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.
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.