should become, a half century later, the alleged base of a legendary pirate who supposedly appropriated the name Gasparilla for himself.

Evia also inscribed "Bahia de Carlos" at the upper end of Charlotte Harbor, demonstrating again the view that all water between Rio Romano (now Peace River) and the Caloosahatchee was one body of water. Evia acknowledged the earlier visit of Romans by applying the latter's name to a major stream. However, Evia ignored Romans' choice of a name for the harbor itself, perhaps feeling that body of water already was well known.

Depths shown by Evia are a minimum of 3½ fathoms through the Boca Grande channel and 3 fathoms within the harbor. Boca Seca (literally, Dry Opening; now, Blind Pass) often opens and closes in a matter of days as hydrological pressures vary. It is shown by Evia as having an unlikely 3½ fathoms -- perhaps a misinterpretation of his field notes inasmuch as 3 1/2 feet is good water today. The Sanibel channel is given 2 fathoms at the bar.

EXPLORATIONS BY WILLIAMS

The next look we have of the Charlotte Harbor area is contained in the notes and charts of John Lee Williams who led a reconnaissance for a New York City investment group planning to establish a settlement. This trip, carried out in the summer of 1832, was recounted in a book by Williams titled "Territory of Florida," recently reproduced in facsimile by the University of Florida Press.

Williams set out in a small sloop capable of anchoring in 6 feet of water. He first stopped at Carlos Bay and visited Cayo Pueblo, a fishing camp inhabited by several Spaniards and Indians. He then proceeded up the bay which he described as "narrow, crooked and difficult to find, frequently ran aground on oyster shoals, returned to rancho."

The exploring party then "took the small boat" and explored San Carlos Bay above the rancho (probably Punta Rassa). The bay was about 3 miles wide, said Williams, and they travelled 4 miles to Curlew Point. Another 4 miles toward the northeast brought them to Rocky Point, thence NNE 8 miles to the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, "a fresh water bay 2 miles wide, depth 2 fathoms."

"The mouth of the river is chequered with mangrove islets, and the water among them shoal with oyster bars," wrote Williams. "But a channel winds through of 7 feet."

Then Williams gives us an important description of the countryside before the white men came to stay and build their houses: "Above the islets the river opens to 400 yards in width, and from 2 to 3 fathoms deep. Shores on both sides are a savannah covered with high grass as far as the eye could search."

The significant thing to note is the lack of trees and marshy ground with which the Soto expedition had to contend upon making camp.

Three months later Williams and his party moved on. They sailed up "Charlotte" inside the keys arriving 25 miles from Punta Rassa to the island inhabited by Jose Caldez' fishing camp on "Toampa Island" (now Useppa). It is interesting to note Williams' view that Charlotte Bay extended southward to include what we now call Pine Island Sound. Boca Grande, according to Williams, had 15 feet of water on the bar.

From Toampa, they steered NE by E two miles and passed the Corona, an oyster reef two miles long. Another 15 miles brought them into the estuary where the Macaco and Talackechopko Rivers pour their waters.

Once again Williams informs us about the countryside: "This estuary is about 10 miles wide, low and generally lined with mangroves, but in some places with pine woods. Here observation take 26°53'. Anchored in mouth of Talackechopko (Peas, now Peace, River) in six feet water near Rancho point. Thus far, a vessel drawing 10 feet water may come with perfect safety. Lands in this vicinity are universally pine barrens."

Williams' description of pine barrens, inter-mixed with low mangroves marshes, matches the Soto terrain. The exploring party left the sloop and proceeded in a small boat at flood tide to ascend the Macaco (Myakka) River. For two miles the river was 1 1/2 miles wide, and they passed a range of small keys which lay two miles east and extended about two miles.

The river narrowed to a half-mile wide through a savannah covered with tall grass which extended four miles. This was followed by "quite open country, very wet, with islets of dry land." The river then turned northeast three miles, thereafter bending alternately from north to west. "The land is low, in places covered with water," Williams said.

Next they ascended the Talackechopko River, so called by the Seminole Indians for the black-