title: Report ... [on] the memorial of the Very Rev. Benedict Madéore, vicar general of the Catholics of Florida,
text: /% ^- ♦ <i? <^, -^ -^0" . "'* ^^ 'bV" >^ o. "-..>* :'^: \/ /M^, %,*^ •••^i^'-. "^--.^^^ • J" \ -: , '^o^ 'oK * A <> o, j»r e " - T> ^^^''^'% /'^^^^^^^ /^'^'\ /''^^^' 1'^ V 'A^^ V^ .'^' %/ -^S'- '^''-/ : ?** '^^^% '^Bs^ j'^^u "^^s ^^^\ "'W^s ./ V ' 0^ V"^-\/ '°^'-.^'/ V*^-\/ ^%''^''\^ " "^ a"! •^<=P 30th CoNGRiss, [SENATE.] Rep. Com., 1st Sesision. No. 99. IN SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES. March 21, 1848. Submitted, considered, and agreed to. V Mr. Johnson, of Louisiana, made the following REPORT : The Committee on Private Land Claims^ to whom was referred the memorial of the Very Rev. Benedict Madeore, vicar general of the Catholics of Florida^ and pastor of the Catholic church of St. Augustine, in Florida; and to whom was also referred the memo- rial of the trustees and memhers of the Catholic church of St. Augustine^ report: That both these memorials are upon the same subject, and pray the same relief, and were presented together to obtain the action of Congress, for the mutual benefit of the memorialists. It is alleged by them, that on the transfer of the province of East Florida, under the treaty with Spain, of 1819, which transfer took place at St. Augustine, in 1821, certain real estate and buildings, which of right belonged to the Catholic church of East Florida, were taken possession of by the United States, as being public property of the crown of Spain, and, by the treaty, transferred to the United States. This property comprises what is now called the military barracks, and the barracks lots, and other lots in said city particularly described in the documents filed with the petitions! These barracks are now used by the United States for military purposes, and are of considerable value. Other buildings could not be erected to supply their place, and answer the purposes for which they are used by this government, it is supposed, for a sum less than sixty thousand dollars. Large sums, it is understood by the committee, have, since the transfer in 1821, been expended upon them to keep the buildings in good order and repair. Prior to the cession, the barracks had been occupied by the troops of the Spanish garrison always kept at St. Augustine, and they were so occupied at the time of the cession; but it is alleged by the memorialists that such occupation was not because they were claimed or considered as the property of the crown of Spain; and, on the contrary, it was with the consent of the rightful owners, (the church,) in consequence of the proper military barracks of the government of Spain, having been destroyed by fire. They allege the barracks, as they are now called, was a religious house, devoted to the purposes of the missions of the Catholic church of Florida, and occupied as such. By religious orders of, and under the control and jurisdiction of said church, till such accidental destruction of the king's proper military barracks; when, without alienating their property in anywise, and for the convenience of the troops that were without quarters, and because there was no other proper building in the city, they voluntarily yielded their house to the government for such purpose. If the circumstances of this case be correctly set forth, (and the documents filed give strong proof of their truth,) it is a case of wrong, which the integrity and honor of this government demand should be promptly redressed. Not only the redemption of the plighted faith of the Confederacy, in the treaty with Spain, by which the Floridas were ceded to it, but a proper regard for the reputation of this government for justice, and the proper fulfillment of the duty of protection to every religious denomination, not merely in the free exercise of their religion, but in the enjoyment of their property dedicated to church purposes, according to their rules or canons, (if there is no error in the allegations of the memorialists,) require the prompt action of Congress to repair the injury they have sustained from this government. It would be disgraceful to this country, to retain possession of one foot of land, or any property, rightfully belonging to the Catholic church of Florida, and which had been devoted to religious purposes, however great the inconvenience of yielding it up, or however expensive it might be to replace it to the United States. To keep by force, and without right, a house erected by a religious denomination or community, and for religious or eleemosynary objects, and to appropriate such house to military purposes, would be an exercise of the power and prerogatives of this government, that the people of the United States would not countenance. The case should be strictly investigated; the documents thoroughly examined, and proper measures taken to obtain accurate and authentic information as to all the facts, and then, right should be done. It is necessarily presented ex parte to Congress, by the memorialists. It is out of the question for either House of Congress, or for a committee of either House, to decide properly on a case of this character, so presented. The proper law officers of the United States, presumed to be cognizant of the title of the United States, and of the evidence to sustain it, or who can obtain that