Chapter XXVII (2)

While Melendez was busy with the preliminaries incident to founding a new settlement, having celebrated the divine mysteries in a manner both solemn and ostentatious, the fleet of Ribaut made its appearance at the mouth of the inlet. His extreme caution in sounding the bar to which his vessels were approaching lost him two precious hours, but for which his conquest must have been certain. Had the two remaining vessels been captured, and Melendez made prisoner, then a descent upon the dismayed troops on shore, not yet intrenched, when the annihilation of the settlement must have ensued: thus the whole destiny of Florida would have been changed, the Huguenot colonies established upon the soil, a firm possession of the land given to the French, that might have kept the _fleur-de-lis_ waving from its summit to this day. At the very instant when the hands of Ribaut were stretched to seize his prize, the sudden force of the hurricane parted them--the trembling ships gradually disappearing with their white wings in the distance and darkness, like feeble birds borne onward in the wild fury of the tempest. Meanwhile the mind of Melendez was not idle; a bright thought had flashed across his pathway which opened daring exploits. His officers were summoned to a council of solemn debate and deliberate action in regard to their future movements. It was midnight when the assemblage of the Spanish captains took place in the great council-house of the savages of Selooe. Rude logs strewn about the building, even as they had been employed by the Indians, furnished seats for the Spanish officers. They surrounded a great fire of resinous pine, which now blazed brightly in the apartment. Silently the Castilian noblemen took their seats. Melendez encouraged an immediate attack on Fort Caroline while weakened by the absence of Ribaut and his forces. His arguments and inflexible will silenced opposition, when all the council gradually became of his mind--the whole scene closing with a benediction from Father Salvandi. Every preparation being completed, Melendez, with five hundred picked men, commenced an overland march to Fort Caroline. It was on the night of the 19th of September, 1565, Monsieur de La Vigne, being appointed to keep guard, with his company, and having a tender heart for the men in bad weather, pitied the guards so much he permitted them to retire to their lodgings, and also went himself. Foul weather appeared to agree with the Spaniards, who enjoyed the showers from which the French retired so willingly, and that night found them in readiness for an attack on the Huguenot colony. The surprise being complete, all show of resistance was useless. "Slay! smite! and spare not!" was the dreadful command of Melendez. "The groans of the heretic make music in the ears of Heaven!" Laudonnière, with eighteen of his companions, succeeded in escaping. Among this number was the celebrated painter Le Moyne, whom we owe much for illustrations of Floridian scenery, lineaments, and costumes, preserved in De Bry and other collections. These sailed out the River May, and, after numerous adventures and detentions, arrived on the coast of England. The most cruel portion of this drama is the last act in regard to the fate of the wretched Huguenots taken at the capture of La Caroline, and the dark deed by which the Spanish chief tarnished the record which might have immortalized his name. All resistance having ceased on the part of the Huguenots at Caroline, the standard of Castile was unrolled from its battlements, instead of the white folds and the smiling lilies of France. The name of the fortress was solemnly changed to San Matheo--the day on which they found themselves in its possession being dedicated to the honor of that saint. The arms of France, and also of Coligny, which surmounted the gateways of the fort, were erased, and those of Spain graven instead. The keeping of the fortress was assigned to a garrison of three hundred men, under the command of Gonzalo de Villaroel. These services occupied but little time, not interfering with other performances of the Adelantado, which he thought not the less conspicuous among the duties required at his hands. The surviving prisoners were brought before him, among whom were many women and children. Besides those rescued by Laudonnière, several had fled to the forests, taking shelter with the tribes of neighboring Indians, who in some instances were protected by them with fidelity, but in the greater number of cases, terrified by the sudden appearance and strength of the Spaniards, they yielded up the fugitives at the fierce demand of the Adelantado. Others of the unfortunate Huguenots, warned by the Indians that they could no longer harbor them, were shot down by their pursuers as they fled through the forests. The sight of weeping and trembling women and children, of naked captives, worn, exhausted, enfeebled by years, by disease, and cruel wounds, all pleading for his mercy, only seemed to strengthen him in his most cruel resolutions. "Separate these women from the other prisoners!" This was done. "Now, detach from these last all children under fifteen years." His command was obeyed. The women and children thus set apart were consigned to slavery: the younger ones were more readily persuaded to the Catholic altars, and thus finally achieved their deliverance. The more stubborn perished in their bonds, passing through various grades of degradation. With reference to the remainder history is terribly definite. Fixing his cold, dark eye upon the male captives, of whose fate he had said nothing, he demanded: "Is there any among ye who profess the faith of the Roman Catholic Church?" Two of the prisoners replied in the affirmative. "Take these Christians away, and let their bonds be removed. The holy Father Salvandi will examine them in the faith of the Mother Church. For the rest, are there any among ye, seeing the error of your faith, will renounce the heresy of Luther, and seek once more communion with the only true Church?" A dread calm ensued, the captives looking mournfully at each other and the Adelantado, in whose face there was no encouragement, and nothing but despair in the appearance of their companions. "Be warned!" continued the Adelantado. "To those who seek the blessings of the true Church, she generously openeth her arms; to those who turn away indifferently, or in scorn, are decreed death, both temporal and eternal. Hear ye, and now say!" The silence was unbroken. "Are ye obdurate? or do ye not comprehend that your lives rest upon your speech? Either ye embrace the safety which the Church offers, by an instant renunciation of that of the foul heretic, Luther, or ye die by the halter!" One sturdy soldier advanced from the group--a bold, high-souled fellow--his brows lifted proudly with the conscious impulse which worked within his soul. "Pedro Melendez, we are in your power. You are master of our mortal bodies; but with the death before us that you threaten, know that we are members of the Reformed Church of Christ, which ye name to be of Luther, and, holding it good to live in this faith, we deem it not amiss to die in it." Then the speaker looked around him into the face of his fellows, as they lightened up with a glow of cheerfulness and pride, though no word was spoken. "Speak this man for the rest of ye?" demanded Melendez. For a moment there was silence. Finally a _matelot_ advanced--a common sailor--a man before the mast. "Aye, aye, captain! What he says we say, and there's no use for more palaver. Let there be an end of it. We are of the Church of Monsieur Luther, and no other. If death's the word, we're not the men at the end of the reckoning to belie the whole voyage!" "Be it even as ye say!" answered Melendez, coldly but sternly, and without change of action or show of passion. "Take them forth, and let them be hung to yonder tree!"

