If there is just
reason for change you must inform us first."
Velasquez, in his report of April, 1515, mentions that he accompanied
the Town Council of Caparra to see the site for the new capital, and
that to him it seemed convenient.
In 1519 licentiate Rodrigo de Figueroa sent a lengthy exposition
accompanied by the certified declarations of the leading inhabitants
regarding the salubrity of the islet and the insalubrity of Caparra,
with a copy of the disposition of the Jerome fathers authorizing the
transfer, and leaving Ponce, who strenuously opposed it, at liberty to
live in his fortified house in Caparra as long as he liked.
On November 16, 1520, Baltazar Castro, in the name of the crown
officers of San Juan, reported to the emperor: "The City of Puerto
Rico has been transferred to an islet which is in the port where the
ships anchor, a very good and healthy location."
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 25: Annotations, p. 96.]
[Footnote 26: Ponce protested and appealed to the Audiencia, but did
not obtain restitution till 1520.]
[Footnote 27: A Castellano was the 150 part of a mark of gold. The
mark had 8 ounces.]
[Footnote 28: Indians distributed to be employed as domestic
servants.]
[Footnote 29: Small pieces of ordnance.]
[Footnote 30: XII, p. 89.]
CHAPTER XI
CALAMITIES--PONCE'S SECOND EXPEDITION TO FLORIDA AND DEATH
1520-1537
Among the calamities referred to by Friar Abbad as visitations of
Providence was one which the Spaniards had brought upon themselves.
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