evidence, and lay it before Congress, for its consideration, should make the investigation suggested. The committee have examined all the papers, appended to the memorials, attentively. Some of the originals are in the Spanish language, and accompanied by what are stated to be copies of translations. These translations are not, however, verified. The committee recommend that the Secretary of the Senate be directed to cause said translations to be examined, and, if necessary, corrections made, and the same verified; and that the same, with the originals of all the papers, and the memorials, be printed for the use of the Senate. And the committee further recommends, that the said memorials and papers be referred to the Solicitor of the Treasury, and that he be directed to examine the same, and investigate said claim fully, and procure authentic copies of all documents and papers relating to said case, in the public departments and offices, and all other testimony that he can procure in relation to the title of the United States to said property, and communicate the same to the Senate; and make full report as to the merits of such claim, as soon as practicable, during the present session; and a resolution to that effect is reported accordingly: Resolved, That the memorial of B. Madeore, vicar general, and the memorial of the Trustees and members of the Catholic church at St. Augustine, Florida, and all the accompanying papers, be printed for the use of the Senate; and that the Secretary of the Senate cause the translations of papers filed, to be corrected and verified, before the same are printed; and all said documents to be transmitted to the Solicitor of the Treasury, who is directed to examine the same, and investigate said case, and procure copies of all documents and papers relating thereto, in the public departments or offices; and other testimony that he can obtain, relating to the title of the United States to the property claimed; and communicate the same to the Senate; and make report as to the merits of said case as early as practicable, during the present session. To the honorable the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled. The memorial of the Very Reverend Benedict Madeore, vicar general of Florida, and pastor of St. Augustine's church, HESPECTFULLY REPRESENTS: That before and at the time of the cession of the Floridas to the United States of America, by his Catholic Majesty the King of Spain, under the treaty of the 22nd February, 1819, the Catholic Church was the lawful and rightful owner of 1. Saint Augustine's church; 2. The convent of Saint Francis; 3. The bishop's house, and, 4. The Church of our Lady of the Milk, That by the terms of the second article of the said treaty, all of the said property, being "private property," was reserved and excepted out of the property transferred to the United States; and that by the terms of the fifth article of the said treaty, "the free exercise of their religion, without any restriction," was secured to the inhabitants of the ceded territories, by which not only the right to worship Almighty God according to the dictates of their conscience, but also the right to retain and hold all of their church property for the uses and purposes of their religion, was intended to be secured to the Catholics of Florida. Your memorialist further shows that, according to the usages and constitution of the Catholic church, as set forth in the decrees, pars secunda, causa xvi, questio vii, and recognized by the council of Trent, sess. xxii, chap. 8, 9, and 11, churches and church property are generally held under the authority or control, that is, in the name of the bishop of the diocese, for the uses of the church, each bishop being a corporation sole, in his particular diocese; which rule of discipline of the church hath been sanctioned in several of the States of this union, and particularly in Maryland, by act of 1832, chapter 308. That this law of the church was always recognized by the Spanish government, the king being the protector of the church in the new world, and having caused an episcopal see to be approved by the Pope for the city of Havana, in the island of Cuba, whose jurisdiction extended over and included the Floridas. That the order of the Franciscans was established in Florida, at the invitation of the bishop, to serve the missions there, with the approval of the Pope, the council of the Indies, and the king, and it was called the mission of St. Helena, the headquarters being the Convent at St. Augustine. That the said convent property was placed in the possession of the Franciscans, for the time that they should, under the direction of the bishop, serve the mission, but the "right of property" was always reserved to the bishop, for the uses of the Catholic church of this diocese. It was kept in repair with the ecclesiastical revenues, and not by the order of Franciscans. In the year 1764, when the Floridas were in the possession of the British, the convent, and the bishop's house, were sold without mention of the Order of the Franciscans, and purchased in private trust for the benefit of the true owners, and when the Floridas were again under the Spanish dominion, the convent was occupied by the missionaries who attended the mission, as church property, under the control of the bishop, to return to his