The air was rent with the shrieks of women and cries of children--women endeavoring to save their husbands, and children clinging to the knees of their doomed sires, all of which produced no relentings--the parties being separated by a strong hand, and the doomed men hurried to the fatal tree, the priest standing ready to receive their recantations. Exhortations were not spared--soldier and sailor had equally spoken for the martyrdom of the whole--the reverend father preaching and promising all in vain. Amid cries and shrieks, the victims were run up to the wide-spreading branches of a mighty oak, disgraced in its employment for such a purpose, where they perished with fidelity to the faith which they professed. Their bodies were left hanging in the sun and wind, destined equally as trophies of the victor and warnings to the heretic. Melendez caused a monument to be raised beneath the tree, upon which was printed, in large characters, "These do not suffer thus as Frenchmen, but as heretics and enemies to God." Melendez thus became master of Fort Caroline, wresting a country from the Huguenots which they had acquired through so many vicissitudes. Before leaving he lingered to review the garrison, and founded with his own bloody hands a church dedicated to the God of mercy. He then departed with a small body of troops, arriving at his camp in safety. He was received as the vanquisher of heretics. After this slaughter the victors entered St. Augustine in solemn procession, with four priests in front, chanting the _Te Deum_ in triumph. However, his victory was not without its disquietude, having heard of Ribaut somewhere on the coast, and his own shipping destroyed. The unfortunate Ribaut, driven before the hurricane, had been wrecked with all his squadron upon the bleak, unfriendly shores of Cape Cannaveral, his troops being saved, but the crew drowned.

On the 28th of September, when the weary Adelantado was taking his _siesta_ under the sylvan roof of a Seloy, a band of Indians came in with news that quickly roused him from his slumbers: "A French vessel had been wrecked on the coast toward the south. Those who escaped from her were some four leagues off, on the banks of a river, or arm of the sea, which they could not cross. Melendez immediately sent a detachment of men to reconnoiter. They rowed along the channel between Anastasia Island and the main shore. After landing they struck across the island on foot, traversing plains and marshes, reaching the sea toward night. Craftily concealing his troops on the opposite shore, he climbed a tree for the purpose of reconnoitering. From this point he saw the dismayed band of Frenchmen grouped together, about two hundred strong, and, on account of rough waters, were unable to cross in a raft they had constructed."

We have now seen how, when Jean Ribaut was making an attack on the Spaniards, his plans were thwarted by a storm of strange fury. One of the ships was wrecked at a point farther northward than the rest, and it was her company whose camp-fires were seen by the Spaniards at their bivouac among the sands of Anastasia Island. They were attempting to reach Fort Caroline, in regard to whose fate they knew nothing, while Ribaut, with the remainder, was farther southward, struggling through the wilderness toward the same goal. Of the fate of the former party there is no French record. Solis, the priest and brother-in-law to Melendez, was eye-witness to the following scenes, a report of which was sent to Spain:

When the Adelantado saw the French fires at a distance, he dressed in the garb of a common sailor, and rowed toward the shipwrecked men, the better to learn their condition. A bold Gascon succeeded in making the passage by swimming, when Melendez demanded, "Who are you?" The Frenchman replied, "We are the people of Ribaut, Captain-general of Florida." "Are you Lutherans?" "We are Lutherans." "Gentlemen," continued Melendez, "your fort is taken, and all in it put to the sword, save the women and children under fifteen years of age." In proof of which he caused articles of plunder from Fort Caroline to be shown to the unhappy Frenchmen.

He then left and went to breakfast with his officers, first ordering food to be set before his petitioners. Having eaten, he returned to them. "Are you convinced, now, that what I have told you is true?" The French captain assented. "But assist us to leave--that is, in truth, what we demand." "Demand nothing of me, for I tell you, as a gentleman and an officer, holding a high commission from the Court of Spain, that, if the heavens were to mingle before my eyes, the resolution I once make I never change. If you were Catholics, and I had ships, I would help you, but I have none."

The supplicants expressed a hope that they would be allowed to remain with the Spaniards till ships could be sent to their relief, since there was peace between the two nations, whose kings were friends and brothers. "We are men made equally in the image of Deity, and serve the same God, if not at the same altars." "If you will give up your arms and banners, and place yourselves at my mercy, you may do so, and I will act toward you as God shall give me grace. Do as you will, for other than this you can have neither truce nor friendship with me."

One of the Frenchmen recrossed to consult with his companions. After two hours he returned, offering a large amount for their lives, which was not accepted. Privations had demoralized these starving Frenchmen, who then gave credence to vain hopes which they would not have entertained from an enemy at any other time. They had no other resource but to yield themselves to his mercy. The boat was again sent across the river, and returned laden with their banners and weapons of warfare. The Adelantado ordered twenty of his men to bring over ten Frenchmen at a time. He then took the French officers aside, and, with a semblance of courtesy on his lips and murder in his heart, he said: "Gentlemen, I have but few men, and you are so many, that, if you were free, it would be easy for you to take your satisfaction on us for the people we killed when we took your fort; therefore it is necessary that you should go to my camp, four leagues distant from this place, with your hands tied." Accordingly, as each party advanced, they were led out of sight behind the sand-hills, and their hands tied behind them with the match-cord of the arquebuses, though not before they had been supplied with food. Twelve Breton sailors professed themselves Catholics, together with four carpenters and calkers, "of whom," writes Melendez, "I was in great need," who were put on a boat and sent to St. Augustine. The remainder were ordered to march thither by land. The Adelantado walked in advance until he came to a lonely spot not far distant among the bush-covered hills. Here he stopped and drew a line in the sand with his cane. Not one of this wretched company, not being Catholics, was allowed to cross, and the whole two hundred perished.

Again Melendez returned to St. Augustine, gloating over his success. Great as had been his victory, he still had cause for anxiety, as Ribaut could not be far off. On the next day Indians came with the tidings that on the spot where the first party of the shipwrecked Frenchmen had been found was now another still larger party. The murder-loving race looked with great respect on Melendez, for his wholesale butchery of the night before was an exploit rarely equaled in their own annals of massacre. Melendez doubted not that Ribaut was at hand. He started on a march thither immediately with one hundred and fifty men, reaching the inlet at midnight, when, like a skulking savage, he intrenched himself on the bank. After daybreak flags of truce were displayed on both sides, when La Caille, Ribaut's sergeant-major, informed Melendez that the French were three hundred and fifty in number, on their way to Fort Caroline, and, like the former party, begged for boats to aid them in crossing the river. Melendez gave them assurances of safety, and sent for Ribaut and six of his companions. On their arrival he met them courteously, caused wine and preserved fruits to be placed before them, and next led Ribaut to the reeking Golgotha, where, in heaps upon the sand, lay the corpses of his slaughtered followers; but he would not believe Fort Caroline had been taken until part of the plunder was shown him. Ribaut then urged that the kings of Spain and France were brothers and close friends, and begged that the Spaniards would aid him in carrying his followers home. Melendez gave the same unequivocal answer as before to the other party. Ribaut, after three hours' absence, came back in the canoe, and told the Adelantado that some of his people were willing to surrender, at discretion, but many refused. "They can do as they please," was the reply of Melendez. Ribaut offered large rewards for those who had surrendered. Melendez replied, "I have great need of the money," which gave the French encouragement, when they asked permission to cross the river. In the morning he returned, and reported that two hundred of his men had retreated from the spot, but the remaining one hundred and fifty would surrender. At the same time he gave into the hands of Melendez the royal standard and other flags, his sword, dagger, helmet, and the official seal given him by Coligny.

