It appears that about the year 1549 the system of electing alcaldes as governors was resumed, for in that year Bishop Bastidas thanks the emperor, and tells him “the alcaldes were sufficient, considering the small population.”  But in 1550 we again find a governor appointed by the crown for five years, a Doctor Louis Vallejo, from whose communications describing the conditions of the island we extract the following:  “It is a pity to see how the island has been ruined by the attacks of Frenchmen and Caribs.  The few people that remain in San German live in the worst possible places, in swamps surrounded by rough mountains, a league from the port....”  And on the 4th of December, 1550:  " ...  The island was in a languishing condition because the mines gave out, but now, with the sugar industry, it is comparatively prosperous.  The people beg your Majesty’s protection.”

However, in October, 1553, we find Bishop Alonzo la Fuente and others addressing King Philip II, and telling him that “the land is in great distress, ... traffic has ceased for fear of the corsairs....”  The same complaints continue during 1554 and 1555.  Then Vallejo is subjected to “residencia” by the new governor, Estevez, who, after a few months’ office, is “residentiated” in his turn by Caraza, who had been governor in 1547.

After this the chronicles are so scanty that not even the diligent researches of Friar Abbad’s commentator enabled him to give any reliable information regarding the government of the island.  It remained the almost defenseless point of attack for the nations with which Spain was constantly at war, and this small but bright pearl in her colonial crown was preserved only by fortunate circumstances on the one hand and the loyalty of the inhabitants on the other.

FOOTNOTES: 

[Footnote 35:  Protectors or proteges—­literally, “godfathers.”]

CHAPTER XVI

DEFENSELESS CONDITION OF THE ISLAND—­CONSTRUCTION OF
FORTIFICATIONS AND CIRCUMVALLATION OF SAN JUAN

1555-1641

San German disappeared for want of means of defense, and if the French privateers of the time had been aware that the forts in San Juan were without guns or ammunition it is probable that this island would have become a French possession.

The defenses of the island were constructed by the home authorities in a very dilatory manner.  Ponce’s house in Caparra had been fortified in a way so ineffective that Las Casas said of it that the Indians might knock it down butting their heads against it.  This so-called fort soon fell in ruins after the transfer of the capital to its present site.  There is no information of what became of the six “espingardas” (small ordnance or hand-guns) with which it had been armed at King Ferdinand’s expense.  They had probably been transferred to San Juan, where, very likely, they did good service intimidating the Caribs.