direction, whenever for any cause the missionaries should cease to attend the missions. In the confusion which occurred upon the cession of the Floridas by Spain to the United States, a part of this church property, was taken into the possession of other than the legal and equitable owners, and has so remained out of the possession of the Catholic body to the present time. It is well here to remark, that this misapplication of the private property of the Catholic body of the Floridas, and diversion from its proper uses, may have arisen in. Part from a mistake as to its true ownership; from the fact, that the convent was at the time occupied by the king's garrison and troops; but this temporary occupation of the church property by the military under the civil power, was entirely with the consent of the bishop, which consent was given because of the destruction of the king's barracks by fire, and was never claimed as of right. The explanation will be found more at large in the documents which accompany this memorial. Your memorialist presents this his memorial, in his official capacity, as ecclesiastical Charge, or vicar general of Florida, and in conjunction with the memorial of the Catholics of the territory assigned to his charge; and he most respectfully prays, that your honorable body will, by act of Congress, provide for and direct the restoration of his church property so wrongfully withheld, or make such other compensation therefor, as in your wisdom may seem meet and proper; and your memorialist is prepared with proper documentary and other evidence to substantiate his claim, when, &c. And as in duty bound he will ever pray. BENEDICT MADEORE. [Feb. 8, 1848. Referred to the Committee on Private Land Claims.] To the Senate and House of Representatives, in Congress assembled. The undersigned, the Trustees and the members of the Catholic church of St. Augustine, in conjunction with its vicinity, beg leave respectfully to represent: That a large amount of valuable property belonging to the said church, of which a description will be found in the documents herewith sent, was, at the time of the cession of the Floridas, in 1821, to the United States, either through a culpable negligence, or a wilful disregard of the claims of its rightful owners, included in with the lots and buildings, and other public property, delivered over to the United States government, by the Spanish authorities at the above period. Your memorialists, therefore, relying on the generous toleration and equitable principles professed, and hitherto so nobly acted on, by the American government and people, herewith submit to your honorable body, the claims, and the proofs that establish their claims, to the property in question, and confidently trust to your justice, for a restitution of their rights. The urgent wants of the church, and the aggravated character of the wrong of which it complains, induce the undersigned, respectfully, to request the early attention of your honorable bodies to their claims, or the objects of this memorial, and to press for an early decision upon the same. And your memorialists, as in duty bound, will ever pray. JOHN M. FONTANE, President board of Wardens, R. C. C. of St. Augustine. Pedro Benet, Francis P. Ferreira Jose E. Pomar, Thomas Andrew, Antonio J. Noda, Jos. S. Sanchez, Manuel Crespo, Antonio Solana, F. Bridier Andres Papy Cristobal Bravo Henry Thomas Joseph P. Delespine Rophina Pallicier Rosa Leonardy Rosalia Leodardy Luciana Leonardy Jane Leonardy Jane N. Lacy Theodosia A. M. Leonardy Laurean Munson Raphaela Usina Genobeba Usina Catalina Solana Enlogia S. Rosrero Josefa Papy Ana Papy Lasdila Reyes G. N. Papy M. Papy John Canovas Antonio Canovas Antonia P. Marin Rosalia Marin Geroniraa Solana 1 • I Wardens R. C. C. of St. Augustine. Isabella Marin John Pallicier Rophina B. R. Pallicier Florentina Pallicier Florrene Pallicier Ciliclono Pallicier Mary Pallicier Venancio Sanchez Fred'k. Houghton Alonzo A. Bravo Manuela Bravo A. B. M. Pacetty C. P. Sanchez M. H. Rogero Malana Papy Virginia Papy Mathias Papy Ann Llambias Barbara Llambias Chas. Haagar Florencia Haagar Domineja Lopez Mary Solana Angelina Solana Isabella Thynne Frances Solana Ma'ry R. Solana Jane Purvis Sarah Purvis Lorenzo Purvis Benansio Purvis John Rogero [99] Manuela Rogero Ramon Rogero Lauriana Ferreira Gabriel Pomar Mariana Pomar Margarita Pomar Maria Usina Jane Bugell Mary Andrew Joseph Andrew Petronilo Lopez Malana Lopez Bartolome Lopez Vicente Pacetty Margaret Pacetty Betruna Pacetty Mary Pacetty Mary Rogero Mary Canovas Landreu Andrew Antonio Rogero Anthony Pomar Mary Pomar Antonio Lopez Juana Triye Francis Triye Bartolo Pacetty jr. Bartolp Pacetty sen. Louisa Pacetty Rafaela Bayar Jane Bayar Dolores Bayar M. Fermina Garey Fecla I. Pacetty Merced B. Pacetty Rosalia Reyes Foustina Pacetty Mary Reyes Mary Ponce Mary Reyes, jr. Antonia Pallicier Clementine Sabate Mary Sabate Antonia Sabate Marcella Sabate Leonardes Palicier Anthony Palicier Juana A. Andrew Juan A. Andrew Margarita Pomar Rafaela GofF Ana M. Goff Jane GofF Francis Pallicier Thom Pallicier Jane Hernandes — Antonia Hernandes Mary Hernandes Diego Hernandes Diego Hernandes sen. Mary N. Avice Caroline Avice Alexander Avice Beatrice Pallicier Merceul Zelhmbar Mary Andrew Mary Andrew Honora Andrew Ildelfonso Andrew Mary Norris. Pedro Capella Catherine