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. CHAPTER XXI--A. D. 1773-1786 226 Letter from the King to the Bishop of Cuba concerning the petition soliciting an extension of time and of the privileges for the Priest and Vicar of the Minorcan families in Florida, and enclosing an open mandate of His Holiness, enlarging and extending the time for twenty years--A copy of a letter and statement sent in by Lieutenant Don Nicolas Grenier in regard to the importance of the Provinces of the St. Marys and St. Johns rivers--The need of vessels to impress and control the inhabitants--Provinces rich in timber, turpentine, tar and pitch--Considers it detrimental to Spanish interests for Americans to introduce any commerce in the Provinces--Letter from the same Don Nicolas Grenier to the Governor urging the necessity of further protecting Spanish interests along the St. Marys and St. Johns rivers--Tranquility of the country jeopardized by outlaws--Some have been arrested and paid the penalty with their lives--Matter referred to the Governor--1774. The Unwritten History _of_ Old St. Augustine CHAPTER I. A. D. 1565. _Royal Decree of King Philip II in regard to the further discovery and settlement of Florida--Officers appointed--Number of men to go in the Armada--Captains and men to be paid in advance, to increase diligence in service--Reports from the Armada after leaving--Pedro Menendez reports that the English and French have already settled here--Necessity of the Spaniards taking entire control of the country--Letter from the King to Pedro Menendez in regard to English and French settlers._ ROYAL DECREE. THE KING. _To our officers who reside in the City of Sevilla in charge of the India contracts_: