MENENDEZ'S RETURN TO ST. AUGUSTINE--SHIPWRECK OF
A. D. 1565.
After an ineffectual attempt to induce those in the small vessels of the
French to surrender, failing in this, the General concluded to return to
St. Augustine, and send two of his vessels to the mouth of the river to
intercept them.
Some of the fugitives from the fort fled to the Indians; and ten of
these were given up to the Spaniards, to be butchered in cold blood,
says the French account,--to be sent back to France, says the Spanish
chronicle.
The 24th September being the day of St. Matthew, the name of the fort
was changed to that of San Matheo, by which name it was always
subsequently called by the Spaniards; and the name of St. Matthew was
also given by them to the river, now called St. Johns, on which it is
situated.
The Spaniards proceeded at once to strengthen the fortress, deepening
and enlarging the ditch, and raised and strengthened the ramparts and
walls in such manner, says the boastful Mendoza, "that if the half of
all France had come to attack it, they could not have disturbed it;" a
boast upon which the easy conquest of it by De Gourgues, three years
subsequently, affords an amusing commentary. They also constructed,
subsequently, two small forts at the mouth of the river, one on each
side, which probably were located the one at Batten Island and the other
at Mayport.
Leaving three hundred soldiers as a garrison under his Son-in-law, De
Valdez, Master of the Camp, who was now appointed Governor of the fort,
Menendez marched for St. Augustine, beginning now to feel considerable
anxiety lest the French fleet, escaping from the tempest, might return
and visit upon his own garrison at St. Augustine, the fate of Fort
Caroline. He took with him upon his return but fifty soldiers, and,
owing to the swollen waters, found great difficulty in retracing his
route. When within a league of St. Augustine, he allowed one of the
soldiers to go forward to announce his victory and safe return.
The garrison at St. Augustine had been in great anxiety respecting their
leader, and from the accounts given by those who had deserted, they had
feared the total loss of the expedition. The worthy Chaplain thus
describes the return of Menendez:--
"The same day, being Monday, we saw a man coming, crying out
loudly. I myself was the first to run to him for the news. He
embraced me with transport, crying 'Victory! Victory! The French
fort is ours.' I promised him the present which the bearer of good
news deserves, and gave him the best in my power.
"At the hour of vespers our good General arrived, with fifty foot
soldiers, very much fatigued. As soon as I learned that he was
coming, I ran home and put on a new soutain, the best which I had,
and a surplice, and going out with a crucifix in my hand, I went
forward to receive him; and he, a gentleman and a good Christian,
before entering kneeled and all his followers, and returned thanks
to the Lord for the great favours which he had received. My
companions and myself marched in front in procession, so that we
all returned with the greatest demonstrations of joy."
When about to dispatch the two vessels in his harbor to the St John's,
to cut off the French vessels he had left there, he was informed that
two sails had already been seen to pass the bar, supposed to contain the
French fugitives.
Eight days after the capture of Fort Caroline, a fire broke out in the
quarters of St. Augustine, which destroyed much treasure and provisions,
and the origin of which was doubtful, whether to be ascribed to accident
or design. Much dissatisfaction prevailed among the officers and
soldiers, and the fire was looked upon with pleasure by some, as having
a tendency to hasten their departure from a spot which offered few
temptations or rewards, compared to Mexico or Peru.
On the very day of Menendez's return, a Frenchman was discovered by a
fishing party on Anastasia Island, who, being taken, said he was one of
a party of eighteen, sent in a small vessel, some days before, to
reconnoitre the Spanish position; that they had been unable to keep the
sea, and had been thrown ashore, about four leagues below, at the mouth
of a river; that the Indians attacked and killed three of their number,
and they thereupon escaped.
Menendez dispatched a captain and fifty men, to get off the vessel and
capture any of the French who might be found. On their arrival at the
place, they found that all the French had been killed by the Indians;
but they succeeded in getting off the vessel. Menendez, feeling uneasy
in reference to their encounter with the Indians, had followed on after
the expedition, in company with the worthy Chaplain, to whom his
promenade among the briars, vines, prickly cedars, chaparral, and
prickly pears of Anastasia, seems to have been a true _via dolorosa_.