Capella Catherine Capella jr. Anastasio Capella Hulia Capella Joseph Benet Maria C. Benet Clara E. Hurlburt Antonio Hitchcock Esteban Arnau Margarita D. Arnau John Carreras Francisco Carreras Gasparito Carreras Maria Carreras Antonica Lorenso Mary Manusy Paula Ferreira Joseph Lopez Jane Lopez Paul Arnau Catherine Leonardy Catharine Leonardy, jr. Roque Leonardy Sabina Leonardy John liconardy Mary Lopez Jane Lopez sen. Fernanda Oliveros Gabriel Maestro Agraphina Cercoply Fredrica Cercoply Clara Cercoply Peter Copy t99] 8 Thomasine Hogan Manuel Andrew Gastina Andrew Francisca Andrew Juan Andrew Geronimio Andrew John Andrew Bartolo Segui Margarita Segui John Capo Mary Capo John Capo Benansia Capo Cloudia Capo Rafaela Cammei Jane Cammei Catherine Cammei Mary Pacetty —. Domingo Cercopoly Antonia Manusy .^. John Segui Jane Segui Jose Bayar Catalina Bayar Joseph Manusy Juana Manusy Magarita Martin Juana Manusy, jr. --; Joseph Manusy jr. Maria Manusy Felix Manusy Manuel Manusy Diego Hernandez Juliana Hernandez Antonio Andreu Maria R. Andreu Antonio Lopez Maria Lopez Martina H. Pomar Gabriel Capo sen. Margaret Capo Jose Capo Gabriel Capo jr. Malina Capo Andres Pacetty Sally C. Mason Maria T. C. Mason Ann Mason Elizabeth Smith Matilda Mason Frances Lloyd Malina Hernandez Joseph Andreu Joseph Pacetty Juana Benet Rafael Benet Francisca Gonzales Antonio Andreu Seyerina C. Andreu James Hernandes Domingo J. Hernandez Anna Hernandez Estanislada T. Benet Maria C. Benet Antonia Alvarez Jacob Toras Joseph Barbara Frances Hernandez Demetrio Salas Frances Salas Andres C. Pacetty Catalina A. Pacetty Eml. J. Medicis Josephine Medicis Juan S. Pacetty Fecla Y. Pacetty Petronilo R. Lopez Mary I. Lopez Catalina Aguiar Eusebia Russell Eudorah Nelson Mary A. Cooper Victoria Cooper F. Weedon F. J. Weedon Wm. H. Weedott John M. Manusy Go. B. Weedon Jas. B. P. Haskins Ann M. Hernandez S. H. Williams Jeremiah Hallisy Richard Dillon Dennis Hallisy D. John Dioyre John Coloolle Ellen Dillon Francis Mone Zachariah J. Hogan Jane Rany Linsey Thomas Mone James Fagan Joachim Roman Charles Summers Thos. H. Mone Camila C. Sanchez James Fagan Clara Gracesca John Hallisy Rafaela Papy Sarah Fagan Josefa Gue Charles Byrne Joseph Noda Henry Hartley Felicia Y. Mitchell Henry F. Hartley Leocadia Gomez Susanah Hartley John A. Rose Thomas Bowden Mary B. Rose John M. Bowden S. P. Anderson Mary Ann Bowden M. W. Beard Mary Z. Hogans William P. Haskins John M. J. Bowden M. A. Haskins. [99] 10 [seal.] 1 (stamp.) 1 Isab. p. 1. g. de Dios y la Const. | Sello 30.— As. 1846 y I [ Reyna de Esp. J (47. 2 Rs J Sor. Aid. Mayor 40: Pbro. D. Benedicto Madeore, cura y vico gral. de la yga. de Sn. Augustin la Florida, respetuosa ante vida dice: Que recelo a su, y a su. Tener constancia autentica de la Cedula que inserta la adjunta obra titulada Cronica de la Orden de S. Franco, la cual le ha sido concedida por el actual Guardian del convento de esta ciudad, y se halla en la página 14 al número 177, así como de la patente que le precede al p. 110, número 174, p. a que de ambos recados integros se le de testimonio. En forma p.r uno, de los Escribanos publicos con las desmayos legalizaciones de estilo, cree el exponente indispensable la autorización judicial, afin de que se le ministre con la economica posible, toda la ver que se versa sobre el sevicio de una yga, pobre; en cuya virtud. A. V. S. supo. Se sirva acceder a lo que se solicita, acompananda la obra a que se contrae, que se le devolvera, en lo que reciba incrédulamente. Haba. y Abril 9, de 1847. BENEDICTO MADEORE. Haba., Ahril nueve de 1847. De se el testimo que se solicita en el orden que corresponde. PADILLA. Patente del reverendisimo padre, comisario general de Yndias, Fray Bernardo de Salva. sobre los conventos de Bayamo y Cuba. Fray Bernardo de Salva, padre de la provincia de Cataluna, comisario general de las Indias, con plenilidad de potestad por nuestro reverendisimo padre fray Arcangelo de Mesina, ministro general de toda la Orden de nuestro padre San Francisco. Al padre fray Pedro Ruiz, sacredote y confesor, salud y paz en el Seftor. Habiendo algunos años, que paso V. R. a la custodia de la Florida, también de la ciudad del divino amor y lo del aprovechamiento de las almas de aquellos infieles con Espiritu, y deseo de reducirlos, y traerlos al gremio de la Santa Madre y Glesia Romana y conocimiento de la Fe Catolica, y de hacerles capaces, y obedientes a los mandamientos de Dios, con la confesion de los sacramentos, sacerdotes de la ceguera, y esclavitud del Demonio y habiendo con su doctrina, cristiandad, y buen ejemplo hecho muchos servicios a nuestro Senor en aquella tierra, como por (JSEAL.] (JSEAL.) (JSEAL.) 3d stamp— 1846-'47. 