Melendez entered the boat and directed his officers to bring over the French by tens. He next led Ribaut among the bushes behind the neighboring sand-hills, when he ordered his hands to be bound fast. Then the scales fell from his eyes, and face to face his fate rose up before him. The day wore on, and, as band after band of prisoners were brought over, they were conducted behind the sand-hills, out of sight from the farther shore, like their general. "Are you Catholics or Lutherans? and are there any among you who will go to confession?" asked Melendez. Ribaut answered, "I and all here are of the Reformed faith," at the same time intoning the psalm, "_Memento, Domine._" A few were spared. "I saved," writes Melendez, "the lives of two young gentlemen about eighteen years of age, besides the fifer, the drummer, and trumpeter; but I caused Jean Ribaut, with all the rest, to be put to the sword--judging this to be expedient for the service of God our Lord and your majesty."

As each successive party landed, their hands were bound fast behind their backs, when they were driven, like cattle, toward the fort. At a signal from drums and trumpets the Spaniards fell upon them, striking them down with swords, pikes, and halberds. Ribaut vainly called on the Adelantado to remember his oath. By his order, a soldier plunged a dagger into the French commander's heart, when Ottigny, who stood near, met a similar fate. The head of Ribaut was then hewn into four pieces, one part of which was displayed on the point of a lance at each corner of the fort in St. Augustine. Great fires were kindled, and the bodies of the murdered burned to ashes. At night, when the Adelantado again entered St. Augustine, there were some who blamed his cruelty, but many applauded. A few days after, the remainder of the shipwrecked Frenchmen were discovered by the Indians, who again informed Melendez. In all haste he dispatched messengers for a reënforcement of one hundred and fifty men from Fort Caroline. On the 2d of November he set forth with such merciless energy that some of his men dropped dead with fatigue. When, from their frail defenses, the French saw the Spanish pikes, they fled, panic-stricken, taking refuge among the sand-hills. Melendez sent a trumpeter, summoning them, also pledging his honor for their safety. Some of them sent word they "would rather be eaten by savages than trust themselves to Spaniards," and, escaping, fled to the Indian towns. The rest surrendered, and Melendez kept his word. Those of high birth ate at the Adelantado's table. The captives' fate may be learned from a reply to one of Melendez's dispatches. "Say to him," writes Philip the Second, "that, as to those he has killed, he has done well, and, as to those he has saved, they shall be sent to the galleys." Melendez, although victorious over the unfortunate Frenchmen, had other troubles to contend with at St. Augustine and San Mateo. The Spaniards became restless, mutinied, and deserted, leaving his forces much weakened. In addition to this, a hostile cazique lived between the two forts--thus cutting off all communication by land between them. Melendez made an attack on this chief, in which he was repulsed--thus compelling him to act on the defensive. As these improvident Spaniards consumed every thing, and raised nothing, the Indians became weary feeding them without any reward: for this cause Melendez was forced to sail for Cuba to obtain supplies. During his absence a Spanish fleet arrived, bringing both men and provisions, which gave them much encouragement. The missionaries heretofore meeting with such rough treatment, some time had elapsed since any new arrivals. However, three Jesuit priests were discovered off the coast, near the mouth of San Mateo River, making inquiries for the fort. These were the first of that Order that had ever come to America, the others being Franciscans. One party of Indians directed them, while afterward they were murdered by another on St. George's Island, at the entrance of San Mateo River. Melendez now sailed for Spain, to interest the crown in behalf of his colony. After a prosperous voyage across the sea, he landed on the shores of Spain, where he was received with a great display of empty honors, which did not satisfy the cravings of his ambition. It was money he wanted, to strengthen his newly-acquired territory, build up his dominions, and with them a great name for himself. He was also impatient and apprehensive in regard to a threatened revenge which the French had proposed taking into their own hands. In vain had petitions been sent by the relatives of the slain, but never, until a new Cavalier entered the field, as contestant, in the person of the daring Chevalier de Gourgues, did injured humanity find an avenger, or outraged France a champion. De Gourgues, being of gentle birth, according to the chivalrous custom in those days, was educated to the profession of arms. He entered upon his duties as a private, but was soon promoted on account of laurels won in battle, being afterward commissioned to an office of distinction, as captain in the regular army. He was given the command of a fortress, which, being attacked by a greatly superior number of Spaniards, compelled him to surrender; his men were all killed, and himself made prisoner and condemned to servitude on the galleys. Fortunately for himself, the vessel on which he worked was shortly afterward captured by the Turks, which enabled him to obtain his liberty. Activity being his motto, he sailed on an expedition to Brazil, from which enterprise he realized a considerable fortune. On the return of De Gourgues to France, and hearing of the cruelties committed against his countrymen, the iron of revenge was driven deep into his soul, not only for their mistreatment, but the indignity he had suffered from the Spaniards himself. He accordingly fitted out two vessels and a tender, obtaining a charter without difficulty, under the pretext of going to Africa and bringing back slaves. He communicated his plans to no person, but secured the services of one of Laudonnière's men, who had remained in Florida long enough to have some knowledge of the country and the language of the natives. He also enlisted the services of one hundred and fifty picked men, and set sail from Bordeaux August 2, 1567. In order to better conceal his plans, he first landed on the coast of Africa, where he encountered some of the natives, whom he repulsed--afterward, sailing westward, he came in port for repairs and supplies at Santo Domingo. When he reached this point he revealed to his crew the design of his long and perilous voyage. He depicted, in glowing colors, the wrongs sustained by their countrymen, which yet remained unavenged. The crew, with one voice, replied that they would sustain him in the undertaking. The voyage was soon completed, and so entirely unsuspecting were the Spaniards of an attack that, on passing Fort Caroline--now Fort San Mateo--De Gourgues was honored with a salute of two cannon, supposing them to be of their own nation. He entered the mouth of the Altamaha, and, as his galleys drew but little water, and were provided with oars, he had no difficulty in ascending that river. The natives received them kindly, and the soldiers of Laudonnière being recognized, their mission was not regarded as a friendly one.

