Papers relating to the English Schooner called the. Two Friends which was wrecked on the coast of La Bahia.

Transcription

1 Nwnber 18 'Papers relating to the English Schooner called IfI3os Amigos.',' which mean s the "Two Friends," which was wrecked on the Coast of La Bahia del Espiritu Santo. n,ear the mouth of the Nueces River, on August 23, (English) Papers relating to the English Schooner called the Two Friends which was wrecked on the coast of La Bahia. 1771

2 To the Governor of Texas 23

3 24 ost, Ex=cellent, S.en,or: I had not been able to remit to Ycour, Fx,cellency, a detailed report concerning the English Schooner, which was wrecked on this coast, because the Captain of La Bahia del Espiritu Santo, d6o,n FranCcis,co Thovar, had not sent me the navigator with the papers and the negro interpreter by the time I had remitted the other, report, although I had already requested them. He has finally remitted the papers, and from what I can under-.stand., despite my lack of knowledge of the English language, there are three guides cin charge of the cargo,. One of the papers mentions four negroes as well as a passport dated runsue on the 1th of March of last year belonging to the deceased Captain. cthere were also remi.tted, some open letters addressed to the said sdeceased Captain,, and three closed ones bounded for Cardl3:na, enclosing also diverse notes, accounts and books with the navigation and observation maps. A merchant who as traveling in the same schooner going to Philadelphia, his home town in North lv America, also came.// I have learned that the schooner was called "Dos Amigos1i which means the Wwo Friends." Her Captain was Hector McAllester, Scotch, and the navigator was of the same.enat3.onality,. The crew consisted of three

4 25 white sailors and one free negro, who is the only one w^ tb" speaks a little English and Spanish, for he is a true creole. The rest of the crew, can speak only Bngl3:sh. Aboard, there came the already mentioned merchant whose name is Charment, two negro men and two cnegro, women slaves to be sold. The cargo consisted of ten hogsheadsof sugar cane rum and five barrels of low quality sugar. The schooner, left New Savana la Mar at the Island of Jamaica bounded for Cape Fear where there is a landing place at a river which leads to Brunswick, metropoli of the Province of North Carolina. This janding place, is about four leagues from the said Cape C Fear, and about fourteen from Charleston, metropoli of South Carolina. Having reached the Bahama Canal, the schooner, was pushed by the 'currents to the southern coast of Florida, where she and her crewwere hurled against the coast of this Province by a hurr3cane from the southeast. They wandered around the Islands without being able to pull out, and finally.wrecking, on the 23rd.:: day of August last, against an Island named the.copanes, near the mouth of the N,ueces River. In the English map this point, is called P'las Flores," and it is 2 t located, about// thirty leagues, little more or less, from the Presidio of la. Bahia del Espiritu Santo,

5 26 where the Captain of the said schooner died on the tenth day of September due to an illness (so it has been said). The wreck, was not di5covered until the thirteenth or the fourteenth day of the same month, and it wad done by accident, when one of the missionary fathers from the Rosario Mission, accompanied by some Indians, of the Mission, and three soldiers of that Presidio, were searching for Tndians,. although these soldiers should patrol the coast with the frequency stipulated in the ordinances. But since Ytota.r, Lcordship, has ordered me not to force the troop of that Presidio to patrol the coast,, as I had done in the past to prevent the infiltration of the enemy, thus helping each other out, that Presidio and this one, that is, the wreck of that schooner was not discovered until twenty to twenty-two days after it happened, despite the help.,given, by a detachment of this Presidio, which, in fulfillment of Y,,our, Bx=cellency's, order, has been assigned to be at the disposal of the Captain rof that Presidio, with great detriment to this garrison. As far as the rest is concerned, the rum is being kept in deposit until I receive Y=our, Bxrcellency's, resolution enclosed, with your acknowledgment to my letter of the 16th of the present month, as to whether

6 27 I should send the negro slaves, to Louisiana as it has been requested, or through that Capital. Meanwhile, the Fnglishmen, have asked me to send for their people. Answering a request from Captain don,francisco Thovar, I sent yesterday afternoon the Captain, of this presidio, dco,n Luis Antonio Menchaca, to learn about the.ecargo, left in that Epresidio, belonging to the Englishmen, and also about the bills of the expenses 2v caused// by them up to the present time. The said navigator, the merchant and the negro went along with the said Captain Yienchaca as witnesses to everything. They should return with the others, lea*ing the rum deposited there. I hereby inform Ycour, Ex;cellency, that I have received a letter from Don Melchor de Noriega notifying me that he is the Administrator of the salt mines of New Santander. He requested me to send him a report on the number of cartfuls of one and a half fanegas of salt which this.presidio and its annexed missions might need annually, in case a salt depot ceould be stablished here. S have acknowledged his letter, notifying him that I will not remit this 3.nformation, now because I should receive this order, as well as all the others, from Y'Gour, Ex,cellency,. I have

7 ,also, informed him of how difficult it would be to establish a salt depot in this Province because there is no currency available, for people here trade some things.for others. It is my opinion that, since some of those things are alive and others will break or spoil, there will be a.great deal of losses, thus making it very difficult for anyone to administrate this property with the due responsibility. I notify this to Y,our, ExEcellency, for you to order that which you may consider best so the Royal Treasury will not experiment this expense, for we cannot afford it. Besides, many employees have to be hired for the security of the services, which should be rendered by this depot, not being able to justify 3 the said expense// because of the openness of the earth and the abundacy of salt, especially around.the coastm Because I do not want to increase the mail expenses with reptition of letters, and to`risk the delivery of the papers concerning the English schooner, (for although they look like they are of little importance to us, they might be of great interest to the owners), I am not remitting them to Y,our, Exccellency, i along with the present one, for I have ordered it to be sent from Coahuila through the ir.a,n Luis' mail route.