Upon their arrival, they found a considerable body of French upon the
south side of an inlet, whose fires indicated their position.
The four vessels of Ribault, which had gone in pursuit of the Spaniards
at St. Augustine, had been overtaken by the storm, and after keeping to
sea with incredible effort, had been finally driven ashore upon the
shoals of Canaveral,[10] with but little loss of life but a total loss
of every thing else; they were thus thrown on shore without shelter from
the elements, famished with hunger, borne down by disappointment, and
utterly dispirited and demoralized. They were consumed, also, by the
most painful uncertainty. Marching to the northward along shore, they
discovered a skiff, and resolved to send a small number of persons in
it, to make their way by sea to Fort Caroline, to bring succor to them
from there. This boat succeeded in reaching the St. John's, where they
were informed, by friendly Indians, of the fate which had befallen the
fort; and subsequently they fell in with a Frenchman who had escaped,
who related to them the whole disaster. Upon this they concluded to seek
their own safety among the friendly Indians of St. Helena, rather than
to be the useless bearers of the tidings of their misfortunes to their
companions in arms.
There are several accounts of the sad fate which befel the followers of
Ribault, the massacre of whom has been perpetuated by the memorial name
given to its scene, "the bloody river of Matanzas," the ebb and flow of
whose recurring tides for three hundred years have failed to wash out
the record of blood which has associated this massacre of the Huguenots
with the darkest scenes of earth's history. In consequence of the rank
and number of the victims, the event produced various and somewhat
contradictory accounts; but all stamped with a seal of reprobation and
execration the act and the actors, without reference to creed or
nationality. Challeux relates instances of cruel barbarity added to the
atrocity of slaughter itself; and others, it appears, had given other
versions, all in different degree pointing the finger of historic
justice to mark and commemorate the crime against humanity.
The Spanish historian, Barcia, aims to counteract this general
condemnation, of which in his own language he says, "These calumnies,
repeated in so many quarters, have sullied the fame of the Adelantado,
being exaggerated by the heretics, and consented to by the Catholics, so
that even the Father Felix Briot, in his annals, says that he caused
them to be killed contrary to the faith which he had given them; which
is altogether a falsehood, for the Adelantado did not give his word, nor
would he when asked give it, to spare their lives, although they were
willing to pay him for doing so; nor in the capture of Fort Caroline did
he do more than has been related; and such is the account given by
Doctor Salis de las Meras, brother-in-law to Donna Maria de Salis, wife
of the Adelantado, who was present, and who, relating the punishment of
the heretics, and the manner in which it was accomplished, says,--
"'The Adelantado occupied himself in fortifying his settlement at St.
Augustine, as well as he could, to defend it from the French fleet if
they should attack it. Upon the following day some Indians came and by
signs informed them that four leagues distant there were a large number
of Christians, who were unable to cross an arm of the sea or strait,
which is a river upon the inner side of an inlet, which they were
obliged to cross in order to come to St. Augustine. The Adelantado sent
thither forty soldiers about dusk, and arrived about midnight near the
inlet, where he commanded a halt until morning, and leaving his soldiers
concealed, he ascended a tree to see what was the state of matters. He
discovered many persons on the other side of the river, and their
standards; and to prevent their passing over, he directed his men to
exhibit themselves towards the shore, so that it might be supposed that
he had with him a large force; and when they were discovered, a French
soldier swam over, and said that the persons beyond the river were
Frenchmen, that they had been wrecked in a storm, but had all saved
their lives. The Adelantado asked what French they were? He answered,
that they were two hundred of the people under command of Jean Ribault,
Viceroy and Captain General of this country for the king of the French.
