would aid me, and with some help, as that Post lacks people, I detained the prisoner, not ill-treating him, in the house of one of his countrymen, allowing him military rations, which is what the soldiers in service have. As I was advised that the prisoner was the second person in authority in that settlement, I placed him under better security, that he might not escape and inform them of the lack of forces in the Garrison, for without doubt knowing it the settlement would come and take possession at very little cost. Just at this time my term of Governor came to an end, without having determined upon a method to work in this affair, I turned all over to the Governor, my predecessor, that he might act as ordered in the reply to my information. This is all that I can tell you regarding the English prisoner. By this the Council will know that I always worked with Christian zeal, trying to stop anything opposed to the increase of our Holy Catholic faith. God preserve you many years. FRANCISCO DE LA GUERRA Y VEGA. Madrid, July 12th, 1673. CHAPTER XI. A. D. 1675. _Letters to the King from the Governor, Pablo Ita Salazer--The oath administered in the tower of the old Fort, which is tumbling down--The Garrison in want of supplies and ammunition--No warehouses--Exposed to the fatalities of the weather--The Fort in danger from pirates--Necessary to use Spanish daggers for the land side protection--More money badly needed to finish the works--Importance of the Castle to the Garrison--A pentagonal form recommended--A hundred men needed to guard the Castle--The Viceroy of Spain did not send the ten thousand dollars--Fort in danger from pirates--Two hundred leagues from Havana and five hundred from New Spain._ A. D. 1675. _Sire_: