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The Queen of France denied aiding the destruction of San Mateo

Source: Historical proof of the right of the Catholic King to the territory held to-day by the British King under the name of New Georgia #558

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19. Attack on the settlement and fort at San Mateo by Dominique de Gourgues: x [Arredondo note X Morery, at the word "Florida."] While the Adelantado Pedro Menendez was at the court of Spain seeking the means necessary to perfect the spiritual and temporal conquest of Florida, which he had left in such a forward state, the heretics of France, indignant alike because of the destruction which the Spaniards had wreaked upon Ribaut and his companions, and of the contempt with which their court received their complaints against Menendez, endeavored to influence the secretaries by hateful lies. Finally, Dominique de Gourgues, being aided in secret, and word being given out that he was returning to Brazil, fitted out three ships with two hundred soldiers, and in August, 1567, he set sail. Arriving at the coast of San Mateo, he landed fifteen leagues farther north, where he formed an alliance with Chief Saturriva, who was moved by greed for the gifts of Gourgues. With Saturriva's men incorporated with the Frenchmen, Gourgues fell suddenly upon the fort of San Mateo and the neighboring settlements and took possession of everything. The resistance of the surprised Spaniards was not suificient to withstand him, and most of them were killed in the defense. The rest, with the exception of Gonzalo Villaruel, fell victims to the ire of Gourgues, who barbarously ordered them to be hanged. He, with a very few of his men, opened a way to life and liberty through the enemy's ranks. Gourgues, fearing for this reason that the Spaniards would return and fall upon him, put his men on board as quickly as possible, and, steering for France, reached Rochelle on the 6th of June. He expected to receive great applause for his deed, and a corresponding reward from the court; but instead he was treated as a disturber of the peace, for without orders from the King he had insulted the allies of his Crown. So, far from receiving the recompense which he hoped for, he was compelled to live miserably hidden among the people of his sect, while the French officials earnestly searched for him in order to deliver him to the Spanish ambassador, in proof of the sincerity of the Most Christian King. 22.