Floridians Deliberating on Important Affairs

FLORIDIANS DELIBERATING ON IMPORTANT AFFAIRS -- The chief and his nobles are accustomed during certain days of the year to meet early every morning for this express purpose in a public place, in which a long bench is constructed, having at the middle of it a projecting part laid with nine round trunks of trees, for the chief’s seat. On this he sits by himself, for distinction’s sake. Here the rest come to salute him, one at a time, the oldest first, by lifting both hands twice to the height of the head, and saying, “Ha, he, ye, ha, ha.” To this the rest answer, “Ha, ha.” Each, as he completes his salutation, takes his seat on the bench. If any question of importance is to be discussed, the chief calls upon his lauas – this is, his priests – and upon the elders, one at a time, to deliver their opinions.

 

SOME GEOGRAPHICAL CLUES

  1. The Calusa Indians dominated south Florida in the time of Spanish conquest, while the Timucua controlled the north.
  2. The dividing line on the west coast between the Timucua and the Calusa was the middle of Charlotte Harbor.
  3. Mogoso, probably the Mocozo mentioned in the Soto chronicles, was north of Calusa territory and near Tocobaga.
  4. Tampa originally was a large town of Calusa.
  5. Three other prominent Calusa towns were Sacaspada, Tuchi and Muspa.
  6. The town of Guacata on the shore of Lake Mayaimi perhaps was the capital of a territory including the great Plain of Guacoco described by Soto's secretary.
  7. Tymangoua center was three days' journey from the east coast up the River of May (St. Johns). By dugout canoe this distance would be about 25 leagues (65 miles).
  8. West of Tymangoua was the province of Potano, visited by Soto, centered near pre-sent Gainesville.
  9. An important Timucua town was Tocobaga at the head of a bay we now call Tampa. It was said to be 40 leagues from where Soto sought to colonize.
  10. Tocobaga was due west of Utina which was 50 or 60 leagues up the St. Johns River.
  11. The people of Canogacola, subjects of Tocobaga, were reached first after leaving the St. Johns River. These may have been the Ocala of Soto accounts.
  12. Just beyond lived the chief of Tocobaga on the last cape (mouth) of the River of Canes (Hillsborough) at Tampa Bay.
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Boldly Onward - America's Adelantados - by Lindsey Williams