M&> fW COLLECTIONS Georgia Historical Society. VOL. VII. PABT I LETTERS OF MONTIANO SIEGE OF ST. AGUSTINE Published by Georgia Historical Society Savannah, Ga. Savannah, Ga. Savannah Morning News, 1909. Gift The Society < \ % f NOTE BY THE TRANSLATOR The letters, whose translation follows, are contained in a folio volume, being copies made in St. Augustine in 1844 by Antonio Alvarez, Keeper of the Public Archives, from the originals under his care. These originals must themselves have been retained copies. As the last letter is numbered 248, and there are but 36 in this collection, it is clear that either a selection has been made, or else that the other let- ters bore upon subjects not sufficiently important or inter- esting to merit copying. From internal evidence, however, furnished in one or two instances, it appears that one or two despatches have been overlooked, supposing always that the originals were still in existence. Letter No. 198, is not in Alvarez's handwriting, and seems to have been inserted or copied after all the others, as though by a person who objected to its omission. It is not certified to be a true copy, as are all the others ; but a note sets forth that it was copied from the original MS. The insertion of this partic- ular letter, coupled with the internal evidence mentioned, would seem to indicate that the collection might have been enlarged with profit. Each letter, with the exception noted, is accompanied by Alvarez's elaborate certificate in English (see first and second letters) and stamped with his seal as keeper of the Public Archives. It has not been thought worth while to reproduce this certificate with each letter in this translation. And smiliarly of the elaborate and formal close of each letter, in wh"ich the author begs his corres- pondent to accept "his assurances of faithful and affection- ate obedience with prayer that our Lord may keep his Ex- cellency many years, and kisses his hand ;" inserted once or twice, the more frequent repetition of these formulas would prove tiresome, and so they are omitted. Spanish and English (Georgia and Carolina) Colonial place-names in general, are left as Don Manuel wrote them, and so of personal names. All these letters are addressed to Don Juan Francisco de Guemes y Horcasitas, Governor General of Cuba. When the word "place"' occurs in the following pages, it must be understood as representing the Spanish plaza, that is, a fortified position with its own and depen- dencies. C. De W. W. Washingon, July 29, 1908. INTRODUCTION. For many years the Georgia Historical Society has had among its unpublished manuscripts a bound volume of letters written in Spanish, pertaining to the siege of St. Augustine, Flor- ida, by General James Oglethorpe in 1740. These letters were originally written by Don Manuel de Montiano, the Spanish officer then in charge of the military forces at St. Augustine, to his supe- rior officer, Don Juan Francisco de Guemas y Horcasitas, Gov- ernor General of Cuba. From the minutes of the Society dated September 11, 1843, it appears that attention had been called to the original letters "on hearing a letter from Mr. Brown, of St. Augustine," and it is here further stated, "and which Diary is still preserved in the archives office at St. Augustine." A recent inquiry of the St. Augustine His- torical Society shows, that the original letters referred to in this communication ara not now in its possession, and none now con- nected with the Society knows anything of their whereabouts. It was resolved, "That the corresponding secretary be directed to ascertain at what cost a verbatim copy of the original docu- ment in the Spanish language can be obtained; and that said sec- retary have full power to act in the matter." On November 28, 1843, Wm. B. Hodgson, Esq., a public- spirited citizen of Savannah, and afterwards a great benefactor of the Society, addressed the following letter to Mr. I. K. Tefft, the corresponding secretary: "It affords me pleasure to record my acknowledgments to the Rev. Dr. Hawkes, lately of New York and now of Holly Springs, Mississippi, for the advantage of possessing this Spanish manu- script. "During the learned Doctor's visit to St. Augustine he obtained a copy of these official letters from the public archives of East Florida. The truth and correctness of the copy is attested by Don Antonio Alvarez, keeper of those archives. The copy, which I send you, is made from that of Dr. Hawkes, and whenever the wish of the Society may be expressed, I should have a sincere pleasure in furnishing a translation of these Spanish documents." For some reason Mr. Hodgson never furnished the promised translation, and not until the year 1908 were steps taken to have these letters translated. The Society was fortunate in securing for this purpose the services of Major C. DeWitt Willcox, a native Georgian, now of the U. S. Army, whose scholarly attainments and military training fitted him specially for this work, and to him the thanks of the Society are due for this important contribution to the history of our state. It has been thought best to include in this volume several maps and illustrations which will throw much light up the opera- tions against St. Augustine by Oglethorpe. The plan of the old fort of San Marco is a photographic reproduction of a tracing made by the United States government in Spain in 1884, the tracing being kindly furnished by Capt. George R. Spalding, in charge of the United States Engineer's Office in Jacksonville, Fla. The other maps are copied from originals in possession of Mr. YV. J. DeRenne, of Wormsloe. The thanks of the Society are specially due to this public-spirited gentleman for his generous aid in placing at its disposal the facilities of his rare and excellent collection of Georgia history. Most of these maps are self-explanatory, but the dates of some of them are inferred from a close examination of the originals "The Plan of the Harbour of St. Augustine in the Province of Georgia, Composed and Published from Surveys Deposited in the Office of the Right Honourable the Lords of Trade, by J. F." W. Des Barres, Esqr.," was probably made about 1777- . . The map, showing "South Carolina, Florida and The Western or Atlantick Ocean," bears upon the original the following legend: "The Original of this Map was drawn by Col. Barnevelt, who Commanded several Expeditions against the Indians in the Time of the Indian War, as also served under Col. Moore in all his Expeditions in the said War. It is highly approved of by Lieu- tenant Governour Bull, who is allowed to be the best Judge of Carolina and the Indian Countrys round it of any Person now in the Province." The date of this map is not given, but from data given by the map itself it could not have been made before 1719. The future historian of this period will find in addition to the accounts in the well-known histories of Georgia the following references suggestive and helpful. All of these books are in the library of Mr. W. J. DeRenne at Wormsloe, and some of them cannot be found elsewhere. "The Report of the Committee of Both Houses of Assembly of the Province of South Carolina, Appointed to Enquire into the Causes of the Disappointment of Success, in the late Expe- dition against St. Augustine, Under the Command of General Oglethorpe." 