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SA's church curate reported Gov Palacio's bad behavior to the king

Source: The Governorship of Spanish Florida #122

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In 1759 still a third special procedure was called into play to restrain the governor at Saint Augustine. When Floridians hurled charges of incompetence and inefficiency at Governor Lucas Fernando de Palacio, Charles III considered them serious enough to warrant investigation, yet they were not worth the expense of either a visita or a pesquisa. The king believed that a permanent resident of Florida could report on conditions there as well as a visitador or pesquisador. [Note: Informe de Juan Joseph Solana 4/22/1759.] To secure this information, the king and the Council of the Indies chose the curate of the Saint Augustine church, Juan Joseph Solana, who had already submitted an unsolicited report suggesting reforms for the province.

Solana did not procrastinate, and within six months after he received his charge, he had completed his investigation. Highly critical of Governor Palacio, Solana pointed out that the governor had sold the office of public secretary (again a knotty problem) for 100 pesos instead of the 300 pesos required under the law. He had levied an unduly severe tax of 15 pesos on local shopkeepers and tavern owners, who had paid only five pesos in the past. He had mistreated 100 forced laborers and had wasted lime and stones for a new defense line near Saint Augustine. In his dealings with the Indians Palacio had antagonized the Caveta chief, Lagiche, by refusing to allow the Cavetas to trade within the walls of Saint Augustine. Then, after salving the chief’s feelings with peace offerings of rum, the governor had changed his mind and allowed the Indians to enter the Florida capital. Those savages who staggered into town presented a “disgusting spectacle” for which Solana held Palacio personally responsible. In a general condemnation of the governor, Solana asserted that Palacio lacked judgment and tact and that he pursued a policy of “general tyranny.”

(Tepaske GSF)