Chapter I: Preface

The present little work is the partial result of odd hours spent in the study of the history, especially the ancient history--if by this term I may be allowed to mean all that pertains to the aborigines and first settlers--of the peninsula of Florida. In some instances, personal observations during a visit thither, undertaken for the purposes of health in the winter of 1856-57, have furnished original matter, and served to explain, modify, or confirm the statements of previous writers.

Aware of the isolated interest ever attached to merely local history, I have endeavored, as far as possible, by pointing out various analogies, and connecting detached facts, to impress upon it a character of general value to the archæologist and historian. Should the attempt have been successful, and should the book aid as an incentive to the rapidly increasing attention devoted to subjects of this nature, I shall feel myself amply repaid for the hours of toil, which have also ever been hours of pleasure, spent in its preparation.

THORNBURY, PENNA., APRIL, 1859.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

LITERARY HISTORY. PAGE. Introductory Remarks.--The Early Explorations.--The French Colonies.--The First Spanish Supremacy.--The English Supremacy.--The Second Spanish Supremacy.--The Supremacy of the United States.--Maps and Charts 13

CHAPTER II.

THE APALACHES.

Derivation of the Name.--Earliest Notices of.--Visited and Described by Bristock, in 1653.--Authenticity of his Narrative.--Subsequent History and Final Extinction 92

CHAPTER III.

TRIBES OF THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.

§ 1. SITUATION AND SOCIAL CONDITION.--Caloosas.--Ais and Tegesta.--Tocobaga.--Vitachuco.--Utina.--Soturiba.--Method of Government.

§ 2. CIVILIZATION.--Appearance.--Games.--Agriculture.--Construction of Dwellings.--Clothing.

§ 3. RELIGION.--General Remarks.--Festivals in Honor of the Sun and Moon.--Sacrifices.--Priests.--Sepulchral Rites.

§ 4. LANGUAGES.--The Timuquana Tongue.--Words Preserved by the French 111

CHAPTER IV.

LATER TRIBES.

§ 1. Yemassees.--Uchees.--Apalachicolos.--Migrations Northwards.

§ 2. Seminoles 139

CHAPTER V.

THE SPANISH MISSIONS.

Early Attempts.--Efforts of Aviles.--Later Missions.-- Extent during the most Flourishing Period.--Decay 150

CHAPTER VI.

ANTIQUITIES.

Mounds.--Roads.--Shell Heaps.--Old Fields 166

APPENDIX I.

The Silver Spring 183

APPENDIX II.

The Mummies of the Mississippi Valley 191

APPENDIX III.

The Precious Metals Possessed by the Early Floridian Indians 199

THE FLORIDIAN PENINSULA.