CHAPTER XXI.

A. D. 1773-1786.

_Letter from the King to the Bishop of Cuba concerning the petition soliciting an extension of time and the privileges conceded to Dr. Pedro Campos and Padre Bartolome Casanovas, Parochial Priest and Vicar of Catholic families of Minorca in Florida--Enclosing an open mandate of his Holiness enlarging and extending the time for twenty years, Madrid, 1773--A copy of a letter and statement sent in by Lieutenant of Hibernians, Don Nicholas Grenier, in regard to the importance of the St. Johns and St. Marys river Provinces, stating the need to his Majesty of vessels armed to impress and control these Provinces which are rich in timber, turpentine, pitch and tar--Considers it detrimental to Spanish interests for Americans to introduce any commerce in those Provinces--Letter for the Captain-General of Florida to the Governor of the post of St. Augustine concerning the great necessity of further protecting the Spanish interests along the St. Marys and St. Johns rivers--Tranquility of the country jeopardized by outlaws--Some have been arrested and paid the penalty with their lives--Matter referred to the Governor, 1774._

THE KING TO THE REV. FATHER IN CHRIST, BISHOP OF THE HOLY CHURCH, CATHEDRAL OF SANTIAGO DE CUBA.

In a letter of August 29th, 1771, I am informed by Don Lamas Acpuro, Archbishop, who was of Valencia and my Minister to the Court of Rome, that in virtue of a warning from the Marquez of Grimalde in a letter of July 23rd, he had formed the corresponding petition soliciting an extension of time of the privileges conceded to Dr. Pedro Campos and Padre Bartolome Casanovas, Parochial Priest and Vicar of the Catholic families of Minorca, who went to establish themselves in the English territory of Florida, asking also that his Holiness accord to these Ecclesiastics and their successors the other graces and privileges needed to administer to the spiritual nourishment of their flocks--and having deemed it desirable to transmit them through Monseñor Zelada of whom they had also availed themselves to investigate the truth of these privileges, being one of the Prelates who served in the Tribunal of the Holy Office. He immediately complied with the petition in consequence of having sent it to his Holiness at the instigation of Monseñor Antonelli, assistant of the same Tribunal, who spoke to his Holiness in audience, using his favorable influence with the result shown in his letter to Monseñor Zelada of August 24th, informing him that his Holiness extended these privileges to twenty years--asking if he had complied with the balance of the communication for greater privileges and followed the instructions mentioned in the open mandate. He replied asking if he would pass on to solicit in the practical way which was proper, and hoping it would deserve my approbation. Having seen the referred to document with my Council of the Indias, represented by Marquis de la Torre, Governor and Captain-General of that Island, by letter dated December 4th, 1771, concerning what you had done in consequence of the warning given you in the affair of the aforementioned families, explained by my Judge, and consulted me regarding it about the last of December past. I have resolved (among other things) to send the aforementioned open Mandate which has been obtained from his Holiness to certify to you the enlargement and extension of time granted the aforesaid Dr. Campos and Padre Casanovas and charging you (as I do) to use all means that are proper for your Pastoral Ministry and those of his Holiness, it has latterly been conceded you--having present by