Florida August 19th 1739

Sir

A courier, Dn. [Don] Diego Pablo has come from Apalache advising me that he had heard the English had come with more than 100 negroes to build a fort; that they had routed and killed all the English and houghed the horses; that two large bodies of Indians had appeared, one going by the road to St Mark’s the other towards this place; that Quilate had sent them this news, and that they were determined to revenge themselves on every one, and for this purpose they came to take the fort; that the negroes had scattered, and that two, (Portillo says four) had arrived at a Pueblo of the Provinces, and had soon after disappeared; that they searched for the negroes with an Indian they met in the woods; that they guard this secret with great care; but it appears to me that the fort in the vicinity of the Carolinas might be repaired to restrain the negroes from deserting, and that it is certain they have sent troops of Indians to hunt them and capture them, so that it has not given me much anxiety. Nevertheless, I have sent to reconnoitre, if contrary to the convention, they have occupied any new post. Dn. [Don] Jose Leonar has been directed to reconnoitre at Santa Maria (Amelia Island?) and I have spies in other parts, but have received, as yet, no news; and no courier having come from Apalache I remain in doubts, and more, Dn. [Don] Diego Pablo having concealed from us that Quilate remained in the fort, to which I have sent Juan Ignacio with three other Indians and two or three Uchees friendly to us. I will punctually send you the result, which I may do, as a bilander came yesterday from New York.

Manuel de Montiano to Sr. Dn. [Senor Don] Juan Francisco de Guemes.