25cts. To the principal (4^^,) Alcalde or Judge: The presbiter Benedict Madeore, pastor and vicar general of the church of Saint Augustine, in Florida, respectfully sayeth: That the interest of his church requires an authenticated copy of the royal ordinance, which will be found inserted in the accompanying work, entitled, "Chronicle of the Order of Saint Francis," which has been conceded to him by the actual guardian of the convent in this city, and will be found on page 114, of number 177. In like manner, he requires a copy of the patent which precedes the foregoing, found at page 110, number 174. Your petitioner believes it indispensably necessary that the judicial power should interpose and authorize true copies of both articles to be made out, with all the formalities required by law, by a public notary, to the end that it may be furnished with that economy usual in all cases where the service is rendered to a poor church. He begs that you will be pleased to accede to his solicitation, and that the accompanying work may be returned to him, for which favor, he will be obliged. BENEDICT MADEORE. "Havana, April 9, 1847. Give the copies required, with all the formality the law requires. PADILLA. Havana, April 9, 1847. Patent of the most Reverend Father, commissary general of the Indies, Friar Bernardo de Salva, over the convents of Bahama and Cuba. Friar Bernardo de Salva, father of the province of Catalonia, commissary general of the Indies, with full power through our most reverend father friar Archangel de Mesina, the general minister of the entire order of our father St. Francis. To the father friar Peter Ruiz, priest and confessor, health and peace in the Lord. Some years have elapsed since your reverence went to take charge of Florida, being touched by a spark of divine love to seek the salvation of the souls of those infidels, and animated with a spirit and desire to bring them into the fold of our holy mother the Church of Rome, by making them acquainted with the Catholic faith, and thus make them capable of understanding and obeying the laws of God, acknowledging his sacraments, removing them from the blindness and slavery of the devil, and having, by your doctrine,  le hemos hecho comisario, para que los que conocier ser a proposito para aquella tierra los lleve consigo, como por otra patente particular para esto consta. por tanto deseando el bien, y aumento de nuestra religion, y que las cosas de ella vayan de bien en raejor, y habiendo consultado con algunos religiosos de buena conciencia, y satisfacción practica en aquella tierra, y ultimátamente con los padres de la orden congregados de San Juan de los Reyes de Toledo, a catorce de Junio, de mil seiscientos nueve; y habiendo parecido no solo conveniente, pero muy del servicio de nuestro Senor, que el convento de la Habana, Santiago de la Ysla de Cuba, y el del Bayamo se tovasen al gobierno de este oficio, por estar tan lejos de prelado, que les pueda mirar con propios ojos, y proveer de remedio en las cosas que lo pidieran, como estuvo en tiempo del padre fray Francisco de Guzman nuestro antecesor, y que así para el bien particular de la religion, como por otros particulares, y justos respectos convenia, que los dichos conventos se juntasen con los de la Florida, y de todos se hiciese una y muy buena honrada custodia, que este inmediatamente ancha a este oficio, gobernando de aquí, y proveyendo de prelados, y sudicios, y de todo lo que conviniere para la edificación, aumento y conservación, así de lo corporal, como de lo espiritual. ual; y que efectuando esto, se conseguirán conmas facilidad el fin deseado, que es la paz y concordia con los gobernadores, que por no haberla havida los anos atras, han sucedido muchos inconvenientes, los cuales, cesaran con poder mudar un religioso de la Florida u la Habana, y se cobrara el buen nombre, y reputación, Dios será servido, el pueblo y tierra edificado, y la religion aprovechada, y que S. M. Taking into consideration the zealous spirit which animates your reverence in the prosecution of this holy work, your profound religion, and the prudence which you observe in everything relating to our State and profession; the liberty of carrying with you certain religious persons, has been conceded to you, over whom we have made you commissary, by order of his majesty; you will, therefore, select such persons as you may deem proper for that duty, and take them with you, for which purpose another special patent shall be given to you. Desirous of the prosperity and advancement of our religion, and that everything appertaining thereto may proceed from good to better, we have consulted with some religious persons of good conscience and practical experience in the affairs of that country, and particularly with the fathers of the congregated order of St. John of Toledo, on the fourteenth day of June, one thousand seven hundred and nine; and it having appeared to them not only, but necessary to the service of our Lord, that the convents of Havana, St. Jago de Cuba, and the Bahamas, should be taken under the government, of which commissary, because they are distant from any prelate who may personally watch over them, and provide the proper remedies to such evils as may present themselves, as was the case in the time of father friar Francis Guzman, our antecessor. We esteem it convenient for the particular good of religion as well as for other particular and just reasons that the aforementioned convents should be united to those of Florida; and, from the whole thus united, a good and honored custody, or charge, should be formed, which shall be subject to this office, from whence it shall be governed and provided with prelates. Subjects, and everything that may be necessary to the edification, augmentation, and conservation of it, both in a corporal and spiritual sense; this being effected, we will obtain, with more facility, the desirable object of restoring peace and concord between their different governors; among whom, for want of