RETURN OF THE SPANIARDS.--COMPLETION OF THE CATHEDRAL.--THE OLDEST CHURCH BELL IN AMERICA.--THE GOVERNOR’S DESIRE TO PEOPLE THE PROVINCE WITH IRISH CATHOLICS.--SOME OFFICIAL ORDERS EXHIBITING THE CUSTOMS OF THE SPANIARDS.--UNJUSTIFIABLE INTERFERENCE OF THE UNITED STATES, DURING THE “PATRIOT WAR.”--FLORIDA AN UNPROFITABLE POSSESSION.--ERECTION OF THE MONUMENT TO THE SPANISH CONSTITUTION. In June, 1784, Governor Zespedes took possession of St. Augustine, in the name of “his most Catholic Majesty.” The British Government had provided a fleet of transports to convey its subjects, and from the St. Johns River and the St. Mary’s they sailed for the American colonies and the British dominions. With the Spanish flag returned to St. Augustine the numerous company of salaried officials and crown-pensioners holding sinecure offices, and contributing nothing to the improvement of the place, and nothing to its existence but their presence. This large portion of the inhabitants, dependent upon the crown, did not always receive punctual payment of their salaries; but, with their daily allowance of rations in kind, they were enabled to exist. They generally occupied the houses belonging to the crown, which were numerous, and the rent required was but nominal. In 1764, a large number of lots in the town had been sold in confidence to Jesse Fish, a British subject, to prevent their being forfeited to the crown at the expiration of the period allowed by the treaty between Great Britain and Spain for the disposal of private property. This sale was not recognized as valid by the Spanish authorities upon their return, and one hundred and eighty-five lots were thus forfeited to the King of Spain. These lots were soon after sold at auction, on terms very favorable to the purchasers.