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PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE UNITED STATES AND TERRITORIES
#12 - FLORIDA

Size: 3" x 5"
Copyrighted: 1892
Lithographer: Donaldson Bros.

Florida - Fighting the Seminoles; Spaniards; Old Gate, St. Augustine

Reverse - Text
Left section: GRIND YOUR COFFEE AT HOME
Right section:
FLORIDA.
FLORIDA was discovered in 1512 by Juan Ponce, commonly known as Ponce de Leon. He had distinguished himself in the wars with the Moors in Spain. He had been a companion of Columbus on his second voyage. He was now an old man, but animated with the ambition of youth. This made him readily believe the marvelous tales told of crystal waters flowing from living springs, in which he who once bathed in them would be endowed with immortal youth and great beauty. So in the spring of the year 1512 he sailed from Porto Rico, and, after wandering among the Islands of the Bahamas, tasting of and bathing in every stream and lake that met his vision, he landed on Easter morning near the site of St. Augustine. The restoring waters were never found, nevertheless Leon claimed great merit with the king for finding a land so fair and promising, and he was made governor in 1521. He was the first governor of any territory within the limits of the present United States. The Spaniards that followed (Narvaez, De Soto Menendez and others) left nothing but disgrace in a long list of cruel outrages.
In 1835 began the Seminole War which lasted seven years.
At the outbreak of the War of Seccession, Florida promptly joined the other Southern States, although the strong defenses of Fort Pickens, near Pensacola, and Forts Jefferson and Taylor on the bay, were securely held by federal garrisons, and the vessels of the United States navy likewise held command of a large part of the coast.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
Fighting the Seminoles in the Swamps, 1835-42; Spaniards in
Florida; Old Gate at St. Augustine.