[Illustration: Founding of St. Augustine By Pedro Menendez, September 8, 1565.] [Illustration: Text decoration] THE UNWRITTEN HISTORY _of_ Old St. Augustine Copied from the Spanish Archives in Seville, Spain, by Miss A. M. Brooks and Translated by Mrs. Annie Averette [Illustration: Text decoration] 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