Immediate preparations were made to attack the fort, as one of the officers had reconnoitered its strength. These works had been much improved by the Spaniards, to which were added two other forts, the whole garrison consisting of four hundred men. Its present condition was their boast. The priest, Mendoza, said, "Not half of France could take it." De Gourgues formed an encampment twelve miles north of the mouth of a small river. The whole affair was conducted in a most skillful and secret manner, he using the Indians as valuable accessions in the enterprise, they being no friends to the Spaniards. The French approached the fort at dawn, but remained concealed until the tide receded, that they might reach the island on which it stood. They made the attack at midday, when the two small forts were carried by direct assault, killing nearly all the men, about sixty in number, while the avenues of escape loading from Fort Mateo were guarded by the Indians. Fort San Mateo alone remained, which was three miles above. Among the prisoners saved was a sergeant, who knew the heights of the ramparts, and could draw a plan of the fort. While ladders were being prepared to scale the works, the garrison precipitated its fate by a sally, afterward making an attempt to gain the woods. The thickets were filled with exasperated Indians, and not one Spaniard escaped. A few prisoners were taken, which De Gourgues suspended on the same tree that had borne his countrymen; and for the monument and inscription of Melendez was substituted a pine plank with this inscription: "Not as Spaniards, or mariners, but as traitors, robbers, and murderers." To render this work of destruction more complete, they entirely demolished the forts. When returning to his ships, he exclaimed, "All that we have done was for the service of the king, and for the honor of the country!" His soldiers, flushed with victory, proposed an attack on St. Augustine, but De Gourgues felt that his resources were insufficient. For some time subsequent to this period the Spaniards retained Florida, although their forts had been destroyed on San Mateo River. After the arrival of De Gourgues in his own country the French Government persecuted him, and the Spanish pursued him until his death. He died deeply involved from the expense connected with his expedition. Thus terminated all dispute in regard to French Florida--the question then to be decided was between the British and Spaniards. Melendez, after making other efforts to Christianize the Indians, having brought over more missionaries, which they murdered without distinction, regarding the priests and people as sworn enemies, abandoned the enterprise, and turned his attention entirely to arms. However, in the midst of his career, he was cut down by death, at Santander, a town situated on the northern coast of Spain, A.D. 1574, after having received the appointment of Captain-general over a Spanish armada of three hundred vessels.

From the above history it will be seen that Florida remained for many years disputed ground, the scene of numerous conflicts from different sources. Whether the priest with his cross, or the warrior with his sword, they all came to vie with each other in the establishment of creeds and division of spoils. It was in 1564 Sir Walter Raleigh, who, being present when the men from Fort Caroline, or Port Royal, were received by the queen, was thus stimulated with a desire to visit this newly-explored country. This feeling was increased by De Morgues, the companion and artist who came with Laudonnière, and had furnished them with beautiful drawings of his travels in these far-off lands. It was the intention of Sir Walter, besides making discoveries, to capture Spanish galleons, which would satisfy his desire for gain. This plundering policy, which had been pursued so extensively by all the adventurers, was in no way designed to promote the welfare of a new settlement. Under the auspices of the English throne an expedition was sent, commanded by Sir Walter Raleigh, which landed on the coast of Florida, as the division of the country was then recognized. After his arrival he thus mentions the Indians: "These people were most loving and faithful, such as lived after the golden age." He was also much impressed with the land along the shores as they passed. "The fragrance," he says, "was as if they had been in the midst of some delicate garden, with all kinds of odoriferous flowers." Raleigh also visited the Indies, and on his return succeeded in capturing a ship richly laden with Spanish treasures, after which he sailed for England, where a warm welcome awaited him. Contrary to his expectations, on his arrival he became too much occupied with affairs of a different nature to visit America again. However, other expeditions were fitted out, which settled in different parts of the country. It was in 1586 that Sir Francis Drake, the English adventurer, while coming from the West Indies, discovered the lookout at Anastasia Island, which commanded the approach to St. Augustine harbor. He landed, bringing a piece of ordnance, from which, after planting, he fired two shots, one of them damaging the Spanish standard, and the other striking the castle. The next day they renewed the attack, with no return of hostilities from the shore, and on landing found the town deserted. In the fort they discovered the mahogany treasury-chest, containing two thousand pounds sterling, designed for paying the troops, which Sir Francis confiscated. The castle at this time was the foundation of the Selooe defense, repaired by Melendez. It was constructed from the trunks of pine-trees planted upright, similar to our stockades of the present day, without ditches. Trunks of trees were laid across the whole structure, after which it was covered with earth. The works, being unfinished, were incapable of resisting a naval attack. An English officer, while pursuing the Spaniards, was shot, for which act the English sacked and then burned St. Augustine. It is said this town then contained a monastery, church, and hall of justice--certainly very little to tempt the cupidity of a West Indies privateer. Sir Francis made this expedition on the ground that Spain had damaged the English commerce during their troubles. In 1603, more than a hundred years from the discovery of Cabot, and twenty years from the time Raleigh sent out his first expedition, not an Englishman remained in the New World. In 1702, Spain and England not being friendly, Governor Moore, of South Carolina, proposed an expedition against St. Augustine, for the purpose of displaying his military prowess, capturing Indians, or enriching himself with plunder. Colonel Daniel took charge of the land portion of the enterprise, which ascended the St. John's, crossed over the country from Picolata, entered the town without resistance, and sacked it. The inhabitants, being warned of their intentions, had supplied themselves with four months' rations, and taken refuge, with their gold and valuables, in the castle, from which place they could not be dislodged. When Governor Moore landed and saw their position, he sent to Jamaica for cannon and mortars. Before their arrival the Spaniards received assistance by a fleet coming from Havana. On their appearance Governor Moore became panic-stricken, left his vessels, and fled by land to Carolina. On the return of Colonel Daniel, he, not knowing the siege had been raised, narrowly escaped falling into the hands of his enemies. The besieged prisoners now came from the castle, after a stay of three months, to find their pleasant homes destroyed.

During 1715 Florida received a new accession from the Yemassees. These Indians were found in Florida when the Spaniards first landed, but deserted the country on account of efforts being made to convert them to Christianity. They took refuge in Carolina, where, after remaining awhile, they massacred some of the English colonists, and then retreated to St. Augustine for protection. Here they were received with marked demonstrations of kindness, accompanied by the ringing of bells and firing of cannon. The Spaniards in Florida, having had a respite from troublesome invaders for some time, were progressing prosperously, until after the arrival of General Oglethorpe from England. In 1737, hostilities having commenced between Spain and England, Oglethorpe, fearing an attack from the Spaniards, planted a battery on Cumberland Island as a defense. This movement was productive of dissension among the settlers. England claimed as far as the St. John's, on account of discoveries made by Sir Walter Raleigh, while the Spanish sent a commissioner for the English to abandon all the territory south of St. Helena's Sound, which they refused to relinquish. When the Spanish ascertained that Oglethorpe had taken command of the English forces, a party from St. Augustine garrison advanced as far as Amelia Island, killed two Highlanders, and then cut off their heads. The English pursued them to San Mateo, on the St. John's, drove in the Spanish guards, and then sailed up the river as far as Cavallas. After the return of Oglethorpe he commenced recruiting from the Creek and Cherokee Indians, thus making active preparations for blockading St. Augustine before men and supplies could arrive from Havana. Don Manuel being governor then, he was ready for defense. General Oglethorpe did not succeed in capturing the town, although he invested three fortifications, advancing with his forces to its gates, killing several Spanish troops under the walls of the fort. Fort Diego, twenty-five miles from St. Augustine, Fort Francis de Pupa, seventeen miles, and Fort Moosa, two miles north, commonly called Negro Fort, where the runaway slaves were harbored, all surrendered. In 1748 a treaty of peace was concluded between Spain and England, which left Florida in the quiet possession of the Spaniards for many years.

