The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-09-28
The Treasure of
San Carlos de Barrancas
Compiled by Cells Myrover Robinson
No.

Acknowledgement is made to PEN
sacolians who have contributed de-
tails OF the story of the treasure
buried in the old Spanish fort but,
most particularly to Wildrick, author
of The ZeaIot In TuIle, which story
contains much legendary and historf-
cal data concerning Pensacola's ia
nous treasure.)
In the spring when Nature Is most
lavish in Florida the banks and ways
of Fort Barrancas are brilliant with
wild phlox. vivid blooms nurtured by
sun and sea wind and covering acres
of government land with their softly
tinted and gorgeousIy varied blooms
pinks and palest yellows. lavender
and deepest purple. crimson and dark
maroon. rose and orange. crowding one
delicate bloom against the other in
an indescribably exquisite chaos of
color as IL Nature, in her most ex-
travagant and happiest moods had
flung a scarf of dazzling hues from
the lap Of early summer upon the un-
kissed earth.
One must see this brilliant and
most beautiful sight to know how de-
licately and radiantiy lovely the wild
ph1ox can be. how its colors sweep
the parade and embrace the battle
ments that overlook Pensa cola bay in
stern and forbidding approximations
flowers of late winter and early
spring, that lift their bright faces in
the soft sea wind, brightly decked
harbingers of happiness and peace.
But 1t is not generally known that
the phlox that deck the parade and
creep to near the battlements at Fort
Barrancas, were not always wild. That
long ago the first blooms, of which
these are the pretty offspring, were
planted there to hide secret. Or at
any rate that Is what one author,
writing. of Barrancas, has to say Of
these gorgeous and delicate blooms.
Even wayfarers in Pensacola have
heard rumors of treasure hidden here
about Legend has it that treasure
was found one on Santa Rosa island,
there are constantly recurring rumors
of treasure hidden in the bayous, and
only recently gold doubloons were dis
covered in Pensacola bay.
But, while the treasure OF San
Carlos de Barrancas Is known to many
old Pensacolians. it is not generally
known to the visitors to this seaport
or to those who visit the army posts.
1t is romantic story, one of emprlse
and battle. of the old Spanish cavalier
and the pirate ship, OF the red man
and treachery, Of the white man and
power, of the carnage OF battle and
the white flag of truce.
It Is matter of history that from
the close of the American revolution
until after San Carlos de Barrancas
was taken by Gen. Jackson, the South
Atlantic coast was infested by fra
ternity of buccaneers, or pirates, who
swarmed among the Antilles, bouncing
upon vessels fresh from the Mexican
mines laden with gold and silver in
the rough on its way to Europe. for
at that time, as there was no mint,
there could be no coinage in Mexico.
"Steed Bonnet" LATTE" "Donlin-
go"-were names of terror, to make
the heart quake in daylight as well
as In darkness. and following less
boldly. but very craftily in the wake
of these sea-faring Adventures was
a dare devil domesticated in every Ia
COON and bayou along the gulf coast.
1t is said that Steed Bonnet. one of
the most famed and terrible Of the
pirate horde came to anchor one day
at Pensacola, bringing hither a guam
tity OF massive silver plate. which to-
gether with the letter a had crest
engraven on each separate piece.
There is an old Pensacola legend to
the effect that Manrequez, then gov
ernor- general of Spanish Florida,
dined sumptuously off these pirated
family heirlooms, and the legend per-
sists that in San Carlos de Barrances,
the old Spanish fort Is buried, along
with Spanish treasure, unlimited sill
yer and gold from the Mexican mines
and gold and silver pieces taken by
the pirates on the high seas. Is buried
this family plate with the letter "A"
engraven with the family crest, and
that this plate Is none other than
that which belonged to Gov. Aston OF
South Carolina, whose beloved wife,
Theodore, the beautiful and dutiful
daughter of Aaron Burr, walked the
plank of pirate ship and was drown
ed in mid ocean.
All have heard the story OF how this
gracious and lovely lady, with high
courage, clad in her white dress, with
her Bible clasped within her shaking
hands against her coura geous heart,
went down into the cold deep waters
with a prayer on her lips to that God
in whom she believed and whose ul-
innate love and mercy she never
doubted, even in this great hour OF
her anguish.
Theodore, the wife of Gov Aston.
was on the way with all the money
and waluables at her command. to
plead for her father. Aaron Burr. who
was even then being tried for high
treason.
Old Fort San Carlos.
With her this story is not directly