Ch. 8 The Governor and Indian Policy Spanish influence over the Indians steadily waned after 1670. Christian Indians and tribes friendly to the Floridians slowly succumbed to the temptations of shrewd English traders, who offered the Indians rum and muskets in return for alliances against the Spaniards. AN177 After the settlement of Charleston Yamasees, Lower Creeks, Apalaches, Guales, and other tribes began turning on their Spanish friends, ravaged Franciscan villages, and reduced Spanish control over their territory in the Southeast. For the governor the Indians posed an especially vexing problem, and he found it difficult to formulate a workable, consistent Indian policy. (Tepaske GSF)