THE New York correspondent of the Boston Post alludes again to the Tomlinson collection, mentioned in our number for June, as follows: of the British posts in New York and the approaches from Westchester. This examination was made by Col. Wm. S. Smith, commander at Dobb's Ferry, a few days before the evacuation of the city. 9. Report of William Butler, Deputy Commissary-general of the British army, to the Auditory Department, describing the Administration of the Government of the City of New York during the entire occupancy of the British, from 1776 to their evacuation in 1783." M. RANNEAU, author of a work recently published in Paris under the title of "Acadiens et Canadiennes," arrived at Quebec by the Bohemian. His object in coming to this country is to acquire material which shall be of service to him in publishing a work called "La France aux Colonies," which is now in course of preparation. MONUMENT TO ROGER WILLIAMS.-At a re “Under the title of New York City during the American Revolution,' the Mercantile Library cent meeting of the managers of the Roger WilAssociation propose to gather into book-form aliams Monument Association, in Providence, two chosen few of the Tomlinson papers, hitherto unprinted, whose local character may justify the title under which they are to be published. The contents of this first publication will comprise the following original papers: "1. Seizure of the British Arms in New York from the Troops ordered to Boston soon after the Battle of Lexington; described by Marinus Willett, afterwards Colonel Willett, of Revolutionary celebrity, and, at a later period, mayor of New York city. 2. Attempted Assassination of Washington; contained in a letter of Peter S. Curtenius, written the morning after the attempt. 3. Lord Howe's account of his meeting with the American Commissioners on Staten Island soon after the Battle of Long Island; from Lord Howe's own manuscripts, in the collection. 4. The American Commissioners' account of the same interview, reported by them to Congress; from the official record, also contained in the collection. The Commissioners on this occasion were Franklin, Rutledge, and John Adams. 5. Instructions from His Majesty George III. to Mr. Grenville, the British Commissioner sent to Paris in 1782, for the purpose of negotiating a treaty of peace with the American Commissioners, two of whom were Franklin and John Adams. One of the conditions named in this basis of negotiation was that the City and District of New York should be ceded to the crown. 6. The Battle of Harlem Heights, written by George Clinton, on the day of the action. 7. Sir Henry Clinton's reasons (partly in autograph), for not attacking Gen. Washington when encamped near King's Bridge, just previous to the Battle of Yorktown. 8. Critical reconnoissance made under the direction of Washington, of the strength and condition plans of the proposed monument were placed before the members,—one drawn by Mr. Charles Hartshorn, its contemplated height 170 feel, crowned with a statue-an emblem of religious liberty, the other was the committee's plan, somewhat plainer than Mr. Hartshorn's, and 145 feet in height. MEDAL OF THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SO CIETY.-A beautiful medal, got up at the suggestion and under the supervision of Charles I. Bushnell, Esq., has been cut and struck by F. B. Smith & Hartman, New York, to commemorate the erection of the new library building of the New York Historical Society. The obverse contains the head of John Pintard, the founder of the Society, modelled after a bust, by A. W. Jones, with his name; the reverse, a view of the building, with the legend "New York Historical Society. Founded, 1804. Incorporated, 1809. Erected, 1857." The medal is of most beautiful workmanship, and cannot fail to be sought for not only by numismatists, and members of the New York Historical Society, but by all who take an interest in the city and its public buildings. TOWN HISTORIES.-A history of Dunbarton, N. H., by Caleb Stark, author of the "Life and Writings of General Stark," will soon be published. The history of Hadley, Mass, by the late Sylvester Judd, of Northampton, which was unfinished at the time of his death, is to be completed by Lucius M. Boltwood, of Amherst, from the manuscripts left by Mr. Judd. THE HISTORICAL MAGAZINE. ΤΟ VOL. IV.] SEPTEMBER, 1860. General Department. MEMORIAL OF ALONZO VAZQUEZ, FLORIDA; WITH THE TESTIMONY OF PERSONS NANDO DE SOTO, DURING THE INVASION Translated from the Original in the Archivo HIS ROYAL MAJESTY: [No. 9. ernor and other justices (1) in that province to give in encomienda Indians of repartimiento due to his services and condition, whereby he may make support. Also he begs that there be given him the command of a regiment of the chief city that shall be established there.(2) Likewise, also, that license be ordered to issue permitting him to go to that province and taking his wife and household, four nephews of his, and two women belonging to his wife, and two men.(3) Also, he begs that he be favored with permission to transport eight slaves, for his use, free of all duties, in consideration of their services.(4) Also, that license be ordered to issue to him that he may transport a female slave of the India of the king of Portugal, which is of Brazil, and two girls, her children.