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.)