In October and November 1567, Philip II appointed don Pedro Menendez de Aviles to two new offices: the governorship of Cuba, to be exercised through a lieutenant like that of Florida, and the captaincy general of a new Armada of the Indies. The three positions were mutually reinforcing. Menendez could now supply his ships and outposts with Cuban provisions and charge his soldiers' wages against the armada. The process of rationalizing royal support had taken a step forward. The king further rewarded his champion with the rents of Santa Cruz de la Zarza, a property of the military order of Santiago to which Menendez belonged, and renewed his three-year contract. (Bushnell SS)