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Creek delegation pledges friendship to Spanish in Apalachee

Source: Invention of the Creek Nation #95

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It is ironic, perhaps, that on June 26, 1734, just days after Tomochichi’s party arrived in London, twenty-three Creek chiefs and warriors approached the gates of Fort San Marcos in Apalachee to pledge their friendship to Alvaro Lopez de Toledo, the garrison commander. Leading the Creek delegation was Chocate, a warrior from Coweta whom Lieutenant Lopez took to be “the first in authority.” Accompanying him was Quilate of Apalachicola, Ysques, a cacique from the town of Achito [Hitchiti], and Opugilele, who was described as a cacique of Cussita. The chiefs, in an apologetic and friendly tone, argued that they had come to San Marcos “to obtain news of the manner by which the Governor treated the natives.” Fortunately for Lopez, several Indian runners from St. Augustine had recently arrived at the fort and attested to the familiarity and affability of the new governor, Francisco de Moral Sanchez. Ysques and Quilate, encouraged by their reception, informed Lopez that they would soon call a meeting of all the nations to discuss reinvigorating the Spanish alliance. If successful, they planned to pay Governor Moral Sanchez a complimentary visit in October to demonstrate their sincerity.