Alfons Martí

La odisea de los Minorcans

INFORMATION

In 1768, under British rule of Menorca, an influential Scottish doctor, Andrew Turnbull, convinced more than a thousand inhabitants of Menorca, men, women and children, as well as some Greeks and Italians, to follow him to Florida where they were to settle as settlers. However, they suddenly found themselves on an industrial indigo plantation in conditions of forced labour.

After years of starvation, malaria, brutality by supervisors and breach of contract, they decided to escape while the new governor, Patrick Tonyn, initiated an investigation that led to the closure of the plantation and the establishment of the surviving settlers in the oldest city in the USA, Saint Augustine, where the Minorcans became the civil nucleus of the city.

Menorca's agriculture, arts, fishing and cultural traditions flourished. Since the 19th century, the small town has been known as the Montpellier of America for the beauty of its picturesque houses and squares, the care of crops, the grandeur of San Marcos Castle and the hospitality and cheerful atmosphere of a city whose carnivals, festive celebrations and musicals attracted the most illustrious travellers from the north, making it a cultural reference in the USA.