1743- "A History of the American People," by Woodrow Wilson, Vol. 2, Page 69. "Life and Character of Oglethorpe," an address delivered before the Literary Societies of the University of Georgia, August 2, i860, by Rev. C. W. Howard. "The Making of Georgia," two addresses by Hon. Walter G. Charlton, of Savannah. "A Description of East Florida, with a Journal kept by John Bartram, of Philadelphia, Botanist to His Majesty for the Flori- das," MDCCLXIX. "An Account of the First Discovery, and Natural History of Florida," by William Roberts, London, MDCCLXIII. "The Spanish Hireling Detected: Being a Refutation of the Several Calumnies and Falsehoods in the late Pamphlet, Entitled, 'An Impartial Account of the Late Expedition Against St. Augustine under General Oglethorpe,' by George Cadogan, Lieu- tenant in General Oglethorpe's Regiment." London, MDCCXLIII. "An Impartial Account of the late Expedition against St. Augustine under General Oglethorpe, occasioned by the Suppres- sion of the Report, made by a Committee of the General Assembly in South Carolina, transmitted, under the Great Seal of that Province, to their Agent in England, in orded to be printed." 1742. "Newest and Most Correct Report of the Scenery of Georgia in English America." 1746. (In German.) The Georgia Historical Society presents herewith to the stu- dents of Georgia and American history the translation of these in- teresting letters with the hope that a clearer light may be thrown upon this heroic period of our state's history. OTIS ASHMORE, GEORGE J. BALDWIN, U. H. McLAWS, Committee on Printing and Publishing. - *< .« $ fc -a H £3 h s ^ * H . JS^ « S CM C< o a iq 3 H '*> h ■*! ^ s ^ § i T3 &s « >S" * fc$ Ps k- ■• o > hi? Rf -3 o CM h N O fe| ^ 2 S ^ ^ tj ^ 3 ^ Ct ■-: LETTERS OF DON MANUEL DE MONTIANO Siege of St. Augustine No. i. Sir : Diego de Espinosa (one of the most respected cit- izens of this presidio) has informed me that there came to this point last year, one Don Carlos Dempsis, an English- man, second in command of the settlements of New Georgia. As he wished to return to them, Don Francisco del Moral gave him permission to go overland, directing the adjutant Don Manuel de Arze, who is now here, to accompany him. This officer allowed the Englishman to see a fort built by the said Espinosa at his own expense on his stock farm about six leagues from here, and mounting five falconets, and to sleep one night on the place. Now this Englishman is an Engineer, and is the first of his nation to see the said fort, the only defense in its territory. Moreover the same privilege was later granted by Don Manuel to two other Englishmen. I consider it my duty to report these facts to your excellency such as they are, in order that they may not be hidden from your superior penetration. I beg Your Excellency to honor me with frequent advice to the betterment of my poor abilities in your behalf. May God keep Your Excellency many years, as I desire, and is proper. Saint Augustine, in Florida, March 22, 1737. Your Excellency's grateful and obliged servant, who kisses your hand, Don Manuel Joseph de Justis. To Senor Don Juan Francisco de Guemes y Horcasitas: I, Antonio Alvarez, Keeper of the Public Archives of East Florida, do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true and correct transcript from a book in which are recorded the official letters addressed by Don Manuel Joseph de Justis Governor of East Florida, to Don Juan Francisco de Guemes y Horcasitas, Captain General of the Island of Cuba, be- Letters of Montiano tween the 22d March, 1837 ( sic) and the 14th August of the same year, which book belongs to the Archives under my charge. Witness my hand and seal of office at the City of St. Au- gustine, territory of Florida, this twelfth day of February, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and forty-four. (Signed) Antonio Alvarez, K. P. A. Letter No. 2. My present news compels me to send Pedro de Alcantara in his schooner and to beg for Your Excellency's protec- tion, so that, acquainted with the case, and with our present necessities as doubtless repored to Your Excellency by Don Manuel de Justis, you may be pleased to take the nec- essary steps to put this position in a state of defense against the intentions of the English to seize it with its provinces. An offer to this end has been made to the King of Great Britain in his Parliament by Milord Ogletor, a member of the same. He declared from his seat that this place, with Apalachee and its provinces would be more useful to Great Britain than all its remaining Colonies and Islands in America. For in possession of them, he would guarantee that no ship of ours could pass through the channel* and that conse- quently we could not enjoy the treasures produced by the Kingdoms of Peru and New Spain without his consent. This offer having been favorably received, he was made Com- mander in Chief of all the Colonies, of the Island of Jamaica and others, and lord of land and sea, receiving at the same time 125 $** [thousand] dollars for fortifications, and also 480 regular troops for the campaign against these Provinces. * Florida Straight. Tr. ** Tlr's symbol 4k is taken to represent thousand. Tr. Siege of St. Augustine And although Parliament opposed any invasion during the peace, yet on combining the news in question with that just brought me (for these matters are known also in Apalachee) by the Cacique Sacafaca of the town of Chal- acarliche, it is evident we should not overlook what the English have done at other times. The Cacique who comes expressly and voluntarily from these distant provinces, warns me that the Indians attached to the English were descending in small bodies to annoy those regions, and that the Caciques were ordered by the English to assemble so as to treat of various matters. We must to-day, therefore, distrust their efforts, intensified as they are by the pride of Milord Ogletor, who finds himself supported by the peers of the Kingdom for the sole purpose of acquiring glory in these conquests. It is not to be doubted that he will act with the greatest firmness by sea and land; and unfortu- nately for us, his slightest effort will be successful, for we have not here the means to resist a moderate force. Our case is much worse at sea ; for, by holding the mouth of the inlet with one or two frigates, our communications are completely cut on this side, and our supplies stopped. They will succeed in their plan, a fact of which they are well aware, as they are also of the deplorable condition of this place, seeing it has so few troops for its defense. I hope, there- fore, that Your Excellency will heed these reasons and also the fact that the preservation of this post is of the greatest importance to the security of all America, and so be pleased to take the promptest measures, which I leave to the discre- tion and judgment of Your Excellency. Your Excellency's knowledge of the profession, acquired by long and distin- guished service, will enable you to realize what is needed here, being, without further detail, everything. For Your Excellency must know that this castle*, the only defense here, has no bombproofs for the protection of the garrison, that the counterscarp is too low, that there is no covered way, that the curtains are without demi-lunes, that there are no other exterior works to give them time for a long defense ; but that we are as bare outside as we are without life in- side, for there are no guns that could last 24 hours, and if there were, we have no artillerymen to serve them. I have ordered 4,000** stakes to be cut for