8 29 Hereafter I hope to act in all with the best of my ability and to Y,our, Exzcellency;s, satisfaction, so you will remit me your orders. Meanwhile I pray God our Lord to keep Ycour, Ex.cellency's, person as m,an,y y,ear,s as possible.. San Antonio de Bexar. October 22, ost, Ex,cellent, Sreri,or: Your most affective and humble servitor kisses Y,our, ExGcellency's, hand. Baron de Ripperdd M,ost, Ex,cellent, S;en,or Marques de Croix, Viceroygovernor, and Captain-general of this New Spain. r.als 2-3 in E ,

9 3 S,.efio,ar Captain d,o,n Luis Antonio Menchaca, Today, the 21st of October of the year, of seventeen hundred and seventy-one, Ytour, Lcordship, should depart to the Presidio of La Bahia. From that,presidio's, Captain, Y,our, Ltordship, should receive the Englishmen and the negroes who were shipwrecked in a schooner against a nearby coast; as well as the said rum and sugar of the cargo that was saved and exists at the present time,, so you will transport it to this Presidio. According to the wishes I+v of the said navigator// and merchant, Your Lordship, should bring only the sugar that is available and only the rum that the said navigator and merchant should specify they need for their own consumption, plus that which will cover the expenses of the wagons and other expenses of the trip. There should be at least two ^Englishznen, to see that they will not be.defrauded, escorting them with the troop of the old detachment if Y,our, L,ordsh3.p, would consider this necessary. jour Lordship, should deposit the hogsheads of rum with the upmost security at one of the Missions where it should remain deposited until 9 a new order from the M,ost, Ex,cellent, S.et.or 5 Viceroy.// Ycour, L=ordship, should also receive from the said Captain the bills of the expenses caused by the

10 31 crew and cargo of the said schooner. You should rece3.ve all this with the due formality9 taking inventory of all. 5,a,n Antonio de Bexar. October 21, Baron de Ripperdd,AZ,s 4-5 in E ,

11 In the Royal Presidio of La BaYh3.a del Espiritu Santo, on the 21tth day of the month of Cctober of the year seventeen hundred and seventy-one, I, don Francisco de Thobar, Captain and major justice of the said Presidio, while being sick.in bed, 1received on the 23rd of the aforesaid month and year, an order from the seflor Governor of the Province, don Juan Maria Baron dipperdd, for the Captain of San Antonio, don Luis Menchaca, to release all the liquor and ferments saved from a schooner wrecked on the coast under my jurisdiction. Her flag is of the English nationality and it has been referred to as a schooner. In view of this I should order and do hereby order that everything belonging to the Bnglishrnen, should be released to the said Captain Menchaca. He should pay, according to those orders given to them, all those men, who have worked in the transportation of this cargo at the current rates or customary wages. The said Captain should deliver in writing the order he has from the seplor governor, leaving an exact copy of it. I will do the same about all the documents he requests from me. Let this present..order be added to the present proceedings in order to remit them to the M,ost, Ex.cellent, S^^ Viceroy of this Kingdom, thus

12 33 6v for him to learn about the handling of this ship// wreck and the proceeding which have been carried out,until now,. After completing that which has been previously stated, a general inventory of everything should be drawn by the said Captain Menchaca and don Fernando Veramendi, who should assist him in my name because I am sick in bed, advising them to weight the cargo, down to the number of arrobas. Thus I provided, ordered aid signed this, acting as receptor3a in the absence of a notary public or royal of which there is none under the terms provided by law, and writing, on this common paper for there is no stamped paper available. In witness thereof, I certify. Francisco de Thobar Attesting Witness Dionisio Gonzales Attesting Witness Joseph Maldonado,ALS 6-6v in B ??1,

13 34 In the Royal Presidio of La Bahia, on the said day, month and year, I, don Luis Antonio Menchaca' Captain of the Royal Presidio of San Antonio de Bexar' having learned about the preceding order, hereby exhibit the order given to me by the senor governor don Juan Maria Baron de Ripperdd. I am requesting a written copy of everything carried out concerning these proceedings. Thus I signed this.on the above mentioned day, month and year. Luis Antt,oni,o Menchaca EDS 6v in ,

14 In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day,? month and year//, I, don Francisco de Thobar have seen those proceedings, presented by the Captain of Bexar, because I was not able to do it myself for I am sick in bed, Because don Fernando de Beramendi is the Judge by resolution as it is of.constancy in his expedienty which enables him to act as such when necessary, as it is the present case,. the aforesaid Captain and the said Beramendi should jointly fulfill that which has been commanded in the preceding orders. Don Joseph Menchaca, Alferez of that Presidio. should be present at these proceed3.ngs, because he was with.me at the coast when the Englishmen were aboard the schooner, and he heard all the arguments and statements, which in his presence I said to the people, of that nation, and those which they replied. After these proceedings, have been completed, the original documents should be remitted to me along with the said testimony. An exact, copy of all,should be, given to Captain Menchaca. Thus I provided, ordered and signed this, acting as it has been stated and is well known. In witness thereof, I certify. Francisco, de Thobar.,AI,S 6v-7 in E

