Chapter I: Introduction

This brief account of one of the most interesting towns in this country, in many historical points of view, has been prepared to meet the wants of those who may desire to learn something of the place in view of a sojourn, or who may already have come hither in search of health.

The work makes no pretension to fullness of detail, nor to absolute perfection in any particular. It is rather a glimpse at, than a full history of, the place, though it gives such a connected view of the course of events, as to satisfy the curiosity of such as come among us, (and which every sojourner feels the want of,) so far as the lights we now have can aid us in a knowledge of the past.

I have availed myself of such helps, in the few works written, as I could find, which speak of the place.

But the field of historical researched upon which I have entered, I find too extensive to be compressed in all its interesting particulars into a work of this sort. The gleanings, therefore, must for the present suffice.

THE AUTHOR.

_St. Augustine, June 20, 1848._

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

.....PAGE.

Location--Description--Antiquity--Distant Appearance--Public Places--Public Works of the City.....7

CHAPTER II.

Early Settlement--Founder--The Objects of his Voyage from Spain--Character--Entrance into the Harbor--Name--Massacre of the Huguenot Protestants--Slaughter at Matanzas--Drake’s Attack--Indian Assault--Contribution laid on the City by Davis, the Bucanier--The Bucaniers--Expedition of Gov. Moore of South Carolina--Causes of the same--Col. Palmer’s Attack--Oglethorp’s Invasion--Minorcan Inhabitants--Patriot War--Purchase of Florida by the United States--Change of Flags--Frost of 1835--Orange Trade and Groves--Fruit Growing in East Florida--Tropical Luxuries produced--Inducements to Agriculturists from the North.....18

CHAPTER III.

Climate of Florida--Testimony of Physicians--Coast Climate--Its Advantages--Class of Diseases favorably affected by a Residence in the Climate--St. Augustine as a Place of Resort for Invalids--Accommodations--Society--Tables of Temperature of the Climate, exhibiting the Degree of Changes during the Month and Year, as compared with Foreign Places of Resort--Customs--Conveyances to the City....49

SKETCHES.