(5) Likewise, he says, that his said brother, Ro. Vazquez, was with him in the conquest, and remains in Florida, and that the governor gave him the post of Alguazil-mayor of the field and of the principal city that should be established; and he desires that upon his arrival, an equal privilege be extended to him, (6) since he goes to remain and to serve Y. M.; in the giving of which he will be favored. GONZALO DE Oribe. Alonso Vazquez, native of the city of Xerez, near Badajoz, says, that in the year thirty-eight, gone by, he went with the Governor Don Hernando de Soto, in the armada brought together to go upon the discovery of Florida, whither he went, the said Alonso Vazquez, as soldier; and after they were arrived he was in the service of your Majesty in the exploration more than six years, during which time he held command of over forty men, conferred for his good example and his conduct; and thus he entered upon that first discovery accomplished in the province where, in all that offered, he served loyally and well, as likewise did his brother Rodrigo Vazquez, who accompanied him, enduring much hardship and hunger; and he was injured of many wounds, was shoeless, and without clothing; having On the margin are these memoranda of the origspent, besides, in the aid he undertook to render the licentiate de la Gasca, in horses, in negroes, and arms, more than a thousand ducats: And, in consideration of such his services, being of the first that explored that province of Florida, as will appear from this memorial he presents; and knowing the country to which he would return, taking with him his wife and household to live, remain and serve there (which is like what should be earliest done for the royal interest, that persons should go thither who have been in the country and know its character): and to the end of its In the city of Xerez, near Badajoz, the twelfth prosperity and of sustaining it he asks and en- day of the month of June, one thousand five treats that your Majesty be pleased, because he is hundred and sixty years, before the magnificent of the first discoverers and conquerors, to com- Lord-licentiate Avila, Alcalde-mayor of this said mand that your royal order issue to your gov-city, appeared Juan Guillen, householder thereof, HIST. MAG. VOL. IV. 32 inal words in council. (1.) Recommendation. (2.) It is not permitted that the regiment should be there provided. (3.) Not being of the forbidden, and giving bonds that they go direct to Florida, and reside in the country ten years. (4.) According to the practice. and presented a power and a writing, and an in- NANDEZ. VERY MAGNIFICENT LORD: VIII. Also, if the said Captain Baltasar de Gallegos, sent to call the Governor Soto, in consequence of the news they had, who having come they went inland, among them being the said Alonso Vazquez, and Rodrigo, his brother? Paracuxi, they found inhabited, and heard that it was a country abundant and plentiful in food; and that all the men, among whom was the said Alonso Vazquez, and his brother Rodrigo, who ever accompanied him in the service of his Majesty, suffered very great hunger for the space of I, Alonso Vazquez, native of the city of Xerez, a month, in which time they ate nothing but the appear before your worship, and say that re-green stalks of maize, suffering extremely? specting certain services that I have rendered to His Majesty Don Felipe, our master, in wars and conquests, for preservation of my rights in perpetual remembrance I find it necessary to take certain evidence. Accordingly, I ask and beg of your worship that you take the testimony of witnesses, which to that end I shall present, examining them by an interrogatory submitted, interposing therein through all your authority and initiatory decree that the evidence in the matter to be taken shall everywhere find entire credence throughout and for whatsoever it should be most required. . . . your worship I implore. THE BACHELOR Barça. The Letter of Authority to be found in the Original is here omitted. I. First if they know the aforesaid Alonso Vazquez? IX. Also, if marching through that country with great toil and hunger they arrived at a marsh, where they remained three days without eating, until, getting through it and coming out, that they arrived at a province called Ocal, where there was some food, and the said Alonso Vazquez, and his brother, with the rest of the people, were somewhat restored? X. Also, if there the greater part of all the the governor not to go forward, because in that rest did not fear to enter the country, and told direction a governor named Narvaez had already been lost, and that they should return to embark? II. Also, if they know, and is it also true, that XI. Also, if the governor said that he desired in the year one thousand five hundred and thirty-to make the discovery of the country at the risk eight, he went from Spain to the discovery and he might, and left in that place Luis de Moscoso, conquest of Florida, in the armada of Don Her-in command of all the camp? nando de Soto, brought together by the consent and order of his Majesty, the said Alonso Vazquez going as a soldier known and admitted in the service of the king? III. Also, if they know that the Adelantado Hernando de Soto debarked at Santiago de Cuba, and there and in the Havana he tarried a year, that said armada might be properly equipped; and if the said Alonso Vazquez debarked with him, having been likewise in those towns the full time of a year and at his own cost and maintenance? IIII. Also if they know that with that captain's rank the said Alonzo Vazquez went to Florida, where he remained from five to six years with the said adelantado? V. Also, if that, directly after they debarked, the fidelity of said Alonso Vazquez being known, the Captain Juan Ruyz Lobillo, gave him thirty, forty, and even as many as eighty men in charge, which he kept for a long time? XII. Also, if the governor having told Alonso Vazquez, that he should remain with the people of the camp, he answered that he should do little good to the king were he confined to incursions of little danger, and that his intent was entirely to serve his Majesty, and did not wish to remain at the camp, but to go on the enterprizes; and that he did do so, going with the governor, and explored the country, getting good news, in consequence of which, the people sent for and uniting with them, they directly marched inland? XIII. Also, if in Mauvila the friendly and peaceful Indians planned to destroy them all, and did indeed kill fifteen or twenty men, and wounded one hundred and fifty; and if they know that in breaking down the palisade, where the Indians were in strength, many wounds were received by Alonso Vazquez, and particularly one in an ankle, which was broken by it, whence were extracted many bones, and which for more than a year could not bear his weight? VI. Also, if at the end of twelve days, XIV. Also, if, at the time of the cry, in the afmore or less, the said Alonso Vazquez, went with fair of Tula, when the Indians fell upon them in Baltasar Gallegos, captain in the forces of that mass, the Captain Juan Rruyz Lobillo, did not discovery, in the first entry into the country, say to Alonso Velazquez, and to two other solthe governor and the rest of the people remain-diers, that they should go out and ascertain if the ing at the port? Indians were coming, while he put on arms; that VII. Also, if they went to a province called he went with those soldiers, and saw the Indians and strove manfully with them, so that they were kept back until Captain Vasconcelas sallied with the cavalry and defeated them? notorious, stating the reasons of the knowledge in such manner as to afford credence? XV. If that, in the affair of Chicazulea, in the And thus propounded, the alcalde-mayor foresavanna, in another affray, he resisted courage-going ordered that the witnesses be brought, ously; doing all to him that was possible as a intended to be examined, and commanded their brave soldier, zealous of his Majesty's service, as testimony to be taken. likewise did his brother Rodrigo? XVI. Also, if in the five or six years which the said Alonso Vazquez was in Florida, with the rest, he did not undergo great hunger and fatigue, bearing arms unshodden, unclothed, as is public and notorious, in the toil and suffering that was undergone in the discovery of that land, in which he was through all? XVII. Also, if all the while he had a company under his command, he kept the men well satisfied; and, so much so, that, upon a time it being taken away from him, thereupon at once the soldiers aggrieved at it, of themselves returned to ask it for him, so that in a month it was again given to him, and he remained with it, ever after being liked, affable and conversable, was, by the governor himself liked, and by other captains and gentlemen was liked, honored, and respected, and so was he held in the general intercourse? XVIII. Also, if they know that, after he came with the survivors to Mexico, dressed in skins, in the succor which the Doctor de la Gasca asked, the said Alonso Vazquez went out with his brother Rodrigo to his support, spending, in horses, arms, and negroes, more than a thousand ducats? XIX. Also, if he knows that the said Alonso Vazquez always kept in those parts a horse and grooin, ever employing himself in the service of his majesty faithfully and manfully? XX. Also, if in all the different rencounters, Indian fights, and on whatsoever occasions that presented for the serving of his Majesty, the said Alonso Vazquez was not ever to be found among the first from his own free and spontaneous will, being in that conquest from the beginning until the end? XXI. Also, if in the pacification and colonization of that country, which his Majesty has desired and attempts to make, would Alonso Vazquez be of avail, from having travelled over and seen it, and knowing it as well as the best, in which he could be of great use to his Majesty from the certainty of what appears that of those who had been in Florida, not more than three or four men have gone there, and none so capable as Alonso Velazquez, whence they know that he would be greatly of benefit to the royal service were he in that country; for, besides knowing it all very well, he is a man of excellent judgment? XXII. Also, if all the foregoing is public and Witness. Then in the city of Xeres, aforesaid, on the fourteenth day of the month of June, of the said year, the said Juan Guillen, in his behalf presented as a witness Dona YSABEL DE SOTO, wife of Don Carlos Enriquez, deceased, of said city, of whom the oath being taken in due form, answered to the foregoing questions as follows: I. To the first inquiry, she said that she has known the said Alonso Vazquez for a long time; she is neither his relative nor enemy, and she may be forty years of age, a little more or less. II. That she knows what is stated; and being asked how she knows it, says: because she was in that armada with the Captain Don Hernando de Soto, her uncle, who went as