15 In the sai.d. Royal Presidio, on the said day'month and year, I, don Fern.and,o Beram.endi and don J,ose,ph Menchaca, having read that which has been ordered by the said Captain don Francisco de Thobar, hereby state that we would obey it. 7v Thus we signed at// this said Roya1. Presidio, on the said day,.month and year. Menchaca Fern,and,o de Bers.mendi. G^1S 7-7v in E^:

16 37 In the said Royay Presidio, on the said day, month and year, by virtue of the preceding mandate, we went to draw and execute the general inventory. It is of the following tenor: Primarily, one used mainsail which according to what the interpreter said has been used, on four or five trips. Item. Two old ones which the interpreter said are the jib sails. Item. Another old sail, medium size and torn. It is the topgallant sail and it is the best one. Six thirds of old tackle from the said schooner with its hoisting tackle. Two saws Two axes One scraper Two drills One knife One hammer Two chisels 2 big iron pots 11 arrrobas, of rusted iron 2 hogsheads Cof rum, not full, belonging to Cherman., 9 6 barrels belonging to the said Cherman, full. hogsheads of rum,, full, belonging to the merchant

17 38 named Joan Junice and to Antonio Vard. 2 small barrels and two other, small ones of three arrobas each, belonging to Cherman. 8 They are of three arrobas each,// Three empty hogsheads belonging one to the said m erchant, and two to the commissionaire. One barrel of sugar belonging to the mariner Joachin. Two more barrels, of sugar belonging to the Captain of the schooner, who died on the coast. One bottle case with nine bottles full and one empty. 1 stone called molle c5n. 1 navigation quadrant in its case. Another quadrant belonging, to the merchant. 2 mariner's compasses belonging, to the owner of the schooner. One field glass belonging, to the Gaptai Lwho died on the Coast.. Personal clothing belonging to the navigator; One bag with the following items: one blanket one wool waistcoatt of light cloth one quadrant book fourr. white linen shirts two stripped ones

18 i Personal clothing belonging to Cherman: two sheets 3 books 6 white shirts ^ stripped shirts some underwear one white waistcoat six pairs of colored wool stockings one small broom one medium size flask filled with sulphur one watch of similar dimension, The rest of the Englishmen and the Negroes do not have any clothing other than those which they are wearing, and which are of little value. After I had read this inventary to the navigator and the merchant item by item through the interpreter Pedro, they stated that everything had been included and that everything listed in this inventory had been saved thanks to the efforts and diligences of Captain don Francisco de Thobar, because they did not want to save anything but rather lose it, for all their care was only, to save their lives. They also stated that they.were satisfied with, that which had been saved, and that they did not care about what they had lost.

19 4,They swore, that this is the truth. For its constancy they all signed this jointly with us. In witness thereof, we certify. Joseph Dickison Luis Antonio Menchaca James Sherman. Fernando de Baramendi (Aubric.) Attesting Witness Dionicio Gonzales Joseph Mc donal,ds 7v-8 in E

20 41 In the J;aid Royal Presidio, on the twenty-fifth day of the said month and year, I, don Luis Antonio Menchaca9 Captain of the Royal Pres,idi,o of Bexar, by virtue of the delivery of all the items, stated in the preceding inventory hereby state that I have received them to all my satisfactiony, along with five Englishmen, three Negro men and one Negro, woman* I signed this jointly with the aforesaidl tacting, as it has been stated and as it is known,... In witness therefore, I certify. Luis AnttGoni,o Menchaca Joseph Menche.ca Francisco de Beramendi,DS 8v in E ,

21 9 In the said// Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, I, don Luis Antconi,o Menchaca, Cap- =tai,n of the aforesaid Presidio, being present before me all the residents of this Presidio, who went to the coast to work on the unloading of the wrecked schooner and on the transportation to this place of all that which was saved so I would pay them, and because it is not up to me, the said Captain, to appraise the effects which were saved in order to pay their wages,, let this be known to the setor governor of the province, d,o,n Juan Maria Baron de Ripperdd, for him to determine that which is of justice. Thus I provided, ordered and signed this, acting as it has been stated and it is well known. In witness thereof, I certify. Luis Antt,oni,o Menchaca Attesting Witness Joseph Maldonado Attesting Witness Dionisio Gonzales zd-s 8v-9 in B ,

22 43 In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, I, don Luis Antonio Menchaca, Captain of the aforesaid Presidio, after I had gone to the Missions to see if I could find a safe place to leave deposited the rest of the effects listed on the inventory, and in view that I did not find a place, I summoned all the Englishmen and the Negro interpreter to appear before me,. After all of them were present, I asked throughthe interpreter--for everything has to be done to their satisfact1on--where they wanted me to deposit the said effects until provided otherwise by the said M,ost, Exccellent, senor Viceroy or by the governor of this province. They all, stated that they would like to leave, everything deposited at the house of the Captain of this Presidio, d,o,n Fra,ncise,o de Thobar. After I had gone to see the said Captain, he said 9v he would assign// a room where all the effects stated on the inventory would be placed, and that he would give them the key, for them to take care of it themselves so they would not have anything to demand at any time. This reply from Captain Thobar, was notified to all of them through Pedro the interpreter. All these Englishmen were unanimous, and in joint agreement

