Florida -- History -- Spanish colony, 1565-1763 -- Sources; Saint Augustine (Fla.) -- History
By dispatch of this same year the Governor of the Canaries was ordered
and informed of the statement made by the Government of Florida
regarding the hundred families going over to settle, telling him the
means which could be used, and that it be carried and quickly and
effectively that they might have the chance of obtaining the settlements
of these Provinces. The Council of War having seen what Governor Pablo
Ita Salazar had to say of the lack of food from which the Province was
suffering, and the lack of means for obtaining it, commanded the Viceroy
of New Spain to send that Garrison the necessary supplies for six months
in advance, both ammunition and food, on account of the condition of the
Garrison, so that it could be prepared for any emergency which might
arise, and not be without defense, and to give an account of its
execution. It was also commanded the Viceroy to send the necessary money
to Florida that they might make Barracks and lodgings in the Fort for
the soldiers who entered as guards, that they might be comfortable under
cover and suffer less hardships. He was advised that all should be done
with as little expense as possible, and to communicate with the Governor
to whom the same order had been given. He said Don Pablo Ita Salazar
made a report of the state in which he found the building of the new
Castle in Florida, and the lack of means with which to continue it. The
Council of War having seen this report notified the Viceroy to send the
supplies of three hundred troops, the quota of that Garrison, and three
thousand dollars to be expended in the delayed fortification of said
Castle; approved by the Governor, it should continue the work of the
Castle, and he was recommended to try and reduce the expenses to the
absolute necessary. That the neighbors might help in the building, as
they were interested, and it was for their own convenience and defense
that they could assist without loss of time, and with the supply of
three hundred troops who would remain in the Castle. That the number of
soldiers there was so reduced it would not only pay the people well but
there would be a surplus of capital to provide all that was needed. That
this complement of infantry should be kept in the Garrison, and his
Majesty had resolved to send a hundred more soldiers by the first
opportunity. He again commanded the Viceroy to punctually supply the
wants, so that no cause can stop the building of the Castle.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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