As regards this Garrison, head of this Province, and the state of the Fortification which is being built and the designs of the English enemy and the overtures made by them. This being a frontier of the Province of Guale where I have stationed some infantry to watch the movements and intuitions of the enemy, and where they could detain them, while I sent aid and as strong a reinforcement as possible. It seems the proper thing for us to have sufficient troops there to impede the approach of the enemy on this Garrison and place sentinels all along to notify should they approach by land or sea. As to the Province of Apalache which falls almost in the bosom of Mexico, I am sure it is a place of no less importance than this Garrison, rather I should say more so, being thickly settled and reached by land from all the Provinces far as New Mexico, and all others still to be discovered far as the Strait of David, of which the German Captain discourses at such length in his statement. Besides, it is a fertile land, and much longed for by the enemy as it is noted for its agriculture, for which cause it should be well settled and fortified, its Harbour should have a good fort and at least one hundred infantry who could at any rate give the English enemy some trouble to occupy it or set foot in said Province. This should be done to prevent any damage, not alone in the Province, but to vessels plying the Mexican path. I implore you to look into the matter with the care and attention the case requires. So far as I am concerned, I have made every effort in my power to secure and protect it. I shall try to push this building through rapidly, that I may go and reconnoitre that Province, carrying with me the military engineer, Ygnacio Daza, who resides in this Garrison, that he may point out what is needed at present. I implore your Majesty most earnestly to look with pious pity upon your Royal Provinces and send all the assistance you can to complete this building and the other works of which this Garrison stands in such need, lacking all the means of protection by which we can serve your gracious Majesty. May God spare you for many years. MANUEL DE MENDOZA. St. Augustine, Fla., Dec. 15th, 1672. * * * * * 1673. _Your Majesty_: In a letter of Yours of the present month and year, you tell me that seeing in the Council a letter which was received, written in English, it was agreed that I should inform you of what had happened to an Englishman, said to be prisoner in St. Augustine, Fla., where I was Governor. The cause and pretext for making him a prisoner. Complying with what your Majesty asks, I inform you in the following manner: