(seq. 345)

East Florida

them with a little Corn, Rice or Salt, but never let them know, I had stronger Liquor in
my House, than Water; they would never come in the House, when I was absent, altho'
my Wife desired it, they readily will trafic with new Settlers, and exchange Skins, Furs,
Bear Oil, Wax & Honey for such Articles, as are mentioned in the 6th Chapt of St Carolina;
however new Settlers are not jsutly entitled to this Trade, unless they have solicited the Fovernor
for a License, without which they are by no means to make a Practice of it. The Indians will not
break out into War, nor be jealous about new Settlements, or even complain of it out of a poli=
=tical Preference, provided the Governor is requested to send Invitations to the head-Men of the
Seminoleskee. (Indians which have separated themselves from the Creek Nation, living
by small Tribes in Towns lately built to the W& S of St Augustin, are thus called by the
Nation Seminolskees signifying a wild Indian). Their head-Men may easily be satisfied
by an Information, that His Majesty thought it necessary Settlements should be made
along the Atlantic Coast in East Florida by his Subjects, in order to give Assistance & Relief
to so many distressed, who yearly suffer shipwreck on that Coast; a few Presents of Coats, Waiscoats,
Shirts, Blankets, Bracelelts, Guns, Powder & Balls to the Value of 50 Ster:g distributed among
the Head-Men (in all about 6 or 7) will make the Settlements upon the Sea Coast as far as Cape Florida
an object, if not agreeable, at least a matter of Indifference to these Barbarians.
22. As to french & spanish Wars I must observe in general, that sucha Plantation, Farm,
Country Seat, Village, Town, City, or Fortification has as yet not existed, which could claim
a Right or boast of Assurance not to be attacked or molested in time of War; for even the best
fortified Places (which, if any, might have expected that Perogative) have been worse treated
than open Places, when the latter met frequently with good Treatment. In the year 1762 I then
had done fortifying Savannah in Georgia for some time; but for want of Subsidies it could
only be made to defend against INdians on the Land side, the Riverside was quite open, french
& spanish Privateers frequently entered the Mouth of Savannah River, one of which came to
an anchor & allured a party from Savannah frolicking in the River on board his Vessel & took
them Prisoners; the Captain sent his Barge well manned in the Night up to Savannah, when
they might have burnt us all in our Beds, for nothing hindred them from landing & taking a
View of the Town; however they meeting with no Resistance were satisfied with the Token they
could give to their Prisoners before they were set at Liberty, that they positively had been in the
town of Savannah. Settlers, especially aat Cape Florida will be much better of than all others
on any Place, I know upon the Eastern Coast of America; for the new Bahama Channel is the
principal Outlet of the Gulf of Mexico for all Vessels bound for the NOrthern Provinces, or Europe;
consequently in time of War King's Ships & English Privateers will be constantly cruising
at & about Cape Florida, & serve to its Inhavitants as Guards, on whose account Enemies
will not venture to stop & molest the Inhabitants, but endeavour to croud all Sails for running
by these Quarters as fast as possible. I must also observe that all the East India Treasures
collected at the Manilla; all the Riches of Mexico, New Spain, Peru & Cili are hired
in the Havannah on Cuba Island, and from thence under the Auspice of a Spanish Ad=
=miral escorted to Old Spain by the way of the New Bahama Channel.