The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 19, July 1915 - April, 1916 Page: 358
452 p. : maps ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
358 The Southwestern Historical Quarterly
He said that he had been among the Indians with whom he had
been found for more than three years, and had married into the
tribe. He was asked how long it had been since his country-
men had settled on the large river, with how many families, and
under what pretext, since they knew that they were within ter-
ritory of the king of Spain. In reply, be indicated by signs that
the settlement had been made about fifteen years before; but
he gave no answer to the rest of the question. He described the
town, however, and was understood to say that it contained two
fortified castles, one belonging to the French and the other to
the Flemish. The French castle had twenty cannon and six com-
panies of soldiers for its defence. There was also a Capuchin
convent, and a well-constructed church, which had a tower with
ten bells. He said that he had been visited twice by his country-
men from the town; about a year before by Captain Monsieur
Jarri and sixteen men, and again, only two months before, by
seven others, who wished to know the progress he was making
with the Indians. Many other questions were asked him, but the
facilities for examining him were so poor that no further infor-
mation could be secured."9
In spite of the manifest absurdity and many contradictions of
the Frenchman's replies, Captain Leon had no doubt that he had
finally obtained positive proof of the existence of the French set-
tlement on the river and Bay of Espiritu Santo. He therefore
decided to remit the prisoner to the City of Mexico, in order
that the viceroy might examine him, and, with the aid of better
interpreters, learn definitely the location of the settlement from
which the Frenchman came.70 As direct communication between
"Declarazion del frances Frco alias Yan Jarri, June 7, 1688, Ibid.,
11-15.
70The above facts are narrated in a letter of Leon to the viceroy dated
June 21, 1688, 4 pp., enclosing autos and derrotero previously cited
(Ibid., 1-20). The story of the capture of Jean Henri, as drawn from
these original documents, differs materially from the account given in
the Carta of Manzanet, which has hitherto been the sole authority for
this episode. Manzanet, who was a missionary in the mission of Caldera
at the time of the capture, makes it appear that the discovery of the
Frenchman was due to his own efforts. One of his neophytes, named
Juan or Juanillo, he said, had told him of the Frenchman, and, at
Manzanet's order, succeeded in inducing the Frenchman to go to a
rancheria nearer Coahuila, where Captain Leon had captured him with-
out any danger whatever. According to Manzanet, the prisoner said that
he was a native of "Cheblie," in New France. (Carta de Don Damian
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Periodical.
Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 19, July 1915 - April, 1916, periodical, 1916; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101067/m1/385/: accessed March 29, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.