FLORIDA GAZETTEER OF THE MOST IMPORTANT

POINTS IN THE STATE.

ABE'S SPRING.--The county-seat of Calhoun, 104 miles south-west
from Tallahassee.

ADAMSVILLE.--A small settlement in Sumter county, 5 miles west of
Leesburg, containing a post-office.

ALACHUA COUNTY.--County-seat, Gainesville.

ALAFIA.--A settlement on Alafia River, in Hillsboro county,
containing a post-office.

ALIQUA.--Settlement on a river of the same name, in Walton county,
West Florida, where, it is said, the houses were forty miles apart.

ALMIRANTE.--Walton county, West Florida, near the Alabama line.

ANCLOTE RIVER.--A tributary of Clear Water Harbor, in Hillsboro
county.

ANDERSON.--In Santa Rosa county, West Florida.

APOPKA.--Near Lake Apopka, in Orange county, containing a
post-office. The name implies "Potato-eating Town."

APPALACHICOLA.--Contains a post-office, and is situated at the
mouth of a river of the same name. It was formerly a prosperous
city, but, on account of the cotton being taken by the railroads,
has declined.

ARCHER.--Post-office. A town in Alachua county, 41 miles from Cedar
Keys.

ARLINGTON.--In Duval county, opposite Jacksonville.

ARREDONDO.--Post-office. A station 54 miles from Cedar Keys, in
Alachua county.

ASPALAGA.--In Gadsden county, on Appalachicola River.

AUCILLA.--Jefferson county, on the Pensacola and Mobile Railroad.

AUGUSTA.--On the hack-line from Gainesville to Tampa.

BAGDAD.--On Pensacola Bay, Santa Rosa county, West Florida.

BAKER COUNTY.--Celebrated for its timber, turpentine, and
agricultural productions. In East Florida.

BALDWIN.--Post-office and telegraph-station, 20 miles from
Jacksonville, on the Pensacola and Mobile Railroad.

BANANA RIVER.--A branch of the Indian River.

BARRANCAS.--A fort commanding the entrance to Pensacola Bay.

BARRSVILLE.--In Columbia county, south of Lake City. Post-office.

BARTOW.--County-seat of Polk county, South Florida.

BATTON.--A station on the West India Transit Railroad.

BAYPORT.--Post-office. A town in Hernando county.

BEAR CREEK.--Near St. Andrew's Bay.

BEECHER.--A steamboat-landing in Putnam county, on the east bank of
the St. John's.

BELLVILLE.--Post-office. A settlement in Hamilton county.

BENELLA.--On the St. John's River, 120 miles above Jacksonville.

BENTON.--Post-office, in Columbia county, on the upper waters of
Suwanee River.

BISCAYNE.--County-seat of Dade county, formerly called Miami.

BLACK CREEK.--A tributary of the St. John's River, near Magnolia.

BLACK POINT.--A steamboat-landing, 10 miles above Jacksonville.

BLACKWATER RIVER.--A tributary of Pensacola Bay, in Santa Rosa
county, West Florida.

BLOUNT'S FERRY.--On the Suwanee River, in Columbia county.
Post-office.

BLUE CREEK.--Liberty county, near Gadsden.

BLUE SPRING.--Jackson county, west of Marianna.

BLUE SPRING.--Post-office, Volusia county.

BLUNT'S TOWN.--Calhoun county, West Florida.

BRADFORD COUNTY.--On the West India Transit Company Railroad.
County-seat, Lake Butler.

BREVARD COUNTY.--Lies on both sides of the Indian River. Fort
Pierce, the county-seat.

BRISTOL.--County-seat of Liberty county. Post-office.

BRONSON.--County-seat of Levy county. Post-office. On the West
India Transit Railroad. 12 miles from here is a bed of iron ore.

BROOKLYN.--A town near Jacksonville. Rather prospective.

BROOKSVILLE.--County-seat of Hernando county. Post-office. On the
Tampa stage-line.

BROTHER'S RIVER.--In Calhoun county, West Florida.

BUFFALO BLUFF.--On the west bank of the St. John's, in Putnam
county. Post-office.

BULOW'S CREEK.--In Volusia county.

BUNKER HILL.--Near Lake Miccosukee, Leon county.

BURRIN.--Bradford county. On the West India Transit Railroad.

CABBAGE BLUFF.--On the east bank of the St. John's, 162 miles above
Jacksonville. Post-office.

CALHOUN COUNTY.--West Florida. County-seat, Abe's Spring Bluff.

CALLAHAN.--On the West India Transit Railroad, 27 miles from
Fernandina. Post-office.

CALOOSAHATCHEE RIVER.--A navigable stream which empties into
Charlotte Harbor.

CAMPBELLTON.--A settlement in Jackson county.

CAMP IZARD.--In Marion county, on the Withlacoochee River.
Post-office.

CEDAR KEYS.--In Levy county. Terminus of the West India Transit
Railroad. Post-office.

CEDAR TREE.--In Hernando county, south of Brooksville.

CENTERVILLE.--Near Tallahassee, Leon county. Post-office.

CERRO GORDO.--The county-seat of Holmes county. Post-office.

CHALK SPRING.--Santa Rosa county, West Florida. Post-office.

CHARLES FERRY.--On Suwanee River, in Suwanee county.

CHATTAHOOCHEE.--The terminus of the Jacksonville, Pensacola, and
Mobile Railroad. In Gadsden county. Post-office, Penitentiary,
Lunatic Asylum.

CHIPOLA RIVER.--A tributary of the Appalachicola River.

CHOCTAWHATCHEE RIVER.--Flows into a bay of the same name, in West
Florida.

CIRCLE HILL.--Near Marianna, Jackson county. Post-office.

CLAY COUNTY.--County-seat, Green Cove Spring, on the St. John's.

CLAY LANDING.--In Levy county, on the east bank of the Suwanee,
near its mouth.

CLEAR WATER.--Post-office. On the Gulf coast, Hillsboro county.

CLIFTON.--A town in Madison county.

COCOANUT GROVE.--In Dade county.

COLUMBIA COUNTY.--County-seat, Lake City.