23 44 stated that this suited them all, and that they wanted to remain near the place, where the rum would be deposited. In witness thereof, I certify. Luis Antt,oni,o Menchaca Francisco de Thobar Joseph Dickison Attesting Witness Attesting Witness Dionicio Gonzales,DS 9-9v in E ?1,

24 In the said Royal.Presidio, on the said day, month and year, having the navigator appeared before me, the aforesaid Captain, I questioned him as to what he wanted. He replied that it was his will for the negro slave named Jerman and the negro woman, Maria to be sent to the Presidio of San Antonio, along with the three barrels of sugar--with the exception of some of it. The navigator stated that this amount, should be sent to the petor governor of that province, don Juan M.ari,a Baron de Ripperdd, because he had agreed to it when he was at the said Presidio. He stated that it was also his will, for two little barrels of rum of about three arrobas each, to be sent also, in payment for two small wagons which came to San Antonio. If there should be any ;money left, after this expense has been covered, he stated that, it was his will for the governor to keep it, for he cannot send any rum to him on account of.the obvious risk that the hogshead,might, break on the trip. He also said it was his will to remain where his few belongings were being deposited. Through the interpreter, they all stated on three different occasions that which is contained herein. Therefore, I, the said Captain should command 1 and do hereby order to notify// the Captain of this

25 46 Presidio, don Francisco de Thobar of all stated herein. He should reply that which he would think best. Thus I provided, ordered, and signed this acting as ithas been stated and as it is well known. Luis Antt,oni,o Menchaca Joseph Dickison Fernando de Beramendi Attesting Witness Dionicio Gonzales James Sherman Attest3.ng.Witness Joseph Maldonado,DS 9v-1 in E ?1,

26 47 In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, I, don Francisco de Thobar, in view of those proceedings of the Captain of San Ant oni,o de Bexar, state that I am of the same opinion of complying with the request of the Englishmen, for it is desirable to avoid having any difference of opinion with any of them especially when none of us understand their language for, there is no Spanish interpreter there,.. In view of the Eprevious, incident and since Captain don Luis Antonio Menchaca is here at this cf'residio, to take care of any incident which may come to pass, I hereby request the said Captain to notify this to all the Englishmen and to take from all of them a deposition as to my behavior toward them and as to whether they have lacked anything or whether I have not assisted them with as many victuals as they have needed. Should any of the Englishmen, have a complihint to make, the said Captain should, have them present it in writing through the interpreter. He should, also ask them whether or not I should allow them to consumetheir liquor. Captain Menchaca should make this last statement as clear as possible for I do not want to be held 9 responsible under any circumstances if they were to consume the said liquor. The deposition should also

27 48 e inclu-de, whether I have advised or suggested to them in any way, to remain in or to leave this Presidio, because I do not want to harm the predtige of this Presidio of Texas. TYius I provided, ordered, and signed this' acting as it has been previously stated, and as it is well known. Francisco de "hobar Attesting Witness Dionicio Gonzales Attesting Witness Joseph Maldonado (Rubric},DS 1Q-1v in E ,

28 In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, I, the aforesaid Captain, in view of that which was requested by Captain Francisco de Thobar, summoned all the Englishmen to appear before me. Through the interpreter Pedro I asked them about the behavior of the said Captain Thobar towards them. They replied that he had treated them very well, giving them plenty to eat, and that he had done all this, with love and charity. After they had been questioned as to whether they lacked anything, they answered no.. After they had been questioned as to whether,thobar, had persuaded any of them to stay here, they all replied that he had not, and they were staying here because their belongings are here, for the rum and other items cannot be sent to San Antonio. They stated that, they do not want to go and that they had rather stay here because the said Captain loves them very much and he treats them very kindly. Because this is all they had to state about this matter, and for its constancy, the navigator and Cherman jointly signed this with me along with my attesting witnesses. I have acted as it has been stated and as.it is well known. In witness thereof, I certify.

29 5 d Luis Anttroni,o Menchaca Joseph Dickison Fernando de Beramendi Attesting Witness Dionicio Gonzales Attesting Witness Joseph Maldonando td5 lov-11 in E ?71,

30 51 In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, I, the aforesaid Captain, in view of the previous proceedings and of that which was requested by don Francisc+e Thobar, concerning whether he should allow the Englishmen to consume the rum and,make use of, the other items stated in the inventory,, I should order and I hereby order for the Englishmen not to consume more than one hogshead of rum, until we, receive the decision from the M,ost, 'Ex,ce3lent, seylor Viceroy, for this is the_ will of the s.epior, governor of this province. I entreat Captain Thobar to keep this my order in mind, and to n6tify it to them so they do not consume more rum,than that which has been stipulated. Thus I provided, ordered and signed this,,acting, as it has been stated and as it is well known. In witness thereof, I certify. I,uis Antt coni,o Menchaca Attesting. Witness Dionicio Gonzales Attesting Witness Joseph Maldonado DS 11 in E. 1-21"1(/l3

31 a On the said day, month and year, I, don Francisco de Thobar, having been notified about the preceding order, hereby state that I have understood it and that Iwi11 obey it, but since the rum is under the custody of the Englishmen it will be hard to restrain them. Nevertheless, the order will be notified to them and we will try, through all possible means, to keep them from consuming more, than that one hogshead of rum, trying at the same time not to anger them. I signed this for its constancy. Francisco de Thobar,DS 11-llv in a

32 53 In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day month and year, I, the said Captain, don Luis Antonio Menchaca, hereby order to draw out from the inventory, two barrels of rum. They should be transported to the two wagons that came from San Antonio, to pay for the transportation and expenses charged for the said wagons. Thus I provided, ordered and signed this, acting, as it has been stated and it is well, known. In witness thereof, I certify. Luis Antt,oni,o Menchaca Attesting Witness Joseph Maldonado Attesting Witness Dionicio Gonzales,DS llv in E i^^l,!

33 1 54 e In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, I, don Luis Antonio Menchaca, Captain of the 12 Royal Presidio// in view of the order given by the seftor Governor of the Province d,o,n Juan Ma,ria, Baron de Ripperdd, should order and do hereby order, forseeing that these proceedings must continue, to give the originals to don Francisco de Thobar Captain of this Presidio for that which he may need to do, and to take an exact copy of them which should be remitted to me for f:kling, thus fulfilling the said se$or governor's ^order,. Thus I provided, ordered and signed this, acting as it has been stated, and as it is well known. In witness thereof, I certify. Luis Antt,oni,o Menchaca Attesting Witness Joseph Maldonado Attesting Witness Dionicio Gonzales cds llv-12 in E ,

34 55, 9 In the Royal Presidio of la Bahia del Espiritu Santo, on the twenty-seventh day of the month.of October of the year of seventeen hundred and seventyone, I, don Francisco de Thobar, Captain and major justice, having received the original of these proceedings remitted to me by the Captain of San Antonio de Bexar, don Luis Antonio Menchaca, and in view that he requested an exact testimony of them, I ordered,a eopy, to be taken, and which I am remitting. Present to see it transcribed, corrected and 12v attested, were my attesting// witnesses with whom I act as receptoria in the absence of a notary public or royal, of which there is none under the terms provided by law. It was done on this common paper for there is no stamped paper available. In witness thereof, I certify. Francisco de Thobar Attesting Witness Matheo Antonio Belasco y Cambras Attesting Witness Antonio Maria de la GarzF cds 12-13v in E. 1-2i-1771,

35 56 9 Seior Captain don Luis Antonio Menchaca Ycour, L,,ordship, should depart to the Presidio of La Bahia today, the twenty-first of October of seventeen-hundred and seventy-one. From the Captain,of that Presidio Y,our, L,ordship should receive the Englishmen and Negroes who were shipwrecked in a schooner on a nearby coast, as.well as the rum and the sugar which exists at the present time,, so you will transport it to this Presidio. According to the wishes of the navigator and merchant, Your Lordship should transport, only the sugar that is available and the rum that the said navigator and merchant should stipulate they need for their con.- sumption, plus that which will cover the expenses, of the wagons and other expenses of the trip. There should be at least two Englishmen, driving on the said wagons to see that they will not be defrauded, escorting thein with thee troop of the old detachment if Ycour, L,ordship, would consider this necessary4 Your Lordship, should deposit., at one of the missions or any other, place you may consider safe, the hogshead of rum, which should remain in deposit until a new order from the M,ast, Extcellent, seior Viceroy. Y,our, L,ordship, should also receive with the due formality from the said Captain, the bills of the

36 5^ e expenses caused by the tra.nsportation, of the cargo and the crew of the said schoonerl including everything stated in the inventory. San Antonio de Eexar, October twenty-first of seventeen hundred and seventy-one. Baron de R.ipperdd,C. 13 in E ,

37 58 e In the Royal Presidio of-la Bahia del Espiritu 13v S,anto// I, don Francisco de Thobar, Captain an d major justice of the said presidio, am reporting, today, on the twenty-fourth day of the month of October of the year of seventeen hundred and seventy-one, that while being sick in bed, I rece'ived on the twentythird day of the aforesaid month and year, an order from the senor governor of this province, don Juan Maria Baron de Ripperdd, for the Captain of San Antonio, don Luis.Antonio Menchaca, to release all the liquoxand ferments saved, from a schooner which was wrecked on the coast under my jurisdiction. The said ship is of the English nationality and it has been referred to as a schooner. In view of all this I should order and do hereby order that everything belonging to the Englishmen, should be released to the cited Captain Menchaca. He should bring and pay those ^men, who worked on this transportation according to the orders he,is carrying and in accordance to the customary wages. The said Captain should deliver the order he has from the se4ior governor, leaving a written copy of it. I shall do the same about all the documents he should request from me. Let this order, be added to these proceedings

38 59 in order to remit them to the M,ost, r,xreellent, sefsor Viceroy of this kingdom thus for him to learn about everything that has been carried out concerning this shipwreck. After completing that which.has been previously stated a general inventory should be drawn by the said Captain Menchaca and don Fernando Beramendi whom I have appointed to assist the Captain, on everything that la^y come to pass, because I am sick in bed. I entreat// them that everything stated in the inventory be weighed down to the number of arrobas. Thus I provided, ordered and signed this, acting as receptoria in the absence of a notary public or royal of which there is none under the terms provided by law; and on this common paper for there is no stamped paper available. In witness thereof, I certify. Francisco de Thobar Attesting Witness: Attesting Witness: Dionicio Gonzales Joseph Maldonado,C 13-13v in B ,

