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: