Memorial of Francisco Menendez 12/12/1740

Included with Mendendez's petition of 12/12/1740: Page 5 Translation Don Manuel de Montiano and sovereign Colonel of the armies of Your Majesty and your Governor and Captain General of this city of St. Augustine of Florida and its Provinces. I certify that I am acquainted with and I have seen the service for three years on the part of Francisco Menendes, Captain of the Free Black Company, with all exactness and punctuality with regard to what he has offered to the Royal Service, having been present during this time in different functions and particulary in the garrison that the enemy had in Moze where they were completely defeated killing seventy-five men and capturing thirt-five, in which he fought with great valor, and therefore I am told that having been Page 6 Translation approached by the enemy he left the fort of this town the referred to Fransisco Menedez was present with his company firing upon them (the enemy) until they withdrew (retreated), as under my orders he made different sallies of great risk to connoiter the enemy, the English and the Indians, and that on all occasions he has manifested great zeal and love of the Royal Service and defense of this town, and that the tasks and jobs that I have assigned him in the Royal Service, in all he has complied much to my satisfaction and has meticulously worked in the establishment and refinement of the place of Moze, so that he developed that population, doing on his part all possible efforts so that the rest of his subordinates from his example they applied themselves Page 7 Translation to the work, teaching them good examples, and so that it is told where it may matter (be important), I give the present at whose end is signed by my hand, sealed with the seal of my coat of arms and countersigned below by my secretary in St. Augustine of Florida on the 16th of September, 1740. Don Manuel de Montiano By Command of the Lord Governor and Captain General Ramon de(l) Ochandatequi

Sent with Montiano's certification of 9/16/1740 and Mend's cover letter to Quintana 12/12/1740: Page 3 Translation Lord (Sir) The Captain Francisco Menendez, a free black, who I am, in the service of Your Majesty; of the Company of Free Blacks from this Presidio by appointment by the Field Marshal Don Antonio Benavides since the year of 1726, who efforts have continued with confirmation by the rest of the Governors of this town until the present in which I continue as states the attached certificate from my Governor Don Manuel de Montiano that with all humility I present before Your Majesty so that you may consider remuneration for the loyalty, zeal, and love with which I have always shown in the Royal Service such as in the encounter with the enemies that have been offered (been included) as with the desire and petition with which has caused me to verify (my actions) on the bulwarks (defenses) during the encirclement of this town showing me grateful with them (my actions) with that which I have attained (even though) poor, and therefore having Page 4 Translation continually through the bearing of arms, guard (duty) and custodianship of said bulwarks without receiving any Royal monies (maravedes), never the less the scarcities in which always occur in this presidio even more on this occasion taking me only in the end to defend the Holy Gospel and sovereignty of the Royal Crown, as even the poor and humble under my command have fulfilled (their duties) in the Royal Service. In whose attention and remuneration of these services to Your Catholic Majesty, I ask and supplicate if worthy to grant to me the property of said company by Royal writ giving to me therefore the salary that might be to Your Royal liking for my dignity because of the poverty of this Presidio; I hope to receive all relief from the Royal favor. May the Lord Keep the Royal Catholic Person of Your Majesty for many years as Christianity may require and as we your vassals desire. St. Augustine of Florida and November 21st of 1740. Lord I Kiss the Royal Feet of Your Majesty Francisco Menendes

Page 1 Translation Your Exelency Don Joseph de la Quintana y M[ ]: My Lord Lord After placing myself at the feet of Your Excellency as a humble slave, in as much I beg an implore that you place in the hands of His majesty, May God Protect Him, the request and attestation attached in which I intend that His majesty grants me the said property [of the] Company of Free Blacks of this Presidio, that which I obtain in Your Royal Name by commissions (appointments) of the Governors: Sir Antonio de Benavides, Sir Francisco de Moral and Sir Manuel de Montiano, that which I seek in compensation for the services which I have made for Your Majesty; with the salary (pay) that may be to Your liking in whose intention (desire/claim) I await (hope) Your Excellency intervenes with your greatest services (mediation) as compassionate as God May your Excellency have many years as I desire. St. Augustine of Florida and December 12th of 1740. Your Most Excellent Lord I Kiss the Feet of Your Excellency Fransisco Menendes Page 2 Translation Florida 20 December 1740 Fransisco Menedez It is submitted the petition that he has made with regard to the Company of Free Blacks of that Presidio that it serves; I sent it, the corroboration with the recompense that was to the Royal liking. Page