In a letter of 1674 the Sergeant-Major acting as Governor of the Province of Florida, states that a vessel had arrived at that Port and they had received four pieces of artillery and other ammunition from the contracting house in Sevilla, that with this and the artillery that was to come from Havana and New Spain, these would be sufficient for the defense of the Garrison. By a dispatch of 1674 thanks were sent the Archbishop, Viceroy, for having sent to Florida all the supplies due that Garrison. It was sent that it might leave on the fleet passing Vera Cruz for Spain. By another dispatch the Governor, Pablo Ita Salazar, was recommended that he apply himself with much zeal in perfecting the fortification of the Royal Fort being built in that City and that it be accomplished in a manner for the best safety of the Province. By Cedula of 1675 the Sergeant-Major Don Nicolas Ponce de Leon, in reply to a letter of his, and attentive to an order sent the Governor of Cuba, that if the negro slaves sent to Havana had not already been sold, he should send immediately upon their arrival fifty of them to Florida, where they should be put to work on the Castle under construction. The Indians who served as peons were not strong and their people were much opposed to their leaving the planting of corn which is the sustenance of their families. And the Governor was ordered upon their arrival in Florida to apply them to this work and relieve the Indians and to finish the construction as quickly as possible. CHAPTER XVII. A. D. 1741-1743. _Conduct of the Christians worse than the heathen--Soldiers guarded while they are 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 the properties belonging to the Treasurer, Don Francisco Menendez, deceased, left by will to the Royal Treasury--The pressing need of the Infantry of this Garrison; it having no capital, the property should be sold at public auction and proceeds go to restore back pay of troops to alleviate suffering, hunger and need for clothing, instead of being used for a hospital as per the King’s desire--A letter from Governor Manuel Montiano informs his Majesty of fourteen English vessels anchored off the Bar of this Port--Six Spanish galleys sent to meet them at which the enemy retires._ A. D. 1741. _Sire_: