted—In regard to a Cedula from his Majesty, which instructsas to duties on wine—Priests and Monks of Tascouse Municipal monies for their own interests—Advises achange in the office of Treasurer of the Royal Chest—Vesselscarry important papers for his Majesty lost—Favorsshown to Don Francisco gratifies the people—Letter fromPedro Ibarra to his Majesty says there is not sufficient supportfor the Garrison—Solicits aid for a poor widow—Soldiersfind amber in a fish, for which Menendez exacts a duty—Frenchand English pirates cause much anxiety—A few captured,some imprisoned and ten hanged—Visiting Indian chiefsso impressed with the religious services and processions thatthey ask for friars to instruct their people—Asks for assistancein building a fort at the mouth of Miguel Moro—Endeavorsto find the source of river San Mateo and LakeMiami—A garrison of warlike people—Proposition to establisha Manager of the Inquisition to subjugate and controlthem—Does not wish to let certain priest and captain—Reportof Juan Menendez Marquez—Deplores the decision to reducethe garrison—Advises a return to the policy of Pedro Menendez,his cousin—Desires permission to come to Spain tomore fully lay the condition before his Majesty. | |
| [Chapter VII]—A. D. 1622-1640 | [82] |
| Report of Antonio Benavides to his Majesty—The SpanishKing instructs the establishment of friendly relations with theEnglish of the Carolinas—Don Francisco Menendez withother officers sent out—Mission fails owing to the Englishnot having yet received instructions from London—Requestedthe removal of an English fort built on Spanish territory—Refusal—Thematter fully laid before his Majesty—Reportof Luis De Rojas—A Frigate sent out to assist a fleet inbringing supplies, run down by an enemy, boat stripped andburned, soldiers and crew escape to shore and finally reachthe garrison—They collect Indians and soldiers and return—Theenemy take to their launches and escape—Forty-sevenpersons only saved from a Spanish Fleet which had beencaptured by a Dutch Fleet—Recommends that his Majestybuild a fort at the bar of the place called Jega—Report ofLuis Ussitinez to his Majesty—The Mandate of the Kingcarried out for prayer to Almighty God for the success ofthe King’s arms taken up against France—At a meeting ofthe Board of the City Council of Havana appears a clergymanof the Holy Office of the Inquisition with an Auto fromthe Señor Comissionado, Don Francisco de las Casas, containinginstructions as to certain ceremonies in connectionwith the Inquisition. | |
| [Chapter VIII]—A. D. 1655-1657 | [96] |
| An anonymous letter to his Majesty—Death of GovernorBenito Ruid Salazer—Two others appointed to serve protem. die suddenly of a contagious disease—Certain relatedofficials gather in the night and elect Don Pedro RuitinezGovernor—A distressing condition follows—The people’smoney squandered—Officials intimidated and abused—Materialsent for repairing Fort used to barter with the Indiansfor amber and the money used by the Governor and Treasurer—Consultshis own pleasure as to obedience to church lawsand vows—A report from Diego Rebolledo, 1657, as to thenecessity of guarding the Ports of the Province owing to piratesand as a prevention from the enemy entering and entrenchingthemselves in some of the distant but rich Provinces—TheFriars object to the fortifications as the Spaniards would retardthe conversion of the Indians—The Governor thinks thereal reason is, that because of the present condition the Friarsare the masters of the Indians—A Friar reports to his Majestythat owing to the Governor insisting upon some Indianchiefs carrying heavy burdens of corn, when there were vassalsfor such labor—The chiefs cause an uprising—Theymarch into the Garrison and hang the Governor—The Islandof Jamaica heavily fortified by the English who intend takingCuba, so it is rumored. | |
| [Chapter IX]—A. D. 1662-1670 | [107] |
| Alonzo Aranqui y Cortez reports the auditing of accounts andcondition of the Royal Treasury—Finding of large nuggetsin a hill, supposed to be a silver mine—Goes to investigate—Reportof Juan Cebadilla to his Majesty of having sent outthe King’s orders concerning who shall keep the keys of theRoyal chest—Administration of the negroes—Harshnessshown the Royal employees—Francisco Guerra Vega reportsa Captain of the Garrison for indecency and offense to hissuperiors, for which same he was reprimanded and imprisonedas a warning—Afterward given his liberty—The Kingto the Captain-General of Provinces of Florida—Instructionsas to the continuance of the passage to Marcana Guale—Foundingof the town of Santiago—As to the performance ofcertain duties by soldiers, for which money shall be paid—Soldiersshall be permitted to raise their crops, and not employedin personal work for the Governor—The Governorshall look after the wants and needs of his people—By orderof the King, 1670. | |
| [Chapter X]—A. D. 1671-1673 | [112] |
| Pedro Menendez received the title of Governor by right ofconquest, and Captain-General and Commander of the Fleetby conference of his Majesty for faithful, valorous service—DonMartin Menendez receives the title of perpetual Governorby right of inheritance—Important papers burned atSimancas—Manuel De Mendoza reports to his Majesty as tothe designs of the English enemy—Discovery of the SouthSea—Condition of this Garrison and other Provinces—Imploresaid in completing fortifications—Report to his Majestyby Francisco De La Guerra y Vega concerning an Englishmantaken prisoner in the Province of Guale—One of a crewsent out from a settlement of English at St. Elena—This manwho was second in authority was confined in prison onsoldiers’ rations—An effort made to break up the Englishsettlement, which was unsuccessful. | |
| [Chapter XI]—A. D. 1675 | [121] |
| Letters to the King from the Governor Pablo Ita Salazer—Oathof office administered in the tower of the old Fort whichis rapidly going into ruins—The Garrison needing suppliesand ammunition—No warehouses, and owing to the distanceand frequency of storms delaying supplies, the people areforced to hunt in the woods for roots to appease their hunger—TheFort in danger from pirates—Ammunition and guardsexposed to the fatalities of the weather—Pleads for moremoney to complete the Castle—Its great importance—A pentagonalshape recommended—The Viceroy of Spain fails tosend the ten thousand dollars—One hundred men needed toguard the Castle—Great danger from pirates—Two hundredleagues from Havana and five hundred from New Spain. | |
| [Chapter XII]—A. D. 1675 | [130] |
| An effort made to dislodge the English from Santa Elena—Governorordered to complete the Castle and defense of theGarrison—Yucatan families—Master weavers asked for tosettle in Florida—Appalache considered the best Province forsettlement—Supplies sent from New Spain—Barracks to bemade in the Fort for the soldiers—Money sent to finish thenew Castle, also supplies for the soldiers—The neighbors toassist in building the new Castle—Repairs on the bulwarksof Guale—Increase of troops for St. Augustine—A fortressordered built at Appalache. | |
| [Chapter XIII]—A. D. 1680-1685 | [136] |
| Letter from Pablo Ita Salazer to his Majesty—Indians of theProvince of Guale declare themselves friendly to the English,and make war upon the Spaniards of the Island of St. Catherine—Theysurprise the six sentinels, killing all but one whoescaped and gave warning—The people gather in the conventof a Friar and defend themselves from day light until fouro’clock, when aid reaches them from the Garrison of St. Augustine,whereupon the enemy retires—The natives of theIsland greatly alarmed—Disquieting news of the intentionsof the enemy upon this Garrison—Implores aid from the Kingquickly, that the English may be ejected from the land—DonJuan Marquez Cabrera, Governor and Captain-General ofFlorida—Gives account to his Majesty of hostilities in theProvinces—Two Fleets, French and English, going and comingfrom Havana—Seize Fort Matanzas and, after plundering,burn it to the ground—Is now being rebuilt—Great depredationscommitted up and down the coast by the enemy—Pushingthe work on the Castle—Grieved over its slow progress,owing to lack of workmen—Begs to be allowed to retire becauseof age and long service—To Charles II, our principalCasique, the King—From the people of the territory ofHabalache—The King to the Governor and Captain-Generalof Florida—Concerning ten negroes from St. George, whoasked for the water of baptism—A Sergeant-Major from St.George comes to claim them—Because they have becomeChristians the Spanish King decides to buy them—Afterreceiving a receipt they are to be set at liberty, each one givena document to that effect—The King reprimands Don DiegoQuiroga for not