A. M. Brooks

A. D. 1773-1786.

Letter from the King to the Bishop of Cuba concerning the petition soliciting an extension of time and the privileges conceded to Dr. Pedro Campos and Padre Bartolome Casanovas, Parochial Priest and Vicar of Catholic families of Minorca in Florida—Enclosing an open mandate of his Holiness enlarging and extending the time for twenty years, Madrid, 1773—A copy of a letter and statement sent in by Lieutenant of Hibernians, Don Nicholas Grenier, in regard to the importance of the St. Johns and St. Marys river Provinces, stating the need to his Majesty of vessels armed to impress and control these Provinces which are rich in timber, turpentine, pitch and tar—Considers it detrimental to Spanish interests for Americans to introduce any commerce in those Provinces—Letter for the Captain-General of Florida to the Governor of the post of St. Augustine concerning the great necessity of further protecting the Spanish interests along the St. Marys and St. Johns rivers—Tranquility of the country jeopardized by outlaws—Some have been arrested and paid the penalty with their lives—Matter referred to the Governor, 1774.

The King to the Rev. Father in Christ, Bishop of the Holy Church, Cathedral of Santiago de Cuba.

In a letter of August 29th, 1771, I am informed by Don Lamas Acpuro, Archbishop, who was of Valencia and my Minister to the Court of Rome, that in virtue of a warning from the Marquez of Grimalde in a letter of July 23rd, he had formed the corresponding petition soliciting an extension of time of the privileges conceded to Dr. Pedro Campos and Padre Bartolome Casanovas, Parochial Priest and Vicar of the Catholic families of Minorca, who went to establish themselves in the English territory of Florida, asking also that his Holiness accord to these Ecclesiastics and their successors the other graces and privileges needed to administer to the spiritual nourishment of their flocks—and having deemed it desirable to transmit them through MonseÑor Zelada of whom they had also availed themselves to investigate the truth of these privileges, being one of the Prelates who served in the Tribunal of the Holy Office. He immediately complied with the petition in consequence of having sent it to his Holiness at the instigation of MonseÑor Antonelli, assistant of the same Tribunal, who spoke to his Holiness in audience, using his favorable influence with the result shown in his letter to MonseÑor Zelada of August 24th, informing him that his Holiness extended these privileges to twenty years—asking if he had complied with the balance of the communication for greater privileges and followed the instructions mentioned in the open mandate. He replied asking if he would pass on to solicit in the practical way which was proper, and hoping it would deserve my approbation. Having seen the referred to document with my Council of the Indias, represented by Marquis de la Torre, Governor and Captain-General of that Island, by letter dated December 4th, 1771, concerning what you had done in consequence of the warning given you in the affair of the aforementioned families, explained by my Judge, and consulted me regarding it about the last of December past. I have resolved (among other things) to send the aforementioned open Mandate which has been obtained from his Holiness to certify to you the enlargement and extension of time granted the aforesaid Dr. Campos and Padre Casanovas and charging you (as I do) to use all means that are proper for your Pastoral Ministry and those of his Holiness, it has latterly been conceded you—having present by Chapter 28 of the Mandate, you can communicate it to all the Priests whom it may effect, and as the notice given you by the referred to Royal Cedula of August 16th, 1771, you will attend to and aid spiritually all the Catholics of Florida, this being my will.

The King.

Madrid, August 4th, 1773.

Excellent Sire:

I enclose you a copy of a letter and statement which by my order was sent in by Lieutenant of Hibernians Don Nicholas Grenier, upon his return from the River St. Mary’s where since my arrival I have placed him rather as a Commissioned than a detached Officer, as I have before notified your Majesty, because it has seemed to me that is the most important place in this Province as no doubt it will be in the future, on account of its fine and accessible Bar, the abundance of magnificent timber, the thorough knowledge the English have of the river, the scarcity of this nation for building material would be a stimulus to the Bahamas as well as to Satavento and Barlovento, that in future they should be supplied from them. In a previous report I stated to your Majesty the necessity I felt for two vessels for said river and the St. John’s, but today I consider it my duty to make known to your Majesty the great need we have of vessels, and would ask that you send a Man-of-war with some schooners, launches and boats around as reserve guards, not only for the St. Mary’s, but the St. John’s also, where the Bar, although not as many feet deep as the St. Mary’s, is better and its waters are navigable for larger vessels thirty leagues up the river, and its banks abound in magnificent timber, especially the pine, from which the English have taken many millions of barrels of turpentine, pitch and tar. I also consider it important to have the armed vessels to secure the tranquility of this Country and put a restraint upon the many disturbers of peace who not knowing where to go and wishing to remain in the Province refused to be subjected to Government or laws of any kind. It is certain that in such cases a few armed vessels would make more impression than two regiments since the swamps and woods make it almost impossible for them to operate. The twenty-five Dragoons I now have are not sufficient to maintain my orders with the proper authority, therefore I fear to issue orders not to compromise the dignity of this Government. My only resource and hope is that your Majesty will place me in a position where, when occasion demands, I can act with the proper spirit and decorum. God preserve you for many years.

