A. D. 1675.

By dispatch of the same month and year notice was given Governor Pablo Ita Salazar of the commands issued to his predecessor and to the Viceroy of New Spain regarding the dislodging of the English from the Port of St. Elena, of which they had taken possession with the intention of settling near the mouth, which in effect they did, occupying a passage called St. George. For this reason notice was sent the Sergeant-Major Nicolas Ponce de Leon to proceed to dislodge the English from this settlement, gathering all the forces of that Province and asking aid of the Viceroy of New Spain who was ordered to reinforce him with what he needed. He did not think there would be any considerable difficulty in accomplishing this, as from four English fugitives he had learned all they had done.

By another dispatch the Governor of Florida was told that the Viceroy of New Spain had notified them of having aided that Garrison with all the supplies needed. As to the hundred families he asked for, that should go as laborers for the increase and culture of crops, they would look into the matter and attend to his representation of it when the case came up, and he was specially charged to be very careful and watchful in completing the Castle and defense of that Garrison.

By Cedula of 1673 the Governor of Yucatan was asked to send to Florida twenty-four families of Indians—master weavers—for the increase of those Provinces for which purpose he would place himself in correspondence with the Governor of the Islands, that both might work out the best means of accomplishing it.

The Governor of Florida replied that the best and most desirable Provinces for the Spanish nation to settle would be Appalache and others very near it. It was exceedingly fertile, and if the settlers were laborers the crops would be very abundant. They gather wheat as abundantly as corn which is the general sustenance. It would be easy to grow the fruits, the land being level and easy to reach on account of the many navigable rivers—to cultivate the lands in cotton, grain and indigo, which grows wild in those Provinces and the crops lost for the want of some one to cultivate them—and it would pay beautifully. This could be increased by putting the twenty-four Yucatan families in for a limited time. Having seen all this in the Council, they again commanded the Governor of Yucatan to place himself in communication with the Governor of Florida and try to send these families, since such great gain would result from it, to those who go as native Indians of Florida to whose Governor he ordered, if this was carried into effect to supply them with the necessaries as per order of Cedula of 1673.

By dispatch of this same year the Governor of the Canaries was ordered and informed of the statement made by the Government of Florida regarding the hundred families going over to settle, telling him the means which could be used, and that it be carried and quickly and effectively that they might have the chance of obtaining the settlements of these Provinces. The Council of War having seen what Governor Pablo Ita Salazar had to say of the lack of food from which the Province was suffering, and the lack of means for obtaining it, commanded the Viceroy of New Spain to send that Garrison the necessary supplies for six months in advance, both ammunition and food, on account of the condition of the Garrison, so that it could be prepared for any emergency which might arise, and not be without defense, and to give an account of its execution. It was also commanded the Viceroy to send the necessary money to Florida that they might make Barracks and lodgings in the Fort for the soldiers who entered as guards, that they might be comfortable under cover and suffer less hardships. He was advised that all should be done with as little expense as possible, and to communicate with the Governor to whom the same order had been given. He said Don Pablo Ita Salazar made a report of the state in which he found the building of the new Castle in Florida, and the lack of means with which to continue it. The Council of War having seen this report notified the Viceroy to send the supplies of three hundred troops, the quota of that Garrison, and three thousand dollars to be expended in the delayed fortification of said Castle; approved by the Governor, it should continue the work of the Castle, and he was recommended to try and reduce the expenses to the absolute necessary. That the neighbors might help in the building, as they were interested, and it was for their own convenience and defense that they could assist without loss of time, and with the supply of three hundred troops who would remain in the Castle. That the number of soldiers there was so reduced it would not only pay the people well but there would be a surplus of capital to provide all that was needed. That this complement of infantry should be kept in the Garrison, and his Majesty had resolved to send a hundred more soldiers by the first opportunity. He again commanded the Viceroy to punctually supply the wants, so that no cause can stop the building of the Castle.

In a letter of August 24th, 1675, the Governor, Don Pablo Ita Salazar, reported to have decided upon making a roof or covering for the bulwarks at Guale, to put the powder and other ammunitions used in the Garrison, and a Barracks and guard house, because what they had was of wood and exposed to incendiaries. That the Royal Officers were so opposed he desisted in its execution to avoid unpleasant encounters until it should be known in the Council, and together with the reports of the Officers. He ordered the continuance of the Castle for better security and defense at the least cost to the Royal Treasury.

Fortification of Appalache.

Don Manuel Cendiga, being Governor of Florida, reported among other things the need of infantry in that Garrison—of what they had, much was in the Province of Appalache which belongs to that jurisdiction. For this reason his Majesty resolved to increase the troops of the Garrison of St. Augustine. He commanded the forty-three missionaries and the Viceroy of New Spain to order the Royal Officers of Mexico to increase the supply of troops in Florida, so that the quota remain at three hundred and fifty, besides the missionary fathers who must punctually supply them each year and solicit their complement.

Don Pablo Ita Salazar, Governor of Florida, gave a report of the numerous infidel Indian settlements there were in the Province of Appalache, and that in the Province of Guale the English had a settlement at St. George. That with the vexations, killing and thefts, with the vicinity of one and the other the Christian Indians receive, we find the only remedy to be in erecting a fortification in the Province of Appalache and place in it one hundred soldiers, and a body of one hundred families around them. Then we might promise to keep them in obedience and subjection to this throne. The Council having seen this, ordered that at present they should prepare to make a fortress in the Port of Appalache in the best and easiest manner for the defense of that Port, and report by the first opportunity the time and amount required for building it. By still another dispatch he ordered the Governor to send a perfectly clear report of what he had already done regarding the fortress of the Port, and of all the Province; the spot best adapted for it, the form and disposition, forces needed for the defense, and if there would be any difficulty in opening up the entrance of the Bay, where it was built; the depth of the water, if vessels could enter, and of what tonnage; have a very careful and minute report from some one of experience and a master. Send a map and report attached of what this work will cost, giving your opinion so that seeing it and the information asked on the matter the most advantageous resolutions may be taken for the security and defense of that Province.