the construc- * Fort San Marco. Tr. ** In the original 4? Tr. Letters of Montiano tion of the covered way, with the full knowledge that the work will be imperfect by reason of the low height of the counterscarp; but as raising it would be a long and costly task involving much earth work, I shall apply myself to such repairs as are immediately practicable and of least cost. For I have no other funds than the small quantity of silver bullion turned over to Don Francisco del Moral, and although I might wish to run the wall from the castle to the Cubo***, and raise here a bulwark to meet the attack they might direct from this point against the castle, yet I cannot do everything, partly from lack of means and partly from lack of workmen, convicts and slaves to do the work. If Your Excellency should resolve, as is my hope, to send troops, workmen, some money, slaves or exiles, and an Engineer to direct operations, let them also bring a suffi- ciency of supplies, for while there is no doubt the English will cut off our bread upon noticing anything unusual, there is just as little doubt that the plans and pride of Milord Ogletor will come to naught, and that if we have time to prepare for defense, we shall rob him of all hope. The two spies agree on the news herewith, and recom- mend strongly that we should not neglect our preparations for Milord Ogletor was expected at the latest all through October, and his boldness would trample on all obstacles. This is all I have to bring to the knowledge of Your Excel- lency whom I shall always faithfully serve, desiring that our Lord may preserve Your Excellency many happy years. Florida, November n, 1737. Your Excellency's most faithful affectionate servant, Don Manuel de Montiano. For Don Juan Francisco de Guemes y Horcasitas. I, Antonio Alvarez, Keeper of the Public Archives of East Florida, do hereby certify the foregoing to be a true and correct transcript from a book in which are recorded the official letters addressed by Don Manuel de Montiano Governor of East Florida, to Don Juan Francisco de Guemes y Horcasitas, Captain General of the Island of Cuba, between *** Cubo is a round fortified tower on the wall of a medieval fort or castle. There must have been such a tower at Saint Augustine, known as the Cubo. Tr. Siege of St. Augustine the 30th September, 1737, and the 1st of February, 1741,* which book belongs in the Archives under my charge. Witness my hand and seal of office at the City of St. Au- gustine, territory of Florida, this twelfth day of February, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and forty-four. (Signed) Antonio Alvarez, K. P. A. No. 17. Sir: In answer to Your Excellency's letter of November 24, inclosing a note, in which the transfer of the company of grenadiers is regarded as proper, and directing me to employ the news brought by the pilot as a pretext for sending (him) with it to Frederico or New Georgia, in order to make sure I have the honor to make the following state- ment : On January 18 I sent the adjutant Don Juan Jacinto Rodriguez with Your Excellency's letter, under the pretext of complaining to the commanding officers of those colonies. that Indians of their allegiance had murdered the Cacique Pujoy and the people with him. I further demanded the return of the Cacique's wife and of fourteen other persons, men and women, taken prisoners, a barbarous violation of good relations, and the punishment of the authors of this infraction, etc. Having arrived at Gualquini, a plantation of Don Guillermo Horton, Esquire, Governor of Frederico, Rodriguez gave him my letter, but was refused permission to proceed in order to deliver the remaining letters to Don Thomas Hauston, Esquire, Governor-in-chief of the entire province of San Jorge, and to Don Diego Gasgoine, Captain * It wiU be noticed that the last letter of this collection is dated January 2, 1741. Tr. Letters of Montiano of the Manual* (man-of-war). In spite of all his efforts, permission to proceed was still refused, with the statement that within 21 days answers would be sent to San Juan; and as he could not delay so long without exciting suspi- cion, and now felt sure that he would not be allowed to continue his journey, as on former occasions, he decided to return, having verified to the best of his ability, the fact that no new fortification had been added to those he had seen the year before. He noticed, too, that according to appearances, they were living without care, or else making a show of it. While with Don Guillermo, he was told of the departure about five months ago from Holland of six ships of 50 or 60 guns to capture the coast guard vessel of Habana, be- cause of the latter's seizure of a ship of great importance (muy interesado) and that likewise, a ship of unspecified nationality had sailed from Cadiz, with orders from the King that Your Excellency and Don Antonio de Benavides should meet to decide whether the prize was good. He also learned that three frigates had arrived with 350 laborers to work in the fields, and noticed that the Manual (man-of- war) was not in its usual moorings, and upon asking why was told that she was careened in Savana. He adds that he was informed that the schooner of Devis was loading at Puerto Real for a journey to this point, and as the distance is only forty leagues, Your Excellency's long delay discour- ages me. That is why I renew my prayer to Your Excellen- cy to deign to send as early as possible a vessel loaded with corn to keep us from perishing. This is all that I have by way of news for Your Excellency to whom I am always obedient, ever praying, etc. Florida, February 3, 1738. No. 18. Sir: I answer Your Excellency's letter of the 24 of November, in which Your Excellency elaborately disputes the news I gave you that Don Diego Ogletor had been appointed General-in-chief. Your Excellency treats the remainder of my news in the same fashion, alleging that there may be a * The word "man-of-war" is interpolated by the copyist. "Manuel" is evidently Don Manuel's transliteration of our "man o' war." Tr. Siege of St. Augustine ij blunder, and that your doubts are confirmed by English explanations to the effect that Don Diego Ogletor's sup- porters were, not the King, but a few members of Parlia- ment, and that any way it has never been established that the King had ever authorized the fraudulent usurpations of foreign dominions now condoned, as this would have been a notorious infraction. But with the fact before me that in spite of the expostulations of ours (i. e. our King) they hold their ground, skillfully seeking every opportunity to advance and to seize whatever they can without let from their King, who should have interfered in accordance with the treaty of peace of 1670 delimiting the boundaries of both crowns, I am compelled to believe that whenever the occasion offers, they will seize by force of arms what they have been unable to get by the craft, skill and persistence so far employed by them. It is for these reasons that I have communicated to Your Excellency the news of our spies, it being my plain duty so to do, that no one may at any time charge me with the omission. It is also my duty to strive to protect this position, as long as the King shall entrust it to me. This is my part : it is your Excellency's to interpret them (news, events) as you may see fit. I shall ever be ready to inform Your Excellency of all fresh events, and try to use all opportunities to