this measure, many differences have arisen, all of which will cease with the introduction and exercise of power to remove religious persons from Florida to Havana, by which the good name and reputation of the different convents will be recovered, the service of God promoted, the people and country edified, and religion advanced. His majesty and his royal council of the Indies, will esteem this to be the best mode of government, and he will cheerfully ratify and confirm it. Confiding in your piety, prudence, and rectitude, that you will, well and faithfully, labor in the service of our Lord, descargo de nuestra conciencia en lo que toca al buen gobierno, y aprovechamiento de los Naturales; por la presente en la mejor forma, y manera, que podemos, y derecho devemos, nombramos, creos, y elefimos a Vuestra Reverencia por custodio de la dicha nuestra custodia de Santa Elena de la Florida, a la cual desde luego unimos, aplicamos, e incorporamos el convento de San Salvador de la Habana, Santiago de la Isla de Cuba, y el del Bayamo; y porque en esta Santa obra Vuestra Reverencia no pierda el merecimiento de la Santa obediencia, por ella, en virtud del espiritu Santo le mandamos, que con los dichos siete religiosos se parta para alia, y según la gracia, y talentos, que le ha dado nuestro Senor ejercite su oficio; y para que mejor lo pueda hacer, in utroque foro le damos toda nuestra autoridad, sobre los convenios, y doctrinas de la dicha custodia, convieno a saber el convento de la concepción. Por el Consejo de Nuestra Señora en la ciudad de San Augustin, el convento de San Salvador de la Habana, el convento de San Francisco de la Isla de Cuba, el convento de Santa Catalina de Guale, el convento de Santa Catalina de Guadalquivi, el convento de San Juan del Puerto el convento de San Juan del Puerto, el convento de San Juan del Puerto, el convento de San Juan de Guadalquivi, el convento de San Antonio de Guadalquivi, el convento de Santa Ana de Patano, y sobre todos los religiosos de ellos, así subditos, como prelados, para que en virtud de esta nuestra patente les pueda consolar, y acariciar, corregir, castigar, llegar con censuras, y absolver de ellas, y encarcelar, y sacar de la carcel en casos leves con sola su autoridad, y en los graves consejo de los Definidores, desterrar, y reducir, privar, suspender, y habilitar, recibir novicios en el convento de San Agustín, y en el de la Habana, y admitirlos a profesion; fundar conventos de nuevo, precediendo licencia de S. M. Cataline, of Guadaloupe, the convent of the island of St. Peter, the convent of St. John of the Port, the convent of St. Bonaventure, of Guadalquiver, the convent of St. Anthony, of Guadulce, the convent of St. Anthony, of Guadulce, the convent of St. Anthony, of Patano, and over all the religious persons contained therein, both subjects and prelates, to all of whom, by virtue of this patent, you can console, caress, correct, punish, bind and censure, and absolve them therefrom, and to imprison and take them out of prison by your own authority in trivial cases and in grave cases, by and with the consent of your definitive councillors; to banish, and reduce, deprive, suspend, and restore; to receive invocations in the convent of St. Augustine, and that of Havana, and admit them to profess. To found new convents, with the previous permission and license from his majesty and his council of the Indies, and with the consent of the prelate, bishop, or archbishop of the port or place understood to be most convenient. To make constitutions, to change friars from one convent to another, to give permission to take orders, to invoke a chapter at the proper time, over which you will preside, to make election or elections of definitive councillors, guardians, institute confessors and preachers, and all other officers. To do, dispose, and conclude all that may be necessary to the good government of the said custody, or charge, to the reformation of the fallen, and conservation of those who are perfect. To increase the rigid observance of our State and regulations. Having great care to place in all religious meetings, friars of the most exemplary virtue, who may be able to hear the confession of penitents in their own language, and be particular that they be not avaricious, for the sons of our father St. Francis should eschew that vice, and keep themselves free and clean from it, observing, with exactitude, all that is ordered by the council of Trent, as well as all that is ordered by the general constitution of the order, and constitution of the particular custody, or charge, to which we belong. We have a V. R. y a los religiosos de ella, inmediatos a Nos, y a nuestros sucesores, sin que ningun superior inferior Nuestro se entraña en su administracion, y gobierno: para cuya debida ejecución exortamos, y a mayor merito mandamos por Santa Obediente en virtud del espiritu Santo, y pena de escomunion mayor al guardian, y frayles de nuestros conventos de la Habana, Ysla de Cuba, y del Bayamo, como el custodio, difinidores, y demas religiosos de nuestro convento de la Florida, obedecen a V. R. en todo y por todo, como a su legítimo prelado y custodio críado. por Nos., para la reformación, bien, y aumento de la religión en la dicha custodia, sin que se ponga impedimento, ni estorvo por los provinciales de la provincia del Santo Evangelio