St. Augustine, November 12th, 1784.

Copy of Letter of Commandant of Detached Body of Troops on the St. Mary’s River to the Governor of Florida.

My Dear Sir:

Acting upon the order imposed upon me by His Majesty, when I presented myself for resignation of the commission under my charge on the river St. Mary’s. I enclose adjusted a report stating as far as my ability allows all that I have observed and consider worthy of your notice. God preserve you many years.

Nicolas Grenier.

Statement.

The Bar of St. Mary’s, so called, although its true name is Bar of Amelia, is considered one of the best and least dangerous of the America Septentrional. Vessels of 500 tons can enter. On either side are Islands. The one on the right is called Cumberland, belonging to the Americans; it is sparsely inhabited, exceedingly fertile in timber, as American vessels come to cut it. The one on the left is called Amelia, its land is considered very fertile, producing pine, cedar and oak in abundance. Its inhabitants number some twenty families; these people belong as much to one Island as the other, being variable and erratic in their habits. The distance between Amelia and Cumberland, which forms the channel where all vessels going up the St. Mary’s are obliged to pass, is more or less—miles. For this reason a Fort or Castle at the northern extremity of Amelia would be of the greatest advantage. The channel formed by these Islands is at the mouth of the river. In front of these Islands is a third one called Tiger, entirely depopulated, as it is sterile, full of swamps and lakes so that no advantage can be derived from it. From the anchoring grounds of Amelia to the entrance of St. Mary’s river is a distance of one and a half miles and the River is navigable for forty miles. At the mouth of said River there is a place called by the English New Town or Princetown which was selected for building a City, but the work was never carried out. The number of outlaws between the towns of St. John’s and St. Mary’s is about sixty families. Among them some might be useful to our Nation, but the others the sooner we drive them out of the Province the better, as they are men who have neither God nor law, and men who are capable of the greatest atrocities. There is another River further in where vessels can navigate for several miles, but it requires an experienced pilot, on account of the numerous sand banks and small streams and the most experienced are frequently deceived. There are four or five other small Islands. The Talbot, St. George, Doctor and the Pierce, all these Islands, although in themselves small, are of much value for their beautiful pines, cedars and oaks. I consider it detrimental to our interests that the Americans introduce any commerce in this Province, and at the same time I believe the best way to prevent it would be to establish a fleet. These Islands produce timber to build the vessels.

Nicolas Grenier.

St. Augustine, Fla., Nov. 10th, 1784.

1786.

Letter for the Captain-General of Florida to the Governor of the Post of St. Augustine.

Don Vicente Manuel de Cespedes gave an account in three letters directed to your Excellency that Don Nicolas Grenier, who commanded the detached company on the River St. Mary’s, stated the urgency and necessity of protecting that post for the advantages which would accrue from it to the Royal service, and tranquility of the Country. The inhabitants have openly declared against us, but conceal themselves in wilderness on the banks of the St. John’s as far as St. Mary’s controlling that Province. He warned the English Governor Don Patrick Louin to prosecute the perfidity of such men, if he would secure a peaceful Government. The opinion he had formed of them was afterwards confirmed by the frequent thefts and deprivation, it could not be remedied for the want of aid. Under such circumstances I judge it better to wait and allow them to leave and then vigorously oppose their re-entering the Province. At present, the beginning of the year 1785, we find ourselves free from many of the principal leaders of them, who went over to Pensacola and other English settlements and to the United States, where some have paid the penalty of their misdeeds with their lives. The SeÑor Louin seemed to think the time had arrived when they should be prosecuted, and so he sent to arrest one of the outlaws, Daniel Mc——, in the name of Great Britain. Candido Salteador and Guillermo Cunningham are even worse than the others, being constant receivers of stolen goods. He afterwards gave them their liberty under bond that they should leave the Province with the tide, using the launch San Pedro to convey them, he made them take oath never to re-enter the Province nor surrounding country. We are to consult with Providence as to what steps must be taken with Cunningham’s wife and children. The reports having been examined by the Council of Indians, they have decided to take no steps at present, the King agreeing to the proposition, and his Majesty commands me to return your Excellency the above referred reports and testimonials, that as Captain-General of the Province of St. Augustine, is to proceed in the case, as your Excellency, under the circumstances, should determine in things of weight as well as in minor affairs, as behooves a Governor of Florida. Render a just account of the results, and of the Royal Order. I warn your Excellency that you fulfill it.

God preserve you for many years.

SeÑor.

Madrid, December 5th, 1786.