COOK'S FERRY.--A landing on Lake Harney, 224 miles above
Jacksonville.

CORK.--In Hillsboro county. Post-office.

CORKSCREW RIVER.--Monroe county, South Florida.

COTTON PLANT.--A settlement west of Ocala, Marion county.
Post-office.

CRAWFORDSVILLE.--County-seat of Wakulla county. Post-office.

CRESWELL.--In Leon county.

CRYSTAL RIVER.--A clear stream of water flowing through Hernando
county, emptying into the Gulf.

DADE COUNTY.--County-seat, Key Biscayne.

DANCEY'S PLACE.--A landing on the St. John's, 65 miles above
Jacksonville. Post-office.

DANIEL.--A settlement near the mouth of Suwanee River, in Levy
county.

DARBYVILLE.--Near Baldwin, Baker county. Post-office.

DAVIS.--A station on the railroad, near Chattahoochee.

DAYTONIA.--A settlement on Halifax River, in Volusia county. In
very flourishing condition.

DEEP CREEK.--A tributary of Lake Harney.

DELK'S BLUFF.--A steamboat-landing on the Ocklawaha River, 100
miles from its mouth.

DRAYTON ISLAND.--On the St. John's, in Lake George, Marion county.

DUMMITT'S GROVE.--A noted orange-grove, in Volusia county, on the
northern end of Indian River.

DUNN LAWTON.--A portion of the Turnbull Swamp, in Volusia county.

DUNN'S LAKE.--A small settlement in Volusia county. Post-office.

DURISOE.--A steamboat-landing, 89 miles above the mouth of the
Ocklawaha River.

DUTTON.--A station 32 miles from Fernandina, on the West India
Transit Railroad.

DUVAL COUNTY.--On the St. John's. County-seat, Jacksonville.

EAU CLAIRE.--A colony from Wisconsin, near Mellonville, Orange
county.

EAU GALLIE.--On Indian River, in Brevard county, near Lake
Washington. Post-office.

ECONFINA.--In Washington county, West Florida, on a river of the
same name. Post-office.

EGMONT ISLAND.--Situated in the Gulf of Mexico, at the entrance of
Espiritu Santo Bay.

ELBOW CREEK.--Rises in the swamps near Lake Washington.

ELLAVILLE.--A station on the Jacksonville, Pensacola, and Mobile
Railroad, 95 miles from Jacksonville.

ELLISVILLE.--A place without much celebrity at present, in Columbia
county.

EMANUELS.--A landing-place on the St. John's, 184 miles above
Jacksonville.

ENTERPRISE.--The county-seat of Volusia county since 1854. Situated
205 miles beyond Jacksonville. Post-office.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY.--Situated in West Florida, bordering on the Gulf.
This county was first incorporated by order of General Jackson,
July, 1821.

ESCAMBIA RIVER.--A tributary of Escambia Bay, West Florida.

EUREKA.--Two points in Florida bear this popular name. One is on
the Ocklawaha, 60 miles above its mouth, in Marion county; the
other, on the upper St. John's, in Orange county.

FEDERAL POINT.--Situated on the east bank of the St. John's, 60
miles above Jacksonville, in Putnam county.

FLEMINGTON.--Post-office. A small town on the Gainesville
stage-route.

FORT BROOKS.--A steamboat-landing on the Ocklawaha River, near
Orange Springs.

FORT GATES.--A steamboat-landing, 110 miles from Jacksonville, on
the St. John's River, in Putnam county.

FORT GEORGE ISLAND.--Situated near the mouth of the St. John's
River. Contains a good hotel, with accommodations for winter and
summer visitors.

FORT MEAD.--On Pease Creek, 80 miles above its mouth. In Polk
county. Cattle-sales are its principal commerce.

FORT PIERCE.--Situated on Indian River. County-seat of Brevard
county.

FORT REID.--Post-office. An enterprising, growing town, in the
neighborhood of Mellonville, on the St. John's.

FORT TAYLOR.--Post-office. In Hernando county.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.--Near the mouth of Appalachicola River.
County-seat, Appalachicola.

FREEPORT.--Post-office. Located in Walton county, West Florida.

GADSDEN COUNTY.--County-seat, Quincy.

GAINESVILLE.--A large, flourishing town on the West India Transit
Railroad. Post-office, churches, good boarding-houses.

GEORGETOWN.--A steam beat-landing on the east bank of the St.
John's, in Putnam county, 117 miles above Jacksonville.
Post-office.

GORDON.--The terminus of the semi-weekly hack-line from
Gainesville. In Alachua county.

GORES.--A landing on the Ocklawaha River, 83 miles above its mouth.

GRAHAM.--On the Ocklawaha, 84 miles above its mouth.

GREEN COVE SPRINGS.--A noted resort on the west bank of the St.
John's, 30 miles above Jacksonville. County-seat of Clay county.
Post-office.

GREENWOOD.--A town in Jackson county, near Marianna. Post-office.

HALIFAX RIVER.--In Volusia county. It is formed by the junction of
the Haulover and Bulow Creeks, and the Tomoka River. It is a mile
wide, and 30 miles in length, running nearly parallel with the
coast.

HATCHEE RIVER.--Rises in Manatee county, and flows into Charlotte
Harbor.

HAMBURG.--A town of small note, near Madison, Madison county.

HAMILTON COUNTY.--On the Georgia line. Contains an area of about
400 square acres.

HAMOSASSA.--A settlement in Hernando county, near the Gulf coast.

HANSON TOWN.--Named from the late Surgeon Hanson. Located in the
vicinity of Jacksonville.

HATCH'S BEND.--Settlement near the Santa Fe River, in La Fayette
county. Post-office.

HAULOVER CREEK.--A branch of Halifax River, in Volusia county.

HAWKINSVILLE.--A landing on the west bank of the St. John's, 160
miles from Jacksonville, in Orange county.

HAW CREEK.--A tributary of Dunn's Lake, Volusia county.

HAYWOOD'S LANDING.--On Chattahoochee River, Jackson county.

HERNANDO COUNTY.--County-seat, Brooksville.

HIBERNIA.--A pleasant stopping-place, in Clay county, on the St.
John's, 22 miles above Jacksonville. Post-office.

HICKORY HILL.--Near Marianna, Washington county, West Fla.

HILLSBORO COUNTY.--Celebrated for cattle-raising. Tampa is the
county-seat.

HILLSBORO RIVER.--A favorite name for rivers in Florida--the first
Hillsboro being a tributary of Tampa Bay; the second, Hillsboro
River in Dade county, on the Atlantic coast; the third, a lagoon in
Volusia county.

HOGARTH'S LANDING.--On the east bank of the St. John's, 36 miles
above Jacksonville. Post-office.

HOLMES COUNTY.--Near the Alabama line. County-seat, Cerro Gordo.