de Mejico, Santo Domingo de Venezuela, por nuestros comisarios generales, ni por otra persona alguna, a los cuales, y a cada uno de ellos, mandamos por la misma Santa Obediencia, y sopena de escomunion mayor tengan los dicciones conventos de San Salvador de la Habana, Santo Domingo de Cuba, y San Francisco de Bayamo por desunidos, divididos, y separados de las dichas provincias, y por aplicados, unidos e incorporados a la dicha nuestra custodia de Santa Elena de la Florida con las Fundaciones, mandas, limosnas, que al presente tienen, y tuvieren de aquí adelante, y a V. R. Dada en San Francisco de Madrid a diez y ocho de Noviembre de mil, seiscientos, y nueve años, firmada con el sello mayor de nuestro oficio, y refrendada de nuestro secretario, fray Bernardo de Salva, comisario general de Andias. Por mandado de Nuestro padre Reberendisimo; fray Diego de Cecilia, secretario. Cedula de su Magestad, para que los conventos de la orden fundados por otras provincias en la Isla de Cuba, se den a la custodia de Santa Elena de la Florida. El Rey. Todos y cualesquiera mis jueces, y justicias de las islas, y provincias, que se comprenden en las Yndias de Barlovento, y demás partes de mis Yndias Occiden tales, y cada uno, y cualquiera de vos en vuestra jurisdicción, Sabed que por parte del comisario general de las Yndias de la Orden de San Francisco, que reside, en mi corte, se me ha hecho relaciones, que por causas, que a ello movieron, se acordó en la última Congregación general de su orden, que se tuvo en la ciudad de Toledo, que se hiciese una custodia de los cobertos de las provincias de la Florida, y de la Isla de Cuba, que antes de separados; que el cumplimiento de ello había mandado poner en efecto por una patente suya dada en Madrid a diez y ocho de Noviembre del año pasado de mil, seiscientos, y nueve, suplicando que para que esto pueda tener el buen efecto, que conviene, le mandase dar razón, para que por vuestra parte lo favorecie. permit any person, either superior or inferior to you, to meddle with, or disturb, your administration, or government, or government, for the faithful observance of this, we exhort, or, to give more force, we command, by virtue of the Holy Ghost, the perfect obedience under pain of excommunication, of the guardian and friars of our convent, in Havana, and island of Cuba, of the Bahamas, as well as the director, or superintendent, of our convent in Florida, to the end that they obey your reverence in all and for all, as their legitimate director or superintendent created by us, for the good and augmentation of religion in and within the limits of said custody, or charge. Nor shall any impediment, or embarrassment, be offered to you by our provincial of the province of the Holy Evangelist of Mexico; nor by him of St. Dominick, in Venezuela, nor by our commissary generals; nor by any other person whatsoever, to all of whom we command by the same holy obedience, under pain of major excommunication; that they consider the aforesaid convents of the Saviour, in Havana, St. James, of the island of Cuba, and St. Given in St. Francis, in Madrid, this eighteenth day of November, one thousand six hundred and nine years, signed with the great seal of our office, and countersigned by our secretary, friar Bernard Salva, commissary general of the Indies. By order of our most reverend father friar James Cecilia - Secretary. Royal order of his majesty to annex to the custody or charge of St. Helen, in Florida, the convents on the island of Cuba, which were founded by, and hitherto attached to, other provinces. The king, to all and every one of his judges and justices in the islands and provinces in the Windward Islands and other parts of his Indies in the west, to each and every one of you in your proper jurisdiction: Know ye, I am informed by the commissary general of the Indies, of the order of St. Francis, who resides in my court that, for causes by which they were incited, it was determined in the last general meeting of the order, held in the city of Toledo that there should be made a custody or charge of the convents of Florida and the island of Cuba, which were heretofore separated in compliance with that determination, their patent has been issued in Madrid on the eighteenth day of November of the past year. 18 18 sedes y biibiendose visto por los del mi consejo de las Indias juntamente con la dicha patente, que originalmente se presento en el, mi ha parecido ordenaros, como por la presente así lo ordene, y rando que todos, y cada uno, y cuálquier de vos en v. uestra jurisdicción. como dicho es, "es al padre fray Pedro Ruiz de la dicha Orden de San Francisco. Usted nombrado por la dicha patente todo el favor, y ayuda en lo que se le ofreciera, y hubiera menester para su mejor cumplimiento, que de ello me tendre por servido. Fecha en Selina, a cinco de junio de mil, seiscientos, y diez años. Yo el Rey, Por mandado del Rey Nuestro Señor, Juan Ruiz de Contreras. Es conforme a sus originales que se hallan colocados a la pagina ciento diez número ciento setenta y cuatro, y pagina ciento catorce número ciento setenta y siete de un libro impreso que setenta y siete de un libro impreso que setenta y siete de un libro impreso que se establezca en Madrid a nueve, y diez y nueve de Mayo de mil Setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Febrero, y viente de