attending to these matters—Orders a fullaccount 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 DiegoQuiroga y Losada, to his Majesty—Giving an accountof a custom obtaining in the Garrison which endangers thesafety of the people—When the Host is taken out in the nightto administer communion to the dying the bells are rung untilits return which is often hours, thus preventing the hearingthe firing of the sentries across the river who are instructedto fire as often as there are numbers of vessels sighted—Thisdanger fully laid before the Priest, who refused to discontinuethe ringing of the bells, notwithstanding the city has beenin arms awaiting the enemy for some days—In a Cedula byhis Majesty of July 18th, 1674, he asks for a statement concerningthe order and place of the Holy Tribunal of theInquisition—These questions answered by Severino MausanedaMarch 17th, 1690—An account of a military review inSt. Augustine by Governor Don Diego Quiroga y Losada—Alsorecounts the great advantage to the City by building asea wall to extend from the Fort the entire length of the Citythus securing it against the sea which at present comes upto the houses during a storm—The soldiers and citizens subscribeten thousand dollars, and the King is petitioned for aidthat the citizens seeing his Majesty’s interest will be encouragedto proceed—The King rebukes Governor Don DiegoQuiroga y Losada of the city of St. Augustine for unjustlytaxing the Indians—Misappropriating funds sent by agreementfor canvas and provisions for them—Not attending totheir wants and comfort and treating them alone as vassals—Extractsfrom the investigations of the Council as to allegedexcesses committed by the Governor Don Francisco MoralSanchez—His ill treatment of a Captain of Grenadiers—Actingaccording to his own will and not to military law—The Governor’sremoval desired—A report according to the King’scommand concerning affairs under Governor Don FranciscoMorales Sanchez—Investigation shows that the facts set forthin the different papers and petitions sent to his Majesty tohave been only too true—Impossible to put upon paper thestrange, divers and extraordinary excesses committed by thisGovernor—The abuses sufficient to chill the soul and congealthe blood. | |
| [Chapter XV]—A. D. 1708-1723 | [163] |
| Francisco Córcoles y Martinez in a letter to his Majesty reportsall possible measures taken to prevent the destroying ofthis Province—Indians from the villages bordering on theCarolinas, aided by the English, each day carry off certainfamilies, Christians and natives, more than ten thousandhaving been carried off to date—Probably sold into slavery—ATreaty urged with the English of the Carolinas, else therewill be a continuance of hostilities and the spread of theGospel impeded—In a second letter the Governor gives anaccount of certain Friars in a dispute with the Priest of theParish 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 theabolishing of all Heathen customs—By a Royal dispatch,A. D. 1721, the Governor of Florida is commanded to go inperson to the Governor of the Carolinas and arrange withhim a Treaty of Peace between the English and Spanish ofthose Provinces adjoining—Which same was carried out asfar as possible—Trinkets and clothing sent to the Casiquesand chiefs of Apalachicola as commanded—Indians restlessmaking preparations for war—English spreading dissatisfaction—ACouncil of war decides to send a vessel to Havana tothe Governor asking for men, arms and provisions. | |
| [Chapter XVI]—A. D. 1736-1739 | [174] |
| Governor Señor Montiano in a letter to his Majesty says: Itis reported that Don Diego Oglethorpe has said openly “thatshould he receive orders from his Government to fix theboundary lines between the Spanish possessions and the Carolinas,he would so delay its execution that there should neverbe a sign of these limits”—Montiano thinks “it will be impossibleto ever discuss matters of importance with such a manand it will be best that he be removed”—An Indian, JuanYgnacio de las Reyes, gives himself up to the English, underpretext of having killed an Indian, to gain information concerningthe strength and intentions of the English toward theSpanish—After misleading the English as to the strengthand numbers in the Spanish fortifications, he makes his escapeand returns to this Province—Statement of what has beenordered for the aid of Florida Provinces—The dislodging ofthe enemy from certain settlements on its territory up to 1674—Dispatchof 1675 commands that if the negro slaves sent toHavana have not already been sold, they shall be sent toFlorida to be put to work upon the construction of the Castleto relieve the Indians. | |