He asked again, if they were Catholics or Lutherans? It was replied that
they were all Lutherans, of the new religion; all of which was
previously well known to the Adelantado, when he encountered their fleet
with his vessels; and the women and children whom he had spared when he
took their fort, had also so informed him; and he had found in the fort
when he took it, six trunks filled with books, well bound and gilt; all
of which were of the new sect, and from which they did not say mass, but
preached their Lutheran doctrines every evening; all of which books he
directed to be burnt, not sparing a single one.
"'The Adelantado then asked him why he had come over? He said he had
been sent over by his Captain, to see what people they were. The General
asked if he wished to return. He said, "Yes, but he desired to know what
people they were." This man spoke very plainly, for he was a Gascon of
San Juan de Suz. "Then tell him," said the Adelantado, "that it is the
Viceroy and Captain General of this country for the king, Don Philip;
and that his name is Pedro Menendez, and that he is here with some of
his soldiery to ascertain what people those were, for he had been
informed the day before that they were there, and the hour at which they
came."
"'The French soldier went over with his message, and immediately
returned, saying "that if they would pledge faith to his captain and to
four other gentlemen, they would like to come and treat with him;" and
they desired the loan of a boat, which the General had directed to bring
some provisions to the river. The General instructed the messenger to
say to his captain, "that he might come over securely under the pledge
of his word," and then sent over for them the boat; and they crossed
over. The Adelantado received them very well, with only ten of his
followers; the others he directed to stay some distance off among some
bushes, so that their number might appear to be greater than it was. One
of the Frenchmen announced himself as captain of these people; and that
in a great storm they had lost four galleons, and other vessels of the
king of France, within a distance of twenty leagues of each other; and
that these were the people from on board of one ship, and that they
desired they would let them have a boat for this arm of the sea, and for
another four leagues hence, which was at St. Augustine; that they
desired to go to a fort which they held twenty leagues from there. It
was the same fort which Menendez had taken. The Adelantado asked them
"if they were Catholics or Lutherans?" He replied "that they were all of
the New Religion." Then the Adelantado said to them, "Gentlemen, your
fort is taken and its people destroyed, except the women, and children
under fifteen years of age; and that you may be assured of this, among
the soldiers who are here there are many things, and also there are here
two Frenchmen whom I have brought with me, who said they were Catholics.
Sit down here and eat, and I will send the two Frenchmen to you, as also
the things which some of my soldiers have taken from the fort, in order
that you may be satisfied.
"'The Adelantado having spoken thus, directed food to be given to them,
and sent the two Frenchmen to them, and many things which the soldiers
had brought from the fort, that they might see them, and then retired
himself, to eat with his own people; and an hour afterwards, when he saw
that the French had eaten, he went where they were and asked if they
were satisfied of the truth of what he had told them. They said they
were, and desired that for a consideration, he should give them vessels
and ships' stores, that they might return to France. The Adelantado
answered, "that he would do so with great pleasure if they were good
Catholics, or if he had the ships for them; but he had not the vessels,
having sent two to St. Matteo (Ft. Caroline), the one to take the
artillery they had captured, and the French women and children, to St.
Domingo, and to obtain provisions. The other had to go upon business of
his Majesty to other parts.
"'The French captain replied, "that he should grant to all, their lives,
and that they should remain with him until they could obtain shipping
for France, since they were not at war, and the kings of Spain and of
France were brothers and friends." The Adelantado said, "that was true,
and Catholics and friends he would favor, believing that he would serve
both kings in doing so; but as to themselves, being of the new sect, he
held them for enemies, and he would wage war upon them even to blood and
to fire; and that he would pursue them with all cruelty wherever he
should encounter them, in whatever sea or land where he should be
viceroy or captain general for his king; and that he would go and plant
the holy faith in this land, that the Indians might be enlightened and
be brought to the knowledge of the Holy Catholic Faith of Jesus Christ
our Saviour, as taught and announced by the Roman Church. That if they
wished to surrender their standards and their arms, and throw themselves
upon his mercy, they might do so, for _he would do with them what God
should of his grace direct_; or, they could do as they might deem
proper; that other treaty or friendship they should not have from him."