Marzo de mil Setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil Setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil setenta y cinco a veinte y siete de Marzo de mil Firmado en la Habana a doce de Abril de mil Ochocientos cuarenta y siete renglones-ciento Tale. JUAN DE ENTRALGO, Secreto. Hono. de S. M. Los escribanos dela Reyna Nuestra Sefiora (Q. D. G.) que signaron y firmamos certificados y damos fe: que D. Juan de Entralgo, por quien aparece autorizado el testimonio que antecede, es secretario honorario de S. M. y escribano publico del numeroso de esta ciudad, fiel, legal, y de confianza; y a sus semejantes siempre se les ha dado y deberá ser fiel y credito en ambos juicios. Y para constancia damos la presente sellada con el de Nuestro Real Colegio en esta siempre fidelisima ciudad de la Habana a trece de Abril de mil ochocientos cuarenta y siete. FRANCISCO DE ESCOVEDO, MAN. VIDAL ALARCON, FELIX LARRIN, Consulate of the United States, Havana, April 28, 1847. I, Robert B. Campbell, consul of the United States of America for the city of Havana, do hereby certify that Francisco de Escovedo, F. V. Alarcon, and Felix Larrin, whose signatures appear to one thousand six hundred and nine, and in order that it may be carried into full effect my royal order is required, in order that you, on your part, should sustain and support it; the said determination has been submitted to my council of the Indies, together with the original patent. It has appeared to me proper to order and command you, as I do by these presents order and command you, each and every one in your appropriate jurisdictions, to give to the aforesaid father friar Peter Ruiz of the said order of St. Francis, nominated director or superintendent by the said patent, all the favor and aid which he may require or find necessary for the better fulfillment thereof, by which I will consider myself well served. Given in Selma on the fifth day of June, one thousand six hundred and ten years. I, the king, by order of the king our Lord, John Ruiz, Contreras . The foregoing is a true copy of the original which is found located at page one hundred and ten, number one hundred and seventy-four, and page one hundred and fourteen, number one hundred and seventy-seven of a printed book, entitled "Chronicles of the religion of our father St. Francis," twenty-fifth chapter of the first book, which book contains, at the beginning, the appropriate approbation and licenses, dated in Madrid on the ninth and nineteenth day of May, one thousand seven hundred and fifty-five, and in Rome the twenty-sixth day of February, and twentieth of March, one thousand seven hundred and fifty-six, which was placed before me in order that I might extract from it this certified copy in compliance with the order of the major alcalde or judge Ramon Padilla, which I sign and seal in Havana, this twelfth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven. JOHN ENTRALGO, Honorary Secretary of her Majesty. The notaries public of the queen our lady, (whom may God preserve,) who sign and seal beneath, certify, and give faith, that John Entralgo, by whom the foregoing was authorized and sealed, is the honorary secretary of her majesty, and one of the public notaries of this city, and to his acts, as such, full faith, credit, and confidence, have always been given in both tribunals. In order that it may so appear, we give these presents, sealed with the seal of our royal college, in this ever faithful city of Havana, on the thirteenth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven. FELIX LARRIN, MAN VIVAL ALARCON, FRANCISCO ESCOVEDO, S. L.J Consulate of the United States, Havana, April 28, 1847. I, Robert B. Campbell, consul of the United States of America for the city of Havana, do hereby certify that Francisco de Escoveda, M. V. Alarcon, and Felix Larrin, whose signatures appear to the foregoing certificate, are notaries public of the Royal College of Notaries Public of the city of Havana. In testimony whereof, I have hereto set my hand and affixed my seal of office, at Havana, on the day of the date above written. ROBERT B. CAMPBELL. Govt, de la Havana, con f ha de 22 de Marzo, de 1737. Muy Senor Mío: El propio día (todavia desde el Castillo) le requerí tercera vez en nombre de S. M. reproduciendo y esforzando los dos antecedentes, con lo que vinieron los oficiales Rs. a enterarse del motivo de mi venida y Rs. ordenes; y habiendo reconocido estos ministros le llevaron copia en cuya vista tomo la atención de refugiarse en el Concente de San Francisco, y aunque no me falto este aviso de acuerdo con el Yllmo. Senor Obispo no procedi a aquella hora a diligencia publica alguna por ser de noche, y estar todavía el Pueblo en confusion y aun en vandos no obstante que temía alguna fuga u ocuitacion de sus bienes, por lo que di algunas ordenes secretas a los oficiales que fueron biniendo poco a poco en virtud de la carta de V. S. que les remitieron y otros que sagazmente fueron ganando. Y considerando las perniciosas consequencias que debía esperarse aca el Servicio de ambas Magestades (de que no pueden ocultarse a la alta comprehension de V. S.) si el día Don Francisco hiciese fuga (en observancia de la instrucción) Mande al Capitan Dn. Phelipe Yturrieta con veinte y quatro granaderos que cerca el Consejo e incontinente libre suplicarlo a Su Yllma. 