| [Chapter XVII]—A. D. 1741-1743 | [185] |
| A letter from the Governor Francisco Córcoles y Martinez—Conductof the Christians worse than the Heathen—Soldiersguarded while cutting timber to repair the Fort—The Castlein a tumble-down condition—The Garrison to be maintainedfor the propagation of the Holy Gospel and to shelter theworkers of the Apostolic faith—A paper of representation tohis Majesty concerning certain properties willed to the RoyalTreasury by Don Francisco Menendez, and designated bythe King for use as hospitals—The Royal Officers of theProvince think these properties should be sold at auction, andthe proceeds applied to the back pay of soldiers who aresuffering and in need. | |
| [Chapter XVIII]—A. D. 1770-1771 | [191] |
| A letter of resolution to his Majesty concerning a letter ofappeal made to the Governor and Bishop of Havana askingfor patent and Holy oil to administer baptism and extremeunction to the Catholic families taken from the Island ofMinorca by the English—These families bringing with themDon Pedro Campos, Doctor of Sacred Theology, as a ParishPriest, and Don Bartolome Casanovas of the St. Augustineorder as Vicar—These same claiming to have received theirappointment from the Supreme Pontificate, not knowing towhich Bishop the jurisdiction of Florida belonged—In orderthat a thorough investigation may be made the whole matterwas referred to his Majesty—Letter of the Archbishop ofValencia concerning this matter—Letter of the Bishop ofCuba to his Majesty, expressing gratification over the zeal ofhis Majesty in this matter—Advices that the privileges beconferred—Letter of the Bishop of Minorca giving informationconcerning same. | |
| [Chapter XIX]—A. D. 1771 | [204] |
| The opinion of the Judge—Having examined the differentletters from the Bishop and made a thorough investigationinto the matter concerning the granting of certain privilegesto these Priests of the Minorcan families of the Englishcolony of Florida, decides that these privileges should begranted as per reasons set forth in his written opinion,Madrid, 1771—Bishop of Cuba for the Council to Dr. DonPedro Campos and the Rev. Father Bartolome Casanovas,extending to these same Priests the title of Parish Priestand Vicar—Also sending a box containing three flasks ofsacred oil—Hopes soon to be able to send a more extendedprorogation of other powers—King solicited these powersfrom the Court of Rome—Asks for a detailed report of thenumber of families and condition of the congregation. | |
| [Chapter XX]—A. D. 1773 | [214] |
| Proceedings of the Council at the Court of Rome concerningthe appeal made by the Parish Priest and Vicar of theCatholic families established in the English colony of Florida—Thedifferent Bishops’ letters—Also those of the Priestand Vicar asking for patent and further privileges and containinga report of the condition of the said Minorcan familieswho are dissatisfied with the lack of spiritual comforts—Abrick church, and are very devout—Of their desire to throwoff the yoke of Great Britain and their love for Spain—Replyof 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 thepetition soliciting an extension of time and of the privilegesfor the Priest and Vicar of the Minorcan families in Florida,and enclosing an open mandate of His Holiness, enlargingand extending the time for twenty years—A copy of a letterand statement sent in by Lieutenant Don Nicolas Grenier inregard to the importance of the Provinces of the St. Marysand St. Johns rivers—The need of vessels to impress andcontrol the inhabitants—Provinces rich in timber, turpentine,tar and pitch—Considers it detrimental to Spanish interestsfor Americans to introduce any commerce in the Provinces—Letterfrom the same Don Nicolas Grenier to the Governorurging the necessity of further protecting Spanish interestsalong the St. Marys and St. Johns rivers—Tranquility of thecountry jeopardized by outlaws—Some have been arrestedand paid the penalty with their lives—Matter referred to theGovernor—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.