Theoretically, the first governors of Florida were those early conquerors who attempted to exploit and settle the province. They found their rights as governor embodied in their title of adelantado. This designation, peculiar to the 16th century, was a convenient device used by the crown to encourage the expansion of it colonial Empire. As adelantados, enterprising soldiers or colonizers received liberal semi-feudal concessions from the king. In return they agreed to bear the expense of subduing the areas in which they obtained their special privileges. A contract (asiento) defined the adelantado’s specific rights and responsibilities and included the governor’s title. Five would-be colonizers obtained the governorship of Florida in their grants as adelantado. Juan Ponce de Leon, Lucas Vasquez de Ayllon, Panfilo de Narvaez, Hernando de Soto, and Pedro Menendez de Aviles all received the governor’s title, but only Menendez ever exercised authority as governor. The others failed to set up a lasting settlement and did not assume the governor’s mantle. Menendez served vigorously for almost ten years, but at the time of his death in 1574 his proprietary rights fell to the crown. (Tepaske GSF)