39 6 m In the Royal Presidio of La Bahia, on the said day, month an d year, I, don Luis Antonio Menchaca, Captain of the Royal Presidio of San Antonio de Bexar, after having learned about the preceding order, do hereby exhibit the order given bme by the seor governor don Juan Maria Baron de RipperdA.. I am requesting an exact copy of everything carried out concerning these proceedings. Thus I signed this, on the above mentioned day, month and year. Luis Antonio Menchaca C 14 in E

40 61 In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, I, don Francisco de Thobar, have seen those proceedings presented by the Captain of Bexar, because I was not able to do it myself for I am sick in bed. Because don Fernando de Beramendi is the Judge by resolution as it is of constancy in his expedient, which enables him to act as such when necessary, as is the present case, the aforesaid Captain l4v and the said Beramendi jo3.ntly// should fulfill that which has been commanded in the preceding order. Don Joseph Menchaca, Alferez of that Presidio should be present at these proceedings, because he was with me at the coast when the Englishmen were aboard the schooner, and he heard all the arguments and statements, which in his presence I said to the people, of that nation, and those which they replied. After these proceedings, have been completed, the original documents should be remitted to me along with the said copy. An exact, copy of all should be, given to Captain Menchaca. Thus I provided' ordered and signed this, acting as it has been stated and as it is well known. In witness thereof, I certify. Francisco de Thobar.C 14-l4v in E ,

41 d In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, by virtue of the preceding mandate, we went to draw and execute the general inventory. It is of the following tenor: Primarily, ohe used main sail which according to what the interpreter said, has been ^used, on four or five trips. It,em,. Two old ones, which the interpreter said are the jib sails. Itcem,. Another old sail,medium size and torn. It is the topgallant sail and it is the best one. Six thirds of old tackle from the said schooner with its hoisting tackle. Two saws, two axes, one scraper, two drills, one knife, one hammer, two ehisels, two big iron pots. Eleven arrobas and.four pounds of rusted iron. to Cherman. Two hogsheads of rum, not full belonging Six barrels belonging to the said Cherman, which although we tried to fill up, we were not allowed by the Englishmen. Six full barrels, the nim belonging to the said Cherman, and the casks to Captain Francisco de Thobar. Four full hogsheads of rum, belonging to the mercant named Joan Quince and Antonio Vard. Two barrels of three arrobas, and two small ones of approximately three arrobas, belonging to Cherman. The casks of the first one belonging to the said

42 63 O Captain. Three empty hogsheads, one belonging to Cherman and two to the commissionaires. One barrel of-sugar belonging to the mariner Joachin. Two more barrels of sugar belonging to the Captain of the schooner who died on the.coast. One bottle case with nine bottles full, and one empty. One stone called molle 6n. One navigation quadrant in its case. One quadrant belonging, to the mercbant. Two mariner's compasses belonging, to the owner of the schooner. One field glass belonging, to the Captain who died on the cqast. Personal clothing belonging to the navigator. One bag with the following items: one blanket, one wool waistcoat of light cloth. One quadrant book. Four white linen shirts, two stripped ones. One old stripped waistcoat. One pair of old wool stockings. Personal clothing belonging to Cherman: two sheets, three books, six white shirts, four stripped shirts, some undemear, one white waistcoat. Six pair of colored wool stockings. One case with two

43 blades. One small broom. One medium size flask filled with sulphur. One ordinarywatch of similar,dimension,. The rest of the Englishmen and the Negroes did not have any clothing other than those which they are wearing, which are of little value. 16 After I had read this// inventory to the navigator and the merchant item by item through the interpreter Pedro, they stated that everything had been included, and that everything listed in this inventory had been saved thanks to the efforts and diligences of Captain don Francisco de Thobar because they did not want to save anything but rather lose it, for all their care was only, to save their lives. They also stated that they were satisfied with, that which had been saved and that they did not care about that which they had lost.,they swore, that tbis was the truth. For its constancy they all signed this jointly with us. In witness thereof, we certify. Luis Antonio Menchaca Joseph Dickison James Sherman Fernando Beramendi c 14v--16 in E

44 65 In the said Royal Presidio, on the twenty-fifth day of the said month and year, I, don Luis Antonio Menchaca, Captain of the Royal Presridio of Bexar, by virtue of the delivery of all the items, stated in the preceding inventory, do hereby state that I have received them to all my satisfaction along with five Englishmen, three Negro men and one ynegro, woman. I signed this jointly with the aforesaid,,acting, as it has been stated and as it is known. In witness thereof, I certify. 16v Luis Antonio// Menchaca Attesting Witness: Attesting Witness: Dionisio Gonzales Joseph Maldonado rc 16-16v in E

45 se e In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, I, don Luis Antonio Menchaca, Captain of the aforesaid Presidio, being present before me all the residents of this presidio, who went to the coast to work on the unloading of the wrecked schooner and on the transportation to this place of all that which was saved, so I would pay them, and because it is not up to me, the said Captain, to appraise the effects which were saved in order to pay their wages,, let this be known to the sehor governor of the Province d,o,n Juan Maria Baron de Ripperdd for him to determine that which is of justice. Thus I provided, ordered and signed this, acting as it has been stated snd it is well known. In witness thereof, I certify. Luis Antonio Menchaca Attesting Witness: Attesting Witness: Dionisio Gonzales Joseph Maldonado C 16v in E ,

