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Gov. Olivera sent Lt. Pena to recruit Indians to Apalache
Source: Early History of the Creek Indians and Their Neighbors #121
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The new governor, Pedro de Olivera y Fullana, was also anxious to secure new Indian allies but was not willing to wait for them to appear in Saint Augustine. When Chiscalachisle departed, the governor ordered Lieutenant Diego Pena and three soldiers to accompany the chief to his territory on the banks of the Chattahoochee. Olivera laid down rigid instructions for Pena and his men. They were to list all chiefs and villages desiring Spanish aid and protection and to urge the caciques to select new sites for villages in the Apalache area near old Fort San Luis. All chiefs agreeing to a Spanish alliance would be given muskets and powder but would be required to first make the trek to Saint Augustine with their lesser chiefs (principales) to express their loyalty to Philip V and the Spanish governor in a formal ceremony. Pena had orders to keep a diary, obtain cattle and horses for the Florida garrison, report all unusual events, and prevent his men from trading with the Indians. Armed with these orders, Pena left Saint Augustine in August, 1716. Moving west along the Apalache trail, he visited many Lower Creek chiefs. Distributing muskets and powder among them as a token of his friendship, Pena explained the governor’s desire for eternal friendship with the Lower Creeks and his willingness to give them aid and succor in return for permanent alliances. Pena also stated that his gifts of muskets and powder and the good treatment already accorded Chiscalachisle were evidence that the Spaniards meant to keep their promises. The speech and the arms proved effective. Chiefs from the villages of Chiscalachisle, Savacola, Apalachicola, Achito, Ocmulgee, Uchi, Tasquique, Casista, Caveta, and Chavagali agreed to become vassals of Philip V and the governor in Florida. Some of the caciques also agreed to return to Saint Augustine with Pena. [Note 21: Junta para dar la obediencia a S.M. a Apalachicola 9/28/1716. Indian tribe names are oftentimes difficult to determine. In the documents the tribe are often referred to by the name of their chiefs, sometimes by the name of their village, and sometime by the name of the confederation of which they were a member. Wherever possible I have remained faithful to the documents. The difficulties in nomenclature are outlined in Swanton…] (Tepaske GSF)
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