Chapter XVI: A. D. 1736-1739 174

Governor Señor Montiano in a letter to his Majesty says: It is reported that Don Diego Oglethorpe has said openly “that should he receive orders from his Government to fix the boundary lines between the Spanish possessions and the Carolinas, he would so delay its execution that there should never be a sign of these limits”--Montiano thinks “it will be impossible to ever discuss matters of importance with such a man and it will be best that he be removed”--An Indian, Juan Ygnacio de las Reyes, gives himself up to the English, under pretext of having killed an Indian, to gain information concerning the strength and intentions of the English toward the Spanish--After misleading the English as to the strength and numbers in the Spanish fortifications, he makes his escape and returns to this Province--Statement of what has been ordered for the aid of Florida Provinces--The dislodging of the enemy from certain settlements on its territory up to 1674--Dispatch of 1675 commands that if the negro slaves sent to Havana have not already been sold, they shall be sent to Florida to be put to work upon the construction of the Castle to relieve the Indians.

CHAPTER XVII--A. D. 1741-1743 185

A letter from the Governor Francisco Córcoles y Martinez--Conduct of the Christians worse than the Heathen--Soldiers guarded while cutting timber to repair the Fort--The Castle in a tumble-down condition--The Garrison to be maintained for the propagation of the Holy Gospel and to shelter the workers of the Apostolic faith--A paper of representation to his Majesty concerning certain properties willed to the Royal Treasury by Don Francisco Menendez, and designated by the King for use as hospitals--The Royal Officers of the Province think these properties should be sold at auction, and the proceeds applied to the back pay of soldiers who are suffering and in need.

CHAPTER XVIII--A. D. 1770-1771 191

A letter of resolution to his Majesty concerning a letter of appeal made to the Governor and Bishop of Havana asking for patent and Holy oil to administer baptism and extreme unction to the Catholic families taken from the Island of Minorca by the English--These families bringing with them Don Pedro Campos, Doctor of Sacred Theology, as a Parish Priest, and Don Bartolome Casanovas of the St. Augustine order as Vicar--These same claiming to have received their appointment from the Supreme Pontificate, not knowing to which Bishop the jurisdiction of Florida belonged--In order that a thorough investigation may be made the whole matter was referred to his Majesty--Letter of the Archbishop of Valencia concerning this matter--Letter of the Bishop of Cuba to his Majesty, expressing gratification over the zeal of his Majesty in this matter--Advices that the privileges be conferred--Letter of the Bishop of Minorca giving information concerning same.

CHAPTER XIX--A. D. 1771 204

The opinion of the Judge--Having examined the different letters from the Bishop and made a thorough investigation into the matter concerning the granting of certain privileges to these Priests of the Minorcan families of the English colony of Florida, decides that these privileges should be granted as per reasons set forth in his written opinion, Madrid, 1771--Bishop of Cuba for the Council to Dr. Don Pedro Campos and the Rev. Father Bartolome Casanovas, extending to these same Priests the title of Parish Priest and Vicar--Also sending a box containing three flasks of sacred oil--Hopes soon to be able to send a more extended prorogation of other powers--King solicited these powers from the Court of Rome--Asks for a detailed report of the number of families and condition of the congregation.

CHAPTER XX--A. D. 1773 214

Proceedings of the Council at the Court of Rome concerning the appeal made by the Parish Priest and Vicar of the Catholic families established in the English colony of Florida--The different Bishops’ letters--Also those of the Priest and Vicar asking for patent and further privileges and containing a report of the condition of the said Minorcan families who are dissatisfied with the lack of spiritual comforts--A brick church, and are very devout--Of their desire to throw off the yoke of Great Britain and their love for Spain--Reply of the Judge--Testimony sent by the Bishop of Cuba.