46 67 In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, I, don Luis.Antonio Menchaca, Captain of the aforesaid Presidio, after I had gone to the 17 Missions to see if I could find a safe place to leave// deposited the rest of the effects listed on the preceding inventory, and in view that I did not find a place, I summoned all the Englishmen and the lqegro interpreter to appear before me,. After all of them were present, I asked through the interpreter--for everything has to be done to their satisfaction-- where they wanted me to deposit the said effects until provided otherwise by the said M,ost, Ex,cellent seflor Viceroy or by the governor of this Province. They stated that they would like to leave, everything deposited at the house of the Captain of this Presidio, d,o,n Francisco de Thobar. After I had gone to.see the said Captain, he said he would assign/, a room where all the effects stated in the inventory could be deposited, and that he would give them the key for them to take care of it themselves so they would not have anything to demand at any time.,this reply from Captain Thobar, was notified to s.all of them through Pedro the interpreter. All these Englishmen were unanimous, and in joint agreement

47 68 e stated that this suited all of them, and that they wanted to remain near the place, where the rum would be deposited. In witness thereof, I certify. Luis Antonio Menchaca 17v Francisco de// Thobar Fernando de Beramendi Joseph Dickison James Sherman Attesting Witness: Attesting Witness: Dionisio Gonzales Joseph Maldonado.C 16v17v in F ,

48 69 e In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, having the navigator appeared present before me, the aforesaid Captain, I questioned him as to what he wanted. He replied that it was his will for the Negro slave named Jerman and the Negro woman,, Maria, to be sent to the Presidio of San Antonio, along with the three barrels of sugar--with the exception of some of it. They should be sent to the seior governor of that province, don Juan Maria, Baron de Ripperdd, because the navigator, had agreed to it when he was at the said Presidio. He stated that it was also his will, that two little barrels of rum of about three arrobas each to be sent also, in payment for two small wagons which came to San Antonio. If there should be any money left, after these expenses have been covered, he stated t hat, it was his will for the governor to keep it, for he cannot send any ruxn to him because of the obvious risk that the hogsheads,might, break on the trip. He also said it was his will to remain where his few belongings were being deposited. Through the interpreter, they all stated on three different occasions, that which is contained herein. Therefore, I, the said Captain should command and do hereby order to notify the Captain of this Presidio,

49 7 e don. Francisco de Thobar of all stated herein. Be should reply that which he would think best. Thus I provided, ordered and signed this, acting as it has been stated and as it is well known. 18 Luis Antonio Nienchaca// Fernando de Beramendi Joseph Dickison James Sherman Attesting Witness: Attesting Witness: âionisio Gonzales Joseph Maldonado e C. 17v-18in E ,

50 e In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, I, don Francisco de Thobar, in view of those proceedings from the Captain ofsan Antonio de Bexar, state that I am of the same opinion of complying with the request of the Englishmen9 for it is desirable to avoid having any differences of opinion with any of them especially when none of us understand their language, for there is no Spanish interpreter here. In view of the previous, incident and since Captain don Luis Antonio Menchaca is here at this Presidio to take care of any incident which may come to pass, I hereby request the said Captain to notify this to all the Englishmen and to take from all of them a deposition as to my behavior toward thenz and as to whether they have lacked anything, or whether I;have not assisted them with as many victuals as they have needed. Should any of them have a complaint to make' the said;captain should, have them present it writing through the interpreter. He should, also ask them whether or not I should allow them to consume their liquor.. Captain Mencha.ca should make this last, statement as clear as possible for I do not want to be held responsible under any circumstances if they were to consume their liquor. The deposition should also

51 72 in,clude, whether I have advised or suggested to them in any way, to remain in or to leave this Presidio because I do not want to harm the gc estige of this Presidio of Texas. Thus I provided, ordered, and signed this, acting as it has been previously stated and-as it is well known. Francisco de Thobar Attesting Witness: Attesting Witness: Dionisio Gonzales Joseph Maldonado,C 18-18v in E

52 Q In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, I, the aforesaid Captain, in view of that which was requested by Captain Francisco de Thobar, summoned all the Bnglishmen to appear before me. Through the interpreter Pedro I a:zked.them about the behavior of the said Captain Thobar toward them. They replied that he had treated them very well, giving them plenty to eat, and that he had done, all this with love and charity. After they had been questioned as to whether they lacked anything, they answered no. After they had been questioned as to whether,thobar, had persuaded any of them to st:ayy-here., they all replied that he had.not, and they were staying because their belongings are here, for the rum and other items cannot be sent to San Antonio. They stated that, they do not want to go, and that they had rather stay here because the said Captain loves them very much and he treats them very kindly. Because this is all they.had to state about this matter, and for its constancy,. the navigator and Cherman.jointly signed this with me along with my attesting witness. In witness thereof, I certify. I,uis Antt=oni,o Menchaca

53 74 Attesting Witness: Dionicio.Gonzales Attesting Witness: Joseph Maldonado,C 18v-19 in E :712

54 75 In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, I, the aforesaid Captain, in view of the previous proceedings and of that which was requested by don Francisco de Thobar, concerning whether he should allow the Englishmen to consume the rum and cmake use of,'the other items cstated in the inventory,, should order and do hereby order the Englishmen not to consume more than one hogshead of rum, until we, receive the decision from the Mcost, Exccellent, sefio,r Viceroy, for this is the will of the sefior Governor of this Province. I entreat Captain Thobar to keep this my order in mind, and to notify this to them so they would not consume more rum, than that which has been stipulated. Thus I provided, ordered and signed this,, acting as it has been stated and as it is well known. In witness thereof, I certify. Luis Antonio Menchaaa Attesting Witness: Attesting Witness: Dionisio Gonzales Joseph Maldonado,C 19 in E ,

