Florida's Allure, Exploratory Accounts, Illuminated Perspectives, Natural Wonders, Captivating, Informative.
“The Floridians have pieces of unicorns horns which they wear about their necks, whereof the Frenchmen obtained many pieces. Of those unicorns they have many, for that they do affirm it to be a beast with one horn which coming to the river to drink, puts the same into the water before he drinks. Of beasts in this country besides deer, foxes, hares, polecats, conies, ownces [wildcats], and leopards, I am not able certainly to say. But it is thought that there are lions and tigers as well as unicorns; lions especially. Of fish also they have in the river, pike, roach, salmon, trout, and diverse other small fishes. And of great fish, some of the length of a man and longer, being of bigness accordingly, having a snout much like a sword of a yard long. There be also of sea fishes, which we saw coming along the coast flying, which are of the bigness of a smelt. Of these we saw coming out of Guinea a hundred in a company, which being chased by the gilt heads, otherwise called the bonitos, do to avoid them the better, take their flight out of the water. These bonitos be of bigness like a carp and in color like a mackerel, but it is the swiftest fish in swimming that is, and follows her prey very fiercely. There were some of those bonitos, which being galled by a fishgig, did follow our ship coming out of Guinea 500 leagues. There is a sea-fowl also that chased this flying fish as well as the bonito. We took also dolphins which are of very goodly color and proportion to behold, and no less delicate in taste. Fowls also there be many, both upon land and upon sea. The Flamingo is one, having all red feathers and long red legs like a heron; a neck according to the bill, red.”
~ John Sparke, The Attractions of Florida; excerpt (1564-1565)
Addendum: For those of my Dear Readers & Listeners interested, here is a Journal Article from The Florida Historical Society’s Quarterly that goes over Sir John Hawkins’ exploration of Florida & its surroundings.
It’s a bit longer (16 pages) but provides a lot of historical background and related critical know-how that adds more colour to this expedition. Happy Reading!
Your support is vital for this Mammoth undertaking & endeavour!
If this project interests you, I would greatly appreciate it if you subscribed to a Monthly/Yearly pledge to support my work so that I can provide you, Dear Listeners, with Top-quality material. Come & join me to explore & study US History as it ought to be: by the peoples of the time themselves, in their very own words!
Alternatively, you can tip here:
Thank You, Dear Listeners, for all your support!
Share this post