send news as rapidly as possible. And as I should have had (no) boat other than Ojeda's, and it could not be expected that Devis's, which I am await- ing, would go any farther and as I should give Your Excel- lency the news of Pujoy, I make use of Matheo Rodriguez who starts at once, begging Your Excellency to send us some boat in good time loaded with corn, in case these peo- ple should fail us, as is to be feared. My obedience is al- ways completely yours, etc. Florida, February 4, 1738. No 23. Sir: The departure of Matheo Rodriguez's schooner from this point was followed on the 10th inst, by the arrival of a small boat from Puerto Real. An explorer who came in her reports that a ship from London to the Port of Carolina* ♦Charleston. Don Manuel similarly calls St. Augustine, Florida, just as to-day ubans never say Santiago, but Cuba, the full name of the place being Santiago de uba. Tr. 14 Letters of Montiano brings the news of the death of the Queen of Great Britain on November 20 of last year. Further, that the Count de Montijo, our Ambassador to that (the English) court having set forth the indubitable right of the Spanish crown to all the colonies south of latitude 33 degrees 30 minutes, our own Sovereign asked that they be released without resistance, the despatch of troops to hold them constituting an act of hostility. The answer to this was an order to prepare 60 ships of the line to take station off Cadiz, and at the same time to send Don Diego Ogletor with 800 regulars, 500 from England, and 300 from the Gibraltar garrison under the or- ders of a colonel, the best Engineer of the kingdom, Ogle- thorpe to have the supreme command of both Carolinas, and to receive all necessary assistance. He was expected this month with two frigates; one of 40 guns, and already in an- ticipation ordered the purchase of great supplies, now being stored in Georgia at all hazards. The Count de Montijo accordingly withdrew to Madrid, and the resolution of the English to send troops made war certain. Further, both Carolinas are acquainted with the designs of Habana against those Colonies for the month of March, having obtained the news from an English frigate that left the said port in August and transmitted the news at sea to another frigate encoun- tered on its way to Carolina. Here, he continues, fortifi- cations are under construction, and six thousand Chalaque Indians have been ordered to assemble to go to Georgia : the citizens of Old Carolina do not relish the command of Ogle- tor on account of his boldness and arrogance, and because they fear an interruption of thier business. He reports that 4,000 men are said to be coming from Spain and a few war ships to be joined by the Windward fleet; further that the English are asking the Spaniards to return the prizes taken in America, and that in Europe an English ship was cap- tured by the Spaniards, all its crew put to death, and the ship taken to Alicante ; that the Dutch have captured a ship of ours in American waters, with a few persons of distinction who were being held as hostages until the return of the cap- tures made ; that the Germans and French were bound by the closest ties of friendship, and that the former and the Rus- sians had taken from the Turks many places and provinces, killing many people with but little loss on the part of the allies. This is all that is reported by the spy, and it agrees with what Your Excellency has written to me. It is possible how- J • .Re fere n 'A* '.A •'//'// 'A. ('./.•(/. /f.W'.f .'/ / / //>.iU. rv <•/ ffottt. ry \ / • '/.V A.l/f' l/.t ' (?*«>&& :■( t/f'./// /v> I. 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'/ 't'/#/i/.; hi i'.iw/i ' .^, v, fa/ {ty/ff4 t >/pttv ('.mi/ 18 ,'.l.i-/l//.t\'.V.-/..l n/i U//.V-/. /i\////A-//i 6/totatki sr/ln/v/yfo • 2£ / *Jsa/e fi/14/tj/i ///(/tJ • -. *J A PLAN of theTqwn .Casde.and Haitoour , S* AUGUSTINE, (and the adjacentCoast of FLOWDA ) n*//t f/i<- (tf/j/MfUro/t 0/ ///r iJfaut M /As /'.i/(srt , // ml r//i >/ \- ego Pablo having concealed from me Quilate's presence in his fort, I have Juan Ygnacio there with three other In- dians and two or three Uchises loyal to us. The results I shall communicate promptly to Your Excel- lency as I now report the arrival yesterday of a sloop from New York. Florida, Aug. 19, 1739. No. 180. Sir: In letters of the 4 and 14 of October of last year, I gave Your Excellency an exact account of what had been done in these parts by the different English ships, from, the sec- ond day of the said month and year, and* I have now to in- * A considerable portion of this dispatch beginning at this point is to be found ranslated in the Southern Quarterly Review for April, 1844, pp. 394 et seq. This translaiion very considerably modified and altered, is reproduced here, with omis- sions supplied and errors corrected. Tr. Siege of St. Augustine jj form Your Excellency, that on the 22d of December, there arrived at this place, a cavalry soldier, of the guard of St. John's Bar, which is about twelve leagues north of this port, who says, that he saw the tracks of 25 or 35 men, at the small creeks about half way of the road; and immediately another cavalry soldier of the same guard, came with the news, that one of our Indians had reported, that on the banks of the St. John's, he had seen the tracks of more than three hundred white men. On the 23d, the Ensign of cavalry Don Lorenzo Joseph de Leon, and one soldier, arrived at this place with report of having seen at the same small creeks, a great number of Indians, and white people. On the 24th council was held to decide whether it would be advisable to demolish the fort of Diego, or reinforce it, and whether our force was sufficiently strong to attack the enemy. We resolved to send a relief of eleven men, and that it would not be expedient to weaken this garrison, for the reasons set forth in the minutes of the council. The same day, we began to hasten various works looking to the se- curity, and defence of the place. On the 25th, a trooper came in and some of our Indians, bringing intelligence, that they had discovered the fresh tracks of 30 men, at the distance of four leagues from this place ; and Father Francisco Gomez, parish priest, of the village of Ayamon, where the Indians of Pozatalaca estab- lished themselves last year to cultivate more fertile lands, reported that in the neighborhood of that place, seven or eight leagues from this, about 10 Uchises Indians had shown themselves. On the 26th, I sent the Ensign of cavalry, Don Alonzo Joseph, to scout the country, and collect all the cattle pos- sible, to be crossed to Santa Anastacia Island ; I also sent out four Indians on the same scouting mission, charging them with the promise of twenty-five dollars to take an En- glishman, or hostile Indian prisoner. In the afternoon, the Ensign returned with 93 head of cattle, and I sent the Sub- lieutenant Don Manuel Garcia, in four small boats, to cut stakes for different uses of the Royal service, and for the defence of the place. On the 27th, I despatched the Ensign Don Antonio So- lana, to bring in the horses. Don Cristobal de Torres, Bar- tolome Ramirez, and other residents went out on the same business. I charged Don Francisco Menendez, and other 34 Letters of Montiano residents, with the business of crossing the cattle over to Santa Anastacia Island already mentioned. I sent the In- dian Juan Ygnacio, with five other Indians, to the river of Picotala, which