Chapter I: Preface

We take pleasure in presenting to our readers information connected with St. Augustine never before published. It is composed largely of reports and letters to the King of Spain, much of it written by Pedro Menendez himself, and contains decrees and letters from the King to the Governor, Generals and Officers having charge of the Florida Provinces. It has been buried for over three centuries, in Seville, Spain. It is reliable, having been written in old Spanish and guarded with care. It contains facts for which many have sought in vain. The style in which it is written is clear and comprehensive, without being diffuse or overdrawn. It is the true history of our country.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I--A. D. 1565 1

Royal Decree from King Philip II in reference to further discovery and settlement of Florida--Officers and number of men appointed to go in the Armada--Reports from the Armada after leaving--Report from Pedro Menendez to his Majesty--The English and French have already settled here--Necessity of Spaniards taking entire control--Letter from the King to Pedro Menendez--Tells of English and French vessels reported to have sailed for these Provinces--King sends Fleet with sailors, soldiers and supplies that the person of Pedro Menendez may be guarded properly as Governor and Captain General of the Province of Florida.

CHAPTER II--A. D. 1565 13

Pedro Menendez gives an account to his Majesty of the Fort Matanzas Massacre--Menendez and army escape from being made prisoners by the French on account of a tornado--Because of the swollen river the Council agree to make a land attack--Spaniards surprise and take Fort Matanzas without loss of a single man--Killing over two hundred Frenchmen and capturing Laudonnier--Find Indians enchanted with the Lutherans--Shipwrecked Frenchmen found on coast--With hands tied behind them are stabbed in the back by Spaniards.

CHAPTER III--A. D. 1598 27

Report of Fernando Miranda, agent to the King, complains of Governor--Espionage over vessels--Gives account of work of negroes--Houses and churches built, land cleared--Soldiers assist in repairing Fort--Report of Bartolome De Arguellas--Capture of rebellious Indians--Sending some to Havana to be hanged, some to be imprisoned--Casiques render obedience to the Governor who assures them of his good intentions--Pedro Pertrene reports to the King of being newly appointed to be Captain of a Garrison in Florida--Insufficiency of salary to meet expenses--Because of long service to his Majesty implores aid and satisfaction--Dona Maria Menendez, Casique, writes the King asking aid in meeting the expenses of instructing the Indians in Christianity and good government.

CHAPTER IV--A. D. 1598 34

Extract from official report made by Gonzales Menendez Canso, Governor and Captain-General--Six priests of the San Franciscan order murdered by Indians--Lieutenant Eciga sent to see if any of the priests are still living--Hears of one--Is refused permission to see him--After much persuasion and many threats Friar Fray Francisco is delivered--Manner of the death of the others is investigated--Fray Francisco makes a statement in regard to the death of the other priests, is forbidden by the Canons of the Church to reveal all--Notary Public Juan Ximenes swears to the investigation of several Indians through an interpreter--Execution of Indian Lucas as participating in the murder of Fray Blas.