EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 19 



them in shape, nor color, nor anything else, as we have shown in due place; these 

 sheep, I say, of Castile, I know not when they were first imported into Pern, nor by 

 whom. The first that I ever saw were in the fields about Cusco, in the year 1556, and 

 were then sold, one with another, at the rate of 40 pieces of 8 a head ($40), and some 

 of the prime at 50; and were brought there both for love and money, as the goats 

 first were. In the year 1560, when I departed from Cusco, mutton was not as yet 

 sold in the shambles by weight, but since, in letters from there, dated in the year 

 1590, they write me that a sheep was then sold in the market for 8 reals of 8, or 10 at 

 most; and in eight years since sheep are fallen to 4 ducats a head and under, and 

 now, at present (1600), are so common, and in such numbers, that they are worth very 

 little; for an ewe commonly brings forth two at a time, and often three; their wool 

 is produced in that quantity, that it is of little value, and is not worth above 3 or 4 

 reals a quarter of a hundred. I know not if they have learned to make wethers of 

 them. 



Other Spanish writers on Peruvian affairs state that the first cows, 

 bulls, horses, goats, and other European animals, of course including 

 sheep, were brought across the Isthmus of Panama to the upper coast 

 of the Pacific, originally, from the islands of San Domingo and Cuba, 

 whither the breeds had been sent from Spain for the purpose of propa- 

 gating. From Peru the Castilian sheep were introduced into Chile, 

 about 1550, and soon became general, but more esteemed by the Euro- 

 pean settlers for their flesh than their wool, and in small numbers con- 

 sidered as a necessary appendage to every estate where the language 

 of the mother country was spoken in the mansion. The Castilian sheep 

 bred upon the lowlands of Chile are very different from those located on 

 the uplands. Below, they grow into long-legged and long-backed ani- 

 mals with small bodies. Comparatively speaking, the mutton is also 

 poor and the wool coarse and long, whereas, on the mountains the meat 

 is well flavored, with something of a game taste, and the fiber of the 

 fleece is finer. 



From the same original depot in Peru the Castilian sheep were driven 

 to Chuquisaca, and thence across the South American continent to 

 Paraguay, and eventually to the extensive plains bordering upon the 

 long stream of La Plata. 



When, in 1565, Menendez made his contract with Philip the Second, 

 King of Spain, to conquer and colonize Florida in three years, he agreed 

 to take with him 500 men, and to supply them with 500 negro slaves, 

 200 horses, 200 cattle, 200 hogs, and 400 sheep. Menendez proceeded to 

 raise the necessary funds for the purpose, in which he was still further 

 hastened by the news that Florida was occupied by French Huguenots. 

 He sailed for Florida in June, 1565, with a fleet of eleven ships, leaving 

 many other ships, with men and stores, to follow. On September 4 lie 

 anchored off the mouth of St. Johns Eiver, and, after chasing some 

 French vessels next day, sailed down the coast to an inlet, which he 

 named San Augustine. Here three of his ships debarked troops, guns, 

 slaves, and stores. The negro slaves were immediately set at work 

 with pick and shovel and spade to provide iutrenchments, " and," says 

 Parkman, " such was the birth of San Augustine, the oldest town of 