is that called St. John's, to observe the movements of the enemy. On the 28th, I sent out four other Indians by land, on the same errand; and in the night, two of the Indians who went with Juan Ygnacio, returned with the news, that on that day, the fort of Picolata was attacked by 240 English, and Indians, and that its garrison of seven men, had de- fended it valiantly, from ten in the morning, till 5 in the afternoon, at which hour the enemy made a shameful re- treat. On the 29th, I despatched the Cacique Chislala, with eight Indians of his choice, to scout the country, and charged to take hostile Indian, or Englishman prisoner alive. This same day, one of the soldiers in the affair of the fort of Picolata, came in and with him the Indians Juan Ygnacio, and Juan Savina, who said that those who attacked the fort, were 150 English, and 30 Indians, that the fire lasted four hours ; that our casualties were the wounding of the artillery- man and, that two of the enemy were seen to fall, one of whom appeared to be an officer, for he wore a laced hat, and was taken off by four men. The soldier informed me, that the fort was attacked by two mortars firing large shell (Gre- nadas Reales) and gave me a few splinters of those that fell within the fort. On the 30th, the beforementioned Father, parish priest of Ayamon, arrived with the news, that on the 29th Uchises In- dians had killed Fayaquisca, in the neighborhood of that town. On this same day the four Indians sent out on the 26th, returned, and, informed me, that having been at St. Mateo, which is on the St. John's, they saw the tracks of Indians who had passed back and forth, and though they made every exertion to discover whether they had made, or were constructing a fort in the vicinity of that river, they could see only boats going to this part of the Saint John's, and they debated whether the Indians and whites lately seen could be found there, because the tracks of the Indians all made for the said part of the Saint John's. On the 4th of January, 1740, the Cacique Chislala re- turned with all his Indians, and assured me that they had been to the St. John's, that they had thoroughly reconnoiter- ed those parts and had seen there only the camps (ranchos) Siege of St. Augustine 33 where the hostile Indians had been, and that according to the signs left behind there were 134 of them. They made thir- ty-six fires, which covered the English, who were, they thought, in number 200. On the 7th, I despatched Juan Ygnacio, and Geronimo, with three other Indians, each to scout, and examine the landing places. On the 8th, the artillery man, wounded in the affair of Picolata, died. The same day, I sent Don Pedro Lamberto Horrutiner with 25 horsemen of his company, 25 infantry, and 30 Indians and free negroes (of those who are fugitives from the English Colonies), to scout the country, and use diligence to capture a few Indian scouts who are supposed to be in this neighborhood, and they returned at night with- out any news. On the 13th, the parish priest of the before mentioned town of Ayamon, informed me that at 9 in the morning, they were attacked by 46 Uchises Indians, who badly wounded, and scalped an Indian who was outside of the little fort they have there. On the 1 8th, the Indian Juan Ygnacio returned with some of his Indians, and report having seen in the St. John's river, at a place called St. Nicholas, 12 vessels consisting of 3 schooners, 2 sloops, and 7 canoes ; and that it seemed to him they must have had 700 men aboard. This day, I des- patched two troopers, with two Indians, to see if the ves- sels landed people at Salamatoto, and the two Indians to pass to Picolata, to watch the movements of the enemy. On the 19th, the Indian Geronimo, companion of Juan Yg- nacio returned, to report that he had seen in the St. John's two boats which kept in the middle of the river, without moving; it is a question if they are posted here to discover if any armament of our enters the bar, in which case one would be detached to alarm the neighboring Colonies, and the other to alarm the 12 vessels at St. Nicholas. The In- dians returned who went out yesterday, and say, they went near to Picolata and could see nothing; afterwards, it was discovered that these two Indians did not go half the way. The two troopers who went out with them reconnoitered the estuary of Nicoloa, and finding it unoccupied returned. On the same 19th day, I sent out Laureano Solana, Ser- geant of cavalry, with eight soldiers, and four Indians, to discover if the before mentioned boats were still in the Picolata River, and whether they had taken the fort of Pupo. j6 Letters' of Montiano On the 20th, the Sergeant returned at I in the morning, with report of having seen a great number of men and fires at Picolata; but as he made his reconnaissance at night, he could not see the fort, nor can he say precisely how many men there were. On the same day, I sent out Juan Ygnacio, and eleven Indians, to make proper reconnoisance, and endeavor to take an Indian, or Englishman alive. On the 21 st, the Indian Juan Ygnacio returned with his party, and assured me, that on arriving at Picolata, they found the fort in ashes, and from there, saw that the En- glish vessels were near the Fort of Pupo. That all about it, were many people in red coats and that the said fort was in the hands of the enemy, for they saw many people go out and in, up and down. , , On the 22d, I despatched Diego de Espinosa, who is a resi- dent of this place, well acquainted with the country, with six cavalrymen to reconnoiter, and mark the landings of St John's, St. Matheo, and St. Nicholas. On the 24th, Diego de Espinosa returned, with the six troopers that accompanied him, who reports that he saw- three soldiers' tents on the St. John's, opposite St. Nicholas. He endeavored to get near to discover what they contained, but hearing the discharge of a gun, which ap- peared to be a signal that his party was discovered, he re- tired quickly, fearing lest they should cut off his retreat. On the 27th, I sent out the Lieutenant of cavalry, Don Romualdo Ruiz del Moral, with 25 horsemen, 25 Indians and 25 free negroes, to scour the country, to reconnoiter Picolata and Pupo, and with the greatest circumspection, and precaution, to make a most serious effort to capture an Indian, or Englishman alive, by attacking those on this side if it could be done, having due regard for the prudence necessary in a viglant march, and for an exact examination of the river, in order to estimate the number of people on this side. And according to information acquired, he was to attack them or not, or annoy them on some side, at no special risk. On the 29th, the Lieutenant Don Romualdo Ruiz del Mor- al returned with his party, with report that they reached the landing of Picolata, but could not on account of rain and fog, inform themselves of the state of the fort of Pupo, but they thought they saw it, and heard the sound of a drum Siege of SI. Augustine 37 from it.