The unwritten history of old St. Augustine — John Shaqi
The unwritten history of old St. Augustine
History
The unwritten history of old St. Augustine
Florida -- History -- Spanish colony, 1565-1763 -- Sources; Saint Augustine (Fla.) -- History
Later the Governor ordered to appear before him one of the seven Indians
who were brought from the peninsula, to whom the following questions
were put: From where do you come and what is your name? He came from
Tupique and that his name was Lucas. Are you a Christian? Yes. The name
of your parents, are they, or have they been Casiques? His father’s
name was Felipe, and he was Casique of Tupique. Where was he from? He
was a native of the town of Tupique. Had there been any priest there?
There had been one named Fray Blas Rodriguez. Tell and declare what had
become of Fray Bias? That about ten or eleven moons past, eight Casiques
held a conference, they were Asao, Tolafo, Atmehe, Fulo, Tupique and
Alnate. When night came they killed the Priest. A helping hand was given
them by a chief called Pisiache, that he might kill him with a hatchet,
with which he gave him a blow on the head, from which wound he died
almost immediately. Afterward they buried him in the church. Say and
declare what cause they had for killing this priest? That Micas and
Casiques said they killed him because he was artful and took away their
enchantment or witchcraft, and would not allow them to have more than
one wife.
Did you hear them say anything else? No. Did he know Fray Miguel de
Annon, and Fray Antonio Lego, among the teachers of Guale, and Fray
Pedro de Corpa, among the teachers of Tolomato, and Fray Francisco de
Avila, among the teachers of Ospo?
I have known them all, and they have been killed. Fray Miguel had his
hands tied behind him, but he did not know if they had killed him--Fray
Antonio was tied, but he does not know how he was killed--he had heard
it said that they killed him with wooden weapons, and that Fray Pedro
Corpa two Casiques had killed in the night while sleeping; that Fray
Francisco de Avila they had not killed, but had him captive near
Tolofino until he should be ransomed by the Governor.
Was Fray Francisco well or ill-treated in the prison?
Sometimes they beat him with sticks and abused him. They sometimes fed
him, but not always, and when they did it was on the leaves and tendrils
of vines.
Had he seen or heard it said why they killed these Priests and
ill-treated Fray Francisco de Avila?
He knew no more than what he had already stated, that the Micos and
Casiques said they were artful and did not wish them to have more than
one wife, and that they reproved them.
Do you know where the ornaments belonging to the Church are, such as the
chalices and other things used by the priests?
They were all divided up in such a way, that nothing is left of them.
Was he present at the death of Fray Blas and the other priests when they
were killed?
He arrived in time to see Fray Blas die--the others he had not seen, but
had heard it said that they had been killed as he stated above.
Had he seen or heard any of his companions who were brought with him,
say they were present at the killing of the priests?
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