CONTENTS.
| [CHAPTER I.] | |
|---|---|
| Page | |
| Introductory. | [1] |
| [CHAPTER II.] | |
| The Discovery of Florida. | [3] |
| [CHAPTER III.] | |
| Expeditions of Muruelo, Cordova, Alminos, Ayllon, and Narvaez. | [7] |
| [CHAPTER IV.] | |
| Hernando De Soto.—An Account of his March through Florida. | [18] |
| [CHAPTER V.] | |
| Huguenot Settlement under Ribault. | [26] |
| [CHAPTER VI.] | |
| Second Huguenot Settlement under Laudonnère. | [29] |
| [CHAPTER VII.] | |
| The Unfortunate Expedition under Ribault.—Founding of St. Augustineby Menendez, 1565.—Attack upon the French Settlement onthe St. Johns River. | [37] |
| [CHAPTER VIII.] | |
| Shipwreck of Ribault’s Fleet.—Massacre by Menendez. | [46] |
| [CHAPTER IX.] | |
| Expedition and Retaliation of De Gourges. | [57] |
| [CHAPTER X.] | |
| Return of Menendez.—Attempt to Christianize the Indians.—Attackupon St. Augustine by Sir Francis Drake.—Murder of the Friars. | [66] |
| [CHAPTER XI.] | |
| Plunder of the Town by Captain Davis.—Removal of the YemasseeIndians.—Construction of the Fort.—Building of the First Sea-wall.—Attacksof Governor Moore and Colonel Palmer. | [79] |
| [CHAPTER XII.] | |
| Oglethorpe’s Attack.—Bombardment of the Fort and Town.—Captureof the Highlanders at Fort Mosa.—Old Fort at Matanzas.—Monteano’sInvasion of Georgia. | [89] |
| [CHAPTER XIII.] | |
| The Town when delivered to the English.—Fort San Juan De Pinos.—St.Augustine as described by the English Writers in 1765 to 1775. | [100] |
| [CHAPTER XIV.] | |
| The Settlement of New Smyrna by the Ancestors of a Majority of thePresent Population of St. Augustine.—The Hardships endured bythese Minorcan and Greek Colonists.—Their Removal to St. Augustineunder the Protection of the English Governor. | [113] |
| [CHAPTER XV.] | |
| Administration of Lieut.-Governor Moultrie.—Demand of the People forthe Rights of Englishmen.—Governor Tonyn burning the Effigiesof Adams and Hancock.—Colonial Insurgents confined in theFort.—Assembling of the First Legislature.—Commerce of St. Augustineunder the English.—Recession of the Province to Spain. | [122] |
| [CHAPTER XVI.] | |
| Return of the Spaniards.—Completion of the Cathedral.—The OldestChurch Bell in America.—The Governor’s Desire to People theProvince with Irish Catholics.—Some Official Orders exhibitingthe Customs of the Spaniards.—Unjustifiable Interference of theUnited States, during the “Patriot War.”—Florida an UnprofitablePossession.—Erection of the Monument to the Spanish Constitution. | [129] |
| [CHAPTER XVII.] | |
| Florida Ceded to the United States.—Attempt of the Spanish Governorto carry away the Records.—Description of St. Augustine whenTransferred.—Population in 1830.—Town during the IndianWar.—Osceola and Coa-cou-che.—A True Account of the Dungeonin the Old Fort, and the Iron Cages.—The Indians brought to St.Augustine in 1875. | [143] |
| [CHAPTER XVIII.] | |
| St. Augustine as it used to be.—Customs.—The Oldest Structure in theUnited States.—Present Population.—Objects of Interest.—BuildingsAncient and Modern.—St. Augustine during the Rebellion.—Climate.—Advantagesas a Health Resort. | [161] |
HISTORY OF ST. AUGUSTINE.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY.
A universal desire exists to learn the origin and history of our ancestors. Even before the art of writing was perfected, bards perpetuated the traditions of the early races of men by recitations of mingled facts and fables at the periodical assemblies. These peripatetics were ever welcomed and supported by the people, and doubtless preserved many of the facts of history.
Unfortunately, among the Spanish knights, who at various times essayed the conquest of Florida, few were found to desert the shrine of Mars for that of Clio. While there are several valuable accounts of the Spanish occupation, the scope of the histories is narrow and unreliable on many most interesting subjects, and on others of no importance they are often most diffuse. Owing to the vicissitudes of the occupation of St. Augustine, there are few traditions. It is possible that the Spanish antiquarian may at some future day develop a rich mine of history in searching the ancient archives of that nation and of the Catholic Church. Valuable acquisitions have been made in this field of literature by the labors of the learned and genial Buckingham Smith, a resident of St. Augustine.
Two impulses prompted the early Spanish explorers in Florida. The first was a hope of finding gold, as it had been found in Mexico and South America. A second and probably more ostensible motive, was the desire and hope of extending the Catholic faith among the inhabitants of the New World.
The result of all their hardships and labors has proved so barren that even in our day it is impossible to contemplate the slaughters and disappointments of the brave men who invaded and who defended these ancient homes, without a pang of regret.