* In this state of affairs I am compelled to send Your Excellency shortly our launch with this intelligence so that in possession of it, and of orders from the King, Your Excellency may see fit to take all the steps suited to the victualling and fortification of this place, points in re- spect of which it is absolutely impossible to do anything whatever here. As regards the said river St. John's or Picolata, it is an arm of the sea some three quarters of a league in width, measured accurately by different Engineers, entering over the bar of the same name, and emptying at the entrance of Apalachee, or the southern Coast, according to the belief of the most experienced Indians. I declare categorically that I have no naval forces to oppose to the enemy's ; but having them, it were easy to introduce them over the same bar, to go out to meet the enemy and punishing him severe- ly, to guard these dominions. Lacking such forces how- ever, there is no remedy, and that is precisely why I have not sent out by land, a large detachment, for it would re- quire at the same time, a strong expedition by sea. Now supposing the English should blockade this position, as they have threatened, and should for the success of this plan make a great effort to attack the forts of Picolata and Pupo, as a feint to force me to throw out a large body of troops, it is not to be doubted that, being with their Indian allies masters of the country, they would endeavor strenu- ously to cut their (our troops') communications with us. If unfortunately these should fail to retire in good order, the English would then with slight opposition and no hindrance force the entrance of the Port with their boats, keeping them ready for this purpose in the channels running from the aforementioned bar of Saint John into the interior which would be under their control. They would thus take possession of this position with great ease, seeing there would be no one to defend it, if they had first routed our troops. Moreover, even if I had without any zeal come to such a decision, one that I should myself call rash and illogical, no glory would have befallen our arms. For the English controlling the said St. John's with their heavy launches able to carry guns of medium caliber, and being thus enabled to enter this river and give support at any time by these same * The extract in the Southern Quarterly Review ends here. Tr. j2 Letters of Montiano cost. And so I renew my thanks to Your Excellency for having sent them to my relief, even against the common opinion of the entire torrent of members of the Junta held by you to decide whether or no they should be sent. On the return of the boats under the charge of Don Juan de Ojeda I shall write at length to Your Excellency : to-day I can do no more than send this great news by the ship- master Palomares. Saint Augustine, in Florida, July 28, 1740. Postscript. Sir: All the 12 English deserters say in confirmation of one another that General Oglethorpe has gone for reenforce- ments, with the intention of returning upon this place next spring. Although I do not believe that the settlers of Car- olina will give more help on account of the vexation and annoyances of this campaign, yet his authority and restless spirit may move them, as well as the numbers he is said to expect from Europe, according to some, two thousand, to others, two regiments. Relative to this, Your Excellency may consider the best measures to put this place in a new state of defense, lacking as I do more than the remaining 300 men, on account of the losses encountered at Pupo, San Diego, the sloop, the sortie of Moze, and of Indian prisoners and killed. The enemy spread the news that on their retreat they would burn the fort of San Diego, and that of Pupo. But the latest deserter says that General Oglethorpe is going to construct a battery of 6 guns at the entrance of the Saint John's on the other side, to prevent the entrance of galliots, and in order to maintain Pupo. All the others declare that it was his intention to withdraw with his entire regiment (now of 378 men out of 600 it originally contained) to the fort of Federico, and fortify himself there, abandoning the remaining forts he has in other islands. Other deserters have said that their general was going over to London for fresh reenforcements. Should the war continue, we must take measures to oppose his plans. The fort at San Diego was abandoned without being burn- ed, reported. Luckily for us, no shelll fell within the fort, but their guns injured our parapets. This was the moment to exterminate General Oglethorpe with his regiment and force him out of Georgia, with forces u^- ahhoih oi s: Aim Province <>i Geo li - _j\ % if, ... • 4\ ^:'1&£ & \ \ s*^%SS*#S^ v>*> „.!r. ■*■*>• ■•••^t'. r?»a8 • / /V../.V "I llll IlAK/JOCK of S! Al/< in flu Pjiovjnch „r geoi UtiW Si'/trr.ri »/,/„/,„//„ orf/i ..( Id HltfllT J/o.voi i(.\/n,K ,|„ f„OKDJ /, ./././/'. />/;.v /hl/Ot MS — •_ ^as Siege of St. Augustine 63 but little stronger than those I have here, for his troops are discontented, and he would get but little help from Carolina by reason of the same discontent, and fear of their negroes. So far the French sloop has been unable to enter, nor have I seen anyone other than Monsieur Paran. I have appointed to-morrow for an interview with them. In the latest orders but one from the capital, I received one forbidding the supply of stores from any foreign colony, on account of a mistake here over the admission of Benavides of a schooner in a time of scarcity. But in the latest ones, received by me with Don Juan del Canto, to whom Your Excellency entrusted them, the King directs me to supply myself in the French colonies, which authority permits with- out any misgiving the contract made by you, to which I fully accede, although the price of flour is high, and we shall try to cut it down as much as possible. I have been most anxious, but it is certain that the troops (I can not set forth to Your Excellency their valor, steadi- ness and suffering under our continuous labor) relieved me in great part. In the midst of such great dangers, gossip ran riot. Don Antonio Salgado, who commanded the sortie on Moze, acted like a true officer, profiting by their discharge to take them disarmed, as it were ; on which he entered the work in safety, and overthrew them, although the fort is capable of much resistance. This affair destroyed the settlement of Scotchmen and people in whom Oglethorpe had complete confidence. Al- though the matter is common property here, I inform Your Excellency confidentially that Fandino is not fit to command the galliots, and on the contrary all the other captains are, because he has been remiss in obeying my orders, and could with but little risk have dismounted their principal battery, and the last day have prevented the escape of some of the English vessels, and other good things, and it is well that Your Excellency should know this. The garrison sloop only took six thousand dollars on gar- rison account and the eight pickets, and a few * groups of people from the underbrush but it is the habit here to aug- ment everything. * Encomiendillas de partiadare- de poca monte. Precisely what is meant by these words is not clear. Encomiendilla is a diminutive of encomienda, on which as an institution, see Foreman "The Philippine Islands," 3d edition, p. 211, and also De Morga "The Philippine Islands," pp. 323, 325, London, printed for the Hakluyt Society, 1868. The reference of the entire passage is obscure. Tr. Letters of Montiano A few of our prisoners have returned hither from the camp and from the boats of the English, and speak ill of Don Domingo. I marvel at this greatly, but the signs are bad. May God preserve our judgment, and Your Excellency's, as is my wish. No. 207. Sir: On July 28, I sent or had ready the report sent to Your Excellency in a letter of that date, and reduced to