HORSE LANDING.--On the St. John's River, 94 miles above
Jacksonville, in Putnam county.

HOUSTON.--On the Jacksonville and Pensacola Railroad, in Suwanee
county. Post-office.

IAMONIA.--In Leon county, on a lake of the same name. Post-office.

INDIAN RIVER.--A body of salt-water 100 miles in length--more
properly a bay, as it has no current except when agitated by the
wind.

IOLA.--The name of two places--one in Calhoun county, containing a
post-office--the other, on the Ocklawaha River, 50 miles above its
mouth.

ISTEEN HATCHEE RIVER.--In La Fayette county.

JACKSON COUNTY.--Located in West Florida. County-seat, Marianna.

JACKSONVILLE.--The commercial mart, or great _entrepôt_, of
Florida. In Duval county, on the St. John's River.

JASPER--County-seat of Hamilton county. Post-office.

JEFFERSON COUNTY.--County-seat, Monticello.

JENNINGS.--In Hamilton county, near the Georgia line. Post-office.

JUPITER NARROWS.--On the Atlantic coast, near New Smyrna.

KEY LARGO.--The longest on the coast of Florida.

KEY WEST.--County-seat of Monroe county. Post-office.

KEY BISCAYNE.--Small settlement. County-seat of Dade county.
Post-office.

KING'S ROAD.--Built by Governor Grant, from New Smyrna to St.
Mary's, _via_ St. Augustine and Jacksonville.

KISSIME RIVER.--In Brevard county.

KNOX HILL.--A Scotch settlement in West Florida. Post-office.

LA FAYETTE COUNTY.--In South Florida, bounded by the Suwanee River.
County-seat, New Troy.

LAKE BUTLER.--County-seat of Bradford county.

LAKE CITY.--A place of resort for asthmatics. County-seat of
Columbia county. Post-office.

LAKE EUSTIS.--In Orange county. Post-office.

LAKE GRIFFIN.--Near Leesburg, on Lake Griffin. Rapidly improving.
Post-office.

LAKE HARNEY.--A resort in midwinter for excursionists, located
partly in Volusia and Orange counties. It is 225 miles above
Jacksonville.

LAKE OKEECHOBEE.--The largest lake in Florida, extending over an
area of more than 65 square miles.

LAKE VIEW.--On the east bank of Lake George. Post-office.

LAKE WORTH.--Near the Atlantic coast, north of Miami River.

LAWTEY.--Near Trail Bridge. The Chicago Colony has located here,
established a hotel, built many residences, planted orange-groves
and other fruits.

LA VILLA.--A suburban town near Jacksonville.

LEESBURG.--County-seat of Sumter county. A fine, thrifty, growing
place.

LEON COUNTY.--County-seat, Tallahassee.

LEVY COUNTY.--Borders on the Gulf. County-seat, Bronson.

LEVYVILLE.--In Levy county, west of Bronson.

LIBERTY.--In Hamilton county, near the Georgia Line.

LIBERTY COUNTY.--A tract of land known as the Forbes Purchase,
bounded west by the Appalachicola River.

LITTLE RIVER.--In Gadsden county.

LIVE OAK.--In Suwanee county, its principal importance being
attributable to the junction of railroads. Post-office,
telegraph-station.

LOTUS.--In Jackson county, south of Marianna.

LOWER WHITE SPRING.--On the Suwanee River, in Hamilton county.
Remarkable for its medicinal properties in curing gout and
rheumatism.

MADISON.--County-seat of Madison county. Post-office,
telegraph-station, good accommodations.

MADISON COUNTY.--Belongs to the undulating portion of the State.
County-seat, Madison.

MAGNOLIA.--A winter-resort on the St. John's, 28 miles above
Jacksonville. In Clay county.

MANATEE.--A very nice, flourishing town, on the Gulf coast, in
Manatee county. Post-office.

MANATEE COUNTY.--County-seat, Pine Level. Celebrated for its
extensive cattle-ranges.

MANATEE RIVER.--A short, navigable stream, in Manatee county.

MANDARIN.--Located on the east bank of the St. John's, 15 miles
above Jacksonville. Post-office.

MARIANNA.--County-seat of Jackson county, 30 miles west of the
Chattahoochee River.

MARION COUNTY.--One of the central counties of East Florida. Noted
for its fertility of soil and superabundance of hummock-lands.

MAYPORT.--Situated at the mouth of St. John's River. It was named
from May River, so called by the French.

MARY ESTHER.--Small settlement in Santa Rosa county, West Florida.
Post-office.

MATANZAS INLET.--A body of water separating Anastasia Island from
the main-land.

MELLONVILLE.--On the St. John's River (here called Lake Monroe),
200 miles above Jacksonville.

MERRITT'S ISLAND.--In Volusia county, and remarkable for the
mildness of its climate.

MIAMI RIVER.--In Dade county. Has its source in the Everglades, and
empties into Biscayne Bay.

MICANOPY.--On the back-line, 15 miles from Gainesville, in Alachua
county. Supposed to occupy the site of the ancient village,
Cuscowilla.

MICCOSUKEE.--Situated in Leon county, near a lake of the same name.

MIDWAY.--A lumber port in Gadsden county, West Florida.
Post-office.

MILLWOOD.--On the Chattahoochee River, in Jackson county.

MILTON.--County-seat of Santa Rosa county. Post-office. Fine
facilities for loading ships with lumber.

MITCHELL.--In Escambia county, near the Alabama line.

MOLINA.--Situated on the Escambia River, West Florida. Post-office.

MONROE COUNTY.--County-seat, Key West, Gulf of Mexico.

MONTICELLO.--County-seat of Jefferson county. Post-office,
telegraph-station. Near this town was located the old Murat
plantation, called "Liponia."

MONTICELLO JUNCTION.--Where a branch road connects with the
Jacksonville and Pensacola Railroad.

MOSS BLUFF.--A landing on the Ocklawaha River, 140 miles from its
mouth.

MOUNT ROYAL.--A landing on the east bank of the St. John's, 109
miles above Jacksonville.

MOUNT VERNON.--At the confluence of the Flint and Chattahoochee
Rivers, in Jackson county.

MULBERRY GROVE.--In Duval county, 11 miles above Jacksonville, on
the St. John's River.

MUSQUITO INLET.--Near Indian River, in Volusia county.

MYAKKA.--A small stream of water in Manatee county, South Florida.

NASSAU COUNTY.--Includes Amelia Island, on which is located
Fernandina.

NEAL'S LANDING.--A commercial point on the Chattahoochee River.
Post-office.

NEWNANSVILLE.--An old settled town in Alachua county. Stage-line
from Gainesville. Post-office.

NEWPORT.--In former times a trading-point, 3 miles from Wakulla
Spring.

NEW RIVER, or SANTA FE.--Rises in Santa Fe Lake. It forms a natural
bridge by sinking into the earth and rising again.

NEW SMYRNA.--On the Halifax River, in Volusia county. Post-office.

NEW TROY.--A small settlement on the Suwanee River, and county-seat
of La Fayette county. Post-office.

NORTH RIVER.--An inlet forming a part of the harbor at St.
Augustine.

OAK BLUFF.--Near Leesburg, Orange county. Post-office.

OAKFIELD.--In Escambia county, West Florida, on the Florida and
Alabama Railroad.

OCALA.--Near the old Indian settlement of Ocali, mentioned by De
Soto. County-seat of Marion county. Post-office.

OCKLAWAHA RIVER.--A narrow stream formed from springs and lakes,
which discharges its waters into the St. John's, 25 miles above
Pilatka.

OKAHUMKEE.--The terminus of navigation on the Ocklawaha River, 275
miles above Pilatka. Post-office.

OLD TOWN.--A settlement in La Fayette county, on Suwanee River.
Post-office.

OLUSTEE.--In Baker county, on the railroad. Post-office. In 1864 a
battle was fought here between the Federals and Confederates,
resulting in the defeat and loss of 1,200 Union troops.

ORANGE BLUFF.--A landing on the St. John's, 140 miles above
Jacksonville.

ORANGE COUNTY.--County-seat, Orlando. It is situated partly on Lake
Monroe.

ORANGE MILLS.--A landing on the east bank of the St. John's, in
Putnam county, 64 miles above Jacksonville. Post-office.

ORANGE POINT.--In Putnam county, on the St. John's, 103 miles above
Jacksonville.

ORANGE SPRING.--A sulphur spring in Marion county, on the Ocklawaha
River, 35 miles above its mouth--formerly a resort for the
afflicted. Post-office.

ORLANDO.--County-seat of Orange county. Post-office.

OTTER CREEK.--Station and eating-house on the West India Transit
Railroad, 19 miles from Cedar Keys. Post-office.

PALMETTO.--A station on the West India Transit Railroad, Levy
county.

PALMETTO LANDING.--On the Ocklawaha River, 78 miles above its
mouth.

PEASE CREEK.--A large, navigable stream, flowing into Charlotte
Harbor, on the Gulf coast.

PENSACOLA.--County-seat of Escambia county. Post-office.

PERDIDO MILLS.--A new settlement in the pine-woods, which promises
to be the finest lumber-mart in the South.

PERDIDO RIVER.--A tributary of Perdido Bay, in West Florida.

PICOLATA.--A landing on the St. John's River, 45 miles above its
mouth. Post-office.

PILATKA.--On the west bank of the St. John's River, 75 miles above
its mouth. County-seat of Putnam county. Post-office.

PINE LEVEL.--County-seat of Manatee county. Post-office.

POLK COUNTY.--County-seat, Bartow.

PORT ORANGE.--In Volusia county, between Halifax River and the
Atlantic Ocean. Post-office.

PORT WASHINGTON.--In Walton county, on the south side of
Choctawhatchee Bay.

POWELLTON.--Station on the Florida Railroad, Escambia county, West
Florida. Post-office.

PUNTA RASSA.--On the Gulf coast, in Monroe county. Post-office and
submarine-telegraph station.

PUTNAM COUNTY.--County-seat, Pilatka, through which the St. John's
River flows.

QUINCY.--County-seat of Gadsden county, where a case of hydrophobia
has never been known, nor an instance of sun-stroke occurred.
Post-office and telegraph-station.

REMINGTON PARK.--A resort on the east bank of the St. John's, 25
miles above Jacksonville. Post-office.

RIVERSIDE.--A finely-located, prospective city, on the St. John's,
near Jacksonville.

ROSE HEAD.--Located in Taylor county. Post-office.

ROSEWOOD.--On the West India Transit Railroad, 10 miles from Cedar
Keys. Post-office.

SALLIE'S CAMP.--Landing on the upper St. John's, 229 miles from
Jacksonville.

SANDERSON.--County-seat of Baker county. Post-office,
telegraph-station.

SANDY BLUFF.--Landing on the Ocklawaha River, 68 miles above its
mouth.

SAND POINT.--Seven miles from Salt Lake, on the St. John's, and 30
miles from Canaveral Light-house.

SANFORD.--It is 199 miles from Jacksonville. Contains a sanitarium,
besides all necessary comforts for the sick and well. Post-office.

SAN MATEO.--In Putnam county, on the St. John's, 80 miles above
Jacksonville. Post-office.

ST. SEBASTIAN RIVER.--An estuary which is crossed in going from the
depot to St. Augustine.

SANTA FE.--A settlement in Bradford county, near Starke.
Post-office.

SANTA FE RIVER.--A tributary of the Suwanee River.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY.--County-seat, Milton. Contains large milling
interests.

SARASOTA.--In Manatee county, on the Gulf coast, 12 miles from
Manatee, South Florida.

SHADY GROVE.--A settlement in Taylor county. Post-office.

SHARP'S FERRY.--Landing on the Ocklawaha River, 114 miles above its
mouth.

SHELL BANK.--Landing on the St. John's, 193 miles above
Jacksonville.

SHOAL RIVER.--A stream of water in Walton county, which empties
into Pensacola Bay.

SILVER SPRING.--A most remarkable phenomenon in nature--the
principal source of the Ocklawaha River, 100 miles from its mouth.
In Marion county. Post-office.

SOPCHOPPY.--In Wakulla county. Post-office.

SPRING HILL.--In Hernando county, west of Brooksville.

SPRUCE CREEK.--In Volusia county, 8 miles from Smyrna.

STARKE.--In Bradford county, 73 miles from Fernandina, on the West
India Transit Railroad. Post-office.

STARK'S LANDING.--On the Ocklawaha River, 155 miles above its
mouth, in Sumter county.

ST. AUGUSTINE.--In St. John's county. Remarkable for being the
first settled town in the United States. Post-office.

ST. JOHN'S COUNTY.--County-seat, St. Augustine. Bounded on the west
by the St. John's River.

ST. JOHN'S RIVER.--A remarkable stream of water, which has its
source in the Everglades of South Florida. It is about 350 miles in
length, flowing north to Jacksonville, where it makes an abrupt
turn to the east, and discharges into the Atlantic Ocean.

ST. JOSEPH'S.--In Calhoun county, West Florida.

ST. LUCIE SOUND.--A name given to a portion of Indian River, in
Brevard county.

ST. MARK'S.--Terminus of the Pensacola and Mobile (St. Mark's
Branch) Railroad. It is in Wakulla county, at the head of
Appalachee Bay. Post-office.

ST. MARK'S RIVER.--Considered by most persons to be the
reäppearance of Lake Miccosukee which loses itself in the earth.