First European Contacts

The author is also the editor, Michael Gannon. The book, "The History of Florida”, was created by 23 historians along with Michael to tell the history of Florida. One argument that is presented is that historic accounts are not always cut and dry. For example, "…although the one extant detailed source for Juan Ponce’s voyage of 1513 -historian Antonio de Herrera y Tordesillas, who in 1601-15 published a chronicle of Spanish New World explorations - states that on the return end of that voyage, Juan Ponce sent one of his ships into the Lu-cayan, or Bahama, chain to search for "that celebrated fountain which the Indians said turned men from old men [into] youths.” This probably was a gloss by Herrera based on an unsubstantiated account by Peter Martyr. Probably more important to Juan Ponce were gold and the glory of conquest, the lust for which drove all conquistadors of the period."(1). Basically, Ponce went on a voyage, that was thought to be for a legend told by Indians. Historians believe the voyage was probably for gold. “...according to one of the expedition's chroniclers. Añasco returned with four native captives to serve as guides and interpreters." (2). There is no real evidence of this other than based on a witness. The legend around the Fountain of Youth is that there is a spring that grants youth to lose who drinks it. Between the 1500s to 1560’s the rulers of Spain in order were Charles V and Philip II. The new laws of 1542 abolished Indian slavery and ended the encomienda system. De Soto introduced pigs to Florida, and from there they populated into what we call wild pigs. “Microbial invasion” is the process of introduction, establishment, growth, and spread, and the impact of microbes across the earth. There are multiple reasons why the Spaniards wanted to settle in Florida. The main reasons are that it was identified as a desirable place for explorers, missionaries, and treasure seekers. They could explore Florida and claim the land and look for silver and gold as they go. The reason they didn’t try to colonize Florida was because of multiple reasons like disease and raids. From traveling across the ocean with rats and trading, the contracting disease was prevalent. Later on, Native Americans from Carolina came and attacked the Spaniards. I find interesting is the legend of the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine. It is on my bucket list to go and see. The map below is my best ability to draw the map Ponce de Leon traveled in 1513.

(1):Gannon, M. (Ed.). (2018). The History of Florida (p. 19). The University Press of Florida.

(2)Gannon, M. (Ed.). (2018). The History of Florida (p. 28). The University Press of Florida.