The French captain replied, that he could not then conclude any other
matter with the Adelantado. He went over in the boat, saying, that he
went to relate what had passed, and to agree upon what should be done,
and within two hours he would return with an answer. The Adelantado
said, "They could do as seemed best to them, and he would wait for
them." Two hours passed, when the same French captain returned, with
those who had accompanied him previously, and said to the General, "that
there were many people of family, and nobles among them, and that they
would give fifty thousand ducats, of ransom, if he would spare all their
lives." He answered, "that although he was a poor soldier, he could not
be governed by selfish interests, and if he were to be merciful and
lenient, he desired to be so without the suspicion of other motives."
The French captain returned to urge the matter. "Do not deceive
yourselves," said the Adelantado, "for if Heaven were to join to earth,
I would do no otherwise than I have said." The French officer then going
towards where his people stood, said, that in accordance with that
understanding he would return shortly with an answer; and within half an
hour he returned and placed in the boat, the standards, seventy
arquebuses, twenty pistols, a quantity of swords and shields, and some
helmets and breast-plates; and the captain came to where the General
stood, and said that all the French force there submitted themselves to
his clemency, and surrendered to him their standards and their arms. The
Adelantado then directed twenty soldiers to go in the boat and bring the
French, ten by ten. The river was narrow and easy to pass, and he
directed Diego Flores de Valdes, Admiral of the Fleet, to receive the
standards and the arms, and to go in the boat and see that the soldiers
did not maltreat them. The Adelantado then withdrew from the shore,
about two bow shots, behind a hillock of sand, within a copse of bushes,
where the persons who came in the boat which brought over the French,
could not see; and then said to the French captain and the other eight
Frenchmen who were there with him, "Gentlemen, I have but few men with
me, and they are not very effective, and you are numerous; and, going
unrestrained, it would be an easy thing to take satisfaction upon our
men for those whom we destroyed when we took the fort; and thus it is
necessary that you should march with hands tied behind, a distance of
four leagues from here where I have my camp." The French replied "that
they would do so;" and they had their hands tied strongly behind their
backs with the match ropes of the soldiers; and the ten who came in the
boat did not see those who had their hands tied, until they came up to
the same place; for it was so arranged, in order that the French who had
not passed the river, should not understand what was being done, and
might not be offended, and thus were tied two hundred and eight
Frenchmen. Of whom the Adelantado asked that if any among them were
Catholics, they should declare it. Eight said that they were Catholics,
and were separated from the others and placed in a boat, that they might
go by the river to St. Augustine; and all the rest replied "that they
were of the new religion, and held themselves to be very good
Christians; that this was their faith and no other." The Adelantado then
gave the order to march with them, having first given them meat and
drink, as each ten arrived, before being tied, which was done before the
succeeding ten arrived; and he directed one of his captains who marched
with the vanguard, that at a certain distance from there he would
observe a mark made by a lance, which he carried in his hand, which
would be in a sandy place that they would be obliged to pass in going on
their way towards the fort of St. Augustine, and that there the
prisoners should all be destroyed; and he gave the one in command of the
rearguard the same orders; and it was done accordingly; when, leaving
there all of the dead, they returned the same night before dawn, to the
fort at St. Augustine, although it was already sundown when the men were
killed.'"[11]
Such is the second part of this sad and bloody tragedy; which took place
at the Matanzas Inlet, about eighteen miles south of the city of St.
Augustine, and at the southerly end of Anastasia Island. The account we
have given, it must be borne in mind, is that of De Solis, the
brother-in-law and apologist of Menendez; but even under his extenuating
hand the conduct of Menendez was that of one deaf to the voice of
humanity, and exulting in cold-blooded treachery, dealing in vague
generalities intended to deceive, while affording a shallow apology for
the actor. A massacre in cold blood of poor shipwrecked, famished men,
prisoners yielding themselves to an expected clemency, tied up like
sheep, and butchered by poignard blows from behind, shocked alike the
moral sense of all to whom the tale without regard to faith or flag.