55 On the said day, month and_year, I don Francisco de Thobar, having been notified about the preceding order, do hereby state that I have understood it and that I will obey it, but since the rum is under the custody of the Englishmen, it will be hard to restrain them. Nevertheless, the order will be notified to them and we will try, through all possible means, to keep them from consuming more, than one hogshead of rum, trying at the same time not to anger them. I signed this for its constancy. Francisco de Thobar E ti: 19- l9v in E ,

56 e In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, I, the said Captain, don Luis Antonio 1ienchaca, hereby order to draw out from the inventory, two barrels of rum. They should be trans-ported in the two wagons ty?at came from San Antonio, to -pay for the transportation and expenses charged for the said wagons. Thus I provided, orddred and ^dgned this, racting, as it has been stated and it is rwell,known. In witness thereof, I certify. Luis Antonio Mlenchaca Attesting Witness: D=onisio Gonzales ^ Attesting Witnessz. Joseph Maldonadd C. l9v in E ,

57 e In the said Royal Presidio, on the said day, month and year, I, don Luis Anton.3.o Menchaca, Captain of the 12 Royal Presidio,// and in view of the order given by the or governor of the Province d,o,n Juan Ma^ria, Baron de Ripperdd, should order and do hereby order, forseeing that these proceedings must continue, to give the originals to don Francisco de Thobar, Captain of this Presidio, for that which he may need to do, and to take an exact copy of them which should be remitted to me for filing, thus fulfilling the said seor governor's,order,. Thus I provided, ordered and signed this, acting as it has been stated and as it is well known. In witness thereof, I certify. Luis Antonio Menchaca Attesting Witness: Attesting Witness: Dionisio Gonzales Joseph Maldonado,C. 19v- 2 in E

58 79 9 In, the Royal Presidio of La Bahia del Espiritu Santo, on the twenty-seventh day of the month of October'of the year of seventeen hundred and seventyone, I, don Francisco de Thobar, Captain and ma jor justice of it, havin-c; received the original of these proceedings remitted by the Captain from San Antonio de Bexar, don Luis Antonio Menchaca, have ordered a copy to be taken from them, in view that the Captain, has requested an exact copy of them, and which, is being remitted to him. Present to see them transcribed, corrected and adjusted on this common paper for there is no stamped paper available, were my attesting witnesses with whom I act as recedtoria in the absence of a notary public or royal of which there is none under the terms provided by law. in witness thereof, 1 certify. Francisco de Thobar Attesting Witness: Matheo Antonio Belasco Cambras Attesting Witness: Antonio de la Garza rcc 2 in E ,

59 so I, don Juan Maria de RipperdA, Baron de Ripperda, Colonel of the Cavalry, Governor and Commander general of the Province of Texas, New Philippines, its presidios, conquests and frontiers, etc., acting as receptoria before myt attesting witnesses in the absence of a notary public or royal of which there is none in this province, and having written this, on common paper for there is no stamped paper available, have seen the preceding copy of the proceedings carried out in the Royal Presidio of la Bahia del Espiritu Santo by the Captain and major justice of the same,presidio,, don Francisco de Thobar, and by don Luis Antonio Menchaca, likewise of this Presidio of San Antonio de Bexar, who went to that Presidio, to fulfill my order heading these said proceedings. Since tmenchaca, did not carry out that which was ordered therein, as it is of constancy in these ^proceedings,, because the navigator and merchant changed their minds and wanted to remain close to their few belongings, the delivery of the.said effects and bills was not carried out, despite the request from Captain don Francisco de Thobar Cmade, in his letter which, he wrote to me on the sixteenth of the month of October last, asking me to send someone of my confidence 21 that would receive the// remaining effects and who

60 81 9 could take a close account of it; and in view that the said Captains could not agree on the price of the rum and the sugar in order to settle the transportation costs and the wages for the residezats who voluntarily presented themselves to the said Captain don Luis Antonio ^'^enchaca, to go to that Presidio, for the uhloading and the transportation of the cargo from the schooner, although the said Captain don Francisco Thobar had already participated to me in the said letter of the sixteenth of the said last month that he had already paid the residents from this Presidio who went to work on the said unloading of the schooner, with sufficient sugar and rum, adding that although he had stipulated to pay them six reales per day, he had.paid them more, information which, I could corroborate with Granados, whom he gave twelve quartillos of rum and about forty pounds of sugar when. he was paying his people, adding, that he would remit the bill in another occasion in order to pay those,residents who had not gotten paid, in the same proportion to thosd who did, without aggravating any of them, nor the Englishmen, the owners of the effects.,therefore, in view of all this,, I should summon, and 21v I hereby summon// all the residents from this Presidio who went to work on the unloading of the shid schooner

61 82 and on the transportation of the cargo, from the Presidio of la Bahia, to appear before me, so they will testify under oath on that which they might be questioned. Thus I provided, ordered and signed this. In witness thereof^i certify. San Antonio de Bexar. Yovember 6, Baron de RipperdA Attesting Witness Joseph Ygriacio ONeale Attesting Witness Antonio.de las Barzenas,DS. 2v-21v in E ,