the state- ment that on the 20th of the same, the enemy raised the siege ; and that on account of the presence or station of a frigate and despatch boat to the south on this coast, the entrance of the sloops and schooners with supplies could not be made before July 27. I now have to tell Your Excellency that Palomares failed or was unable to sail, through his carelessness and neglect before Sunday the 31. To-day, August 3, I have received Your Excellency's prin- cipal letter entrusted to Don Juan Ruiz del Canto who, as may be inferred from the foregoing letter included herewith, tells me that he had remained in his cabin : and with regard to Your Excellency's advices, in it, to the effect that Your Excellency is preparing the frigate Sta. Catarina under the command of Don Joseph de Herrera, two other frigates equipped for war, two transports and a sloop with stores. I have sent out the boat to-day, to take station with 11 men on the bar of Mosquitoes, in order to give the necessary notice of the state of this place to the said Captain Don Jos- eph de Herrera, and so that at the proper time Bartolome de Espinosa may set forth to bear to Your Excellency a du- plicate of the report of the withdrawal of the Generals Ogle- thorpe and Pierse. I have so far not yet received positive news that the enemy has withdrawn from San Juan, although the latest, deserters have assured me that they were to em- bark on the coming Friday, 5th instant. To the end of verifying this news, and that of their having sent a few launches to take up the guns at Pupo and demolish it, I am keeping out various patrols of cavalry and Indians, the principal purpose and most especial charge being to observe their movements in order to guard against any treacherous design, seeing that I had received a verification of the re- port that they were maintaining themselves at San Juan, with all the troops, militia and smaller boats. Siege of St. Augustine 65 I have not thought it proper to follow the rearguard, be- cause of lack of troops; out of the eight companies alone more than one hundred men are lacking. The troops more- over are worn out, and I do not wish to expose this place, in a matter of doubtful issue, to late ruin, after having res- cued it from the greatest danger. But I hope finally with the disposition and assistance of Your Excellency to chas- tise them, and give them an exterminating blow. As this despatch must go promptly, I have no more to report to Your Excellency. Florida, August 3, 1740. No. 210. Sir: I shall now proceed to answer Your Excellency's letters necessarily laid aside on account of my pressing duties. Besides the intelligence given by the two and twenty desert- ers that have come here, to the effect that General Ogle- thorpe has circulated the rumor that he means to return td the siege of this place within four or five months, or next spring, they add that he will cause other galliots to be built, like ours, but of greater burden. And although it appears impossible to me that the said Ogletorpe should repeat the enterprise, on account of the arduous difficulties he will en- counter in bringing the settlers of Carolina a second time to his way of thinking, nevertheless as the entire system of the citizens of those colonies and of their neighbors, consists and dwells in the desire to capture this place, the reef on which ordinarily they break, and the obstacle to the course of their inhuman and haughty plan of exterminating the Indians of the continent of Apalachee and its confines so as to occupy all these provinces without let or hindrance, it seems logical to me not to spurn their warnings, because it may of course happen that, thoroughly distrusting the con- duct of Oglethorpe, they may in case the war continue, ask the King of Great Britian to commit the direction of af- fairs to some other soldier whose conciliatory character may give them better satisfaction. If this happens, as is possible, or if the same Oglethorpe should again have charge, he may succeed in bewitching them into the belief that another greater expedition is necessary against this place, for ob- viously we must assume that the new attempt and attack would be undertaken with double forces at least. And if his court should be inclined to grant the two regiments or 66 Letters of Montiano the two thousand troops, as divulged, because of the advan- tage to that Crown of holding this province, then will it be most necessary to send equal forces ; for, seeing that this place is an open country, its defense should be guarded more than any other thing. There can infallibly be no other worse nor more deplorable condition, than our reduction to the limits of the fort ; if this happens, which God forbid, it is equally infallible that we could not exist for any length of time. Without taking into consideration any other reason or principle, the sad voices and tears of the women and children, were enough to distract their fathers from the best laid, logical plans. I keep in mind Your Excellency's grave preoccupations with the defense of that island (Cuba), beauti- ful woman whom all nations are wooing, but I also be- lieve that Your Excellency, zealous in the K ing's service, will make a special study of coming to the relief of this place with all that it needs. In a circular of January 30 of this year, sent to all coun- cils of the cities of these Indies, the King especially recom- mends the defense of all his American dominions, offering at the same time to send troops from the Kingdom for the making of a more vigorous resistance. But if it should hap- pen that these can not be supplied, either by reason of some serious obstacle by sea or land, or for any other good reason, then, in obedience to my duty, and to the reiterated com- mands of the King to report to Your Excellency, I must set before Your Excellency my resources, begging for whatever may be necessary to the defense of this place; because, if the war continues, I am under the necessity of asking for 370 infantrymen, and 24 artillerymen. During the siege and be- fore, and counting the men not fit for duty, the troops of this garrison and of the reenforcements were reduced by this number, there remaining of the former only 116 fit for duty, and of the latter ony 240, making 356. As both corps should amount to 750, 350 of the old garrison, and 400 of the eight companies of the reenforcements, and as there are in this gar- rison no more than 356 between the two, it is plain that I need 394 men, just the number I am asking for, and having reference to the terms under which the King held this place. But as it is now threatened with the most furious anger rea- son of the damage inflicted upon the English in their siege of it, it is my duty at the same time to ask Your Excellency, should the war continue, for 300 armed men more, mulattoes and free negroes from the militia of Cuba. I regard it as Siege of Si Augustine 67 important to the best and most useful service of the King, that in the agreement made to this end, it be stipulated and arranged with them, that they are to do armed duty when necessary, and manual labor all the time, these being the two purposes they must understand they are coming for. But if this should appear to Your Excellency to be too heavy a task, an agreement might be reached with them to divide them into two shifts, giving to one half indulgence, in order to have them work for weeks or months, and allowing them to employ their spare time in rest or amusement, or in the pursuit of anything that might appeal to the intelligence of each one. And if Your Excellency could send them armed, it will be and is of significance to the King's service, there being no one here to perform it, because this is now a Hospital. At the same time, I must point out to Your Excellency that it would be most profitable to send the negroes and mulattoes at the very first opportunity to put the position into the proper condition, and that the infantry and artillery should be here by December 20 of this year at the latest. The great penetration of Your Excellency will perceive from these terms, that the King can impose no charge upon me without my recurring to Your Excellency, as he com- manded, for all that is necessary to put this place in the con- dition His Majesty desires, and that in following this course I am discharging my obligation in obedience to the royal orders directing me to apply to Your Excellency for all that the custody of this place demands. With respect to all this, I believe that if it be possible, all measures will promptly be taken to send me the succor in question : and that if it be impossible to send the number of troops and militia, Your Excellency will fully satisfy the King on this point, and I shall have fully complied with his sovereign commands, and no one can caluminously charge me with omission, indolence or neglect. I firmly believe that Your Excellency's lofty talents will not disavow my legitimate and just petitions in behalf of the royal principle whence they flow; and that if the King des- tines troops for the better defense of this place, my petitions would still remain in force; for His Majesty will naturally count upon his garrison, and upon what he had before direct- ed to be sent, because he will think that his directions have been obeyed. Florida. August 7, 1740. 68 Letters of Montiano No. 248. Sir: After learning of the loss of the Convoy of supplies sent by Your Excellency to this place, in the brigantine of Andres Gonzales and the sloop of the King, I managed successfully to arm the Campeche sloop as a privateer. It went out the 17th of October and having captured a Carolinian schooner sent her here under the charge of Domingo Quintana, Don Juan de Hita, two boys, and a negro. And although she came to the entrance of this port six days afterward, and our launch went out to pilot her having made no attempt to speak her, as neither did the port, since she was going to the southward, and was taken for an Englishman, she with- drew, but so far we have not the slightest news of her. We believe either that she must have been lost in some storm, or that three Englishmen she had aboard, the two boys and a woman were killed while drunk, as the first were, the rest being taken asleep. A few days later, Oglethorpe's ser- geant major was captured, and through bad management I lost two men, one killed and the other wounded by the 18- pounders of the frigate and despatch boat. A pink was cap- tured off Carolina,* on its way to Hamburg, and having on board over nine thousand artobas (quarters) of rice, which has been the salvation of this city, because from the 28 of Oc- tober when she came in, the troops and entire neighborhood have lived on it, baking it into roscas (ring-shaped biscuits or cakes). The said Joseph Sanchez having declared that he wished to leave off privateering and sell his sloop, I ar- ranged to buy and arm it, rigging it anew with captured tackle, to the satisfaction of Fandino, who it was suggested wished to go privateering. Equipping it according to his judgment, and leaving him freedom of action, the sloop was fitted out much to the satisfaction of everybody that not even from the ways could she have gone forth better equip- ped. With 80 men picked out by him, the 50 of the gal- liots, and 30 from this place, and a sergeant and six soldiers he asked for, she hoisted sail on December 3 with a good wind, and on the 5th at dawn found herself on the bar of Carolina* itself, although it was his intention to station him- self off Cape Ferro, out of sight of land ; but finding himself so near to Carolina,* as well as to the pilot on the bar, he captured him. Keeping in view at the same time a priva- * Charleston. Siege of St. Augustine 69 teering sloop which had just left the port on its way to Ja- maica, the two privateers closed, and according to the report of three men succeeded in bringing the launch, went off to- gether cannonading each other ; from time to time there was musketry fire. The men say they were unable to follow their privateer and fearing lest the Englishman should capture them if he tacked, they tried to make the coast. The Englishman was seen to tack toward the land and returned to his port: our ship was lost to view standing out to sea. Before going aboard, Fandino was heard to say he would go farther north because now they were discovered in those parts. The three men who brought in the launch (which re- sembles our boat here with its deck) separated from the pri- vateer with only two ship biscuit : with what they could catch with a hook, they succeeded in arriving safely. A little ne- gro of 10 or 12, taken in the launch says that the largest and best part of Carolina, to wit the houses of the Marina (water- front) has been burned, the fire having lasted two weeks; that the powder magazine blew up, and that there were three manuales ** in the harbor. On the 19th a schooner much larger than that of Muga- guren anchored on our bar, captured by our privateer Fan- digo, who writes me from Cape Ferro what Your Excel- lency may see in copy herewith. Two prisoners sent in her bring no special news other than what Your Excellency may get from the declaration they made. On the 29th instant, our privateering sloop returned be- cause the crew could not stand the rigors of the winter, which has been cruel. Fandino came ashore, and told me of another schooner he had captured, but without supplies, only a few useless things, such as aguardiente, honey-cakes, and flag stones ; and that she must be well out to sea, as she was caught in a storm in the Bahama Channel. The captains of the two schooners, and the Carolina pilot whom Fandino took aboard the privateer, and 'whom I caused to be examin- ed to-day, have no more news to give than the short paper of the said 29. Yesterday we caught sight of an English frigate seemingly of 20 to 24 guns : to-day it has remained in view until 3 of the afternoon. Bearing in mind Fandino's performance on ** I. e. men o' war. See note, ante. Tr. jo Letters of Montiano the bar of San Jorge, I infer that they must have armed one of their manuales to pursue the privateer, or to come and wait here, as it were to hamper the entrance of the boats sailing from this city. With reference to this, if on receipt of this, there should be some strong boat, capable of at- tacking this one, I beseech Your Excellency to send it, to clear the coast; because it is very possible they will be chas- tised, and from the fear so engendered, will not so lightly undertake to blockade us. Florida, Jan. 2, 1741. Postscript. I have just heard that the Carolina pilot says this frigate was to leave for the purpose of remaining four months off this port, and that her captain had so promised the Parlia- ment. And I fear lest the small boats missing from the last shipment, and that of Escalera may fall into its hands. v»w>*ni^; /^KfESw