THE SPANISH BORDERLANDS A CHRONICLE OF OLD FLORIDA AND THE SOUTHWEST NEW HAVEN: YALE UNIVERSITY PRESS OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS PREFACE THIS book is to tell of Spanish pathfinders and pioneers in the regions between Florida and California, now belonging to the United States, over which Spain held sway for centuries. These were the northern outposts of New Spain, maintained chiefly to hold the country against foreign intruders and against the inroads of savage tribes. They were far from the centers of Spanish colonial civilization, in the West Indies, Central America, Mexico, and Peru. The rule of Spain has passed; but her colonies have grown into independent nations. From Mexico to Chile, throughout half of America, the Spanish language and Spanish institutions are still dominant. Even in the old borderlands north of the Río Grande, the imprint of Spain's sway is still deep and clear. The names of four States— Florida, Colorado, Nevada, and California — are M23501 |