adelantado to Florida, at the time that is mentioned, and with Don Carlos Enriquez, her lord, who accompanied him; and in which went Alonso Vazquez, as soldier, to the port of Havana, and thence he went to Florida; because she witnessed this to Havana, where she remained and saw him embark; and hence her knowledge. III. That she knows what is stated to be true, because she witnessed it as aforesaid. IV. That she saw Alonso Vazquez embark, and heard it said that he had been in Florida with other people; and that he continued in that expedition, until it came out by way of Mexico; which she heard Ana her serving-woman say, who went in it, and also many other persons with whom she has afterward spoken. V. That she has so heard from many who were in the armada. VI. That she does not know of this, beyond what she has said. VII. That she knows only what many have said of the hunger they underwent. VIII. That she had heard it said of him, by many of the expedition, and by the adelantado himself, that he was beloved of him. IX, X. That she has only heard it said by those persons. XI. That she does not know it. XII. That she only knows it so far as she supposes that Alonso Vazquez would have gone with the adelantado, because he liked him much, and was on good terms with him. XIII. That she has heard it said by Ana Mendez, her servant, who was there. XIV. XV. That she does not know it. XVI. That she was not present; and therefore does not know it except from hearing it said by persons who were there, and from letters that were written to her from Florida, concerning the trials that were undergoing. XVII. That she reaffirms what she has said; that Alonso Vazquez is a respectable man, and that it appears to her that it should be as the inquiry states, since he was honored by the adelantado, who liked him, and was liked by every one. XIX, XX. That she knows no more than she has already stated. XXI. That (because of the things stated), it appears to her that any employment given him by his Majesty, would be well bestowed. XXII. That what she has stated is true, and what she knows of the matter upon which she is sworn, and signs it with her name. DONA YSABEL DE SOTO. this he knows, because he was present throughout. XIIII. That he knows what is stated, for he was there present; and that though he only looked out for himself, Alonso Vazquez was a soldier of high character, and should have behaved well, for that he did everywhere. XV. That in Chicaça, at the savanna, the Indians gave thein battle, in which they sorely used many soldiers; and not being at that part where Alonso Vazquez was, but only present, for the Indians entered the town on three sides to engage them; still, he had heard it said that he had behaved like a valiant soldier. XVI. That he knows the truth of what is asked; but so great were the toils, and so excessive, that no man can find tongue to utter them, nor memory to recite them. XVII. That the company of soldiers was taken After the foregoing, on the sixteenth day of away from Alonso Vazquez; but being a man of the month aforesaid, Juan Guillen presented such worth, and affable, and they being so satisJUAN BOTELLO, householder, of the town of Villa-fied with him, that themselves asked the governor nueva de Varcarotta, being and dwelling in the valley of Matamoros, who being duly sworn, &c., answered as follows: that he would again put him over them, which he did; of which he has knowledge as a soldier, being present. I. That he knows Alonso Vazquez by sight, XVIII. That he desired and was assigned to intercourse, and conversation; that to the gen-go, as was his brother, to the assistance of the eral questions, he is about forty-seven or forty-eight Doctor de la Gasca, in Peru, when the news years of age, of no relationship with Alonso Vaz-came that aid would not be needed and in so quez, nor do any of the prohibitions contained, forbid his testimony. II. That he knows what is asked is so; that he was in the armament, and in the same ship where Alonso Vazquez went as soldier; and hence his knowledge. III. That the adelantado debarked at Santiago de Cuba; and there, and at Havana, and on the island, he was a year getting ready the armada; where Alonso Vazquez also was, at his own cost and maintenance. IV. That he knows it, for the reasons that he has stated. V. That Captain Juan Ruyz Lobillo put thirty or forty men under the charge of Alonso Vazquez, and, witnessing his ability, he gave him others, taken from another soldier, so that he had near eighty men, though the number is not exactly enough remembered to be sworn to, from the long lapse of time since. VI, VII, VIII, IX, X. That he knows the facts stated, from having been present. XI. That he knows it as one of the men going in the advance. XII. That he, at the time the said Alonso Vazquez spoke the words, was not in the advance, and does not know. XIII. That he knows Alonso Vazquez was struck by an arrow in the ankle at that fight, of which he remained lame for a long time; and much he could not have failed to spend much money-how much, the witness is unable to say. XIX., XX. That he reiterates what he has said. XXI. That the being of Alonso Vazquez in Florida, would be important, from his knowledge of the country; having travelled in it and having a knowledge of the Indians, of how they are to be treated, and how protect themselves in the settlement of the country. And this is what he knows of the matter, which he signs with his |