118. The Evil Deeds of the Spaniards (1702-1740)
The writers were a committee of the South Carolina legislature, appointed to draw up a statement of the ways of their countrymen. They have not spared the dark tints in their picture. — Bibliography: Winsor, Narrative and Critical History, V, 342-343. — For earlier accounts of the Spaniards, see Contemporaries, I, Nos. 17-25, 46.
IN 1702, before Queen Anne's Declaration of War was known in these Parts, the Spaniards formed another Design to fall upon our Settlements by Land, at the Head of Nine Hundred Apalatchee Indians from thence. The Creek Indians, in Friendship with this Province, coming at a Knowledge of it, and sensible of the Dangers approaching, acquainted our Traders, then in the Nation with it, when this Army was actually on their March coming down that Way. The Traders having thereupon encourag'd the Creeks to get together an Army of Five Hundred Men, headed the same, and went out to meet the other. ... the Creeks rushing forth fell on them, killed and took the greatest Part, and entirely routed them. . . .
In the latter End of the same Year, Queen Anne's War being commenced, Col. Moore then Governor of this Province, with Reason expected a Visit from the Spaniards, and it having been suggested to him, that St. Augustine might be easily taken, if surprized, he judged it best to give them the first Blow. Accordingly he undertook an Expedition against it with about Five Hundred Whites, and Five Hundred Indians. He himself with Four Hundred of the Whites proceeded in the Vessels directly to the Bar of St. Augustine Harbour, whilst Col. Daniel landing at St. Juan's march'd directly from thence with the other Hundred and the Indians, and entered the Town with them only, the same Day as the Vessels appeared in Sight. This little Army kept the Castle close besieged above Three Months ; and repelled several Sallies with the Loss of very few Men. Yet having no Bombs with them, and a Spanish Man of War coming to its Relief from the Havanna with a considerable Number of Men, on Board Four large Transports, which landed on Anastatia, they were obliged to retreat : But not without First Burning the Town.
In 1704, Col. Moore was commissioned as Lieutenant General by Sir Nathaniel Johnson, who succeeded him in the Government, to make an Expedition against the Spaniards and Indians at Apalatchee, about Eighty Miles to the West of St. Augustine, on the same Motives that the
